Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Relationship between a Self-Reported ADHD Questionnaire and Sustained Attention to Local and Global Target Features

Researchers have suggested a link between right-hemisphere dysfunction and reported attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms. In this experiment non-clinical participants completed the Adult ADHD Self-report Scale (ASRS) and performed a vigilance task requiring either global or local letter target discriminations. Global target discriminations have shown right hemisphere dominance and local target discriminations have shown left hemisphere dominance in brain imaging studies. While the global-local discrimination did not affect the results, the ASRS did significantly predict the decline of detections over time on task, e.g. the vigilance decrement. Thus, the ASRS may be useful in non-clinical populations as a predictor for vigilance performance.
Getting Organizational Change Right in Public Services: The Case of European Higher Education

Abstract The purpose of this article is to instigate further debate on why organizational change is currently being initiated and how it is being managed in European Higher Education. It provides suggestions on how to avoid major downsides that come with managerialism and how to enable managers and academics in the sector to concentrate on what Higher Education should be all about: to contribute to the further development of society through knowledge generation and transfer. The article is based on observations of the current developments triggered by the rise of the audit culture and adoption of managerialism. It suggests that not all change currently initiated in Higher Education is required – or indeed in the best interest of the sector or wider society – but rather, based on personal interests resulting in less efficiency and a waste of resources. Furthermore, the article argues that the audit culture and managerialism have created an environment that encourages opportunistic behaviour such as cronyism, rent-seeking and the rise of organizational psychopaths. This development will arguably not only lead to a waste of resources, change for the sake of change, further centralization, formalization and bureaucratization but, also, to a disheartened and exploited workforce, and political and short-term decision-making. The article proposes ways of managing organizational change in Higher Education successfully by providing a new conceptual change management model and a decision-maker's change manifesto.
Effects of two oral erythromycin ethylsuccinate formulations on the motility of the small intestine in human beings

Fourteen-membered macrolides are known to produce alterations in digestive tract motor activity; these include the induction of strong gastric contractions and a decrease in the motility of the small intestine. The aim of the study was to compare the effects of two different formulations of erythromycin ethylsuccinate (EE) on duodenojejunal motility. Compared with the more commonly used crystalline formulation of EE (CEE), the amorphous formulation (AEE) has previously been described to have greater bioavailability and to induce significantly fewer gastrointestinal side effects when given at therapeutic and what have been considered to be equivalent oral doses (i.e., CEE, 1,000 mg every 12 h; AEE, 500 mg every 12 h). In a crossover double-blind study, duodenojejunal manometric recordings were performed for 10 volunteers treated with placebo, CEE at 1,000 mg, or AEE at 500 mg. Recordings for each volunteer were obtained for a fed period after a standard dinner and then for a nocturnal fasting period. When compared with the placebo, CEE significantly decreased the motility index of the duodenum during the 30 min after the peak serum erythromycin concentrations, shortened the duration of the fed state, and had no effect during the fasting state. In contrast, AEE did not significantly modify any motility parameter. Because AEE produced significantly lower concentrations in serum than CEE, these results do not necessarily imply that the two formulations of EE act differently on the motility of the small intestine.
Virtual Machine Introspection in a Hybrid Honeypot Architecture

With the recent advent of effective and practical virtual machine introspection tools, we revisit the use of hybrid honeypots as a means to implement automated malware collection and analysis. We introduce VMI-Honeymon, a high-interaction honeypot monitor which uses virtual machine memory introspection on Xen. VMI-Honeymon remains transparent to the monitored virtual machine and bypasses reliance on the untrusted guest kernel by utilizing memory scans for state reconstruction. VMI-Honeymon builds on open-source introspection and forensics tools that provide a rich set of information about intrusion and infection processes while enabling the automatic capture of the associated malware binaries. Our experiments show that using VMI-Honeymon in a hybrid setup expands the range of malware captures and is effective in capturing both known and unclassified malware samples.
Validity of Expired Gas Dynamics Model during Intermittent Load Exercise

