Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Long-Term Benefits of Positive Self-Presentation via Profile Pictures, Number of Friends and the Initiation of Relationships on Facebook for Adolescents’ Self-Esteem and the Initiation of Offline Relationships

Social networking sites are a substantial part of adolescents’ daily lives. By using a longitudinal approach the current study examined the impact of (a) positive self-presentation, (b) number of friends, and (c) the initiation of online relationships on Facebook on adolescents’ self-esteem and their initiation of offline relationships, as well as the mediating role of positive feedback. Questionnaire data were obtained from 217 adolescents (68% girls, mean age 16.7 years) in two waves. Adolescents’ positive self-presentation and number of friends were found to be related to a higher frequency of receiving positive feedback, which in turn was negatively associated with self-esteem. However, the number of Facebook friends had a positive impact on self-esteem, and the initiation of online relationships positively influenced the initiation of offline relationships over time, demonstrating that Facebook may be a training ground for increasing adolescents’ social skills. Implications and suggestions for future research are provided.
The use of functional electrical stimulation cycles in children and adolescents with spinal cord dysfunction: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND AND METHODS Children who experience spinal cord injuries (SCI) may develop many complications, including loss of bone mass, osteoporosis, and pathological fractures. Additionally, patients with SCI often rate their quality of life as poor compared to non-injured peers. We examined the effect of functional electrical stimulation (FES) cycle exercise on bone mineral density (BMD) and quality of life (QOL) in six patients ranging in age from 9 to 20 years. BMD was determined using Dual X-ray Absorptiometry scans, and QOL was measured using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL™ 4.0). RESULTS While patients experienced difficulty in attending sessions consistently, we found a tendency toward improved BMD and QOL associated with the number of months using the FES cycles. In addition, a positive relation was seen between improved BMD and the total number of cycling sessions, as well as between the final rating of QOL and time from injury. CONCLUSION FES cycle exercise has the potential to increase BMD, possibly leading to a decrease in pathologic fractures, as well as to improve QOL, in children and adolescents with SCI. Further investigation is warranted on a larger population of children with SCI in order to establish the full benefits of FES cycle exercise.
The inducible T-cell co-stimulator molecule is expressed on subsets of T cells and is a new marker of lymphomas of T follicular helper cell-derivation

Background T follicular helper (TFH) cells reside in the light zone of germinal centers and are considered the cell of origin of angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma. Recently, CXCL13, PD-1 and SAP were described as useful markers for TFH cells and angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma but also reported in some peripheral T-cell lymphomas, not otherwise specified. Design and Methods In the present study the expression pattern of ICOS protein was investigated by immunohistochemistry-based techniques in routine sections of normal lymphoid tissues and 633 human lymphomas. Results Cells strongly positive for ICOS were restricted to the light zone of germinal centers and co-expressed TFH-associated molecules. In addition, weak to moderate ICOS expression was observed in a small proportion of FOXP3-positive cells. In lymphomas, ICOS expression was confined to angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (85/86), peripheral T-cell lymphomas of follicular variant (18/18) and a proportion of peripheral T-cell lymphomas, not otherwise specified (24/56) that also expressed other TFH-associated molecules. Conclusions ICOS is a useful molecule for identifying TFH cells and its restricted expression to angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma and a proportion of peripheral T-cell lymphomas, not otherwise specified (showing a TFH-like profile) suggests its inclusion in the antibody panel for diagnosing TFH-derived lymphomas. Our findings provide further evidence that the histological spectrum of TFH-derived lymphomas is broader than previously assumed.
Voice Construction, Assessment, and Extra-Textual Identity

