Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
DIURNAL PREFERENCE AND SLEEP QUALITY: SAME GENES? A STUDY OF YOUNG ADULT TWINS

The aims of this study were to examine the genetic and environmental influences on diurnal preference and sleep quality, the association between these phenotypes, the genetic and environmental influences on this association, and the magnitude of overlap between these influences. Using a twin design, data on diurnal preference (measured by the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire) and sleep quality (measured by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) were collected from 420 monozygotic twins, 773 dizygotic twins, and 329 siblings (mode age = 20 yrs, range = 18–27 yrs) from a population-based twin registry across the UK. Univariate analyses indicated that dominance genetic influence accounted for 52% and non-shared environment 48% of variance in diurnal preference. For sleep quality, additive genetic influence explained 43% and non-shared environment 57% of the variance. The bivariate analysis indicated a significant association between greater eveningness preference and poorer sleep quality (r = .27). There was substantial overlap in the additive genetic influences on both phenotypes (rA = .57), and overlap in the dominance genetic influences common to both phenotypes was almost absolute (rD = .99). Overlap in non-shared environment was much smaller (rE = .02). Additive genetic influence accounted for 2% of the association, dominance genetic influence accounted for 94%, and non-shared environmental influences accounted for the remaining 4%. The substantial overlap in genetic influence between these phenotypes indicates that similar genes are important for diurnal preference and sleep quality. Therefore, those genes already known to influence one phenotype may be possible candidates to explore with regards to the other phenotype. (Author correspondence: ps701nh@gold.ac.uk)
Building Peace and/or Gender Equality.Changing Attitudes around Peace, Development and Security in International Cooperation in Rwanda.

The times following international or civil conflicts but also violent revolutions often come with unequal share of the peace dividend for men and women. Delusions for women who gained freedom of movement and of roles during conflict but had to step back during reconstruction and peace have been recorded in all regions of the world. The emergence of peacebuilding as a modality for the international community to ensure peace and security has slowly incorporated gender sensitivity at the level of legal and policy instruments. Focusing on Rwanda, a country that has obtained significant gender advancement in the years after the genocide while also obtaining to not relapse into conflict, this research explores to what extent the international community has contributed to this transformation. From a review of evaluations, findings are that many of the interventions did not purse gender equality, and overall the majority understood gender and designed actions is a quite superficial way which would hardly account for the significative advancement in combating gender discrimination that the Government, for its inner political will, is conducting. Then, after a critique from a feminist standpoint to the concept of human security, departing from the assumption (sustained by the Governemnt of Rwanda as well) that domestic violence is a variable influencing level of security relevant at the national level, a review of available secondary data on GBV is conducted an trends over the years analysed. The emerging trends signal a steep increase in prevalence of GBV and in domestic violence in particular. Although no conclusive interpretation can be formulated on these data, there are elements suggesting the increase might be due to augmented reporting. The research concludes outlining possible further research pathways to better understand the link in Rwanda between the changing gender norms and the GBV.
Secure Voting in the Cloud Using Homomorphic Encryption and Mobile Agents

While governments are transitioning to the cloud to leverage efficiency, transparency and accessibility advantages, public opinion - the backbone of democracy - is being left behind. Statistics show that traditional paper voting is failing to reach the technological-savvy generation, with voter turnout decreasing every election for many first-world countries. Remote electronic voting is a possible solution facilitator to this problem, but it still faces several security, privacy and accountability concerns. This paper introduces a practical application of partially homomorphic encryption to help address these challenges. We describe a cloud-based mobile electronic voting scheme, evaluating its security against a list of requirements, and benchmarking performance on the cloud and mobile devices. In order to protect voter privacy, we propose moving away from a public bulletin board so that no individual cipher votes are saved, while still allowing vote verification. As the majority of the security threats faced by electronic voting are from the underlying system, we also introduce the novel concept of using a dedicated hardware server for homomorphic tallying and decryption.
Progesterone and Estrogen Regulate Alzheimer-Like Neuropathology in Female 3xTg-AD Mice

Estrogen depletion in postmenopausal women is a significant risk factor for the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD), and estrogen-based hormone therapy may reduce this risk. However, the effects of progesterone both alone and in combination with estrogen on AD neuropathology remain unknown. In this study, we used the triple transgenic mouse model of AD (3xTg-AD) to investigate the individual and combined effects of estrogen and progesterone on β-amyloid (Aβ) accumulation, tau hyperphosphorylation, and hippocampal-dependent behavioral impairments. In gonadally intact female 3xTg-AD mice, AD-like neuropathology was apparent by 3 months of age and progressively increased through age 12 months, a time course that was paralleled by behavioral impairment. Ovariectomy-induced depletion of sex steroid hormones in adult female 3xTg-AD mice significantly increased Aβ accumulation and worsened memory performance. Treatment of ovariectomized 3xTg-AD mice with estrogen, but not progesterone, prevented these effects. When estrogen and progesterone were administered in combination, progesterone blocked the beneficial effect of estrogen on Aβ accumulation but not on behavioral performance. Interestingly, progesterone significantly reduced tau hyperphosphorylation when administered both alone and in combination with estrogen. These results demonstrate that estrogen and progesterone independently and interactively regulate AD-like neuropathology and suggest that an optimized hormone therapy may be useful in reducing the risk of AD in postmenopausal women.
Empathy and Burnout Among Physicians Providing Reanimatological and Surgical Treatment

