Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hi doctor, give me handouts: low-proficiency learners and requests

The ability to participate in extended interactions is an important aspect of second language proficiency but has not been much investigated. In this study, we focus on how a group of low-proficiency learners managed extended conversations in role plays involving requests. We compared them with intermediate- and advanced-level learners and found that low-proficiency learners are less likely to delay their request and less likely to use explanations or accounts preceding the request. However, the atypical structure of their requests seems to signal to the interlocutor a need to take a more collaborative role in the interaction and suggest possible explanations and accounts for the learner to confirm. This demonstration of the expected sequential organization of requests raises possibilities for classroom instruction, especially if coupled with metapragmatic awareness raising.
Serum levels of the adipokine lipocalin-2 are increased in preeclampsia.

BACKGROUND Preeclampsia (PE) is a serious complication in pregnancy which increases the future risk for vascular and metabolic disease in both mother and newborn. Recently, lipocalin-2 has been introduced as a novel adipokine which contributes to obesity, insulin resistance, and vascular disease. AIM In the current study, we investigated lipocalin-2 serum levels in PE patients as compared to healthy gestational age-matched controls. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Lipocalin-2 serum concentrations were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in control (no.=22) and PE (no.=22) patients. Furthermore, lipocalin-2 levels were correlated to clinical and biochemical measures of renal function, glucose, and lipid metabolism, as well as inflammation. RESULTS Median maternal lipocalin-2 concentrations were significantly increased in PE (121.3 μg/l) as compared to control subjects (99.8 μg/l) (p<0.05). Furthermore, circulating lipocalin 2 correlated positively with diastolic blood pressure, creatinine, and C reactive protein. In multivariate analyses, creatinine and C reactive protein remained independently associated with lipocalin-2 levels. CONCLUSIONS We demonstrate that maternal lipocalin-2 concentrations are significantly increased in PE. Furthermore, markers of renal function and inflammation independently predict circulating lipocalin-2.
Sources of intravascular ATP during exercise in humans: critical role for skeletal muscle perfusion

• What is the central question of this study? Plasma ATP increases during exercise in humans, but whether ATP originates predominantly from extravascular (nerves and muscle) or intravascular sources (blood and endothelial cells) is unclear. • What is the main finding and its importance? The collective observations indicate that neither sympathetic nerves nor active skeletal muscle are likely to be the origin of intravascular ATP during dynamic muscle contractions in humans. Furthermore, elevations in skeletal muscle perfusion are requisite to increase and maintain high plasma ATP during exercise, suggesting ATP release from an intravascular cell source.
Upper Thoracic Versus Lower Thoracic Upper Instrumented Vertebrae Endpoints Have Similar Outcomes and Complications in Adult Scoliosis

Study Design. Retrospective review—multicenter database. Objective. The purpose of this study was to compare the upper thoracic (UT) and lower thoracic (LT) upper instrumented vertebrae (UIV) in long fusions to the sacrum for adult scoliosis. Summary of Background Data. The optimal UIV for stopping long fusions to the sacrum/pelvis are controversial. Although a UT endpoint may lead to greater operative times, blood loss, and higher rates of pseudarthrosis, the risk for the development of proximal junctional kyphosis and need for revision surgery is likely lower. Methods. Retrospective analysis of a prospective database of patients with adult spinal deformity, Patients were selected on the basis of fusions to the sacrum/pelvis with UIV of T1–T6 (UT group) and those with a UIV of T9–L1 (LT group). Demographic data, operative details, and radiographical outcomes with Scoliosis Research Society scores, and Oswestry Disability Index outcomes were collected, as well as complication data were compared. The Fisher exact T tests were used for statistical analysis. Results. A total of 198 patients (UT = 91, LT = 107) with a mean age of 61.6 were followed for an average of 2.5 years. Demographic variables were similar between the groups except for larger numbers of females in the UT group and a slightly higher body mass index in the LT group. Preoperatively, the UT group demonstrated significantly more lumbar scoliosis, thoracic scoliosis, and thoracolumbar kyphosis. The UT group demonstrated a larger number of fused segments length of stay and longer operative times. There was slightly larger volume of blood loss in the UT group. The total number of complications and number of revision surgical procedures were similar between the groups. The UT group had a higher percentage of patients with 2 or more complications. Both groups had similar proximal junctional kyphosis angles and number of cases requiring revision for proximal junctional kyphosis. Scoliosis Research Society and Oswestry Disability Index outcomes were similar between the groups. Conclusion. The UT and LT groups had similar outcomes. The UT group may have a higher rate of total complications, but major complications requiring return to the operative room were similar. The length of stay and operative times were higher in the UT group but may have been necessarily evidenced by the significantly higher coronal deformity and greater thoracolumbar kyphosis in the UT group. Level of Evidence: 4
Ecological Correlates of the Educative Style of Afro-American Children.

