Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Does emotion cause behavior (apart from making people do stupid, destructive things)?

The authors challenge the traditional view that emotion directly causes behavior, as represented in the claim that someone did something “because he was angry. ” Essentially, this is the view that “the impetus for the behavior is contained in the emotion,” a premise that still leaves a miraculous gap between feeling the emotion and enacting the behavior. As an alternative, the authors advance the view that “conscious emotion tends to come after behavior and operates as a kind of inner feedback system. ” The authors bolster their argument against the traditional view with evidence that emotions are not specific enough to serve as impetus for specific behaviors, that emotions seem to have more impact on cognition than on behavior, and that emotional influences on behavior tend to disappear unless people believe that their actions will affect their emotional state.
Predicting survival in heart failure: a risk score based on 39 372 patients from 30 studies.

AIMS Using a large international database from multiple cohort studies, the aim is to create a generalizable easily used risk score for mortality in patients with heart failure (HF). METHODS AND RESULTS The MAGGIC meta-analysis includes individual data on 39 372 patients with HF, both reduced and preserved left-ventricular ejection fraction (EF), from 30 cohort studies, six of which were clinical trials. 40.2% of patients died during a median follow-up of 2.5 years. Using multivariable piecewise Poisson regression methods with stepwise variable selection, a final model included 13 highly significant independent predictors of mortality in the following order of predictive strength: age, lower EF, NYHA class, serum creatinine, diabetes, not prescribed beta-blocker, lower systolic BP, lower body mass, time since diagnosis, current smoker, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, male gender, and not prescribed ACE-inhibitor or angiotensin-receptor blockers. In preserved EF, age was more predictive and systolic BP was less predictive of mortality than in reduced EF. Conversion into an easy-to-use integer risk score identified a very marked gradient in risk, with 3-year mortality rates of 10 and 70% in the bottom quintile and top decile of risk, respectively. CONCLUSION In patients with HF of both reduced and preserved EF, the influences of readily available predictors of mortality can be quantified in an integer score accessible by an easy-to-use website www.heartfailurerisk. org. The score has the potential for widespread implementation in a clinical setting.
Professional Learning through Reflection promoted by Feedback and Coaching (PROFLEC) in Cyprus

Abstract This article focuses on the implementation of the Professional Learning through Reflection promoted by Feedback and Coaching (PROFLEC) project in Cyprus. The project aimed to provide valid and reliable feedback to school leaders and support them to interpret this into meaningful practice. A three-step-process, involving a self-assessment inventory and individualized feedback reports, workshops, and coaching sessions was employed. Results suggest that feedback and coaching can be effective learning strategies in school leaders’ professional development programmes. Findings are discussed in light of the potential of these two strategies for future developments of such programmes within the particular setting.
Effects of CPAP-respiration on markers of glucose metabolism in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Syndrome (OSAS) is a condition of obstruction, apneas and arousals while sleeping. It has been suggested that OSAS independently influences glucose metabolism. The main treatment for OSAS is continuous positive airways pressure (CPAP). Objectives: To assess the effects of CPAP on insulin resistance and glucose metabolism. Search strategy: We searched Medline, Embase and the Cochrane Controlled Trial Register (January 2010). Selection criteria: We included randomised and non-randomised trials comparing CPAP with inactive control or placebo CPAP in adults with OSAS. Data collection and analysis: Two authors independently assessed trial quality and extracted data. Parallel and crossover group trials were analysed separately. A meta-analysis was carried out. Results: Three parallel group and two cross-over randomised trials and one controlled trial were included investigating 296 participants. Sample sizes ranged from n=13 to n=102 participants, age was 18 to 75 years, mean body mass index (BMI) 27.2 kg/m² to 37.1 kg/m², mean apnoe hypopnoe index (AHI) 29.7 to 39.7 events per hour, mean dips >4% in arterial oxygen saturation per hour of sleep 1 to 42.7 events. The studies’ methodological quality varied. Follow-up ranged from 4 to 12 weeks. Various endpoints were investigated. CPAP did neither influence plasma insulin levels nor HOMA-index, adiponectin levels or HbA1c value. One study reported a significant positive effect on the insulin sensitivity index (1.68%/min, 95% CI 0.3 to 3.06). Conclusion: This systematic review does not support the hypothesis that OSAS independently influences glucose metabolism. Sufficiently powered, long-term randomised controlled trials defining changes of insulin resistance as primary endpoint are needed.
You Are What You Eat... Listen to, Watch, and Read

