Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Energy and angular distributions of electrons from atoms and molecules by electron impact.

Some experimental results on cross sections, differential in energy and angle, for electrons scattered or ejected from helium, methane, carbon monoxide, and water by intermediate-energy electron impact are presented, and the doubly differential cross section for helium is compared with theoretical calculations for models such as the scaled Born approximations with and without interference, the plane-wave Born approximation, the Born approximation with the Roothaan ground state wave function, and the binary encounter theory, resulting in a fairly good agreement between experiment and theory for the Born approximations except in the case of the plane-wave Born approximation. The experimental doubly differential cross sections are integrated over angles to derive the singly differential cross sections, differential only in energy, which are compared with the Mott cross sections corrected for binding energies of orbital electrons. Finally, the bearings of the measurement of doubly differential cross sections on the description of the track structure, the electron slowing-down spectra, the total ionization cross sections, and the stopping power for lower energy electrons are discussed. (auth)
On coding for real-time streaming under packet erasures

We consider a real-time streaming system where messages created at regular time intervals at a source are encoded for transmission to a receiver over a packet erasure link; the receiver must subsequently decode each message within a given delay from its creation time. We study a bursty erasure model in which all erasure patterns containing erasure bursts of a limited length are admissible. For certain classes of parameter values, we provide code constructions that asymptotically achieve the maximum message size among all codes that allow decoding under all admissible erasure patterns. We also study an i.i. d. erasure model in which each transmitted packet is erased independently with the same probability; the objective is to maximize the decoding probability for a given message size. We derive an upper bound on the decoding probability for any time-invariant code, and show that the gap between this bound and the performance of a family of time-invariant intrasession codes is small in the high reliability regime.
Performance characteristics of selected immunoassays for preliminary test of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, methamphetamine, and related drugs in urine specimens.

Eight commercially available immunoassays for amphetamines (DRI Amphetamines, CEDIA DAU Amphetamines-Semiquantitative, EMIT d.a.u. Monoclonal Amphetamine/Methamphetamine, Synchron CX Systems AMPH, TDx/TDxFLx Amphetamine/Methamphetamine II, CEDIA Amphetamines/Ecstasy, COBAS INTEGRA Amphetamines, and Abuscreen((R)) OnLine HS Amphetamine/MDMA) are evaluated for their effectiveness in serving as the preliminary test methodology for the analysis of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine/3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDMA/MDA) and methamphetamine/amphetamine (MA/AM). Standard solutions (in urine matrix) of MDMA, MDA, MA, and AM are used to determine these immunoassays' reactivities (or cross-reactivities) toward these compounds of interest. Case specimens containing MDMA/MDA and MA/AM are also used to study the correlations of the apparent immunoassay MDMA (or MA) concentrations and the gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric concentrations of these compounds. Data resulting from this study suggest that CEDIA Amphetamines/Ecstasy can best predict the concentrations of MDMA and MA in case specimens and can also detect the presence of MDMA at low levels, whereas Abuscreen OnLine HS Amphetamine/MDMA can detect both MDMA and MA at low concentrations.
Inhibition of Mitochondria- and Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-Mediated Autophagy Augments Temozolomide-Induced Apoptosis in Glioma Cells

