Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of dl-3-n-butylphthalide on brain edema in rats subjected to focal cerebral ischemia.

The present study evaluated the effect of dl-3-n-butylphthalide(NBP), a novel brain protective agent, on brain edema in rats following focal ischemia. Edema was induced by occluding the right middle cerebral artery (MCAO), producing permanent focal ischemia in the right cerebral hemisphere, which developed ipsilateral brain edema reproducibly. Edema was assessed 24 h after MCA occlusion by determining the brain water content from wet and dry weight measurements, and the sodium, potassium concentrations with ion-selective electrodes. In this model, NBP at the dose of 80, 160 and 240 mg/kg p.o. 15 min after MCAO prevented from brain edema in a dose-dependent manner. A significant reduction of sodium content and an increase in potassium level were observed in all drug-treated groups. It showed that NBP strongly attenuated brain water entry, sodium accumulation and potassium loss. Nimodipine treatment (5 mg/kg s.c.) also reduced brain edema (P < 0.05). The results suggest that a strong anti-edema activity of NBP may play an important role to contribute to the treatment of ischemic damage.
Selective Flexibility: Creating Domain-Specific Reconfigurable Arrays

Historically, hardware acceleration technologies have either been application-specific, therefore lacking in flexibility, or fully programmable, thereby suffering from notable inefficiencies on an application-by-application basis. To address the growing need for domain-specific acceleration technologies, this paper describes a design methodology (i) to automatically generate a domain-specific coarse-grained array from a set of representative applications and (ii) to introduce limited forms of architectural generality to increase the likelihood that additional applications can be successfully mapped onto it. In particular, coarse-grained arrays generated using our approach are intended to be integrated into customizable processors that use application-specific instruction set extensions to accelerate performance and reduce energy; rather than implementing these extensions using application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) logic, which lacks flexibility, they can be synthesized onto our reconfigurable array instead, allowing the processor to be used for a variety of applications in related domains. Results show that our array is around 2× slower and 15× larger than an ultimately efficient ASIC implementation, and thus far more efficient than fieldprogrammable gate arrays (FPGAs), which are known to be 3-4× slower and 20-40× larger. Additionally, we estimate that our array is usually around 2× larger and 2× slower than an accelerator synthesized using traditional datapath merging, which has, if any, very limited flexibility beyond the design set of DFGs.
Support for community policing in India and the US: an exploratory study among college students

Purpose – While there is a growing body of studies on the people's views of community policing, there have been a very few cross-national studies. The purpose of this paper is to compare and contrast students’ views on community policing from India and the USA. Design/methodology/approach – The data were from a survey from a total of 434 Indian and 484 US college students. Findings – Punitive orientation had a significant effect on attitudes toward community policing, but was related to an increase in the support in India and reduction of support in the USA. Among the Indian respondents, concern for crime and support for aggressive policing had positive associations with support for community policing, and police involvement in the community had a negative association. Among the US respondents, age, educational level, and perceptions of police effectiveness had positive associations with support for community policing, and holding a punitive orientation had a negative association. Originality/value – This.
The Medical and Public Health Response to the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake in Japan: A Case Study in Disaster Planning

The Great Hanshin-Awaji (Kobe) earthquake, which struck Japan on January 17, 1995, caused 5,488 deaths and tens of thousands of other casualties. The health impacts immediately after the quake are assessed, as are the changing health needs of the injured and evacuees over time. The impact on the social and health care infra- structures, including regional strengths and shortcomings, is described. The organi- zation and implementation of search and rescue operations, medical relief, coordina- tion with outside agencies, and volunteer assistance are evaluated and critiqued. Lessons from the Kobe quake and previous earthquakes worldwide must be applied to the development of a new disaster response plan for Japan. (M&GS 1995:214-226)
Transtornos de ansiedade: um estudo de prevalência e comorbidade com tabagismo em um ambulatório de psiquiatria

OBJETIVOS: Este estudo tem por objetivo investigar a presenca de transtornos de ansiedade e tabagismo entre pacientes atendidos em um ambulatorio de psiquiatria. METODOS: Realizou-se um estudo transversal em um ambulatorio de psiquiatria em Porto Alegre, no qual se aplicou SCID-I em 84 pacientes, para examinar a ocorrencia de transtornos de ansiedade e dependencia a nicotina; tambem se utilizou o Teste de Fagerstrom para identificar o grau de dependencia nicotinica. Excluiram-se pacientes com esquizofrenia, outros transtornos psicoticos e retardo mental. RESULTADOS: Verificou-se frequencia de 75% para os transtornos de ansiedade, sendo mais frequentes fobia especifica e transtorno de ansiedade generalizada (TAG) com 26,2% cada um. Tabagistas representaram 21,43% da amostra, e a maior parte destes obteve escore leve para o grau de dependencia. Constatou-se associacao entre ter TAG e ser tabagista, e a chance dos pacientes com TAG fumarem e 5,2 vezes em relacao aos que nao tem esse transtorno de ansiedade. CONCLUSOES: Os transtornos de ansiedade tem uma frequencia elevada entre pacientes ambulatoriais, sendo importante sua identificacao. A frequencia de tabagismo entre pacientes com transtorno de ansiedade e alta, apresentando importante associacao com TAG, e por isso deve tambem ser foco de atencao no tratamento desses pacientes.
Leadership: emotional intelligence, passion and … what else?

