Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Quality and quantity of oral participation and English proficiency gains

There are many reasons to believe that oral participation in the target language (TL) is beneficial for classroom language learners. In addition to the prominence current second language acquisition (SLA) theory gives to processes that assume learner production of the TL (e.g. negotiation of meaning), teachers often view oral participation as a measure of learner involvement. Thus, it is often assumed that learners who participate often are likely to make greater proficiency gains. This correlational study examined this assumption by investigating the relationship between learners’ oral participation in classes for English as a foreign language (EFL) at a Japanese university and their gains in TL proficiency. Results indicated that while the quality of learners’ participation (accuracy, complexity, and fluency) was positively related to gains in TL ability, quantity of participation was not. While not indicative of a cause–effect relationship, the results suggest that teachers might wish to consider encouraging quality of participation as well as quantity.
A dual finite element complex on the barycentric refinement

Abstract A simplicial mesh on an oriented two-dimensional surface gives rise to a complex X • of finite element spaces centered on divergence conforming Raviart–Thomas vector fields and naturally isomorphic to the simplicial cochain complex. On the barycentric refinement of such a mesh, we construct finite element spaces forming a complex Y • , centered around curl conforming vector fields, naturally isomorphic to the simplicial chain complex on the original mesh and such that Y 2 − i is in L 2 duality with X i . In terms of differential forms this provides a finite element analogue of Hodge duality. To cite this article: A. Buffa, S.H. Christiansen, C. R. Acad. Sci. Paris, Ser. I 340 (2005).
Risk of tuberculosis in public transport sector workers, Lima, Peru.

SETTING Delays from symptom onset to the diagnosis and treatment of smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) produces possible new cases in persons in close contact with TB cases, especially in confined spaces such as overcrowded public transport, which puts other users and transport workers at risk. OBJECTIVE To estimate TB incidence rates in patients of a health micro-network, and the percentage of transport sector workers among TB and multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) patients. DESIGN Crude and indirect standardised incidence rates of TB were calculated from an exhaustive analysis of all clinical histories of incident patients in a health micro-network between 1 January 2007 and 30 June 2008. The percentage of transport sector workers and the association between MDR-TB and working in the transport sector were analysed. RESULTS Standardised incidence rates for transport sector workers are 2.7-4.5 times higher than those in the total working-age male and global population of the micro-network studied. The association between TB and transport occupation and MDR-TB and transport occupation is high (respectively OR 3.06, 95%CI 2.2-4.2 and OR 3.14, 95%CI 1.1-9.1). CONCLUSION These results indicate that the use of informal public transport is a risk factor for TB infection and an occupational risk in countries with characteristics similar to those in Peru.
Heterogeneity of Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase Gene Rearrangement in Non–Small-Cell Lung Carcinomas: A Comparative Study Between Small Biopsy and Excision Samples

Introduction: The standard diagnostic method for echinoderm microtubule-associated protein-like 4-anaplastic lymphoma receptor tyrosine kinase translocation is fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Recently, immunohistochemistry (IHC) has been reported as a potential method in screening for anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive non–small-cell lung carcinomas (NSCLC), whereas several authors have reported a discordance between FISH and IHC results. We investigated the heterogeneity of ALK gene rearrangement in excision specimens by FISH and also examined whether the FISH score of ALK gene rearrangement corresponded in excision and biopsy samples from the same patient. Methods: Twenty ALK IHC-positive patients including six patients treated with crizotinib therapy were evaluated for the presence of ALK FISH. For evaluation of heterogeneity of ALK gene rearrangement in excision specimens, we defined six to 10 observation areas in each case, and the number of ALK FISH positive observation areas (≥15% rearrangement detected) was investigated. ALK FISH score in small biopsy samples was classified as positive (≥15% rearrangement detected), equivocal (5–14% rearrangement detected), or negative (<4% rearrangement detected). Results: Of a total of 64 tumor observation areas from nine excision specimens, 50 areas were positive for ALK gene rearrangement (81.8%). In the comparison of excision and small biopsy samples, all excision specimens were ALK FISH-positive (100%; 6 of 6), whereas only three of the small biopsy samples in these patients were positive (50%; 3 of 6), two were equivocal (33%; 2 of 6), and one was negative (17%; 1 of 6). The two equivocal patients received crizotinib and showed a response. Conclusion: ALK gene rearrangement heterogeneity was observed in NSCLC specimens by FISH. Our findings suggested that IHC-positive/FISH-equivocal cases should not be considered true “false-negatives” when a small biopsy sample was used for ALK analysis.
Effects of Computer-based Stress Management Training on Psychological Well-being and Work Performance in Japanese Employees: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial

