Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Which platform do our users prefer: website or mobile app?

Purpose – After being implemented for two years, HKBUtube (the official video streaming site developed by Hong Kong Baptist University Library) has become a popular source of videos for the university. This video site also begins to draw the attention of the community. When more libraries are starting to respond to the demand for mobile service, the HKBU Library decided not to remain aloof. Before committing itself to the provision of an additional platform, the Library carried out a proof of concept to investigate the likelihood of library users watching videos via a mobile app when the web counterpart was available. This paper aims to investigate this issue.Design/methodology/approach – Through building a small‐scale mobile app to showcase and display videos, this paper studies the use of the app and the popularity of watching videos via smartphones. To yield a more accurate result, a web counterpart was also developed for comparison of usage.Findings – The data suggest that the usage between the app an.
CMC Technologies for Teaching Foreign Languages: What's on the Horizon?

Computer-mediated communication (CMC) technologies have begun to play an increasingly important role in the teaching of foreign/second (L2) languages. Its use in this context is supported by a growing body of CMC research that highlights the importance of the negotiation of meaning and computer-based interaction in the process of second language acquisition (SLA) (Chapelle, 1998; Payne & Whitney, 2002). Recent research has also pointed out the importance of situated cognition (Brown, Collins, & Duguid, 1989) and the use of taskbased activities (Doughty & Long, 2003) to allow students to acquire language in meaningful contexts for specific purposes. In this paper, various CMC technologies will be described and critically evaluated for their possible applications in task-based foreign language learning activities. First, general issues of connectivity will be defined and discussed (e.g., wired, wireless, and infrared technologies; dial-up vs. broadband, etc.). Then various asynchronous and synchronous CMC technologies will be described and evaluated, pointing out their strengths and drawbacks for use in a L2 learning environment. The authors then compare and contrast the use of a task-based language-learning activity within wired versus wireless environments. The paper concludes with an overall discussion that focuses on the challenges facing the implementation of these technologies (e.g., accessibility, compatibility, financial considerations), some possible solutions to those problems, and some speculation about future uses of these technologies to enhance the L2 learning experience.
Procalcitonin und seine Bedeutung für die Diagnose bakterieller Infektionen

In contrast to Calcitonin that is primarily synthesized in the thyroid, Procalcitonin is the prohormon that is synthesized in many different tissues of infected organs. In order to be useful for the diagnosis of mild, localized or early infections the assay needs to have a sensitivity that can measure within normal limits (0.02 microg/L). We were able to show that a Procalcitonin algorithm influences the outcome of respiratory infections in terms of minimizing use of antibiotics and duration of antibiotic treatment. High concentrations, especially when seen over time, indicate a high risk of a severe outcome. In this respect, Procalcitonin is superior to other infection markers such as C-reactive Protein (CRP). High Procalcitonin levels can also be seen in non bacterial diseases such as malaria, severe trauma, burns and medullar carcinoma of the thyroid. Together, Procalcitonin has improved the diagnosis of bacterial infections, however should always be used in context with other laboratory markers, clinical exam and medical history.
Does Computer Use Promote the Mathematical Proficiency of Ell Students?

The study explored the effects of computer use on the mathematical performance of students with special attention to ELL students. To achieve a high generalizability of findings, the study used a U.S. nationally representative database, the Early Childhood Longitudinal Survey Kindergarten Cohort (ECLS-K), and adopted proper weights. The study conducted both cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses to examine the direct and longitudinal effects of three types of computer use: home computer access, computer use for various purposes, and computer use for math. The study found positive effects of home computer access and computer use for various purposes for English-speaking groups. It is important to note that computer use for math was associated with a reduced gap in math achievement between native English-speaking and ELL students. In particular, when Hispanic and Asian students frequently used computers for math, they showed high math performances when compared with their English-speaking counterparts.
2,3-Di-p-toluoyl-(2R,3R)-tartaric acid ethyl acetate solvate

In the title compound, C20H18O8·C4H8O2, all bond lengths and angles in the di-p-toluoyltartaric acid mol­ecule are normal. The structure is stabilized by O—H⋯O and C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds in addition to van der Waals inter­actions.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of aliskiren and angiotension receptor blockers in the management of essential hypertension