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present the outcome of a business and management cohort's contemplations on leadership qualities that can be considered applicable under practically all circumstances.Design/methodology/approach – The subject scope was organizational leadership. The methods used were written interviews. The topic was approached by: explaining the general disconformities of leadership qualities, depending on situations and followers; examining leadership students' perceptions on generally applicable leadership qualities; clustering the listed qualities; and presenting a model.Findings – There are some leadership attributes that are generally applicable, regardless of situation and followers. The findings listed in this paper are not exhaustive but should rather be used as a pragmatic tool for further research on the topic.Research limitations/implications – The population used for data was limited, as it consisted of business and management students with a leadership emphasis. The .
Oxidation of Catalase by Singlet Oxygen*

Different bands of catalase activity in zymograms (Cat-1a-Cat-1e) appear during Neurospora crassa development and under stress conditions. Here we demonstrate that singlet oxygen modifies Cat-1a, giving rise to a sequential shift in electrophoretic mobility, similar to the one observed in vivo. Purified Cat-1a was modified with singlet oxygen generated from a photosensitization reaction; even when the reaction was separated from the enzyme by an air barrier, a condition in which only singlet oxygen can reach the enzyme by diffusion. Modification of Cat-1a was hindered when reducing agents or singlet oxygen scavengers were present in the photosensitization reaction. The sequential modification of the four monomers gave rise to five active catalase conformers with more acidic isoelectric points. The pI of purified Cat-1a-Cat-1e decreased progressively, and a similar shift in pI was observed as Cat-1a was modified by singlet oxygen. No further change was detected once Cat-1e was reached. Catalase modification was traced to a three-step reaction of the heme. The heme of Cat-1a gave rise to three additional heme peaks in a high performance liquid chromatography when modified to Cat-1c. Full oxidation to Cat-1e shifted all peaks into a single one. Absorbance spectra were consistent with an increase in asymmetry as heme was modified. Bacterial, fungal, plant, and animal catalases were all susceptible to modification by singlet oxygen, indicating that this is a general feature of the enzyme that could explain in part the variety of catalases seen in several organisms and the modifications observed in some catalases. Modification of catalases during development and under stress could indicate in vivo generation of singlet oxygen.
Action-control beliefs and behaviors as predictors of change in adjustment across the transition to middle school

Abstract We examined longitudinal changes in young adolescents’ (N=368) action-control beliefs, coping behaviors, and adjustment (i.e., positive and negative affect, depression, aggression) across the transition from elementary school to middle school. Results indicated greater inter-individual instability in adjustment during this transition than during the previous school year. Using ordinary least-squares (OLS) growth models to extract intra-individual change scores for each variable (i.e., slopes and intercepts), we conducted a series of stepwise regressions to determine which features of control beliefs and coping behaviors best predicted changes in adjustment across the transition to middle school. We found that negative coping behaviors (i.e., antisocial coping) consistently predicted negative changes in the adjustment variables (e.g., greater depression, more aggression), whereas positive beliefs and behaviors did not consistently predict changes in the adjustment variables.
Expression of NADPH oxidase homologues and accessory genes in human cancer cell lines, tumours and adjacent normal tissues

The family of NADPH oxidase (NOX) genes produces reactive oxygen species (ROS) pivotal for both cell signalling and host defense. To investigate whether NOX and NOX accessory gene expression might be a factor common to specific human tumour types, this study measured the expression levels of NOX genes 1–5, dual oxidase 1 and 2, as well as those of NOX accessory genes NoxO1, NoxA1, p47phox, p67phox and p22phox in human cancer cell lines and in tumour and adjacent normal tissue pairs by quantitative, real-time RT-PCR. The results demonstrate tumour-specific patterns of NOX gene expression that will inform further studies of the role of NOX activity in tumour cell invasion, growth factor response and proliferative potential.
Structure of Figural Forms A and B of the Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking

