Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Neural Mechanisms of Dorsal and Ventral Visual Regions during Text Reading

When reading a narrative text, both the dorsal and ventral visual systems are activated. To illustrate the patterns of interactions between the dorsal and ventral visual systems in text reading, we conducted analyses of functional connectivity (FC) and effective connectivity (EC) in a left-hemispheric network for reading-driven functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and resting-state fMRI (rs-fMRI) data. In reading-driven fMRI (Experiment 1), we found significant FCs among the left middle frontal gyrus (MFG), the left intraparietal sulcus (IPS), and the visual word form area (VWFA), and there were top–down effects from the left MFG to the left IPS, from the left MFG to the VWFA, and from the left IPS to the VWFA. In rs-fMRI (Experiment 2), we identified FCs and ECs for MFG-IPS and IPS-VWFA connections. In addition, the brain–behavior relationship in resting states showed that the dorsal connection was more associated with reading fluency relative to lexical decision. The combination of two experiments revealed that the MFG-IPS and the VWFA-IPS connections were shared connections both in reading-driven fMRI and rs-fMRI, and that the MFG-VWFA was specific connectivity in reading-driven fMRI. These results suggest that top–down effects from the dorsal visual system to ventral visual system play an important role in text reading.
Chinese Herbal Preparation Xuebijing Potently Inhibits Inflammasome Activation in Hepatocytes and Ameliorates Mouse Liver Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury

The Chinese herb preparation Xuebijing injection (XBJ) has been widely used in the management of various septic disorders or inflammation-related conditions, however the molecular mechanism of its anti-inflammatory effect remains largely elusive. In the current study, we found that XBJ treatment potently ameliorated mouse hepatic ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury, manifested as decreased liver function tests (LDH, ALT, AST), improved inflammation and less hepatocyte apoptosis. Notably, XBJ markedly inhibited inflammasome activation and IL-1 production in mouse livers subjected to IRI, even in the absence of Kupffer cells, suggesting Kupffer cells are not necessary for hepatic inflammasome activation upon Redox-induced sterile inflammation. This finding led us to investigate the role of XBJ on hepatocyte apoptosis and inflammasome activation using an in vitro hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-triggered hepatocyte injury model. Our data clearly demonstrated that XBJ potently inhibited apoptosis, as well as caspase-1 cleavage and IL-1β production in a time- and dose-dependent manner in isolated hepatocytes, suggesting that in addition to its known modulatory effect on NF-κB-dependent inflammatory gene expression, it also has a direct impact on hepatocyte inflammasome activation. The current study not only deepens our understanding of how XBJ ameliorates inflammation and apoptosis, but also has immediate practical significance in many clinical situations such as partial hepatectomy, liver transplantation, etc.
A Paradigmatic Analysis Contrasting Information Systems Development Approaches and Methodologies

This paper analyses the fundamental philosophical assumptions of five "contrasting" information systems development (ISD) approaches: the interactionist approach, the speech act-based approach, the soft systems methodology approach, the trade unionist approach, and the professional work practice approach. These five approaches are selected for analysis because they illustrate alternative philosophical assumptions from the dominant "orthodoxy" identified in the research literature. The paper also proposes a distinction between "approach" and "methodology. " The analysis of the five approaches is organized around four basic questions: What is the assumed nature of an information system (ontology)? What is human knowledge and how can it be obtained (epistemology)? What are the preferred research methods for continuing the improvement of each approach (research methodology)? and what are the implied values of information system research (ethics)? Each of these questions is explored from the internal perspective of the particular ISD approach. The paper addresses these questions through a conceptual structure which is based on a paradigmatic framework for analyzing ISD approaches.
Perception of Air Pollution in the Jinchuan Mining Area, China: A Structural Equation Modeling Approach

Studies on the perception of air pollution in China are very limited. The aim of this paper is to help to fill this gap by analyzing a cross-sectional dataset of 759 residents of the Jinchuan mining area, Gansu Province, China. The estimations suggest that perception of air pollution is two-dimensional. The first dimension is the perceived intensity of air pollution and the second is the perceived hazardousness of the pollutants. Both dimensions are influenced by environmental knowledge. Perceived intensity is furthermore influenced by socio-economic status and proximity to the pollution source; perceived hazardousness is influenced by socio-economic status, family health experience, family size and proximity to the pollution source. There are no reverse effects from perception on environmental knowledge. The main conclusion is that virtually all Jinchuan residents perceive high intensity and hazardousness of air pollution despite the fact that public information on air pollution and its health impacts is classified to a great extent. It is suggested that, to assist the residents to take appropriate preventive action, the local government should develop counseling and educational campaigns and institutionalize disclosure of air quality conditions. These programs should pay special attention to young residents who have limited knowledge of air pollution in the Jinchuan mining area.
Making It Count: Breadth and Intensity of Extracurricular Engagement and High School Dropout

