Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Matching and stretching learners' learning styles

Creating and sustaining learners’ active involvement in learning requires an understanding of their learning style preferences. Through a questionnaire survey and participant observations, this study sought to explore the extent to which teachers understand their students’ language learning styles as well as teacher-student style mismatches in Vietnamese EFL classrooms, which have brought about students’ dissatisfaction and low performance. The study found Vietnamese EFL learners more intuitive than sensing, more visual than verbal, more active than reflective, and more sequential than global. After matching the distribution of learning styles, this action research applied the multi-style teaching strategies suggested by Kolb (1984) and Felder (1993) to stretch students’ learning style patterns. While guiding students into certain learning styles, teachers had to guid themselves into the teaching styles they are not accustomed to. The benefits of style matching and stretching were confirmed beside the failures in the class where adult learners failed to respond to style stretching strategies and in the class where the teacher failed to respond to students’ learning styles. These failures remind teachers that other learner factors, teacher factors, and learning environment factors always exist beside learning and teaching styles as promoters or hinderers to style matching and stretching strategies.
The Ecology of the Self: Relocation and Self-Concept Change

List of tables Preface 1. Restructuring the ecology of the self: a framework for self-concept change 2. Method considerations for an ecological approach 3. Relocation and changes in commitment: a cross-sectional study over the first year 4. Implications of recent research in cognitive social psychology for self-concept change 5. Social psychological theories on maintenance and change 6. Sociological approached to the self-concept and change 7. The development of self-concept-related measures 8. Functions of the physical environment for the self-concept 9. Anticipation of transition from university 10. The experience sampling method 11. A quasi-experimental study of relocation and satisfaction with self 12. Relocation as transition and change in a physical and social context 13. A longitudinal questionnaire study over one year 14. A longitudinal study of students' transition to university 15. Conclusion References Author index Subject index.
Mitochondrial dysfunction in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis – a valid pharmacological target?

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an adult‐onset neurodegenerative disease characterized by the selective death of upper and lower motor neurons which ultimately leads to paralysis and ultimately death. Pathological changes in ALS are closely associated with pronounced and progressive changes in mitochondrial morphology, bioenergetics and calcium homeostasis. Converging evidence suggests that impaired mitochondrial function could be pivotal in the rapid neurodegeneration of this condition. In this review, we provide an update of recent advances in understanding mitochondrial biology in the pathogenesis of ALS and highlight the therapeutic value of pharmacologically targeting mitochondrial biology to slow disease progression.
Nodulo-Ulcerative Ocular Surface Squamous Neoplasia in 6 Patients: A Rare Presentation

Purpose: To describe clinical presentation and histopathological features of a nodulo-ulcerative variant of ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN). Methods: Retrospective study. Results: Six patients were identified with a nodulo-ulcerative variant of OSSN. Mean age at presentation was 56 years. One patient was immunosuppressed because of human immunodeficiency virus infection. The initial misdiagnosis was necrotizing scleritis/sclerokeratitis (n = 4), intraepithelial neoplasia (n = 1), and chalazion (n = 1). The mean delay in diagnosis as OSSN was 6 months. The lesion involved bulbar conjunctiva in 5 patients and tarsal conjunctiva in 1 patient. The mean maximum tumor dimension was 16 mm, and the mean area of conjunctivoscleral/conjunctivotarsal necrosis was 8 mm. The primary treatment for nodulo-ulcerative OSSN included excisional biopsy (n = 2), plaque radiotherapy (n = 1), and orbital exenteration (n = 3). Tumor recurrence was noted in two patients necessitating orbital exenteration. At last follow-up, globe salvage could be achieved in only 1 case. Histopathology showed invasive conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma in all cases with lesions being well-differentiated (n = 4), moderately differentiated (n = 1), and with mucoepidermoid differentiation (n = 1). Underlying scleral/tarsal tumor infiltration was evident in all 6 (100%) cases. Intraocular tumor extension was evident in 3 cases infiltrating the iris (n = 2), ciliary body (n = 3), and choroid (n = 3). Orbital tumor extension was evident in 2 cases because of tumor recurrence. No metastasis or death was recorded at a mean follow-up of 26 months. Conclusions: The nodulo-ulcerative variant of OSSN is rare and is most often misdiagnosed as necrotizing scleritis/sclerokeratitis causing a delay in the diagnosis. It is an aggressive lesion with increased occurrence of intraocular or orbital tumor extension.
The phylogeny of the European high mountain genus Adenostyles (Asteraceae-Senecioneae) reveals that edaphic shifts coincide with dispersal events.

