Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pedagogical Support of Foreign Students Social Adaptation in Russian University

Social adaptation of foreign students in Russian high schools is a process of active adaptation to the conditions of a new socio-cultural and educational environment. The article is directed on the development of pedagogical support, contributing to the efficiency of this process. The following leading methods for the mentioned problem‘s solving are chosen: modeling, survey, interview, test, ranking, observation, mathematical processing of experimental data. The experiment involves foreign students of the 1st and 2 nd courses. The article deals with the specifics of foreign students’ social adaptation in Russian universities, including socio-cultural, socio-psychological, pedagogical aspects; presents the internal and external factors that influence the process of social adaptation of foreign students studying in Russian universities; represents the developed model of pedagogical support of foreign students’ social adaptation in Russian universities, including conceptual, target, process, evaluation-criteria parts; reveals the necessary and sufficient organizational and pedagogical conditions of pedagogical support of foreign students’ social adaptation in Russian universities. Comparison of experimental work results proves the effectiveness of pedagogical support of foreign students’ social adaptation in Russian universities if the necessary and sufficient organizational and pedagogical conditions are created (initiation of foreign students to the traditions and values of the multinational Russian culture, organization of intercultural communication of foreign students with each other and with Russian students; adaptive works organization to form and develop foreign students' general educational abilities and skills necessary to adapt to the educational process, development of sustained interest and motivation for the future professional activities). Keywords: Social Adaptation, Foreign Students, Pedagogical Support, Russian University. JEL Classifications: A23, I23, I26
Socio-economic status and language acquisition: children's performance on the new Reynell Developmental Language Scales.

BACKGROUND Several studies in recent years have indicated a link between socio-economic status (SES) of families and children's language development, including studies that have measured children's language through formal standardized test procedures. High numbers of children with low performance have been found in lower socio-economic groups in some studies. This has proved a cause for concern for both clinicians and educationalists. AIMS To investigate the relationship between maternal education and postcode-related indicators of SES, and children's performance on the New Reynell Developmental Scales (NRDLS). METHODS & PROCEDURES Participants were 1266 children aged between 2;00 and 7;06 years who were recruited for the standardization of a new assessment procedure (NRDLS). Children were divided into four groups reflecting years of maternal education, and five groups reflecting SES Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) quintiles for the location of participating schools and nurseries. Groups were compared using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), with age as a covariate, in order to identify which might be affected by the two SES variables. Where relationships were found between SES and performance on the scales, individual children's standard scores were looked at to determine numbers potentially at risk for language delay. OUTCOMES & RESULTS An effect of years of maternal education on performance was found such that children whose mothers had minimum years performed less well than other children in the study, this effect being stronger for younger children. Children attending schools or nurseries in IMD quintile 1 areas performed less well in language production. Higher than expected numbers with language delay were found for younger children whose mothers had minimum years of education, and for children in quintile 1 schools and nurseries; however, numbers were not as high as noted in some other studies. CONCLUSIONS & IMPLICATIONS Characteristics of the participant sample and measures used for language and SES may explain these results and are important considerations when interpreting results of studies or developing policies for intervention. The usefulness of commonly used categories of language delay is questioned.
An analysis of the efficiency in a sample of small Italian farms part of the FADN dataset.

Italian farms have an average surface lower than 10 hectares and they are predominately scattered in the upland rural areas. Th e most important aspect of small family farms is to protect the rural environment against the socio-economic marginalization of rural territories and reducing the out-migration from the countryside as well. Since the 1960s, the European Union has arranged a microeconomic survey on a sample of farms aimed at estimating the impact of the Common Agricultural Policy strategies on farmers called the Farm Accountancy Data Network or the FADN. Th e purpose of the analysis was to assess by a quantitative approach using the FADN dataset the technical, economic and allocative effi ciency in Italian family farms over the time 2000–2012. In particular, the aim of the paper has been to investigate if the legal typology of property has infl uenced the effi ciency of Italian farms. Some fi ndings have pointed out that the co-operatives and family farms during the fi ve year time 2008–2012 have had the same level of effi ciency. Italian small farms smaller than 5 hectares need adequate fi nancial supports allocated by the II. pillar of the Common Agricultural Policy and these subsides are pivotal in particular towards family farms located in the upland and hilly areas.
Systematic Characterization of Myocardial Inflammation, Repair, and Remodeling in a Mouse Model of Reperfused Myocardial Infarction