Previous research suggests that extracurricular engagement reduces the likelihood of high school dropout, particularly among traditionally at-risk populations such as racial and ethnic minorities and students from low-income families. Using social bond theory, we examine how the breadth and intensity of extracurricular engagement are related to the likelihood of dropout among a nationally representative sample of students over three years of schooling. Using logistic regression models, we use data from the Education Longitudinal Study of 2002 to examine how extracurricular participation relates to the potential of dropping out by accounting for known correlates and potential selection biases. We find a significant positive relationship between engagement in extracurricular activities (both in number and distribution over different types of activities) and a reduced likelihood of dropout. This relationship is particularly strong in the case of athletic involvement among African American students and for students who simultaneously participate in both athletic and academic/fine arts activities. Implications of these findings are discussed in light of current policy trends toward the elimination of extracurricular programming and the assessment of student participation fees.
Niveles de ansiedad en judocas chilenos

espanolIntroduccion: En el caso del judo, el ambito psicologico es tan importante como el fisico. Objetivo: El objetivo principal de este estudio es analizar los estados de ansiedad estado y ansiedad rasgo de los judocas chilenos en funcion del sexo, nivel competitivo y de las horas de entrenamiento. En esta investigacion participaron un total de 148 judocas chilenos, de ambos sexos (58.1% de hombres y 41.9% de mujeres), de 18 a 63 anos (M=23,09 anos; DT=6,731), de 11 clubes de Judo Chilenos. Se ha utilizado el cuestionario STAI-RASGO, el cual arrojo unos niveles de fiabilidad de α=. 924 (Alpha de Cronbach). Se realizo un analisis descriptivo mediante analisis de frecuencias y para el estudio de tipo comparativo, se emplearon tablas de contingencia, chi-cuadrado de Pearson y ANOVA. En cuanto a los resultados de la ansiedad estado y rasgo en funcion del nivel del practicante, los datos reportaron asociacion estadistica (p=.037***). La conclusion mas destacada de este estudio es que los judocas chilenos poseen niveles bajos de ansiedad estado y ansiedad rasgo. EnglishIntroduction: In the case of judo, psychologically as important as the physical. Objective: The main objective of this study is to analyze the state of anxiety state and trait anxiety of Chilean judokas based on gender, level of competition and training hours. This research involved a total of 148 judokas Chileans of both sexes (58.1% men and 41.9% women), 18 to 63 years (M = 23.09 years, SD = 6,731) of 11 Chilean Judo clubs. It was used STAITRAIT questionnaire, which threw reliability levels α = 0.924 (Cronbach Alpha). A descriptive analysis was performed using frequency analysis and for comparative type, contingency tables were used, chisquare test and ANOVA. As for the results of state and trait anxiety level depending practitioner, data reported statistical association (p = 0.037 ***). The most striking finding of this study is that Chileans judokas have low levels of anxiety state and trait anxiety.
A comparative study of patient perceived quality of life pre and post coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

OBJECTIVE Traditionally, evaluation of outcome post cardiac surgery has focused on objective measures of cardiovascular status. The emphasis has shifted to examining an individual's quality of life (QoL). However a gap in Australian prospective research assessing QoL from a pre-operative period to the early stage of six weeks post-operatively exists. The aim of this study was to investigate recovery from coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABGS) on the basis of patient perceived QoL and in particular, physical and mental health. DESIGN AND SETTING Prospective longitudinal quasi-experimental study in a tertiary hospital in Melbourne, Australia. SUBJECTS Fifty four patients undergoing their first or second CABGS completed pre- and post-operative questionnaires. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The Short Form 36 (SF-36) questionnaire was used to measure physical and mental QoL pre- and post CABGS and gives eight domain scores as well as a physical (PCS) and mental component summary score (MCS). RESULTS SF-36 scores following CABGS were significantly improved in three of the eight domains: physical functioning (p < 0.001); general health perception (p < 0.001); energy/vitality (p < 0.005); and PCS (p < 0.001). No statistical difference was found in patients' MCS pre- and post-operatively. Of importance, patients reported higher levels of pain at six weeks post-operatively compared to their pre-operative levels but scores were not significantly different. CONCLUSIONS The SF-36 demonstrates improvements in physical QoL six weeks after CABGS compared to preoperative results but no difference in mental QoL suggesting psychological adaptation. An increase in the pain score at six weeks suggests inadequate pain management in these patients.
A novel predictive score for hepatocellular carcinoma development in patients with chronic hepatitis C after sustained response to pegylated interferon and ribavirin combination therapy.