This study evaluated the effectiveness of a computer-based stress management training (SMT) program in improving employees’ psychological well-being and work performance. A total of 12 work units (N=263) were randomly assigned to either an intervention group (8 work units, n=142) or to a wait-list control group (4 work units, n=121). All participants were requested to answer online questionnaires assessing psychological well-being as a primary outcome, and coping style, social support, and knowledge about stress management as secondary outcomes at baseline (T0), immediately after the intervention (T1), and 2 months after the intervention (T2). The group × time interaction was tested using a mixed-model repeated measures ANOVA. Results showed a group × time interaction for “knowledge about stress management” in the entire sample. Among participants who had more than 3 d of training, a significant group × time interaction was observed for “problem-solving” and “avoidance and suppression” as well as “knowledge about stress management. ” Our computer-based stress management program was effective for improving knowledge about stress management. It was also effective for improving coping skills in instances where participants had enough time (at least 3 d) to complete all sessions.
Rate-Adaptive Coded Modulation for Fiber-Optic Communications

Rate-adaptive optical transceivers can play an important role in exploiting the available resources in dynamic optical networks, in which different links yield different signal qualities. We study rate-adaptive joint coding and modulation, often called coded modulation (CM), addressing non-dispersion-managed (non-DM) links, exploiting recent advances in channel modeling of these links. We introduce a four-dimensional CM scheme, which shows a better tradeoff between digital signal processing complexity and transparent reach than existing methods. We construct a rate-adaptive CM scheme combining a single low-density parity-check code with a family of three signal constellations and using probabilistic signal shaping. We evaluate the performance of the proposed CM scheme for single-channel transmission through long-haul non-DM fiber-optic systems with electronic chromatic-dispersion compensation. The numerical results demonstrate improvement of spectral efficiency over a wide range of transparent reaches, an improvement over 1 dB compared to existing methods.
Do not throw out the baby with the bath water: choosing an effective baseline for a functional localizer of speech processing

Speech processing engages multiple cortical regions in the temporal, parietal, and frontal lobes. Isolating speech‐sensitive cortex in individual participants is of major clinical and scientific importance. This task is complicated by the fact that responses to sensory and linguistic aspects of speech are tightly packed within the posterior superior temporal cortex. In functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), various baseline conditions are typically used in order to isolate speech‐specific from basic auditory responses. Using a short, continuous sampling paradigm, we show that reversed (“backward”) speech, a commonly used auditory baseline for speech processing, removes much of the speech responses in frontal and temporal language regions of adult individuals. On the other hand, signal correlated noise (SCN) serves as an effective baseline for removing primary auditory responses while maintaining strong signals in the same language regions. We show that the response to reversed speech in left inferior frontal gyrus decays significantly faster than the response to speech, thus suggesting that this response reflects bottom‐up activation of speech analysis followed up by top‐down attenuation once the signal is classified as nonspeech. The results overall favor SCN as an auditory baseline for speech processing.
Caffeine‐induced enhancement of cognitive performance: Confounding due to reversal of withdrawal effects

Caffeine has long been thought to have beneficial effects on performance. However, the double-blind placebo-controlled trials typically employed to examine caffeine effects fail to take account of the fact that caffeine is part of the daily diet of most people and that withdrawal effects occur even after brief abstinence (e.g., overnight). Recent empirical findings support the conclusion that improvements in performance following caffeine ingestion do not represent net benefits, but are due to reversal of abstinence-induced withdrawal effects. The claim by Lyvers et al. (2004) in Australian Journal of Psychology that their findings did not support the withdrawal reversal hypothesis is unjustified, because that study included no adequate control for withdrawal reversal.
Respiratory syncytial virus infection and immunity

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading cause for childhood hospitalization and respiratory distress, being recognized as a major health and economic burden worldwide. RSV can exploit host immunity and cause a strong inflammatory response that leads to lung damage and virus dissemination. Unfortunately, the immune response elicited by RSV normally fails to protect against subsequent exposures to the virus. Despite intense research during the 50 years after the discovery of RSV, scientists are just beginning to understand the mechanisms contributing to pathology and to the inadequate immune response shown by susceptible individuals. Here, we discuss some of the most important advances made in this field that could lead to the development of new prophylactic tools. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tracking clinical preventive service use: a comparison of the health plan employer data and information set with the behavioral risk factor surveillance system.

