Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sustainability of Professional Development to Enhance Student Achievement: A Shift in the Professional Development Paradigm

The purpose of this study was to describe the sustainability of professional development, specifically the teacher utilization of the Science-in-CTE pedagogical model and science-enhanced agricultural education lessons in curricula one year following the Science-in-CTE pilot study. This quasiexperimental study included 41 teachers (15 treatment agricultural education, 14 control agricultural education, and 12 science) who participated in seven days of professional development in the pilot study in 2009-2010. This study was a partial replication of the Math-in-CTE follow-up study and data were collected using a mixed methods approach. Quantitative data were obtained from online questionnaires and qualitative data were collected from personal and telephone interviews. Researchers found that a majority of the treatment agricultural education and science teachers voluntarily incorporated portions of the seven-element pedagogical model and 15 science-enhanced lessons into their curricula one year later. However, less than 30% of the control agricultural education teachers incorporated the method or materials from the pilot study into their curricula. Findings suggest that collaborative, extended professional development is sustainable and an effective method of integrating science content into agricultural education curricula to enhance student course achievement without reducing the intent of the agricultural education program.
Increasing Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Colonization With Ceftazidime-Resistant Gram-Negative Bacteria Among Intensive Care Unit Patients

Background. The occurrence of nosocomial infections due to third-generation cephalosporin–resistant gram-negative bacteria is increasing. Gastrointestinal colonization is an important reservoir for antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and it often precedes clinical infection. Objective. To estimate the prevalence of gastrointestinal colonization with ceftazidime-resistant gram-negative bacteria among intensive care unit (ICU) patients at a university-affiliated tertiary-care hospital during 2 distinct periods and to assess whether, at any time during the index hospitalization, colonized patients had a clinical culture positive for the same organism that was recovered from surveillance culture. Setting. Two ICUs at the University of Maryland Medical Center, a 656-bed tertiary-care hospital located in Baltimore, Maryland. Both ICUs provide care to adult patients. Methods. We performed a cross-sectional study of adult patients admitted to the medical ICU or the surgical ICU from June 14 to July 14, 2003, and from June 14 to July 14, 2006. Perirectal swab samples were obtained for surveillance culture on admission to the intensive care unit, weekly thereafter, and at discharge. Each culture sample was plated onto MacConkey agar supplemented with ceftazidime. Results. In 2003, a total of 33 (18.8%) of 176 patients were colonized with ceftazidime-resistant gram-negative bacilli; in 2006, 60 (31.4%) of 191 patients were (P<.01). This increase was largely driven by an increase in ceftazidime-resistant Klebsiella isolates (which accounted for 6.4% of isolates in 2003 and for 22.8% in 2006; P<.01). In 2003, a total of 16 (48.5%) of 33 colonized patients had a clinical culture positive for the same organism that was recovered from the perirectal surveillance culture, compared with 22 (36.6%) of 60 colonized patients in 2006 (P = .28). Conclusion. Our data suggest that gastrointestinal colonization with ceftazidime-resistant gram-negative bacilli is common, that its prevalence is increasing, and that colonization may result in clinical cultures positive for these bacilli.
Serum interferon-α is a useful biomarker in patients with anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA5) antibody-positive dermatomyositis

Abstract Objective. We have tried to clarify the clinical importance of the measurement of serum type-I interferon (IFN) in patients with anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 Ab (MDA5 Ab)-positive dermatomyositis (DM). Methods. We studied 30 patients with DM: 10 were anti-MDA5 Ab-positive and 20 were anti-MDA5 Ab-negative. At each patient's initial visit, serum IFN-α, IFN-β, interleukin 18 (IL-18), ferritin, and the titer of anti-MDA5 Ab were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). The associations between the IFNs and with the other variables were examined. Results. Rapidly progressive interstitial lung disease (RPILD) was confirmed in 10 patients, most of whom were complicated in the anti-MDA5 Ab-positive DM patients. The presence of clinically amyopathic dermatomyositis (CADM) as well as the serum concentrations of IFN-α and ferritin was significantly higher in the anti-MDA5 Ab-positive DM patients. Serum concentration of IL-18 did not differ between anti-MDA5 Ab-positive and anti-MDA5 Ab-negative groups; however, a positive correlation was found between IFN-α and IL-18 in the anti-MDA5 Ab-positive DM patients (r = 0.8139, p = 0.0146). Conclusion. Serum IFN-α can be used as a useful biomarker in patients with anti-MDA5 Ab-positive DM, which may reflect the presence of RPILD.
Virological Studies in Chronic Bronchitis