OBJECTIVES Antiviral therapy can prevent the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients. However, HCC still develops in patients achieving sustained virological response (SVR). We proposed to evaluate the risk factors and derive a novel risk score for HCC (score(HCC)) by summation of products of clinical weights based on the regression coefficients in the final proportional hazards model. METHODS From March 2002 to October 2009, we enrolled 871 patients with biopsy-proven CHC, who received combined pegylated interferon and ribavirin therapy and achieved SVR. RESULTS Cox regression analysis showed that old age [hazard ratio (HR) 3.82, 95% CI 1.74-8.37, P = 0.001], high α-fetoprotein levels (HR 3.15, 95% CI 1.60-6.19, P = 0.001), low platelet counts (HR 2.81, 95% CI 1.22-6.44, P = 0.015) and high fibrotic stage (HR 3.95, 95% CI 1.46-10.70, P = 0.007) were independent risk factors. The cut-off level of risk scores was a derived value of 10 and was able to predict the HCC risk with 89.2% sensitivity and 69.5% specificity. The AUC value for the prediction was 0.848. The score(HCC) values were further categorized into three risk groups: low risk (score(HCC) ≤10), intermediate risk (score(HCC) 11-15) and high risk (score(HCC) ≥16). The proportion of HCC development increased from 1.37% (9/657) in the low-risk group to 9.14% (16/175) in the intermediate-risk group and 30.77% (12/39) in the high-risk group (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS With the novel risk scores, we can estimate the chance of HCC development more exactly and practically. This approach can be used for HCC screening in CHC patients achieving SVR.
Response to September 11: Anxiety, Patriotism, and Prejudice in the Aftermath of Terror.

In this study our P211 Methods of Experimental Psychology students and research team specifically examined feelings of personal anxiety created by terrorist attacks and ongoing conflict with the Middle East, patriotic attachment towards the United States, and subtle and blatant prejudicial attitudes toward Arabic people following the events of September 11, 2001. The design, hypotheses, instrument selection, data collection, and analyses for this study were conducted by our students as a course learning tool. Our students developed three distinct hypotheses and conducted analysis of these hypotheses, with minimal assistance from our research team. Three hundred-one (174 female, 127 male) students at Indiana University South Bend completed questionnaires for our study, measuring levels of anxiety, patriotism, prejudice, and a variety of sociodemographic factors. Four periods of data collection were completed during a period of 19 months following the events of September 11, 2001. Hypotheses developed by our students were tested using multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) techniques. As predicted, anxiety producing events (periods 1 and 4 combined) coincided with greater patriotic attachment toward the United States and amplified prejudicial attitudes toward the target group; Arabic people. No significant differences were found for either gender or our experimental condition (support versus protest). [165] --------------[166 ]
Renal Denervation Prevents Stroke and Brain Injury via Attenuation of Oxidative Stress in Hypertensive Rats

Background Although renal denervation (RD) is shown to reduce blood pressure significantly in patients with resistant hypertension, the benefit of RD in prevention of stroke is unknown. We hypothesized that RD can prevent the incidence of stroke and brain injury in hypertensive rats beyond blood pressure lowering. Methods and Results High‐salt‐loaded, stroke‐prone, spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) were divided into 4 groups: (1) control; (2) sham operation; (3) bilateral RD; and (4) hydralazine administration to examine the effect of RD on stroke and brain injury of SHRSP. RD significantly reduced the onset of neurological deficit and death in SHRSP, and this protection against stroke by RD was associated with the increase in cerebral blood flow (CBF), the suppression of blood–brain barrier disruption, the limitation of white matter (WM) lesions, and the attenuation of macrophage infiltration and activated microglia. Furthermore, RD significantly attenuated brain oxidative stress, and NADPH oxidase subunits, P67 and Rac1 in SHRSP. On the other hand, hydralazine, with similar blood pressure lowering to RD, did not significantly suppress the onset of stroke and brain injury in SHRSP. Furthermore, RD prevented cardiac remodeling and vascular endothelial impairment in SHRSP. Conclusions Our present work provided the first experimental evidence that RD can prevent hypertensive stroke and brain injury, beyond blood pressure lowering, thereby highlighting RD as a promising therapeutic strategy for stroke as well as hypertension.
Importance of Online Product Reviews from a Consumer's Perspective

Product reviews and ratings are popular tools to support buying decisions of consumers. These tools are also valuable for online retailers, who use rating systems in order to build trust and reputation in the online market. Many online shops oer quantitative ratings, textual reviews or a combination of both. This paper examines the acceptance and usage of ratings and reviews in the context of e-commerce transactions. A survey among 104 German online shoppers was conducted to examine how consumer reviews and rat- ings are used to support buying decisions. The survey shows that reviews and ratings are an important source of information for consumers. However, qualitative feedback from the survey indicates that the perceived helpfulness of rating systems varies. Especially the comparison of user reviews is a very time consuming process for the customer, because of the unstructured nature of textual user reviews. In this paper we summarize similar problems and show corresponding examples to them. This will give new insight for future research in the area of user ratings and reviews.
Seeking and Offering Expertise Across Categories: A Sustainable Mechanism Works for Baidu Knows