The purpose of this study was to determine a predictive validity of an expired gas dynamics (EGD) model during intermittent exercise using by system dynamics, individually. Five healthy males performed an incremental exercise test to determine maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) and anaerobic threshold (AT). Subjects then undertook intermittent load tests with three degrees of intensity (60 %VO2max, 80 %VO2max and 100 %VO2max) using cycle ergometer. The EGD model was constructed using the incremental load test data. Data obtained from intermittent load tests were used as validity criterion of simulation. In simulation of the EGD model, oxygen uptake (VO2), carbon dioxide output (VCO2) and lactate (La) showed significantly high determination coefficient to validity criterion (R2 > 0.84, P < .05). In the comparison of simulation errors, there were no significant differences in VO2, VCO2 and La during 60 %VO2max intensity exercise. At recovery period of 80 %VO2max and 100 %VO2max intensities simulation errors of VO2 and VCO2 were significant. It was inferred that time constant of VO2 kinetics was slowed down by effect of excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC). Conclusively, the EGD model for individual was valid and accurate predictor of VO2, VCO2 and La during moderate intermittent load exercise.
Frame-Based Facial Expression Recognition Using Geometrical Features

To improve the human-computer interaction (HCI) to be as good as human-human interaction, building an efficient approach for human emotion recognition is required. These emotions could be fused from several modalities such as facial expression, hand gesture, acoustic data, and biophysiological data. In this paper, we address the frame-based perception of the universal human facial expressions (happiness, surprise, anger, disgust, fear, and sadness), with the help of several geometrical features. Unlike many other geometry-based approaches, the frame-based method does not rely on prior knowledge of a person-specific neutral expression; this knowledge is gained through human intervention and not available in real scenarios. Additionally, we provide a method to investigate the performance of the geometry-based approaches under various facial point localization errors. From an evaluation on two public benchmark datasets, we have found that using eight facial points, we can achieve the state-of-the-art recognition rate. However, this state-of-the-art geometry-based approach exploits features derived from 68 facial points and requires prior knowledge of the person-specific neutral expression. The expression recognition rate using geometrical features is adversely affected by the errors in the facial point localization, especially for the expressions with subtle facial deformations.
Occurrence of Leptospira sp. antibodies in swine in Poland

The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of antibodies specific to different serogroups of Leptospira sp. in swine populations in Poland. The serological survey was conducted in 2006. A total of 7 252 swine serum samples coming from all provinces of the country were investigated. The samples were examined by the use of a microscopic agglutination test. As antigens, six Leptospira serovars were used: Leptospira interrogans serovars Icterohaemorrhagiae, Pomona, and Canicola, L. borgpetersenii serovars – Sejroe and Tarassovi, and L. kirschneri serovar Grippotyphosa. Altogether, 97 (1.34%) of the examined serum samples were found to be positive. They were obtained from 12 provinces. The highest number of samples among positive sera demonstrated titres to serovar Sejroe (44.33%) followed by Pomona (37.11%), Icterohaemorrhagiae (8.25%), Canicola (7.22%), and Tarassovi (3.09%). No samples with titres to serovar Grippotyphosa were found. The data concerning the highness titres to particular serovars and the prevalence of animals demonstrating antibodies to different serovars in particular provinces are presented and analysed in the article.
Impact of in vitro chemosensitivity test-guided platinum-based adjuvant chemotherapy on the surgical outcomes of patients with p-stage IIIA non-small cell lung cancer that underwent complete resection