Though there is not likely to be one single cause for the com plex disease of chronic bronchitis, the hypothesis that viruses play an important part in the initiation or progression of this condition is at least tenable (Scottish Standing Medical Advisory Committee, 1963 ; Stuart-Harris, 1965) and the serious effect of influenza A infections on chronic bronchitics is well established (Stuart-Harris et al., 1953, Stuart-Harris and Hanley, 1957). Of the reported attempts to demonstrate a viral cause for acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis those of Jack and Gandevia (1960) and Hennessy (1962) gave negative results. Serological studies have suggested an association between exacerbations and infections with respiratory syncytial virus (Sommerville, 1963) and influenza B, and possibly with para-influenza viruses (Stark et al., 1965). Carilli et al. (1964), using both serological and isolation techniques, showed a high incidence of virus infections in exacerbations of chronic bron chitis. Infections with rhinoviruses were not detected in any of these studies. The present investigation was designed to seek evidence of virus infections by observing a group of patients with chronic bronchitis in their homes for several years and studying episodes of respiratory illness by serological and isolation techniques designed to detect infections with most of the known respiratory viruses.
Using the Right Yardstick: Assessing Financial Literacy Measures by Way of Financial Well-Being

type="main" xml:id="joca12010-abs-0001"> Despite the proliferation of academic studies examining financial literacy and financial outcomes, no consistent definition or empirically validated measures of financial literacy exist. While a handful of questions have become the standard measures of financial literacy in previous research, little work has been done examining whether responses to these questions accurately capture underlying financial capability, or whether they causally relate to subsequent financial well-being. Taking advantage of longitudinal data from the Health and Retirement Study we examine whether some of the questions previously used as measures of financial literacy are consistent measures of financial knowledge and effective predictors of future changes in wealth. We find that respondents frequently do not consistently answer questions across survey waves and that the context in which a question is asked affects the likelihood of correctly responding. Moreover, our regression analyses suggest that correctly answering these questions, consistently or not, has little significant relationship to changes in wealth over time, and is often related to a decrease in future wealth. Our findings should give pause to researchers using the financial literacy questions examined here, particularly from cross-sectional data.
Why Has IPO Underpricing Changed Over Time?

In the 1980s, the average first-day return on initial public offerings (IPOs) was 7%. The average first-day return doubled to almost 15% during 1990-1998, before jumping to 65% during the internet bubble years of 1999-2000 and then reverting to 12% during 2001-2003. We attribute much of the higher underpricing during the bubble period to a changing issuer objective function. We argue that in the later periods there was less focus on maximizing IPO proceeds due to an increased emphasis on research coverage. Furthermore, allocations of hot IPOs to the personal brokerage accounts of issuing firm executives created an incentive to seek rather than avoid underwriters with a reputation for severe underpricing.
Third-Window Vibroplasty With an Active Middle Ear Implant: Assessment of Physiologic Responses in a Model of Stapes Fixation in Chinchilla lanigera

