Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Number of trials required to estimate a free-energy difference, using fluctuation relations.

The difference ΔF between free energies has applications in biology, chemistry, and pharmacology. The value of ΔF can be estimated from experiments or simulations, via fluctuation theorems developed in statistical mechanics. Calculating the error in a ΔF estimate is difficult. Worse, atypical trials dominate estimates. How many trials one should perform was estimated roughly by Jarzynski [Phys. Rev. E 73, 046105 (2006)PLEEE81539-375510.1103/PhysRevE.73. 046105]. We enhance the approximation with the following information-theoretic strategies. We quantify "dominance" with a tolerance parameter chosen by the experimenter or simulator. We bound the number of trials one should expect to perform, using the order-∞ Rényi entropy. The bound can be estimated if one implements the "good practice" of bidirectionality, known to improve estimates of ΔF. Estimating ΔF from this number of trials leads to an error that we bound approximately. Numerical experiments on a weakly interacting dilute classical gas support our analytical calculations.
The Effect of Intravenous Alanyl-Glutamine Supplementation on Plasma Glutathione Levels in Intensive Care Unit Trauma Patients Receiving Enteral Nutrition: The Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: We sought to investigate the effect of IV alanyl-glutamine supplementation on plasma glutathione levels in severely traumatized patients receiving enteral nutrition. METHODS: Forty adult patients with severe trauma according to the Injury Severity Score >20 were enrolled in this randomized, controlled study. The patients were assigned to two groups: Group G received 0.5 g · kg−1 · d−1 of alanyl-glutamine dipeptide supplementation IV, and Group C received a control solution without alanyl-glutamine for 7 days. Blood samples were taken for analysis of glutathione before the initiation of supplementation and on the 3rd, 7th, and 10th days of feeding. RESULTS: Total plasma glutathione levels significantly increased in Group G when compared with Group C on Days 7 and 10 (1.34 ± 0.20 &mgr;M vs 1.13 ± 0.14 &mgr;M, and 1.38 ± 0.19 &mgr;M vs 1.12 ± 0.16 &mgr;M) (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that IV alanyl-glutamine supplementation for 7 days increases total plasma glutathione levels in critically ill trauma patients receiving standard enteral nutrition.
Short-Term Cognitive Effects of Unilateral and Bilateral ECT

Summary We administered an extensive battery of primarily non-memory neuropsychological tasks to 37 patients with endogenous depression, randomly assigned to either bilateral (B/ECT) or unilateral (U/ECT) electroconvulsive therapy. Testing was done prior to therapy and again shortly after the sixth induced seizure. The two groups did not significantly differ in cognitive impairment, either before or after treatment, and within-group cognitive changes following treatment were small. We conclude that neither B/ECT nor U/ECT substantially worsen non-memory cognitive performance in depressed patients, yet both result in significant clinical improvement.
FPGA Implementations of Kernel Normalised Least Mean Squares Processors

Kernel adaptive filters (KAFs) are online machine learning algorithms which are amenable to highly efficient streaming implementations. They require only a single pass through the data and can act as universal approximators, i.e. approximate any continuous function with arbitrary accuracy. KAFs are members of a family of kernel methods which apply an implicit non-linear mapping of input data to a high dimensional feature space, permitting learning algorithms to be expressed entirely as inner products. Such an approach avoids explicit projection into the feature space, enabling computational efficiency. In this paper, we propose the first fully pipelined implementation of the kernel normalised least mean squares algorithm for regression. Independent training tasks necessary for hyperparameter optimisation fill pipeline stages, so no stall cycles to resolve dependencies are required. Together with other optimisations to reduce resource utilisation and latency, our core achieves 161 GFLOPS on a Virtex 7 XC7VX485T FPGA for a floating point implementation and 211 GOPS for fixed point. Our PCI Express based floating-point system implementation achieves 80% of the core’s speed, this being a speedup of 10× over an optimised implementation on a desktop processor and 2.66× over a GPU.
Id1 Gene Transfer Confers Angiogenic Property on Fully Differentiated Endothelial Cells and Contributes to Therapeutic Angiogenesis

