Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The rostral dorsal cap and ventrolateral outgrowth of the rabbit inferior olive receive a GABAergic input from dorsal group Y and the ventral dentate nucleus

The dorsal cap and ventrolateral outgrowth of the inferior olive are involved in the control of eye movements. The caudal dorsal cap is predominantly involved in the horizontal optokinetic reflex; it receives most of its GABAergic input from the nucleus prepositus hypoglossi. In the present study, we determined the source of a major inhibitory input to the rostral dorsal cap and the ventrolateral outgrowth, which are the olivary subnuclei mainly involved in the “vertical” optokinetic reflexes. We studied these subnuclei in the rabbit with the use of retrograde tracing of horseradish peroxidase and anterograde tracing of wheat germ agglutinin‐coupled horseradish peroxidase combined with postembedding immunocytochemistry. The ventral dentate nucleus of the cerebellum and dorsal group y project contralaterally to the rostral dorsal cap and ventrolateral outgrowth; this projection is entirely GABAergic. The terminals of this input form predominantly symmetric synapses with extraglomerular and intraglomerular dendrites; the remaining terminals are axosomatic. In addition, the dorsal cap and ventrolateral outgrowth contain significantly more crest synapses than any other olivary subnucleus. The terminals that form these crest synapses are derived from dorsal group y and/or the ventral dentate nucleus. None of the terminals in the dorsal cap or ventrolateral outgrowth was glycinergic.
Explaining different pathways in higher education policy in Romania and the Czech Republic

This article examines the differential development of higher education governance in two Central and Eastern European countries since 1989. In current discourse, the market‐oriented model of higher education governance has established itself as an anchor point towards which systems are gradually converging. At the same time international organisations, in particular the EU and OECD, are promoting the use of market‐oriented instruments to meet the demands of massification, the knowledge society and the transforming role of the state. As a result, Romania has shrugged off its historical pattern of state‐centred governance and control and rapidly converged on the market‐oriented model. The Czech Republic, however, has resisted trends towards marketisation and clung to its historically anchored model. The analysis aims to offer theoretical explanations based on historical institutionalism and organisational isomorphism for the divergent development of these two countries despite similar internal and external conditions and their tight integration into the Bologna Process.
Social Cognitive Theory of Organizational Management

This article analyzes organizational functioning from the perspective of social cognitive theory, which explains psychosocial functioning in terms of triadic reciprocal causation. In this causal structure, behavior, cognitive, and other personal factors and environmental events operate as interacting determinants that influence each other bidirectionally. The application of the theory is illustrated in a series of experiments of complex managerial decision making, using a simulated organization. The interactional causal structure is tested in conjunction with experimentally varied organizational properties and belief systems that can enhance or undermine the operation of the self-regulatory determinants. Induced beliefs about the controllability of organizations and the conception of managerial ability strongly affect both managers' self-regulatory processes and their organizational attainments. Organizational complexity and assigned performance standards also serve as contributing influences. Path analys.
How many deaths are caused by second hand cigarette smoke?

OBJECTIVES To estimate the number of deaths attributable to second hand smoke (SHS), to distinguish attributable and potentially avoidable burdens of mortality, and to identify the most important sources of uncertainty in these estimates. METHOD A case study approach, using exposure and mortality data for New Zealand. RESULTS In New Zealand, deaths caused by past exposures to second hand smoke currently number about 347 per year. On the basis of present exposures, we estimate there will be about 325 potentially avoidable deaths caused by SHS in New Zealand each year in the future. We have explored the effect of varying certain assumptions on which the calculations are based, and suggest a plausible range (174–490 avoidable deaths per year). CONCLUSION Attributable risk estimates provide an indication for policy makers and health educators of the magnitude of a health problem; they are not precise predictions. As a cause of death in New Zealand, we estimate that second hand smoke lies between melanoma of the skin (200 deaths per year) and road crashes (about 500 deaths per year).
Walklets: Multiscale Graph Embeddings for Interpretable Network Classification

We present Walklets, a novel approach for learning multiscale representations of vertices in a network. These representations clearly encode multiscale vertex relationships in a continuous vector space suitable for multi-label classification problems. Unlike previous work, the latent features generated using Walklets are analytically derivable, and human interpretable. Walklets uses the offsets between vertices observed in a random walk to learn a series of latent representations, each which captures successively larger relationships. This variety of dependency information allows the same representation strategy to model phenomenon which occur at different scales. We demonstrate Walklets' latent representations on several multi-label network classification tasks for social networks such as BlogCatalog, Flickr, and YouTube. Our results show that Walklets outperforms new methods based on neural matrix factorization, and can scale to graphs with millions of vertices and edges.
Antithrombotic Therapy in Cardiac Embolism

Anticoagulation is indicated in most cardioembolic ischemic strokes for secondary prevention. In many cardiac conditions, anticoagulation is also indication for primary stroke prevention, mainly when associated to vascular risk factors. Anticoagulation should be started as soon as possible, as it is safe even in moderate acute strokes. The efficacy of early anticoagulation after cardioembolic stroke in relation to outcome has not been assessed adequately, but there is evidence from animal models and clinical studies that anticoagulation with unfractionated heparin is associated with a better outcome mediated in part by its anti-inflammatory properties.
Anastomoses between bronchial and coronary circulation in a porcine model: computed tomographic and angiographic demonstration.