Hypothesis Mechanical stimulation through a cochlear third window into the scala tympani in a chinchilla model with normal and fixed stapes can generate cochlear responses equivalent to acoustic stimuli. Background Cochlear stimulation via the round window (RW) using active middle ear implants (AMEIs) can produce physiologic responses similar to acoustic stimulation including in a model of stapes fixation. However, pathologic conditions, such as advanced otosclerosis, can preclude delivery of sound energy to the cochlea through the oval window and/or the RW. Methods Cochlear microphonic (CM) and laser Doppler vibrometer measurements of stapes and RW velocities were performed in 6 ears of 4 chinchillas. Baseline measurements to acoustic sinusoidal stimuli (0.25–8kHz) were made. Measurements were repeated with an AMEI driving the RW or a third window to the scala tympani before and after stapes fixation. Results AMEI stimulation of the third window produced CM waveforms with morphologies similar to acoustic stimuli. CM thresholds with RW and third-window stimulation were frequency dependent but ranged from 0.25 to 10 and 0.5 to 40 mV, respectively. Stapes fixation, confirmed by laser Doppler vibrometer measurements, resulted in a significant frequency dependent impairment in CM thresholds up to 13 dB (at <3 kHz) for RW stimulation and a nonsignificant frequency-dependent improvement of up to 10 dB (at >3 kHz) via third-window stimulation. Conclusion AMEI mechanical stimulation through a third window into the scala tympani produces physiologic responses nearly identical to acoustic stimulation including in a model of stapes fixation with decreased efficiency.
Factors that affect the design and implementation of team‐based performance measurement systems

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to highlight the factors that enable and/or constrain the design and implementation of team‐based performance measurement systems.Design/methodology/approach – This research study departed from an industrially‐led project. The research strategies used (i.e. case studies, industrial workshops and action research) are suited to the applied and empirical nature of the study. The paper reviews the existing literature on team performance measurement. It then presents the findings based on a exploratory phase and a theory refinement phase.Findings – The results of this study suggest that there are eleven factors affecting the design and implementation of TPMS. It also suggests that these factors are inter‐related with each other. As a result, the impact of one factor can reduce and even eliminate the impact of other factors.Research limitations/implications – There are two main limitations of this research. Firstly, carrying out more than one longitudinal study would incre.
Genetic structure in Orchesella cincta (Collembola): strong subdivision of European populations inferred from mtDNA and AFLP markers

Population genetic structure is determined both by current processes and historical events. Current processes include gene flow, which is largely influenced by the migration capacity of a species. Historical events are, for example, glaciation periods, which have had a major impact on the distribution of many species. Species with a low capacity or tendency to move about or disperse often exhibit clear spatial genetic structures, whereas mobile species mostly show less spatial genetic differentiation. In this paper we report on the genetic structure of a small, wingless arthropod species (Orchesella cincta: Collembola) in Europe. For this purpose we used mtDNA COII sequences and AFLP markers. We show that large genetic differences exist between populations of O. cincta, as expected from O. cincta's winglessness and sedentary lifestyle. Despite the fact that most variability was observed within populations (59%), a highly significant amount of AFLP variation (25%) was observed between populations from northwestern Europe, central Europe and Italy. This suggests that gene flow among regions is extremely low, which is additionally supported by the lack of shared mtDNA alleles between regions. Based on the genetic variation and sequence differences observed we conclude that the subdivision occurred long before the last glaciation periods. Although the populations still interbreed in the lab, we assume that in the long term the genetic isolation of these regions may lead to speciation processes.
Equilibrium Factor Pricing with Heterogeneous Beliefs

Abstract This paper develops an equilibrium factor pricing theory when investors have heterogeneous beliefs about asset payoffs generated by the Ross linear factor model. Investors receive private information about the unknown parameters of the payoff process. They use this private information and equilibrium prices to predict asset payoffs. The paper develops a closed form price function for a noisy rational expectations equilibrium and relates it to the general solution. Even though we allow for a large number of investors, diversity of beliefs and parameter uncertainty both persist in equilibrium. We show that investors' beliefs about expected payoffs are approximately linear in the asset's betas, thus establishing the APT. As investors prefer to hold high information assets in equilibrium, the relative weight of these assets in the APT pricing bound is higher. The reverse is true for low information assets.
Netherlands East Indies: The Large Colonial Surplus of Indonesia, 1878‐1939