The concept of voice has long attracted the attention of teachers, but more recently has also been the focus of a growing body of research aiming to understand voice as self-representation in writing. Adopting a socio-cultural orientation to voice, studies have revealed much about how textual choices are used by readers to build images of text-authors; however, such research has been limited to contexts in which the author’s actual identity is unknown by the reader. Research has offered limited insight into how an author’s embodied self figures into readers’ voice construction, or how voice construction is connected to readers’ assessments of text—with or without knowledge of the author’s identity apart from the text. This article takes up these issues by exploring how readers’ exposure to videos of two second language (L2) student-authors influenced voice construction and evaluation of the students’ papers. Through primarily qualitative and intertextual analysis, the study concludes that voice construction, extra-textual identity, and assessment are related and interacting constructs, though these relationships are neither straightforward nor predictable. Methodological, pedagogical, and theoretical implications of this conclusion are discussed
Interplay between lipoproteins and bee venom phospholipase A2 in relation to their anti-plasmodium toxicity Published, JLR Papers in Press, April 10, 2006.

We previously showed that the in vitro intraerythrocytic development of the malarial agent Plasmodium falciparum is strongly inhibited by secreted phospholipases A2 (sPLA2s) from animal venoms. Inhibition is dependent on enzymatic activity and requires the presence of serum lipoproteins in the parasite culture medium. To evaluate the potential involvement of host lipoproteins and sPLA2s in malaria, we investigated the interactions between bee venom phospholipase A2 (bvPLA2), human triglyceride-rich lipoproteins, and infected erythrocytes. Even at high enzyme concentration (100× IC50), bvPLA2 binding to Plasmodium-infected or normal erythrocytes was not detected. On the contrary, tight association with lipoproteins was observed through the formation of buoyant bvPLA2/lipoprotein complexes. Direct involvement of the hydrolysis lipid products in toxicity was demonstrated. Arachidonic acid (C20:4), linoleic acid (C18:2), and, to a lesser extent, docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6) appeared as the main actors in toxicity. Minimal oxidation of lipoproteins enhanced toxicity of the lipolyzed particles and induced their interaction with infected or normal erythrocytes. Fresh or oxidized lipolyzed lipoproteins induced the parasite degeneration without host cell membrane disruption, ruling out a possible membranolytic action of fatty acids or peroxidation products in the death process. In conclusion, our data enlighten on the capability of secreted PLA2s to exert cytotoxicity via the extracellular generation of toxic lipids, and raise the question of whether such mechanisms could be at play in pathophysiological situations such as malaria.
Spinal and epidural versus general anesthesia for elective Cesarean section at term: effect on the acid–base status of the mother and newborn

Objective: To compare general, epidural and combined spinal-epidural anesthesia with respect to short-term outcome of newborns delivered by elective Cesarean section of healthy parturients with normal pregnancies. Study design: A total of 238 eight pregnant women admitted to our institution between January 1998 and July 2002, for whom elective Cesarean section was planned after 38 weeks' gestation, were grouped according to the kind of anesthesia used for the procedure. Maternal characteristics, birth weight, Apgar scores, and maternal and umbilical artery (UA) acid-base parameters were analyzed. Results: Maternal pH was significantly lower and pCO2 and pO2 were significantly higher in the general anesthetic group, compared to the other two groups (7.38 ± 0.03 vs. 7.43 ± 0.02 and 7.43 ± 0.05, respectively; 35.03 ± 3.88 mmHg vs. 29.25 ± 5.05 mmHg and 29.64 ± 4.16 mmHg, respectively; and 224.56 ± 86.77 mmHg vs. 151.28 ± 38 mmHg and 157.36 ± 53.51 mmHg, respectively, p < 0.05). The pH of the UA was higher in the general anesthetic group, compared to the spinal-epidural group (7.29 ± 0.02 vs. 7.26 ± 0.06, p < 0.05). The pO2 as well as O2 saturation of the UA were higher when general anesthetic was administered, compared to the two regional modalities (15.60 ± 5.48 mmHg vs. 9.29 ± 4.41 mmHg and 9.20 ± 4.06 mmHg, respectively; and 17.37 ± 9.79% vs. 7.87 ± 4.98% and 6.90 ± 5.22%, respectively, p < 0.05). UA O2 saturation fell to zero in some cases in the combined spinal-epidural group, without an evident effect on fetal well-being. No fetal acidemia was noted in any group. Neonatal outcomes were similar in the three groups studied. Conclusions: Type of anesthesia does not influence short-term outcomes in infants born via elective Cesarean section, although differences in acid-base status of both the mother and especially the newborn recommend careful use of spinal anesthesia.
Understanding visual consciousness in autism spectrum disorders