In the research on the influence of the physical environment of the home on the development of children, factors such as the presence of age-appropriate play materials, the access to physical and visual exploration in the environment, and the amount and intensity of noise stimulation have been found to influence cognitive development associated with educative competence. Other factors include the amount of personal space, temporal regularity, and the type and intensity of social interaction.1 Feuerstein2 asserts that the impact of these factors is dependent upon the experience and intent of the mediating adult who frames, selects, focuses, and interprets the experiences in ways that produce the culturally appropriate educative style. Wachs,3 however, hypothesizes that it is the specific environment interacting with the organismic variables which determines the impact upon the child regardless of the sociocultural mediating experiences. Not included in either view is a theory on whether or not the child develops a
Measuring Investors' Risk Appetite

This paper proposes a new method for measuring investor 'risk appetite'. Like other indicators in the literature, it is based on a comparison of risk-neutral probabilities of future returns with the corresponding subjective probabilities. The precise nature of the comparison is novel, however, and involves comparing probabilities across the full range of potential returns. Unlike other indicators, our measure of market sentiment distinguishes risk appetite from risk aversion, and is reported in levels rather than changes. Implementation of the approach yields results that respond to crises and other major economic events in a plausible manner.
A Randomized Controlled Trial of the Efficacy and Safety of Electroanatomic Circumferential Pulmonary Vein Ablation Supplemented by Ablation of Complex Fractionated Atrial Electrograms Versus Potential-Guided Pulmonary Vein Antrum Isolation Guided by Intracardiac Ultrasound

Background—The study was conducted to compare relative safety and efficacy of pulmonary vein antrum isolation (PVAI) using intracardiac echocardiographic guidance and circumferential pulmonary vein ablation (CPVA) for atrial fibrillation (AF) using radiofrequency energy. Methods and Results—Sixty patients (81% men; 81% paroxysmal; age, 56±8 years) failing 2±1 antiarrhythmic drugs were randomly assigned to undergo CPVA (n=30) or PVAI (n=30) at 5 centers between December 2004 and October 2007. CPVA patients had circular lesions placed at least 1 cm outside of the veins. Ipsilateral veins were ablated en block with the end point of disappearance of potentials within the circular lesion. Left atrial roof line and mitral isthmus line were ablated without verification of block. For patients in AF postablation or with AF induced with programmed stimulation, complex fractionated electrograms were mapped and ablated to the end point of AF termination or disappearance of complex fractionated electrograms. PVAI did not include complex fractionated electrogram ablation. Esophageal temperature was monitored and kept within 2°C of baseline or under 39°C. Success was defined as absence of atrial tachyarrhythmias (AF/AT) off antiarrhythmic drugs. There was no difference between CPVA and PVAI regarding to baseline variables, catheter used, duration of the procedure, or RF delivery. Fluoroscopy time was longer with PVAI (54±17 minutes versus 77±18 minutes, P=0.0001). No significant complications occurred in either arm. PVAI was more likely to achieve control of AF/AT off antiarrhythmic drugs (57% versus 27%, P=0.02) at 2±1 years of follow-up. Conclusions—A single PVAI procedure is more likely to result in freedom from AF/AT off antiarrhythmic drugs than CPVA supplemented by complex fractionated electrogram ablation in select patients.
The educated militants of Pakistan: implications for Pakistan's domestic security