Abstract Surprisingly few previous contributions to estimates of Indonesia's colonial surplus have been made, all of them using the export surplus method. Having defined the colonial surplus, the export surplus method is rejected here as unnecessary and misleading. The Indies balance of payments data are used critically for the first time. Adding missing items and further analysing an odd but very big private item much larger estimates of the colonial surplus are produced. A comparison with the colonial surplus of British India is made. In all, the new colonial surplus for the Netherlands East Indies is estimated at almost 24 billion guilders, approximately US$10 billion or some US$156 billion in today's terms. Those figures are considered large indeed.
The safety of sea transport: determinants of crew injuries

This study investigates determinants of fatal and nonfatal crew injuries in ship accidents, utilizing detailed data of individual tanker, container and bulk ship (US and foreign) accidents investigated by the US Coast Guard. Poisson and negative binomial regression estimates suggest that fatal and nonfatal injuries are greater: (1) if the accident cause is human rather than environmental or ship related and (2) for fire/explosion and multiple-ship accidents. The results provide strong evidence of a positive relationship between crew injuries and human causes of ship accidents, thereby providing support for the current shift in safety focus towards regulating human actions aboard ships rather than just the condition of ships.
Ontogeny of Lysozyme in the Rat 1

Summary Using the immunoperoxidase technique, LZM was detected in the kidney of 18-day rat fetuses. At the same time LZM was found to be present in circulating monocytes. After birth, a marked increase of the number of alveolar macrophages was observed, associated with intense LZM staining. The enzyme was detected in Paneth cells for the first time in 8 to 12 days after birth. These findings are discussed in relation to the known and postulated functions of LZM.
Seroprevalence of hepatitis B and immune response to hepatitis B vaccination in Chinese college students mainly from the rural areas of western China and born before HBV vaccination integrated into expanded program of immunization

The prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in a population aged 15 y or older was high in China, but an immunization strategy for this population was unavailable. We investigated the seroprevalence of hepatitis B and immune response to HBV vaccine in Chinese college students (n = 2040 participants), 11.1%, 80.8%, and 8.1% had confirmed, unknown and no HBV vaccination history, respectively. The seropositive rates for HBsAg, anti-HBs sole and anti-HBs plus anti-HBc were 12.6%, 25.7%, and 30.1%, respectively. The HBsAg seropositive rate was significantly lower in participants with confirmed HBV vaccination history than in those with unknown or no vaccination history (5.3%, 13.6%, and 12.6%, respectively, P = 0.0019). The anti-HBs alone seropositive rate was significantly higher in participants with confirmed HBV vaccination history than in those with unknown or no vaccination history (37.6%, 25.3%, and 13.8%, respectively, P < 0.0001). Participants negative for HBsAg, anti-HBs, and anti-HBc at baseline (n = 600) were given three doses of recombinant HBV vaccine (GlaxoSmithKline) at month 0, 1, and 6. Robust immune response was elicited after two and three doses (seroprotective rate: 91.9% and 99.0%, respectively, and geometric mean concentration [GMC]: 95.8 and 742.6 IU/L, respectively). Fourteen months after the third dose, the anti-HBs seroprotective rate of the group remained more than 97%. The seroprotective rates and GMCs did not differ significantly by vaccination history. This study suggested that three doses of 20 μg HBV vaccine were needed for college students negative for HBsAg, anti-HBs, and anti-HBc to ensure high seroprotective rates and concentrations.
Host tourism aspirations as a point of departure for the sustainable livelihoods approach

