Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Temporal–spatial ablation of neural crest in the mouse results in cardiovascular defects

Neural crest cells are thought to play a critical role in human conotruncal morphogenesis and dysmorphogenesis. Much of our understanding of the contribution of neural crest to cardiovascular patterning comes from ablation and transplantation experiments in avian species. Although fate mapping experiments in mice suggests a conservation of function, the functional requirement for neural crest in cardiovascular development in mammals has not been formally tested. We used a novel two component genetic system for the temporal–spatial ablation of neural crest in the mouse. Affected embryos displayed a spectrum of cardiovascular outflow tract defects and aortic arch patterning abnormalities. We show that the severity of the cardiovascular phenotype is directly related to the level and extent of neural crest ablation. This is the first report of cardiac neural crest ablation in mammals, and it provides important insight into the role of the mammalian neural crest during cardiovascular development. Developmental Dynamics 237:153–162, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Paternal Stimulation and Early Child Development in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Few studies have examined the relationship between paternal stimulation and children’s growth and development, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of paternal stimulation and to assess whether paternal stimulation was associated with early child growth and development. METHODS: Data from the Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys rounds 4 and 5 were combined across 38 LMICs. The sample comprised 87 286 children aged 3 and 4 years. Paternal stimulation was measured by the number of play and learning activities (up to 6) a father engaged in with his child over the past 3 days. Linear regression models were used to estimate standardized mean differences in height-for-age z-scores and Early Childhood Development Index (ECDI) z-scores across 3 levels of paternal stimulation, after controlling for other caregivers’ stimulation and demographic covariates. RESULTS: A total of 47.8% of fathers did not engage in any stimulation activities, whereas 6.4% of fathers engaged in 5 or 6 stimulation activities. Children whose fathers were moderately engaged in stimulation (1–4 activities) showed ECDI scores that were 0.09 SD (95% confidence interval [CI]: –0.12 to –0.06) lower than children whose fathers were highly engaged; children whose fathers were unengaged showed ECDI scores that were 0.14 SD lower (95% CI: –0.17 to –0.12). Neither moderate paternal stimulation nor lack of paternal stimulation was associated with height-for-age z-scores, relative to high stimulation. CONCLUSION Increasing paternal engagement in stimulation is likely to improve early child development in LMICs.
WHAT PREDICTS RELIGIOUS PARTICIPATION AND GIVING? IMPLICATIONS FOR RELIGION IN THE UNITED STATES

In this article, we test whether or not positive/negative sanctioning increases religious behavior. Using data from the 1998 congregational module of the General Social Survey we find that, net of other predictors, immediate positive sanctions (receiving help from the congregation) and immediate negative sanctions (receiving criticism from the congregation) significantly increase the amount of money given by respondents to religious organizations. Our results also indicate that sanctions promised in the future (belief in Heaven and belief in Hell) have little to no effect on religious giving. Furthermore, we find that immediate positive and negative sanctions as well as future negative sanctions predict greater participation in religious organizations, while future positive sanctions show no such effects. The results are discussed in the context of the emerging trend of waning religious involvement in the contemporary United States.
Hybrid Cascaded Modular Multilevel Converter With DC Fault Ride-Through Capability for the HVDC Transmission System

A new hybrid cascaded modular multilevel converter for the high-voltage dc transmission system is presented. The half-bridge cells are used on the main power stage and the cascade full-bridge (FB) cells are connected to its ac terminals. The main power stage generates the fundamental voltages with quite low switching frequency, resulting in relatively low losses. The cascaded FB cells only attenuate the harmonics generated by the main power stage, without contribution to the power transfer. Thus, the energy-storage requirement of the cascaded FB cells is low and the capacitance of FB cells is reduced significantly. Due to the dc fault reverse blocking capability of the cascaded FB cells, the proposed topology can ride-through the pole-to-pole dc fault. In addition, the soft restart is achieved after the fault is eliminated, without exposing the system to significant inrush current. Besides, the average-value model of the proposed topology is derived, based on which the control strategy is presented. The results show the feasibility of the proposed converter.
Educational Provision for Our Youngest Children: European Perspectives.