INTRODUCTION Although the importance of the bronchial arteries is evident in modern day thoracic surgery, the significance of their communications with coronary arteries has yet to be appreciated, especially in cases of heart-lung transplantation and aortic aneurysm repair. We conducted a study to demonstrate the coronary-bronchial anastomotic routes in a porcine model using angiography and computed tomography. METHODS Six young female white pigs were used. The heart and lungs were removed en bloc, including the lower trachea and oesophagus. Digital subtraction angiography of the bronchial circulation and spiral computed tomography scan were performed in a three-phase study before and after administration of contrast medium. This was achieved by infusion either into the cannulated bronchial artery or into the aortic root. Macroscopic evaluation was carried out using latex infusion into the bronchial or coronary circulation. RESULTS We demonstrated communications between the bronchial and coronary systems in 5 of 6 subjects. This communication was located at the left atrial wall and the posterior and anterior wall of the left ventricle. In one case there were further anastomoses around the right atrial wall. CONCLUSIONS There were communications between the left coronary arteries and the bronchial arteries in the majority of cases. Digital subtraction angiography and spiral computer tomography scan can demonstrate these communications directly and indirectly by measurements of contrast enhancement within the heart wall. Our study emphasises the importance of the bronchial arteries in cases of heart-lung transplantation and repair of thoracic aortic aneurysms.
Framework for an embedded emotion assessment system for space science applications

In the context of a growing need for dedicated solutions in the field of human space mission support, this paper proposes an emotion assessment system and its dedicated implementation architecture. The proposed system is described and a pilot implementation of the emotion assessment system is developed utilizing open source software OpenFace for detection of key facial features, called Action Units (AUs), in image sequences. The Cohn-Kanade extended database is utilized to train a neural network (ANN) for detecting emotions from AU values. The system is evaluated in a preliminary study with respect to AU detection accuracy. The correlation between the area underneath the ROC score is obtained by applying OpenFace on the CK+ database and the benchmark score is 0.61. On the AU presence detection task, the OpenFace F1 score on the CK+ database is well within the standard deviation of the scores obtained on 4 other databases. The AU and ANN execution performance is evaluated on the Jetson TK1, a low power embedded platform, and performance bottlenecks are identified.
Patient Expectations in Internet-Based Self-Help for Social Anxiety

A number of controlled trials have demonstrated the efficacy of Internet-based cognitive-behaviour therapy for treating social anxiety disorder (SAD). However, little is known about what makes those interventions work. The current trial focuses on patient expectations as one common mechanism of change. The study examines whether patients' expectancy predicts outcome, adherence, and dropout in an unguided Internet-based self-help programme for SAD. Data of 109 participants in a 10-week self-help programme for SAD were analysed. Social anxiety measures were administered prior to the intervention, at week 2, and after the intervention. Expectancy was assessed at week 2. Patient expectations were a significant predictor of change in social anxiety (β = − .35 to − .40, all p < .003). Patient expectations also predicted treatment adherence (β = .27, p = .02). Patients with higher expectations showed more adherence and better outcome. Dropout was not predicted by expectations. The effect of positive expectations on outcome was mediated by early symptom change (from week 0 to week 2). Results suggest that positive outcome expectations have a beneficial effect on outcome in Internet-based self-help for SAD. Furthermore, patient expectations as early process predictors could be used to inform therapeutic decisions such as stepping up patients to guided or face-to-face treatment options.
Which markers of subclinical organ damage to measure in individuals with high normal blood pressure?

