Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Examining perceptions of peer substance use in friendships of different gender structure

Peer delinquency is nearly always operationalized with an individual's perceptions of his/her peers' behavior rather than the peers' actual behavior. A criticism of these measures is that there is often a discrepancy between the perception of peer behavior and actual peer behavior. The mechanism that is most often discussed regarding the reason underlying misperceptions is ‘projection,’ or the situation when one respondent uses his/her deviant behavior to describe the behavior of his/her friends. Using data from a large sample of friendship pairs in emerging adulthood, we employ self-reported and perceptual measures of substance use to determine how the gender structure of friendship dyads affects the construction of perceptions of a peer's substance use. We examine the projection hypothesis generally, but our specific interest lies in how both the gender of the respondent and the gender composition of the dyad affect the cognitive perception of a close friend's use of drugs. Results indicate that perceptions vary greatly across friendships of different gender structures, and those in split gender friendships generate perceptions that most closely reflect the peer's actual use patterns.
Acting out our minds: Incorporating behavior into models of stereotype‐based expectancies for cross‐cultural interactions

This article presents an observational study designed to investigate the role of expectancies and behaviors during cross‐cultural interactions. In a partial test of several cognition‐based models, the study provided more support for associations between individuating behaviors (involvement, verbal openness, and nonverbal cue congruence) and post‐interaction evaluations than between expectancies (reported knowledge and attitudes) and evaluations, which is consistent with a “weak social constructivist view” (Jussim, 1991) of the evaluation process. Individuating behavior was particularly likely to correlate with evaluations when it occurred later in interactions. Despite their relative unimportance in predicting evaluations, stereotype‐based expectancies were associated with some behaviors (gaze, lean, head nods, and body orientation) used by the participants and, to a lesser degree, by their partners. Expectancies also predicted behavioral congruence for vocal, body orientation, and kinesic cues. A model o.
Incidence of acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome in the intensive care unit of a university hospital: a prospective study.

OBJECTIVE To establish the incidence of acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome, as well as related risk factors and mortality in an intensive care unit. To compare patients developing lung injury with at-risk patients not presenting acute lung injury or acute respiratory distress syndrome. METHODS The study was conducted in the intensive care unit of the Ribeirão Preto Hospital das Clínicas Emergency Room. All patients admitted between May 2001 and April 2002 were monitored prospectively. Clinical data, Acute Physiologic and Chronic Health Evaluation II score, complications, length of stay in the intensive care unit and lung injury data were recorded. RESULTS Of the 524 patients admitted, 175 (33.4%) presented risk factors for acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome, 33 (6.3%) developed acute respiratory distress syndrome, and 12 (2.3%) developed acute lung injury. The main risk factors were pneumonia (37.7%), shock (32.0%), multiple trauma (24.6%) and sepsis (21.1%). Patients developing acute lung injury had higher Acute Physiologic and Chronic Health Evaluation II scores (p < 0.05), more frequently presented sepsis (p = 0.001), developed more complications (p = 0.001) and presented greater mortality (p = 0.001). The main cause of death was multiple organ failure (38.5%). CONCLUSION The incidence of acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome was 2.3% and 6.3%, respectively.
Optimal Monitoring and Mitigation of Systemic Risk in Financial Networks

This paper studies the problem of optimally allocating a cash injection into a financial system in distress. Given a one-period borrower-lender network in which all debts are due at the same time and have the same seniority, we address the problem of allocating a fixed amount of cash among the nodes to minimize the weighted sum of unpaid liabilities. Assuming all the loan amounts and asset values are fixed and that there are no bankruptcy costs, we show that this problem is equivalent to a linear program. We develop a duality-based distributed algorithm to solve it which is useful for applications where it is desirable to avoid centralized data gathering and computation. We also consider the problem of minimizing the expectation of the weighted sum of unpaid liabilities under the assumption that the net external asset holdings of all institutions are stochastic. We show that this problem is a two-stage stochastic linear program. To solve it, we develop two algorithms based on: Benders decomposition algorithm and projected stochastic gradient descent. We show that if the defaulting nodes never pay anything, the deterministic optimal cash injection allocation problem is an NP-hard mixed-integer linear program. However, modern optimization software enables the computation of very accurate solutions to this problem on a personal computer in a few seconds for network sizes comparable with the size of the US banking system. In addition, we address the problem of allocating the cash injection amount so as to minimize the number of nodes in default. For this problem, we develop two heuristic algorithms: a reweighted l1 minimization algorithm and a greedy algorithm. We illustrate these two algorithms using three synthetic network structures for which the optimal solution can be calculated exactly. We also compare these two algorithms on three types random networks which are more complex.
The Physical and Mental Health Effects of Community Violence Exposure in Pre-Adolescent and Adolescent Youth

