Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An Endangered Longhorn Beetle Associated with Old Oaks and Its Possible Role as an Ecosystem Engineer

Abstract: For more than 10 years, ecologists have been discussing the concept of ecosystem engineering (i.e., nontrophic interactions of an organism that alters the physical state of its environment and affects other species). In conservation biology, the functional role of species is of interest because persistence of some species may be necessary for maintaining an entire assemblage with many threatened species. The great capricorn (Cerambyx cerdo), an endangered beetle listed in the European Union's Habitats Directive, has suffered a dramatic decline in the number of populations and in population sizes in Central Europe over the last century. The damage caused by C. cerdo larvae on sound oak trees has considerable effects on the physiological characteristics of these trees. We investigated the impacts of these effects on the species richness and heterogeneity of the saproxylic beetle assemblage on oaks. We compared the catches made with flight interception traps on 10 oaks colonized and 10 oaks uncolonized by C. cerdo in a study area in Lower Saxony (Germany). Our results revealed a significantly more species‐rich assemblage on the trees colonized by C. cerdo. Colonized trees also harbored more red‐listed beetle species. Our results suggest that an endangered beetle species can alter its own habitat to create favorable habitat conditions for other threatened beetle species. Efforts to preserve C. cerdo therefore have a positive effect on an entire assemblage of insects, including other highly endangered species. On the basis of the impact C. cerdo seems to have on the saproxylic beetle assemblage, reintroductions might be considered in regions where the species has become extinct.
A study on effect of entrepreneurship on entrepreneurial intention: Focusing on ICT majors

Purpose The purpose of this study is to show effect of entrepreneurship on entrepreneurial intention. Currently, the long-term global economic crisis is accelerating, and the concerns for future uncertainties are spreading throughout our society. The ICT majors in Busan region are no exception so that business start-up is being considered as a new alternative to survive and grow in such uncertain environments at home or abroad. That is, business start-ups and entrepreneurship are being emphasized as a strategy that individuals can change not only one’s own life but also the fate of a region and even the destiny of a country. Design/methodology/approach For this reason, the youth start-ups based on social networks and leadership have become the focus of our social concern along with the entrepreneurship that can actively cope with the ever-changing global environments. Thus, some of the major factors (i.e. innovation, enterprise and risk-taking) which should be considered when promoting the entrepreneurial intention of the ICT majors in Busan region have been researched, as well as the concept of entrepreneurship itself. Findings This demonstrates that young people will be able to successfully lead their start-up companies through their enterprising spirit, networks and leadership and learning with firm determination. Therefore, it is important to make such a network and leadership-based entrepreneurship become foundational in overcoming the long-term Korean economic depression; surviving in such an opaque situation; leading the growth and development of Busan region; and becoming the driving force for national growth, by developing the unique characteristics and strength of the students. Originality/value In this regard, this study will be useful for understanding the entrepreneurship of the ICT majors in Busan region more while contributing to the invigoration of a creative economy by studying the factors essential for the entrepreneurship and development of networks and leadership.
The Clinical Significance of Ependymal Enhancement at Presentation in Patients with Malignant Glioma

Introduction The current study evaluated the rate of ependymal enhancement and whether its presence influences survival of patients with malignant glioma (GBM). Methods A retrospective review of all patients who were treated in our institution from 2005 to 2011 was conducted. Data extracted from the medical records included age, date of diagnosis, co-morbidities, treatment regimen, and time of death. Magnetic resonance images (MRI) were evaluated for the presence of ependymal enhancement and its extent, and the correlation to survival was investigated. Results Between 2005 and 2011, 230 patients were treated for GBM. Eighty-nine patients were excluded from the study due to insufficient data, leaving 141 patients for analysis. Median age at diagnosis was 60 years. Sixty-seven (40.6%) patients had evidence of ependymal enhancement on MRI (group A), and 70 (42.4%) patients did not have evidence of enhancement. The assessment of ependymal enhancement was inconclusive due to mass effect and ventricular compression that precluded accurate assessment for 28 (17%) patients (group C). Median survival was 14 months for group A (range, 12–16 months), 15.9 months for group B (range, 14.28–17.65 months), and 11.7 months for group C (range, 6.47–16.92 months) (P>0.05). A multivariate analysis to predict survival indicated that male gender (P=0.039), hypertension (P=0.012), and biopsy only compared to complete gross tumor resection (P=0.001) were significant for poor survival. Conclusions Pretreatment ependymal enhancement on MRI was not found to be associated with poorer survival. These results might be due to better treatments options compared to prior reports.
The Teco Theory and Lawful Dependency in Successive Episodic Memory Tests