Autophagy is a crucial process for cells to maintain homeostasis and survival through degradation of cellular proteins and organelles, including mitochondria and endoplasmic reticula (ER). We previously demonstrated that temozolomide (TMZ), an alkylating agent for brain tumor chemotherapy, induced reactive oxygen species (ROS)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)-mediated autophagy to protect glioma cells from apoptosis. In this study, we investigated the role of mitochondrial damage and ER stress in TMZ-induced cytotoxicity. Mitochondrial depolarization and mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP) opening were observed as a prelude to TMZ-induced autophagy, and these were followed by the loss of mitochondrial mass. Electron transport chain (ETC) inhibitors, such as rotenone (a complex I inhibitor), sodium azide (a complex IV inhibitor), and oligomycin (a complex V inhibitor), or the MPTP inhibitor, cyclosporine A, decreased mitochondrial damage-mediated autophagy, and therefore increased TMZ-induced apoptosis. TMZ treatment triggered ER stress with increased expression of GADD153 and GRP78 proteins, and deceased pro-caspase 12 protein. ER stress consequently induced autophagy through c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK) and Ca2+ signaling pathways. Combination of TMZ with 4-phenylbutyrate (4-PBA), an ER stress inhibitor, augmented TMZ-induced cytotoxicity by inhibiting autophagy. Taken together, our data indicate that TMZ induced autophagy through mitochondrial damage- and ER stress-dependent mechanisms to protect glioma cells. This study provides evidence that agents targeting mitochondria or ER may be potential anticancer strategies.
Jewish Stories in Mental Health Counseling

ABSTRACT Many mental health counselors incorporate storytelling as an integral component of their treatment programs. The popularity of such storytelling is apparent from the wide spectrum of therapeutic approaches including this modality. Judaism similarly has a rich storytelling tradition. Unfortunately, the counseling literature offers insufficient attention to incorporation of Jewish stories into treatment. The current article discusses the rationale behind therapeutic storytelling, surveys the limited extant literature surrounding use of Jewish stories in this context, and provides specific suggestions for including such stories in clinical interventions. The discussion is especially directed at practitioners of cognitive-behavioral therapy, which is among the fastest-growing approaches to mental health treatment.
"Dalla teoria alla pratica": un progetto di didattica integrata

Abstract – In recent years the international literature has increasingly highlighted the importance of Executive Functions in cognitive development and, consequently, in school curricular learning, deeming them even as better predictors of school success than the classic IQ parameter. In the intervention protocol of the model of “Integrated Teaching” the activities for the organization of reading, calculation, writing skills are synergistically integrated in the curricular activity for the entire school year. Our activities were aimed to stimulate and strengthen the processes (working memory, starting, attentional support flexibility) that support these skills. ‘Integrated Teaching’ has shown to be a teaching method able both to promote and strengthen the learning of basic skills and to implement an active inclusive educational teaching and learning activity, which responds to the needs of all pupils in an effective and flexible way. G roups were evaluated (46 subjects attending the first grade of primary school divided into in two groups: experimental and control) in learning basic skills and in some attentive-executive functions before and after the curricular activities we proposed (Integrated Learning). We found statistically significant results in writing and reading abilities, mental arithmetic and figural fluency (this last one has been useful to demonstrate an improved development of attentive-executive functions). Riassunto – La letteratura internazionale negli ultimi anni ha evidenziato sempre piu l’importanza delle Funzioni Esecutive nello sviluppo cognitivo e di conseguenza negli apprendimenti curriculari scolastici, addirittura ritenendole maggiormente predittive del buon rendimento scolastico rispetto al classico parametro del Quoziente Intellettivo. Le nostre attivita sono state finalizzate a stimolare e rafforzare i processi che supportano queste abilita (memoria di lavoro, avvio, sostegno attentivo, flessibilita). La “Didattica Integrata” si e mostrata una metodologia in grado di favorire e potenziare sia l’apprendi­mento delle abilita di base sia un’azione educativo-didattica fattivamente inclusiva rispondendo in maniera flessibile alle esigenze di tutti gli alunni. Il campione (46 soggetti che frequentano la prima classe della scuola primaria divisi in due gruppi: sperimentale e di controllo) e stato valutato sia negli apprendimenti delle competenze di base sia in alcune funzioni attentive esecutive prima e dopo le attivita curricolari che abbiamo proposto (Didattica Integrata). Abbiamo trovato dati statisticamente significativi rispetto allo sviluppo delle abilita di scrittura, di lettura, calcolo mentale e fluenza figurale (quest’ultimo dato ci e stato utile per dimostrare un migliore sviluppo e rafforzamento del Sistema Esecutivo Attentivo) . Keywords – curricular teaching and learning, inclusion, learning, skill, strengthening, executive system Parole chiave – didattica e apprendimento curricolare, inclusione, abilita, potenziamento, sistema esecutivo
Assessment of inspiratory flow in bronchial asthma by using a portable meter.