Background— Transplantation of endothelial progenitor cells has been proposed as a potential strategy for therapeutic revascularization. However, the limited endogenous cell pool and the related technical difficulties constitute clinically important disadvantages to autologous transplantation. In this study we investigated whether fully differentiated endothelial cells (ECs) modified with gene transfer of Id1, a helix-loop-helix transcription factor involved in angiogenesis, have the potential to contribute to therapeutic angiogenesis. Methods and Results— The Id1 gene was transferred into human umbilical vein ECs (HUVECs) via a Sendai virus vector. Id1 stimulated migration, proliferation, and capillary-like tube/cord formation of HUVECs. In addition, Id1 reduced serum deprivation–induced HUVEC apoptosis, as shown by FACS analysis with annexin V and TUNEL staining. Transplantation of Id1-overexpressing HUVECs accelerated recovery of blood flow as evaluated by laser-Doppler perfusion imaging, increased capillary density, and improved the rate of limb salvage compared with the transplantation of control HUVECs. Histochemical analysis revealed that the regenerated vascular networks of limbs transplanted with Id1-overexpressing HUVECs contained numerous HUVECs, some of which were in a proliferative state. Untransfected HUVECs were also incorporated with Id1-transfected HUVECs, suggesting the noncell autonomous effect of Id1. Finally, angiopoietin-1 was upregulated in Id1-overexpressing HUVECs and functionally contributed to the in vitro angiogenic effect of Id1. Conclusions— Id1 gene transfer conferred HUVECs with an angiogenic property, contributing to neovascularization after transplantation into ischemic lesions. Transplantation of Id1-overexpressing mature ECs may serve as a novel and useful strategy for therapeutic angiogenesis.
Tinea Capitis among Iraqi Children : Public Health Implication

Background: Recent observations on tinea capitis cases in Iraq suggest that there has been a change in the pattern of infection, with a recent and significant rise in the incidence of infection due to anthropophilic dermatophytes. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence rate and identify factors that might affect the spread of infection of tinea capitis in Iraq. Patients and Methods: There were 40,384 children from 6 to 16 years of age included in the study. The children were from two different geographical areas. Results: The prevalence rate of clinically diagnosed tinea capitis was 1.25%, while the mycological prevalence rate was 0.86%. The above difference between clinical and mycological prevalence rates was statistically significant (P < 0.001). In addition, the prevalence rate was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in males (1.08%) as compared to females (0.96%) and in rural areas (2.06%; P < 0.0001) as compared to urban (0.62%) areas. Animal contact and family history of tinea capitis were important risk factors in disease transmission. The prevalence of tinea capitis was 86.3% in age group of 6–10 years (P < 0.0001). The non-inflammatory type of infection was found in 87.5% of cases (P < 0.0001). The frequency of isolation of anthropophilic dermatophytes was reported in 73.3% of cases (P < 0.001). The predominant causative agent was Trichophyton tonsurans (26%), followed by T. verrucosum (25.1%). The isolated species was distributed in urban and rural areas. Conclusion: This study indicated a shift in the epidemiologic patterns of tinea capitis in Iraq. T. tonsurans was the most prevalent cause of tinea capitis in Iraq. There was a significant role for influence of infection for sex, residence, animal contact, and hair type.
Enrichment processes and gain spirals at work and at home: A 3‐year cross‐lagged panel study

In this study, we combined the Job Demands-Resources model and Conservation of Resources theory with work-family enrichment (WFE) literature, using the Resource-Gain―Development perspective in particular, in order to (I) investigate the motivating and wellness-promoting role of job and home resources in predicting enrichment in work and family leading to further positive outcomes, and (2) examine positive gain spirals between the study variables over time. More specifically, we investigated whether job resources predict work engagement through WFE, and similarly, whether home resources predict marital satisfaction through FWE. We also investigated the reciprocal effects between job and home resources, enrichment in both directions, and well-being in both domains. The study was based on a two-wave, 3-year, full panel design among Finnish dentists (N = 1,632). Results showed that job resources at TI predicted WFE at T2, and WFE and engagement reciprocally influenced each other over time. Home resources at TI, on the other hand, did not predict family-work enrichment (FEW) at T2; instead, FWE at TI influenced both home resources and marital satisfaction at T2. Moreover, we found reciprocal impacts ('gain spirals') between domain-specific resources (job/home resources) and domain-specific well-being (engagement/marital satisfaction) and between WFE and engagement, thus supporting the Conservation of Resources theory. The same results were found for both genders, suggesting that similar enrichment processes may take place among both women and men. Theoretically, this study suggests that adding the idea of positive feedback loops might benefit the models theorizing WFE.
Trust in the school principal: a pathway to inhibit teacher burnout in elementary education?

This paper considers trust as an important relational source in schools by exploring whether trust lowers teacher burnout. We examine how trust relationships with different school parties such as the principal relate to distinct dimensions of teacher burnout. We further analyze whether school-level trust additionally influences burnout. In doing this, we account for other teacher and school characteristics. We use quantitative data gathered during the 2008-2009 school year from 673 teachers across 58 elementary schools in Flanders (i.e. the northern Dutch-speaking region of Belgium). Because teacher and school characteristics are simultaneously related to burnout, multilevel modeling is applied. The results indicate that trust can act as a buffer against teacher burnout. Teachers’ trust in students demonstrates the strongest association with burnout compared to trust in principals or colleagues. Exploring relationships of trust in distinct school parties with different burnout dimensions yield interesting additional insights such as the specific importance of teacher-principal trust for teachers’ emotional exhaustion. Burnout is further an individual teacher matter to which school-level factors are mainly unrelated. We conclude that principals can fulfill an important role in inhibiting emotional exhaustion among teachers. They are advised to create a school atmosphere that is conducive for different kinds of trust relationships to develop. Actions to strengthen trust and inhibit teacher burnout are necessary, although further qualitative and longitudinal research is desirable.
Sample Entropy, Univariate, and Multivariate Multi-Scale Entropy in Comparison with Classical Postural Sway Parameters in Young Healthy Adults