A large number of experiments in successive tests of episodic memory have focused on an experimental paradigm called recognition failure of recallable words. In this paradigm, a cued recall test follows a recognition test. Large amounts of data have revealed a lawful moderate dependence between recognition and cued recall. TECO (Sikström, 1996b), a general connectionist theory of memory, has been applied for the phenomenon of recognition failure. This paper makes a strong claim that all possible pairwise combinations of successive tests between recognition, cued recognition, cued recall, and free recall follow a lawful relationship. The quantitative degree of the dependency predicted between these tests can be summarized in one function. Four experiments were conducted to test this claim. In line with the predictions, the results show that all pairwise combinations of these tests fit reasonably well with the proposed function. The TECO theory suggests theoretical insights into how recognition and recall may be divided into a recollection component, a familiarity component, and a cue-target integration component.
Baseline Predictors for Good Versus Poor Visual Outcomes in the Treatment of Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration With Intravitreal Anti-VEGF Therapy.

PURPOSE To examine the baseline factors associated with good (20/60 or better) versus poor (20/200 or worse) visual outcomes in eyes with treatment-naïve neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) receiving intravitreal antivascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) on a treat-and-extend regimen (TER). METHODS An observational, retrospective series of patients managed with a TER, identified as having either good or poor visual outcomes, was examined. A multivariate regression analysis of baseline characteristics identified factors associated with good and poor vision at 2, 3, and 4 years. Neovascular subtypes were identified using fluorescein angiography (FA) alone and the anatomic classification system with FA and optical coherence tomography (OCT). RESULTS One hundred thirty-eight patients (154 eyes) fit the inclusion criteria at 2 years, 106 patients (113 eyes) at 3 years, and 72 patients (74 eyes) at 4 years. In the multivariate analysis, type 1 lesions, according to anatomic classification, had better vision at 24 months (95% CI: [3.1, 82.7], P = 0.01), 36 months (95% CI: [1.97, 24.17], P = 0.003), and 48 months (95% CI: [2.01, 65.47], P = 0.006). Clopidogrel use was associated with poor vision at 24 months (95% CI: [0.03, 0.68], P = 0.013). Vision at 3 months was the best predictor of vision at year 4 (β = -4.277, P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS Eyes with neovascular AMD managed with a TER of anti-VEGF therapy having type 1 neovascularization at baseline were more likely to maintain good vision over 4 years, whereas clopidogrel use predicted poor vision at 2 years. Vision at 3 months was the best predictor for favorable long-term vision.
Separate Mechanisms for Perception of Numerosity and Density

Despite the existence of much evidence for a number sense in humans, several researchers have questioned whether number is sensed directly or derived indirectly from texture density. Here, we provide clear evidence that numerosity and density judgments are subserved by distinct mechanisms with different psychophysical characteristics. We measured sensitivity for numerosity discrimination over a wide range of numerosities: For low densities (less than 0.25 dots/deg2), thresholds increased directly with numerosity, following Weber’s law; for higher densities, thresholds increased with the square root of texture density, a steady decrease in the Weber fraction. The existence of two different psychophysical systems is inconsistent with a model in which number is derived indirectly from noisy estimates of density and area; rather, it points to the existence of separate mechanisms for estimating density and number. These results provide strong confirmation for the existence of neural mechanisms that sense number directly, rather than indirectly from texture density.
Structural changes in patients with primary generalized tonic and clonic seizures

We conducted MR volumetry and voxel-based morphometry in 19 patients who had idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE) with tonic clonic seizures as the only seizure type and 52 control subjects. Patients exhibited elevated frontal lobe fraction of CSF and reduced fraction of gray matter in the frontal, parietal, temporal cortex, thalamus, and cerebellum. The thalamus and cerebellum also showed reduced volumes, as did the caudate and putamen. Contrary to current diagnostic criteria, regional tissue abnormalities may be present in IGE.
Storytelling: a way for winter adventure guides to manage emotional labour

ABSTRACT The study draws upon the conceptualisation of storytelling in order to explore the emotional labour of adventure guides. Adventure guides lead organised excursions and often spend several days with groups of tourists, sometimes in challenging contexts, which increase the possibility of their experiencing a mismatch between felt and expressed emotions. This can create stress, which, in turn, can influence tourists’ creation of value. This study proposes that storytelling can create a connection between the emotions felt by a guide and those they have to express, providing a means to reduce stress. In order to investigate this thesis, 10 in-depth interviews were conducted with northern lights guides offering various winter adventure activities in Alta (a small city in the northernmost part of Norway). In addition, the researcher participated in four northern lights activities in order attain first-hand observations of storytelling by experienced guides. It was shown that guides employed different stories in order to facilitate emotional labour using both surface and deep acting. More importantly, stories anchored in personal interests and/or experiences enabled guides to access their own feelings and adjust their emotional expressions to match accordingly.
Protective mechanisms of adenosine 5′-monophosphate in platelet activation and thrombus formation