The paper focuses on the question of what the (visual) perceptual differences are between individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and typically developing (TD) individuals. We argue against the view that autistic subjects have a deficiency in the most basic form of perceptual consciousness—namely, phenomenal consciousness. Instead, we maintain, the perceptual atypicality of individuals with autism is of a more conceptual and cognitive sort—their perceptual experiences share crucial aspects with TD individuals. Our starting point is Ben Shalom’s (2005, 2009) three-level processing framework for explaining atypicality in several domains of processing among autistics, which we compare with two other tripartite models of perception—Jackendoff’s (1987) and Prinz’s (2000, 2005a, 2007) Intermediate Level Hypothesis and Lamme’s (2004, 2006, 2010) neural account of consciousness. According to these models, whereas the second level of processing is concerned with viewer-centered visual representations of basic visual properties and incorporates some early forms of integration, the third level is more cognitive and conceptual. We argue that the data suggest that the atypicality in autism is restricted mainly to the third level. More specifically, second-level integration, which is the mark of phenomenal consciousness, is typical, yet third-level integration of perceptual objects and concepts is atypical. Thus, the basic experiences of individuals with autism are likely to be similar to typical subjects’ experiences; the main difference lies in the sort of cognitive access the subjects have to their experiences. We conclude by discussing implications of the suggested analysis of experience in autism for conceptions of phenomenal consciousness.
Impact of food components during in vitro digestion of silver nanoparticles on cellular uptake and cytotoxicity in intestinal cells

Abstract Because of the rising application of nanoparticles in food and food-related products, we investigated the influence of the digestion process on the toxicity and cellular uptake of silver nanoparticles for intestinal cells. The main food components – carbohydrates, proteins and fatty acids – were implemented in an in vitro digestion process to simulate realistic conditions. Digested and undigested silver nanoparticle suspensions were used for uptake studies in the well-established Caco-2 model. Small-angle X-ray scattering was used to estimate particle core size, size distribution and stability in cell culture medium. Particles proved to be stable and showed radii from 3.6 to 16.0 nm. Undigested particles and particles digested in the presence of food components were comparably taken up by Caco-2 cells, whereas the uptake of particles digested without food components was decreased by 60%. Overall, these findings suggest that in vivo ingested poly (acrylic acid)-coated silver nanoparticles may reach the intestine in a nanoscaled form even if enclosed in a food matrix. While appropriate for studies on the uptake into intestinal cells, the Caco-2 model might be less suited for translocation studies. Moreover, we show that nanoparticle digestion protocols lacking food components may lead to misinterpretation of uptake studies and inconclusive results.
The Effect of Perioperative Intravenous Lidocaine and Ketamine on Recovery After Abdominal Hysterectomy