The impact of in vitro chemosensitivity test-guided platinum-based adjuvant chemotherapy on the surgical outcomes of patients undergoing complete resection for locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has yet to be elucidated. In the present study, the utility of adjuvant chemotherapy based on the collagen gel droplet embedded culture drug sensitivity test (CD-DST) in patients with p (pathology)-stage IIIA NSCLC was retrospectively analyzed. A series of 39 patients that had received platinum-based adjuvant chemotherapy following complete resection between 2007 and 2012 were enrolled. Their surgical specimens were subjected to the CD-DST. The patients were subsequently classified into two groups on the basis of in vitro anti-cancer drug sensitivity data obtained using the CD-DST: The sensitive group (25 patients) were treated with regimens including one or two of the anti-cancer drug(s) that were indicated to be effective by the CD-DST, whereas the non-sensitive group (14 patients) were treated with chemotherapy regimens that did not include any CD-DST-selected anti-cancer drugs. There were no significant differences in the background characteristics of the two groups [including in respect of the pathological TN (tumor-lymph node) stage, tumor histology, epidermal growth factor receptor mutation status, the frequency of each chemotherapy regimen, and the number of administered cycles]. The 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) rate of the sensitive group was 32.3%, whereas that of the non-sensitive group was 14.3% (P=0.037). In contrast, no difference in overall survival (OS) was observed (P=0.76). Multivariate analysis revealed that adjuvant chemotherapy based on the CD-DST had a significant favorable effect on the DFS (P=0.01). Therefore, the present study has demonstrated that CD-DST data obtained from surgical specimens aid the selection of effective platinum-based adjuvant chemotherapy regimens for patients undergoing complete resection for p-stage IIIA NSCLC. The use of CD-DST-guided platinum-based regimens may have a beneficial impact on the DFS of such patients.
A Game Theoretic Approach to Risk-Based Optimal Bidding Strategies for Electric Vehicle Aggregators in Electricity Markets With Variable Wind Energy Resources

This paper proposes a stochastic optimization model for optimal bidding strategies of electric vehicle (EV) aggregators in day-ahead energy and ancillary services markets with variable wind energy. The forecast errors of EV fleet characteristics, hourly loads, and wind energy as well as random outages of generating units and transmission lines are considered as potential uncertainties, which are represented by scenarios in the Monte Carlo Simulation (MCS). The conditional value at risk (CVaR) index is utilized for measuring EV aggregators risks caused by the uncertainties. The EV aggregators optimal bidding strategy is formulated as a mathematical programming with equilibrium constraints (MPEC), in which the upper level problem is the aggregators CVaR maximization while the lower level problem corresponds to the system operation cost minimization. The bi-level problem is transformed into a single-level mixed integer linear programming (MILP) problem using the prime-dual formulation with linearized constraints. The progressive hedging algorithm (PHA) is utilized to solve the resulting single-level MILP problem. A game theoretic approach is developed for analyzing the competition among the EV aggregators. Numerical cases are studied for a modified 6-bus system and the IEEE 118-bus system. The results show the validity of the proposed approach and the impact of the aggregators bidding strategies on the stochastic electricity market operation.
Role conflict and well‐being among employed mothers: the mediating effects of self‐efficacy

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the importance of self‐efficacy in facilitating the joint management of work and family and in predicting the well‐being of employed mothers.Design/methodology/approach – Via a self‐report questionnaire, data were obtained from 300 full‐time professional women on measures of: work interfering with family (WIF), family interfering with work (FIW), self‐efficacy, emotional health, organizational commitment, and turnover intentions. Multiple regression analysis was used to examine the relations among these variables and to test for the mediation effects of self‐efficacy.Findings – Three key findings emerged: self‐efficacy was a significant predictor of FIW and WIF, and of all three indices of well‐being; the greater the interference between work and family, the more women felt emotionally exhausted, the less committed they were, and the more likely they were to consider changing jobs or opting out of the market; and self‐efficacy mediated the relationships be.
The histogenesis and biologic behavior of primary human malignant melanomas of the skin.