Young Europeans - Tricia David Nursery Education in Belgium - Jacqueline Andries and Tricia David Provision for Pre-School Children in Denmark - Karin Vilien Pre-School Education in France - Madeleine Goutard Early Childhood Education and Care in Germany - Hedi Colberg-Schrader and Pamela Oberhuemer Pre-Primary Education in Italy - Lucio Pusci Provision for Pre-School Children in Spain - Teresa Aguado Odina Early Childhood Care and Education in Sweden - Monica Bergman Educating Children under 5 in the UK - Tricia David Overview - Tricia David Issues and Implication
The Thesis of Theory-Laden Observation in the Light of Cognitive Psychology

The aim of this paper is to analyze a philosophical question (neutrality vs. theory-ladenness of observation) taking into consideration the empirical results of Cognitive Psychology (theories of perception). This is an important debate because the objectivity of science is at stake. In the Philosophy of Science there are two main positions with regard to observation, those of C. Hempel and N. R. Hanson. In the Philosophy of Mind there are also two important contrasting positions, those of J. Fodor and Paul M. Churchland. I will analyze the consequences of recent theories of perception and vision developed within Cognitive Science for classical epistemological theses about observation.
Distinct B‐cell clonal bands in Helicobacter pylori gastritis with lymphoid hyperplasia

Helicobacter pylori (Hp)‐associated gastritis is a risk factor for gastric mucosa‐associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma. Clonal B‐cell populations are present in both reactive and neoplastic MALT tissue, thus limiting their usefulness in the evaluation of gastric lymphoid infiltrates in endoscopic biopsy specimens. The aim of this study was to identify the presence of clonal B‐cell populations in Hp‐gastritis with MALT and to assess their usefulness in distinguishing reactive from malignant infiltrates. Routinely fixed paraffin‐embedded blocks from 20 patients with Hp‐gastritis with lymphoid hyperplasia were analysed for B‐cell clonality by a semi‐nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using FRIII/LJH and FRIII/VLJH primers for amplification of the VDJ region of the immunoglobulin heavy chain gene. The histopathological findings were evaluated according to a previously published scoring system. Immunohistochemistry was performed by the labelled streptavidin–biotin technique using the following primary antibodies: CD45, CD45RO, CD3, CD20, and cytokeratin. The histopathological findings were diagnostic of Hp‐chronic active gastritis (grade 2, n=17; grade 3, n=3). Scattered intraepithelial B‐cells were present in all cases and non‐destructive lymphoepithelial lesions in one grade 3 case. Amplifiable DNA was obtained from all samples. Clonal bands were observed in ten (7/17 grade 2 and 3/3 grade 3 lesions) and polyclonal smears in ten cases (all grade 2). The clonal bands were often (n=6) associated with a background polyclonal smear and were not reproducible from deeper sections (n=10) or another paraffin block (n=1), while the clonal bands in control low‐grade MALT lymphomas were not associated with a background smear and were reproducible from deeper sections. None of the patients has developed lymphoma to date (follow‐up 21–44 months). In conclusion, B‐cell clonal bands are common in H. pylori‐gastritis with lymphoid hyperplasia. The irreproducibility of these bands is a useful feature in favouring a reactive process. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Antibody to aquaporin-4 in the long-term course of neuromyelitis optica

Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is a severe inflammatory CNS disorder of putative autoimmune aetiology, which predominantly affects the spinal cord and optic nerves. Recently, a highly specific serum reactivity to CNS microvessels, subpia and Virchow–Robin spaces was described in patients with NMO [called NMO–IgG (NMO–immunoglobulin G)]. Subsequently, aquaporin-4 (AQP4), the most abundant water channel in the CNS, was identified as its target antigen. Strong support for a pathogenic role of the antibody would come from studies demonstrating a correlation between AQP4-Ab (AQP4-antibody) titres and the clinical course of disease. In this study, we determined AQP4-Ab serum levels in 96 samples from eight NMO–IgG positive patients (median follow-up 62 months) in a newly developed fluorescence-based immunoprecipitation assay employing recombinant human AQP4. We found that AQP4-Ab serum levels correlate with clinical disease activity, with relapses being preceded by an up to 3-fold increase in AQP4-Ab titres, which was not paralleled by a rise in other serum autoantibodies in one patient. Moreover, AQP4-Ab titres were found to correlate with CD19 cell counts during therapy with rituximab. Treatment with immunosuppressants such as rituximab, azathioprine and cyclophosphamide resulted in a marked reduction in antibody levels and relapse rates. Our results demonstrate a strong relationship between AQP4-Abs and clinical state, and support the hypothesis that these antibodies are involved in the pathogenesis of NMO.
Insights into Closeness of Relationship as Determinant of Trust Within Marketing Channels

Abstract This article explores the role of closeness of relationship between channel members. Closeness is put forward as a genuine variable in channel relationships, as part of the processes that take place in marketing channel dyad interactions. Advances in theory of channel relationships are proposed by a deeper theoretical development of the concept “closeness of relationship” from a multidisciplinary approach by stressing its relevance and by proposing a definition of closeness of relationship. Several features and ideas about closeness are proposed, such as the link between closeness of relationship and type of marketing relationship. Content validity is assessed to distinguish closeness from related constructs before exploring and operationalizing such a concept. The relationship between closeness and trust is explored by proposing actions to increase trust and assessing it empirically. An exploratory research is performed in the Spanish computer sector, testing relationships between a set of close.
Effects of silver nanoparticles on rat hepatic cytochrome P450 enzyme activity

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are increasingly used in various products and consequentially the potential adverse effects associated with exposure to them are of concern. This study investigated the effects of AgNPs on the hepatic drug-metabolizing enzymes of the cytochrome P450 (CYP) families 1, 2 and 3, using both in vitro and in vivo biological assays. AgNPs were orally administered to Sprague-Dawley rats at various concentrations (0–1000 mg/kg body weight/day) for 2 weeks. No effect was found on the plasma levels of ALT, AST and ALP in all treated rat groups, and no significant change in the activities of CYP1A, CYP2C, CYP2D, CYP2E1 and CYP3A was observed for all tested AgNP doses. The results correlated with the observation that no AgNPs were detected in the liver sections of the tested rats. However, the in vitro system using rat liver microsomes demonstrated a strong inhibition of CYP2C (IC50 = 28 µg/mL) and CYP2D (IC50 = 23 µg/mL) activities, but not of CYP1A, CYP2E1 and CYP3A activities (IC50 > 100 µg/mL) at concentrations up to 100 µg/mL of AgNPs. The inhibitory effect of AgNPs on these CYPs indicates the possibility of the AgNP-drug interaction when co-administered with some medicines and this may cause adverse effects to patients.
On Becker’s Studies of Marijuana Use as an Example of Analytic Induction

Analytic induction (AI) is an interpretation of scientific method that emerged in early twentieth-century sociology and still has some influence today. Among the studies often cited as examples are Becker’s articles on marijuana use. While these have been given less attention than the work of Lindesmith on opiate addiction and Cressey on financial trust violation, Becker’s work has distinctive features. Furthermore, it raises some important and interesting issues that relate not only to AI but to social scientific explanation more generally. These concern, for example, the presence and nature of causal systems in the social world, the relationship between historical and generalizing approaches, the character and role of social scientific theories, and how they are generated. In this article Becker’s research is examined in detail, and these issues explored through comparisons with the work of Lindesmith and Cressey.
Psychophysical study of air jet based tactile stimulation