The present study aimed to compare various entropy measures to assess the dynamics and complexity of center of pressure (COP) displacements. Perturbing balance tests are often used in healthy subjects to imitate either pathological conditions or to test the sensitivity of postural analysis techniques. Eleven healthy adult subjects were asked to stand in normal stance in three experimental conditions while the visuo-kinesthetic input was altered. COP displacement was recorded using a force plate. Three entropy measures [Sample Entropy (SE), Multi-Scale Entropy (MSE), and Multivariate Multi Scale Entropy (MMSE)] describing COP regularity at different scales were compared to traditional measures of COP variability. The analyses of the COP trajectories revealed that suppression of vision produced minor changes in COP displacement and in the COP characteristics. The comparison with the reference analysis showed that the entropy measures analysis techniques are more sensitive in the incremented time series compared to the classical parameters and entropy measures of original time series. Non-linear methods appear to be an additional valuable tool for analysis of the dynamics of posture especially when applied on incremental time series.
A qualitative assessment of first graders' retelling of expository text

Abstract For many years, literacy experts have assumed that young children were incapable of comprehending expository text. Recent research, however, suggests otherwise. The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the extent to which 20 first graders were able to comprehend expository text as measured through an oral retelling of a children's information trade book. Twenty preservice elementary teachers read aloud the children's trade book, How Kittens Grow, to 20 first graders. After listening to the book, each child drew a picture based upon the book and then retold the information contained therein by using their drawing, the book itself, or their memory. Each retelling was audiotaped, transcribed and assigned a score from 1–5 as indicated by an adapted version of the Irwin & Mitchell (1983) Richness of Retelling Scale. Each paper was scored three times. Eighteen of the 20 children obtained scores of 3 or better on the scale, thus confirming Pappas’ (1991) findings that even young children are.
Phase separation and crystallization of complex borosilicate melts for glass-ceramic waste forms

Waste loadings of reprocessed spent nuclear fuel vitrified into borosilicate glass can be increased by precipitating environmentally stable phases concentrated with waste components in a chemically stable glass matrix. The principal objective of this study was to characterize the development of crystalline powellite (CaMoO4 and related phases) and oxyapatite (Ca2LN8Si6O26) in borosilicate glass-ceramics and to determine how the formation of those phases affected its chemical durability. Borosilicate glasses provided by PNNL were re-melted and quenched at rates from over 300°C/s to ~0.05°C/s. Isothermal heat treatment experiments were conducted by quenching melts in a molten tin bath at various temperatures, holding for periods of time, and then quenching in a water bath. Analytical electron microscopy and x-ray diffraction provided information about the kinetics of the phase separation and crystallization processes responsible for microstructural development. Powellite and oxyapatite crystals formed during slower quench rates and longer isothermal times, and time-temperaturetransformation (TTT) diagrams were developed from the latter experiments. A hot thermocouple test (HTT) system was built to rapidly quench melts and hold them at set times to provide supplementary TTT information, but that system was not as sensitive to the phase transformations as other tests. Corrosion tests were performed to understand how the individual phases in the glass-ceramic affect its overall chemical durability. Product consistency tests, performed at Missouri S&T and at Savannah River National Lab, provided release rates of major elements from samples as a function of cooling rate, and atomic force microscopy and profilometry measurements of surface topology determined the relative corrosion rates of
Effects of visual and aural communication of categorical response options on answers to survey questions

Whether questions and answers are transmitted between interviewer and respondent by visual or aural communication can affect the responses given. We hypothesise that communication channel can affect either the respondent's understanding of the question or the tendency to satisfice. These effects may be mediated by the cognitive ability and motivation of the respondent and by the type and difficulty of the question. We test our hypotheses using data from a large-scale controlled experiment. We find support for the notion that visual presentation improves understanding of the question and reduces the tendency to satisfice. We also find that effects are stronger for respondents of higher cognitive ability and for motivated respondents.
Outcome expectations and inconsistent discipline: the effects of parent and child perceptions and parental depression

