Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cognitive-Affective Neural Plasticity following Active-Controlled Mindfulness Intervention

Mindfulness meditation is a set of attention-based, regulatory, and self-inquiry training regimes. Although the impact of mindfulness training (MT) on self-regulation is well established, the neural mechanisms supporting such plasticity are poorly understood. MT is thought to act through interoceptive salience and attentional control mechanisms, but until now conflicting evidence from behavioral and neural measures renders difficult distinguishing their respective roles. To resolve this question we conducted a fully randomized 6 week longitudinal trial of MT, explicitly controlling for cognitive and treatment effects with an active-control group. We measured behavioral metacognition and whole-brain blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) signals using functional MRI during an affective Stroop task before and after intervention in healthy human subjects. Although both groups improved significantly on a response-inhibition task, only the MT group showed reduced affective Stroop conflict. Moreover, the MT group displayed greater dorsolateral prefrontal cortex responses during executive processing, consistent with increased recruitment of top-down mechanisms to resolve conflict. In contrast, we did not observe overall group-by-time interactions on negative affect-related reaction times or BOLD responses. However, only participants with the greatest amount of MT practice showed improvements in response inhibition and increased recruitment of dorsal anterior cingulate cortex, medial prefrontal cortex, and right anterior insula during negative valence processing. Our findings highlight the importance of active control in MT research, indicate unique neural mechanisms for progressive stages of mindfulness training, and suggest that optimal application of MT may differ depending on context, contrary to a one-size-fits-all approach.
Missing in Action: The Information System Artifact in Information Systems Adoption and Use

Despite considerable research on information systems adoption and use by individuals, little is known about how the information system (IS) artifact itself affects adoption and use. Prior research has generally treated the IS artifact as a “blackbox” such that it remained peripheral to the central questions asked regarding adoption and use. This paper presents a feature-centric “IS artifact rating” scheme and shows one way in which to unravel the blackbox of the IS artifact and examine its effect on adoption and use. Implications for research and practice are also presented.
Image-Error-Based Level of Detail for Landscape Visualization

We present a quasi-continuous level of detail method that is based on an image error metric to minimize the visual error. The method is designed for objects of high geometric complexity such as trees. By successive simplifications, it constructs a level of detail hierarchy of unconnected primitives (ellipsoids, lines) to approximate the input models at increasingly coarser levels. The hierarchy is constructed automatically without manual intervention. When rendering roughly 100k model instances at a low visual error compared to rendering the full resolution model, our method is two times faster than billboard clouds.
Multiple Chronic Conditions Among Outpatient Pediatric Patients, Southeastern Michigan, 2008–2013

Studies investigating the prevalence of multiple chronic conditions (MCCs) and their associated health care cost and use among pediatric populations have been limited. Among 14,404 pediatric patients receiving outpatient care in southeastern Michigan from 2008 through 2013, 82.1% had 0 chronic conditions, 16.2% had 1 chronic condition, and 1.6% had 2 or more chronic conditions. Greater numbers of chronic conditions significantly predicted outpatient cost (β = 581.7, P < .001), visit frequency (β = 9.1, P < .001), and days between appointments (β = −33.9, P < .001). Further study of MCCs among pediatric patients is needed given their increasing prevalence and their associated health care cost and use.
The cultural aspect

Aims: To examine the cultural impact on the diagnosis of alcohol-use disorders using European countries as examples. Design: Narrative review. Results: There are strong cultural norms guiding heavy drinking occasions and loss of control. These norms not only indicate what drinking behaviour is acceptable, but also whether certain behaviours can be reported or not. As modern diagnostic systems are based on lists of mostly behavioural criteria, where alcohol-use disorders are defined by a positive answer on at least one, two or three of these criteria, culture will inevitably co-determine how many people will get a diagnosis. This explains the multifold differences in incidence and prevalence of alcohol-use disorders, even between countries where the average drinking levels are similar. Thus, the incidence and prevalence of alcohol-use disorders as assessed by surveys or rigorous application of standardised instruments must be judged as measuring social norms as well as the intended mental disorder. Conclusions: Current practice to measure alcohol-use disorders based on a list of culture-specific diagnostic criteria results in incomparability in the incidence, prevalence or disease burden between countries. For epidemiological purposes, a more grounded definition of diagnostic criteria seems necessary, which could probably be given by using heavy drinking over time.
The influence of decoupling capacitor on the discharge behavior of fully silcided power-clamped device under HBM ESD event

