Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Therapeutic advances in the treatment of Peyronie's disease

Peyronie's disease (PD) is an under‐diagnosed condition with prevalence in the male population as high as 9%. It is a localized connective tissue disorder of the penis characterized by scarring of the tunica albuginea. Its pathophysiology, however, remains incompletely elucidated. For the management of the acute phase of PD, there are currently numerous available oral drugs, but the scientific evidence for their use is weak. In terms of intralesional injections, collagenase clostridium histolyticum is currently the only Food and Drug Administration‐approved drug for the management of patients with PD and a palpable plaque with dorsal or dorsolateral curvature >30°. Other available intralesional injectable drugs include verapamil and interferon‐alpha‐2B, however, their use is considered off‐label. Iontophoresis, shockwave therapy, and radiation therapy have also been described with unconvincing results, and as such, their use is currently not recommended. Traction therapy, as part of a multimodal approach, is an underused additional tool for the prevention of PD‐associated loss of penile length, but its efficacy is dependent on patient compliance. Surgical therapy remains the gold standard for patients in the chronic phase of the disease. In patients with adequate erectile function, tunical plication and/or incision/partial excision and grafting can be offered, depending on degree of curvature and/or presence of destabilizing deformity. In patients with erectile dysfunction non‐responsive to oral therapy, insertion of an inflatable penile prosthesis with or without straightening procedures should be offered.
Prospective memory: Relationship to age and retrospective memory in the learning and memory battery (LAMB)

Abstract Sixty-four individuals were given the Learning and Memory Battery (LAMB), which consists of a series of retrospective learning tasks. Embedded within the LAMB was a prospective memory task, requiring individuals to respond with a different word or phrase (target response) each time one of the LAMB subtests was introduced. The impact of retrospective memory, as well as age, on prospective memory was examined. An age-associated decrease in performance occurred on both the prospective and retrospective memory tests. The decreased ability of the older subjects to spontaneously recall target words on the prospective memory task was due to a failure to retrieve previously learned information rather than a failure to learn the target words. The results of a stepwise multiple regression analysis, in which age was forced into the equation first, showed a significant relationship between prospective and retrospective memory. The clinical implications of the results were discussed.
Using Agent-Based Models for Analyzing Threats to Financial Stability

Existing models of financial instability tend to be based on top-down, partial-equilibrium views of markets and their interactions; they are unable to incorporate the complexity of behavior among heterogeneous firms or the tendency for all types of firms to change their behavior during a crisis. This paper argues that agent-based models (ABMs)--which seek to explain how the behavior of individual firms or "agents" can affect outcomes in complex systems--can make an important contribution to our understanding of potential vulnerabilities and paths through which risks can propagate across the financial system.
Perceived Poll Bias and Inference of Biased Poll Impact in the 2010 U.S. Midterm Elections: Media Performance in the Eyes of the Beholder

This study examines the role of perceptions of opinion polls in assessing media performance in the 2010 midterm elections using data collected in a southern state. Results show strong hostile media effect in viewing the favorability of the polls and the third-person effect in assessing the impact of the polls on others and oneself. Moreover, results indicate that the influence of hostile polls on the perceived effect of these polls on oneself relative to others was mediated by poll exposure. Perception of hostile polls was found to be negatively related to poll exposure. The hotile perception indirectly affects perceived effects of polls on oneself and others, which in turn directly affects support for restrictions of election polls. The theretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed.
Natural History of Inhalation Melioidosis in Rhesus Macaques (Macaca mulatta) and African Green Monkeys (Chlorocebus aethiops)

ABSTRACT Burkholderia pseudomallei, the causative agent of melioidosis, is recognized as a serious health threat due to its involvement in septic and pulmonary infections in areas of endemicity and is recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as a category B biothreat agent. An animal model is desirable to evaluate the pathogenesis of melioidosis and medical countermeasures. A model system that represents human melioidosis infections is essential in this process. A group of 10 rhesus macaques (RMs) and 10 African green monkeys (AGMs) was exposed to aerosolized B. pseudomallei 1026b. The first clinical signs were fever developing 24 to 40 h postexposure followed by leukocytosis resulting from a high percentage of neutrophils. Dyspnea manifested 2 to 4 days postexposure. In the AGMs, an increase in interleukin 1β (IL-1β), IL-6, IL-8, gamma interferon (IFN-γ), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) was observed. In the RMs, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α increased. All the RMs and AGMs had various degrees of bronchopneumonia, with inflammation consisting of numerous neutrophils and a moderate number of macrophages. Both the RMs and the AGMs appear to develop a melioidosis infection that closely resembles that seen in acute human melioidosis. However, for an evaluation of medical countermeasures, AGMs appear to be a more appropriate model.
Social Skill Deficits and Anxiety in High-Functioning Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorders

The present study examined the prevalence and types of anxiety exhibited by high-functioning adolescents With autism spectrum disorders and factors related to this anxiety. Results suggest that adolescents With autism spectrum disorders exhibit anxiety levels that are significantly higher than those of the general population. The study found a loW negative correlation betWeen assertive social skills and social anxiety. In addition, a moderate curvilinear relationship Was found betWeen empathic skills and the various social anxiety measures. Results of the study support an emerging body of research demonstrating elevated anxiety levels in high-functioning individuals With autism spectrum disorders.
On English Speakers’ Ability to Communicate Emotion in Mandarin

The ability of Mandarin learners to express emotion in Mandarin has received little attention. This study examines how English L1 users express emotions in Mandarin and how this expression differs from that of Mandarin L1 users. Scenarios were adopted to elicit joy, anger, sadness, fear, and neutrality. Both groups articulated anger, joy, and fear with a high pitch. Both groups also employed high intensity for anger and joy and low intensity for sadness and fear. Learners generally employed larger F0 ranges than native speakers, particularly for anger and fear. Learners articulated level tones with lengthened duration and contour tones with shortened duration, affecting the correctness of the portrayal of emotions. Learners used a similar intensity range for all emotions, whereas native speakers tended to vary the intensity with different emotions. The results have implications for teaching Mandarin as a second language with special reference to prosodic naturalness in expressing emotions.L’expression des émotions pour les apprenants de mandarin-L2 a été peu étudiée. Cette étude examine comment les apprenants anglophones-L1 expriment en mandarin les émotions et comment cela diffère de celle de locuteurs du mandarin-L1. Des scénarios ont été utilisés pour exprimer joie, colère, tristesse, peur, et indifférence. Les deux groupes articulent colère, joie, et peur avec un ton élevé, et ont également employé une ton élevé pour la colère et la joie, tandis qu’un ton bas est utilisé pour la tristesse et la peur. Les apprenants utilisent une échelle F0 plus large que les locuteurs du mandarin-L1, particulièrement pour la colère et la peur et combinent des niveaux de ton d’une grande durée avec des tons d’une courte durée, affectant la représentation émotionnelle réelle. Les apprenants utilisent une gamme d’intensité similaire pour toutes les émotions alors que les locuteurs du mandarin-L1 ont tendance à varier l’intensité suivant l’émotion. Ces résultats ont une conséquence pour l’enseignement du mandarin-L2 avec une connexion particulière à la naturalité prosodique dans l’expression des émotions.
A Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial Evaluating the Effects of Mass Azithromycin Treatment on Growth and Nutrition in Niger

Antimicrobials are used primarily to treat infectious disease, but they have other effects. Here, we assess anthropometry measurements in children 6–60 months in 24 communities randomized to one or two mass azithromycin distributions over a 1-year period in Niger. We compared the prevalence of wasting, low mid-upper arm circumference, stunting, and underweight in communities in the two treatment arms. We were unable to prove that there was a difference in the prevalence of wasting in the 12 communities that received one mass azithromycin distribution versus the 12 communities that received two mass azithromycin distributions (odds ratio = 0.75, 95% confidence interval = 0.46–1.23). Likewise, we were unable to detect a difference in the two treatment arms for low mid-upper arm circumference, stunting, and underweight. There may not be an association between antibiotic use and improved growth in humans, or this trial was not powerful enough to detect an association if it exists.
Changes in distribution, cell associations, and protein expression levels of NG2, neurocan, phosphacan, brevican, versican V2, and tenascin‐C during acute to chronic maturation of spinal cord scar tissue

Previous studies have correlated the failure of axon regeneration after spinal cord injury with axons contacting scar tissue rich in chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs; Davies et al., 1999 ). In the present study, we have conducted immunohistochemical and quantitative Western blot analysis of five axon‐growth‐inhibitory CSPGs and tenascin‐C within stab injuries of adult rat spinal cord at time points ranging from 24 hr to 6 months post injury. Quantitative Western blot analysis showed robust increases in neurocan, tenascin‐C, and NG2 levels by 24 hr, suggesting that these molecules play a role in preventing axon regeneration across acutely forming scar tissue. Peak levels of 245/130 kD neurocan, NG2, and 250/200 kD tenascin‐C were reached at 8 days, with maximum levels of phosphacan and 140/80 kD brevican attained later, at 1 month post injury. Versican V2 protein levels, however, displayed an opposite trend, dropping below unlesioned spinal cord values at all time points studied. Confocal microscopy at 8 days post injury revealed heightened immunoreactivity for phosphacan, NG2, and tenascin‐C, particularly within fibronectin+ scar tissue at lesion centers. In contrast, neurocan was displayed within lesion margins on the processes of stellate NG2+ cells and, to a much lesser extent, by astrocytes. At 6 months post injury, 130 kD neurocan, brevican, and NG2 levels within chronic scar tissue remained significantly above control. Our results show novel expression patterns and cell associations of inhibitory CSPGs and tenascin‐C that have important implications for axon regeneration across acute and chronic spinal cord scar tissue. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The Student Aspirations Survey: Assessing Student Effort and Goals