BACKGROUND:Perioperative ketamine infusion reduces postoperative pain; perioperative lidocaine infusion reduces postoperative narcotic consumption, speeds recovery of intestinal function, improves postoperative fatigue, and shortens hospital stay. However, it is unknown whether perioperative IV lidocaine and/or ketamine enhances acute functional recovery. We therefore tested the primary hypothesis that perioperative IV lidocaine and/or ketamine in patients undergoing open abdominal hysterectomy improves rehabilitation as measured by a 6-minute walk distance (6-MWD) on the second postoperative morning. METHODS:Women having open hysterectomy were anesthetized with sevoflurane, followed by patient-controlled morphine. Patients were factorially randomized to one of the following groups: (1) lidocaine and placebo, (2) placebo and ketamine, (3) placebo and placebo, or (4) lidocaine and ketamine. Lidocaine was given as a bolus (1.5 mg/kg), followed by lidocaine infusion of 2 mg/kg/h for the first 2 hours, and then 1.2 mg/kg/h for 24 postoperative hours. Ketamine was given as a bolus (0.35 mg/kg), followed by ketamine infusion of 0.2 mg/kg/h for the first 2 hours, and then 0.12 mg/kg/h for 24 postoperative hours. The primary double-blind outcome was 6-MWD on the second postoperative morning; secondary outcomes included pain scores, opioid consumption, postoperative nausea and vomiting, and fatigue score. RESULTS:The study was stopped after a planned interim analysis of 64 patients showed that lidocaine crossed the preplanned futility boundary, with mean ± SD of 202 ± 66 m versus 202 ± 73 m for lidocaine versus placebo, respectively, and mean difference (interim adjusted 97.5% confidence interval) of 0.93 m (−52, 54) (P = 0.96); the ketamine effect also crossed the futility boundary, with mean ± SD of 193 ± 77 m versus 210 ± 61 m for ketamine versus placebo, respectively, and mean difference (interim adjusted 97.5% confidence interval) of −11 m (−65, 44) (P = 0.54). No interaction between the 2 intervention effects was observed (P = 0.96). Neither intervention significantly influenced any of the secondary outcomes. CONCLUSION:Our results do not support use of lidocaine or ketamine for improving 6-MWD on the second postoperative day after open hysterectomy.
Protective effects of recombinant Brucella abortus Omp28 against infection with a virulent strain of Brucella abortus 544 in mice

The outer membrane proteins (OMPs) of Brucella (B.) abortus have been extensively studied, but their immunogenicity and protective ability against B. abortus infection are still unclear. In the present study, B. abortus Omp28, a group 3 antigen, was amplified by PCR and cloned into a maltose fusion protein expression system. Recombinant Omp28 (rOmp28) was expressed in Escherichia coli and was then purified. Immunogenicity of rOmp28 was confirmed by Western blot analysis with Brucella-positive mouse serum. Furthermore, humoral- or cell-mediated immune responses measured by the production of IgG1 or IgG2a in rOmp28-immunized mice and the ability of rOmp28 immunization to protect against B. abortus infection were evaluated in a mouse model. In the immunogenicity analysis, the mean titers of IgG1 and IgG2a produced by rOmp28-immunized mice were 20-fold higher than those of PBS-treated mice throughout the entire experimental period. Furthermore, spleen proliferation and bacterial burden in the spleen of rOmp28-immunized mice were approximately 1.5-fold lower than those of PBS-treated mice when challenged with virulent B. abortus. These findings suggest that rOmp28 from B. abortus is a good candidate for manufacturing an effective subunit vaccine against B. abortus infection in animals.
Human nature and the social order

This work remains a pioneer sociological treatise on American culture. By understanding the individual not as the product of society but as its mirror image, Cooley concludes that the social order cannot be imposed from outside human nature but that it arises from the self. Cooley stimulated pedagogical inquiry into the dynamics of society with the publication of Human Nature and the Social Order in 1902. Human Nature and the Social Order is something more than an admirable ethical treatise. It is also a classic work on the process of social communication as the "very stuff" of which the self is made.
Black Consciousness, Self-Esteem, and Satisfaction with Physical Appearance Among African-American Female College Students

There is little doubt that American women are concerned with their appearance. Americans spend billions trying to improve their health, bodies, and appearance. In general we are healthier and more fit than ever, but less satisfied with the way we look (Cash, Winstead, & Janda, 1986). Despite their efforts to attain what is often an unattainable image, many women are dissatisfied with their own appearance. Psychological researchers have rigorously addressed the issue of physical appearance and its importance to women, namely White women. Notwithstanding the importance of such research, much of it has failed to examine these issues among African-American women. Failure to incorporate African-Americans as subjects in research on appearance detracts from the generalizability of prior findings to this group. The current research investigates the extent to which two variables, Black consciousness and self-esteem, are associated with satisfaction with physical appearance among African-American women. It is unclear who African-American women use as their reference group in defining their own attractiveness: the larger society, the
A conjunctive feature similarity effect for visual search