Background. Among scientifc publications it is observed that in medicine the aspect of interpersonal connection is underestimated while providing medical help (Steinhausen et al., 2014), and not enough attention is being allocated to the eﬀect of a physician’s empathy in the treatment process (Hojat et al., 2002a). The lack of scientifc publications shows that this topic is under-researched and relevant. Thus, the purpose of the study was to determine relationships between empathy and burnout among practicing physicians. Methods. A total of 185 practicing physicians who provide reanimatological and surgical treatment participated in the research. A questionnaire was designed for the study, consisting of the Jeﬀerson Scale of Physician Empathy (Hojat, 2016), Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (Kristensen Borritz, Villadsen, & Christensen, 2005). Results. Research revealed that the expressiveness of empathy between doctors is not related to sex, age, work experience and speciality (p > .05). Also, it was found that younger physicians experienced more work-related burnout (p = .04). the study showed that there was no statistically signifcant relationship between empathy and burnout among physicians (p > .05). Conclusions. Research showed that physician’s empathy was not related to demographic factors. Findings revealed that younger doctors experienced more work-related burnout than the older ones. Finally, connection between empathy and burnout was not found.Keywords: empathy, personal burnout, work-related burnout, patient-related burnout, physician
Population Genetic Analysis of Lobelia rhynchopetalum Hemsl. (Campanulaceae) Using DNA Sequences from ITS and Eight Chloroplast DNA Regions

DNA sequence data from the internal transcribed spacer of nuclear ribosomal DNA and eight chloroplast DNA regions were used to investigate haplotypic variation and population genetic structure of the Afroalpine giant lobelia, Lobelia rhynchopetalum. The study was based on eight populations sampled from two mountain systems in Ethiopia. A total of 20 variable sites were obtained, which resulted in 13 unique haplotypes and an overall nucleotide diversity (ND) of 0.281 ± 0.15 and gene diversity (GD) of 0.85 ± 0.04. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed a highly significant variation (P < 0.001) among populations (F ST), and phylogenetic analysis revealed that populations from the two mountain systems formed their own distinct clade with >90% bootstrap support. Each population should be regarded as a significant unit for conservation of this species. The primers designed for this study can be applied to any Lobelia and other closely related species for population genetics and phylogenetic studies.
Anomalously low solar extreme‐ultraviolet irradiance and thermospheric density during solar minimum

Solar activity during 2007–2009 was very low, and during this protracted solar minimum period, the terrestrial thermosphere was cooler and lower in density than expected. Measurements from instruments on the SOHO and TIMED spacecraft, and by suborbital rocket flights, indicate that solar extreme‐ultraviolet irradiance levels were lower than they were during the previous solar minimum. Analysis of atmospheric drag on satellite orbits indicate that the thermosphere was lower in density, and therefore cooler, and than at any time since the beginning of the space age. However, secular change due to increasing levels of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, which cool the upper atmosphere, also plays a role in thermospheric climate. Simulations by the NCAR Thermosphere‐Ionosphere‐Electrodynamics General Circulation Model are compared to thermospheric density measurements, yielding evidence that the primary cause of the low thermospheric density was the unusually low level of solar extreme‐ultraviolet irradiance.
Dissociation between Striatal Regions while Learning to Categorize via Feedback and via Observation

Convergent evidence from functional imaging and from neuropsychological studies of basal ganglia disorders indicates that the striatum is involved in learning to categorize visual stimuli with feedback. However, it is unclear which cognitive process or processes involved in categorization is or are responsible for striatal recruitment; different regions of the striatum have been linked to feedback processing and to acquisition of stimulus-category associations. We examined the effect of the presence of feedback during learning on striatal recruitment by comparing feedback learning with observational learning of an information integration task. In the feedback task, participants were shown a stimulus, made a button press response, and then received feedback as to whether they had made the correct response. In the observational task, participants were given the category label before the stimulus appeared and then made a button press indicating the correct category membership. A region-of-interest analysis was used to examine activity in three regions of the striatum: the head of the caudate, body and tail of the caudate, and the putamen. Activity in the left head of the caudate was modulated by the presence of feedback: The magnitude of activation change was greater during feedback learning than during observational learning. In contrast, the bilateral body and tail of the caudate and the putamen were active to a similar degree in both feedback and observational learning. This pattern of results supports a functional dissociation between regions of the striatum, such that the head of the caudate is involved in feedback processing, whereas the body and tail of the caudate and the putamen are involved in learning stimulus-category associations. The hippocampus was active bilaterally during both feedback and observational learning, indicating potential parallel involvement with the striatum in information integration category learning.
Soluble RAGE Plasma Levels in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease and Peripheral Artery Disease

