Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Atypical Protein Kinase C-ζ Stimulates Thyrotropin-Independent Proliferation in Rat Thyroid Cells1.

Several reports have indicated that protein kinase C (PKC) is an important regulator of proliferation in thyroid cells. Unlike TSH, the mitogenic effects of phorbol esters are accompanied by de-differentiation. The role of individual PKC isoforms in thyroid cell proliferation and differentiation has not been examined. Recent studies have implicated the atypical PKCζ, a phorbol ester-unresponsive isozyme, in cell proliferation, death, and survival. We overexpressed PKCζ in Wistar rat thyroid (WRT) cells and determined that PKCζ conferred TSH-independent DNA synthesis and cell proliferation. Cells overexpressing PKCζ show higher levels of phosphorylated p42/p44 MAPK compared with vector-transfected cells. Experiments using a luciferase reporter for Elk-1 revealed that PKCζ overexpressing cells exhibit higher basal Elk-1 transcriptional activity than vector-transfected control cells. Interestingly, stimulation of Elk-1 transcriptional activity by MEK1, a p42/p44 MAPK kinase, was significantly enhanced in cel.
Local Interactions in Neural Networks Explain Global Effects in Gestalt Processing and Masking

One of the fundamental and puzzling questions in vision research is how objects are segmented from their backgrounds and how object formation evolves in time. The recently discovered shine-through effect allows one to study object segmentation and object formation of a masked target depending on the spatiotemporal Gestalt of the masking stimulus (Herzog & Koch, 2001). In the shine-through effect, a vernier (two abutting lines) precedes a grating for a very short time. For small gratings, the vernier remains invisible while it regains visibility as a shine-through element for extended and homogeneous gratings. However, even subtle deviations from the homogeneity of the grating diminish or even abolish shinethrough. At first glance, these results suggest that explanations of these effects have to rely on high-level Gestalt terminology such as homogeneity rather than on low-level properties such as luminance (Herzog, Fahle, & Koch, 2001). Here, we show that a simple neural network model of the Wilson-Cowan type qualitatively and quantitatively explains the basic effects in the shine-through paradigm, although the model does not contain any explicit, global Gestalt processing. Visibility of the target vernier corresponds to transient activation of neural populations resulting from the dynamics of local lateral interactions of excitatory and inhibitory layers of neural populations.
Caregiver Perspectives About Assistive Technology Use With Their Young Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders

The purpose was to examine how caregivers of infants and toddlers with autism spectrum disorder view theirdaily activities/routines and in what way, if any, assistive technology (AT) acts as a support. A total of 134 families who reported their child's disability as autism spectrum disorder/pervasive developmental disordercompleted a survey designed to gain information about activities/routines (eg, bath time, mealtime, etc) andpotential use of AT to support a child's participation in the routine. Frequency counts were utilized todetermine the percentage of caregiver responses in each activity/routine category. Responses to open-ended questionswere examined and coded to supplement the information gained through the forced-choice questions. Results indicatedthat caregivers reported difficulties with all sampled activities/routine. The problem reported most frequently(39.9%) was a child's inability to participate in the routine. Less than half of the caregivers reportedbeing able to find solutions that incorporated the use of AT. Although some caregivers reported using AT, actual useof AT was minimal. In addition, caregivers reported limited support and training on the use of AT. Assistivetechnology has been established as an effective means of providing intervention during daily activities/routines. Research indicates caregivers have large misconceptions about what AT is and receive minimal support from theirearly intervention providers in understanding AT.
SPECTACLES OF ETHNICITY: FESTIVALS AND THE COMMODIFICATION OF ETHNIC CULTURE AMONG LOUISIANA CAJUNS

Drawing on the example of the Louisiana Cajuns, an ethnic group that has been enjoying a wave of popular revival in recent years, this study suggests that changes in the perception of an ethnic identity are related to socioeconomic transformation. We identify the festival as a key aspect of the Cajun revival since the 1960s. An examination of the history, activities, and contemporary spatiotemporal organization of festivals reveals similarities to other aspects of a society of mass consumption. Niche marketing , the structuring of recreation around the modern work week, and the establishment of personal identity through the purchase of symbolically rich commodities are all embodied in present - day Cajun festivals. At the same time, the consumption of ethnic commodities is linked by the consumers with a sense of tradition and descent from a mythic past. The festivals of southwestern Louisiana are, in this sense, invented traditions and, paradoxically, a measure of the assimilation of this particular ethni.
Adnostic: Privacy Preserving Targeted Advertising