Haptic rendering technologies are becoming a strategic component of the new Human-Machines Interfaces. Many existing devices generally operate with intrusive mechanical structures that limit rendering and transparency of the haptic interaction. In the context of the design of a novel non-contact haptic device that exploit the air jet tactile stimulation with long distance, we carried out psychophysical experiments in order to characterize the human perception of the air jet tactile stimulation. This study focuses on the stimulation of the user's hand palm. Fluid mechanics suggests that perceived parameters of the air jet stimulation can be controlled by the air jet flow rate, the nozzle geometry, and the distance between the nozzle and the hand palm. In this paper we investigate how these control variables affect the perceived force on the hand palm. Two psychophysical studies were carried out. The first experiment investigated three distances from the air nozzle to determine the absolute threshold of the air flow rate on the hand palm. Results reveal that there is a linear relationship between the perceived absolute threshold and the distance from the hand palm to the nozzle. The second psychophysical experiment was made to determinate the just noticeable difference of the air flow rate according to three referential stimuli. Then we estimated the Weber fraction. These two results are important for the display control and will be used further for the design of the future noncontact haptic device.
Are sensations still brain processes?

Fifty years ago J. J. C. Smart published his pioneering paper, “Sensations and Brain Processes. ” It is appropriate to mark the golden anniversary of Smart's publication by considering how well his article has stood up, and how well the identity theory itself has fared. In this paper I first revisit Smart's (1959) text, reflecting on how it has weathered the years. Then I consider the status of the identity theory in current philosophical thinking, taking into account the objections and replies that Smart discussed as well as some that he did not anticipate. Finally, I offer a brief manifesto for the identity theory, providing a small list of the claims that I believe the contemporary identity theorist should accept. As it turns out, these are more or less the ones that Smart defended fifty years ago.
Revisiting the evidence linking Arctic amplification to extreme weather in midlatitudes

Previous studies have suggested that Arctic amplification has caused planetary‐scale waves to elongate meridionally and slow down, resulting in more frequent blocking patterns and extreme weather. Here trends in the meridional extent of atmospheric waves over North America and the North Atlantic are investigated in three reanalyses, and it is demonstrated that previously reported positive trends are likely an artifact of the methodology. No significant decrease in planetary‐scale wave phase speeds are found except in October‐November‐December, but this trend is sensitive to the analysis parameters. Moreover, the frequency of blocking occurrence exhibits no significant increase in any season in any of the three reanalyses, further supporting the lack of trends in wave speed and meridional extent. This work highlights that observed trends in midlatitude weather patterns are complex and likely not simply understood in terms of Arctic amplification alone.
Career satisfaction and retention of a sample of women physicians who work reduced hours.

OBJECTIVE To better understand the career satisfaction and factors related to retention of women physicians who work reduced hours and are in dual-earner couples in comparison to their full-time counterparts. METHODS Survey of a random sample of female physicians between 25 and 50 years of age working within 25 miles of Boston, whose names were obtained from the Board of Registration in Medicine in Massachusetts. Interviewers conducted a 60-minute face-to-face closed-ended interview after interviewees completed a 20-minute mailed questionnaire. RESULTS Fifty-one full-time physicians and 47 reduced hours physicians completed the study; the completion rate was 49.5%. The two groups were similar in age, years as a physician, mean household income, number of children, and presence of an infant in the home. Reduced hours physicians in this sample had a different relationship to experiences in the family than full-time physicians. (1) When reduced hours physicians had low marital role quality, there was an associated lower career satisfaction; full-time physicians report high career satisfaction regardless of their marital role quality. (2) When reduced hours physicians had low marital role or parental role quality, there was an associated higher intention to leave their jobs than for full-time physicians; when marital role or parental role quality was high, there was an associated lower intention to leave their jobs than for full-time physicians. (3) When reduced hours physicians perceived that work interfering with family was high, there was an associated greater intention to leave their jobs that was not apparent for full-time physicians. CONCLUSIONS Women physicians in this sample who worked reduced hours had stronger relationships between family experiences (marital and parental role quality and work interference with family) and professional outcomes than had their full-time counterparts. Both career satisfaction and intention to leave their employment are correlated with the quality of home life for reduced hours physicians.
Sources of Blood Meals of Sylvatic Triatoma guasayana near Zurima, Bolivia, Assayed with qPCR and 12S Cloning