This study analyzed the structure of the subscores obtained through streamlined scoring of 334 adults' responses to Figural Forms A and B of the Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking (TTCT). The results of principal components analyses indicated that one general creativity factor adequately represented the subscores of both Form A and Form B. An empirical comparison of the factor structures of Form A and Form B indicated that these forms have an equivalent structure. The results of commonality analyses confirmed that the five subscores of each form provide very little unique variance and suggested that a new subscore, resistance to premature closure, may be a better indicator than fluency is of the divergent thinking skills measured by the figural TTCT.
Grafting Fraser Fir (Abies fraseri): Effect of Grafting Date, Shade, and Irrigation

Grafting fraser fir (Abies fraseri (Pursh) Poir. ) scions onto rootstocks of turkish fir (Abies bornmuellerianaMattf.) is a strategy used by some Christmas tree growers in the southern Appalachian Mountains ofNorth Carolinatoreduce losses byphytophthora root rot caused byPhytophthoracinnamomiRands.Thisstudycomparedthe traditional timeof grafting (April) with eight summer/early fall grafting dates from mid-July through mid- October.Shadeandirrigationtreatmentswerealsosuperimposedonthegraftingdates. To ensure optimal grafting success, grafting should be performed in the late winter/early spring(April)whenscionsaredormantandtherootstocksarebecomingactive.Aprilgraft success was 95% but when grafting fresh scions in summer/fall, graft success decreased from 52% in July to 0% in October. Shade improved summer graft success (52% with, 38% without). Irrigation did not significantly affect graft success or subsequent growth. In a supplemental storage study, grafting of stored scion material in summer/early fall was not successful (less than 1%).
Assessing the Impact of Peer Revision on L2 Writing

This study sought to investigate the impact of peer revision on writers' final drafts in two rhetorical modes, narration and persuasion, among 14 Spanish-speaking ESL college students. Two questions were addressed: (1) How were revisions made in peer sessions incorporated by writers in their final versions? (2) How were troublesources revised according to different language aspects (content, organization, vocabulary, grammar, and mechanics)? An analysis of audiotaped interactions, first drafts, and final drafts revealed that 74 per cent of revisions made in the peer sessions were incorporated. In addition, writers made many further and self revisions after the sessions. These revisions suggest a pattern of behavior conducive to self-regulation among writers. Results also show that students focused equally on grammar and content when revising in the narrative mode and predominantly on grammar in the persuasive mode. Organization was the least attended aspect in either mode. Only 7 per cent of false repairs were found overall. The study suggests that peer assistance can help L2 intermediate learners realize their potential for effective revision, to the extent their linguistic abilities permit. It is the authors' belief that peer revision should be seen as an important complementary source of feedback in the ESL classroom.
Swine Flu: A Field Study of Self-Serving Biases

Self-serving biases were examined as an explanation for swine flu inoculation behavior. Subjects who had recently had the opportunity to obtain the shot were surveyed by questionnaire. As predicted, most persons held biased beliefs that their own health was superior to that of others. Those getting or intending to get the shot had less health bias, had recently experienced a confidence-shaking event, and felt that the shot might make a difference in their health. The results are seen as having implications both for self-serving bias research and for disease control.
Finding the Keys to Biliteracy: How Young Children Interpret Different Writing Systems

This paper discusses ways in which young bilingual children understand the principles underlying different writing systems. Six case studies were conducted, involving six-year-olds growing up in London who were learning to write in Chinese, Arabic or Spanish at the same time as English. The children's formal and informal literacy interactions were observed at home, community language school and primary school. Peer teaching sessions were also set up so that children could demonstrate their ideas about Chinese, Arabic or Spanish to primary school classmates. Findings show that these young emergent biliterates were able to grasp concepts from different systems, by producing their own interpretations of the input provided by teachers and family. A discussion follows as to whether such understandings were heightened by dealing with more than one writing system, and whether the research points to a more general propensity amongst young children to look for the principles involved in graphic representation. Finally, the paper argues that mainstream educators need to recognise the cognitive gains for minority-language children who are becoming biliterate and offer support for this important area of learning.
Non-medical prescription stimulant use: Investigating modifiable risk factors

Abstract Many college students report non-medical prescription stimulant use (NPS), frequently citing cognitive enhancement benefits as their primary motive for use. One known risk factor for NPS is low grade point average (GPA), which may promote poor academic self-efficacy, leading to NPS. This may be particularly true for students who hold strong cognitive enhancement expectations for NPS. This study aimed to examine these variables as modifiable risk factors for NPS and to examine their interactive effects on intention to use. One hundred fifty-four undergraduate students completed measures to assess demographics, history of NPS and related expectancy effects and self-efficacy for learning. Strong cognitive enhancement expectancies and low academic self-efficacy were found to predict intention to engage in NPS after controlling for other known risk factors. Moreover, students with low GPA and strong cognitive enhancement expectancies appear to be particularly at risk for intent to engage in NPS. Unlike most known risk factors for NPS, expectancy effects and self-efficacy are able to be altered though intervention. Future research should focus on the development of interventions to modify these cognitions.
Prevalence of Complementary Medicine Use in Pediatric Cancer: A Systematic Review

