Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Soil-Transmitted Helminth Infections and Correlated Risk Factors in Preschool and School-Aged Children in Rural Southwest China

We conducted a survey of 1707 children in 141 impoverished rural areas of Guizhou and Sichuan Provinces in Southwest China. Kato-Katz smear testing of stool samples elucidated the prevalence of ascariasis, trichuriasis and hookworm infections in pre-school and school aged children. Demographic, hygiene, household and anthropometric data were collected to better understand risks for infection in this population. 21.2 percent of pre-school children and 22.9 percent of school aged children were infected with at least one of the three types of STH. In Guizhou, 33.9 percent of pre-school children were infected, as were 40.1 percent of school aged children. In Sichuan, these numbers were 9.7 percent and 6.6 percent, respectively. Number of siblings, maternal education, consumption of uncooked meat, consumption of unboiled water, and livestock ownership all correlated significantly with STH infection. Through decomposition analysis, we determined that these correlates made up 26.7 percent of the difference in STH infection between the two provinces. Multivariate analysis showed that STH infection is associated with significantly lower weight-for-age and height-for-age z-scores; moreover, older children infected with STHs lag further behind on the international growth scales than younger children.
A Research on Critical Thinking Tendencies and Factors that Affect Critical Thinking of Higher Education Students

This study was conducted to determine the relationship between critical thinking tendencies and levels and thefactors that affect the critical thinking tendencies of higher education students. In the study, critical thinkingtendencies of freshman and senior students were analyzed depending on demographic features, faculties anddepartments.The research was done on the students of U? ak University. In the study, the data collected through surveys wereanalyzed through regression analysis in order to determine the effects of the dependent and independentvariables; frequency and percentage values, reliability, item factor analysis, KAISER-MEYER-OLKIN:measure of sampling adequacy test, Bartlett's test of sphericity using SPSS 18.0.
Book Review: The End of Corporate Social Responsibility: Crisis and Critique

Scholarship on corporate social responsibility has proliferated in the last couple of decades. Sustained research in this area had engendered greater analytical precision in terms of understanding CSR’s scope, antecedents and outcomes. While there remains no consensus as to what the term precisely means, the extant literature, by and large, concludes that it holds significant benefits both for the businesses that adopt CSR initiatives and for the broader communities in which these businesses are located. This win-win or doing well by being good perspective underscores how CSR can be the quintessential source by which to abridge the disjuncture in the interests of business versus society. Perhaps for this reason, CSR has become a mainstay in the discourses occurring within corporations, business schools and the popular press. In their text, The End of Corporate Social Responsibility: Crisis and Critique, Peter Fleming and Marc Jones provide a thorough intervention to this perspective by forwarding an incisive appraisal of the research and the practice of CSR. Indeed, moving against the current of mainstream interpretations, which have systematically outlined the benefits of CSR and which have been circulated by scholars in the field of organization and management studies with great enthusiasm, Fleming and Jones question the very utility of the idea. For them, the discourse of CSR poses a series of pejorative outcomes that ought to be brought to social consciousness and appropriately deconstructed. Working from this ‘critical’ framework, they argue, through various contextualized examples, that CSR, contrary to its conventional depictions, is purposefully and strategically invoked by corporate leaders to acquire legitimacy or to otherwise increase the likelihood of their firm’s success – and, for them, this notion of success caters, almost exclusively, to the interests of the economic bottom line. Fleming and Jones open their book with the provocative and cynical assertion that ‘corporate social responsibility never really began’ (p. 1), a theme that is explicitly articulated and rearticulated throughout the text. They predicate their assertion on the claim that ‘the majority of its proponents claim to free us somehow from the excesses of a system that is itself excessive (i.e. neo-liberal capitalism)’ (p. 96). As such, Fleming and Jones take their theoretical departure from the argument – which has already been propagated in the extant literature that critically approaches questions of political economy (e.g. Banerjee, 2008) – that CSR initiatives are a functional component of the current system of neo-liberal capitalism. It is at the problematic interface between the discourse of CSR and the discursive edifices that sustain neo-liberal capitalism that the most illuminating insights of this text are to be found. 495341OSS341110.1177/0170840613495341Organization StudiesBook Review 2013
Do Suicide Survivors Report Near-Death Experiences?