The purpose of this inquiry is to determine the impact of community violence exposure (CVE) on the physical and mental health of children and adolescents. Twelve research studies exploring this topic were found by conducting a search in Pubmed and the Cumulative Index of Nursing and the Allied Health Literature (CINAHL). The articles used in this inquiry were limited to those published in the United States after 2003. All studies directly assessed CVE and explored its association with psychological or physical symptoms. An increased risk of PTSD and internalizing symptoms were associated with CVE. Children with CVE were at a higher risk for somatic complaints. In addition, CVE was associated with higher morbidity in children with asthma. The literature was entirely self-report with both cross-sectional and longitudinal studies. These results indicate the need for further research to better understand CVE and health associations.
Getting past platitudes: Factors limiting accommodation in public relations

Prevailing thought in academia holds that the ideal model of public relations is two‐way symmetrical. In this model, communication flows both ways between an organisation and a public while both are prepared to change their own behaviour. The result is posited as the most professional, ethical and effective practice. Contingency theory offers qualifications and reservations of excellence theory. One qualification is that dialogue between an organisation and a public may not be allowed for a number of reasons, such as legal constraints or moral convictions against compromising with a public. To build the contingency theory from the ground up, top practitioners are interviewed to learn whether six such proscriptive factors ring true in their experience. The implications of the findings for practitioners, educators and those interested in theories that help define professional practice in public relations are discussed.
The Functions of RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerases in Arabidopsis

One recently identified mechanism that regulates mRNA abundance is RNA silencing, and pioneering work in Arabidopsis thaliana and other genetic model organisms helped define this process. RNA silencing pathways are triggered by either self-complementary fold-back structures or the production of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) that gives rise to small RNAs (smRNAs) known as microRNAs (miRNAs) or small-interfering RNAs (siRNAs). These smRNAs direct sequence-specific regulation of various gene transcripts, repetitive sequences, viruses, and mobile elements via RNA cleavage, translational inhibition, or transcriptional silencing through DNA methylation and heterochromatin formation. Early genetic screens in Arabidopsis were instrumental in uncovering numerous proteins required for these important regulatory pathways. Among the factors identified by these studies were RNA-dependent RNA polymerases (RDRs), which are proteins that synthesize siRNA-producing dsRNA molecules using a single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) molecule as a template. Recently, a growing body of evidence has implicated RDR-dependent RNA silencing in many different aspects of plant biology ranging from reproductive development to pathogen resistance. Here, we focus on the specific functions of the six Arabidopsis RDRs in RNA silencing, their ssRNA substrates and resulting RDR-dependent smRNAs, and the numerous biological functions of these proteins in plant development and stress responses.
Electron densities in EUV coronal bright points

Received 31 January 2005 / Accepted 10 March 2005 Abstract. Electron density measurements of six coronal bright points have been obtained using line ratio diagnostics of four ions in the temperature range 1.3-2.0 × 10 6 K. The results suggest that BP plasma has more similarities to active region plasma than to quiet Sun plasma. Nevertheless, they do not show the exact same behaviour: the increase of electron density at temper- atures over log Te ∼ 6.2, observed in the core of active regions, has not been detected. The Fe  results based on new atomic data, although in better agreement decreasing more than a factor of two the densities obtained with older calculations, are still in some instances higher than those from Si . This could be a consequence of the inhomogeneity of the plasma in the observed volume. New measurements with a better constriction of the volumetric properties seem necessary to rule out the influence of other factors and confirm whether there is an inconsistency between the ions, perhaps due to line blending problems in the Fe  lines.
Trauma history screening in a community mental health center.

OBJECTIVE This study assessed the lifetime prevalence of traumatic events among consumers of a community mental health center by using a brief trauma screening instrument. This study also examined the relationship between trauma exposure and physical and mental health sequelae and determined whether the routine administration of a trauma screening measure at intake would result in increased diagnoses of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and in changes in treatment planning in a practice setting. METHODS A 13-item self-report trauma screening instrument, a shortened version of the Trauma Assessment of Adults instrument, was incorporated into the intake assessment process at a community mental health center (CMHC). A total of 505 out of 515 consumers who presented to the CMHC consecutively were surveyed from May 1, 2001, to January 31, 2002. Data from the initial assessment on trauma exposure and on rate of PTSD diagnosis were examined, and a chart review was conducted on 97 cases (19 percent) to determine the extent to which CMHC services addressed trauma-related problems. RESULTS Data indicated that 460 consumers (91 percent) had been exposed to one or more traumatic life experiences. The number of traumatic events was negatively correlated with physical and mental health functioning on the 12-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12). Subjects with a history of sexual abuse scored significantly higher on the SF-12, reflecting poorer physical and mental health. Although the rate of PTSD diagnosis increased after implementation of the trauma screening instrument, the rates of actual PTSD treatment services provided did not change. CONCLUSIONS This study strongly suggests that screening for trauma history should be a routine part of mental health assessment and may significantly improve the recognition rate of PTSD. However, much work remains to be done in implementing appropriate treatment.
Obesity-associated hypertension and kidney disease

