Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
ASSESSMENT OF GESTATIONAL AGE BY ULTRASONIC MEASUREMENT OF THE FEMUR LENGTH

Abstract. The effectiveness of ultrasonic femur length measurement from 12 to 40 week's gestation, as a means of assessing fetal age, was tested and compared with that of bi‐parietal cephalometry. The femur length and biparietal diameter (BPD) were obtained from 471 measurements, from pregnant women with confirmed datings, using real‐time scanning with a 3,5 mHz transducer frequency. Using a freeze frame and electronic calipers, the mean value of three consecutive measurements of the femur, when vizualized with its characteristic appearance, was recorded. Linear regression analysis with the correlation coefficient of the femur growth‐curve (r = 0.989, p<0.001) and that of the BPD (r = 0.985, p<0.001) showed that the former is as good as the latter. The femur growth‐curve from 12 to 40 week's gestation with a mean ±2 SD was constructed. Estimation of fetal age by femur length measurement was compared with that assessed by the BPD in a further 54 women. A close correlation was found (r = 0.993, p<0.001). Measurement of the fetal femur appears to be a reliable method for assessing gestational age, which can compensate for the limitations of the BPD method.
Human Sexuality: Personality and Social Psychological Perspectives

Acknowledgments 1. The Study of Sexuality Preface The Need for the Scholarly Study of Sexuality The Predominant Views Used in This Book The Nature of Theory and Understanding in Science Historical Factors in the Scientific Investigation of Sexuality Summary 2. Sexuality in a Historical, Religious, and Philosophical Context The Historical Analysis of Sexuality The Centrality of Religion in Attitudes about Sexuality Summary 3. The Historical Course of Sexuality Western Civilization Prior to the 20th Century The Great Depression (1930-1939) World War II and the Atomic Age (1940-1949) A Return to the Past: The New Traditionalism (1950-1959) New Frontiers (1960-1969) The Seventies: The Walls Come Tumbling Down (1970-1979) The Conservative Counter-Reaction (1980 to Recent Times) Conclusions About the Historical Course of Sexuality Summary 4. The Scientific Study of Sexuality Early Scientific Research on Sexuality Collecting Scientific Information on Sexuality Evaluating the Quality of Measurement Methods of Collecting Data Ethics and Scientific Research with Humans Summary 5. The Person: Individuality and Sexuality The Personal Meaning of Sexuality The Personality Psychology of Sexuality Summary 6. Gender and Sexuality The Concepts of Sex and Gender Aspects of Gender Summary 7. The Sexual Self and Sexual Identity The Social Nature of the Self Sexual Identity Summary 8. Sexual Motivation, Arousal, and Attraction Sexual Motivation Factors Affecting Attractiveness of Partners Summary 9. Love, Intimacy, and Sexuality Romantic Relationships The Development of Intimate Relationships Theoretical Views of Love and Sexuality Summary 10. Relationships and Sexuality The Path That Relationships Usually Follow Sexuality Within Long-Term Committed Relationships Sexuality Outside of Traditional Relationships Summary 11. Ethnicity, Race, Culture, and Sexuality The Concepts of Race and Ethnicity Sexuality and Ethnicity Summary 12. The Biopsychology of Sexuality The Nervous System The Endocrine System Control of Sex Hormone Production by the Brain The Role of Sex Hormones in Prenatal Development Biological Factors Involved in Sexuality Summary 13. Sexuality in the Early Years and Adolescence Development During Infancy Development During Childhood Adolescence Summary 14. Adulthood: Challenges and Decisions Challenges of Young Adulthood Establishing Sexual Orientation Romantic Relationships Establishing a Family Midlife and Beyond Summary References Index Author Biography
The experiences of secondary social studies teachers with historical thinking skills