Recent theory and research on intellectual achievement suggest that a seldom-examined factor, student aspirations, plays an integral role in students' educational accomplishments. The staff of the National Center for Student Aspirations developed the Student Aspirations Survey to aid educators in their efforts to address aspiration issues at the secondary level. After extensive piloting, a 98-item instrument with 13 scales was administered to students from four New England high schools representing both rural and suburban areas. Results provide evidence of sufficient internal consistency for group administration, but confirmatory factor analyses suggest that the factor structure can be improved.
Friendship and Friendship Quality in Middle Childhood: Links with Peer Group Acceptance and Feelings of Loneliness and Social Dissatisfaction.

The distinction between friendship adjustment and acceptance by the peer group was examined. Third- through 5th-grade children (N = 881) completed sociometric measures of acceptance and friendship, a measure of loneliness, a questionnaire on the features of their very best friendships, and a measure of their friendship satisfaction. Results indicated that many low-accepted children had best friends and were satisfied with these friendships. However, these children's friendships were lower than those of other children on most dimensions of quality. Having a friend, friendship quality, and group acceptance made separate contributions to the prediction of loneliness
Social Capital and Networks in Film and TV: Jobs for the Boys?

Social capital has been hailed as a means of virtuous, effective and enjoyable productivity through which firms can flourish. But it also confines advantage to network members and discriminates against non-members. This paper, drawing on detailed qualitative research into work in the UK film and TV industry, reveals the advantages and the disadvantages of social capital. Social capital aided recruitment, policed quality standards and ensured behavioural norms with the sort of speed and flexibility it would be hard to identify in other forms of organizing. However, it also advantaged white, middle-class men and ensured that middle-class signals came to be proxies for the most sought-after jobs. Professionals who were women, members of ethnic minorities or working class were less likely to secure jobs and were often restricted in the type of jobs they held. Significantly, the members of disadvantaged groups who succeeded did so after long periods employed by the terrestrial broadcasters or after extended apprenticeships. This is worrying, given the increasing insecurity of the labour market in this sector.
The Temporal Structure of State Self-Esteem Variability During Parent–Adolescent Interactions: More Than Random Fluctuations

Research regarding the variability of state self-esteem (SSE) commonly focuses on the magnitude of variability. In this article we provide the first empirical test of the temporalstructure of SSE as a real-time process during parent–adolescent interactions. We adopt a qualitative phenomenological approach, whereby moment-to-moment emotional and behavioral indicators of SSE are measured as they emerged during the interactions, resulting in SSE time series. We conducted detrended fluctuation analyses (DFA) on the SSE time series and found that they exhibited a form of structured variability, called pink noise. The mean DFA exponent differed significantly from that of randomized surrogate data (p < .01), which revealed uncorrelated random variability, called white noise. This finding shows that the temporal structure of SSE variability exhibits self-similarity and is not random. In addition, a weak positive relationship was found between the DFA and context-independent autonomy levels.
Anorectal functional testing: review of collective experience

Anorectal manometry includes a number of specific tests that are helpful in the diagnostic assessment of patients with fecal incontinence and constipation; their purpose is to delineate the pathophysiological mechanism for these symptoms. Some of these tests may also provide helpful information in the assessment of patients with rectal pain or diarrhea, but their sensitivity and specificity are less well established for these symptoms. Tests for which there is consensus regarding their clinical utility include 1) resting anal canal pressure, 2) anal canal squeeze pressure (peak pressure and duration), 3) the rectoanal inhibitory reflex elicited by balloon distension of the rectum, 4) anal canal pressure in response to a cough, 5) anal canal pressure in response to defecatory maneuvers, 6) simulated defecation by means of balloon or radiopaque contrast, 7) compliance of the rectum in response to balloon distension, and 8) sensory thresholds in response to balloon distension. Anal endosonography and pelvic floor electromyography from intra-anal plate electrodes are nonmanometric tests that are also specifically useful in the evaluation of constipation and fecal incontinence. The clinical utility of all anorectal manometric tests is limited by the relative absence of 1) standardization of test protocols and 2) normative data from a large number of healthy individuals. The interpretation of these diagnostic tests is also complicated by the fact that patients are able to compensate for deficits in specific physiological mechanisms maintaining continence and defecation by utilizing other biological and behavioral mechanisms.
Performance of BIPV and BAPV installations in Norway

