Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Changes in the Thalamus in Atypical Parkinsonism Detected Using Shape Analysis and Diffusion Tensor Imaging

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The thalamus is interconnected with the nigrostriatal system and cerebral cortex and has a major role in cognitive function and sensorimotor integration. The purpose of this study was to determine how regional involvement of the thalamus differs among Parkinson disease, progressive supranuclear palsy, and corticobasal syndrome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nine patients with Parkinson disease, 5 with progressive supranuclear palsy, and 6 with corticobasal syndrome underwent 3T MR imaging along with 12 matched, asymptomatic volunteers by using a protocol that included volumetric T1 and diffusion tensor imaging. Acquired data were automatically processed to delineate the margins of the motor and nonmotor thalamic nuclear groups, and measurements of ADC were calculated from the DTI data within these regions. Thalamic volume, shape, and ADC were compared across groups. RESULTS: Thalamic volume was smaller in the progressive supranuclear palsy and corticobasal syndrome groups compared with the Parkinson disease and control groups. Shape analysis revealed that this was mainly due to the diminished size of the lateral thalamus. Overall, ADC measurements were higher in the progressive supranuclear palsy group compared with both the Parkinson disease and control groups, and anatomic subgroup analysis demonstrated that these changes were greater within the motor regions of the thalamus in progressive supranuclear palsy and corticobasal degeneration. CONCLUSIONS: Reduced size and increased ADC disproportionately involve the lateral thalamus in progressive supranuclear palsy and corticobasal syndrome, consistent with selective neurodegeneration and atrophy in this region. Because these findings were not observed in Parkinson disease, they may be more specific markers of tau-related neurodegeneration.
Geological age, ecosystem development, and local resource constraints on arthropod community structure in the Hawaiian Islands

An ongoing debate in evolutionary ecology concerns the relative role of contemporary vs. historical processes in determining local species richness and community structure. At sites along a 4 Mya geological chronosequence on Hawai‘i, Moloka‘i and Kaua‘i, numerous extrinsic factors can be held constant, but ecosystem fertility and nutrient availability are low, both very young and very old sites, peaking at intermediate geological age across islands. Thus, contemporary resource traits are similar among sites with different biogeographical legacies, and these opposing gradients allowed a test of their relative importance for arboreal arthropod community structure. Pyrethrum knockdown was used to sample arboreal arthropods from Metrosideros polymorpha (Myrtaceae), the dominant tree throughout the Hawaiian Islands. Arthropod abundances and sample-based species richness peaked at more productive, intermediate-aged sites, but did not correlate with geological age. The proportions of individuals and biomass in trophic groups and in different taxonomic orders differed widely across sites, but proportions of species in trophic groups were more regular than the chance expectation. Species richness in local communities did not accumulate or pack more tightly with increasing geological age to the oldest island. Intermediate-aged islands may be contemporary peaks of richness, mediated by ecosystem development and senescence. Although historical and evolutionary processes generate diversity at broad scales, local communities converged in trophic structure and composition, and ecosystem resource availability constrained arthropod numbers and richness at local scales. © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2007, 90, 551–570.
A Dynamic Model of the Longitudinal Relationship between Job Satisfaction and Supervisor‐Rated Job Performance

Job satisfaction and job performance represent two of the most important and popular constructs investigated in organisational psychology. Issues relating to the nature and significance of their relationship has fascinated organisational researchers since the beginning of this discipline. In the present study, we aimed to clarify the direction of plausible influences between these two constructs by using a dynamic latent difference score model (McArdle, 2009) and a large sample of employees who were followed for five years (N = 1,004). The findings provided support for a reciprocal model of relationships. Satisfied workers generally demonstrated higher job performance over time than did unsatisfied workers. Job performance, however, is a significant contributor of an individual's satisfaction with their work. The contribution of this study to the literature lies in its use of Latent Difference Score models to more accurately capture the longitudinal dynamics of the relationships between job performance and job satisfaction.
Salivary antioxidants and periodontal disease status