Summary This paper describes the histogenesis of 3 forms of human malignant melanoma: superficial spreading melanoma, nodular melanoma, and lentigo maligna melanoma. A comparative analysis by computer of the biologic behavior and clinical characteristics of the different neoplasms has been done. An additional 60 tumors have been studied by serial block sectioning. Evidence is presented suggesting that superficial spreading melanoma and lentigo maligna melanoma (Hutchinson9s melanotic freckle), though evolving at different rates, show a long period of superficial growth, followed by the relatively rapid appearance of nodules or deeper invasion within the primary lesion. This change in the nature of the primary lesion may be due to the appearance of one or more strains of cells of aggressive biologic potential. Thus the primary melanoma may exist for a relatively long period of time during which host selectional forces act to permit the growth of quite malignant strains of cells. It is these cells that seem to be capable of deeper growth. The subdivision of each of the forms of melanoma into 5 anatomic levels of invasion permits the accurate assignment of prognosis to each case. It is suggested that melanomas are tumors of the epidermal melanocytes and are not necessarily derived from melanocytic nevi. Each melanoma has a distinctive clinical appearance, even in its superficial and curable phases, and this appearance is the same whether or not the process arose in association with a melanocytic nevus.
Determination of the Activity of Diclazuril Against Sarcocystis neurona and Sarcocystis falcatula in Cell Cultures

Diclazuril is a benzeneacetonitril anticoccidial that has excellent activity against the extraintestinal stages of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum. It also is highly active against intestinal coccidia of poultry. The present study examined the efficacy of diclazuril in inhibiting merozoite production of Sarcocystis neurona and Sarcocystis falcatula in bovine turbinate cell cultures. Diclazuril inhibited merozoite production by more than 80% in cultures of S. neurona or S. falcatula treated with 0.1 ng/ml diclazuril and greater than 95% inhibition of merozoite production was observed when infected cultures were treated with 1.0 ng/ml diclazuril. Diclazuril may have promise as a therapeutic agent in the treatment of S. neurona-induced equine protozoal myeloencephalitis in horses and S. falcatula infections in birds.
For Whom is Suicide Accepted: The Dependency Effect

Research has found that people accept some suicides more than others. The present study examined whether attitudes toward a person's suicide are affected by the suicide's gender or marital status, and whether the suicide is a parent or childless. Respondents read one of eight fictitious suicide case stories, in which the above-mentioned variables were manipulated, and then completed the Suicide Attitudes and Attribution Scale (SAAS). It was found that female and male respondents differed in their attitudes toward a person's suicidal behavior to some degree. A parent's suicide was viewed more negatively than a suicide by a childless person. A tendency for respondents to express more respect for a suicide of their own gender was also detected. It is discussed whether differences in acceptance of suicide can be associated with actual suicide rates.
11C-6 New Observations on the Anisotropy of Ultrasound Blood Backscatter as a Function of Frequency and Shear Rate

It is recognized that biological tissues with orientated structures show an angular dependence in echogenicity. Previous works on ultrasound (US) blood backscattering have pointed out that red blood cell (RBC) aggregates (or rouleaux) had privileged orientations in a tubular flow inducing measurable US anisotropic behaviours, but results are scarce. The non Newtonian blood velocity profile in tube flow may however be seen as an obstacle to the understanding of the anisotropic spatial organization of RBC aggregates. In this study, whole blood was circulated in a Couette flow apparatus, which allowed to predictably modulate the RBC aggregate sizes and orientations, and to quantify their respective effects on the angle dependent backscatter coefficient (BSC). Anticoagulated porcine bloods were adjusted to 40% hematocrit and inserted into the Couette flow apparatus, at 37degC. US data were acquired and analyzed using two broadband focused transducers at 20 MHz and 35 MHz. The BSC was measured at ten different insonification angles from 30deg to 150deg with respect to the direction of the blood flow, for shear rates of 2 s-1 and 10 s-1. A control experiment was also conducted on porcine RBCs suspended in a saline solution (no aggregation). The results indicate no anisotropic effect for the saline suspension and a significant angular dependence for whole blood. At an incident frequency of 20 MHz, the anisotropy was 4.3 dB for a shear rate of 2 s-1, while it was 4.6 dB for a shear rate of 10 s"1. Similarly, at an incident frequency of 35 MHz, the anisotropy was 5.1 dB for a shear rate of 2 s-1 and 6.2 dB for a shear rate of 10 s-1. Thus, the higher anisotropic variation at 35 MHz may indicate a better US sensitivity to the rouleaux orientation at that frequency. Furthermore, at a shear rate of 2 s-1, the maximum BSC was measured at an angle of 75deg, whereas at a shear rate of 10 s-1, it was maximum at an angle of 90deg. These last results suggest that the RBC aggregate orientation is shear rate dependent. In conclusion, the Couette flow system that was employed is a good strategy to predictably control the orientation of RBC aggregates as a function of the shear rate.
Sympathetic Reactivity to Acute Stress and Immune Response in Women