This article describes a data driven method for deriving the relationship between personality and media preferences. A qunatifiable representation of such a relationship can be leveraged for use in recommendation systems and ameliorate the "cold start" problem. Here, the data is comprised of an original collection of 1,316 Okcupid dating profiles. Of these profiles, 800 are labeled with one of 16 possible Myers-Briggs Type Indicators (MBTI). A personality specific topic model describing a person's favorite books, movies, shows, music, and food was generated using latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA). There were several significant findings, for example, intuitive thinking types preferred sci-fi/fantasy entertainment, extraversion correlated positively with upbeat dance music, and jazz, folk, and international cuisine correlated positively with those characterized by openness to experience. Many other correlations confirmed previous findings describing the relationship among personality, writing style, and personal preferences. (For complete word/personality type assocations see the Appendix).
Auditory processing in patients with structural lesions of the brain

This thesis investigated structure versus function in the central auditory nervous system (CANS) by using the lesion study approach and by utilising a validated clinical test battery for the assessment of auditory processing as well as self- or parent report measures. The central auditory test results were correlated with the macroscopical appearance of the CANS on brain MRI and with patient reported hearing difficulties. The two regions of interest for this study were the insula (first group of studies) and the interhemispheric pathway, comprised by the corpus callosum and the anterior commissure (second group of studies). First group of studies: Patients with a history of ischemic or haemorrhagic cerebral stroke of the CANS were identified by their scans. Exclusion criteria were significant psychiatric or expressive language disorders. Second group of studies: Adults and children with congenital aniridia and abnormality of the interhemispheric pathway due to a PAX6 mutation were recruited. The assessment included questionnaire of auditory capabilities, baseline audiometry (pure tone audiometry, tympanometry and otoacoustic emissions) and central auditory tests (speech and non-speech). The brain MRIs of these patients were visually inspected (1st and 2nd group of studies). The corpus callosum area was measured in the children participants of the 2nd group of studies.
High School Dropout, Resource Attainment, and Criminal Convictions

Objectives: To examine the effect of high school dropout on subsequent criminal convictions and how postdropout resource attainment in terms of education and employment may modify such an effect. Methods: Propensity score matching (PSM) using administrative register data covering two full Swedish birth cohorts is employed to assess the effect of dropout on convictions. Event history analysis is used to examine the modifying effect of subsequent resource attainment. Results: The PSM analysis reveals an effect of dropout on convictions for men, whereas no evidence of such an effect is found for women. Returning to school after dropout significantly reduces the crime-inducing effect of dropout among men. Finding occupation after dropout also reduces the risk for criminal conviction but does so independently of the effect of dropout. Conclusion: Since resource attainment after the dropout event modifies the effect on criminal convictions, it is concluded that policies such as lifelong learning strategies promoting opportunities for a “second chance” may, besides their intended consequences, also have crime preventive side effects.
Embryonic Heart Rate as a Prognostic Factor for Chromosomal Abnormalities

Objective. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of a slow embryonic heart rate in embryos before 7 weeks' gestation as a marker in screening for chromosomal abnormalities. Methods. Fifty‐seven embryos before 7 weeks' gestation with slow heart rates were compared with 1156 embryos of the same gestational period with normal heart rates. Embryos that showed an increased risk of chromosomal abnormalities in the screening blood tests underwent invasive analysis for abnormal karyotype detection. Results. The rates of first‐trimester death were 15.8% for pregnancies with slow embryonic heart rates (9 of 57) and 2.5% for those with normal heart rates (29 of 1156). Because of the increased risk of chromosomal abnormalities, amniocentesis was performed on 6 with slow embryonic heart rates and 61 with normal embryonic heart rates. After karyotype analysis, there were 2 fetuses with trisomy 21 in each group, which represented significantly higher percentage of embryos with trisomy 21 in the slow–heart rate group compared with the normal–heart rate group (P < .05). Conclusions. When a slow embryonic heart rate is detected before 7 weeks' gestation, there is a higher likelihood of chromosomal abnormalities.
The Value of Certification in the Era of Licensure: An Exploratory Study of Professional Identity Development in Alcohol and Drug Professionals