Periodontal disease is a common chronic adult condition. The bacterium Porphyromonas gingivalis has been implicated in the aetiology of this disease, which causes destruction of the connective tissue and bone around the root area of the tooth. It has been observed that invading P. gingivalis bacteria trigger the release of cytokines such as interleukin 8 and tumour necrosis factor α, leading to elevated numbers and activity of polymorphonucleocytes (PMN). As a result of stimulation by bacterial antigens, PMN produce the reactive oxygen species (ROS) superoxide via the respiratory burst as part of the host response to infection. Patients with periodontal disease display increased PMN number and activity. It has been suggested that this proliferation results in a high degree of ROS release, culminating in heightened oxidative damage to gingival tissue, periodontal ligament and alveolar bone. Antioxidant constituents in plasma have been well-documented, being chiefly ascorbate, albumin and urate, and these are known to display sensitivity to dietary antioxidant intakes. The concentration of antioxidants in saliva does not appear to mirror those of plasma. The extent of dietary influence upon salivary antioxidant status is unclear. Urate is the predominant salivary antioxidant, with albumin and ascorbate providing minor contributions. Previous research has found reduced salivary antioxidant activity in patients suffering from periodontal disease. An improved understanding of the role antioxidants play in periodontitis, and the influence of nutrition on antioxidant status, may lead to a possible nutritional strategy for the treatment of periodontal disease.
On the Algebra of Structural Contexts

We discuss a general way of defining contexts in linear logic, based on the observation that linear universal algebra can be symmetrized by assigning an additional variable to represent the output of a term. We give two approaches to this, a syntactical one based on a new, reversible notion of term, and an algebraic one based on a simple generalization of typed operads. We relate these to each other and to known examples of logical systems, and show new examples, in particular discussing the relationship between intuitionistic and classical systems. We then present a general framework for extracting deductive system from a given theory of contexts, and prove that all these systems have cut-elimination by the means of a generic argument.
Accountable and Privacy-Enhanced Access Control in Wireless Sensor Networks

In general, owners and users of wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are different entities. A user may want to hide his/her data access privacy from anyone else including the network owner and, at the same time, users who misbehave need to be identified. Such requirements necessitate privacy-preserving and accountable access control. In this paper, we develop a novel protocol, named APAC, to satisfy this need. First, APAC can enforce strict access control so that the sensed data is only accessible by the authorized users. Second, APAC offers sophisticated user privacy protection. Third, misbehaving users or owners can be audited and pinpointed. Last but not least, it does not rely on the existence of a trusted third party, and thus is more feasible in practice. The feasibility of the APAC is demonstrated by experiments on resource-limited mobile devices and sensor platforms.
Effectiveness of an Individualized Training Based on Force-Velocity Profiling during Jumping

Ballistic performances are determined by both the maximal lower limb power output (Pmax) and their individual force-velocity (F-v) mechanical profile, especially the F-v imbalance (FVimb): difference between the athlete's actual and optimal profile. An optimized training should aim to increase Pmax and/or reduce FVimb. The aim of this study was to test whether an individualized training program based on the individual F-v profile would decrease subjects' individual FVimb and in turn improve vertical jump performance. FVimb was used as the reference to assign participants to different training intervention groups. Eighty four subjects were assigned to three groups: an “optimized” group divided into velocity-deficit, force-deficit, and well-balanced sub-groups based on subjects' FVimb, a “non-optimized” group for which the training program was not specifically based on FVimb and a control group. All subjects underwent a 9-week specific resistance training program. The programs were designed to reduce FVimb for the optimized groups (with specific programs for sub-groups based on individual FVimb values), while the non-optimized group followed a classical program exactly similar for all subjects. All subjects in the three optimized training sub-groups (velocity-deficit, force-deficit, and well-balanced) increased their jumping performance (12.7 ± 5.7% ES = 0.93 ± 0.09, 14.2 ± 7.3% ES = 1.00 ± 0.17, and 7.2 ± 4.5% ES = 0.70 ± 0.36, respectively) with jump height improvement for all subjects, whereas the results were much more variable and unclear in the non-optimized group. This greater change in jump height was associated with a markedly reduced FVimb for both force-deficit (57.9 ± 34.7% decrease in FVimb) and velocity-deficit (20.1 ± 4.3%) subjects, and unclear or small changes in Pmax (−0.40 ± 8.4% and +10.5 ± 5.2%, respectively). An individualized training program specifically based on FVimb (gap between the actual and optimal F-v profiles of each individual) was more efficient at improving jumping performance (i.e., unloaded squat jump height) than a traditional resistance training common to all subjects regardless of their FVimb. Although improving both FVimb and Pmax has to be considered to improve ballistic performance, the present results showed that reducing FVimb without even increasing Pmax lead to clearly beneficial jump performance changes. Thus, FVimb could be considered as a potentially useful variable for prescribing optimal resistance training to improve ballistic performance.
The Turkish Adaptation of Self-regulated Learning Teacher Belief Scale