BACKGROUND The use of inhalation systems for the administration of specific drugs allows the selective treatment of asthma through the respiratory tract, which affords a higher drug concentration in the target tissue and lesser systemic exposure. It is therefore important to know the quality of inspiratory flow in patients with asthma who are subjected or amenable to treatment because, in the case of dry powder inhalers (DPIs), the flow must be higher than in the case of pressurized canister inhalers. AIMS To evaluate the mean inspiratory flow (L/min) in such patients. METHODS A total of 2387 Spanish patients were included in a cross-sectional, multicenter, noninterventional epidemiologic study. Inspiratory flux measurements were made, and the Asthma Control Test, Airways 20, and Morisky-Green questionnaires were used. RESULTS The mean (standard deviation) inspiratory flow value measured was 72.39 ± 25.04 L/min, and the value was <60 L/min in 29.8% of the patients. The DPI was the most widely used device among the patients in the study (61.4%), although no significant difference was observed between DPI and metered dose inhaler devices in previous studies demonstrated no significant differences between DPI and metered dose inhaler devices in efficacy and safety profiles. Significant differences were recorded according to patient age and weight. Although this was not an objective data analysis it presented interesting results for discussion. CONCLUSIONS Before selecting the inhalation system, and especially in older patients and in individuals who are overweight or sedentary, it is very important to ensure that the inspiratory flow is sufficient to guarantee optimal drug deposition to improve asthma control and thus patient quality of life.
Need for relatedness: a self-determination approach to examining attachment styles, Facebook use, and psychological well-being

ABSTRACT Employing attachment theory and self-determination theory, this study argues that attachment style represents essential innate needs for social connection among individuals and an important antecedent factor in social media research. Thus, attachment style influences how individuals use Facebook for social interaction to satisfy their need for relatedness and achieve psychological well-being. The results from university and national samples showed that individuals with high secure attachment gain satisfaction of the need for relatedness and perceive positive well-being, individuals with high attachment avoidance do not use Facebook for need satisfaction and perceive negative well-being, and individuals with high anxious attachment gain a sense of community through Facebook but still perceive loneliness. Indirect analyses showed that individuals with high secure and anxious attachment dimension lead to higher Facebook use, which provides a higher level of satisfaction of relatedness needs and results in more positive psychological outcomes. Additionally, communication with good friends on both Facebook and offline predicted higher well-being. These results successfully linked attachment theory to the self-determination process and extended both theories into the realm of social media. This study also provided a theoretical framework for future studies to examine the association between Facebook use and well-being. After controlling for personality traits including extraversion and self-esteem, attachment style still had considerable influence on psychological well-being, showing that attachment style is a distinct factor in predicting variances in well-being and further showing that innate need for relatedness is important when studying the need satisfaction process in social media. Future directions are discussed.
A Temporal Bottleneck in the Language Comprehension Network

Humans can understand spoken or written sentences presented at extremely fast rates of ∼400 wpm, far exceeding the normal speech rate (∼150 wpm). How does the brain cope with speeded language? And what processing bottlenecks eventually make language incomprehensible above a certain presentation rate? We used time-resolved fMRI to probe the brain responses to spoken and written sentences presented at five compression rates, ranging from intelligible (60–100% of the natural duration) to challenging (40%) and unintelligible (20%). The results show that cortical areas differ sharply in their activation speed and amplitude. In modality-specific sensory areas, activation varies linearly with stimulus duration. However, a large modality-independent left-hemispheric language network, including the inferior frontal gyrus (pars orbitalis and triangularis) and the superior temporal sulcus, shows a remarkably time-invariant response, followed by a sudden collapse for unintelligible stimuli. Finally, linear and nonlinear responses, reflecting a greater effort as compression increases, are seen at various prefrontal and parietal sites. We show that these profiles fit with a simple model according to which the higher stages of language processing operate at a fixed speed and thus impose a temporal bottleneck on sentence comprehension. At presentation rates faster than this internal processing speed, incoming words must be buffered, and intelligibility vanishes when buffer storage and retrieval operations are saturated. Based on their temporal and amplitude profiles, buffer regions can be identified with the left inferior frontal/anterior insula, precentral cortex, and mesial frontal cortex.
I Said it First: Topological Analysis of Lyrical Influence Networks

