Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Executive and Perceptual Distraction in Visual Working Memory

The contents of visual working memory are likely to reflect the influence of both executive control resources and information present in the environment. We investigated whether executive attention is critical in the ability to exclude unwanted stimuli by introducing concurrent potentially distracting irrelevant items to a visual working memory paradigm, and manipulating executive load using simple or more demanding secondary verbal tasks. Across 7 experiments varying in presentation format, timing, stimulus set, and distractor number, we observed clear disruptive effects of executive load and visual distraction, but relatively minimal evidence supporting an interactive relationship between these factors. These findings are in line with recent evidence using delay-based interference, and suggest that different forms of attentional selection operate relatively independently in visual working memory.
Repair of oxidized calmodulin by methionine sulfoxide reductase restores ability to activate the plasma membrane Ca-ATPase.

We have investigated the ability of methionine sulfoxide reductase (MsrA) to maintain optimal calmodulin (CaM) function through the repair of oxidized methionines, which have been shown to accumulate within CaM in senescent brain [Gao, J., Yin, D. H. , Yao, Y. , Williams, T. D. , and Squier, T. C. (1998) Biochemistry 37, 9536-9548]. Oxidatively modified calmodulin (CaMox) isolated from senescent brain or obtained by in vitro oxidation was incubated with MsrA. This treatment restores the functional ability of CaMox to activate the plasma membrane (PM) Ca-ATPase, confirming that (i) the decreased ability of CaM isolated from senescent animals to activate the PM Ca-ATPase results solely from methionine sulfoxide formation and (ii) MsrA can repair methionine sulfoxides within cytosolic proteins. We have used electrospray ionization mass spectrometry to investigate the extent and rates of methionine sulfoxide repair within CaMox. Upon exhaustive repair by MsrA, there remains a distribution of methionine sulfoxides within functionally reactivated CaMox, which varies from three to eight methionine sulfoxides. The rates of repair of methionine sulfoxides within individual tryptic fragments of CaMox vary by a factor of 2, where methionine sulfoxides located within hydrophobic sequences are repaired in preference to methionines that are more solvent accessible within the native structure. However, no single methionine sulfoxide is completely repaired in all CaM oxiforms. Decreases in the alpha-helical content and a disruption of the tertiary structure of CaM have previously been shown to result from methionine oxidation. Repair of selected methionine sulfoxides in CaMox by MsrA results in a partial refolding of the secondary structure, suggesting that MsrA repairs methionine sulfoxides within unfolded sequences until native-like structure and function are re-attained. The ability of CaMox isolated from senescent brain to fully activate the PM Ca-ATPase following repair by MsrA suggests the specific activity of MsrA is insufficient to maintain CaM function in aging brain. These results are discussed in terms of the possible regulatory role MsrA may play in the modulation of CaM function and calcium homeostasis under conditions of oxidative stress.
Drowsiness monitoring by steering and lane data based features under real driving conditions

Experts state that driver drowsiness is responsible for about 30% of severe traffic accidents. Driver monitoring systems, such as the Mercedes-Benz Attention Assist aim to reduce these road-crashes caused by fatigued drivers using standard equipment sensors. In this article, new measures (features) for detecting drowsiness are proposed in addition to promising features in literature. Most studies in literature are based on driving simulator data, whereas this article focuses on real world driving. External influences such as road condition, road bumps and cross-wind are furthermore taken into account. The presented results are based on a large selection of the Mercedes-Benz drowsiness database which covers over 1.2 million kilometers of measurements. Features are analyzed for their correlation with the subjective Karolinska Sleepiness Scale (KSS). The performance of a combination of features is assessed by sophisticated classifiers and dimension reduction techniques. Even after these improvements, the classification results do not reach the results obtained in a driving simulator.
Local Attentional Bias Increases Approach Motivation: Evidence from Event-Related Potentials and Frequency Analyses

Local Attentional Bias Increases Approach Motivation: Evidence from Event-Related Potentials and Frequency Analyses. (May 2010) Philip Arvis Gable, B.A., Ouachita Baptist University; M.S., Texas A&M University Chair of Advisory Committee: Dr. Eddie Harmon-Jones Over twenty years of research have examined the cognitive consequences of positive affect states, and suggested that positive affect leads to a broadening of cognition. However, this research has primarily examined positive affect that is low in approach motivational intensity (e.g. contentment). In my program of research, I have systematically examined positive affect that varies in approach motivational intensity, and found that positive affect high in approach motivation (e.g. desire) narrows cognition, whereas positive affect low in approach motivation broadens cognition. In this dissertation, I will review past models and present a motivational dimension model of affect that expands understanding of how affective states influence attentional and cognitive breadth. I then review a body of research that has varied the motivational intensity of positive and negative affect and found that affect of low motivational intensity broadens cognitive processes, whereas affect of high motivational intensity narrows cognitive processes. Furthermore, a bi-directional link exists between attentional narrowing and approach motivation, such that a narrowed attentional focus causes greater approach motivation toward appetitive stimuli, as compared to a broadened attentional focus.
Pilot's visual attention allocation modeling under fatigue.