Traditional models of visual search assume interitem similarity effects arise from within each feature dimension independently of other dimensions. In the present study, we examine whether distractor–distractor effects also depend on feature conjunctions (i.e., whether feature conjunctions form a separate “feature” dimension that influences interitem similarity). Spatial frequency and orientation feature dimensions were used to generate distractors. In the bound condition, the number of distractors sharing the same conjunction of features was higher than that in the unbound condition, but the sharing of features within frequency and orientation dimensions was the same across conditions. The results showed that the target was found more efficiently in the bound than in the unbound condition, indicating that distractor–distractor similarity is also influenced by conjunctive representations.
Point-of-care urine test for assessing adherence to isoniazid treatment for tuberculosis

To the Editor: Good adherence to treatment for tuberculosis (TB) is essential, both to cure disease and prevent development of drug resistance. Adherence to chemoprophylaxis (preventive therapy) for latent TB infection (LTBI) is particularly poor [1]. Methods for measuring adherence to TB medication include detecting urine colour change due to the presence of rifampicin. However, this effect is short lived, peaking at 2–6 h and is only seen in <50% of patients [2]. Directly observed therapy (DOT) will ensure adherence to antituberculous treatment, but this can be unacceptable and many patients do not tolerate a three times a week regimen. DOT is costly in terms of personnel and is seldom employed in chemoprophylaxis patients [1]. The highly reliable Arkansas method for detecting isoniazid metabolites in urine relies on a laboratory colorimetric assay, involving adding drops of prepared solutions of reagents, including potassium cyanide, to a urine sample [3]. There are obvious risks involved in handling and storing the reagents. IsoScreen (GFC Diagnostics, Bicester, UK) uses the reagents of the Arkansas Method but in an enclosed plastic testing device (SafeTube; GFC Diagnostics), allowing safe and rapid point-of-care testing in clinics and patients’ homes [2]. The urine colour change is apparent within a few seconds but 5 min is allowed to ensure stable colour development. Purple or blue samples are deemed positive, green intermediate and yellow negative. High sensitivities and specificities have been reported, but without a consistent relationship to the timing of the previous dose of isoniazid or measurement of acetylator status [2, 4]. In this prospective study, we analysed the relationship over time of the colour change seen with IsoScreen over 72 h to determine whether different colours could accurately inform when the last dose was taken, …
Temporal logic for real-time systems

points of the classical control theory which is based on the frequency domain description of the plant, so that the H-infinity control theory has been actively studied in the recent years. It is the design method in the frequency domain based on the modern control theory. However, the H-infinity theory at the present time lacks the identification of the frequency domain. The topics treated here are, therefore, very interesting for the users intending to apply the H-infinity control theory, too. The topics also include an application to test civil engineering structures. All chapters contain the sections of 'Outline and Learning Objectives', 'Summary', 'Problems', and 'Notes and References', so that one can read this book very easily even without being acquainted with self-tuning systems. A variety of examples in the book may help the reader's understanding of the self-tuning systems. Now, open the jewelry box with your own hand. About the reviewer Seiichi Shin received degrees of Bachelor, Master, and Doctor of Engineering all from University of Tokyo, in 1978, 1980, and 1987, respectively. From 1980 to 1988, he worked at the University of Tokyo, as an associate researcher in the former, and as an assistant professor in the latter. He became an associate professor of Institute of Information Sciences and Electronics, University of Tsukuba in 1988. In April 1992, he moved to the Department of Mathematical Engineering and Information Physics, University of Tokyo. His main interest is research on control theory and its application. It includes adaptive control, time delay systems, nonlinear systems, neural network, and distributed control systems. He is a member of IEEE, SICE, ISCIE, IEE of Japan, Japan SIAM, and JSME.
Inspiring Economics: Human Motivation in Political Economy

Economics can be inspiring - often taking a stand against convention, achieving challenging results, discussing unorthodox viewpoints and suggesting new policies. This work illustrates the inspirational quality of economics and shows how this differs from the type of economics studied in many academic institutions. The author introduces insights into economics from a psychological perspective, dealing with issues such as transformation of anomalies, identification in democracy and crowding effects, and focuses on intrinsic motivation and how it is undermined.