Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fifty years of memory for names and faces: A cross-sectional approach.

SUMMARY Three hundred and ninety two high school graduates were tested for memory of names and portraits of classmates selected from yearbooks. The retention interval since graduation varied from 2 wk to 57 yr. Performance was adjusted by multiple regression procedure to control the effects of various conditions that influence original learning, such as class size, and other conditions that influence rehearsal of the material, such as attendance at class reunions. The cross-sectional approach illustrated in this study is discussed as an alternative to the traditional longitudinal approach to the study of memory. The cross-sectional adjustment approach sacrifices laboratory control over the conditions of original learning, but permits extension of investigation s to conditions that significantly affect learning and memory but that cannot be adequately or conveniently manipulated in the confines of the laboratory. Examples are a greater range of learning material, of motivational conditions, of context effects, and most significantly of acquisition time and retention time. Since most of the vital information in the memory store is learned and retained over periods much longer than those which are investigated in the laboratory, available generalizations based on laboratory findings may be inadequate or inapplicable to these area of knowledge. The cross-sectional approach provides a valuable option for exploring this issue. The data of this study show that identification and matching of names and faces remain approximately 90% correct for at least 15 yr even for members of very large classes. Free recall of names is independent of class size and of recognition memory and declines with negative acceleration by 60% . during 48 yr. This very slow forgetting process is attributed to a great expansion of distribution of practice and overlearning effects. This study also argues that laboratory-defined tasks generally impose a greater interdependence upon free recall and recognition performance than is inherent in the memory system. The fact that recall is uncorrelated with class size or recognition performance supports models of memory in which generative and retrieval processes are independent of storage processes. Social context is shown to be a very important determinant of recall performance, and a much less important determinant of recognition performance. Apparently the context serves as a mediator for retrieval of information; once the association of mediator and target item is lost, the item can no longer be retrieved but can still be identified on a recognition task. •
TV News Commercials Detection using Success based Locally Weighted Kernel Combination

Commercial detection in news broadcast videos involves judicious selection of meaningful audio-visual feature combinations and efficient classifiers. And, this problem becomes much simpler if these combinations can be learned from the data. To this end, we propose an Multiple Kernel Learning based method for boosting successful kernel functions while ignoring the irrelevant ones. We adopt a intermediate fusion approach where, a SVM is trained with a weighted linear combination of different kernel functions instead of single kernel function. Each kernel function is characterized by a feature set and kernel type. We identify the feature sub-space locations of the prediction success of a particular classifier trained only with particular kernel function. We propose to estimate a weighing function using support vector regression (with RBF kernel) for each kernel function which has high values (near 1.0) where the classifier learned on kernel function succeeded and lower values (nearly 0.0) otherwise. Second contribution of this work is TV News Commercials Dataset of 150 Hours of News videos. Classifier trained with our proposed scheme has outperformed the baseline methods on 6 of 8 benchmark dataset and our own TV commercials dataset.
Predicting African American Parents' and Guardians' Satisfaction With Teachers and Public Schools

Abstract The author used regression analyses to examine variables that predicted how African American parents and guardians rated their children's teachers and the public school system. The results indicated that although several variables were significant, parents' and guardians' satisfaction with their children's elementary school teachers was the strongest predictor of how they rated high school teachers and the public school system. The need for educators and policy-makers to improve their relations with African American parents and guardians is underscored.
Distinct and Contrasting Transcription Initiation Patterns at Mycobacterium tuberculosis Promoters

Although sequencing of Mycobacterium tuberculosis genome lead to better understanding of transcription units and gene functions, interactions occurring during transcription initiation between RNA polymerase and promoters is yet to be elucidated. Different stages of transcription initiation include promoter specific binding of RNAP, isomerization, abortive initiation and promoter clearance. We have now analyzed these events with four promoters of M. tuberculosis viz . PgyrB1, PgyrR, PrrnPCL1 and PmetU. The promoters differed from each other in their rates of open complex formation, decay, promoter clearance and abortive transcription. The equilibrium binding and kinetic studies of various steps revealed distinct rate limiting events for each of the promoter, which also differed markedly in their characteristics from the respective promoters of Mycobacterium smegmatis. Surprisingly, the transcription at gyr promoter was enhanced in the presence of initiating nucleotides and decreased in the presence of alarmone, pppGpp, a pattern typically seen with rRNA promoters studied so far. The gyr promoter of M. smegmatis, on the other hand, was not subjected to pppGpp mediated regulation. The marked differences in the transcription initiation pathway seen with rrn and gyr promoters of M. smegmatis and M. tuberculosis suggest that such species specific differences in the regulation of expression of the crucial housekeeping genes could be one of the key determinants contributing to the differences in growth rate and lifestyle of the two organisms. Moreover, the distinct rate limiting steps during transcription initiation of each one of the promoters studied point at variations in their intracellular regulation.
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein levels are poorly correlated with clinical measures of disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus and osteoarthritis patients.