THE EXPERIENCES OF SECONDARY SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHERS WITH HISTORICAL THINKING SKILLS Denise Lorraine Trombino Old Dominion University, 2010 Director: Dr. Linda Bol In this descriptive, mixed methods study, the researcher investigated secondary social studies teachers' college course experiences with and classroom use of historical thinking skills (HTS). Questionnaires were distributed to 160 teachers in a large public school system in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States. Forty percent of the questionnaires were returned. From the 40%, a purposeful sample was created. Observations, interviews, and analysis of instructional documents were used to gather data from the purposeful sample. The results showed that high school social studies teachers reported a range of experiences with and use of HTS. Teachers reported more exposure to HTS in content courses than in methods courses. Teachers reported differences in experiences based on years of teaching experience and degree. The majority of teachers reported limited exposure to and use of explicit instruction. They reported using a variety of sources in their classrooms. Overall, the responses to the open-ended items suggested that teachers used HTS in college courses to varying degrees, they included sources in their lessons, and they desired specific training related to HTS and their teaching assignments. Both the interviews and observations produced evidence of HTS. During the interviews teachers reported more exposure to HTS in content courses as opposed to methods courses. They also described different activities that they include in their lessons that address HTS. The classroom observations indicated that teachers incorporated diverse sources into their lessons. Teachers used questioning techniques to involve students with critical analysis of source material. Overall, teachers experienced and used corroboration and contextualization more so than sourcing or explicit instruction. Director of Advisory Committee: Dr. Linda Bol
Role of the stress kinase pathway in signaling via the T cell costimulatory receptor 4-1BB.

4-1BB is a member of the TNFR superfamily expressed on activated CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. 4-1BB can costimulate IL-2 production by resting primary T cells independently of CD28 ligation. In this study, we report signaling events following 4-1BB receptor aggregation using an Ak-restricted costimulation-dependent T cell hybridoma, C8.A3. Aggregation of 4-1BB on the surface of C8.A3 cells induces TNFR-associated factor 2 recruitment, which in turn recruits and activates apoptosis signal-regulating kinase-1, leading to downstream activation of c-Jun N-terminal/stress-activated protein kinases (JNK/SAPK). 4-1BB ligation also enhances anti-CD3-induced JNK/SAPK activation in primary T cells. Overexpression of a catalytically inactive form of apoptosis signal-regulating kinase-1 in C8.A3 T cells interferes with activation of the SAPK cascade and with IL-2 secretion, consistent with a critical role for JNK/SAPK activation in 4-1BB-dependent IL-2 production. Given the ability of both CD28 and 4-1BB to induce JNK/SAPK activation, we asked whether hyperosmotic shock, another inducer of this cascade, could function to provide a costimulatory signal to T cells. Osmotic shock of resting primary T cells in conjunction with anti-CD3 treatment was found to costimulate IL-2 production by the T cells, consistent with a pivotal role for JNK/SAPK in T cell costimulation.
Vegetation and Soil Environment Influence the Spatial Distribution of Root-Associated Fungi in a Mature Beech-Maple Forest

ABSTRACT Although the level of diversity of root-associated fungi can be quite high, the effect of plant distribution and soil environment on root-associated fungal communities at fine spatial scales has received little attention. Here, we examine how soil environment and plant distribution affect the occurrence, diversity, and community structure of root-associated fungi at local patch scales within a mature forest. We used terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism and sequence analysis to detect 63 fungal species representing 28 different genera colonizing tree root tips. At least 32 species matched previously identified mycorrhizal fungi, with the remaining fungi including both saprotrophic and parasitic species. Root fungal communities were significantly different between June and September, suggesting a rapid temporal change in root fungal communities. Plant distribution affected root fungal communities, with some root fungi positively correlated with tree diameter and herbaceous-plant coverage. Some aspects of the soil environment were correlated with root fungal community structure, with the abundance of some root fungi positively correlated with soil pH and moisture content in June and with soil phosphorous (P) in September. Fungal distribution and community structure may be governed by plant-soil interactions at fine spatial scales within a mature forest. Soil P may play a role in structuring root fungal communities at certain times of the year.
Civil Society And The State: The Interplay Between Cooperation And Minimum Wage Regulation

In a cross-section of countries, state regulation of labor markets is strongly negatively correlated with the quality of labor relations. In this paper, we argue that these facts rei¬‚ect different ways to regulate labor markets, either through the state or through the civil society, depending on the degree of cooperation in the economy. We rationalize these facts with a model of learning of the quality of labor relations. Distrustful labor relations lead to low unionization and high demand for direct state regulation of wages. In turn, state regulation crowds out the possibility for workers to experiment negotiation and learn about the potential cooperative nature of labor relations. This crowding out effect can give rise to multiple equilibria: a â€œgoodâ€ equilibrium characterized by cooperative labor relations and high union density, leading to low state regulation; and a â€œbadâ€ equilibrium, characterized by distrustful labor relations, low union density and strong state regulation of the minimum wage.
A Numerical Fit of Analytical to Simulated Density Profiles in Dark Matter Haloes