ABSTRACT A total of 276 certified addiction professionals participated in an electronic survey about professional roles and responsibilities. A multivariate ANOVA was conducted to measure differences in professional responsibility, exposure to and comfort levels for counseling diverse consumers, and counseling approaches for alcohol and drug professionals with a certification, licensed, certification and licensure, and licensure and certification identity. Alcohol and drug professionals with a certification identity facilitated group counseling and used reinforcement techniques more often compared to professionals with a licensure and certification. Alcohol and drug counselors were less comfortable counseling consumers with mental health issues compared to alcohol and drug counselors with advanced training and other addiction professionals. The professional identity development of alcohol and drug counselors differs from professionals who are licensed/certified and other addiction professionals. Implications for state credentialing boards are discussed.
On the Origins of Cultural Differences in Conformity: Four Tests of the Pathogen Prevalence Hypothesis

What are the origins of cultural differences in conformity? The authors deduce the hypothesis that these cultural differences may reflect historical variability in the prevalence of disease-causing pathogens: Where pathogens were more prevalent, there were likely to emerge cultural norms promoting greater conformity. The authors conducted four tests of this hypothesis, using countries as units of analysis. Results support the pathogen prevalence hypothesis. Pathogen prevalence positively predicts cultural differences in effect sizes that emerge from behavioral conformity experiments (r = .49, n = 17) and in the percentage of the population who prioritize obedience (r = .48, n = 83). Pathogen prevalence also negatively predicted two indicators of tolerance for nonconformity: within-country dispositional variability (r = —.48, n = 33) and the percentage of the population who are left-handed (r = —.73, n = 20). Additional analyses address plausible alternative causal explanations. Discussion focuses on plausible underlying mechanisms (e.g., genetic, developmental, cognitive).
Large Cross-National Differences in Gene × Socioeconomic Status Interaction on Intelligence

A core hypothesis in developmental theory predicts that genetic influences on intelligence and academic achievement are suppressed under conditions of socioeconomic privation and more fully realized under conditions of socioeconomic advantage: a Gene × Childhood Socioeconomic Status (SES) interaction. Tests of this hypothesis have produced apparently inconsistent results. We performed a meta-analysis of tests of Gene × SES interaction on intelligence and academic-achievement test scores, allowing for stratification by nation (United States vs. non–United States), and we conducted rigorous tests for publication bias and between-studies heterogeneity. In U.S. studies, we found clear support for moderately sized Gene × SES effects. In studies from Western Europe and Australia, where social policies ensure more uniform access to high-quality education and health care, Gene × SES effects were zero or reversed.
Invasive bacteria isolates from children with severe infections in a Nigerian hospital.