UNLABELLED PREMISE OF THE STUDY Heterogeneity of edaphic conditions plays a large role in driving the diversification of many plant groups. In the Alps and other European high mountains, many closely related calcicole and calcifuge plant taxa exist. To better understand patterns and processes of edaphic differentiation, the phylogeny of the edaphically variable genus Adenostyles was studied. The genus contains three species, of which A. alpina has five subspecies. Each species and subspecies is largely confined to either calcareous or noncalcareous substrates. • METHODS We analyzed the phylogeny of Adenostyles using DNA sequences of nrITS, nrETS, nuclear chalcone synthase, and three plastid markers (rpl32-trnL, psbA-trnH, and ndhF-rpl32) from 45 in-group and five out-group samples. The phylogeny was used to reconstruct ancestral edaphic associations and distribution areas. • KEY RESULTS Within Adenostyles alpina, the shifts of edaphic association from calcicole to calcifuge in subsp. briquetii (Corsica) and in a clade of subsp. macrocephala (southernmost Italy) plus subsp. pyrenaica (Pyrenees) coincide with dispersal events. • CONCLUSIONS We conclude that colonization of areas with novel edaphic conditions via dispersal can trigger shifts of edaphic association. Accordingly, edaphic niche shifts can result from chance events.
IFN‐γ but not IL‐4 is important for mouse CD4+ T cell‐mediated macrophage activation following their exposure to pig cells in vitro

In order to investigate the mechanism by which CD4+ T cells and macrophages interact in the xenogeneic immune response, murine CD4+ T cells and macrophages were used as responder cells in culture with irradiated fetal pig spleen cells (FPSC) as pig xenogeneic stimulators. In this in vitro model, murine CD4+ T cells and macrophages were cultured individually, or together with FPSC. In addition, mouse CD4+ T cells were also cultured with autologous macrophages which were previously stimulated by FPSC. The cultured murine cells were analyzed for expression of CD4+ T cell and macrophage activation markers (cell surface markers and cytokines) as well as cytokine production. CD4+ T cells and macrophages cultured alone or together without FPSC showed unchanged low levels of expression of activation markers. Coculture of macrophages with FPSC and in the absence of CD4+ T cells induced increased expression levels of all the activation markers examined except B7.2 and ICAM‐1. Addition of CD4+ T cells to the coculture further enhanced this up‐regulation. Coculture of CD4+ T cells with FPSC‐stimulated macrophages, but not naive macrophages, or FPSC alone, resulted in significantly increased numbers of CD4+ T cells coexpressing their activation markers, especially IFN‐γ and CD40L, and this expression was enhanced further by including FPSC in the coculture. The activation of both CD4+ T cells and macrophages in their coculture with FPSC was suppressed by neutralizing IFN‐γ but not IL‐4. Our results demonstrated that interaction of CD4+ T cells and autologous macrophages was required for their optimal activation in response to pig xenogeneic stimulation. The mechanisms involved included cell–cell and/or cytokine interactions, and in particular IFN‐γ mediated communication was involved. Macrophages activated by pig cells in the absence of CD4+ T cells were able to activate naive CD4+ T cells, thus providing an important communication pathway between innate immune activation and a T cell mediated response in xenograft rejection.
Weekly point prevalence of Streptococcus pneumoniae, Hemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis in the upper airways of normal young children: effect of respiratory illness and season

The aim was to determine the effect of respiratory illness and season on carriage rates in the upper airways of Streptococcus pneumoniae, Hemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis in normal children. Sixteen healthy children, 1–10 years old, amenable to weekly sampling were followed longitudinally for at least three seasons of the year. Respiratory symptoms were recorded daily; weekly nasal aspirate/wash samples were cultured on selective agars. Urea concentration in samples was used to define dilution of secretion. 68% of 950 samples were culture positive; 44% of positives had two or all three species. Each species was detected in about one third of samples. Bacteria were detected in 76% of samples during illness vs. 65% during wellness (p=0.004). Seasonal carriage rates varied from 56% in summer and fall to 85% in winter. There was a strong inverse correlation between dilution of secretion and bacterial detection rate in illness and wellness aspirate samples during the four seasons (r=−0.82, p=0.01). Detection of bacteria varied with the amount of secretion in the sample. This variation accounts for the apparent differences in bacterial carriage during illness vs. wellness and during different seasons.
How accurate are population models? Lessons from landscape-scale tests in a fragmented system

There is a growing debate about the ability of Population Viability Analysis (PVA) to predict the risk of extinction. Previously, the debate has focused largely on models where spatial variation and species movement are ignored. We present a synthesis of the key results for an array of different species for which detailed tests of the accuracy of PVA models were completed. These models included spatial variation in habitat quality and the movement of individuals across a landscape. The models were good approximations for some species, but poor for others. Predictive ability was limited by complex processes typically overlooked in spatial population models, these being interactions between landscape structure and life history attributes. Accuracy of models could not be determined a priori, although model tests indicated how they might be improved. Importantly, model predictions were poor for some species that are among the best studied vertebrates in Australia. This indicated that although the availability of good life history data is a key part of PVA other factors also influence model accuracy. We were also able to draw broad conclusions about the sorts of populations and life history characteristics where model predictions are likely to be less accurate. Predictions of extinction risk are often essential for real-world population management. Therefore, we believe that although PVA has been shown to be less than perfect, it remains a useful tool particularly in the absence of alternative approaches. Hence, tests of PVA models should be motivated by the cycle of testing and improvement.
Inadequate management of blood pressure in a hypertensive population.