Analytical and geometrical properties of generalized power-law (GPL) density profiles are investigated in detail. In particular, a one-to-one correspondence is found between mathematical parameters (a scaling radius, r0, a scaling density, ρ0, and three exponents, α, β, γ), and geometrical parameters (the coordinates of the intersection of the asymptotes, xC, yC, and three vertical intercepts, b, bβ, bγ, related to the curve and the asymptotes, respectively): (r0,ρ0,α,β,γ) ↔ (xC,yC,b,bβ,bγ). Then GPL density profiles are compared with simulated dark haloes (SDH) density profiles, and nonlinear least-absolute values and least-squares fits involving the above mentioned five parameters (RFSM5 method) are prescribed. More specifically, the sum of absolute values or squares of absolute logarithmic residuals, Ri=logρSDH(ri) − logρGPL(ri), is evaluated on 10 points making a 5dimension hypergrid, through a few iterations. The size is progressively reduced around a fiducial minimum, and superpositions on nodes of earlier hypergrids are avoided. An application is made to a sample of 17 SDHs on the scale of cluster of galaxies, within a flat ΛCDM cosmological model (Rasia et al. 2004). In dealing with the mean SDH density profile, a virial radius, Rvir, averaged over the whole sample, is assigned, which allows the calculation of the remaining parameters. Using a RFSM5 method provides a better fit with respect to other methods. The geometrical parameters, averaged over the whole sample of best fitting GPL density profiles, yield (α, β, γ) ≈ (0.6,3.1,1.0), to be compared with (α, β, γ) = (1,3,1), i.e. the NFW density profile (Navarro et al. 1995, 1996, 1997), (α, β, γ) = (1.5,3, 1.5) (Moore et al. 1998, 1999), (α, β, γ) = (1,2.5,1) (Rasia et al. 2004); and, in addition, γ ≈ 1.5 (Hiotelis 2003), deduced from the application of a RFSM5 method, but using a different definition of scaled radius, or concentration; and γ ≈ 1.21. 3 deduced from more recent high-resolution simulations (Diemand et al. 2004, Reed et al. 2005). No evident correlation is found between SDH dynamical state (relaxed or merging) and asymptotic inner slope of the fitting logarithmic density profile or (for SDH comparable virial masses) scaled radius. Mean values and standard deviations of some parameters are calculated, and in particular the decimal logarithm of the scaled radius, ξvir, reads = 0.74 and σslogξvir = 0.150. 17, consistent with previous results related to NFW density profiles. It provides additional support to the idea, that NFW density profiles may be considered as a convenient way to parametrize SDH density profiles, without implying that it necessarily produces the best possible fit (Bullock et al. 2001). A certain degree of degeneracy is found in fitting GPL to SDH density profiles. If it is intrinsic to the RFSM5 method or it could be reduced by the next generation of high-resolution simulations, still remains an open question.
A new marketing approach to mass customisation

Companies today have to adopt strategies that embrace both a closer reaction to the customers' needs and efficiency. Mass customisation meets this challenge by offering individually customised goods and services with mass production efficiency. According to a number of recent surveys, there is evidence for the increasing importance of this strategy in various industries. But what do the customers think? This paper addresses mass customisation from the customer perspective. If the market demand for customisation is not large enough, then all investments in a mass customisation system would likely be senseless. We will use the example of the footwear industry to provide insight into the consumers' demand for customisation in regard to fit, style and functionality. Also, we will comment on the willingness to pay (WTP) for customised goods. The analysis is based on data from the EUROShoE market study and a meta-analysis of other empirical studies in the field. Our analysis shows that better fit is regarded as the most important benefit by consumers of customisation, followed, by far, by style and functionality.
Switching-Based Stochastic Model Predictive Control Approach for Modeling Driver Steering Skill