BACKGROUND There is a need for meaningful and accurate ways of tracking preventive service delivery among different sectors of the US population. OBJECTIVES To compare methodologies of and clinical preventive service use estimates obtained from 2 data sets: the Health Plan Employer Data and Information Set (HEDIS 3.0) and the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). METHODS HEDIS used a combination of mailed-survey, administrative, and medical-record data to measure preventive service use among commercial enrollees of 320 HMOs in 42 states during 1996. BRFSS data are from insured respondents (excluding those reporting Medicare or Medicaid coverage) to a random-digit-dialed telephone survey conducted in the same 42 states during 1996. RESULTS The median state-specific mammography, Papanicolaou smear, and retinal examination rates reported by HEDIS were consistently and substantially lower than those reported by BRFSS. For mammography, the median HEDIS rate was 72.4%, compared with 81.1% for BRFSS. For Papanicolaou smear and retinal examinations, HEDIS rates were 72.7% and 40.8%, respectively, compared with 91.2% and 61.6% for BRFSS. The median state rates of advice to quit smoking reported by HEDIS were similar to those for BRFSS: 62.1% versus 62.2%, respectively. For each measure, the absolute difference between HEDIS and BRFSS rates varied substantially both within a state and between states. CONCLUSIONS It does not appear that the BRFSS and HEDIS data can be compared directly to accurately track progress toward national preventive health objectives. This study highlights some of the problems with comparing these data and possible means for addressing the discrepancies.
Activation of Protein Kinase A and Exchange Protein Directly Activated by cAMP Promotes Adipocyte Differentiation of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Human mesenchymal stem cells are primary multipotent cells capable of differentiating into several cell types including adipocytes when cultured under defined in vitro conditions. In the present study we investigated the role of cAMP signaling and its downstream effectors, protein kinase A (PKA) and exchange protein directly activated by cAMP (Epac) in adipocyte conversion of human mesenchymal stem cells derived from adipose tissue (hMADS). We show that cAMP signaling involving the simultaneous activation of both PKA- and Epac-dependent signaling is critical for this process even in the presence of the strong adipogenic inducers insulin, dexamethasone, and rosiglitazone, thereby clearly distinguishing the hMADS cells from murine preadipocytes cell lines, where rosiglitazone together with dexamethasone and insulin strongly promotes adipocyte differentiation. We further show that prostaglandin I2 (PGI2) may fully substitute for the cAMP-elevating agent isobutylmethylxanthine (IBMX). Moreover, selective activation of Epac-dependent signaling promoted adipocyte differentiation when the Rho-associated kinase (ROCK) was inhibited. Unlike the case for murine preadipocytes cell lines, long-chain fatty acids, like arachidonic acid, did not promote adipocyte differentiation of hMADS cells in the absence of a PPARγ agonist. However, prolonged treatment with the synthetic PPARδ agonist L165041 promoted adipocyte differentiation of hMADS cells in the presence of IBMX. Taken together our results emphasize the need for cAMP signaling in concert with treatment with a PPARγ or PPARδ agonist to secure efficient adipocyte differentiation of human hMADS mesenchymal stem cells.
CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM IN NORTHERN IRELAND: IMPLICATIONS FOR COMMUNITY RELATIONS POLICY AND PRACTICE

The role of macro‐level processes in determining the effectiveness or otherwise of micro‐level initiatives is a theme that is developed in this paper. Based on efforts to tackle division between Protestants and Catholics in Northern Ireland through cross‐community contact, the paper will argue that the structural context within which contact occurs has important implications for the extent to which achievements of particular encounters are extrapolated to the wider community.
Some historical and scientific issues related to research on emotional intelligence

In the past decade, the concept of emotional intelligence (EI) has emerged as a potential new construct for explaining behavioral variance not accounted for by traditional measures of general academic intelligence or personality. EI researchers credit E. L. Thorndike as the first to propose such a construct when he suggested that social intelligence is independent of abstract or academic intelligence. The current paper traces the historical roots of social intelligence and the current scientific status of emotional intelligence. It appears that emotional intelligence, as a concept related to occupational success, exists outside the typical scientific domain. Much of the data necessary for demonstrating the unique association between EI and work-related behavior appears to reside in proprietary databases, preventing rigorous tests of the measurement devices or of their unique predictive value. For those reasons, any claims for the value of EI in the work setting cannot be made under the scientific mantle. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Role of Student–Faculty Interactions in Developing College Students’ Academic Self-Concept, Motivation, and Achievement

Student–faculty interactions can be crucial in developing students’ academic self-concept and enhancing their motivation and achievement. Colleges and universities that actively foster close and frequent contact between their students and faculty members are more likely to reap a host of benefits from such initiatives. Faculty members taking an interest in their students’ academic progress could potentially make significant contributions in increasing their intellectual and professional development (Anaya & Cole, 2001; Chickering, 1969; Chickering & Reisser, 1993; Cokley, 2000; Terenzini & Pascarella, 1980). There is evidence that students successful in knowing even one faculty member closely are likely to feel more satisfied with their college life and aspire to go further in their careers (Rosenthal et al., 2000). Although most interactions with faculty tend to occur within the formal classroom setting, students who experience informal interactions tend to be more motivated, engaged, and actively involved in the learning process (Thompson, 2001; Woodside, Wong, & Weist, 1999). Informal interaction between students and faculty has been identified as a primary agent of college culture, and has an important influence on the attitudes, interests, and values of college students (Chickering & Reisser, 1993; Lambert, Terinzini, & Lattuca, 2007; Pascarella, 1980b; Pascarella & Terenzini, 1991, 2005; Thompson, 2001). However, although previous research has established that student–faculty interactions are important, we still need to identify which aspects of student–faculty interactions are helpful and how these could significantly influence students to stay in college, increase their desire to work hard, stimulate them to enjoy learning, and encourage them to strive toward high achievement standards (Bean, 1985). The current study addresses this gap in the literature by examining eight specific types of student–faculty interactions as predictors of academic self-concept and three types of academic motivation, as well as academic achievement in a sample of college students from a medium-sized, public university located in the Midwestern United States.
Effects of mistletoe on diversity: a case-study from southern New South Wales