Aliskiren is a novel antihypertensive agent and the first direct renin inhibitor (DRI) in clinical use. Several clinical trials have compared DRI with angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) in the management of essential hypertension. However, systematic comparison of efficacy and safety between DRIs and ARBs is still lacking. We reviewed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing aliskiren with ARBs for net reduction of blood pressure from baseline, achieved rate of control, and incidences of common and serious adverse events. Weighted mean differences (WMD) and relative risk (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for continuous and dichotomous data, respectively. Seven RCTs with 5488 patients were included in this meta-analysis. We compared the efficacy of aliskiren and ARBs in reducing systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). No differences were found between the two groups. Aliskiren combined with ARBs was superior to aliskiren monotherapy at the maximum recommended dose on SBP and DBP reduction. (WMD -4.80, 95% CI -6.22— -3.39, p < 0.0001; WMD -2.96, 95% CI -4.63—-1.28, p = 0.0001; respectively). Similar results were found with aliskiren combined with ARBs versus ARB monotherapy (WMD -4.43, 95% CI -5.91—-2.96, p < 0.0001; WMD -2.40; 95% CI -3.41—-1.39, p < 0.0001; respectively). No differences were found in adverse events between the aliskiren and ARB groups. Similar results were found with aliskiren and ARB combination therapy and its respective monotherapy. We conclude that aliskiren’s BP-lowering capabilities were comparable to those of ARBs. Aliskiren and ARB combination therapy provided more effective BP reduction than each respective monotherapy without increasing adverse events.
Structuring Job Related Information on the Intranet: An Experimental Comparison of Task vs. an Organization-Based Approach

In this article, we present a usability experiment in which participants were asked to make intensive use of information on an intranet in order to execute job-related tasks. Participants had to work with one of two versions of an intranet: one with an organization-based hyperlink structure, and one with a task-based hyperlink structure. Efficiency and effectiveness were measured in terms of execution time and task accuracy, respectively. After the task execution, participants were asked to evaluate the task as well as the intranet. The results show that participants perform more efficiently with the organization-based structure, which is probably due to their familiarity with this structure. A post hoc analysis revealed, however, a learning effect in the task condition, which suggests that once users are acquainted with it, a task structure is at least as efficient.
Proprietary Reference: Do Students Use Library Help?

Data from a survey at a ground campus of a proprietary school are considered in the context of recent library science literature. Two surveys indicate that students prefer face-to-face communication with the library and learning about the library services through class visitations. Most of the respondents had not used library services. These trends suggest that proprietary school students are not entirely dissimilar from traditional students in learning and marketing preferences.
Helix pomatia agglutinin binding activity is a predictor of survival time for patients with gastric carcinoma

The authors used helix pomatia agglutinin (HPA) staining to examine 163 primary gastric carcinoma isolates, using the avidin‐biotin‐peroxidase complex method. The positive HPA staining rate was 59% (96/163) for the primary tumors, and the positive staining correlated well (with statistical significance) with tumor enlargement, penetration, lymphatic invasion, and metastasis (P < 0.01), and with infiltrative spread (P < 0.05). Patients with gastric cancer showing positive HPA staining had a lower survival rate (P < 0.001), particularly when the cancer cells were present on the serosal surface. Careful follow‐up and intensive postoperative therapy are required for patients with an HPA‐positive advanced gastric carcinoma. 68:2438‐2442, 1991.
Virological Diagnosis of Influenza Viruses in Zagazig University Hospitals

Influenza-like illness is a nonspecific respiratory illness characterized by fever, fatigue, cough, sore throat, headache and other symptoms that stop within a few days. Aim of the work: Aim of this study was to expect influenza virus as a cause of influenza like illness depending on signs and symptoms and to compare rapid techniques and viral isolation for its diagnosis. Determine whether nasal or throat swabs are superior specimens to detect the seasonal influenza virus by measuring viral load in all specimens by real time RT-PCR. Compare qPCR assays with conventional RT-PCR to assess its potential application in routine surveillance and diagnosis. Subjects, materials & methods: This study carried out in Medical Microbiology and Immunology department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University. The study included 75 patients, 46 were males and 29 were females with ages ranging from 4 days to 65 years old (median=19). Nasopharyngeal swabs were obtained from all patients after 2 or 3 days of onset and were subjected to fluorescence detection of the viruses directly in the samples and a trial to isolate the viruses by cell culture on MDCK cells. One nasal and one throat swab were obtained from every patient and examined for influenza virus detection by both conventional and real time RT-PCR. Results: Indirect fluorescence test performed directly on the nasopharyngeal samples revealed 23 positive cases out of 75. The cell culture revealed that 22 out of 75 cases were confirmed as influenza. In comparing Fluorescence versus the cell culture as the gold standard, its sensitivity =90.9%, specificity =94.3% and accuracy =93.3%. Positive predictive value =86.9% and Negative predictive value =96.1%. As regard Fluorescence before and after cell culture technique, it was statistically non significant. Age group (<2 years) was the most susceptible age group to influenza disease and there was male predominance (61.3%). Real time PCR detected more positive samples when compared to conventional RT-PCR. There is direct correlation between throat and nasal swabs real time RT-PCR and this is statistically significant. The mean, median, standard deviation and range of viral load by nasal swabs are higher than those of throat swabs denoting that nasal swabs are more useful diagnostic tools in diagnosis of influenza than throat swabs.
MULTILINGUAL LEXICAL DATABASES, LEXICAL GAPS, AND SIMuLLDA