We present an analysis of musical inﬂuence using intact lyrics of over 550,000 songs, extending existing research on lyrics through a novel approach using directed networks. We form networks of lyrical inﬂuence over time at the level of three-word phrases, weighted by tf-idf. An edge reduction analysis of strongly connected components suggests highly central artist, songwriter, and genre network topologies. Visualizations of the genre network based on multidimensional scaling conﬁrm network centrality and provide insight into the most inﬂuential genres at the heart of the network. Next, we present metrics for in-ﬂuence and self-referential behavior, examining their interactions with network centrality and with the genre diversity of songwriters. Here, we uncover a negative correlation between songwriters’ genre diversity and the robustness of their connections. By examining trends among the data for top genres, songwriters, and artists, we address questions related to clustering, inﬂuence, and isolation of nodes in the networks. We conclude by discussing promising future applications of lyrical inﬂuence networks in music information retrieval research. The networks constructed in this study are made publicly available for research purposes.
Ranolazine Inhibits An Oxidative Stress-induced Increase in Myocyte Sodium and Calcium Loading During Simulated-demand Ischemia

Ranolazine inhibits the late Na+ current and is proposed to reduce angina by decreasing [Na+]i during ischemia, thereby reducing Ca2+ influx via Na+/Ca2+ exchange (NCX). We sought to test this hypothesis and to determine whether oxidative stress during simulated-demand ischemia activates the late Na+ current. We measured [Ca2+]i and [Na+]i in rabbit ventricular myocytes by flow cytometry during metabolic inhibition (MI) with 2 mM cyanide and 0 mM glucose at 37°C plus pacing (P) at 0.5 Hz (P-MI), and in P-MI + 1, 10, or 50 μM ranolazine. In the clinically relevant concentration range (1-10 μM), ranolazine decreased Na+ and Ca2+ loading and the development of myocyte contracture. P-MI caused an increase in fluorescence of the oxidative radical probe CM-H2DCFDA, which was inhibited by the radical scavenger Tiron 20 mM. The NCX inhibitor KB-R7943 (10 μM) and Tiron 20 mM reduced the rise in [Ca2+]i during P-MI and eliminated the effect of 10 μM ranolazine on [Ca2+]i. These results indicate that oxidative stress increases the late Na+ current during MI. Inhibition of the resulting increase in Na+ and Ca2+ loading and contracture seems to account for the observed antiischemia effects of ranolazine.
Delta Inulin Adjuvant Enhances Plasmablast Generation, Expression of Activation-Induced Cytidine Deaminase and B-Cell Affinity Maturation in Human Subjects Receiving Seasonal Influenza Vaccine