The sustainable livelihoods (SL) approach offers a holistic framework and a practical toolkit to analyze tourism's impacts and interactions within a community. This study argues that the usefulness of the SL approach in tourism can be enhanced by ensuring that the approach is built on a genuine people-centered starting point. The exploration of the local community's representations of, and aspirations for, their roles in tourism as a future livelihood choice meets this need. To verify the value of this approach empirically, this study examined the case of Lhasa, Tibet, and local youth as the research respondents. The findings suggest that the young hosts in Lhasa urban area were heterogeneous in their responses to tourism as a future livelihood choice. They fell into four subgroups: in-betweeners, ambivalent supporters, alternative supporters, and lovers. Further, this study examined the profiles of these four subgroups and explored their responses. The study enhances the SL approach by taking tourism as an example and clearly defining the departure point for its adoption within the context of broader livelihoods portfolios. Additionally, it suggests some potential directions for tailored management strategies to meet youth and community perspectives.
Interleukin (IL)-18 Binding Protein Deficiency Disrupts Natural Killer Cell Maturation and Diminishes Circulating IL-18

The cytokine interleukin (IL)-18 is a crucial amplifier of natural killer (NK) cell function. IL-18 signaling is regulated by the inhibitory effects of IL-18 binding protein (IL-18BP). Using mice deficient in IL-18BP (IL-18BPKO), we investigated the impact of mismanaged IL-18 signaling on NK cells. We found an overall reduced abundance of splenic NK cells in the absence of IL-18BP. Closer examination of NK cell subsets in spleen and bone marrow using CD27 and CD11b expression revealed that immature NK cells were increased in abundance, while the mature population of NK cells was reduced. Also, NK cells were polarized to greater production of TNF-α, while dedicated IFN-γ producers were reduced. A novel subset of IL-18 receptor α− NK cells contributed to the expansion of immature NK cells in IL-18BPKO mice. Splenocytes cultured with IL-18 resulted in alterations similar to those observed in IL-18BP deficiency. NK cell changes were associated with significantly reduced levels of circulating plasma IL-18. However, IL-18BPKO mice exhibited normal weight gain and responded to LPS challenge with a >10-fold increase in IFN-γ compared to wild type. Finally, we identified that the source of splenic IL-18BP was among dendritic cells/macrophage localized to the T cell-rich regions of the spleen. Our results demonstrate that IL-18BP is required for normal NK cell abundance and function and also contributes to maintaining steady-state levels of circulating IL-18. Thus, IL-18BP appears to have functions suggestive of a carrier protein, not just an inhibitor.
The Different Operations Strategy Planning Process for Service Operations

The manager who moves from manufacturing to services or the professor who wishes to research and teach service operations must recognise the key differences for developing an appropriate operations management strategy in a service business. For this process to be successful, the operations manager must participate assertively in the strategy debate. In manufacturing it is important that the functional strategy supports the corporate strategy in the marketplace and is co‐ordinated with other functional strategies. There is sufficient buffering between the manufacturing system and the customer that functional strategies can be developed within corporate strategies and then be co‐ordinated. In services, however, there are many issues where co‐ordination is not an adequate response. Virtually all strategic issues involving customer contact and front‐office operations must be the result of joint decision making involving marketing, operations, finance, and human resources. What little buffering there is occurs.
Co-production and Sure Start Children's Centres: Reflecting upon Users', Perspectives and Implications for Service Delivery, Planning and Evaluation

In the UK, there has been a re-awakening of interest in the ‘co-production’ approach to involve service users in modernised public services. Within this context, Sure Start Children's Centres are being created to address child poverty and social exclusion, with an emphasis on participatory approaches. This paper considers the engagement of users in service delivery, service planning and in monitoring and evaluation activities for Children's Centres in Greater Merseyside. Research findings indicate that a lack of time to implement (and develop trust within) the new arrangements, a lack of awareness by users to participate and a broader thematic (employment and education) and geographical remit for Children's Centres is impacting upon the greater involvement of users in all aspects of co-production. Without such participation it is concluded that there is a real risk that the current needs of those most disadvantaged will not be adequately addressed.