OBJECTIVE To determine the patterns and correlation of elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels with outcome measures in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and compare it to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and osteoarthritis (OA) patients. METHODS Brooklyn Outcomes Arthritis Registry Database (BOARD) was analyzed to determine both first visit and mean values of ESR and CRP, along with disease activity measures in each patient. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics and correlations. RESULTS Among all patients half of all (n=377) ESR results were elevated. In RA patients the proportions of having both ESR and CRP elevated, both within normal levels, and only one elevated and the other normal were similar. For all diagnosis, both ESR and CRP have weak positive correlations with disease activity measures measured at first visits. ESR and CRP have a modest positive correlation with each other across all three disease groups. CONCLUSION In this cohort of RA, SLE and OA patients, ESR and CRP values were modestly correlated with each other and they were weakly correlated with disease activity measures. These data suggest that another look at the role of ESR and CRP as markers of inflammation in RA patients seen in routine care may be in order.
Memory Performance and the Growth Hormone/Insulin-Like Growth Factor Axis in Elderly: A Positron Emission Tomography Study

The relationship between the growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor (GH-IGF)-I status and memory performance is studied in 24 elderly males and females, aged 75–85 years. Positron emission tomography (PET) was used to measure differences in regional cerebral blood flow during the performance of a delayed-non-match-to-sample (DNMTS) working memory task. Quality and speed of performance on the DNMTS task were measured separately for the easy items (3, 4 and 5 letters) and difficult items (6, 7 and 8 letters). Results were analyzed in two different groups based on the IGF-I level of the subjects (low or high IGF-I). Error rates on the working memory task were not different, but the high IGF-I group had shorter reaction times on the easy items. The high IGF-I group showed a significantly greater increase in cerebral blood flow in the left premotor cortex (easy items) and left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (difficult items) compared to the low IGF-I group. It is concluded that elderly with high IGF-I levels are capable of faster working memory performance and increased recruitment of task-associated prefrontal regions.
Work Engagement in Serbia: Psychometric Properties of the Serbian Version of the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES)

Work engagement is defined as a positive, affective-motivational state of work-related well-being characterized by vigor, dedication and absorption. The Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES) is the most frequently used measure of work engagement. The aim of this study was to analyze the psychometric properties of the Serbian versions of the UWES-17 and UWES-9. The sample consisted of 860 employees from a number of organizations and jobs across Serbia. Based on the UWES-17 findings, the data confirm both the three-factor and one-factor solutions by giving a slight advantage to the three-factor solution. As for the UWES-9, based on the PCFA and CFA, the one-factor solution was obtained as the preferred one. Taking into account the UWES-9 reliability and correlation patterns of its subscales with other well-being variables, both one- and three-factor solutions of the UWES-9 are suggested for future research. Serbian versions of both the UWES-17 and UWES-9 have satisfactory psychometric properties with high reliability, factorial structure in line with the theoretical model, and good predictive validity. The study contributes to enhanced understanding of work engagement by offering an insight from the Serbian cultural and economic context, significantly different from the UWES originating setting. There is still a need for exploring how employees from Serbia conceptualize work engagement, as well as for further, more stringent investigating of the cultural invariance of the UWES factorial structure.
Scale-free networks are ultrasmall.

We study the diameter, or the mean distance between sites, in a scale-free network, having N sites and degree distribution p(k) proportional, variant k(-lambda), i.e., the probability of having k links outgoing from a site. In contrast to the diameter of regular random networks or small-world networks, which is known to be d approximately ln(N, we show, using analytical arguments, that scale-free networks with 2<lambda<3 have a much smaller diameter, behaving as d approximately ln(ln(N. For lambda=3, our analysis yields d approximately ln(N/ln(ln(N, as obtained by Bollobas and Riordan, while for lambda>3, d approximately ln(N. We also show that, for any lambda>2, one can construct a deterministic scale-free network with d approximately ln(ln(N, which is the lowest possible diameter.
Transfer of the antidepressant mirtazapine into breast milk.

