Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Predictive Value of Early Behavioural Assessments in Pet Dogs – A Longitudinal Study from Neonates to Adults

Studies on behavioural development in domestic dogs are of relevance for matching puppies with the right families, identifying predispositions for behavioural problems at an early stage, and predicting suitability for service dog work, police or military service. The literature is, however, inconsistent regarding the predictive value of tests performed during the socialisation period. Additionally, some practitioners use tests with neonates to complement later assessments for selecting puppies as working dogs, but these have not been validated. We here present longitudinal data on a cohort of Border collies, followed up from neonate age until adulthood. A neonate test was conducted with 99 Border collie puppies aged 2–10 days to assess activity, vocalisations when isolated and sucking force. At the age of 40–50 days, 134 puppies (including 93 tested as neonates) were tested in a puppy test at their breeders' homes. All dogs were adopted as pet dogs and 50 of them participated in a behavioural test at the age of 1.5 to 2 years with their owners. Linear mixed models found little correspondence between individuals' behaviour in the neonate, puppy and adult test. Exploratory activity was the only behaviour that was significantly correlated between the puppy and the adult test. We conclude that the predictive validity of early tests for predicting specific behavioural traits in adult pet dogs is limited.
Street children and ‘protective agency’: Exploring young people’s involvement in organised crime in Dhaka, Bangladesh

Children’s agency has dominated discourse about young people in recent years, yet little is known about street children’s agency in regard to involvement in organised crime, particularly in Bangladesh. Drawing on interviews with 22 street children, 80 interviews with criminal justice practitioners and 3 years of participant observation of the Bangladeshi criminal justice system, this article proposes that the concept of ‘protective agency’ is important for understanding how, and why, street children engage with Bangladeshi organised crime group: the mastaans.
The World's Poorest Countries: Debt Relief or Aid?

Debt relief is unlikely to stimulate investment and growth in the nations being considered for debt relief under the highly indebted poor countries (HIPCs) initiative. This is because the HIPCs do not suffer from debt overhang. The principal obstacle to investment and growth in the HIPCs is a lack of the basic infrastructure that forms the foundation for profitable economic activity--property rights, roads, schools, hospitals, and clean water. The energy and resources currently devoted to the HIPC debt relief initiative could be more efficiently employed as direct foreign aid.
Risk-taking in the academic dual-hiring process: how risk shapes later work experiences

This article examines risk-taking in the job search process and whether women and men who are part of a dual-career couple experience different work-related consequences for taking such risks. Specifically, we explore how the decision to reveal dual-career status in the academic job search process impacts faculty members’ later promotions, productivity, pay, mobility, and career-related goals. We draw on a sample of roughly 230 faculty in seven US universities who were part of a dual-career couple at their time of hire. We find that risk-taking during the job search impacts some career outcomes, and does so similarly for women and men. Members of a dual-career couple who took the risk of revealing their dual-career status before a job offer reported significantly more positive career experiences related to promotion and productivity than those who did not reveal their status during the job search. Only the salary outcome was negatively related to revealing dual-career status in the job search process. Because of the nature of academic hiring, revealing a risky status during the job search process may ameliorate barriers to employment. Our study has important implications for research and the development of academic dual-career policies that make dual-career hiring more transparent.
Activation Gating of hERG Potassium Channels

The opening of ion channels is proposed to arise from bending of the pore inner helices that enables them to pivot away from the central axis creating a cytosolic opening for ion diffusion. The flexibility of the inner helices is suggested to occur either at a conserved glycine located adjacent to the selectivity filter (glycine gating hinge) and/or at a second site occupied by glycine or proline containing motifs. Sequence alignment with other K+ channels shows that hERG possesses glycine residues (Gly648 and Gly657) at each of these putative hinge sites. In apparent contrast to the hinge hypotheses, substitution of both glycine residues for alanine causes little effect on either the voltage-dependence or kinetics of channel activation, and open state block by intracellular blockers. Substitution of the glycines with larger hydrophobic residues causes a greater propensity for the channel to open. We propose that in contrast to Shaker the pore of hERG is intrinsically more stable in the open than the closed conformation and that substitution at Gly648 or Gly657 further shifts the gating equilibrium to favor the open state. Molecular dynamics simulations indicate the S6 helices of hERG are inherently flexible, even in the absence of the glycine residues. Thus hERG activation gating exhibits important differences to other Kv channels. Our findings indicate that the hERG inner helix glycine residues are required for the tight packing of the channel helices and that the flexibility afforded by glycine or proline residues is not universally required for activation gating.
Accelerated Recovery of Consciousness after General Anesthesia Is Associated with Increased Functional Brain Connectivity in the High-Gamma Bandwidth

