Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Model-Based and Model-Free Decisions in Alcohol Dependence

Background: Human and animal work suggests a shift from goal-directed to habitual decision-making in addiction. However, the evidence for this in human alcohol dependence is as yet inconclusive. Methods: Twenty-six healthy controls and 26 recently detoxified alcohol-dependent patients underwent behavioral testing with a 2-step task designed to disentangle goal-directed and habitual response patterns. Results: Alcohol-dependent patients showed less evidence of goal-directed choices than healthy controls, particularly after losses. There was no difference in the strength of the habitual component. The group differences did not survive controlling for performance on the Digit Symbol Substitution Task. Conclusion: Chronic alcohol use appears to selectively impair goal-directed function, rather than promoting habitual responding. It appears to do so particularly after nonrewards, and this may be mediated by the effects of alcohol on more general cognitive functions subserved by the prefrontal cortex. © 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel
Broadly Neutralizing Antibody Responses in a Large Longitudinal Sub-Saharan HIV Primary Infection Cohort

Broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) are thought to be a critical component of a protective HIV vaccine. However, designing vaccines immunogens able to elicit bnAbs has proven unsuccessful to date. Understanding the correlates and immunological mechanisms leading to the development of bnAb responses during natural HIV infection is thus critical to the design of a protective vaccine. The IAVI Protocol C program investigates a large longitudinal cohort of primary HIV-1 infection in Eastern and South Africa. Development of neutralization was evaluated in 439 donors using a 6 cross-clade pseudo-virus panel predictive of neutralization breadth on larger panels. About 15% of individuals developed bnAb responses, essentially between year 2 and year 4 of infection. Statistical analyses revealed no influence of gender, age or geographical origin on the development of neutralization breadth. However, cross-clade neutralization strongly correlated with high viral load as well as with low CD4 T cell counts, subtype-C infection and HLA-A*03(-) genotype. A correlation with high overall plasma IgG levels and anti-Env IgG binding titers was also found. The latter appeared not associated with higher affinity, suggesting a greater diversity of the anti-Env responses in broad neutralizers. Broadly neutralizing activity targeting glycan-dependent epitopes, largely the N332-glycan epitope region, was detected in nearly half of the broad neutralizers while CD4bs and gp41-MPER bnAb responses were only detected in very few individuals. Together the findings suggest that both viral and host factors are critical for the development of bnAbs and that the HIV Env N332-glycan supersite may be a favorable target for vaccine design.
Revised Manuscript for Submission to Transport Policy November 2004 'complacent Car Addicts' or 'aspiring Environmentalists'? Identifying Travel Behaviour Segments Using Attitude Theory 'complacent Car Addicts' or 'aspiring Environmentalists'? Identifying Travel Behaviour Segments Using Attitude The

Using an expanded version of a psychological theory of attitude-behaviour relations, namely the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB), scores on factor analysed multidimensional attitude statements were used to segment a population of day trip travellers into potential ‘mode switchers’ using cluster analysis. Six distinct psychographic groups were extracted, each with varying degrees of mode switching potential. Each group represents a unique combination of preferences, worldviews and attitudes, indicating that different groups need to be serviced in different ways to optimise the chance of influencing mode choice behaviour. Socio-demographic factors had little bearing on the travel profiles of the segments, suggesting that attitudes largely cut across personal characteristics. The evidence clearly shows that the same behaviour can take place for different reasons and that the same attitudes can lead to different behaviours. The paper asserts that commonly used a-priori classifications used to segment populations based on demographic variables or simple behavioural measures may oversimplify the structure of the market. Cluster analysis is rarely used in studies of travel behaviour but this study demonstrates its utility in providing a way of extracting naturally occurring, relatively homogenous and meaningful groups to be used in designing targeted hard and ‘soft’ transport policies.
Syntactic Skills of Children who Stutter

The purpose of this study was to examine the syntactic and morphological skills of children who stutter and compare them with those of their fluent peers. Subjects were 58 children, chronological ages of 10 years and 58 of their fluent peers matched by age and gender. For testing of syntactic and morphological skills, we used questions from the informal test Expressive scale of Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian language, as in Bosnia and Herzegovina there is yet no standardized instrument for testing language skills. The results showed that the subjects were significantly different only in the use of gender of pronouns and their endings, and in the task of using different sentence structures, where the analysis showed that subjects who stutter use more simple sentence structures. On other tasks children who stutter showed slightly weaker syntactic and morphological skills. The results suggest that children who stutter at school age show slight linguistic delay in compare to their peers. We could say that there is a subgroup of children who stutter, whose language skills are within the normal range, but who are slightly behind their peers in certain linguistic domains.
Evaluation of reliability and concurrent validity of two optoelectric systems used for recording maximum vertical jumping performance versus the gold standard.