AIMS To investigate the transfer of mirtazapine and desmethylmirtazapine into milk and to calculate dose to the infant via milk. METHODS Plasma and milk samples were obtained from eight breast-feeding women who were taking a median dose of 38 mg mirtazapine per day. Milk/plasma ratio (M/P) and infant doses were estimated by standard methods. The infants were examined clinically and in four infants blood was taken for analysis. RESULTS Mean (95% confidence interval) relative infant doses for mirtazapine and desmethylmirtazapine (n = 8) were 1.5% (0.8, 2.2) and 0.4% (0.2, 0.6) respectively. The mean M/P (area under curve n = 4, single or paired samples n = 3) was 1.1 (0.7,1.5) for mirtazapine and 0.6 (0.5, 0.7) for desmethylmirtazapine. No adverse effects were seen. Mirtazapine was detected (1.5 microg l(-1)) in only one of four infants tested. CONCLUSION We suggest that mirtazapine use by lactating women is safe for the breast-fed infant. Nevertheless, each decision to breast feed should always be made on the basis of an individual risk/benefit analysis.
SEMISTABLE CONJECTURE VIA K-THEORY

We show that the Semistable conjecture of Fontaine-Jannsen is true for proper vertical fine and saturated log-smooth families with reduction of Cartier type (for example proper schemes with simple semistable reduction). We derive it from Suslin’s comparison theorem between motivic cohomology and étale cohomology. This gives a new proof of the Semistable conjecture showing motivic character of p-adic period maps.
Genetic and Chemical Modifiers of a CUG Toxicity Model in Drosophila

Non-coding CUG repeat expansions interfere with the activity of human Muscleblind-like (MBNL) proteins contributing to myotonic dystrophy 1 (DM1). To understand this toxic RNA gain-of-function mechanism we developed a Drosophila model expressing 60 pure and 480 interrupted CUG repeats in the context of a non-translatable RNA. These flies reproduced aspects of the DM1 pathology, most notably nuclear accumulation of CUG transcripts, muscle degeneration, splicing misregulation, and diminished Muscleblind function in vivo. Reduced Muscleblind activity was evident from the sensitivity of CUG-induced phenotypes to a decrease in muscleblind genetic dosage and rescue by MBNL1 expression, and further supported by the co-localization of Muscleblind and CUG repeat RNA in ribonuclear foci. Targeted expression of CUG repeats to the developing eye and brain mushroom bodies was toxic leading to rough eyes and semilethality, respectively. These phenotypes were utilized to identify genetic and chemical modifiers of the CUG-induced toxicity. 15 genetic modifiers of the rough eye phenotype were isolated. These genes identify putative cellular processes unknown to be altered by CUG repeat RNA, and they include mRNA export factor Aly, apoptosis inhibitor Thread, chromatin remodelling factor Nurf-38, and extracellular matrix structural component Viking. Ten chemical compounds suppressed the semilethal phenotype. These compounds significantly improved viability of CUG expressing flies and included non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (ketoprofen), muscarinic, cholinergic and histamine receptor inhibitors (orphenadrine), and drugs that can affect sodium and calcium metabolism such as clenbuterol and spironolactone. These findings provide new insights into the DM1 phenotype, and suggest novel candidates for DM1 treatments.
Integrating Children with Psychiatric Disorders in the Classroom: A Systematic Review

Background: The school setting may be the optimal context for early screening of and intervention on child mental health problems, because of its large reach and intertwinement with various participants (child, teacher, parent, other community services). But this setting also exposes children to the risk of stigma, peer rejection and social exclusion. This systematic literature review investigates the efficacy of mental health interventions addressed to children and adolescents in school settings, and it evaluates which programs explicitly take into account social inclusion indicators. Method: Only randomized controlled trials conducted on clinical populations of students and carried out in school settings were selected: 27 studies overall. Most studies applied group Cognitive Behavioural Therapy or Interpersonal Psychotherapy. Results: Findings were suggestive of the effectiveness of school-based intervention programs in reducing symptoms of most mental disorders. Some evidence was found about the idea that effective studies on clinical populations may promote the social inclusion of children with an ongoing mental disorder and avoid the risk of being highly stigmatized.Conclusion: School programs are still needed that implement standardized models with verifiable and evidence-based practices involving the whole school community.
Ongoing Recovery Support and Peer Networks: A Preliminary Investigation of Recovery Peer Supporters and Their Peers

Social networks are important to recovery—fewer drug users and fewer heavy drinkers in a social network have been associated with a higher likelihood of remission. The aim of this study is to evaluate the recovery capital and quality of life of recovery peer supporters and their community peer contacts and to map their social networks. Qualitative and quantitative approaches were combined in a cross-sectional survey with matched pairs recruited through the Lothians & Edinburgh Abstinence Programme, based on 13 paired interviews. There are positive correlations between outcomes on the recovery-functioning scales and time in recovery. People in recovery are well connected to other people in recovery; they spend the most time with other people in recovery and go to them for emotional support and practical help.
The Enhanced Pneumococcal LAMP Assay: A Clinical Tool for the Diagnosis of Meningitis Due to Streptococcus pneumoniae