BACKGROUND Human factors involved with visual attention mechanism and fatigue are critical causes of modern aviation accidents. OBJECTIVE To investigate the connection between attention and flight fatigue, a mathematical model of pilot's visual attention allocation was established based on information processing channels. Multi-task condition and current psychophysical state were taken into account as well. METHODS Sixteen participants were recruited to perform a long-term dual-task in a Boeing 737-800 flight simulator. The primary task was an envelope flight task and the secondary was an unusual attitude (UA) recovery task. Reaction time of the secondary task was recorded as a behavior performance index, while heart rate and respiration rate were measured as physiological indices as well as fixation distribution as attention allocation index. RESULTS The experiment results showed a significant affect of experiment time that indicated the occurrence and influence of fatigue. Eye movement tracking also revealed good agreement with the predictable model and hence verified its effectiveness. Moreover, applicability of the model was validated under flight fatigue and multiple tasks condition. CONCLUSION The current study provided a quantitative connection between pilot's visual attention allocation and flight fatigue, which was verified in the ergonomics experiment.
There is no association between the presence of anti-thyroid antibodies and increased reproductive loss in pregnant women after ART: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Women submitted to ART treatments represent a select subgroup of individuals. Several studies have described the relationship between TAI and pregnancy outcomes as a result of ART, with contradictory results. The purpose of this systematic review was to determine the association between TAI and the risk of miscarriage in pregnancies resulting from ART. MEDLINE via PubMed, LILACS and Embase were searched for studies published in peer-reviewed journals from 1999 to 2017. The studies were summarized using the fixed effects model and the Peto's method to calculate RR in order to flesh out the association between TAI and spontaneous abortion. Only four papers were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. Thirty-one miscarriages were observed in 210 clinical pregnancies of women with antithyroid antibodies; and 158 miscarriages were seen in 1,371 pregnancies without antithyroid antibodies. The meta-analysis failed to find an association between TAI and higher risk of reproductive loss, RR=0.94 95% confidence interval: 0.71-1.24; p=0.879. In conclusion, the presence of antithyroid antibodies was not associated with increased reproductive loss in patients submitted to ART treatments. It is our opinion that the presence of antithyroid antibodies should be considered as a secondary biomarker of autoimmune disease, rather than an actual cause of miscarriage in patients undergoing ART. Due to the small amount of evidence on the matter, the determination of TAI before the initiation of ART should be limited to research contexts.
Calcium, Dairy Foods, Vitamin D, and Colorectal Cancer Risk: The Fukuoka Colorectal Cancer Study

Epidemiologic evidence supporting a protective role of calcium and vitamin D in colorectal carcinogenesis has been accumulating in Western populations, but it is limited in Asian populations, whose intake of calcium is relatively low. We investigated the association of intakes of these nutrients with colorectal cancer risk in Japanese. Study subjects were participants of a large-scale case-control study in Fukuoka, Japan. Diet was assessed through interview regarding 148 dietary items by showing typical foods or dishes on the display of a personal computer. In a multivariate analysis adjusting for potential confounding variables, calcium intake was significantly, inversely associated with colorectal cancer risk (P for trend = 0.01); the odds ratio for the highest versus lowest quintile of calcium intake was 0.64 (95% confidence interval, 0.45-0.93). Higher levels of dietary vitamin D were significantly associated with decreased risk of colorectal cancer among those who had fewer chances of sunlight exposure at work or in leisure (P for trend = 0.02). A decreased risk of colorectal cancer associated with high calcium intake was observed among those who had higher levels of vitamin D intake or among those who had a greater chance of daily sunlight exposure, but not among those with medium or lower intake of vitamin D or among those with potentially decreased sunlight exposure. These results add to support for a joint action of calcium and vitamin D in the prevention of colorectal carcinogenesis. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2008;17(10):2800–7)
Repeat Diagnoses of Bethesda Category III Thyroid Nodules: What To Do Next?