Purpose of reviewThe worldwide prevalence of obesity and its associated metabolic and cardiovascular disorders has risen dramatically during the past two decades. Our objective is to review the mechanisms that link obesity with hypertension and altered kidney function. Recent findingsCurrent evidence suggests that excess weight gain may be responsible for 65-75% of the risk for essential hypertension. Abnormal renal pressure natriuresis, due initially to increased renal tubular sodium reabsorption, is a key factor linking obesity with hypertension. Obesity increases renal sodium reabsorption by activating the renin-angiotensin and sympathetic nervous systems, and by altering intrarenal physical forces. Adipose tissue functions as an endocrine organ, secreting hormones/cytokines (e.g. leptin) that may activate the sympathetic nervous system and alter kidney function. Excess visceral adipose tissue may physically compress the kidneys, increasing intrarenal pressures and tubular reabsorption. Sustained obesity eventually causes structural changes in the kidneys and loss of nephron function, further increasing arterial pressure and leading to severe renal disease in some cases. SummaryDespite considerable progress in understanding the pathophysiology of obesity, there are still no specific guidelines for the treatment of obesity hypertension other than weight reduction. Special considerations for obese hypertensive patients, in addition to controlling blood pressure, are correcting the metabolic abnormalities and protecting the kidneys from injury. This remains an important area for further research, especially in view of the current ‘epidemic’ of obesity in most industrialized countries.
Labeling, Affect, and Teachers' Hypothetical Approaches to Conflict Resolution: An Exploratory Study

The current study investigated how teachers would intervene in hypothetical conflicts experienced by students in the classroom and how informal labeling of students and affect relate to teachers' hypothetical interventions. Thirty-one teachers from various early childhood learning centers were recruited for participation. Teachers were presented with 3 hypothetical situations depicting children involved in peer conflicts. They were asked to rate the child who had initiated the conflict according to lists of positive and negative characteristics, as well as to rate how much positive and negative affect was elicited from the situation. Next, teachers recorded how they would intervene in each conflict, with responses coded as either mediation or cessation. Results suggested that teachers tended to use more cessation than mediation in dealing with classroom conflict and that interventions varied depending on the described behavioral background of the child presented. Labeling and affect also varied among the 3 different child characterizations of easy, difficult, and ambiguous. Findings lend support to a relationship between both labeling and affect with teachers' negotiation interventions. Understanding the implications of this study in the context of its limitations is highlighted.
Formal requirements engineering: learning from the students

Formal methods are becoming increasingly important in many areas of software development and should be incorporated in the teaching of software engineering. Requirements capture is, in our opinion, the hardest stage of development for students to learn and for lecturers to teach. The paper reports on our experience in teaching requirements engineering using formal methods, where we advocate a multiple methods approach in which students get to evaluate a large range of specification languages: students are more likely to learn the principles of good requirements engineering rather than become experts in one particular (formal) method. The need for formality is introduced step-by-step, where new concepts are identified by the students through the use of case studies. These concepts are then formalised in the most appropriate language or notation. Students are encouraged to question the need for formality-each requirements engineering method is a compromise and the use of formal models needs to be placed within the context of the choices that a requirements engineer has to make.
Protection of bovine serum albumin from aggregation by Tween 80.