Abstract The influence of mistletoe density on avian diversity has been noted previously, with several studies demonstrating a close positive relationship between the two variables. All previous work has been correlative, exploiting naturally occurring variation in mistletoe density, and hence unable to demonstrate a causative link between mistletoe density and avian richness. Here I compare the avifauna of two adjacent woodland remnants, one of which has had most mistletoe plants removed, but otherwise comparable in area, vegetation and grazing history. Ten-hour inventories were conducted in each remnant in both spring and summer, resulting in a total of 40 hours of censuses. Of the 71 species recorded overall, 52 were recorded from the treatment site (with reduced mistletoe density) and 61 species from the control site. Significantly more woodland-dependent species and species known to feed on mistletoe were recorded in the control site, while there was no significant difference for those species known to nest in mistletoe. These results broadly support the idea that mistletoe is a keystone resource, with mistletoe density having a significant positive effect on species richness. These findings reinforce previous correlative studies, and further highlight the importance of mistletoe in Australian woodlands and forests.
Airway wall thickening in patients with cough variant asthma and nonasthmatic chronic cough.

BACKGROUND Chronic cough, which may be of asthmatic or nonasthmatic origin, is an important clinical issue. Airway inflammation, and remodeling demonstrated by subbasement membrane thickening has been associated with cough variant asthma (CVA) as well as with nonasthmatic chronic cough (NAC). CT studies have shown airway wall thickening in patients with asthma who wheeze. We examined airway wall thickness by CT in adult patients with chronic cough and examined its pathophysiologic implication. METHODS Nonsmoking, steroid-naïve patients with CVA (n = 27), NAC (n = 26), and healthy control subjects (n = 15) were studied. Airway dimensions were assessed by a validated CT technique, in which we measured airway wall area (WA) corrected by body surface area (BSA), the ratio of WA to outer wall area (percentage of wall area [WA%]), absolute wall thickness (T)/ square root BSA, and airway luminal area/BSA of a segmental bronchus. Correlations between CT parameters and clinical indexes such as disease duration and cough sensitivity were examined. RESULTS In patients with CVA, WA/BSA, WA%, and T/ square root BSA were all significantly greater than those in control subjects. In patients with NAC, WA/BSA and T/ square root BSA were significantly greater than in control subjects. The increase of WA/BSA and T/ square root BSA of NAC patients was less than that of CVA patients. In a subset of patients with NAC, WA% correlated with capsaicin cough sensitivity (n = 9, r = 0.75, p = 0.034). CONCLUSIONS Walls of central airways are thickened in patients with CVA, and also to a lesser degree in patients with NAC. Airway wall thickening in NAC may be associated with cough hypersensitivity.
Undergraduate Music Majors’ Perceptions of Instrumental Conducting Curricula

This study investigated undergraduate conductors’ perceptions of instrumental conducting curricula. Participants (N = 173) completed an Internet-based survey consisting of questions about their perceived level of conducting and rehearsal preparedness and the extent to which instructional time was devoted to specific topics by their conducting teachers. Responses to these questions were rated using 5-point Likert-type scales. Participants also wrote responses to three open-ended questions addressing their confidence while conducting and were asked to provide one suggestion for curricular improvement. Participants’ mean ratings for items relating to rehearsal preparedness were lower than items for conducting skill preparedness. Results of one-way analysis of variance tests indicated significant differences between ratings based on gender. Respondents felt most confident about their conducting patterns, least confident about error detection and correction, and most frequently indicated the need for additional podium time during undergraduate conducting courses.
Spatial and Perceptual Components of Crowding

negative impact of crowding on various animal behaviors (Stokols, 1974; Calhoun, 1962; Christian et al., 1960; Thiessen and Rodgers, 1961). However, the resu Its of research on the effects of crowding in human populations are quite inconsistent. For example, the negative effects of crowding on certain behaviors have been reported by Griffitt and Veitch (1971), while positive effects on related behaviors have been reported by Loo (1972). In addition, some investigators have found no significant relationship between various observed behaviors and crowding ( Freedman et al., 1971).