CONTEXT: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is used by pediatric patients with cancer, but the actual frequency of CAM use is undetermined. OBJECTIVE: In this systematic review we summarize the current evidence on the prevalence of CAM use in pediatric patients with cancer and assess the reported quality of included studies. METHODS: We systematically searched 6 major electronic databases, reference lists of existing reviews, and personal files. We included full articles about primary research studies (without language restriction) that reported the prevalence of CAM use if all or a defined subsample of participants were pediatric patients with cancer. Detailed information regarding methods and results was extracted from the original articles. A quality-assessment tool was rigorously developed on the basis of the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) statement and used to assess reported study quality. Formal tests of interrater agreement were conducted. RESULTS: We included 28 studies with survey data (collected from 1975 to 2005) from 3526 children. In 20 studies with 2871 participants, the prevalence of any CAM use (since cancer diagnosis) ranged from 6% to 91%; considerable heterogeneity across studies precluded meta-analysis. Study quality was mixed and not correlated with CAM prevalence. Herbal remedies were the most popular CAM modality, followed by diets/nutrition and faith-healing. Commonly reported reasons for CAM use included to help cure or fight the child's cancer, symptomatic relief, and support of ongoing use of conventional therapy. There was little evidence of an association between CAM use and patients' sociodemographic characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: Many pediatric patients with cancer use CAM. It is important that pediatricians be aware of this fact and encourage open communication with patients and their parents. Using standardized survey methods and CAM definitions in future studies could improve their quality and help generate comparable data. Our quality-assessment tool could prove valuable for other reviews of prevalence studies.
Theoretical analysis of word production deficits in adult aphasia

The cognitive analysis of adult language disorders continues to draw heavily on linguistic theory, but increasingly it reflects the influence of connectionist, spreading activation models of cognition. In the area of spoken word production, ‘localist’ connectionist models represent a natural evolution from the psycholingistic theories of earlier decades. By contrast, the parallel distributed processing framework forces more radical rethinking of aphasic impairments. This paper exemplifies these multiple influences in contemporary cognitive aphasiology. Topics include (i) what aphasia reveals about semantic-phonological interaction in lexical access; (ii) controversies surrounding the interpretation of semantic errors and (iii) a computational account of the relationship between naming and word repetition in aphasia. Several of these topics have been addressed using case series methods, including computational simulation of the individual, quantitative error patterns of diverse groups of patients and analysis of brain lesions that correlate with error rates and patterns. Efforts to map the lesion correlates of nonword errors in naming and repetition highlight the involvement of sensorimotor areas in the brain and suggest the need to better integrate models of word production with models of speech and action.
Parallel multiclass classification using SVMs on GPUs

The scaling of serial algorithms cannot rely on the improvement of CPUs anymore. The performance of classical Support Vector Machine (SVM) implementations has reached its limit and the arrival of the multi core era requires these algorithms to adapt to a new parallel scenario. Graphics Processing Units (GPU) have arisen as high performance platforms to implement data parallel algorithms. In this paper, it is described how a naïve implementation of a multiclass classifier based on SVMs can map its inherent degrees of parallelism to the GPU programming model and efficiently use its computational throughput. Empirical results show that the training and classification time of the algorithm can be reduced an order of magnitude compared to a classical multiclass solver, LIBSVM, while guaranteeing the same accuracy.
Subjective sampling distributions and the additivity of estimates

— Previous studies of sampling distributions have been conducted almost exclusively under the assumption that persons behave in accordance with the “fundamental convention” of probability, i.e. that the sum of all probability estimates will equal 1. When this assumption was tested by asking subjects to give “unrestricted” probability estimates of all possible outcomes of samples from a given population, a general tendency of overestimation made the sum of all probabilities exceed 1 to a considerable extent. The subjective sampling distributions appeared to be unaffected by sample size (N=5 or 10) and number of outcomes, and were flatter than the corresponding “objective” sampling distributions.
Acoustic confusions in immediate memory.

Sequences of 6 letters of the alphabet were visually presented for immediate recall to 387 subjects. Errors showed a systematic relationship to original stimuli. This is held to meet a requirement of the decay theory of immediate memory. The same letter vocabulary was used in a test in which subjects were required to identify the letters spoken against a white noise background. A highly significant correlation was found between letters which confused in the listening test, and letters which confused in recall. The role of neurological noise in recall is discussed in relation to these results. It is further argued that information theory is inadequate to explain the memory span, since the nature of the stimulus set, which can be defined quantitatively, as well as the information per item, is likely to be a determining factor.