Abstract This paper presents preliminary findings from a survey of 141 militant households in Pakistan, focusing on the background of slain militants in those households. The militants in the sample are well educated and are not predominantly emerging from Pakistan's religious seminaries as is often suggested. This essay considers Pakistan's policy options and constraints as Islamist militancy looms as Pakistan's single most important security concern. Given that militant groups in Pakistan have been state-sponsored actors, militancy will not go away until Pakistan makes a strategic decision to abandon the use of proxies as tools of foreign policy. However, in recent years, many of these once proxies have turned against the state. Effective policy measures to contain these groups are likely to elude the Pakistani Government, posing great risk to Pakistan, the region and the international community.
Listeria monocytogenes exopolysaccharide: origin, structure, biosynthetic machinery and c‐di‐GMP‐dependent regulation

Elevated levels of the second messenger c‐di‐GMP activate biosynthesis of an unknown exopolysaccharide (EPS) in the food‐borne pathogen Listeria monocytogenes. This EPS strongly protects cells against disinfectants and desiccation, indicating its potential significance for listerial persistence in the environment and for food safety. We analyzed the potential phylogenetic origin of this EPS, determined its complete structure, characterized genes involved in its biosynthesis and hydrolysis and identified diguanylate cyclases activating its synthesis. Phylogenetic analysis of EPS biosynthesis proteins suggests that they have evolved within monoderms. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that L. monocytogenes EPS is cell surface‐bound. Secreted carbohydrates represent exclusively cell‐wall debris. Based on carbohydrate composition, linkage and NMR analysis, the structure of the purified EPS is identified as a β‐1,4‐linked N‐acetylmannosamine chain decorated with terminal α‐1,6‐linked galactose. All genes of the pssA‐E operon are required for EPS production and so is a separately located pssZ gene. We show that PssZ has an EPS‐specific glycosylhydrolase activity. Exogenously added PssZ prevents EPS‐mediated cell aggregation and disperses preformed aggregates, whereas an E72Q mutant in the presumed catalytic residue is much less active. The diguanylate cyclases DgcA and DgcB, whose genes are located next to pssZ, are primarily responsible for c‐di‐GMP‐dependent EPS production.
Free Association in Psychology and the Grid Elaboration Method

This article traces the history of free association in psychoanalysis, cognitive psychology, and social psychology and builds on these traditions to develop a novel research method for eliciting how people think and feel about social and personal issues. These range from climate change to pandemics, from earthquakes to urban living. The method, termed the grid elaboration method (GEM), is distinctive in tapping the naturalistic thoughts and feelings that people hold in relation to such issues. It provides an instrument that elicits ecologically valid material that minimizes the interference of the investigator's perspective. A further aspect of the method is that it taps chains of association that are often emotive and implicit in nature, in keeping with current trends in psychological research. These facets are elaborated in this article, with reference to an exploration of the history of free association methodologies in psychology. The efficacy of the method is demonstrated using examples drawn from recent empirical work utilizing the GEM in a variety of domains. The method is evaluated, with areas for future exploration elucidated.
Polyphasic taxonomy of the heat resistant ascomycete genus Byssochlamys and its Paecilomyces anamorphs

Byssochlamys and related Paecilomyces strains are often heat resistant and may produce mycotoxins in contaminated pasteurised foodstuffs. A comparative study of all Byssochlamys species was carried out using a polyphasic approach to find characters that differentiate species and to establish accurate data on potential mycotoxin production by each species. Phylogenetic analysis of the ITS region, parts of the β-tubulin and calmodulin genes, macro- and micromorphological examinations and analysis of extrolite profiles were applied. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that the genus Byssochlamys includes nine species, five of which form a teleomorph, i.e. B. fulva, B. lagunculariae, B. nivea, B. spectabilis and B. zollerniae, while four are asexual, namely P. brunneolus, P. divaricatus, P. formosus and P. saturatus. Among these, B. nivea produces the mycotoxins patulin and byssochlamic acid and the immunosuppressant mycophenolic acid. Byssochlamys lagunculariae produces byssochlamic acid and mycophenolic acid and thus chemically resembles B. nivea. Some strains of P. saturatus produce patulin and brefeldin A, while B. spectabilis (anamorph P. variotii s.s.) produces viriditoxin. Some micro- and macromorphological characters are valuable for identification purposes, including the shape and size of conidia and ascospores, presence and ornamentation of chlamydospores, growth rates on MEA and CYA and acid production on CREA. A dichotomous key is provided for species identification based on phenotypical characters.
Pharmacodynamic studies of nitrofurantoin against common uropathogens.