In the design of a Multilingual Lexical Database, one of the biggest problems is constituted by conceptual mismatches between languages, and the resulting matter of lexical gaps. Lexical gaps concern words for which there is no direct translation in a target language, but which nonetheless need to receive a translation within the system. In this article, it will be shown that the various possible ways of dealing with these lexical gaps can be classified in four basic groups. Using the SIMuLLDA system as an example (Janssen, 2002), the advantages of the structured interlingua approach over the other possibilities will be explained. With the SIMuLLDA set-up, it is possible to derive correct lexical definitions for lexical gaps from the MLLD. How this process of “lexical gap filling” works will be shown using a concrete example of a lexical gap: the treatment of the English words river and stream in contrast with the French words fleuve and riviere.
Into the unknown: the professional development induction experience of secondary mathematics teachers using interactive whiteboard technology

This article examines the approaches to professional development for staff in mathematics departments in seven secondary schools when interactive whiteboards were provided under a government funded project. The analysis is based on observations of video‐recorded lessons taught in the schools immediately after the technology was installed and again after two terms use. In this way, it was possible to complete a longitudinal study of change for a total of 22 staff in the schools for both sets of recordings and to gather a narrative of their experiences using a structured interview approach. Evidence suggests that the technology was either installed with minimum IWB training or installed with a general technological and pedagogic introduction or installed with continuous mentoring either from advisors or a ‘missioner’ member of the department. In those schools, characterised by the latter pattern, there appears to have been a more rapid progression from didactic to interactive teaching approaches and our conclusion is that effective interactive whiteboard teaching requires continuing professional development and specific personal coaching with a consideration of both interactive whiteboard techniques and pedagogy.
Recognition of Hearing Aid Orientation Content by First-Time Users

Purpose: To examine how well hearing aid orientation (HAO) content is remembered immediately and 1 month after the HAO, and whether the ability to remember this information differs as a function of the audiologist providing the information, patient’s age, degree of hearing loss, and prior knowledge of hearing aids. Method: A convenience sample of 100 older adults completed a multiple-choice test of hearing aid knowledge immediately following the HAO and 1 month later. Covariate and regression analyses were used to address the study purpose. Results: On average, participants recognized 74% of the information immediately following HAO and 78% at 1 month. Hearing loss was associated with declining recognition for hearing aid use and care information immediately following HAO, whereas prior knowledge was associated with successful recognition. Participants who recognized more HAO content immediately also remembered more at 1 month. A difference in recognition of hearing aid information based on audiologist wa.
Testicular dysfunction after cyclophosphamide‐vincristine‐procarbazine‐prednisolone chemotherapy for advanced hodgkin's disease a long‐term follow‐up study

Gonadal functions were evaluated in 92 male patients after treatment for advanced Hodgkin's disease. The patients received six to ten cycles of cyclophosphamide, vincristine, procarbazine, and prednisolone (COPP) chemotherapy. All patients were in remission and were followed for 1 to 17 years (median, 6). Testicular atrophy was noticed in 89 (96.7%) patients. All patients remained azoospermic during the period of follow‐up. The testosterone levels did not differ before and after treatment. The follicle stimulating hormone levels rose from pretreatment values (mean ± standard deviation) of 179.27 ± 21.99 ng/ml to 578.79 ± 102.36 ng/ml after the treatment; the rise was significant (P < 0.001). The luteinizing hormone levels rose from pretreatment values of 106.96 ± 20.37 ng/ml to 127.37 ± 32.19 ng/ml after treatment; the rise was significant (P < 0.05). Testicular biopsy specimens in 19 patients showed germinal aplasia in all cases. It is concluded that six or more cycles of COPP chemotherapy for advanced Hodgkin's disease in men leads to permanent sterility.
Signal-processing algorithms for point-target detection in consecutive-frame staring imagery