Mouse models of myocardial infarction are essential tools for the study of cardiac injury, repair, and remodeling. Our current investigation establishes a systematic approach for quantitative evaluation of the inflammatory and reparative response, cardiac function, and geometry in a mouse model of reperfused myocardial infarction. Reperfused mouse infarcts exhibited marked induction of inflammatory cytokines that peaked after 6 hr of reperfusion. In the infarcted heart, scar contraction and chamber dilation continued for at least 28 days after reperfusion; infarct maturation was associated with marked thinning of the scar, accompanied by volume loss and rapid clearance of cellular elements. Echocardiographic measurements of end-diastolic dimensions correlated well with morphometric assessment of dilative remodeling in perfusion-fixed hearts. Hemodynamic monitoring was used to quantitatively assess systolic and diastolic function; the severity of diastolic dysfunction following myocardial infarction correlated with cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and infarct collagen content. Expression of molecular mediators of inflammation and cellular infiltration needs to be investigated during the first 72 hr, whereas assessment of dilative remodeling requires measurement of geometric parameters for at least four weeks after the acute event. Rapid initiation and resolution of the inflammatory response, accelerated scar maturation, and extensive infarct volume loss are important characteristics of infarct healing in mice.
Frequency, Comorbidity, and Psychosocial Impairment of Specific Phobia in Adolescents

Investigated the frequency, comorbidity, and psychosocial impairment of specific phobia and specific fears among 1,035 adolescents 12 to 17 years old. The adolescents were recruited from 36 schools in the province of Bremen, Germany. Specific phobia and other psychiatric disorders were coded based on Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed. [DSM-IV]; American Psychiatric Association, 1994) criteria using the computerized Munich version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (Wittchen & Pfister, 1996). Thirty-six (3.5%) of the adolescents met DSM-IV criteria for specific phobia sometime in their life. Of all the subtypes of specific phobia, animal and natural environment phobia were the most common. More girls than boys received the diagnosis of specific phobia. One third of the adolescents with specific phobia also had depressive and somatoform disorders. Despite the high level of psychosocial impairment experienced by individuals with specific phobia both during the worst episode of their disorder and in the last 4 weeks, only a small portion of them sought professional help.
Employee Turnover in International Brand Hotels in Russia: A Comparison of Nationals and Foreign Nationals

ABSTRACT This empirical study tests the relations between employee turnover and the organizational dimensions of service climate, comparing nationals and foreign nationals in the international brand Russian hotel industry. This study extends the geographic scope of employee turnover to the undertested Russian context. Responses were analyzed using a partial least squares model. Results show that nationals’ and foreign nationals’ responses to model variables diverge. Job insecurity directly affects the turnover intentions of Russian nationals, while its effect for foreign nationals was indirect through organizational commitment and job satisfaction. Compounded indirect effects of turnover antecedents and service climate dimensions are also examined and discussed.
SELECTIVE IN VITRO GROWTH INHIBITORY EFFECT OF WITHANIA SOMNIFERA ON HUMAN PATHOGENIC BACTERIA AND BIFIDOBACTERIA

Antimicrobial activity of crude acetone extract from the aerial part of Withania somnifera was tested in vitro against six pathogenic bacteria viz., Bacillus cereus, B. subtilis, Staphylococcus epidermis, S. aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae and S. pyogenes and five bifidobacteria viz., Bifidobacterium animalis, B. breve, B. catenulatum, B. infantis and B. longum evaluating its potential harmful effect on beneficial gastrointestinal microbiota using disk diffusion method. The results showed that pathogenic bacteria were significantly more susceptible to the extract of W. somnifera than bifidobacteria (average of diameters of inhibition zones 20.45 mm and 13.10 mm, respectively) at the concentration of 2 mg/disc. Among all bacteria tested, S. pneumoniae was the most sensitive, while B. animalis was the most resistant species. These results suggest W. somnifera as an effective antibacterial agent against human pathogenic bacteria with lowered harmful effect on bifidobacteria.
Current techniques in reprogramming cell potency

The first successful attempt to reprogram somatic cell into embryonic‐like stem cell was achieved on 2006. Since then, it had sparked a race against time to bring this wonderful invention from bench to bedside but it is not easily achieved due to severe problems in term of epigenetic and genomic. With each problem arise, new technique and protocol will be constructed to try to overcome it. This review addresses the various techniques made available to create iPSC with problems hogging down the technique. J. Cell. Biochem. 114: 1230–1237, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
DETERMINANTS OF FEE CUTTING ON INITIAL AUDIT ENGAGEMENTS

This study extends Simon and Francis' [1988] estimates of average cross-sectional fee cutting on initial audit engagements by describing the distribution of percentage fee changes reported by 389 client firms which switched auditors from 1983 through 1987.1 In addition, this study attempts to explain cross-sectional variance in fee cutting for a subset of 163 client firms for which required data are available. Prior research suggests that cross-sectional variance in fee cutting may exist if (1) auditor "low balling" varies with the financial health of clients; (2) new auditors differ from old auditors on fee-relevant dimensions such as auditor class, industry expertise, and technological efficiency; and (3) the number of auditors bidding differs across engagements. Our results support the importance of these factors in determining percentage fee cuts, with the exception of the financial health of clients. Section 2 discusses background literature and identifies factors potentially associated with fee cuts. Section 3 describes the sample and variables. Statistical tests are presented in section 4, and section 5 summarizes the results.
The efficacy and safety of fluticasone propionate (250 microg)/salmeterol (50 microg) combined in the Diskus inhaler for the treatment of COPD.