OBJECTIVES To determine the pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic index that best correlates to nitrofurantoin's antibacterial effect, we studied nitrofurantoin activity against common causative pathogens in uncomplicated urinary tract infection (UTI). METHODS Five isolates [two Escherichia coli (one isolate producing the ESBL CTX-M-15), two Enterococcus faecium (including one that was vancomycin resistant) and one Staphylococcus saprophyticus] were used. The MICs of nitrofurantoin were determined by Etest. Time-kill curves with different concentrations of nitrofurantoin (based on multiples of isolate-specific MICs) were followed over 24 h. An in vitro kinetic model was used to simulate different time-concentration profiles, exposing E. coli to nitrofurantoin for varying proportions of the dosing interval. The outcome parameters reduction in cfu 0-24 h (Δcfu0-24) and the area under the bactericidal curve (AUBC), were correlated with time over MIC (T>MIC) and area under the antibiotic concentration curve divided by the MIC (AUC/MIC). RESULTS A bactericidal effect at varying static drug concentrations was achieved for all isolates. All isolates showed similar kill curve profiles. In the kinetic model, the effect of nitrofurantoin on E. coli displayed a 4 log reduction in cfu/mL within 6 h at 8 × MIC. The outcome parameters Δcfu0-24 and AUBC had a good correlation with T>MIC (R ≈ 0.83 and R ≈ 0.67, respectively), whereas log(AUC/MIC) was significantly poorer (R ≈ 0.39 and R ≈ 0.53, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Nitrofurantoin was highly effective against E. coli and S. saprophyticus isolates; the killing effect against E. faecium was not as rapid, but still significant. Against E. coli, nitrofurantoin was mainly associated with a concentration-dependent action; this was confirmed in the kinetic model, in which T>MIC displayed the best correlation.
Site-directed mutagenesis of Glu-141 and His-223 in Pseudomonas aeruginosa elastase: catalytic activity, processing, and protective activity of the elastase against Pseudomonas infection

Both Pseudomonas aeruginosa elastase and Bacillus thermoproteolyticus thermolysin are zinc metalloproteases. On the basis of the high homology of the P. aeruginosa elastase with the Bacillus thermolysin, we hypothesized that Glu-141 and His-223 are the key residues for catalytic activity of the Pseudomonas elastase. To test this possibility, we replaced Glu-141 with Asp, Gln, and Gly and His-223 with Gly, Glu, and Leu by site-directed mutagenesis. These substitutions dramatically diminished the proteolytic activities of the mutant elastases when they were expressed in Escherichia coli cells. Although these mutant elastase precursors (proelastases) were produced, no appreciable processing was observed with these mutants. The possibility that autocatalysis is involved in both the processing and activation of elastase is discussed. Furthermore, by immunizing mice with vaccines made from these mutant elastase, we were able to obtain good protection against an intraperitoneal P. aeruginosa challenge.
Perceptions of Father Parenting Style, Empathy, and Self-Esteem Among Greek Preadolescents

This study examines the relationship between early adolescents’ perceptions of their father's parenting style and two outcomes, global self-esteem and empathy. One hundred ninety primary school pupils (mean age = 11.26 years, standard deviation = 0.73) completed the Parenting Styles and Dimensions Questionnaire, the Index of Empathy for Children and Adolescents, and the Self-Perception Profile for Children. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlations, and regression analyses. Findings suggested a significant link between paternal parenting style as perceived by preadolescents and preadolescents’ empathy and global self-esteem. The participating pupils tended to perceive their fathers as predominantly supportive, whereas perceptions of self and empathy were quite high. Finally, preadolescents’ perception of their father's parenting style was a significant factor in predicting preadolescents’ global self-esteem and empathic behavior. The present findings support previous evidence attesting to a link between parenting, father–child communication, and aspects of child psychosocial development.
A Random Matrix Approach to Neural Networks