In an attempt to explain the mechanism of protein stabilization conferred by detergents, we investigated the effect of Tween 80 on aggregation of bovine serum albumin (BSA) using circular dichroism (CD) and native gel electrophoresis. CD thermal scans showed that BSA denatures at about 54 degrees C in 20 mM Tris, pH 7.2, forming soluble aggregates. Because of this aggregation, thermal unfolding of BSA under these conditions was only partially reversible, as indicated by reduced signal changes in the second scan. On the basis of this observation, BSA was thermally stressed by incubating at 50, 60, or 70 degrees C for 15 min and then analyzed by native gel electrophoresis. There was no change at 50 degrees C before and after heating, whereas at 60 degrees C the intensity of the original monomer and dimer bands decreased and that of aggregate bands increased, with much greater changes at 70 degrees C. Addition of Tween 80 before heating reduced aggregation and increased the monomer content. These effects of Tween 80 were greater as its concentration was increased from 0.001 to 1%. There was no correlation between the protective effects and the critical micelle concentration (CMC) of Tween 80. Addition of Tween 80 after 15 min incubation at 70 degrees C, or after 70 degrees C heating followed by cooling to room temperature, had no effect, demonstrating that Tween 80 must be present during the 70 degrees C heating step to be protective. Native gel electrophoresis run at 60 degrees C showed multiple aggregate bands and new bands migrating around the dimer and monomer positions, which may correspond to precursors of aggregates. Tween 80 reduced formation of these new bands and aggregates, further demonstrating that it must be present during heating. Finally, CD thermal scans showed that 0.1% Tween 80 only slightly increased the apparent melting temperature. The observed stabilization of BSA against heat treatment is, therefore, due to Tween 80 altering aggregation behavior rather than inducing significant stabilization of the native state.
An important point in real-time optimization is the necessity of a robust algorithm to converge to the optimal conditions, taking into account the need to obtain the response at relatively short time and with a lower computer burden

In this work, control and optimization algorithms are presented in order to be used in real-time process integration. The process considers as case study the o-cresol hydrogenation to obtain 2-methyl-cyclohexanol which is carried out in a three phase catalytic reactor. The real-time integration problem is postulate in one layer approach basis. Dynamic Matrix Control (DMC) is the control algorithm to be used and the optimization problem is solved by Genetic Algorithms. These algorithms showed to be efficient and robust to find out the optimal conditions and they can be used simultaneously to solve the problem in an one layer fashion. Copyright © 2006 IFAC
Stop the Violence in Latin America: A Look at Prevention from Cradle to Adulthood

The Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region has the undesirable distinction of being the world’s most violent region, with 24.7 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants. The magnitude of the problem is staggering and persistent. Of the top 50 most violent cities in the world, 42 are in LAC. In 2010 alone, 142,302 people in LAC fell victim to homicide, representing 390 homicides per day and 4.06 homicides every 15 minutes. Crime disproportionately affects young men aged 20 to 24, whose homicide rate of 92 per 100,000 nearly quadruples that of the region. The focus of Crime Prevention in Latin America and the Caribbean is to identify policy interventions that, whether by design or indirect effect, have been shown to affect antisocial behavior early in life and patterns of criminal offending in youth and adults. Particular attention is devoted to recent studies that rigorously establish a causal link between the interventions in question and outcomes. This publication adopts a lifecycle perspective and argues that as individuals progress through different stages of the lifecycle, not only do different sets of risk factors arise and take more prominence, but their interactions and interdependencies shape human behavior. These interactions and the relative importance of different sets of risk factors identify relevant margins that can effectively be targeted by prevention policies, not only early in life, but throughout the lifecycle. Indeed prevention can never start too early, nor start too late, nor be too comprehensive.
GABAergic control of arteriolar diameter in the rat retina.

PURPOSE To investigate the role of γ-aminobutryic acid (GABA) in the regulation of arteriolar diameter in the rat retina. METHODS The actions of GABA on arteriolar diameter were examined using ex vivo retinal whole-mount preparations and isolated vessel segments. In most experiments, arterioles were partially preconstricted with endothelin (Et)-1. The expression levels of GABAA and GABAB receptors on isolated rat retinal Müller cells were assessed by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS GABA (0.1-1 mM) evoked vasodilation or vasoconstriction of arterioles in whole-mount preparations. No such effects were observed with isolated vessel segments. In whole mount samples, the GABAA receptor agonist muscimol caused vasomotor responses in only a small proportion of vessels. In contrast, arteriolar responses to the GABAB receptor agonists baclofen and SKF97541 more closely resembled those observed with GABA. No responses were seen with the GABAC receptor agonist 5-methylimidazoleacetic acid. GABA-induced vasodilator responses were, for the most part, repeatable in the presence of the GABAA receptor antagonist bicuculline. These responses, however, were completely blocked in the presence of the GABAB receptor inhibitor 2-hydroxysaclofen. Strong immunolabeling for both GABAA and GABAB receptors was detected in isolated Müller cells. In the absence of Et-1-induced preconstriction, most vessels were unresponsive to bicuculline or 2-hydroxysaclofen. CONCLUSIONS GABA exerts complex effects on arteriolar diameter in the rat retina. These actions appear largely dependent upon the activation of GABAB receptors in the retinal neuropile, possibly those located on perivascular Müller cells. Despite these findings, endogenous GABA appears to contribute little to the regulation of basal arteriolar diameter in the rat retina.