Summary Platelet activation is relevant to a variety of acute thrombotic events. We sought to examine adenosine 5′-monophosphate (AMP) mechanisms of action in preventing platelet activation, thrombus formation and platelet-related inflammatory response. We assessed the effect of AMP on 1) P-selectin expression and GPIIb/IIIa activation by flow cytometry; 2) Platelet aggregation and ATP secretion induced by ADP, collagen, TRAP-6, convulxin and thrombin; 3) Platelet rolling and firm adhesion, and platelet-leukocyte interactions under flow-controlled conditions; and, 4) Platelet cAMP levels, sP-selectin, sCD40L, IL-1β, TGF-β1 and CCL5 release, PDE3A activity and PKA phosphorylation. The effect of AMP on in vivo thrombus formation was also evaluated in a murine model. The AMP docking with respect to A2 adenosine receptor was determined by homology. AMP concentration-dependently (0.1 to 3 mmol/l) inhibited P-selectin expression and GPIIb/IIIa activation, platelet secretion and aggregation induced by ADP, collagen, TRAP-6 and convulxin, and diminished platelet rolling and firm adhesion. Furthermore, AMP induced a marked increase in the rolling speed of leukocytes retained on the platelet surface. At these concentrations AMP significantly decreased inflammatory mediator from platelet, increased intraplatelet cAMP levels and inhibited PDE3A activity. Interestingly, SQ22536, ZM241385 and SCH58261 attenuated the antiplatelet effect of AMP. Docking experiments revealed that AMP had the same orientation that adenosine inside the A2 adenosine receptor binding pocket. These in vitro antithrombotic properties were further supported in an in vivo model of thrombosis. Considering the successful use of combined antiplatelet therapy, AMP may be further developed as a novel antiplatelet agent.
Sirolimus-eluting and paclitaxel-eluting stents for coronary revascularization.

BACKGROUND Sirolimus-eluting stents and paclitaxel-eluting stents, as compared with bare-metal stents, reduce the risk of restenosis. It is unclear whether there are differences in safety and efficacy between the two types of drug-eluting stents. METHODS We conducted a randomized, controlled, single-blind trial comparing sirolimus-eluting stents with paclitaxel-eluting stents in 1012 patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. The primary end point was a composite of major adverse cardiac events (death from cardiac causes, myocardial infarction, and ischemia-driven revascularization of the target lesion) by nine months. Follow-up angiography was completed in 540 of 1012 patients (53.4 percent). RESULTS The two groups had similar baseline clinical and angiographic characteristics. The rate of major adverse cardiac events at nine months was 6.2 percent in the sirolimus-stent group and 10.8 percent in the paclitaxel-stent group (hazard ratio, 0.56; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.36 to 0.86; P=0.009). The difference was driven by a lower rate of target-lesion revascularization in the sirolimus-stent group than in the paclitaxel-stent group (4.8 percent vs. 8.3 percent; hazard ratio, 0.56; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.34 to 0.93; P=0.03). Rates of death from cardiac causes were 0.6 percent in the sirolimus-stent group and 1.6 percent in the paclitaxel-stent group (P=0.15); the rates of myocardial infarction were 2.8 percent and 3.5 percent, respectively (P=0.49); and the rates of angiographic restenosis were 6.6 percent and 11.7 percent, respectively (P=0.02). CONCLUSIONS As compared with paclitaxel-eluting stents, the use of sirolimus-eluting stents results in fewer major adverse cardiac events, primarily by decreasing the rates of clinical and angiographic restenosis.
A twin-study of sleep difficulties in school-aged children.

This study examines frequency, overlap, and genetic and environmental influences on sleep difficulties, which are understudied in school-aged children. The Sleep Self Report and the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire were completed by 300 twin pairs (aged 8 years) and their parents. Child report suggested more frequent sleep problems than parent report (e.g., regular sleep onset delay was reported by 45% of children and 17% of parents). Associations between most of the sleep difficulties were small but significant (e.g., r(s)=. 16 for parent report of bedtime resistance and sleep onset delay). Twin correlations based on parent reports suggest greater genetic influence (M=50%) than those based on child self-report (M=18%). Possible rater effects should be considered when evaluating children's sleep problems.
Physical sensor difference-based method and virtual sensor difference-based method for visual and quantitative estimation of lower limb 3D gait posture using accelerometers and magnetometers

An approach using a physical sensor difference-based algorithm and a virtual sensor difference-based algorithm to visually and quantitatively confirm lower limb posture was proposed. Three accelerometers and two MAG3s (inertial sensor module) were used to measure the accelerations and magnetic field data for the calculation of flexion/extension (FE) and abduction/adduction (AA) angles of hip joint and FE, AA and internal/external rotation (IE) angles of knee joint; then, the trajectories of knee and ankle joints were obtained with the joint angles and segment lengths. There was no integration of acceleration or angular velocity for the joint rotations and positions, which is an improvement on the previous method in recent literature. Compared with the camera motion capture system, the correlation coefficients in five trials were above 0.91 and 0.92 for the hip FE and AA, respectively, and higher than 0.94, 0.93 and 0.93 for the knee joint FE, AA and IE, respectively.
Assessment of Earnings Conservatism in Malaysian Financial Reporting