This paper presents the first comprehensive exploration of the largest Chinese online knowledge sharing community-Baidu Knows. With analyzing 5.2 millions questions and 2.7 million users participated during 4.5 months on the site in 2008, we investigate how users adjust initial attempts and behave differently according to the level of participation; in particular, there is a positive dynamic for answerers to input more, be more focused, win more, and thus be rewarded more. As the result, a core user group forms to actively participate in both asking and answering across categories, thus maintaining a self-sufficient community. In addition, a prominent "sense of community" would enhance the social bonds within the community, especially for the contributors who can offer expertise but can rarely learn from others. The study suggests Baibu Knows as a successful design instance for further studies.
Major Congenital Malformations in Barbados: The Prevalence, the Pattern, and the Resulting Morbidity and Mortality

Objectives. To study the prevalence and the pattern of major congenital malformations and its contribution to the overall perinatal morbidity and mortality. Methods. It is a retrospective population based study. It includes all major congenital malformations in newborns during 1993-2012. The data was collected from the birth register, the neonatal admission register and the individual patient records at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital where over 90% of deliveries take place and it is the only facility for the care of sick newborns in this country. Results. The overall prevalence of major congenital malformations among the live births was 59/10,000 live births and that among the stillbirths was 399/10,000 stillbirths. Circulatory system was the most commonly affected and accounted for 20% of all the major congenital malformations. Individually, Down syndrome (4.1/10, 000 live births) was the commonest major congenital malformation. There was a significant increase in the overall prevalence during the study period. Major congenital malformations were responsible for 14% of all neonatal death. Conclusions. Less than 1% of all live newborns have major congenital malformations with a preponderance of the malformations of the circulatory system. Major congenital malformations contribute significantly to the overall neonatal morbidity and mortality in this country.
Far-Infrared and Submillimeter Observations and Physical Models of the Reflection Nebula Cederblad 201

Infrared Space Observatory (ISO) [C II] 158 μm, [O I] 63 μm, and H2 9 and 17 μm observations are presented of the reflection nebula Ced 201, which is a photon-dominated region (PDR) illuminated by a B9.5 star with a color temperature of 10,000 K (a cool PDR). In combination with ground-based [C I] 609 μm, CO, 13CO, CS, and HCO+ data, the carbon budget and physical structure of the reflection nebula are constrained. The obtained data set is the first one to contain all important cooling lines of a cool PDR and allows a comparison to be made with classical PDRs. To this effect one- and three-dimensional PDR models are presented that incorporate the physical characteristics of the source and are aimed at understanding the dominant heating processes of the cloud. The contribution of very small grains to the photoelectric heating rate is estimated from these models and is used to constrain the total abundance of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and small grains. Observations of the pure rotational H2 lines with ISO, in particular the S(3) line, indicate the presence of a small amount of very warm ~330 K molecular gas. This gas cannot be accommodated by the presented models.
International Diversification with Factor Funds

We propose a new investment strategy employing “factor funds” to systematically enhance the mean-variance efficiency of international diversification. Our approach is motivated by the increasing evidence that size (SMB), book-to-market (HML), and momentum (MOM) factors, along with the market factor, adequately describe international stock returns, and by the direct link between investors' portfolio choice problems and international asset pricing theories and tests. Using data from 10 developed countries during the period 1981--2008, we show that the “augmented” optimal portfolio involving local factor funds substantially outperforms the “benchmark” optimal portfolio comprising country market indices only as measured by their portfolio Sharpe ratios. This strongly rejects the intersection hypothesis which posits that the local factor funds do not span investment opportunities beyond what country market indices do. Among the three classes of factor funds, HML funds contribute most to the efficiency gains. In addition, the local version of factor funds outperforms the global factor funds. The added gains from local factor diversification are significant for both in-sample and out-of-sample periods, and for a realistic range of additional investment costs for factor funds, and remain robust over time.
Add-ons in IVF programme – Hype or Hope?

A series of new technologies and adjuvant therapies have been advocated in order to improve the success of IVF treatment. Dehydro-epiandrostenedione, growth hormones, Coenzyme Q 10, calcium ionosphores, immune therapy, heparin, low-dose aspirin, and vasodilators are among commonly prescribed pharmacological adjuvants. New technologies that are proposed to improve IVF outcomes include advanced sperm selection procedures, time- lapse embryo monitoring, preimplantation genetic screening, assisted hatching endometrial injury or embryo-glue. This review looked into current evidence to justify the use of these co-interventions and whether some of them can still be offered while awaiting more robust evidence to con rm or refute their role.