PURPOSE The objective of this study was to evaluate the reliability and validity of two alternative systems used for jumping performance measurement. METHODS Two groups of subjects were tested. The first group consisted of 15 male adults (21.3 ± 1.7 years) and the second group consisted of 16 female volleyball players (17.2 ± 0.9 years). We used three different systems of data collection in the study. Two of the used systems are based on optoelectric components. The Optojump Next system is referred to as the optoelectric system, and BTS Smart-E is refered to as the video system. Concurrent validity of these systems was verified with the use of "gold standard" which is force platform. All systems were used to estimate the height of vertical jumps. RESULTS Both optoelectric systems turned out to be highly reliable with the ICCs = 0.98 for Optojump and 0.9 for BTS Smart. Their concurrent validity with the force platform data was also very high r = 0.99 and r = 0.97, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Comparison of these two systems shows distinct differences between them. Out of the two systems, Optojump system is more suitable for quick and reliable sports testing while when BTS-Smart is better for research and clinical testing.
[Effect of recombinant human erythropoietin on autologous blood donation for heart surgery].

Pharmacological stimulation of erythropoiesis was studied in patients selected for open heart surgery, and undergoing a programme of autologous blood predonation prior to surgery. Sixteen patients (group I: ery) received 4000 I. U. of recombinant human erythropoietin (r-huepo) subcutaneously weekly three times during a 3-week period preoperatively, another group of 21 patients (group II: control) were not given r-huepo. Patients in both groups received orally 2 x 80 mg iron daily. Predonation of five units of blood was planned in each patients, beginning on the 21. preoperative day; no blood was taken from patients if the hematocrit dropped below 0.34, or if any other complications occurred. The average amount of blood taken from patients in the ery group was 4.8 +/- 0.4 Units, and in the control group: 3.7 +/- 1.1 Units. In the ery group the planned 5 Units of blood could be taken from 13/16 patients, while in the controls only from 7/21. The differences are statistically significant. Reticulocyte counts were significantly higher consecutively during the preoperative period in the ery group than in the controls. In the postoperative period erythropoiesis was less pronounced in the ery group than in the controls. It is concluded that 1. r-huepo is an effective drug in preventing (or reducing) the anaemia due to repeated preoperative blood withdrawals, and thus larger amounts of autologous blood will be available for predonation. 2. More pronounced decrease of circulating reticulocytes observed in the postoperative period points to a possible suppression of endogenous erythropoietin production in the ery group. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
A Data Management in a Private Cloud Storage Environment Utilizing High Performance Distributed File Systems

The new trend in the process of data-intensive management indicates the importance of a distributed file system for both Internet large scale services and cloud computing environments. I/O latency and application buffering sizes are two of a number of issues that are essential to be analysed on different class of distributed file systems. In this paper, it is presented a research work comparing four different high performance distributed file systems. Those systems were employed to support a medical image server application in a private storage environment. Experimental results highlight the importance of an appropriate distributed file system to provide a differential level of performance considering application specific characteristics.
HYDRODYNAMICS OF THE KURAMOTO-VICSEK MODEL OF ROTATING SELF-PROPELLED PARTICLES

We consider an Individual-Based Model for self-rotating particles interacting through local alignment and investigate its macroscopic limit. This model describes self-propelled particles moving in the plane and trying to synchronize their rotation motion with their neighbors. It combines the Kuramoto model of synchronization and the Vicsek model of swarm formation. We study the mean-field kinetic and hydrodynamic limits of this system within two different scalings. In the small angular velocity regime, the resulting model is a slight modification of the 'Self-Organized Hydrodynamic' model which has been previously introduced by the first author. In the large angular velocity case, a new type of hydrodynamic model is obtained. A preliminary study of the linearized stability is proposed.
Can eggs in a cavity be a female secondary sexual signal? Male nest visits and modelling of egg visual discrimination in blue tits

Eggshell colouration is thought to function as a female-specific secondary sexual trait. While tests of this idea are rapidly accumulating in cavity-nesting birds, some fundamental underlying assumptions remain rarely investigated: namely, can males see eggshell coloration and perceive colour differences between the eggs of different females? We tested these two key assumptions in a natural population of blue tits (Cyanistes caeruleus). Using transponders, we tracked male nest visits and found that all males visited their nest-boxes while eggs were present and often visually accessible. Interestingly, some males also visited neighbouring nests. We then tested whether birds could detect eggshell coloration using models of avian colour vision; models were performed with and without limitations on visual performance owing to dim light. Both models found that differences in eggshell brightness were often easier to discriminate than differences in colour; there was more contrast in white eggshell background between clutches than within and its contrast against nest background was repeatable within clutches, suggesting these features could act as signals. Yet, the detectability of these contrasts depended entirely on model assumptions of visual limitations. Consequently, we need a better understanding of underlying visual mechanisms in dim-light environments and behavioural discrimination experiments before confirming the signalling potential of eggshell coloration.
Teachers developing assessment for learning: impact on student achievement