Great advances in simulation-based vehicle system design and development of various driver assistance systems have enhanced the research on improved modeling of driver steering skills. However, little effort has been made on developing driver steering skill models while capturing the uncertainties or statistical properties of the vehicle-road system. In this paper, a stochastic model predictive control (SMPC) approach is proposed to model the driver steering skill, which effectively incorporates the random variations in the road friction and roughness, a multipoint preview approach, and a piecewise affine (PWA) model structure that are developed to mimic the driver's perception of the desired path and the nonlinear internal vehicle dynamics. The SMPC method is then used to generate a steering command by minimization of a cost function, including the lateral path error and ease of driver control. In the analyses, first, the experimental data of Hongqi HQ430 are used to validate the driver steering skill controller. Then, the parametric studies of control performance during a nonlinear steering maneuver are provided. Finally, further discussions about the driver's adaption and the indication on vehicle dynamics tuning are given. The proposed switching-based SMPC driver steering control framework offers a new approach for driver behavior modeling.
Dietary Intervention with β-Lactoglobulin-Derived Peptides and a Specific Mixture of Fructo-Oligosaccharides and Bifidobacterium breve M-16V Facilitates the Prevention of Whey-Induced Allergy in Mice by Supporting a Tolerance-Prone Immune Environment

Cow’s milk allergy (CMA) prevails in infants and brings increased risk of developing other allergic diseases. Oral administration of specific β-lactoglobulin (BLG)-derived peptides (PepMix) and a specific blend of short- and long-chain fructo-oligosaccharides and Bifidobacterium breve M-16V (FF/Bb) was found to partially prevent CMA development in mice. In this study, we aimed to expand the knowledge on the preventive potential and the underlying mechanisms of this approach. Three-week-old female C3H/HeOuJ mice were orally exposed to PepMix±FF/Bb prior to a 5-week oral sensitization with whole whey and cholera toxin as an adjuvant. The acute allergic skin response was determined after an intradermal challenge with whole whey protein. Following an oral challenge with whey, regulatory T cells (Tregs) in the small intestine lamina propria (SI-LP) and mRNA expression of immune markers in the Peyer’s patches (PP) were investigated. The early impact of PepMix and FF/Bb interventions on the immune system during the oral tolerance (OT) induction phase was investigated after the last OT administration. Pre-exposing mice to PepMix+FF/Bb partially prevented the acute allergic skin response compared to PBS and increased Tregs and activated T cells in the SI-LP compared to sham-sensitized mice. It also increased the mRNA expression of Tbet over GATA3 in the PP of whey-sensitized mice. Directly upon the 6-day OT phase, FF/Bb intervention enhanced cecal content levels of propionic and butyric acid in PepMix-fed mice and the former was positively correlated with Foxp3+ cell numbers in the colon. In the PP of PepMix+FF/Bb-exposed mice, IL-22 mRNA expression increased and IL-10 followed the same tendency, while the Foxp3 expression was increased over GATA3 and RorγT. In the colon, the Tbet mRNA expression increased over GATA3, while IL-22 decreased. In addition, the Foxp3+/GATA3+ and regulatory/effector T cell ratios in the mesenteric lymph nodes and the CD11b+/CD11b− conventional dendritic cells ratio in the SI-LP were increased. In conclusion, the FF/Bb diet facilitates the capacity of the specific BLG-peptides to partially prevent the allergic response after sensitization to whole whey protein, possibly by creating a tolerance-prone environment during the OT phase. Such a dietary intervention might contribute to tailoring successful strategies for CMA prevention.
Topographic Variations in the Peripheral Course of the Greater Occipital Nerve: Autopsy Study with Clinical Correlations

The description of the peripheral course of the greater occipital nerve (GON) varies in the literature. An autopsy study was done on 20 cases without known headache problems. These findings showed a marked variation in the relation between the GON and nuchal muscles. The trapezius muscle was penetrated by the GON in 45% of cases, the semispinal muscle of the head was penetrated in 90% of cases, and the inferior oblique muscle of head was penetrated in 7.5% of cases. Macroscopic findings of possible compression were made in 11 cases (27.5%), indicating that nerve compression per se may be of minor importance since it seems to exist in the absence of headache.
A model of time-varying risk premia with habits and production∗