Online behavioral advertising (OBA) refers to the practice of tracking users across web sites in order to infer user interests and preferences. These interests and preferences are then used for selecting ads to present to the user. There is great concern that behavioral advertising in its present form infringes on user privacy. The resulting public debate — which includes consumer advocacy organizations, professional associations, and government agencies — is premised on the notion that OBA and privacy are inherently in conflict.In this paper we propose a practical architecture that enables targeting without compromising user privacy. Behavioral profiling and targeting in our system takes place in the user’s browser. We discuss the effectiveness of the system as well as potential social engineering and web-based attacks on the architecture. One complication is billing; ad-networks must bill the correct advertiser without knowing which ad was displayed to the user. We propose an efficient cryptographic billing system that directly solves the problem. We implemented the core targeting system as a Firefox extension and report on its effectiveness.
Uncovering the Hidden Power of Language: Critical Race Theory, Critical Language Socialization and Multicultural Families in Korea

This study utilizes critical race theory and critical language socialization to unpack embedded ideologies regarding language usage and immigrant wives’ heritage language transmission within multicultural families in Korea. Specifically, this study unveils hidden structures and beliefs which hinder or promote immigrant women’s use of heritage languages, and its intergenerational transmission. According to Sizemore, the language used by various ethnic group members often reflects their interethnic relationships. Exploring Asian female immigrants’ experiences of marginalization in Korea, this study uncovers the complex interethnic relationship among Asians, as well as show how immigrant wives’ language usage reflects power relations within Korea.
Teachers’ Commitment and psychological well-being: implications of self-beliefs for teaching in Hong Kong

Despite ample research on commitment in industrial settings, there has been no systematic attempt to investigate outcomes associated with teacher commitment. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the relationship between teacher commitment and psychological well-being in the work place using questionnaires. Hong Kong teachers (N = 857) participated. Hierarchical regression analyses were used to investigate how the three aspects of commitment pertaining to the organisation and occupation predicted relevant outcomes. Results showed that affective and normative commitment positively predicted psychological well-being in the work place: interpersonal fit at work, thriving at work, feeling of competency, perceived recognition at work, desire for involvement at work and job satisfaction. Continuance commitment was a negative predictor of some outcomes. Results of the current study provide support to Meyer’s 3 × 2 factor model of commitment. Findings are discussed in relation to the situation of teachers in the Hong Kong context.
Family Relations and the Self-esteem of Adolescents and their Parents

Previous research, especially that of Gecas and Schwalbe (1986), relating adolescent self- esteem to parental support, control, and participation is extended in the present investigation, which examines the effects of parent-adolescent communication and investigates dimensions of parent-adolescent interaction that predict parents' self-esteem. The findings suggest that (a) adolescents and their parents have similar but distinct perceptions of their relationships; and (b) self-perceptions of these relationships, especially self-judgments of communication, are important in predicting levels of self-esteem for both adolescents and their parents. Our discussion focuses on gender differences in the relationships reported, the central role of communication within the family unit, and the reciprocal character of parent-adolescent socialization.
Test Review: Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Self-Report version

The Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function–Self-Report version (BRIEF-SR) is the first self-report measure of executive functioning for adolescents. With the Individuals With Disabilities Education Improvement Act authorization, there is a greater need for appropriate assessment of severely impaired children. Recent studies have demonstrated the importance of executive functioning as a component of a complete evaluation (D’Amato, Fletcher-Janzen, & Reynolds, 2005). The BRIEF-SR aids in the diagnosis and treatment of problems related to executive functioning. Due to the brief nature of the form, it can be administered without adding significant time to the assessment process and should take about 15 min to complete. In fact, the self-report nature of this measure allows for the form to be completed away from a typical testing setting. The structure of the test allows for the collection of valuable information in a short period of time.
Field dependence and interpersonal behavior.

People with a field-dependent or field-independent cognitive style are different in their interpersonal behavior in ways predicted from the theory of psychological differentiation. Field-dependent people make greater use of external social referents, but only when the situation is ambiguous and these referents provide information that helps remove the ambiguity; field-independent people function with greater autonomy from others under such conditions. Field-dependent people are more attentive to social cues than field-independent people. Field-dependent people have an interpersonal orientation: they show strong interest in others, prefer to be physically close to people, are emotionally open and gravitate toward social situations. Field-independent people have an impersonal orientation: they are not very interested in others, show both physical and psychological distancing from people and prefer nonsocial situations. Finally, field-dependent and field-independent people are different in an array of characteristics which make it likely that field-dependent people will get along better with others. Altogether, field-dependent people have a set of social skills that are less evident in field-independent people. On the other hand, field-independent people have greater skill in cognitive analysis and structuring. This pattern suggests that, with regard to value judgments, the field-dependence-independence dimension is bipolar; each of the contrasting cognitive styles has components adaptive to particular situations.
Perceptions of the environment, suicidal ideation and problem-solving deficits in an offender population