While it is generally acknowledged that increased use of formative assessment (or assessment for learning) leads to higher quality learning, it is often claimed that the pressure in schools to improve the results achieved by students in externally‐set tests and examinations precludes its use. This paper reports on the achievement of secondary school students who worked in classrooms where teachers made time to develop formative assessment strategies. A total of 24 teachers (2 science and 2 mathematics teachers, in each of six schools in two LEAs) were supported over a six‐month period in exploring and planning their approach to formative assessment, and then, beginning in September 1999, the teachers put these plans into action with selected classes. In order to compute effect sizes, a measure of prior attainment and at least one comparison group was established for each class (typically either an equivalent class taught in the previous year by the same teacher, or a parallel class taught by another teacher). The mean effect size in favour of the intervention was 0.32.
Brain iron quantification by MRI in mitochondrial membrane protein-associated neurodegeneration under iron-chelating therapy

Therapeutic trials for Neurodegeneration with Brain Iron Accumulation have aimed at a reduction of cerebral iron content. A 13‐year‐old girl with mitochondrial membrane protein‐associated neurodegeneration treated with an iron‐chelating agent was monitored by R2 relaxometry, R2* relaxometry, and quantitative susceptibility mapping to estimate the brain iron content. The highly increased brain iron content slowly decreased in the substantia nigra but remained stable for globus pallidus. The estimated iron content was higher by R2* compared to R2 and quantitative susceptibility mapping, a finding not previously observed in the brain of healthy volunteers. A hypothesis explaining this discrepancy is offered.
Using in situ pore water concentrations to estimate the phytotoxicity of nicosulfuron in soils to corn (Zea mays L.)

The phytotoxicity of an herbicide in soil is typically dependent on the soil characteristics. To obtain a comparable value of the concentration that inhibits growth by 50% (IC50), 0.01 M CaCl2, excess pore water (EPW) and in situ pore water (IPW) were used to extract the bioavailable fraction of nicosulfuron from five different soils to estimate the nicosulfuron phytotoxicity to corn (Zea mays L.). The results indicated that the phytotoxicity of nicosulfuron in soils to corn depended on the soil type, and the IC50 values calculated based on the amended concentration of nicosulfuron ranged from 0.77 to 9.77 mg/kg among the five tested soils. The range of variation in IC50 values for nicosulfuron was smaller when the concentrations of nicosulfuron extracted with 0.01 M CaCl2 and EPW were used instead of the amended concentration. No significant difference was observed among the IC50 values calculated from the IPW concentrations of nicosulfuron in the five tested soils, suggesting that the concentration of nicosulfuron in IPW could be used to estimate the phytotoxicity of residual nicosulfuron in soils. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2012; 31: 1705–1711. © 2012 SETAC
ACE inhibition prevents myocardial infarction-induced skeletal muscle mitochondrial dysfunction.

Heart failure is associated with alterations in cardiac and skeletal muscle energy metabolism resulting in a generalized myopathy. We investigated the molecular and cellular effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition (ACEi) on skeletal muscle metabolism in infarcted animals. Myocardial infarction (MI) was obtained by left descending coronary artery ligation. Sham, MI, and MI-treated rats (perindopril, 2 mg.kg(-1). day(-1) given 7 days after MI) were studied 1 and 4 mo after surgery. Oxygen consumption of white gastrocnemius (Gas) muscle was studied in saponin-permeabilized fibers, using the main substrates of mitochondrial respiration. mRNA expression of nuclear factors (PGC-1alpha, NRF-2alpha, and mtTFA), involved in the transcription of mitochondrial proteins, and of MCIP1, a marker of calcineurin activation, were also determined. Echocardiographic left ventricular fractional shortening was reduced in both MI and perindopril group after 1 and 4 mo, whereas systemic blood pressure was reduced by 16% only in the MI group after 4 mo. The capacity of Gas to oxidize glutamate-malate, glycerol-triphosphate, or pyruvate (-30%, P < 0.01; -32%, P < 0.05; -33%, P < 0.01, respectively), was greatly decreased. Furthermore, PGC-1alpha (-54%), NRF-2alpha (-45%), and MCIP1 (-84%) gene expression were significantly downregulated. ACEi improved survival, left ventricular function, and blood pressure. Perindopril protected also totally the Gas mitochondrial function and preserved the mRNAs concentration of the mitochondrial transcriptional factors. Moreover, PGC-1alpha correlated with Gas oxidative capacity (r = 0.48), mitochondrial cytochrome-c oxidase (r = 0.65), citrate synthase (r = 0.45) activities, and MCIP1 expression (r = 0.44). Thus ACEi totally prevented MI-induced alterations of skeletal muscle mitochondrial function and protein expression, halting the development of this metabolic myopathy.
Insensitive parenting may accelerate the development of the amygdala–medial prefrontal cortex circuit