BACKGROUND Many patients with hypertension have inadequate control of their blood pressure. Improving the treatment of hypertension requires an understanding of the ways in which physicians manage this condition and a means of assessing the efficacy of this care. METHODS We examined the care of 800 hypertensive men at five Department of Veterans Affairs sites in New England over a two-year period. Their mean (+/-SD) age was 65.5+/-9.1 years, and the average duration of hypertension was 12.6+/-5.3 years. We used recursive partitioning to assess the probability that antihypertensive therapy would be increased at a given clinic visit using several variables. We then used these predictions to define the intensity of treatment for each patient during the study period, and we examined the associations between the intensity of treatment and the degree of control of blood pressure. RESULTS Approximately 40 percent of the patients had a blood pressure of > or =160/90 mm Hg despite an average of more than six hypertension-related visits per year. Increases in therapy occurred during 6.7 percent of visits. Characteristics associated with an increase in antihypertensive therapy included increased levels of both systolic and diastolic blood pressure at that visit (but not previous visits), a previous change in therapy, the presence of coronary artery disease, and a scheduled visit. Patients who had more intensive therapy had significantly (P<0.01) better control of blood pressure. During the two-year period, systolic blood pressure declined by 6.3 mm Hg among patients with the most intensive treatment, but increased by 4.8 mm Hg among the patients with the least intensive treatment. CONCLUSIONS In a selected population of older men, blood pressure was poorly controlled in many. Those who received more intensive medical therapy had better control. Many physicians are not aggressive enough in their approach to hypertension.
Obesity and Inflammation: Evidence for an Elementary Lesion

In obesity, an inflammatory process of the adipose tissue has been hypothesized; however, direct evidence for a tissue lesion is still lacking. Macrophage infiltration in the adipose tissue of obese individuals seems to be proven, but other alterations of the tissue have not been demonstrated. Moreover, in humans it has not been clarified whether inflammation is an early characteristic of obesity, because no data from obese children are available. In the present study, we assessed the inflammatory involvement of the adipose tissue and identified the elementary “inflammatory” lesion in a group of obese children. The study of children gives us the chance to investigate adipose tissue during early phases of obesity. In all the obese subjects, ultramicroscopic analysis of the adipose tissue demonstrated inflammatory involvement, and the extent of the lesions seemed to depend on the SD score of body mass index. The elementary lesion is a microgranuloma, with fragments of adipocytes, that evolves to fibrosis. Macrophages (and less frequently, lymphocytes or granulocytes) were found in perivascular positions. The lesions were not found in nonobese children. Our study proved that an “inflammatory” process exists in the adipose tissue of obese children, confirming previous findings in animals and obese adults and demonstrating that it is an early alteration in humans. However, the accumulation of macrophages was just one of the components of the inflammatory lesion, which also involved adipocyte degeneration, fibrosis, and, to a lesser extent, granulocyte/lymphocyte accumulation. The finding of fragments of adipocytes in the elementary lesion suggests that, at the beginning of the process, adipocytes may degenerate and that the materials generated by this process can recruit macrophages and other leukocytes. These preliminary results suggest that additional studies should be designed to clarify the cause of adipocyte fragility in obese children.
Bifid Condyle: Review of the Literature of the Last 10 Years and Report of Two Cases

Abstract Bifid mandibular condyle is a rare anomaly; there are several theories about its etiology, and it has been studied in both prehistoric and historic skulls, as well as in living human beings. It is a frequent, although unexpected, finding in asymptomatic individuals during radiological treatment. Presented here is a review of the literature over the past 10 years and two new cases of unilateral bifid condyle. Computerized tomography is usually considered the test of choice for establishing the differential diagnosis, although in certain cases, its use seems questionable. The distinction between bifid condyle and condylar notch or cleft has been described in the literature, it is proposed a criteria for defining bifid condyle depending on the level of the two heads. It is suggested that further testing such as MRI or CT be carried out only in cases where the therapeutic approach involves an active treatment. It is proposed that bifid condyle is described as that which presents two condylar heads emerging from the neck of the condyle or further down.
Peritoneal Cellular Immunity and Endometriosis