Our algorithm development for point target surveillance is closely meshed to our laboratory IR cameras. The two-stage approach falls into the category of `track before detect' and incorporates dynamic programming optimization techniques. The first stage generates merit scores for each pixel and suppresses clutter by spatial/temporal subtractions from N registered frames of data. The higher the value of the merit score, the more likely that a target is present. In addition to the merit score, the best track associated with each score is stored; together they comprise the merit function. In the second stage, merit functions are associated and dynamic programming techniques are used to create combined merit functions. Nineteen and thirteen frames of data are used to accumulate merit functions. Results using a total of 38 and 39 frames of data are presented for a set of simulated targets embedded in white noise. The result is a high probability of detection and low false alarm rate down to a signal to noise ratio of about 2.0. Preliminary results for some real targets (extracted from real scenes and then re- embedded in white noise) show a graceful degradation from the results obtained on simulated targets.
A framework for evaluating test pattern generation strategies

A formal approach for the analysis of heuristics used in automatic test pattern generation for combinational circuits is presented. A test pattern generation system that constructs a satisfying assignment for a Boolean formula describing the legal set of tests is discussed. Heuristics as modifications to the formula or the satisfier acting on the formula are described. Experimental results are provided for the system as a whole, and for the effects of four heuristics. <<ETX>>
Zukunftschance Pflege - von der Professionalisierung zur Restrukturierung des Aufgabenfeldes

Ausgehend von den demografischen Entwicklungen und den kunftig zu erwartenden Versorgungsbedarfen werden strukturelle Reformen im deutschen Gesundheitswesen erforderlich. Curriculare Ausbildungs- und Weiterbildungsstrukturen und damit zu erwerbende Kompetenzen mussen sich an den verandernden Bedarf anpassen. Aufgrund des absehbaren Arztemangels in der Bundesrepublik ist es erforderlich, fur diesen Berufszweig Entlastungsoptionen zu entwickeln, die sich masgeblich durch die Aufgabenubernahme nichtarztlicher Heilberufe sowohl im delegativen als auch eigenverantwortlichen Sinne kennzeichnen. Pflegefachkrafte werden ihr Kompetenzfeld dahingehend erweitern, wobei bereits zum jetzigen Zeitpunkt eine Vielzahl wissenschaftlicher Erkenntnisse existiert, die einerseits auf die Entwicklung von Generalisten und andererseits von Spezialisten fokussieren. Dabei werden Curricula entwickelt, die darauf abzielen, die klassische Ausbildung im Sekundarbereich und die akademische Bildungsstruktur im Tertiarbereich entspreche.
Human Endogenous Retroviruses in Multiple Sclerosis: Potential for Novel Neuro-Pharmacological Research

There is growing evidence that the env genes of two or more human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) of the W family are contributing to the inflammatory processes, and thus to the pathogenesis, of multiple sclerosis (MS). Increasing understanding of the human endogenous retroviral locus, ERVWE1, and the putative multiple sclerosis associated retrovirus, or MSRV, and in particular of the HERV-W env sequences associated with these, offers the potential of new lines of pharmacological research that might assist diagnosis, prognosis and therapy of multiple sclerosis.
Analysis of the effect a student-centred mobile learning instructional method has on language acquisition

In this study a self-paced instructional method based on the use of Apple's iPod Touch personal mobile devices to deliver content was compared with a group-oriented instructional method of content delivery in terms of learner acquisition of course material. One hundred and twenty-two first-year Japanese university students in four classes were used in the study. The subjects were placed in two experimental groups and two control groups, and each researcher taught one control and one experimental group. An independent samples t-test performed on the groups’ placement scores on the university's English entrance examination showed no significant difference between the two groups in terms of general English ability at the outset of the experiment. During the treatment sessions the control groups studied in a group-oriented classroom environment while the experimental groups studied the same course material but did so with a self-paced method that used Apple's iPod Touch personal mobile devices. As such, the subjects in the experimental group were allowed to study at a rate they chose rather than having the timing of the language input controlled by the teacher. The curriculum for both the control and experimental groups was based on the course textbook (Science English: Communication skills for scientists and engineers, Daniels, 2007, Tokyo: Thomson). The same standardized tests were given to all students involved in the study and the scores of the control and experimental groups were analysed using independent samples t-tests supported by Mann–Whitney tests. The post-treatment data showed a significant difference emerge between the groups, while the experimental group scored consistently higher than the control group. Results of a post-treatment survey given to the experimental group also indicated very positive learner attitudes towards the self-study iPod Touch-based instructional method.
International Perspective: The Appropriateness of Using Hong Kong to Make Inferences About Business Students in Mainland China

Abstract Some authors have argued that Hong Kong provides a reasonable basis for making inferences about education for Mainland China, but other research has hinted at the inappropriateness of using the '“Westernized” attitudinal characteristics of the Hong Kong Chinese for such purposes. To test if Hong Kong constitutes a sound proxy for understanding Chinese business students, this study compared the rationales of students in the Mainland (n = 71) and Hong Kong (n = 68) for undertaking an MBA. Significant differences were found overall and by sex, age, and educational background.