We evaluated if the effects of acute stress on immune parameters were apparent in only the women who showed concomitant and substantial sympathetic nervous system activation and after statistical adjustment for changes in plasma volume.Nineteen women in the follicular stage of their menstrual cycles were assessed for immunological responsiveness to a series of three 3-minute psychological tasks, which reliably elicit cardiovascular and neuroendocrine stress responses. Women were classified as high or low sympathetic reactors based on their cardiovascular and neuroendocrine responses to one of the three tasks, a public speaking task. The stress-induced decreases in CD4+ percentage and increases in natural killer cell number and cytolytic activity were only apparent among the high reactors. Further analysis adjusting for alterations in plasma volume changes showed that the increase in NK cell number remained. Stress-induced proliferative responses to pokeweed mitogen and phytohemagglutinin were not more apparent among high reactors. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that the sympathetic nervous system plays a direct role in modulating the short term response to stress of some indices of the immune system in women.
Mutations of the Act Promoter in Myxococcus xanthus

ABSTRACT Mutations within the −12 and −24 elements provide evidence that the act promoter is recognized by sigma-54 RNA polymerase. Deletion of the −20 base pair, which lies between the two conserved elements of sigma-54 promoters, decreased expression by 90%. In addition, mutation of a potential enhancer sequence, around −120, led to an 80% reduction in act gene expression. actB, the second gene in the act operon, encodes a sigma-54 activator protein that is proposed to be an enhancer-binding protein for the act operon. All act genes, actA to actE, are expressed together and constitute an operon, because an in-frame deletion of actB decreased expression of actA and actE to the same extent. After an initially slow phase of act operon expression, which depends on FruA, there is a rapid phase. The rapid phase is shown to be due to the activation of the operon expression by ActB, which completes a positive feedback loop. That loop appears to be nested within a larger positive loop in which ActB is activated by the C signal via ActA, and the act operon activates transcription of the csgA gene. We propose that, as cells engage in more C signaling, positive feedback raises the number of C-signal molecules per cell and drives the process of fruiting body development forward.
IP3R1 deficiency in the cerebellum/brainstem causes basal ganglia-independent dystonia by triggering tonic Purkinje cell firings in mice

The type 1 inositol 1,4,5- trisphosphate receptor (IP3R1) is a Ca2+ channel on the endoplasmic reticulum and is a predominant isoform in the brain among the three types of IP3Rs. Mice lacking IP3R1 show seizure-like behavior; however the cellular and neural circuit mechanism by which IP3R1 deletion causes the abnormal movements is unknown. Here, we found that the conditional knockout mice lacking IP3R1 specifically in the cerebellum and brainstem experience dystonia and show that cerebellar Purkinje cell (PC) firing patterns were coupled to specific dystonic movements. Recordings in freely behaving mice revealed epochs of low and high frequency PC complex spikes linked to body extension and rigidity, respectively. Remarkably, dystonic symptoms were independent of the basal ganglia, and could be rescued by inactivation of the cerebellum, inferior olive or in the absence of PCs. These findings implicate IP3R1-dependent PC firing patterns in cerebellum in motor coordination and the expression of dystonia through the olivo-cerebellar pathway.