Interviews with thirty-six persons who had been close to death as a result of a suicide attempt were conducted to determine whether such persons report Moody-type near-death experiences. Seventeen persons, or 47 per cent of the sample, related such experiences which were more common for men than women (p <.05). Although suicide-related near-death experiences do not appear different from near-death experiences in general, three distinct patterns were found here. The findings are discussed with reference to the concept of ego-death and their therapeutic implications are explored.
Growth and Methane Oxidation Rates of Anaerobic Methanotrophic Archaea in a Continuous-Flow Bioreactor

ABSTRACT Anaerobic methanotrophic archaea have recently been identified in anoxic marine sediments, but have not yet been recovered in pure culture. Physiological studies on freshly collected samples containing archaea and their sulfate-reducing syntrophic partners have been conducted, but sample availability and viability can limit the scope of these experiments. To better study microbial anaerobic methane oxidation, we developed a novel continuous-flow anaerobic methane incubation system (AMIS) that simulates the majority of in situ conditions and supports the metabolism and growth of anaerobic methanotrophic archaea. We incubated sediments collected from within and outside a methane cold seep in Monterey Canyon, Calif. , for 24 weeks on the AMIS system. Anaerobic methane oxidation was measured in all sediments after incubation on AMIS, and quantitative molecular techniques verified the increases in methane-oxidizing archaeal populations in both seep and nonseep sediments. Our results demonstrate that the AMIS system stimulated the maintenance and growth of anaerobic methanotrophic archaea, and possibly their syntrophic, sulfate-reducing partners. Our data demonstrate the utility of combining physiological and molecular techniques to quantify the growth and metabolic activity of anaerobic microbial consortia. Further experiments with the AMIS system should provide a better understanding of the biological mechanisms of methane oxidation in anoxic marine environments. The AMIS may also enable the enrichment, purification, and isolation of methanotrophic archaea as pure cultures or defined syntrophic consortia.
MK-1775, a Novel Wee1 Kinase Inhibitor, Radiosensitizes p53-Defective Human Tumor Cells

Purpose: Radiotherapy is commonly used to treat a variety of solid tumors. However, improvements in the therapeutic ratio for several disease sites are sorely needed, leading us to assess molecularly targeted therapeutics as radiosensitizers. The aim of this study was to assess the wee1 kinase inhibitor, MK-1775, for its ability to radiosensitize human tumor cells. Experimental Design: Human tumor cells derived from lung, breast, and prostate cancers were tested for radiosensitization by MK-1775 using clonogenic survival assays. Both p53 wild-type and p53-defective lines were included. The ability of MK-1775 to abrogate the radiation-induced G2 block, thereby allowing cells harboring DNA lesions to prematurely progress into mitosis, was determined using flow cytometry and detection of γ-H2AX foci. The in vivo efficacy of the combination of MK-1775 and radiation was assessed by tumor growth delay experiments using a human lung cancer cell line growing as a xenograft tumor in nude mice. Results: Clonogenic survival analyses indicated that nanomolar concentrations of MK-1775 radiosensitized p53-defective human lung, breast, and prostate cancer cells but not similar lines with wild-type p53. Consistent with its ability to radiosensitize, MK-1775 abrogated the radiation-induced G2 block in p53-defective cells but not in p53 wild-type lines. MK-1775 also significantly enhanced the antitumor efficacy of radiation in vivo as shown in tumor growth delay studies, again for p53-defective tumors. Conclusions: These results indicate that p53-defective human tumor cells are significantly radiosensitized by the potent and selective wee1 kinase inhibitor, MK-1775, in both the in vitro and in vivo settings. Taken together, our findings strongly support the clinical evaluation of MK-1775 in combination with radiation. Clin Cancer Res; 17(17); 5638–48. ©2011 AACR.
Aging, Retrograde Amnesia, and the Binding Problem for Phonology and Orthography: A Longitudinal Study of “Hippocampal Amnesic” H.M.

This study develops and tests a theory of aging and long-term retrograde amnesia (RA) that extends to word retrieval, including the seemingly simple retrieval task of reading isolated words. Under the theory, transmission deficits due to aging, nonrecent use of connections, and infrequent use of connections over the lifespan cause mild and reversible RA in normals but severe and irreversible RA in amnesics who cannot readily form new connections to replace nonfunctioning ones. Consistent with this theory, “hippocampal amnesic” H.M. exhibited little or no retrieval deficit relative to memory-normal controls in reading short, moderately high frequency words at ages 60 or 71 but exhibited accelerated age-linked declines for low frequency words that were unrelated to cerebellar function, working memory capacity, practice effects, speed-accuracy trade-off, and sensory or attentional deficits.
Translanguaging Practices as Mobilization of Linguistic Resources in a Spanish/English Bilingual After-School Program: An Analysis of Contradictions