Abstract The aim of this paper is to adapt “Self-Regulated Learning Teacher Belief Scale” (SRLTB) into the Turkish language for language equivalance, reliability, and validity. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were conducted for construct validity of the scale. Within the reliability studies of the scale, Cronbach Alpha value and item-total correlations were calculated using the split-half method. According to EFA results, a single factor construct explaining 36 percent of total variance came out. This is compliant with the original construct of the scale. CFA indicated that the fit indices had values significantly above acceptable values, which confirmed the single-factored structure. The scale’s internal consistency coefficient, which was . 79, indicating high reliability. In conclusion, the paper provides the Turkish-language equivalance of the scale and finds that the scale is reliable and valid in determining teachers’ beliefs about self-regulated learning.
Irony in a second language : exploring the comprehension of Japanese speakers of English

This thesis focuses on the extent to which non-native speakers of English understand potentially ironic utterances in a similar way to native speakers. Barbe (1995: 4) sees irony as one of ‘the final obstacles before achieving near native-speaker fluency. ’ This assumption is supported by the findings of earlier studies (Bouton 1999, Lee 2002; Manowong 2011; Yamanaka 2003) which assumed a Gricean framework seeing irony as communicating the ‘opposite of what is said’ (Grice 1975, 1978). This thesis adopts instead the relevance-theoretic account of irony as echoic (Sperber and Wilson 1995; Wilson and Sperber 2012), arguing that previous work suffers from both problematic theoretical assumptions and flawed experimental methods. The thesis reports the findings of two experiments designed to examine similarities and differences between the responses of non-native speakers of English (here Japanese speakers) and native speakers and how similar or different the effects of prosody are for these groups. The first experiment, conducted by an online survey, provided surprising results, suggesting that Japanese speakers can respond to potentially ironical utterances similarly to native speakers. The second experiment, focusing on the effects of prosody, compared the groups with regard to response trends. Three prosodic contours were used in this study, labelled ‘basic’ (a kind of default, unmarked tone), ‘deadpan’ (with a narrower pitch range), and ‘exaggerated’ (with a wider pitch range). The results indicated that Japanese participants could perceive English prosodic structure in similar ways to native speakers and were affected by prosodic contours in similar ways. It also suggested that Japanese participants were affected less strongly by ‘exaggerated’ intonation and slightly more strongly by ‘deadpan’ tones. These findings suggest that a relevance-theoretic framework provides the means to carry out fuller investigations than carried out previously and to develop a more systematic explanation of the understanding of irony in a second language.
Everyday teaching and outdoor learning: developing an integrated approach to support school-based provision

ABSTRACT In the UK, teachers are increasingly being encouraged to support and undertake outdoor learning. Despite such support there is a paucity of research that has considered how outdoor learning can be implemented and offered on a regular basis by teachers. The lack of empirical research that has centralised the role of the teacher is at odds with the interest in this topic and the need for theory-driven guidance suited to teachers. Research is reported that aimed to support the provision of outdoor learning opportunities for children aged between three and eleven at nine settings (pre- or primary schools) in Scotland and England. A set of flexible guidelines that link theory and practice were used by 14 teachers. This article focuses on teachers’ reports of their activity. The incorporation of outdoor learning within conventional teaching and learning approaches is found to be feasible and the implications for practice and future research are explored.
Holding Back the Tears: Individual Differences in Adult Crying Proneness Reflect Attachment Orientation and Attitudes to Crying

Despite being a universal human attachment behavior, little is known about individual differences in crying. To facilitate such examination we first recommend shortened versions of the attitudes and proneness sections of the Adult Crying Inventory using two independent samples. Importantly, we examine attachment orientation differences in crying proneness and test the mediating role of attitudes toward crying in this relationship. Participants (Sample 1 N = 623, Sample 2 N = 781), completed online measures of adult attachment dimensions (avoidance and anxiety), attitudes toward crying, and crying proneness. Exploratory factor analyses in Sample 1 revealed four factors for crying attitudes: crying helps one feel better; crying is healthy; hatred of crying; and crying is controllable; and three factors for crying proneness: threat to self; sadness; and joy. Confirmatory factor analyses in Sample 2 replicated these structures. Theoretically and statistically justified short forms of each scale were created. Multiple mediation analyses revealed similar patterns of results across the two samples, with the attitudes “crying is healthy” and “crying is controllable” consistently mediating the positive links between attachment anxiety and crying proneness, and the negative links between attachment avoidance and crying proneness. Results are discussed in relation to attachment and emotion regulation literature.
Positive peer relationships and academic achievement across early and midadolescence

We explored peer acceptance and friendships during adolescence, and their relationship with subsequent changes in the level of adolescents’ academic achievement. Participants were 447 students (51% girls) aged from 11 to 16 years. The students completed sociometric assessments of their peer acceptance and friendships during the autumn semester (Time 1). Academic achievement data were also obtained from students’ report-card grades at Time 1 as well as during the spring semester (Time 2) of the same academic year. Regression analysis indicated that peer acceptance positively predicted subsequent academic achievement. This relationship was also moderated by age, with the effect of peer acceptance on subsequent academic achievement being greater during early adolescence than in midadolescence. This research deepens understanding of the mechanisms by which positive peer relationships influence adolescents’ academic achievement.
A Functional Link Based Nonlinear Echo Canceller Exploiting Sparsity