PROBLEM: An immunologic basis has long been considered to be very important in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. Interactions of the peritoneal cells, which comprise macrophages, B cells, T cells, natural killer (NK) cells, and retrograde endometrial cells, are critical, but remain controversial, for exploring the pathogenesis of endometriosis. METHOD OF STUDY: Accumulated data from the literature were reviewed, and our data were analyzed.
Factors that diminish radiation lethality.

several procedures are known to modify the response of mammals to ionizing radiation. Prominent among these are methods and agents that prevent damage to the hematopoietic system and overcome endogenous bacterial invasion. It is significant that the reticuloendothelial system (RES), which shows no evidence of damage histologically even after exposures of 2,000 R or more, constitutes a major defense mechanism of the host against bacterial agents (1) and an important source of regenerating hematopoietic cells (2). Exhaustion of certain cells of RE origin has been proposed as the prime cause of death after whole-body irradiation (3). Evidence has been accumulated that implicates the participation of the RES in ho-meostatic adjustments to severe stresses and indicates that this system plays an important role in radiation recovery. Materials and Methods Young adult rats of the CF-Nelson strain (140–175 g) were used in these experiments. Whole-body irradiation was administered by a therapeutic unit operated at .
The Use of Occlusal Indices in Assessing the Provision of Orthodontic Treatment by the Hospital Orthodontic Service of England and Wales

This retrospective study was carried out to assess the need for orthodontic treatment and the standard of treatment provided by a sample of 17 hospital-based orthodontic departments. A total of 1630 sets of patients records were collected and analysed for orthodontic treatment need and standard of treatment with the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need and the PAR index, respectively. The data were analysed with a variant of analysis of covariance using linear modelling techniques. In general terms it appeared that the hospital service provided treatment of a high standard, in terms of dento-occlusal change, to a caseload of patients that were in need of treatment. The effectiveness of treatment provision was influenced by the grade of operator, the choice of treatment methods and by the departmental attitudes and aspirations.
Perceptions of healthcare quality in Ghana: Does health insurance status matter?

This study’s objective is to provide an alternative explanation for the low enrolment in health insurance in Ghana by analysing differences in perceptions between the insured and uninsured of the non-technical quality of healthcare. It further explores the association between insurance status and perception of healthcare quality to ascertain whether insurance status matters in the perception of healthcare quality. Data from a survey of 1,903 households living in the catchment area of 64 health centres were used for the analysis. Two sample independent t-tests were employed to compare the average perceptions of the insured and uninsured on seven indicators of non-technical quality of healthcare. A generalised ordered logit regression, controlling for socio-economic characteristics and clustering at the health facility level, tested the association between insurance status and perceived quality of healthcare. The perceptions of the insured were found to be significantly more negative than the uninsured and those of the previously insured were significantly more negative than the never insured. Being insured was associated with a significantly lower perception of healthcare quality. Thus, once people are insured, they tend to perceive the quality of healthcare they receive as poor compared to those without insurance. This study demonstrated that health insurance status matters in the perceptions of healthcare quality. The findings also imply that perceptions of healthcare quality may be shaped by individual experiences at the health facilities, where the insured and uninsured may be treated differently. Health insurance then becomes less attractive due to the poor perception of the healthcare quality provided to individuals with insurance, resulting in low demand for health insurance in Ghana. Policy makers in Ghana should consider redesigning, reorganizing, and reengineering the National Healthcare Insurance Scheme to ensure the provision of better quality healthcare for both the insured and uninsured.
Pulmonary nocardiosis in a patient treated with corticosteroid therapy

Abstract: We report a case of pulmonary nocardiosis in a 69‐year‐old man with rheumatoid arthritis who was receiving corticosteroid treatment. The patient received prednisolone for rheumatoid arthritis and antibiotics for his fever and pneumonia in another hospital, but the response to the therapy was poor. After admission to our hospital, he improved following treatment with imipenem/cilastatin for Nocardia asteroides. Pulmonary nocardiosis is difficult to diagnose and should be considered in the differential diagnosis, especially in an immunocompromised host.
Effects of exposure to information about appearance stereotyping and discrimination on women's body images.

OBJECTIVE There is widespread public dissemination of research findings and media messages regarding social advantages of physical attractiveness and liabilities of unattractiveness. The purpose of this experimental study was to determine the effects of such information on women's body-image experiences. METHOD College women (n = 66) listened to one of two audiotapes that detailed research-based information either on the subject of appearance stereotyping and discrimination or on the control topic of television violence and aggression. RESULTS Although the two conditions did not differentially alter mood, exposure to appearance-related versus control information produced significantly less favorable body-image evaluations. Furthermore, as predicted, women who were schematically invested in their physical appearance were especially susceptible to the deleterious effects of the appearance information. DISCUSSION The scientific and clinical implications of these findings were discussed, particularly with respect to eating disturbances.