This study examines four influences on earnings conservatism of financial reporting in Malaysia. The study employs a sample of 3,126 firm-year observations of Malaysian listed companies over the period 2003 to 2008 and measures conservatism by the asymmetric timeliness of earnings measure due to Basu (1997). First, the study assesses the degree of earnings conservatism in reporting during the period following the institutional reforms which started after the 1997 Asian financial crisis. The results suggest that conservatism has increased with the reforms which contrasts with the findings of Ball et al. (2003) who find no evidence of earnings conservatism in Malaysia. Second, this study investigates the effect of the adoption of IFRS on the level of earnings conservatism. The results show no systematic difference in the level of earnings conservatism for the short period of one to two years before and after the adoption, suggesting that conservatism may not be specific to any particular set of accounting standards. Third, this study examines the effect of ownership structure on earnings conservatism. Reporting by family firms and widely-held firms exhibits earnings conservatism, but this is not the case for state-controlled firms. The analysis also shows no significant difference between the levels of earnings conservatism for family firms and widely-held firms. Additional tests show that family firms that are strategically controlled by a family, that is, where a member of the controlling family acts as CEO and chairman of the corporate board, report significantly higher earnings conservatism than other family firms. Finally, the study examines the link between corporate governance and earnings conservatism. Employing a comprehensive set of corporate governance variables, this study does not find any evidence to link corporate governance and earnings conservatism. This result is contrary to the evidence from developed markets, such as the United States and the United Kingdom, where firms with good governance are more timely in recognising bad news. This raises the possibility that the different ownership structures in Malaysia make corporate governance reforms less important. However, this suggestion is subject to environmental and cultural issues that have not been addressed in this study.
How Long does it Take for Antidepressant Therapies to Act?

Objective: To review the proposition that antidepressants have a delayed onset of action by employing measurement and analytic strategies that overcome problems confounding interpretation of many efficacy studies. Method: A subset of patients was recruited to the longitudinal component of the Australasian database study, was assessed at baseline, and then completed measures of depression and anxiety when treatment commenced, and every 3 days over the next 4 weeks. The trajectories of defined 4-week outcome responders and non-responders were compared. Results: Both groups showed a similar decrease in depression (and anxiety) over the first 3 days. A clear trend break then occurred, with little further improvement in the non-responders, as against distinct and progressive improvement in the responders. Ongoing early improvement (across days 3–6) was a strong predictor of responder status. Conclusions: The small sample size limits firm interpretation, although distinct interpretive advantages to the study design are evident. Findings are compatible with a number of recent studies arguing against any extensive delayed onset of action for the antidepressant drugs, but argue for caution in interpreting immediate improvement as predicting likely responder status, and more for examining early and sustained improvement as such a marker.
Clinical and Genetic Heterogeneity of the 15q13.3 Microdeletion Syndrome

The 15q13.3 microdeletion is a recurrent CNV, presumably mediated by NAHR between segmental duplications in chromosome 15. The 15q13.3 deletion and duplication are associated with a wide range of clinical manifestations, such as intellectual deficits, seizures, autism, language and developmental delay, neuropsychiatric impairments, and behavioral problems illustrating incomplete penetrance and expressivity. This study comprises an evaluation of 106 symptomatic patients carrying the heterozygous deletion, as well as of 21 patients carrying the duplication, who have been described in previous studies. The analysis shows considerable heterogeneity for the manifestation of different key symptoms and familiar occurrence. Furthermore, 8 new patients are introduced. Convoluted familiar connections give new insights into the complexity of symptomatic manifestation. In previous studies, different opinions have been expressed as to the nature and precise location of the deletion breakpoints. Here, we show that not CHRNA7 and CHRFAM7A, but rather FAM7A or GOLGA8, serve as breakpoint regions concerning our patients. The deletion is described as heterogeneous in size. However, we assume that not only different breakpoints but also the imprecision of aCGH analysis on chromosome 15 due to segmental duplications accounts for the variability in size.
Positions and Preferences: Faculty Goes for Lifelong Learning, a View from Turkey

The purpose of this study is to investigate academicians’ lifelong learning positions and preferences. The research was designed as survey research. The participants consisted of 230 academicians from Faculty of Education of Anadolu University in Turkey. Data was collected using a survey form which had items about the factors that affect lifelong learning process of academicians. It was found that lifelong learning survey scores of participants vary according to their departments, branches, ages, seniorities, genders and academic titles. It was also found that academicians of education faculty mainly participate in scientific and teaching activities in lifelong learning.