Purpose. This study was designed to explore relationships that exist among suicidal ideation, perceptions of the prison environment and problem-solving deficits in an offender population. Method. Participants were 46 male offenders in two separate prisons in the Republic of Ireland. A semistructured interview ascertained demographic and personal history details. Participants were (i) non-ideators with no previous parasuicide history (control group), (ii) non-ideators with a past parasuicide history (past parasuicide group), and (iii) current ideators. Participants completed the Beck Depression Inventory II, Beck Hopelessness Scale, Beck Suicidal Ideation Scale, Means-Ends Problem-Solving Scale and Prison Preference Inventory. Results. Participants in the current ideator and past parasuicide groups had significantly higher preferences for privacy and significantly lower preferences for social stimulation within the prison environment than did the control group. There were no significant differences in the number of problem-solving means produced among the three groups. Participants in the control group offered significantly more active relevant problem-solving means than did participants in the other two groups. The current ideator group produced significantly more passive relevant problem-solving means than did the past parasuicide and control groups. Conclusions. The significant differences in perceptions of the prison environment may be indicative of different coping mechanisms used to adapt to time in prison. It is concluded that the lack of significant differences in the generation of passive relevant problem-solving means are related to parasuicide history. The lack of significant differences in the number of problem-solving means produced is accounted for by the prevalence of problem-solving deficits among an offender population.
Curriculum Tracking and Delinquency.

The hypothesis that placement in a noncollege curriculum track causes losses in self-esteem and increased delinquency was examined in a nationally representative, longitudinal sample of over 1600 high school boys. A status attainment perspective from the sociology of education was used to conceptualize tracking influences on delinquency suggested by delinquency theories, and path models were employed to explore various assumptions about the development of delinquency. The results did not support the findings of earlier cross-sectional and correlational research that noncollege track placement would lower self-esteem and cause delinquency. Controlling for background, ability, school attachment, self-esteem, and educational and occupational aspirations, delinquency in the senior year of high school and one year after graduation were best predicted by sophomore levels of delinquency. These results suggest that school socialization experiences occurring earlier than high school be searched for causes of delinquency among boys. (abstract Adapted from Source: American Sociological Review, 1982. Copyright © 1982 by the American Sociological Association) Educational Factors Educational Attainment Educational Aspirations Juvenile Male Juvenile Delinquency Juvenile Offender Juvenile Self-Esteem Low Self-Esteem Delinquency Causes Educational Aspirations Senior High School Student Late Adolescence Early Adolescence School Performance School Achievement Male Delinquency Male Offender Male Self-Esteem 07-02
Computer-Mediated Word-of-Mouth Communication: The Influence of Mixed Reviews on Student Perceptions of Instructors and Courses

The purpose of this experiment was to test the influence of mixed reviews appearing as computer-mediated word-of-mouth communication (WOM) on student perceptions of instructors (attractiveness and credibility) and attitudes toward learning course content (affective learning and state motivation). Using the heuristic-systematic processing model, it was hypothesized that students who received positive valence computer-mediated WOM about an instructor would perceive the instructor as more credible and attractive and would report greater levels of affective learning and state motivation to learn than students who received negative information, mixed-valence information, or no information (control). It was further hypothesized that students who received mixed-valence information would not differ significantly in their ratings of instructors or courses when compared to the control group. Both hypotheses were supported. Results are discussed in light of the heuristic-systematic processing model. The implications for instructional communication and online rating systems are addressed.
Enhancing factor, a Paneth cell specific protein from mouse small intestines: predicted amino acid sequence from RT-PCR amplified cDNA and its expression.

Enhancing factor (EF), a Paneth cell specific growth factor modulator, has been identified in our laboratory from mouse small intestines. In this paper we describe generation of an EF specific cDNA by RT-PCR and its sequence. The predicted amino acid sequence was found to be similar to, and hence confirms, the partial amino acid sequence obtained earlier by protein sequencing. In Northern blot analysis, a 1kb transcript was observed in intestinal RNA alone. In situ hybridization indicated that the EF gene is expressed exclusively in the Paneth cells. The present study indicates that EF is an isoform of PLA2 type II, with a unique tissue distribution, found predominantly in the Paneth cells of the small intestines. Further, based on the properties of EF, we propose that isoforms of PLA2, belonging to type II, may be involved in regulation of cell proliferation via EGF binding.
Impaired Cardiac Sympathetic Innervation and Myocardial Perfusion Are Related to Lethal Arrhythmia: Quantification of Cardiac Tracers in Patients with ICDs