This article discusses the results of an empirical study that examined the translanguaging practices of primary-grade, bilingual Latino students, as mediated by bilingual teacher candidates (TCs), in an after-school program in the southwestern United States. Expansive Learning theory, within the cultural-historical activity tradition, guided the analysis. The author uses the concept of internal contradictions to analyze dilemmas that emerged during the program, as they related to the participants’ language use. Results indicate that participants’ translanguaging practices inadvertently reinforced the hegemony of English, which made English, and concerns regarding testing, the object of the activity for many of the TCs. The author suggests that this tension reflects larger historical contradictions in U.S. schooling for language-minoritized children. Accordingly, she cautions about the use of flexible language policies in bilingual education, which could be used to either stabilize or transgress language hierarchies and inequalities.
Towards the Development of a Framework for Education in Software Measurement

Even though software engineering education embraces the teaching of software measurement topics, there is a lack of guidelines to address this teaching in undergraduate programs. In order to facilitate the education of these topics at the undergraduate level, a set of studies was conducted since 2010 and an educational framework is being developed based on the opinions of experts in the field. The framework provides guidelines for university teachers and instructors to facilitate the teaching and learning process of software measurement for undergraduate students or beginners in the field. The structure of this framework can be applied in other educational fields.
Design of a system-on-chip switched network and its design support

As the degree of integration increases, the on-chip communication is becoming a bottleneck. A solution to this problem is to use an on-chip switched interconnect network. Such a system-on-chip network was proposed in 2000 by the same authors. In this paper, we present the system-on-chip network in detail together with the design flow support. The choice of topology for the network, as well as some ways to use the network to overcome the future physical implementation issues of wire delay, and to gain performance, is also discussed. To aid the design choices of the network, a behavioral simulator has been created. The importance of the behavioral simulator is clearly shown from the design flow and the design and implementation of this simulator is discussed in detail.
Estradiol Induces Diurnal Shifts in GABA Transmission to Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Neurons to Provide a Neural Signal for Ovulation

Ovulation is initiated by a surge of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) secretion by the brain. GnRH is normally under negative feedback control by ovarian steroids. During sustained exposure to estradiol in the late follicular phase of the reproductive cycle, however, the feedback action of this steroid switches to positive, inducing the surge. Here, we used an established ovariectomized, estradiol-treated (OVX+E) mouse model exhibiting daily surges to investigate the neurobiological mechanisms underlying this switch. Specifically, we examined changes in GABA transmission to GnRH neurons, which can be excited by GABAA receptor activation. Spontaneous GABAergic postsynaptic currents (PSCs) were recorded in GnRH neurons from OVX+E and OVX mice in coronal and sagittal slices. There were no diurnal changes in PSC frequency in cells from OVX mice in either slice orientation. In OVX+E cells in both orientations, PSC frequency was low during negative feedback but increased at surge onset. During the surge peak, this increase subsided in coronal slices but persisted in sagittal slices. Comparison of PSCs before and during tetrodotoxin (TTX) treatment showed TTX decreased PSC frequency in OVX+E cells in sagittal slices, but not coronal slices. This indicates estradiol acts on multiple GABAergic afferent populations to increase transmission through both activity-dependent and -independent mechanisms. Estradiol also increased PSC amplitude during the surge. Estradiol and the diurnal cycle thus interact to induce shifts in both GABA transmission and postsynaptic response that would produce appropriate changes in GnRH neuron firing activity and hormone release.
A Structural Equation Model of Parental Involvement, Motivational and Aptitudinal Characteristics, and Academic Achievement

Abstract The authors used the structural equation model (SEM) approach to test a model hypothesizing the influence of parental involvement on students' academic aptitudes, self-concept, and causal attributions, as well as the influence of the 3 variables on academic achievement. The theoretical model was contrasted in a group of 12- to 18-year-old adolescents (N = 261) attending various educational centers. The results indicate that (a) parental involvement had a positive and significant influence on the participant's measured characteristics; (b) causal attribution was not causally related to self-concept or academic achievement when the task involved finding causes for success, but, self-concept and causal attributions were found to be significantly and reciprocally related when the task involved finding causes accounting for failure; (c) self-concept was statistically and predominantly causally related to academic achievement, but not vice versa; and (d) aptitude and self-concept accounted for academic achievement, although the effect of self-concept was predominant. These results suggest that in adolescence, cognitive-affective variables become crucial in accounting for academic behavior.
A frequency response method to estimate inductance profile of switched reluctance motor