This article studies the Gram random matrix model $G=\frac1T\Sigma^{\rm T}\Sigma$, $\Sigma=\sigma(WX)$, classically found in the analysis of random feature maps and random neural networks, where $X=[x_1,\ldots,x_T]\in{\mathbb R}^{p\times T}$ is a (data) matrix of bounded norm, $W\in{\mathbb R}^{n\times p}$ is a matrix of independent zero-mean unit variance entries, and $\sigma:{\mathbb R}\to{\mathbb R}$ is a Lipschitz continuous (activation) function --- $\sigma(WX)$ being understood entry-wise. By means of a key concentration of measure lemma arising from non-asymptotic random matrix arguments, we prove that, as $n,p,T$ grow large at the same rate, the resolvent $Q=(G+\gamma I_T)^{-1}$, for $\gamma>0$, has a similar behavior as that met in sample covariance matrix models, involving notably the moment $\Phi=\frac{T}n{\mathbb E}[G]$, which provides in passing a deterministic equivalent for the empirical spectral measure of $G$. Application-wise, this result enables the estimation of the asymptotic performance of single-layer random neural networks. This in turn provides practical insights into the underlying mechanisms into play in random neural networks, entailing several unexpected consequences, as well as a fast practical means to tune the network hyperparameters.
Social Cognition: Making Sense of People

How do we make sense of other people and of ourselves? What do we know about the people we encounter in our daily lives and about the situations in which we encounter them, and how do we use this knowledge in our attempt to understand, predict, or recall their behavior? Are our social judgments fully determined by our social knowledge, or are they also influenced by our feelings and desires? Social cognition researchers look at how we make sense of other people and of ourselves. In this book Ziva Kunda provides a comprehensive and accessible survey of research and theory about social cognition at a level appropriate for undergraduate and graduate students, as well as researchers in the field. The first part of the book reviews basic processes in social cognition, including the representation of social concepts, rules of inference, memory, "hot" cognition driven by motivation or affect, and automatic processing. The second part reviews three basic topics in social cognition: group stereotypes, knowledge of other individuals, and the self. A final chapter revisits many of these issues from a cross-cultural perspective.
Improved Efficiency of Organic Photovoltaic Cells by Incorporation of AuAg-Alloyed Nanoprisms

We successfully synthesized AuAg-alloyed nanoprisms (AuAgNPrisms) through the seed mediated and galvanic replacement approaches. By introducing the synthesized AuAgNPrisms at the buffer/active interface with an optimal concentration, we increased the power conversion efficiency of PTB7:PC70BM-based organic photovoltaic cells from 6.58% to 7.11%, the current density from 13.36 to 15.01 mA/cm2, corresponding to enhancement factors of 8.1% and 12.4%, respectively. According to our systematical study, we concluded that the incorporation of AuAgNPrisms not only increases light absorption in the active layer over a broad wavelength range but improves the exciton dissociation rate at the interface between PTB7 and PC70BM. With the incorporation of AuAgNPrisms, although the increase in the leakage current is observed, the carrier mobility is also improved apparently, yielding that the reduction in the fill factor is negligible. This work could contribute to the development of high efficiency and low cost organic solar cells.
Blocking of EGF-dependent cell proliferation by EGF receptor kinase inhibitors

A systematic series of low molecular weight protein tyrosine kinase inhibitors were synthesized; they had progressively increasing affinity over a 2500-fold range toward the substrate site of epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor kinase domain. These compounds inhibited EGF receptor kinase activity up to three orders of magnitude more than they inhibited insulin receptor kinase, and they also effectively inhibited the EGF-dependent autophosphorylation of the receptor. The most potent compounds effectively inhibited the EGF-dependent proliferation of A431/clone 15 cells with little or no effect on the EGF-independent proliferation of these cells. The potential use of tyrosine protein kinase inhibitors as antiproliferative agents is demonstrated.