Despite widespread prophylactic use of implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) therapy, sudden cardiac death and refractory arrhythmia events are still important clinical issues to be overcome. We examined whether the impairment of cardiac sympathetic innervation and myocardial perfusion is responsible for lethal arrhythmic events and has prognostic value by comparing conventional clinical indices. Methods: In consecutive ICDs implanted in 60 patients, cardiac uptake of 123I-metaiodobenzylguanidine and 99mTc-tetrofosmin at rest was quantified, and then patients were prospectively followed with endpoints of appropriate ICD shocks or cardiac death. Cardiac metaiodobenzylguanidine activity was quantified as a heart-to-mediastinum ratio (HMR), and impaired tetrofosmin uptake was graded as a summed score (SS) using a computerized technique with a percentage of tracer uptake. Results: During a mean 29-mo interval, ICD shock was documented in 30 patients (50%); 3 cardiac deaths were also observed in this group of patients. Patients with ICD shocks had a significantly smaller HMR and a greater SS than did those without (1.73 ± 0.34 vs. 2.06 ± 0.46, P = 0.003, and 18.0 ± 16.2 vs. 5.7 ± 4.4, P = 0.001, respectively). Kaplan–Meier analysis showed that patients who had both an HMR of 1.90 or less and an SS of 12 or greater had a significantly greater ICD discharge rate than did those who had both an HMR greater than 1.90 and an SS less than 12 (94% vs. 18%, P < 0.005) (log rank, 15.14; P < 0.0005). Multivariate analysis with a Cox model identified the greatest Wald χ2 of 6.454 and a hazard ratio of 3.857 (P = 0.011) when an HMR of 1.9 or less and tetrofosmin SS of 12 or greater were combined. Conclusion: Impairment of cardiac sympathetic innervation and myocardial perfusion is related to lethal arrhythmic events leading to sudden death, and the combined assessment of these can identify patients for whom prophylactic ICD use has the greatest potential.
COGNITIVE AGING AND PHYSICAL EXERCISE

Links between successful cognitive aging and physical exercise have been repeatedly suggested, but are still equivocal in the literature. Determination of the nature of these effects may be of considerable importance for the success of older adults in a variety of traditional and nontraditional educational and training settings. In the present study, young and older adults with different current patterns of exercise were recruited. A standard test of cognitive abilities, the Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test (KBIT), was administered, together with an evaluation of free recall of pictorial and verbal stimuli, under conditions which either maximized or minimized the opportunity for respondents to use semantic support. These manipulations made it possible to evaluate the relationship between exercise and cognitive performance in several relevant areas of cognition simultaneously. As expected, the pattern of results obtained was complex; the influence of exercise on cognitive performance proved to be highly domain-specific. Exercise was not related to the intellectual abilities evaluated by the KBIT, but did have effects on recall. Specifically, exercise in young adults resulted in better recall of categorized stimuli than did its relative absence. No such effects of semantic support were found with older adults; however, relatively high levels of exercise did result in better recall of verbal stimuli, but not pictorial stimuli, for older adults. Results indicate that salutary effects of exercise on cognitive functioning across the adult lifespan exist, but that these influences are confined to specific areas of cognitive performance.
Social Status of Learning Disabled Children and Adolescents: A Review

Low social status is frequently ascribed to learning disabled children and adolescents. This article reviews published investigations of social status among learning disabled children, adolescents, and adults. Results indicate that, contrary to prevailing assumptions, not all or even most learning disabled persons are held in low esteem by their teachers, parents, and peers. In fact, some learning disabled students are popular. Therefore, as a group, the learning disabled may merely be at greater risk for attaining low social status.
LMS estimation via structural detection

We consider the LMS estimation of a channel that may be well approximated by an FIR model with only a few nonzero tap coefficients within a given delay horizon or tap length n. When the number of nonzero tap coefficients m is small compared with the delay horizon n, the performance of the LMS estimator is greatly enhanced when this specific structure is exploited. We propose a consistent algorithm that performs identification of nonzero taps only. The results are illustrated via a simulation study.
NOW or NOT NOW: Coordinating Restarts in the Pursuit of Learnables in Vocal Master Classes

During the pursuit of learnables in vocal master classes, masters frequently produce lengthy clusters of directives, while students and accompanists orient to early opportunities for putting directives into practice. Participants are therefore faced with a continuous necessity to negotiate whether a directive is to be put into practice “now” or “not now. ” Accompanists typically initiate musical (re)performances and are therefore the first to respond to a master's instruction completion, often preempting it early on in a master's potentially final turn constructional unit. Master class participants have to coordinate two action types: masters orient to giving instructions through talk; students and pianists orient primarily to restarting the musical performance.