Objectives To assess the malignancy rates of thyroid nodules repeatedly classified as Bethesda category III on fine needle aspiration (FNA), and to suggest management guidelines for these lesions. Methods This is a retrospective study that included 395 thyroid nodules categorized as Bethesda III undergone either surgery or ultrasound (US) follow-up. There were 67 nodules classified a second time as Bethesda category III on repeat FNA. We compared malignancy rates, clinicopathologic and ultrasonographic characteristics between direct surgery and repeat FNA groups and between the initial and repeat Bethesda category III groups, each. And in the repeat Bethesda III group, clinicopathologic and US variables were compared between benign and malignant nodules. Results Incidence of concurrent cancer, underlying thyroiditis and positive BRAF mutation were significantly higher in 142 nodules with direct surgery than 243 nodules with repeat FNA (p < 0.05). Of the 395 nodules with Bethesda category III cytology on initial FNA, the malignancy rate was 59.5%. In 67 nodules with repeat Bethesda III classification, however, the malignancy rate was 73.1% (p < 0.05). However, none of the variables were significantly different between the initial Bethesda category III group and the repeat Bethesda category III group (p > 0.05). In the repeat Bethesda category III group, solid consistency, irregular/microlobulated margins, nonparallel shape, and number of suspicious findings or “suspicious malignant” US assessments were associated with a high malignancy rate (p < 0.05). On multivariate logistic regression analysis, the factor associated with malignancy in the repeat Bethesda category III group was irregular/microlobulated margin (odds ratio = 15.576; 95% CI, 2.097–115.6804, p = 0.007) with a sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and accuracy of 81.6%, 83.3%, 93.0%, 62.5% and 82.1%, respectively. Conclusion Thyroid nodules with repeated Bethesda category III classification and irregular/microlobulated margins on US are at increased risk of malignancy, and operative management should be considered as opposed to repeat FNA.
Rule Departures and Making Law: Juries and Their Verdicts

This study addresses the issue of rule departures and law-making activity by juries adjudicating guilt in felony cases. Analysis of data from a sample of jury trials suggests considerable conformity to rules. That is, jury verdicts are influenced by evidence of the defendant's guilt and credibility as a witness. Rule departures appear to be limited. They reflect a concern not only with the defendant per se, but also with his choice of a victim and with the seriousness of the prosecution charge against him. The findings suggest that, as actually performed, the jury role is neither clerklike nor discretionary. Rather, it conforms more closely to Kadish and Kadish's (1973) notion of a recourse role, where rule departures occur only under certain circumstances.
Password-Authenticated Constant-Round Group Key Establishment with a Common Reference String

A provably secure password-authenticated protocol for group key establishment in the common reference string (CRS) model is presented. Our construction assumes the participating users to share a common password and combines projective hashing as introduced by Cramer and Shoup with a construction of Burmester and Desmedt. Our protocol is constant-round. Namely, it is a three-round protocol that can be seen as generalization of a two-party proposal of Gennaro and Lindell.
Joint Symbol Timing and CFO Estimation for OFDM/OQAM Systems in Multipath Channels

The problem of data-aided synchronization for orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) systems based on offset quadrature amplitude modulation (OQAM) in multipath channels is considered. In particular, the joint maximum-likelihood (ML) estimator for carrier-frequency offset (CFO), amplitudes, phases, and delays, exploiting a short known preamble, is derived. The ML estimators for phases and amplitudes are in closed form. Moreover, under the assumption that the CFO is sufficiently small, a closed form approximate ML (AML) CFO estimator is obtained. By exploiting the obtained closed form solutions a cost function whose peaks provide an estimate of the delays is derived. In particular, the symbol timing (i.e., the delay of the first multipath component) is obtained by considering the smallest estimated delay. The performance of the proposed joint AML estimator is assessed via computer simulations and compared with that achieved by the joint AML estimator designed for AWGN channel and that achieved by a previously derived joint estimator for OFDM systems.
Evolution of Automotive Clusters and Interactive Learning in Thailand

This paper analyses the evolution of clusters and ‘interactive learning’ in upgrading manufacturing capabilities. We analyse the upgrading process in line with key concepts constituting ‘interactive learning’, which include clusters and agglomeration (regional) innovation systems, open innovation and localised learning. On the basis of analysis at firm and industry-wide levels, this paper contributes to current literature concerning clusters and innovation that relate to technological upgrading in locally based firms by (1) examining the role of governments in promoting clusters and regional development; (2) identifying the conditions important for firm agglomeration and how agglomeration leads to knowledge-sharing at horizontal, vertical and institutional levels; (3) discussing the role of foreign firms in transferring technology and encouraging their suppliers to share knowledge within the production network; and (4) reporting on the characteristics and determinants of R&D cooperation within the Thai manufacturing sector. The main findings reveal that developing countries, including Thailand at this moment, may have limitations in their science and technology base. This can hinder their upward progression on the global value chain. It is of particular importance for government policy to be more supportive, rather than regulative, in order to strengthen the scientific knowledge base and promote cooperation between indigenous firms and innovation in supporting organisations.
Self and Peer Assessment Consistency over Time