In this paper, a new electrostatic-charge discharge (ESD) phenomenon is found. It occurs at the power pad during the human-body model (HBM) zapping event. We call this new ESD phenomenon as the charged capacitor model (CCM). Unlike the IO pad under the HBM event, the power pad under the HBM zapping event doesn't behave the same with IO pad if it is in parallel with a large decoupling capacitor. Before the power-clamped device (Pdev) turns on, the charges will flow from the HBM discharge head to the decoupling capacitor below the power line. After the Pdev turns on, the decoupling capacitor will discharge its stored charges to give the additional stress current to the Pdev. Compared to the HBM event, the rising time of the CCM is much shorter since the decoupling capacitor is connected to the Pdev by a metal bus line. Under such short rising time pulse, only few regions of the device can be turned on to discharge the charges, resulting in the HBM failure threshold voltage of the power pad much smaller than the desired voltage level.
A Formal Framework for Cryptanalyzing RFID Distance Bounding Protocols

Many distance bounding protocols appropriate for RFID technology have been proposed recently. However, the design and the analysis of these protocols are not based on a formal perspective. Motivated by this need, a formal framework is presented that helps the future attempts to cryptanalyze and design new distance bounding protocols. We first formalize the adversary scenarios, the protocol means, and the adversary goals in general. Then, we focus on the formalism for RFID systems by describing and extending the adversary strategies and the prover model. Two recently published distance bounding protocols are cryptanalyzed using our formal framework to demonstrate its relevancy and efficiency. Our formalism thus allows to prove that the adversary success probabilities are higher than the originally claimed ones.
Synaptic Properties of Corticocortical Connections between the Primary and Secondary Visual Cortical Areas in the Mouse

Despite the importance of corticocortical connections, few published studies have investigated the functional, synaptic properties of such connections in any species, because most studies have been purely anatomical or aimed at functional features other than synaptic properties. We recently published a study of synaptic properties of connections between the primary and secondary cortical auditory areas in brain slices from the mouse, and, in the present study, we aimed to extend this by performing analogous studies of the primary and secondary visual areas (V1 and V2). We found effectively the same results. That is, connections between V1 and V2 in both directions were quite similar; in each case, the glutamatergic inputs could be classified as one of two types, Class 1B (formerly “driver”) and Class 2 (formerly “modulator”). There is a clear laminar correlation for these different inputs, in terms of both the laminae of origin and those in which the recorded cells were located. Our data suggest a common pattern to the functional organization of corticocortical connectivity in the mouse cortex.
Hypercapnic blood pressure response is greater during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle.

We investigated the cardiovascular responses to acute hypercapnia during the menstrual cycle. Eleven female subjects with regular menstrual cycles performed hypercapnic rebreathing tests during the follicular and luteal phases of their menstrual cycles. Ventilatory and cardiovascular variables were recorded breath by breath. Serum progesterone and estradiol were measured on each occasion. Serum progesterone was higher during the luteal [50.4 +/- 9.6 (SE) nmol/l] than during the follicular phase (2.1 +/- 0.7 nmol/l; P < 0.001), but serum estradiol did not differ (follicular phase, 324 +/- 101 pmol/l; luteal phase, 162 +/- 71 pmol/l; P = 0.61). The systolic blood pressure responses during hypercapnia were 2.0 +/- 0.3 and 4.0 +/- 0.5 mmHg/Torr (1 Torr = 1 mmHg rise in end-tidal PCO2) during the follicular and luteal phases, respectively, of the menstrual cycle (P < 0.01). The diastolic blood pressure responses were 1.1 +/- 0.2 and 2.1 +/- 0.3 mmHg/Torr during the follicular and luteal phases, respectively (P < 0.002). Heart rate responses did not differ during the luteal (1.7 +/- 0.3 beats.min-1.Torr-1) and follicular phases (1.4 +/- 0.3 beats.min-1.Torr-1; P = 0.59). These data demonstrate a greater pressor response during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle that may be related to higher serum progesterone concentrations.
Estimates of the Southern Ocean general circulation improved by animal‐borne instruments