STUDY OBJECTIVES To compare the efficacy and safety of the inhaled corticosteroid fluticasone propionate (FP) and the inhaled long-acting beta(2)-agonist salmeterol (SM), when administered together in a single device (Diskus; GlaxoSmithKline, Inc; Research Triangle Park, NC), with that of placebo and the individual agents alone in patients with COPD. DESIGN Randomized, double-blind, multicenter, placebo-controlled study. SETTING Seventy-six investigative sites in the United States. PATIENTS Seven hundred twenty-three patients > or =40 years of age with COPD and a mean baseline FEV(1) of 42% predicted. INTERVENTIONS FP (250 microg), SM (50 microg), FP plus SM combined in a single inhaler (FSC), or placebo administered twice daily through the Diskus device for 24 weeks. MEASUREMENTS Primary efficacy measures were morning predose (ie, trough FEV(1)) for FSC compared with SM and 2-h postdose FEV(1) for FSC compared with FP. Other efficacy measures were as follows: morning peak expiratory flow rate (PEF); transition dyspnea index; chronic respiratory disease questionnaire; chronic bronchitis symptom questionnaire; exacerbations; and other symptomatic measures. RESULTS At Endpoint (ie, the last on-treatment, post-baseline assessment), treatment with FSC significantly (p < or = 0.012) increased the morning predose FEV(1) (165 mL) compared with SM (91 mL) and placebo (1 mL), and significantly (p < or = 0.001) increased the 2-h postdose FEV(1) (281 mL) compared with FP (147 mL) and placebo (58 mL). Improvements in lung function with FSC compared with FP and SM, and with FP and SM compared with placebo, as measured by the average daily morning PEF, was observed within approximately 24 h after the initiation of treatment, indicating an early onset of effect (p < or = 0.034). Compared with placebo, FSC significantly improved dyspnea, quality of life, and symptoms of chronic bronchitis. The incidence of adverse effects (except for an increase in oral candidiasis with FSC and FP) were similar among the treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS Treatment with FSC (FP, 250 microg, and SM, 50 microg) twice daily substantially improved morning lung function and sustained these improvements for over a period of 24 weeks compared with FP or SM treatment alone in patients with COPD, with no additional safety concerns for the combination treatment vs that with the individual components.
Aluminum potentiates the effect of fluoride on tyrosine phosphorylation and osteoblast replication in vitro and bone mass in vivo

Osteosclerosis in workers exposed to fluoride (F) and aluminum (Al) (industrial fluorosis) led to the use of F as a treatment to increase bone mass in osteoporosis patients. Because the influence of traces of Al on the effects of F on bone formation is heretofore unknown, we have investigated this issue both in vitro and in vivo. We have found that minute amounts of Al (≤10−5 M) potentiate the effects of F in vitro such that osteoblast proliferation increased by 15 ± 2.7% at 50 μM (p < 0.001) and by 117.6 ± 5.1% at 750 μM (p < 0.001), concentrations of F with no mitogenic effect alone. F + Al time‐dependently modulated a growth factor signaling pathway(s) associated with enhanced tyrosine phosphorylation (TyrP) of several proteins (p90 [2.9x], p77 [4.9x], p68 [9.6x], and mitogen activated protein kinases [3x]). TyrP was only slightly or not at all changed by F and Al alone, respectively. The effects of F + Al on TyrP and cell proliferation were markedly reduced by 100 μM ryrphostin‐51, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Protein kinase A (PKA) and protein kinase C (PKC) pathways were not involved in this response. In vivo, F + Al administered for 8 months, at doses that had no effect when the minerals were administered individually, significantly enhanced proximal tibia bone mineral density (BMD) by 6.3 ± 1% compared with initial values and by 2‐fold compared with control ovariectomized rats (p < 0.0001). These effects are consistent with a crucial role of Al in osteosclerosis observed in industrial fluorosis. The results suggest that the combination of F + Al modulates a growth factor‐dependent TyrP pathway enhancing mitogen‐activated protein kinase and osteoblastic proliferation and bone mass.
DLPC and SAMe combined prevent leptin‐stimulated TIMP‐1 production in LX‐2 human hepatic stellate cells by inhibiting H2O2‐mediated signal transduction