The research community and stakeholders in the building sector seek information on the performance and reliability of PV systems in the built environment and the best solutions for maximum energy production. This paper presents results from collected information on a representative selection of existing building integrated (BIPV) and building applied (BAPV) photovoltaic systems in Norway. The work is part of a national project that aims at developing robust BIPV-solutions suitable for a Norwegian climate. The project also aims at identifying the main building-technical and architectural integration challenges for BIPV. A questionnaire has been developed to interview key personnel involved in the design, installation and operational phases, and a database is under development to build a wider knowledge base for the expected performances of different system types and geographical locations. Performance is evaluated in terms of energy production, specific yield, and performance ratio (PR) in cases where irradiation data is available. Data collected so far indicate a relatively large spread in annual specific yield with typical values in the 700-900 kWh/kWp range. A well-functioning system without significant shading may achieve PR above 0.85, in agreement with similar findings for Europe. Five selected cases are presented in more detail. The lessons learned provide useful input for the development of new guidelines and system requirements for BIPV in a nordic climate.
The Effects of Text Messaging and Instant Messaging on Literacy

This article reviews empirical studies published in the last decade on the effects of text messaging and instant messaging on literacy to determine whether they positively or negatively affect literacy. Although the majority of studies found a positive correlation between texting and/or instant messaging and literacy, others found a negative correlation, while still others report conflicting findings or no significant correlation at all. The studies reveal that literacy scores may correlate differently with frequency of texting, use of textese/textisms and knowledge of textisms; that there may be different correlations for reading, writing and spelling; and that the correlations may differ for formal and informal writing. The mixed results could also be caused by differences in the designs and populations of the studies. In addition, the correlational analyses conducted in most of the studies do not warrant conclusions about causality. All this suggests that there is a need for further research, preferably longitudinal studies with experimental intervention, on the relationship between text messaging or instant messaging and literacy.
Learning from instruction

Behavior that solves a problem is distinguished by the fact that it changes another part of the solver's behavior and is strengthened when it does so. Problem solving typically involves the construction of discriminative stimuli. Verbal responses produce especially useful stimuli, because they affect other people. As a culture formulates maxims, laws, grammar, and science, its members behave more effectively without direct or prolonged contact with the contingencies thus formulated. The culture solves problems for its members, and does so by transmitting the verbal discriminative stimuli called rules. Induction, deduction, and the construction of models are ways of producing rules. Behavior that solves a problem may result from direct shaping by contingencies or from rules constructed either by the problem solver or by others. Because different controlling variables are involved, contingencyshaped behavior is never exactly like rule-governed behavior. The distinction must take account of (1) a system which establishes certain contingencies of reinforcement, such as some part of the natural environment, a piece of equipment, or a verbal community; (2) the behavior shaped and maintained by these contingencies; (3) rules, derived from the contingencies, which specify discriminative stimuli, responses, and consequences, and (4) the behavior occasioned by the rules.
Volunteering, Gender and Power Making conditions visible and understanding male dominance in a volunteer context with a gender perspective

The background for this thesis is found in the patterns of gender inequality in civil society organizations. Existing research provide little comprehensive knowledge of the conditions for women and men in civil society organizations. To help fill this gap in knowledge the purpose of this thesis is to explore the conditions for women and men as volunteers in a male dominated civil society organization with a gender perspective and make any eventual inequalities visible. The thesis explores the conditions women and men face in their volunteering, what gender differences can be found and how the male dominance can be understood. The study is based on data from a self-administrated survey conducted among volunteers in a Swedish male dominated civil society organization. Questions concerned their volunteer work and their experience of the situation as female and male volunteers in the organization. Empirical patterns were identified and gender theories were used as a basis for the interpretation of the results. The findings from this case illustrate that women and men do not face equal conditions in their volunteer work. Most volunteers were happy with their work as volunteers. However, male volunteers typically held positions of more power, influence and higher status than women. Female volunteers were in a token position and in many ways had to prove themselves as well as adapt to conditions formed to suit men, by men, as representatives of the norm. The male dominance could be related to perceptions of the ideal volunteer; a competent man loyal to the organization and without inconvenient responsibilities elsewhere. Another aspect which could be related to the male dominance was patterns of social interactions that favour male volunteers, in this case homosocial relations, which are created in the interaction between the ambiguities of unstructured processes and gendered expectations.