The presence of loudspeaker distortions in the echo path affects the performance of a conventional acoustic echo canceller (AEC). In order to address this problem we introduce a novel nonlinear acoustic echo cancellation (NAEC) architecture based on the adaptive combination of linear and nonlinear filters. The nonlinear filtering is performed by a functional link network (FLN) whose task is to compensate for the loudspeaker distortions. The linear contribution is given by a variable step size improved proportionate normalized least mean square (VIP-NLMS) algorithm which takes into account the impulse response sparsity thus further improving the system performance. Experimental results show the effectiveness of this system in the presence of strong loudspeaker distortions.
From Spatial to Social Asymmetry

According to the spatial agency bias model, in Western cultures agentic targets are envisaged as facing and acting rightward, in line with writing direction. In four studies of Italian participants, we examined the symbolic association between agency and the rightward direction (Study 1, N = 96), its spontaneous activation when attributing agency to female and male targets (Study 2, N = 80) or when judging the authenticity of photographs of men and women (Study 3, N = 57), and its possible relation to stereotype endorsement (Study 4, N = 80). In Study 4, we used a conditioning paradigm in which participants learned a counterstereotypical new association; we developed a novel measure to assess the association between gender and spatial direction, namely, the spatial association task. Participants envisaged and cognitively processed male and female targets in line with the spatial agency bias model and reported lower benevolent sexism after learning a new counterstereotypical spatial association. Our findings raise awareness about the biased use of space (and its consequences) in the representation of women and men, so that all people, and especially communicators and policy makers, can actively intervene to promote gender equality. Additional online materials for this article are available to PWQ subscribers on PWQ’s website at http://journals.sagepub. com/doi/suppl/10.1177/0361684316676045
Gastric Carcinomas Localized to the Cardia

Objectives. Gastric adenocarcinomas localized to the cardia are increasing. Enterochromaffin-like (ECL) cells play a role in gastric carcinogenesis in hypergastrinemia, and the use of proton pump inhibitors (PPI) leading to hypergastrinemia has increased considerably during the last decades. We have examined cardia cancers for neuroendocrine and ECL cell differentiation. Methods. Thirty-two cardia cancers were examined by immunohistochemical labelling of chromogranin A (CgA), synaptophysin, serotonin, and histidine decarboxylase (HDC). Information about PPI use was collected from the patient records. Results. In 15 of 32 tumours, there were positive signs for one or several neuroendocrine markers. Five cases were CgA and serotonin positive; three of these carcinomas were also positive for HDC. Three patients were long-term users of PPI, and two of these were immunoreactive for neuroendocrine markers. Conclusions. A high proportion of cardia cancers expressed neuroendocrine markers, but only few patients with cardia cancers were using PPI.
A PROGRADE, LOW-INCLINATION ORBIT FOR THE VERY HOT JUPITER WASP-3b

We present new spectroscopic and photometric observations of the transiting exoplanetary system WASP-3. Spectra obtained during two separate transits exhibit the Rossiter–McLaughlin (RM) effect and allow us to estimate the sky-projected angle between the planetary orbital axis and the stellar rotation axis, λ = 3.3+2.5−4.4 deg. This alignment between the axes suggests that WASP-3b has a low orbital inclination relative to the equatorial plane of its parent star. During our first night of spectroscopic measurements, we observed an unexpected redshift briefly exceeding the expected sum of the orbital and RM velocities by 140 m s−1. This anomaly could represent the occultation of material erupting from the stellar photosphere, although it is more likely to be an artifact caused by moonlight scattered into the spectrograph.
EVALUATIONS OF TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENTS BY NEAR-INFRARED THERMOGRAPHY IN POWDER-BASED ELECTRON-BEAM ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING

Powder-based electron beam additive manufacturing (EBAM) has gained increased usage in different industries. Process monitoring such as temperatures may offer important information. However, temperature measurements in EBAM are challenging because of high temperature ranges, extreme gradients and fast transient response. In this study, temperature measurements during the EBAM process, in particular, around the electron beam scanning area, were attempted using a near-infrared thermal camera. The obtained temperature data demonstrated the feasibility of such a measuring technique. The thermal camera was able to capture the pre-heating, contour melting, and hatch melting events. Further, the achievable spatial resolution is around 12 μm when using a 350 mm lens.