Abstract: Background/Aims: Both dilinoleoylphosphatidylcholine (DLPC) and S‐adenosylmethionine (SAMe) have antioxidant properties and antifibrogenic actions. Because H2O2 mediates signal transduction‐stimulating liver fibrogenesis, we investigated whether DLPC and SAMe attenuate the production of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)‐1 by inhibiting H2O2 formation.
Helminthic reduction with albendazole among school children in riverine communities of Nigeria

The objective of this study is to report the prevalence and reduction in geohelminthic infection among Primary School children living in riverine communities of Delta State, Nigeria. Stool samples from randomly selected Primary School pupils were obtained before and after treatment with a single 200 mg dose of albendazole. The Kato-Katz method was used in the processing of the stool specimens as well as the quantification of infection. Very brief information on hygienic practices and environmental sanitation practices were obtained from the children, Teachers, Health Officer, parents etc through questionnaires, in-depth interview and Focus Group Discussions. In riverine communities of Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria, 697 (77%) of the school children studied were infected with intestinal helminthes. Trichuris trichiura infection occurred more (57%) followed by Ascaris lumbricoides (54%) and Hookworm (5%). Multiple helminthic infections were recorded, with Ascaris-Trichuris having the highest prevalence among the children. The low level of environmental sanitation, personal hygiene, absence of potable drinking water, and lack of awareness of the effect of nematode infection generally were identified as possible reasons for the high rate of infectivity. Post-treatment intervention with albendazole brought about reductions in the infectivity level of Trichuris trichiura to 25.4%, Ascaris lumbricoides (2.5%) and Hookworm (1.8%). Estimated rate of reduction was 95.6%, 64% and 56.1% for Ascaris lumbricoides, Hookworm and Trichuris trichiura respectively. All the teachers interviewed expressed their willingness to participate in regular de-worming programmes in their schools. The 77% prevalence of intestinal geohelminthiasis before deworming the children with albendazole was reduced to 34% post-treatment. Regular deworming of members of this community will reduce infectivity with geohelminthes and thus the consequences especially in children. Though the relationship between hygienic and sanitation practices were not properly investigated, provision of toilet facilities, hand wash after using the toilet and before eating will be useful. In addition, the availability of potable water for utility purpose and mobilization with health education messages on the good hygienic practices will be useful. The willingness of the Primary School Teachers to participate in future deworming programmes is an impetus to the establishment of sustainable and regular deworming programme in the community.
A methodology to retrieve self‐consistent aerosol optical properties using common aircraft measurements

[1] Aerosol optical properties that include the extinction coefficient, single scattering albedo, and asymmetry factor are needed to calculate the radiative effects of aerosols. However, measurements of these properties are typically limited to a few wavelengths, and direct measurements of the asymmetry factor are not available. We describe and evaluate a retrieval methodology that uses commonly collected aircraft-based measurements to derive self-consistent aerosol optical properties for the majority of the solar spectrum. Measurements of aerosol scattering and absorption at three wavelengths are required to constrain this retrieval. We apply the retrieval to vertical profiles of biomass burning aerosol data collected by the University of Washington (UW) research aircraft during the Southern African Regional Science Initiative field campaign (SAFARI-2000) and show that the retrieved (or “optically equivalent”) size distributions and wavelength-dependent refractive indices reproduce available aerosol optical measurements within their respective uncertainties. The retrieved optically equivalent size distribution characteristics are consistent with past studies, but the wavelength-dependent refractive indices retrieved using methods presented in this study are ∼14% (∼50%) greater than the real (imaginary) refractive indices retrieved from the Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) for three cases that were spatially and temporally colocated with the UW research aircraft. The retrieval presented in this study translates measured aerosol optical properties to parameters used directly as input to models and can be applied to any study that uses similar instrumentation. Provided that uncertainties are properly accounted for, self-consistent aerosol optical properties derived from measurements strengthen the unique contribution of in situ data collection to the modeling community.
Institutional Investors and Director Remuneration: Do Political Connections Matter?

This study examines the relationship between institutional investors and director remuneration in Malaysia against an important institutional backdrop of political connection. Our panel analysis of 434 firms from 1999 to 2003 finds a negative relationship between institutional ownership and director remuneration suggesting the effectiveness of institutional monitoring. Although we find no evidence to suggest a politically determined remuneration scheme, the negative relationship between institutional ownership and remuneration becomes less in politically connected firms. This suggests that political connections mitigate institutional monitoring in relationship-based economies.