Peeking into the past to plan the future: Assessing bird species richness in a neotropical city

Urbanization has been considered as a major threat to biodiversity, making its ecology of increasing interest. Many urban ecology studies have been developed in a short time-scale, measuring real-time patterns. However, long-term studies are imperative to understand the responses of some species to the urbanization process. In this study, we aimed to assess the information provided by a recent one-year citywide bird survey when compared to a published ‘historical’ bird list of a neotropical city (Xalapa, Mexico) that compiles information of the past three decades, mainly from urban greenspaces. Specifically, we contrasted species richness values and assessed differences in species composition between both lists. We recorded 51 species in the one-year citywide survey, representing ~15 % of those reported in the historical list. Nonetheless, the upper-bound confidence interval of the citywide survey richness prediction represented ~66 %. Most of the species recorded in the one-year citywide survey are insectivores and granivores, a pattern that agrees with previous findings that underline the importance of insectivores as part of urban bird communities in the Neotropics. Although we used robust methods to compare our one-year citywide bird list and the historical list for the city of Xalapa, we acknowledge the limitations of comparing them. However, our results shed some light on the kind and type of information that one-year citywide surveys can provide and the importance of long-term studies for comprehending the processes involved in biodiversity changes within urban areas over time. Undoubtedly, establishing long-term citywide surveys sampling birds and other biodiversity groups will allow us to better understand the response of biodiversity to urbanization over time.     

Impact of metabolic syndrome and its components on kidney stone in aging Taiwanese males

Objectives: Metabolic syndrome (MtS) and kidney stone are two common aging diseases with male dominant. This is the first study regarding the potential impact of MtS and its components on kidney stone in aging Chinese population.

Methods: A total of 694 males with a mean age of 55.6 years were enrolled. The definition of MtS was according to the modified criteria developed by the Bureau of Health Promotion in Taiwan. Subjects were classified as having a disease of kidney stones according to diagnosis by a physician with available medical records or evidence from ultrasonography judged by an investigator of urologist.

Results: Using age-adjusted multivariate logistic regression analysis, our results showed that subjects with kidney stone had significantly higher prevalence of MtS (p?=?0.04, OR?=?1.74, 95% CI: 1.0 1–3.00). The presence of MtS had significant correlation with kidney stone (p?=?0.01, OR?=?1.83, 95% CI: 1.1 4–2.93), which were associated with the increment of MtS components (p?p?Conclusions: In aging Taiwanese males, the presence of MtS and its components are strongly associated with kidney stone. Abnormal BP is the most significant risk component of MtS for kidney stone.     

Analysis of Spanish policies for the integration of immigrant schoolchildren

The Organic Law on the Improvement of the National Education Quality (Ley Orgánica de Reforma de la Calidad Educativa) readdressed one of the most significant educational issues: educational policies related to immigrant students. Therefore, this is an appropriate moment to evaluate these types of policies in three singular Spanish regions: Madrid, Catalonia and Andalusia. This article presents an analysis of the measures taken in three Spanish regions: Madrid, Catalonia and Andalusia in response to students’ reception, acceptance and enrolment of immigrant students. A qualitative methodology based on the comparative method is used. Diverse similarities, but also specific characteristics and differences, can be found among the three models associated with each region. There are several significant differences that can be appreciated, such as the institutional role, as well as other specific measures. However, singular features are also identified, such as the diverse policies for the use of the vehicular language in each of the cases. Finally, the comparisons highlight various critical aspects, such as attention devoted to the students’ native language and progress towards intercultural education in school strategies and planning.     

语料库在医学英语词汇教学中的应用

让语料库说话已经成为了语言学界的一个共识,真实的语料结合理性的分析不仅是语言研究也是英语词汇学习的重要 途径。语料库在医学英语词汇教学中有着巨大的潜力,通过语料库检索软件,引导学生对真实自然的语料进行按部就班的分 析、模仿、学习、应用,可以在很大程度上提升医学英语的词汇学习效率。     

积极老龄化理念下的老年教育课程建设策略

发展老年教育是实施积极老龄化战略的重要举措,课程建设是教育目标得以实现的基本保证.结合当前老年教育课程建设的不足,本文提出,老年教育课程建设应以健康、参与和保障三大支柱作为服务目标,着力从课程目标取向、课程内容建构、课程实施形式以及课程师资组成等方面回应和落实积极老龄化理念的要求.     

对新时期大学生社会实践活动的思考

大学生社会实践活动到现在已经开展二十一年了,期间取得了辉煌的战果,引起了社会强烈的反响,同时也积累了许多问题。现在应该到了理性思考、解决问题,使社会实践整体推进的时候了。社会实践不是可有可无,而是要加强建设。     

论翻译是有效的外语学习策略

行为主义的学习理论提倡学习外语应如同母语般的直接理解和使用,完全逾越翻译这一过程。而基于认知主义和建构主义的二语习得理论,则认为外语学习者应充分利用母语知识来认知和建构外语技能。其实翻译活动应为一种外语学习策略,它不仅可以当作一种认知、记忆、情感、社交和补偿学习策略,同时也能促进词汇、阅读、写作等外语技能的发展,并对不同程度的学习者起到积极的促进作用。     

高校共青团团员意识教育长效机制建立研究

高校团员数量占学生总数的95%以上,团工作的优劣,团员表现的好坏直接影响着学校的整体工作.当前在全团开展增强团员意识主题教育活动,是共青团加强自身建设的一项重大战略举措.构建团员意识教育的长效机制,有利于长期深入广泛地开展团员意识教育工作,要从思想教育、组织建设、团务管理和"党建带团建"等方面去考虑.     

“人肉搜索”的法理思考

"人肉搜索"作为一种网络新兴事物与现象,根据其对象和涉及事件类型的不同,可分为公众人物涉公事件型、非公众人物涉公事件型、公众人物涉私事件型和非公众人物涉私事件型四种类型.从法律角度而言,四类"人肉搜索"对个人隐私的侵入程度,呈依次递增趋势.同时,"人肉搜索"事件中涉及的网络信息发布者、网络信息传播者、网站三方,各主体责任也有所不同.     

企业价值评估中自由现金流量分析

自由现金流量是企业价值的基本决定因素,但其定义却随着使用者对现金流量分析目的的不同而有所差异.从企业价值评估的角度对自由现金流量进行分析与定义,给出两种计算自由现金流量的方法,对更好地为企业的现金管理和企业价值评估服务具有重要作用和意义.