The objective of the present study was define in a relatively large patient population with coronary artery disease (CAD) whether the concomitant presence of peripheral artery disease (PAD), which is known to convey additional cardiovascular risk, was associated with different circulating levels of sRAGE with respect to CAD alone and control subjects. Clinical and laboratory parameters including the ankle brachial index (ABI) and sRAGE (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit) were investigated in 544 patients with angiographically documented CAD and 328 control subjects. 213/554 CAD patients (39%) showed an ABI <0.9 associated with typical symptoms (group CAD + PAD), whereas 331 patients were free from PAD. The concentration of plasma sRAGE was significantly lower (P < 0.0001) in CAD population, with and without PAD, than in control subjects. Among CAD patients, those with PAD showed lower levels of sRAGE. The distribution of the three groups (CAD, CAD + PAD, and controls) according to sRAGE tertiles showed that lower levels were more frequent in patients with CAD and CAD + PAD, whereas higher levels were more frequently found in controls. CAD patients presenting with PAD have lower sRAGE levels than CAD patients without peripheral atherosclerosis showing that stable atherosclerotic lesions in different vascular districts are inversely related to soluble decoy receptor sRAGE.
Discrepancies between upper GI symptoms described by those who have them and their identification by conventional medical terminology: a survey of sufferers in four countries

Objective The objective of this study was to develop a self-administered questionnaire for upper gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms using lay vocabulary uninfluenced by established medical terminology or concepts and to conduct a survey of symptom occurrence among sufferers in four countries. Methods The questionnaire was designed by integrating information gained from the vocabulary used by 38 upper GI symptom sufferers. There was no medical input to its development. The questionnaire was then used, after appropriate translation, in Brazil, Russia, the UK and the USA. Details of 10 659 symptom episodes were obtained from 2665 individuals. Results Nine symptoms described in lay vocabulary were identified during questionnaire development. Of these, one corresponded to regurgitation, whereas two that were distinguished by survey participants might both be interpreted as heartburn. One chest symptom for which a corresponding medical term was uncertain occurred in ∼30% of the respondents. Five different ‘stomach’ or abdominal symptoms were identified. The predominant symptom and the pattern of concurrent symptoms often varied from one symptom episode to another. Use of the terms ‘heartburn’, ‘reflux’, ‘indigestion’ and ‘burning stomach’ to describe symptoms varied between countries. Conclusion Some common upper GI symptoms described by those who suffer them have no clear counterpart in conventional medical terminology. Inadequacy of the conventional terminology in this respect deserves attention, first, to characterize it fully, and thereafter to construct enquiry that delivers more precise symptom identification. Our results suggest that improvement may require the use of vocabulary of individuals suffering the symptoms without imposing conformity with established symptom concepts.
A Markovian slot machine and Parrondo's paradox.

The antique Mills Futurity slot machine has two unusual features. First, if a player loses 10 times in a row, the 10 lost coins are returned. Second, the payout distribution varies from coup to coup in a manner that is nonrandom and periodic with period 10. It follows that the machine is driven by a 100-state irreducible period-10 Markov chain. Here, we evaluate the stationary distribution of the Markov chain, and this leads to a strong law of large numbers and a central limit theorem for the sequence of payouts. Following a suggestion of Pyke [In Mathematical Statistics and Applications: Festschrift for Constance van Eeden (2003) 185--216 Institute of Mathematical Statistics], we address the question of whether there exists a two-armed version of this ``one-armed bandit'' that obeys Parrondo's paradox. More precisely, is there such a machine with the property that the casino can honestly advertise that both arms are fair, yet when players alternate arms in certain random or nonrandom ways, the casino makes money in the long run? The answer is a qualified yes. Although this ``history-dependent'' game is conceptually simpler than the original such games of Parrondo, Harmer and Abbott [Phys. Rev. Lett. (2000) 85 5226--5229], it is nearly as complicated analytically, and open problems remain.
THE SLOAN DIGITAL SKY SURVEY/XMM-NEWTON QUASAR SURVEY: CORRELATION BETWEEN X-RAY SPECTRAL SLOPE AND EDDINGTON RATIO