BACKGROUND Little information is available about the aetiology and epidemiology of serious bacterial infections in Nigeria. This study determined bacterial isolates from blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of children presenting in the emergency room of a teaching hospital in Nigeria. METHOD From October 2005 to December 2006, children aged two to 60 months presenting with signs of acute systemic infections were recruited. Blood culture and CSF specimens were collected and processed using standard microbiological protocols. Data were analysed using SPSS version 11 software. RESULTS Two hundred and two blood and 69 CSF samples were cultured. Fifty-five (27%) of the blood cultures yielded Gram-negative bacilli and Gram-positive cocci in almost equal proportions. The most common isolates from the blood cultures were Staphylococcus aureus, 26 (12.9%) and atypical coliforms, 13 (6.5%). Others are Klebsiella spp, 3 (1.5%); Klebsiella pneumonia, 2 (1.0%); Escherichia coli, 3 (1.5%); Enterobacter agglomerans, 2 (1.1%); Proteus mirabilis, 2(1%); Pseudomonas spp, 2 (1.0%); Haemophilus influenza, 1 (1.0%); and Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus, 1 (1.0%). Fourteen out of 67 (20.9%) of the CSF samples yielded bacterial isolates: Streptococcus pneumonia, 3 (4.5%); Haemophilus influenza, 8 (11.9%); Hemophilus spp, 1 (1.5%); E. Coli, 1 (1.5%); and atypical coliform, 1 (1.5%). Gram-negative coliform isolates were predominantly resistant to penicillin based antibiotics and co-trimoxazole but sensitive to third-generation cephalosporins and quinolones. A high percentage of S. aureus isolates were multi-drug resistant. CONCLUSIONS Bacterial infections contribute to the significant morbidity among children in our environment. S. aureus was more frequently isolated in sepsis while H. influenzae appears to play a major role in meningitis. Appropriate use of antibiotics is needed to manage affected children effectively. We also recommend improved vaccine coverage of children under the age of five years.
New Young Brown Dwarfs in the Orion Molecular Cloud 2/3 Region

Forty new low-mass members with spectral types ranging from M4 to M9 have been confirmed in the Orion Molecular Cloud (OMC) 2/3 region. Through deep, I-, z′-, J-, H-, and K-band photometry of a 20′ × 20′ field in OMC 2/3, we selected brown dwarf candidates for follow-up spectroscopy. Low-resolution far-red and near-infrared spectra were obtained for the candidates, and 19 young brown dwarfs in the OMC 2/3 region are confirmed. They exhibit spectral types of M6.5-M9, corresponding to approximate masses of 0.075-0.015 M☉ using the evolutionary models of Baraffe et al. At least one of these bona fide young brown dwarfs has strong Hα emission, indicating that it is actively accreting. In addition, we confirm 21 new low-mass members with spectral types of M4-M6, corresponding to approximate masses of 0.35-0.10 M☉ in OMC 2/3. By comparing pre-main-sequence tracks to the positions of the members in the H-R diagram, we find that most of the brown dwarfs are less than 1 Myr, but find a number of low-mass stars with inferred ages greater than 3 Myr. The discrepancy in the stellar and substellar ages is due to our selection of only low-luminosity sources; however, the presence of such objects implies the presence of an age spread in the OMC 2/3 region. We discuss possible reasons for this apparent age spread.
Characterization and Comparison of the NR 3 A Subunit of the NMDA Receptor in Recombinant Systems and Primary Cortical Neurons

YASNORY F. SASAKI,* THOMAS ROTHE,* LOUIS S. PREMKUMAR, SAUMYA DAS, JIANKUN CUI, MARIA V. TALANTOVA, 1 HON-KIT WONG, XIANDI GONG, SHING FAI CHAN, DONGXIAN ZHANG, NOBUKI NAKANISHI, 1–3 NIKOLAUS J. SUCHER, 6 AND STUART A. LIPTON Center for Neuroscience and Aging, The Burnham Institute, La Jolla, California 92037; Department of Neurobiology and Program in Neuroscience, Harvard Medical School, Boston 02115; CNS Research Institute, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02115; Department of Pharmacology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, Illinois 62702; andDepartment of Biology and Biotechnology Research Institute, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region, China
A new LDPC decoding algorithm aided by segmented CRCs for erasure channels

This letter introduces a new low-density parity-check (LDPC) decoding algorithm that exploits the cyclic redundancy check (CRC) information of data segments. By using the error detection property of CRC, we can successively decode data segments in the codeword corrupted by magnetic recording channels. The key idea is that variable nodes corresponding to data segments with correct checksum are fixed to deterministic log likelihood ratio (LLR) values (or probabilities) during the LDPC iterative decoding. In this way, the performance regarding the decoding speed and codeword error rate can be improved without significant modification of the LDPC decoding structure. Moreover, the CRC information is also used for an early stopping criterion of LDPC decoding. Simulation results verify our claims.
Cytosolic Ca 2 1 Changes during In Vitro Ischemia in Rat Hippocampal Slices : Major Roles for Glutamate and Na 1-Dependent Ca 2 1 Release from Mitochondria