Background In this study we compared the utility of two molecular biology techniques, cloning of the mitochondrial 12S ribosomal RNA gene and hydrolysis probe-based qPCR, to identify blood meal sources of sylvatic Chagas disease insect vectors collected with live-bait mouse traps (also known as Noireau traps). Fourteen T. guasayana were collected from six georeferenced trap locations in the Andean highlands of the department of Chuquisaca, Bolivia. Methodology/Principal Findings We detected four blood meals sources with the cloning assay: seven samples were positive for human (Homo sapiens), five for chicken (Gallus gallus) and unicolored blackbird (Agelasticus cyanopus), and one for opossum (Monodelphis domestica). Using the qPCR assay we detected chicken (13 vectors), and human (14 vectors) blood meals as well as an additional blood meal source, Canis sp. (4 vectors). Conclusions/Significance We show that cloning of 12S PCR products, which avoids bias associated with developing primers based on a priori knowledge, detected blood meal sources not previously considered and that species-specific qPCR is more sensitive. All samples identified as positive for a specific blood meal source by the cloning assay were also positive by qPCR. However, not all samples positive by qPCR were positive by cloning. We show the power of combining the cloning assay with the highly sensitive hydrolysis probe-based qPCR assay provides a more complete picture of blood meal sources for insect disease vectors.
A taxonomy and an initial empirical study of bad smells in code

This paper presents research in progress, as well as tentative findings related to the empirical study of so called bad code smells. We present a taxonomy that categorizes similar bad smells. We believe that taxonomy makes the smells more understandable and recognizes the relationships between smells. Additionally, we present our initial findings from an empirical study of the use of the smells for evaluating code quality in a small Finnish software product company. Our findings indicate that the taxonomy for the smells could help explain the identified correlations between the subjective evaluations of the existence of the smells.
Americans' Talk to Dogs: Similarities and Differences With Talk to Infants

Common knowledge tells us that people talk "baby talk" to dogs, but how similar talk to dogs and infants is remains unexplored. In this study, people's talk to dogs during 46 play interactions was coded and compared with previous studies about talk to infants. Talk to dogs and infants shared numerous features, including a high-pitch register, a low mean length of utterance, high frequencies of grammatically acceptable utterances, present-tense verbs, repetitiveness, and attention-getting devices. Differences were also present. Talk to dogs contained shorter sentences and more imperatives and exact repetitions; talk to infants had more questions, declaratives, and deictic utterances. Reasons for the similarities and differences are elaborated on. Both forms involve communicating with a limited and inattentive addressee, controlling the addressee's attention and behavior by focusing on an object or activity, and expressing friendliness and affection. They differ in that talk to infants is more likely to treat the other as a conversant and, especially, to tutor the other in naming.
Trajectories of autonomy development across the adolescent transition in children with spina bifida.

OBJECTIVE The current study investigated individual growth in autonomy development across the adolescent transition, comparing the trajectories of children with and without spina bifida. METHOD Individual growth curve modeling procedures were utilized to describe the developmental course of autonomy across four waves of data collection, from ages 9 to 15, and to test whether illness status [spina bifida vs. matched comparison group (N = 68 for both groups at Time 1)] would significantly predict individual variability in autonomy development. Potential moderators [child gender, SES, and Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (PPVT) score] of the association between illness status and autonomy development were also examined. RESULTS Children with spina bifida demonstrated distinct developmental trajectories, though the nature of the group differences varied by type of autonomy development (emotional vs. behavioral), context (i.e. school vs. family), and reporter. Significant interactions with PPVT score and child gender were found. CONCLUSION Overall, children with spina bifida show considerable developmental resiliency, but may lag behind their peers in specific areas of autonomy. Boys with spina bifida, and children with spina bifida who have lower than average levels of verbal intelligence, appear to be at greater risk for exhibiting delays in autonomy development.