Abstract This study examined whether the association between age and amygdala–medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) connectivity in typically developing 6- to 10-year-old children is correlated with parental care. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging scans were acquired from 124 children of the Generation R Study who at 4 years old had been observed interacting with their parents to assess maternal and paternal sensitivity. Amygdala functional connectivity was assessed using a general linear model with the amygdalae time series as explanatory variables. Higher level analyses assessing Sensitivity × Age as well as exploratory Sensitivity × Age × Gender interaction effects were performed restricted to voxels in the mPFC. We found significant Sensitivity × Age interaction effects on amygdala–mPFC connectivity. Age was related to stronger amygdala–mPFC connectivity in children with a lower combined parental sensitivity score (b = 0.11, p = .004, b = 0.06, p = .06, right and left amygdala, respectively), but not in children with a higher parental sensitivity score, (b = –0.07, p = .12, b = –0.06, p = .12, right and left amygdala, respectively). A similar effect was found for maternal sensitivity, with stronger amygdala–mPFC connectivity in children with less sensitive mothers. Exploratory (parental, maternal, paternal) Sensitivity × Age × Gender interaction analyses suggested that this effect was especially pronounced in girls. Amygdala-mPFC resting-state functional connectivity has been shown to increase from age 10.5 years onward, implying that the positive association between age and amygdala–mPFC connectivity in 6- to 10-year-old children of less sensitive parents represents accelerated development of the amygdala–mPFC circuit.
Correlation of structural and electrophysiological changes in the retina of young high myopes

Despite a high prevalence of myopia among young East Asian adults, there is a lack of data on the myopic retina structure‐function relationship in this group. We examined the association between optical coherence tomography (OCT) and electroretinogram (ERG) measurements in highly myopic young Asian adults to provide this information and also determined if OCT can be used as an alternative screening tool to assess retinal function in young myopic adults.
Efficient, Safe, and Probably Approximately Complete Learning of Action Models

In this paper we explore the theoretical boundaries of planning in a setting where no model of the agent's actions is given. Instead of an action model, a set of successfully executed plans are given and the task is to generate a plan that is safe, i.e., guaranteed to achieve the goal without failing. To this end, we show how to learn a conservative model of the world in which actions are guaranteed to be applicable. This conservative model is then given to an off-the-shelf classical planner, resulting in a plan that is guaranteed to achieve the goal. However, this reduction from a model-free planning to a model-based planning is not complete: in some cases a plan will not be found even when such exists. We analyze the relation between the number of observed plans and the likelihood that our conservative approach will indeed fail to solve a solvable problem. Our analysis show that the number of trajectories needed scales gracefully.
How to Evaluate Educational Games: a Systematic Literature Review

Educational games have been used as an innovative instructional strategy in order to achieve learning more effectively. However, it is essential to systematically evaluate such games in order to obtain sound evidence on their impact. Thus, the objective of this article is to present the state of the art on how to systematically evaluate educational games. Therefore, we performed a systematic literature review with an initial sample of 21,291 articles from which 11 relevant articles have been identified, describing 7 approaches to systematically evaluate educational games. Based on these studies we analyze how the approaches are defined (quality factors, theoretical constructs), operationalized (research designs, data collection instruments, data analysis methods), how they have been developed (development methodology) and evaluated (evaluated aspects, number of applications & data points and data analysis methods). As a result, we can confirm that exist few approaches to systematically evaluate educational games. The majority of the approaches are developed in an ad-hoc manner, not providing an explicit definition of the study, its execution and data analysis. We also observed that among the few encountered approaches no clear pattern emerges on which quality factors to evaluate. This shows that there exists a need for research on the definition and operationalization of educational game evaluations in order to obtain more valid and uniform results.
Electrokaryotypes of Macronuclei of Several Paramecium Species

Abstract A comparative study of macronuclear DNA molecules from the following Paramecium species: the P. aurelia complex, P. caudatum, P. bursaria, P. putrinum and P. multimicronucleatum was performed using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. The electrophoretic pattern was constant and unique for each species, and is referred to herein as its electrokaryotype. Large differences were observed between Paramecium species according to the range and major size of macronuclear DNA fragments, while different strains of the same species, even belonging to different syngens, were characterized by the same electrokaryotype. In this respect sibling species from the P. aurelia complex are as similar as syngens in other Paramecium species, but are unlike conventional species. The principles and value of electrokaryotype analysis for application to ciliates are discussed.