Over the last decade, several hundred seals have been equipped with conductivity‐temperature‐depth sensors in the Southern Ocean for both biological and physical oceanographic studies. A calibrated collection of seal‐derived hydrographic data is now available, consisting of more than 165,000 profiles. The value of these hydrographic data within the existing Southern Ocean observing system is demonstrated herein by conducting two state estimation experiments, differing only in the use or not of seal data to constrain the system. Including seal‐derived data substantially modifies the estimated surface mixed‐layer properties and circulation patterns within and south of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current. Agreement with independent satellite observations of sea ice concentration is improved, especially along the East Antarctic shelf. Instrumented animals efficiently reduce a critical observational gap, and their contribution to monitoring polar climate variability will continue to grow as data accuracy and spatial coverage increase.
Quantifying Multiscale Habitat Structural Complexity: A Cost-Effective Framework for Underwater 3D Modelling

Coral reef habitat structural complexity influences key ecological processes, ecosystem biodiversity, and resilience. Measuring structural complexity underwater is not trivial and researchers have been searching for accurate and cost-effective methods that can be applied across spatial extents for over 50 years. This study integrated a set of existing multi-view, image-processing algorithms, to accurately compute metrics of structural complexity (e.g., ratio of surface to planar area) underwater solely from images. This framework resulted in accurate, high-speed 3D habitat reconstructions at scales ranging from small corals to reef-scapes (10s km2). Structural complexity was accurately quantified from both contemporary and historical image datasets across three spatial scales: (i) branching coral colony (Acropora spp.); (ii) reef area (400 m2); and (iii) reef transect (2 km). At small scales, our method delivered models with <1 mm error over 90% of the surface area, while the accuracy at transect scale was 85.3% ± 6% (CI). Advantages are: no need for an a priori requirement for image size or resolution, no invasive techniques, cost-effectiveness, and utilization of existing imagery taken from off-the-shelf cameras (both monocular or stereo). This remote sensing method can be integrated to reef monitoring and improve our knowledge of key aspects of coral reef dynamics, from reef accretion to habitat provisioning and productivity, by measuring and up-scaling estimates of structural complexity.
ORIENTACIÓN MOTIVACIONAL, APOYO A LA AUTONOMÍA Y NECESIDADES PSICOLÓGICAS EN BALONMANO PLAYA

El objetivo de este estudio fue examinar las relaciones entre la orientacion motivacional y la percepcion de apoyo a la autonomia con la satisfaccion de las necesidades psicologicas basicas en jugadores de balonmano playa. Participaron en el estudio 112 jugadores con edades entre 17 y 32 anos ( M = 23,23; DT = 6,81). Se utilizo el Cuestionario de Orientacion al Ego y a la Tarea en el Deporte (TEOSQ), el Cuestionario de Clima en el Deporte (SDT) para el clima de apoyo a la autonomia y la Escala de Satisfaccion de Necesidades Psicologicas Basicas (PNSE). Los analisis efectuados pusieron de manifiesto relaciones significativas entre los constructos estudiados, destacando que el apoyo a la autonomia fue el factor que mejor predijo las tres necesidades psicologicas para la muestra total. Sin embargo, por genero mostraron predictores diferentes para la satisfaccion de las necesidades de autonomia y relacion con los demas. PALABRAS CLAVE: Orientacion motivacional; apoyo a la autonomia; necesidades psicologicas basicas; balonmano playa. ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between motivational orientation and perceived autonomy support with the satisfaction of basic psychological needs in beach handball players. 112 players between 17 and 32 years ( M = 23.23, SD = 6.81) participated in the study. Task and Ego Orientation in Sport Questionnaire (TEOSQ), Sport Climate Questionnaire (SDT) for the climate to support autonomy and Psychological Need Satisfaction in Exercise Scale (PNSE) was used. The analysis performed showed significant relationships between the constructs studied, emphasizing support for autonomy as the best predictor of the three basic psychological needs. Nevertheless, by gender the groups showed different predictive models. KEYWORDS: Motivational orientation; autonomy support; basic psychological needs; beach handball.
Streptococcus thermophilus ST28 Ameliorates Colitis in Mice Partially by Suppression of Inflammatory Th17 Cells