There is a major need for new adjuvants to improve the efficacy of seasonal and pandemic influenza vaccines. Advax is a novel polysaccharide adjuvant based on delta inulin that has been shown to enhance the immunogenicity of influenza vaccine in animal models and human clinical trials. To better understand the mechanism for this enhancement, we sought to assess its effect on the plasmablast response in human subjects. This pilot study utilised cryopreserved 7 day post-vaccination (7dpv) peripheral blood mononuclear cell samples obtained from a subset of 25 adult subjects from the FLU006-12 trial who had been immunized intramuscularly with a standard dose of 2012 trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine (TIV) alone (n=9 subjects) or combined with 5mg (n=8) or 10mg (n=8) of Advax adjuvant. Subjects receiving Advax adjuvant had increased 7dpv plasmablasts, which in turn exhibited a 2-3 fold higher rate of non-silent mutations in the B-cell receptor CDR3 region associated with higher expression of activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID), the major enzyme controlling BCR affinity maturation. Together, these data suggest that Advax adjuvant enhances influenza immunity in immunized subjects via multiple mechanisms including increased plasmablast generation, AID expression and CDR3 mutagenesis resulting in enhanced BCR affinity maturation and increased production of high avidity antibody. How Advax adjuvant achieves these beneficial effects on plasmablasts remains the subject of ongoing investigation. Trial Registration Australia New Zealand Clinical Trials Register ACTRN12612000709842 https://www.anzctr. org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx? id=362709
Effects of affective arousal on choice behavior, reward prediction errors, and feedback-related negativities in human reward-based decision making

Emotional experience has a pervasive impact on choice behavior, yet the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Introducing facial-expression primes into a probabilistic learning task, we investigated how affective arousal regulates reward-related choice based on behavioral, model fitting, and feedback-related negativity (FRN) data. Sixty-six paid subjects were randomly assigned to the Neutral-Neutral (NN), Angry-Neutral (AN), and Happy-Neutral (HN) groups. A total of 960 trials were conducted. Subjects in each group were randomly exposed to half trials of the pre-determined emotional faces and another half of the neutral faces before choosing between two cards drawn from two decks with different assigned reward probabilities. Trial-by-trial data were fit with a standard reinforcement learning model using the Bayesian estimation approach. The temporal dynamics of brain activity were simultaneously recorded and analyzed using event-related potentials. Our analyses revealed that subjects in the NN group gained more reward values than those in the other two groups; they also exhibited comparatively differential estimated model-parameter values for reward prediction errors. Computing the difference wave of FRNs in reward vs. non-reward trials, we found that, compared to the NN group, subjects in the AN and HN groups had larger “General” FRNs (i.e., FRNs in no-reward trials minus FRNs in reward trials) and “Expected” FRNs (i.e., FRNs in expected reward-omission trials minus FRNs in expected reward-delivery trials), indicating an interruption in predicting reward. Further, both AN and HN groups appeared to be more sensitive to negative outcomes than the NN group. Collectively, our study suggests that affective arousal negatively regulates reward-related choice, probably through overweighting with negative feedback.
Surge in Newly Identified Diabetes Among Medicaid Patients in 2014 Within Medicaid Expansion States Under the Affordable Care Act

OBJECTIVE Twenty-six states and the District of Columbia expanded Medicaid in January 2014 pursuant to the Affordable Care Act (ACA); 24 states did not. This created an opportunity to examine the impact of Medicaid expansion on the number of Medicaid patients with newly identified diabetes among enrollees (19–64 years of age) who had laboratory testing through Quest Diagnostics. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Newly identified diabetes was defined as an ICD-9 diagnosis code of 250.x (diabetes) or hemoglobin A1c of >6.4% (46 mmol/mol) within the first 6 months of a calendar year and the absence of both in the preceding calendar year within our data repository. RESULTS We identified 215,398 and 218,890 patients who met our definition of newly diagnosed diabetes within the first 6 months of 2013 (control period) and 2014 (study period), respectively (a 1.6% increase). We identified 26,237 Medicaid-enrolled patients with new diabetes in the control period vs. 29,673 in the study period: an increase of 13%. The number of Medicaid-enrolled patients with newly identified diabetes increased by 23% (14,625 vs. 18,020 patients) in the 26 states (and District of Columbia) that expanded Medicaid compared with an increase of 0.4% (11,612 vs. 11,653 patients) in the 24 states that did not expand Medicaid during this period. Similar differences were observed in younger and older adults and for both men and women. CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that in the states that expanded Medicaid under the ACA, an increased number of Medicaid patients with diabetes are being diagnosed and treated earlier. This could be anticipated to lead to better long-term outcomes.