This study examined the reciprocal relation between inconsistent discipline and child outcome expectations (beliefs about the effectiveness of aggression), as well factors that may also contribute to inconsistent discipline (parent depression and the parent's perception of the child's outcome expectations) or to aggressive outcome expectations (child perception of the parent's outcome expectations). Measures were created to examine newly developed constructs (e.g., parent and child perception of the other's outcome expectations) and results from a pilot study are reported. 132 fourth grade children rated at-risk for aggression and their caregivers completed self-report questionnaires. Mediation analyses were conducted separately by gender and outcome expectations subtype (reducing aversive treatment and attaining tangible rewards). High levels of caregiver outcome expectations related to tangible rewards were significantly positively associated with boys' aggressive tangible rewards outcome expectations. This relation was mediated by boys' perceptions of their caregivers' tangible rewards outcome expectations. Boys who see their parents frequently engage in aggression to attain tangible rewards likely begin to perceive that their parent thinks this is an acceptable behavior, and through identification with their parent, begin to develop their own aggressive outcome expectations. Parent outcome expectations related to reducing aversive treatment may be more difficult to perceive than tangible rewards outcome expectations; therefore, they may be developed during peer interactions. Gender differences are also discussed; girls were not able to perceive caregiver outcome expectations. It may be that overtly aggressive girls have caregivers who are disengaged, making it more difficult for daughters to perceive their outcome expectations. Relations between child outcome expectations and aggression as well as outcome expectations measure development are also discussed. Implications for intervention include: a) clinicians should target child perceptions of outcome expectations for aggression and b) clinicians should also target caregiver outcome expectations when possible, given their ability to impact children's outcome expectations and behavior. Finally, the importance of different models of aggressive behavior for boys and girls is reinforced by current findings. (Published By University of Alabama Libraries)
EFFECT OF MUCUNA PRURIENS ON HALOPERIDOL INDUCED SENSITIZATION OF CATALEPSY

Summary Current treatment of Parkinson's disease is based on Dopamine replacement therapy but this leads to long-term complications. Aim of present study was to examine the effect of alcoholic extract of Mucuna pruriens (MPE) on the induction or expression of context dependent augmentation (sensitization) of catalepsy in rats, which develops with repeated administration of haloperidol. Catalepsy induced by haloperidol (0.1-0.5 mg/kg, i.p.) was assessed by bar test periodically upto 3 h in rats. Haloperidol (0.2 mg/kg i.p) produced catalepsy, which increased day by day (sensitization of catalepsy). L-DOPA ((0.5. mg/kg, i.p.) showed antagonism of HAL catalepsy upto 5 days and sensitization was shown day-6 onwards. MPE (200 mg/kg, oral) exhibits antagonism of HAL induced catalepsy after day-2 onwards and persisted even after HAL challenge on day-8. combined treatment of L-DOPA with MPE showed significant antagonism of catalepsy from day-2 onwards which reached to maximum on day-3 and persisted till day-6 and sustained even after HAL challenge on day8. In conclusion, MPE appears to be beneficial adjuvant treatment with L-DOPA in the management of Parkinson’s disease.
Stroking Characteristics in Freestyle Swimming and Relationships With Anthropometric Characteristics

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationships between velocity, stroke length, and stroke rate in freestyle competitive events in order to compare male and female swimmers' results and assess their relationships with anthropometric characteristics. Three hundred three male and 325 female swimmers of national and international levels were tested during competition. Solutions adopted in each freestyle event had specific characteristics affecting the stroke rate/stroke length ratio according to distance of the race. Differences in velocity between men and women primarily resulted from differences in stroke length. If the velocity and stroke rate/stroke length ratio depend on the distance swum and the sex of the swimmer, this survey shows the nondiscriminating aspect of anthropometric characteristics. Although swimmers achieved very similar velocity values with different combinations of stroke length and stroke rate, one must appreciate the average time and space characteristics currently used .
Relationship of Panic, Anticipatory Anxiety, Agoraphobia and Global Improvement in Panic Disorder with Agoraphobia Treated with Alprazolam and Exposure

In a controlled trial of alprazolam and exposure in 154 patients with panic disorder with agoraphobia, relations between panic, anticipatory anxiety, and phobic avoidance were examined. The three symptoms were independent of one another at baseline and improved largely independently during treatment; only early improvement in avoidance predicted global improvement after treatment. Global improvement was more related to reduction of avoidance than a decrease in panics. Panic was not a valuable outcome measure in panic disorder with agoraphobia.
Urban area monitoring via synergic use of Cosmo-SkyMed and RADARSAT-2 data

In this paper we describe preliminary results obtained in the framework of a project selected in the context of the joint Announcement of Opportunity for the synergic use of Cosmo-SkyMed and RADARSAT-2 data. The project involves the analysis of SAR images of urban areas and, in particular, the synergic use of Cosmo/SkyMed and RADARSAT-2 data.