The effects of Streptococcus thermophilus ST28 on cytokine production by murine splenocytes stimulated with transforming growth factor-β plus interleukin- (IL-) 6 were evaluated. The addition of ST28 significantly repressed IL-17 production compared to ATCC 19258 (type strain). ST28 also decreased the number of Th17 cells in the stimulated splenocytes. The anti-inflammatory effects of ST28 administration were evaluated in mice with colitis induced by dextran sodium sulphate (DSS). Oral treatment of mice with ST28 ameliorated the intestinal lesions by DSS. Upon DSS treatment, IL-17 production in lamina propria lymphocytes (LPLs) was induced, but ST28 significantly decreased its production. ST28 also decreased the percentage of Th17 cells in LPL from DSS-induced colitis. The present results imply that ST28 suppresses the Th17 response in inflamed intestines and would be useful in the treatment of Th17-mediated diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease.
TEACHERS QUESTIONING STRATEGIES TO ELICIT STUDENTS VERBAL RESPONSES IN EFL CLASSES AT A SECONDARY SCHOOL

This article reports on a study aimed at exploring and examining English language teachers‟ skills in questioning to enhance students‟ verbal repsonses in EFL (English as a Foreign language) classes. This was a qualitative case study, employing discourse analysis, conducted in one junior high school in a town in Central Java Province, Indonesia. The research participants were two Indonesian teachers of English language. They taught Year Eight students in the academic year of 2015/2016. The data were collected from audio-video recordings, transcripts of the lessons, classroom observations notes, and teachers‟ interviews. The transcriptions were analysed by using Wu‟s taxonomy of questioning strategies (1993) as it gave a detailed categorization of teachers‟ questions to stimulate students‟ verbal responses. The findings showed that the teachers used mostly four questioning strategies. The first teacher often applied decomposition strategy where the initial question was elaborated into some questions, while the second teacher tended to use repetition strategy. This study has shown that teachers‟ questioning skills is crucial to successfully make students engaged in the classroom interaction, enhance students‟ verbal responses, and lead to the comprehension of the lesson. Therefore, it is suggested that teachers should be more aware of their questioning skills to assist students achieve better proficiency in the English language.
ADAPTIVE MULTI-FRAME PIV

A novel approach for the time-resolved analysis of high-speed sequences of particle images is presented. The proposed method aims at the minimization of PIV errors in the lower velocity range by adjusting locally and dynamically the interframe time interval of the PIV pairs in a recorded high-speed sequence. The algorithm performs the operation on a local basis, thus providing the same level of accuracy across the full velocity dynamic range of the flow. The present results indicate a greater performance than state-of-the-art PIV analysis based on multi-grid offset PIV and is successfully applied to synthetic and real flow cases. Figure 1 shows the application of the adaptive multi-frame PIV (AMF-PIV) algorithm to a cross-flow jet. Fig.1 Distribution of the fra me interval qopt in the adaptive multi-frame PIV technique velocity vector field; application to a cross-flow jet
Social Usefulness Among Older Adults: Measure Development and Preliminary Validation