Objective Medical treatment of healthy individuals with high normal blood pressure (BP) is recommended if there is subclinical organ damage (SOD). We examined which markers of SOD to use based on their supplementary prognostic value. Methods In a population sample of 1968 individuals, aged 41, 51, 61 and 71 years, without diabetes, prior stroke or myocardial infarction, not receiving any cardiovascular, antidiabetic or lipid-lowering medications, we measured urine albumin/creatinine ratio, carotid atherosclerotic plaques, carotid/femoral pulse wave velocity and left ventricular mass index. Results During a median follow-up of 12.8 years, the composite endpoint (CEP) of cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction and stroke occurred in 153 individuals, of whom 32 had high normal BP. Presence of high normal BP was associated with increased risk of CEP [hazard ratio, 1.8 (95% confidence interval, 1.0–3.1; P = 0.046), optimal BP as reference group, adjusted for age and sex]. In the 337 individuals with high normal BP, using all four markers of SOD increased the sensitivity (number of CEPs in the group in which antihypertensive treatment was indicated divided by total number of CEPs) of the European Society of Hypertension risk classification chart significantly from 47 to 88% (P = 0.001) and the proportion of individuals in whom antihypertensive drug treatment was indicated from 22 to 57% (P < 0.001). Using two of pulse wave velocities of more than 12 m/s, atherosclerotic plaques or urine albumin/creatinine ratio of at least the 90th percentile did not produce significantly worse results. Seventy-five percent of individuals with three or more traditional risk factors had SOD. Conclusion In healthy individuals with high normal BP, measuring two of pulse wave velocities, atherosclerotic plaques or urine albumin/creatinine ratio was sufficient to significantly improve risk prediction.
Treatment with selectin blocking antibodies after lengthening contractions of mouse muscle blunts neutrophil accumulation but does not reduce damage

P‐ and E‐selectins are expressed on the surface of endothelial cells and may contribute to neutrophil recruitment following injurious lengthening contractions of skeletal muscle. Blunting neutrophil, but not macrophage, accumulation after lengthening contractions may provide a therapeutic benefit as neutrophils exacerbate damage to muscle fibers, while macrophages promote repair. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that P‐ and E‐selectins contribute to neutrophil, but not macrophage, accumulation in muscles after contraction‐induced injury, and that reducing neutrophil accumulation by blocking the selectins would be sufficient to reduce damage to muscle fibers. To test our hypothesis, we treated mice with antibodies to block P‐ and E‐selectin function and assessed leukocyte accumulation and damage in muscles 2 days after lengthening contractions. Treatment with P/E‐selectin blocking antibodies reduced neutrophil content by about half in muscles subjected to lengthening contractions. In spite of the reduction in neutrophil accumulation, we did not detect a decrease in damage 2 days after lengthening contractions. We conclude that P‐ and/or E‐selectin contribute to the neutrophil accumulation associated with contraction‐induced muscle damage and that only a portion of the neutrophils that typically accumulate following injurious lengthening contractions is sufficient to induce muscle fiber damage and force deficits. Thus, therapeutic interventions based on blocking the selectins or other adhesion proteins will have to reduce neutrophil numbers by more than 50% in order to provide a benefit.
Fluid Party Systems, Electoral Rules and Accountability of Legislators in Emerging Democracies

Does the system of repeated parliamentary elections function as a mechanism of political control in new democracies with fluid party systems? Moreover, does electoral format affect the degree to which voters are able to hold legislators accountable for their performance in office? In addressing these questions, we use a new database on all legislative incumbents and all parliamentary elections that have taken place in Ukraine since 1994. Our findings indicate that, even in a flawed `electoralist' democracy such as Ukraine, repeated parliamentary elections do serve as a mechanism of accountability with respect to economic performance. Disregarding electoral format, political control tends to work through political parties/partisan blocs. Only in the case of single-member district elections, however, is there a statistically significant relationship between economic performance and chances of winning, i.e. when economic performance is poor, voters punish legislators from a pro-presidential group and reward legislators from the opposition.
Robust uniform channel decomposition for MIMO communications

In point to point MIMO systems, uniform channel decomposition (UCD) has been proven to be optimal in BER performance and strictly capacity lossless when perfect channel state information (CSI) are assumed to be available at both the transmitter and receiver side. However, in practice, CSI is always contaminated by channel estimation error. In this paper, we proposed a novel Robust UCD scheme which is capable of improving the BER and capacity performance in the context of imperfect CSI compared with the conventional UCD scheme. We also derived the capacity lower bound of the MIMO channel using the Robust UCD scheme with channel estimation error.
Rapid Losses of Surface Elevation following Tree Girdling and Cutting in Tropical Mangroves