This work determined Ca transport processes that contribute to the rise in cytosolic Ca during in vitro ischemia (deprivation of oxygen and glucose) in the hippocampus. The CA1 striatum radiatum of rat hippocampal slices was monitored by confocal microscopy of calcium green-1. There was a 50–60% increase in fluorescence during 10 min of ischemia after a 3 min lag period. During the first 5 min of ischemia the major contribution was from Ca entering via NMDA receptors; most of the fluorescence increase was blocked by MK-801. Approximately one-half of the sustained increase in fluorescence during 10 min of ischemia was caused by activation of Ca release from mitochondria via the mitochondrial 2Na–Ca exchanger. Inhibition of Na influx across the plasmalemma using lidocaine, low extracellular Na, or the AMPA/kainate receptor blocker CNQX reduced the fluorescence increase by 50%. The 2Na–Ca exchange blocker CGP37157 also blocked the increase, and this effect was not additive with the effects of blocking Na influx. When added together, CNQX and lidocaine inhibited the fluorescence increase more than CGP37157 did. Thus, during ischemia, Ca entry via NMDA receptors accounts for the earliest rise in cytosolic Ca. Approximately 50% of the sustained rise is attributable to Na entry and subsequent Ca release from the mitochondria via the 2Na–Ca exchanger. Sodium entry is also hypothesized to compromise clearance of cytosolic Ca by routes other than mitochondrial uptake, probably by enhancing ATP depletion, accounting for the large inhibition of the Ca increase by the combination of CNQX and lidocaine.
New Time Series Data Representation ESAX for Financial Applications

Efficient and accurate similarity searching for a large amount of time series data set is an important but non-trivial problem. Many dimensionality reduction techniques have been proposed for effective representation of time series data in order to realize such similarity searching, including Singular Value Decomposition (SVD), the Discrete Fourier transform (DFT), the Adaptive Piecewise Constant Approximation (APCA), and the recently proposed Symbolic Aggregate Approximation (SAX).
Practice of physical activities and associated factors in adults, Brazil, 2006

OBJETIVO: Estimar a prevalencia da pratica de atividades fisicas por adultos e sua associacao com fatores sociodemograficos e ambientais. METODOS: Foram utilizados dados do Sistema de Vigilância de Fatores de Risco e Protecao para Doencas Cronicas por Inquerito Telefonico coletados em 2006. Os 54.369 adultos entrevistados residiam em domicilios com linha telefonica fixa nas capitais brasileiras e Distrito Federal. A pratica de atividades fisicas foi considerada nos dominios do lazer, trabalho, atividade domestica e deslocamento. As variaveis estudadas incluiram caracteristicas sociodemograficas dos individuos e ambientais das cidades; a associacao com as atividades fisicas foi analisada segundo sexo. RESULTADOS: As proporcoes de individuos ativos foram de 14,8% no lazer, 38,2% no trabalho, 11,7% no deslocamento e 48,5% nas atividades domesticas. Indices superiores a 60% de inativos no lazer foram observados em dez capitais. Os homens foram mais ativos que as mulheres em todos os dominios, exceto nas atividades domesticas. A proporcao de individuos ativos decresceu com o aumento da idade. A escolaridade associou-se diretamente com a atividade fisica no lazer. Os homens ativos no deslocamento tiveram maior chance de ser ativos no lazer, enquanto que as pessoas inativas no trabalho tiveram maior chance de serem ativas no lazer. A existencia de local para praticar atividades fisicas proximo a residencia associou-se a atividade fisica no lazer. CONCLUSOES: Os resultados obtidos sao importantes para o monitoramento dos niveis de atividades fisicas no Brasil. Para a promocao das atividades fisicas, deve-se considerar as diferencas entre homens e mulheres, as diferencas nas faixas etarias e nos niveis de escolaridade. Deve-se investir principalmente na promocao das atividades fisicas no lazer e como forma de deslocamento e em locais adequados para a pratica proximos as residencias.