SOCIAL USEFULNESS AMONG OLDER ADULTS: MEASURE DEVELOPMENT AND PRELIMINARY VALIDATION Alayna Ann Gillespie Advisor: University of Guelph, 2011 Dr. Benjamin H. Gottlieb For older adults, engaging in prosocial behaviours such as volunteering, caregiving, and informal helping, may contribute to self-perceptions of social usefulness. Limitations of past research on social usefulness include lack of a clear operationalization of the construct and lack of a psychometrically sound measure. To address these issues, study one was conducted to explore the construct of social usefulness through qualitative, semistructured interviews with 20 older adults, with varying degrees of prosocial engagement. A thematic analysis illustrated various themes that were associated with perceptions of social usefulness that includes: (a) values and beliefs about social usefulness, (b) the personal need and motivation to be socially useful, (c) the amount of perceived personal social usefulness, (d) the perceived quality of personal social usefulness, and (e) the personal outcomes of social usefulness. These themes were used in study 2 as basis for item development for a scale of social usefulness. In study 2, social usefulness items were developed from the data extracts (i.e., quotes) and themes from study one. The items were administered to 408 older adults, along with preliminary validation measures. Exploratory factor analysis resulted in a three-factor solution that includes: (a) personal motivation to be socially useful, (b) psychological rewards of social usefulness, and (c) perceived network reliance on special social usefulness. The Older Adult Social Usefulness Scale demonstrated good construct validity, test-retest reliability, and internal consistency. The scale offers an empirically developed measure of social usefulness. The conceptual, theoretical, and practical implications of these findings, along with limitations and future research directions, are discussed.
An ATP-Binding Mutation (G334D) in KCNJ11 Is Associated With a Sulfonylurea-Insensitive Form of Developmental Delay, Epilepsy, and Neonatal Diabetes

Mutations in the pancreatic ATP-sensitive K+ channel (KATP channel) cause permanent neonatal diabetes mellitus (PNDM) in humans. All of the KATP channel mutations examined result in decreased ATP inhibition, which in turn is predicted to suppress insulin secretion. Here we describe a patient with severe PNDM, which includes developmental delay and epilepsy, in addition to neonatal diabetes (developmental delay, epilepsy, and neonatal diabetes [DEND]), due to a G334D mutation in the Kir6.2 subunit of KATP channel. The patient was wholly unresponsive to sulfonylurea therapy (up to 1.14 mg · kg−1 · day−1) and remained insulin dependent. Consistent with the putative role of G334 as an ATP-binding residue, reconstituted homomeric and mixed WT+G334D channels exhibit absent or reduced ATP sensitivity but normal gating behavior in the absence of ATP. In disagreement with the sulfonylurea insensitivity of the affected patient, the G334D mutation has no effect on the sulfonylurea inhibition of reconstituted channels in excised patches. However, in macroscopic rubidium-efflux assays in intact cells, reconstituted mutant channels do exhibit a decreased, but still present, sulfonylurea response. The results demonstrate that ATP-binding site mutations can indeed cause DEND and suggest the possibility that sulfonylurea insensitivity of such patients may be a secondary reflection of the presence of DEND rather than a simple reflection of the underlying molecular basis.
CCFinder: A Multilinguistic Token-Based Code Clone Detection System for Large Scale Source Code

A code clone is a code portion in source files that is identical or similar to another. Since code clones are believed to reduce the maintainability of software, several code clone detection techniques and tools have been proposed. This paper proposes a new clone detection technique, which consists of the transformation of input source text and a token-by-token comparison. For its implementation with several useful optimization techniques, we have developed a tool, named CCFinder (Code Clone Finder), which extracts code clones in C, C++, Java, COBOL and other source files. In addition, metrics for the code clones have been developed. In order to evaluate the usefulness of CCFinder and metrics, we conducted several case studies where we applied the new tool to the source code of JDK, FreeBSD, NetBSD, Linux, and many other systems. As a result, CCFinder has effectively found clones and the metrics have been able to effectively identify the characteristics of the systems. In addition, we have compared the proposed technique with other clone detection techniques.