The importance of mangrove forests in carbon sequestration and coastal protection has been widely acknowledged. Large-scale damage of these forests, caused by hurricanes or clear felling, can enhance vulnerability to erosion, subsidence and rapid carbon losses. However, it is unclear how small-scale logging might impact on mangrove functions and services. We experimentally investigated the impact of small-scale tree removal on surface elevation and carbon dynamics in a mangrove forest at Gazi bay, Kenya. The trees in five plots of a Rhizophora mucronata (Lam.) forest were first girdled and then cut. Another set of five plots at the same site served as controls. Treatment induced significant, rapid subsidence (−32.1±8.4 mm yr−1 compared with surface elevation changes of +4.2±1.4 mm yr−1 in controls). Subsidence in treated plots was likely due to collapse and decomposition of dying roots and sediment compaction as evidenced from increased sediment bulk density. Sediment effluxes of CO2 and CH4 increased significantly, especially their heterotrophic component, suggesting enhanced organic matter decomposition. Estimates of total excess fluxes from treated compared with control plots were 25.3±7.4 tCO2 ha−1 yr−1 (using surface carbon efflux) and 35.6±76.9 tCO2 ha−1 yr−1 (using surface elevation losses and sediment properties). Whilst such losses might not be permanent (provided cut areas recover), observed rapid subsidence and enhanced decomposition of soil sediment organic matter caused by small-scale harvesting offers important lessons for mangrove management. In particular mangrove managers need to carefully consider the trade-offs between extracting mangrove wood and losing other mangrove services, particularly shoreline stabilization, coastal protection and carbon storage.
Milk kefir: composition, microbial cultures, biological activities, and related products

In recent years, there has been a strong focus on beneficial foods with probiotic microorganisms and functional organic substances. In this context, there is an increasing interest in the commercial use of kefir, since it can be marketed as a natural beverage that has health promoting bacteria. There are numerous commercially available kefir based-products. Kefir may act as a matrix in the effective delivery of probiotic microorganisms in different types of products. Also, the presence of kefir’s exopolysaccharides, known as kefiran, which has biological activity, certainly adds value to products. Kefiran can also be used separately in other food products and as a coating film for various food and pharmaceutical products. This article aims to update the information about kefir and its microbiological composition, biological activity of the kefir’s microflora and the importance of kefiran as a beneficial health substance.
The Relationships between Peer Teasing, Self-Esteem, and Affect for School.

This study focused on teasing as a form of verbal aggression in the educational environment. Specifically, this study examined the relationships between students’ recollections of receiving peer teasing during their junior and senior high school years with two variables that have been show to influence learning— self‐esteem and affect for school. Two hundred and eighty‐eight undergraduate students were asked to complete a survey containing measures of peer teasing, self‐esteem, and affect for school. Correleational analyses yielded limited but significant correlations between peer teasing and self‐esteem and between peer teasing and affect for school. Additionally, the results from the study revealed that the most often cited loci of attack were grades, study habits, weight, friends, clothing, and height.
Development of a Creative Arts Therapies Center for People With Developmental Disabilities

The Centre for the Arts in Human Development in Montreal has provided art, drama, music, and dance/movement therapies to adults with developmental disabilities for over 10 years with the goals of developing and enhancing self-esteem, social skills, and communication abilities. This report describes the development and purpose of the center, sustainability challenges, and efforts made to create community both within the center and with the community at large. Recommendations are made for intiating creative arts therapies centers in other locales.
Multimedia as a Test Method Facet in Oral Proficiency Tests

Abstract This study examines the use and impact of digital video in developing and administering oral English proficiency tests. The study is part of a larger project whose purpose was to conceptualize, design, develop, trial, and validate a new multimedia package in assessing the spoken language proficiency of a group of ESL (English as a Second Language) learners. To study the impact of the digital media on students’ performance in speaking tests, a computer-based test was developed using a series of videos made from activities in daily life. Questions were constructed on the basis of the video content at three difficulty levels (pre-intermediate, intermediate, and advanced). This computer-based test was administered to a group of non-native speakers of English (N = 30) and their performances were recorded for grading. For this particular research, a post-test feedback questionnaire was administered to the test takers to record their reactions and attitudes to the new medium. Analysis of the results indicated that the test takers had a highly positive attitude towards digitally delivered test prompts compared to the face-to-face tests of speaking proficiency. In addition, examinees found computer-based tests less threatening and more comfortable than face-toface interview tests.
Trimethoprim resistant dihydrofolate reductases in normal faecal flora isolated in India

SUMMARY A high incidence of resistance to trimethoprim has been shown in the normal faecal flora in a population in south India. The dihydrofolate reductase (dhfr) genes mediating transferable resistance to trimethoprim have been identified. Unusually, in this study, the dhfr V was shown to be the predominant resistance gene (dhfr V 50% of tranaconjugants, dhfr Ia 30%), the dhfr Ib was also detected being distinguished from the dhfr V by an oligo-probe. However, when non-transferable resistance was considered, the dhfr Ia was the most prevalent of the dhfrs identified. All those plasmids harbouring the dhfr Ia were shown to possess Tn7. All the plasmids that probed positive for the dhfr V and the dhfr Ib were shown to be associated with the integrase of the Tn21-like transposons, but 8 of the dhfr V genes were not associated with the Tn21 resolvase. The dhfr IV was shown to be present in all seven plasmids that produced low level trimethoprim-resistance. The dhfr V. first characterized in Sri Lanka, would seem to have a local distribution in this region of Asia but is distinguishable from the dhfr Ib only by the use of an oligo-probe.