This article investigated and compared the consistency of self and peer assessments as alternatives for teacher assessment. Thirty sophomores majoring in TEFL were asked to assess their classmates’ as well as their own speaking ability in a conversation class. They were taught how to do this using a rating scale of speaking. They did the rating twice during the term; the first rating was carried out during the 8 and 9 weeks and the second rating at the end of the term (weeks 15 and 16). The results of the study indicated that self and peer assessments were not significantly related at the end of the term and only loosely, though significantly, related in the middle of the term. Both self and peer assessments indicated consistency over time, however peer assessment enjoyed a higher consistency.
Higher dietary flavonoid intakes are associated with lower objectively measured body composition in women: evidence from discordant monozygotic twins12

Background: Although dietary flavonoid intake has been associated with less weight gain, there are limited data on its impact on fat mass, and to our knowledge, the contribution of genetic factors to this relation has not previously been assessed. Objective: We examined the associations between flavonoid intakes and fat mass. Design: In a study of 2734 healthy, female twins aged 18–83 y from the TwinsUK registry, intakes of total flavonoids and 7 subclasses (flavanones, anthocyanins, flavan-3-ols, flavonols, flavones, polymers, and proanthocyanidins) were calculated with the use of food-frequency questionnaires. Measures of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry–derived fat mass included the limb-to-trunk fat mass ratio (FMR), fat mass index, and central fat mass index. Results: In cross-sectional multivariable analyses, higher intake of anthocyanins, flavonols, and proanthocyanidins were associated with a lower FMR with mean ± SE differences between extreme quintiles of −0.03 ± 0.02 (P-trend = 0.02), −0.03 ± 0.02 (P-trend = 0.03), and −0.05 ± 0.02 (P-trend < 0.01), respectively. These associations were not markedly changed after further adjustment for fiber and total fruit and vegetable intakes. In monozygotic, intake-discordant twin pairs, twins with higher intakes of flavan-3-ols (n = 154, P = 0.03), flavonols (n = 173, P = 0.03), and proanthocyanidins (n = 172, P < 0.01) had a significantly lower FMR than that of their co-twins with within-pair differences of 3–4%. Furthermore, in confirmatory food-based analyses, twins with higher intakes of flavonol-rich foods (onions, tea, and pears; P = 0.01) and proanthocyanidin-rich foods (apples and cocoa drinks; P = 0.04) and, in younger participants (aged <50 y) only, of anthocyanin-rich foods (berries, pears, grapes, and wine; P = 0.01) had a 3–9% lower FMR than that of their co-twins. Conclusions: These data suggest that higher habitual intake of a number of flavonoids, including anthocyanins, flavan-3-ols, flavonols, and proanthocyanidins, are associated with lower fat mass independent of shared genetic and common environmental factors. Intervention trials are needed to further examine the effect of flavonoid-rich foods on body composition.
Effects of Generic versus Non-Generic Feedback on Motor Learning in Children

Non-generic feedback refers to a specific event and implies that performance is malleable, while generic feedback implies that task performance reflects an inherent ability. The present study examined the influences of generic versus non-generic feedback on motor performance and learning in 10-year-old children. In the first experiment, using soccer ball kicking at a target as a task, providing participants with generic feedback resulted in worse performance than providing non-generic feedback, after both groups received negative feedback. The second experiment measured more permanent effects. Results of a retention test, performed one day after practicing a throwing task, showed that participants who received non-generic feedback during practice outperformed the generic feedback group, after receiving a negative feedback statement. The findings demonstrate the importance of the wording of feedback. Even though different positive feedback statements may not have an immediate influence on performance, they can affect performance, and presumably individuals' motivation, when performance is (purportedly) poor. Feedback implying that performance is malleable, rather than due to an inherent ability, seems to have the potential to inoculate learners against setbacks – a situation frequently encountered in the context of motor performance and learning.
The biology of developmental plasticity and the Predictive Adaptive Response hypothesis

Many forms of developmental plasticity have been observed and these are usually beneficial to the organism. The Predictive Adaptive Response (PAR) hypothesis refers to a form of developmental plasticity in which cues received in early life influence the development of a phenotype that is normally adapted to the environmental conditions of later life. When the predicted and actual environments differ, the mismatch between the individual's phenotype and the conditions in which it finds itself can have adverse consequences for Darwinian fitness and, later, for health. Numerous examples exist of the long‐term effects of cues indicating a threatening environment affecting the subsequent phenotype of the individual organism. Other examples consist of the long‐term effects of variations in environment within a normal range, particularly in the individual's nutritional environment. In mammals the cues to developing offspring are often provided by the mother's plane of nutrition, her body composition or stress levels. This hypothetical effect in humans is thought to be important by some scientists and controversial by others. In resolving the conflict, distinctions should be drawn between PARs induced by normative variations in the developmental environment and the ill effects on development of extremes in environment such as a very poor or very rich nutritional environment. Tests to distinguish between different developmental processes impacting on adult characteristics are proposed. Many of the mechanisms underlying developmental plasticity involve molecular epigenetic processes, and their elucidation in the context of PARs and more widely has implications for the revision of classical evolutionary theory.