Inductance profile has an important bearing on the performance of a switched reluctance motor (SRM). This paper presents the results of a frequency response method to estimate the inductance profile of SRMs. The stator winding is energized by a variable voltage variable frequency supply. An approximate equivalent circuit incorporating stator resistance, winding inductance and loss component has been used to estimate the inductance at different rotor positions. The inductance value is obtained over a band of rotor positions spanning one rotor pole pitch. Supply frequency is varied from 10 Hz to 55 Hz. The method is found to be simpler to the one using DC switching and processing of transient response. Interestingly, inductance at any given rotor position is not found to be sensitive to excitation frequency. However, as could be expected, core loss under test condition is very sensitive to supply frequency. Typical test results on a 4 kW, 8/6 pole, 4 phase SRM are presented and discussed.
Undergraduate Internships in Accounting: What and How do Singapore Interns Learn from Experience?

Abstract This paper reports on an exploratory study to elicit the impact of internships on accounting students: what interns had learnt; the process by which they learnt; the effect of what had been learnt on their expectations of the accounting profession; and their choice of a future career. The methodology involved qualitative data, with quantitative analysis and testing of hypothesis. The sample was 250 accounting students in Singapore who have completed eight weeks of internship. Interns reported a number of significant learning outcomes of which the most significant were personal and interpersonal skills. Of lesser importance were technical skills. Learning by reflection was the key to supporting these outcomes. The student believed that what they had learnt would support their future professional development, that the internship had prepared them for their first job and that it helped them to choose their career. The framework of Goleman's (1995) theory of Emotional Intelligence (New York: Bantam Books) was used to explain the results.
Dynamic Analysis of Gear and Rack Transmission System

This paper firstly established a three-dimensional modal of gear and rack transmission system. By using finite element analysis software the model is analyzed and the first six natural frequencies of the gear and rack transmission system are acquired. According to the natural frequencies, actual working speed can be adjusted to avoid resonance. In light of the modal analysis, the transient dynamic finite element model of the gear and rack transmission system is established for the transient dynamic analysis. According to the equivalent stress contour of the gear and rack in contact progress at various times and based on transient dynamic analysis, contact strength and bending strength of the gear are verified and the maximum equivalent stress position is found, providing a theoretical basis for the optimization of the gear and rack.
History of winning remodels thalamo-PFC circuit to reinforce social dominance

The brain circuits of a winner Social dominance in mice depends on their history of winning in social contests. Zhou et al. found that this effect is mediated by neuronal projections from the thalamus to a brain region called the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex. Selective manipulation of synapses driven by this input revealed a causal relationship between circuit activity and mental effort–based dominance behavior. Thus, synapses in this pathway store the memory of previous winning or losing history. Science, this issue p. 162 Synaptic plasticity of a thalamo–prefrontal cortex circuit underlies the winner effect and transfer of social dominance in mice. Mental strength and history of winning play an important role in the determination of social dominance. However, the neural circuits mediating these intrinsic and extrinsic factors have remained unclear. Working in mice, we identified a dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (dmPFC) neural population showing “effort”-related firing during moment-to-moment competition in the dominance tube test. Activation or inhibition of the dmPFC induces instant winning or losing, respectively. In vivo optogenetic-based long-term potentiation and depression experiments establish that the mediodorsal thalamic input to the dmPFC mediates long-lasting changes in the social dominance status that are affected by history of winning. The same neural circuit also underlies transfer of dominance between different social contests. These results provide a framework for understanding the circuit basis of adaptive and pathological social behaviors.
Driving in mild cognitive impairment: The role of depressive symptoms

ABSTRACT Objectives: Previous studies indicate a negative association between depression and driving fitness in the general population. Our goal was to cover a gap in the literature and to explore the link between depressive symptoms and driving behavior in individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) through the use of a driving simulator experiment. Methods: Twenty-four individuals with MCI (mean age = 67.42, SD = 7.13) and 23 cognitively healthy individuals (mean age = 65.13, SD = 7.21) were introduced in the study. A valid driving license and regular car use served as main inclusion criteria. Data collection included a neurological/neuropsychological assessment and a driving simulator evaluation. Depressive symptomatology was assessed with the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Results: Significant interaction effects indicating a greater negative impact of depressive symptoms in drivers with MCI than in cognitively healthy drivers were observed in the case of various driving indexes, namely, average speed, accident risk, side bar hits, headway distance, headway distance variation, and lateral position variation. The associations between depressive symptoms and driving behavior remained significant after controlling for daytime sleepiness and cognition. Conclusions: Depressive symptoms could be a factor explaining why certain patients with MCI present altered driving skills. Therefore, interventions for treating the depressive symptoms of individuals with MCI could prove to be beneficial regarding their driving performance.