Background Streptococcus pneumoniae is a leading cause of invasive bacterial disease in developed and developing countries. We studied the loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) technique to assess its suitability for detecting S. pneumoniae nucleic acid in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Methodology/Principal Findings We established an improved LAMP assay targeting the lytA gene (Streptococcus pneumoniae [Sp] LAMP). The analytical specificity of the primers was validated by using 32 reference strains (10 Streptococcus and seven non-Streptococcus species) plus 25 clinical alpha-hemolytic streptococcal strains, including four S. pneumoniae strains and 21 other strains (3 S. oralis, 17 S. mitis, and one Streptococcus species) harboring virulence factor-encoding genes (lytA or ply). Within 30 minutes, the assay could detect as few as 10 copies of both purified DNA and spiked CSF specimens with greater sensitivity than conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The linear determination range for this assay is 10 to 1,000,000 microorganisms per reaction mixture using real-time turbidimetry. We evaluated the clinical sensitivity and specificity of the Sp LAMP assay using 106 randomly selected CSF specimens from children with suspected meningitis in Korea, China and Vietnam. For comparison, CSF specimens were also tested against conventional PCR and culture tests. The detection rate of the LAMP method was substantially higher than the rates of PCR and culture tests. In this small sample, relative to the LAMP assay, the clinical sensitivity of PCR and culture tests was 54.5% and 33.3%, respectively, while clinical specificity of the two tests was 100%. Conclusions/Significance Compared to PCR, Sp LAMP detected S. pneumoniae with higher analytical and clinical sensitivity. This specific and sensitive LAMP method offers significant advantages for screening patients on a population basis and for diagnosis in clinical settings.
PERCUTANEOUS NEPHROSTOMY AND DOUBLE PIGTAIL (JJ) URETERAL STENTS AS TEMPORARY METHODS IN SOLVING SUPRAVESICAL OBSTRUCTION CAUSED BY STONE

Percutaneous nephrostomy and ureteral stenting are temporary treatments for the upper urinary tract obstruction. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of these two methods by comparing complications, placement success, urinary symptoms, urine culture analyses prior to derivation placement and derivation removal and success of stone elimination after extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL). This prospective study included 157 patients with supravesical obstruction caused by ureteral stones. Eighty-one patients underwent percutaneus nephrostomy, and JJ stent was inserted in seventy-six (76) patients. After resolving the obstruction, ESWL was performed in all patients. There were no statistically significant differences in success of the urinary derivation placement, the urine culture results before and after placement and success of ESWL treatment between the two studied groups (p>0.05). Urinary symptoms (dysuria, hematuria, urinary urgency, frequent urination during the day) were significantly more present in patients with a JJ stent and this difference was statistically significant for each symptom (p<0.001). Major complications were verified in 2 (2.46%) patients with PCN catheter, and in 7 (9.2%) patients in the group with the JJ stent. Minor complications were significantly more frequent in the group with the JJ stent compared to the group with PCN catheter (28.39% vs 60.52%, p<0.001). Percutaneous nephrostomy and JJ stenting are optimal methods for temporary treatment of supravesical obstruction caused by ureteral stones, with similar incidence of the following complications, except for the pain, which dominates in patients with the JJ stent. Urinary symptoms and asymptomatic bacteriuria are more common in patients with the JJ stent. If the ESWL treatment of ureteral stone is performed after urinary derivation placement, we can expect greater success in patients with the JJ stent. Acta Medica Medianae 2015;54(3):39-44.
Novel Approach to Activity Evaluation for Release-Active Forms of Anti-Interferon-Gamma Antibodies Based on Enzyme-Linked Immunoassay

Selection of a suitable assay to measure the activity of drug agents based on release-active forms of anti-interferon-gamma antibodies (RA forms of Abs) is an important step forward in the investigation of such agents. In this study, the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was utilized to examine the effect of RA forms of Abs specific for human interferon gamma on the interaction between monoclonal anti-interferon gamma antibodies and recombinant human interferon gamma. The experimental data and the results obtained by using relevant mathematical analysis showed that such RA forms of Abs are able to modulate the monoclonal antibody interaction with both soluble and immobilized (to the assay plate well) interferon gamma. These data demonstrated the importance of using relatively low concentrations of both soluble and plate-immobilized interferon gamma to detect the effects of RA forms of Abs to interferon gamma on the binding of monoclonal antibodies to interferon gamma. It has been suggested that the observed influence of RA forms of Abs on ‘antibody-antigen’ interaction could be used to detect and analyze the activity of drugs containing RA forms of Abs.