We present a correlation between the 2–10 keV spectral slope ΓX and the Eddington ratio L/LEDD in a sample of ∼400 Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) quasars with available hard X-ray spectra from XMM-Newton serendipitous observations. We find that the ΓX–L/LEDD correlation is strongest in objects with black hole (BH) masses determined from the Hβ line, and weaker (but still present) for those based on Mg ii. An empirical nonlinear correction of the Mg ii-based masses, obtained by comparing the mass estimates in SDSS quasars having both Hβ and Mg ii measurements, significantly increases the strength of the correlation. No correlation is found among objects with BH masses derived from C iv, confirming that this line is not a reliable indicator of the BH mass. No significant correlation is found with the bolometric luminosity, while a ΓX–MBH relation is present, though with a lower statistical significance than between ΓX and L/LEDD. Our results imply a physical link between the accretion efficiency in the (cold) accretion disk of active galactic nuclei and the physical status of the (hot) corona responsible for the X-ray emission.
Community Colleges: Is There a Lesson in Them for Latin America?

As secondary education in Latin America and the Caribbean expands its reach and more attention is given to the post-secondary level, new demands are placed on educators and ministries. New methods of teaching will have to be found, new markets for graduates will have to be identified, and better targeting mechanisms for matching students with the market's real demand for labor will have to be defined and implemented. In short, the very definition of secondary and post-secondary education will have to be reexamined. It is in this regard that the community college model prevalent in the United States and Canada merits closer examination. Several countries in Latin America and the Caribbean have experience introducing short post-secondary courses and nonuniversity institutions, sometimes as a result of private initiative, sometimes as a matter of public policy. Europe and North American models have inspired these innovations. Yet, this paper contends that more needs to be done in this area, in all countries and it explores in depth the model of the community college as an interesting source of ideas and relevant responses to changes in the social and economic landscape of the region. It also explores the potential the community college model holds for Latin America. The author's hope is that countries and institutions will look at this model not as something that should be necessarily imitated, but for inspiration and as an opportunity to reflect on the relevance and effectiveness of the current supply of post-secondary education and training.
Neuroprotective Potential of Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptor-α Agonist in Cognitive Impairment in Parkinson's Disease: Behavioral, Biochemical, and PBPK Profile

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder affecting 1% of the population by the age of 65 years and 4-5% of the population by the age of 85 years. PD affects functional capabilities of the patient by producing motor symptoms and nonmotor symptoms. Apart from this, it is also associated with a higher risk of cognitive impairment that may lead to memory loss, confusion, and decreased attention span. In this study, we have investigated the effect of fenofibrate, a PPAR-α agonist in cognitive impairment model in PD. Bilateral intranigral administration of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) (100 µg/1 µL/side) produced significant cognitive dysfunctions. Fenofibrate treatment at 10, 30, and 100 mg/kg for twenty-five days was found to be neuroprotective and improved cognitive impairment in MPTP-induced PD model as evident from behavioral, biochemical (MDA, GSH, TNF-α, and IL-6), immunohistochemistry (TH), and DNA fragmentation (TUNEL positive cells) studies. Further, physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling study was performed using GastroPlus to characterize the kinetics of fenofibric acid in the brain. A good agreement was found between pharmacokinetic parameters obtained from the actual and simulated plasma concentration-time profiles of fenofibric acid. Results of this study suggest that PPAR-α agonist (fenofibrate) is neuroprotective in PD-induced cognitive impairment.
“They Wouldn’t Go to Our School”: Unpacking the Racialization of Latinx Children through a Civil Rights Lesson in a New South Classroom

ABSTRACT The purpose of this article, drawing on ethnographic data from several years of observation of Latinx children in schools throughout North Georgia, is to explore the racialization of Latinx EL children in a North Georgia classroom. Specifically, we explore the ways in which one teacher’s physical presence, as well as her language use (and the language use she facilitates and allows between students in her group), creates strong symbolic boundaries between White and Latinx students, boundaries which both White and Latinx students reinforce themselves.
Qeeg , Brain Rate, Executive Functions and Neurofeedback Training in Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury -

original paper SUMMARY Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a serious and growing problem, and long-term con- sequences become more widely acknowl- edged recently. A group of six patients with traumatic brain injury have been accepted for neurofeedback training. All of them have been injured by ar accident. Mild motor impairment was apparent in all patients; however, cognitive difficulties were the main problem. Preliminary qEEG assessment showed generally predominance of slow brain waves in fronto-parietal regions. This finding indicated the type of applied train- ing protocols. We organized 20 sessions of neurofeedback, two times a week, each 40 minute duration. Subjective assessment concerning mood, quality of sleep, ever day's activity and cognitive abilities, as well as the changes of qEEG findings promised good outcome. All patients, except one, continued normal education as well as normal life. It is the first application of neu- rofeedback for treatment TBI in our region.