This paper builds on the production-based asset pricing literature to generate return predictability in general equilibrium. The model embeds habit formation into Epstein—Zin preferences to generate movements in risk aversion. In a production setting, it generates predictable equity returns and realistic consumption dynamics —Rs in return forecasting regressions match empirical results at both short and long horizons, while consumption growth is unpredictable. Empirically, a novel model-implied forecast of equity returns yields an R of 50 percent at the five-year horizon in post-war data. The model can be used to study the effects of time-varying risk premia on the macroeconomy.
Xylitol Chewing Gums and Caries Rates: A 40-month Cohort Study

Dental caries is a pandemic infectious disease which can affect the quality of life and consumes considerable health care resources. The chewing of xylitol, sorbitol, and even sugar gum has been suggested to reduce caries rates. No clinical study has simultaneously investigated the effectiveness of these gums when compared with a group receiving no chewing gum. A 40-month double-blind cohort study on the relationship between the use of chewing gum and dental caries was performed in 1989-1993 in Belize, Central America. One thousand two hundred and seventy-seven subjects (mean age, 10.2 years) were assigned to nine treatment groups: one control group (no supervised gum use), four xylitol groups (range of supervised xylitol consumption: 4.3 to 9.0 g/day), two xylitol-sorbitol groups (range of supervised consumption of total polyols: 8.0 to 9.7 g/day), one sorbitol group (supervised consumption: 9.0 g/day), and one sucrose group (9.0 g/day). The gum use during school hours was supervised. Four calibrated dentists performed the caries registrations by means of a modified WHO procedure. The primary endpoint was the development of an unequivocal caries lesion on a non-cavitated tooth surface. Compared with the no-gum group, sucrose gum usage resulted in a marginal increase in the caries rate (relative risk, 1.20; 95% confidence interval, 0.96 to 1.49; p = 0.1128). Sorbitol gum significantly reduced caries rates (relative risk, 0.74; 95% confidence interval, 0.6 to 0.92; p = 0.0074). The four xylitol gums were most effective in reducing caries rates, the most effective agent being a 100% xylitol pellet gum (relative risk, 0.27; 95% confidence interval, 0.20 to 0.36; p = 0.0001). This gum was superior to any other gum (p < 0.01). The xylitol-sorbitol mixtures were less effective than xylitol, but they still reduced caries rates significantly compared with the no-gum group. DMFS analyses were consistent with these conclusions. The results suggest that systematic usage of polyol-based chewing gums reduces caries rates in young subjects, with xylitol gums being more effective than sorbitol gums.
Cellular basis of skin allograft rejection across a class I major histocompatibility barrier in mice depleted of CD8+ T cells in vivo

The present study was undertaken to define the cellular mechanisms involved in the rejection of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I disparate skin grafts by mice depleted of CD8+ T cells in vivo. Mice were effectively depleted of CD8+ T cells by adult thymectomy followed by in vivo administration of anti-CD8 monoclonal antibody (mAb) and then engrafted with allogeneic skin. We found that CD8 depleted mice did reject MHC class I disparate skin grafts, but only when the grafts also expressed additional alloantigens. Despite the marked depletion of CD8+ T cells in these mice, we found that their rejection of MHC class I disparate grafts was mediated by CD8+ cytolytic T lymphocyte (CTL) effectors that had escaped depletion. These CD8+ CTL effectors were unique in that: (a) their generation was dependent upon the injected anti-CD8 mAb and upon exposure to class I MHC alloantigens expressed on the engrafted skin, and (b) their effector function was resistant to blockade by anti-CD8 mAb. We observed that the additional alloantigens coexpressed on MHC class I disparate grafts that triggered graft rejection in CD8-depleted mice could be MHC-linked or not and that they functioned in these rejection responses to activate third party specific CD4+ T helper (Th) cells to provide helper signals for the generation of CD8+ anti-CD8 resistant CTL effector cells. Thus, mice depleted of CD8+ T cells by thymectomy and in vivo administration of anti-CD8 mAb harbor a unique population of anti-CD8 resistant, CD8+ effector cells that mediate anti-MHC class I responses in vivo and in vitro, but require help from third party specific Th cells to do so.