Recent data from our laboratory demonstrate that high-frequency gamma connectivity across the cortex is present during consciousness and depressed during unconsciousness. However, these data were derived from static and well-defined states of arousal rather than during transitions that would suggest functional relevance. We also recently found that subanesthetic ketamine administered during isoflurane anesthesia accelerates recovery upon discontinuation of the primary anesthetic and increases gamma power during emergence. In the current study we re-analyzed electroencephalogram (EEG) data to test the hypothesis that functional cortical connectivity between anterior and posterior cortical regions would be increased during accelerated recovery induced by ketamine when compared to saline-treated controls. Rodents were instrumented with intracranial EEG electrodes and general anesthesia was induced with isoflurane anesthesia. After 37.5 min of continuous isoflurane anesthesia, a subanesthetic dose of ketamine (25 mg/kg intraperitoneal) was administered, with evidence of a 44% reduction in emergence time. In this study, we analyzed gamma and theta coherence (measure of undirected functional connectivity) and normalized symbolic transfer entropy (measure of directed functional connectivity) between frontal and parietal cortices during various levels of consciousness, with a focus on emergence from isoflurane anesthesia. During accelerated emergence in the ketamine-treated group, there was increased frontal-parietal coherence {p = 0.005, 0.05–0.23 [95% confidence interval (CI)]} and normalized symbolic transfer entropy [frontal to parietal: p < 0.001, 0.010–0.026 (95% CI); parietal to frontal: p < 0.001, 0.009–0.025 (95% CI)] in high-frequency gamma bandwidth as compared with the saline-treated group. Surrogates of cortical information exchange in high-frequency gamma are increased in association with accelerated recovery from anesthesia. This finding adds evidence suggesting a functional significance of high-gamma information transfer in consciousness.
A qualitative grounded theory study of Saudi female students: reentry, re-adaptation, and cultural integration

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI)%%%%Since the King Abdullah Scholarship Program was initiated in 2006, more than 50,000 Saudi women are studying abroad. Each year hundreds of Saudi female students are returning every year from a study abroad experience from a western country. However, there is a lack of research examining their reentry experience and its effect on their re-adaptation and cultural integration. This study analyzes how the participants adapted the learned skills and communication style from the host culture to their home culture. Qualitative methods were used to explore the re-adaptation and cultural integration experience of the reentry experience. In-depth interviews were conducted with twelve returned Saudi female students. Grounded theory methodology was used to analyze the interviews, with Kim’s (2001) integrative theory of communication and cross-cultural adaptation (ITCCA) providing the theoretical framework for the analysis. This research provided an insight into the Saudi women experience, by examining their pre-entry characteristics, intercultural transformation, communication competence, and the formation of their intercultural personhood. Further, to help minimize the returners’ challenges and maximize their benefits. The reentry consolation program and reentry-training program that I proposed would help the returners understand the faced challenges to better adjust and grow in their home culture. Also, it will help the returners reflect in their professional lives and better understand their work environment to help enhance and integrate their skills to maximize their productivity.
The Inheritance Pattern of 24 nt siRNA Clusters in Arabidopsis Hybrids Is Influenced by Proximity to Transposable Elements

Hybrids often display increased size and growth, and thus are widely cultivated in agriculture and horticulture. Recent discoveries demonstrating the important regulatory roles of small RNAs have greatly improved our understanding of many basic biological questions, and could illuminate the molecular basis for the enhanced growth and size of hybrid plants. We profiled small RNAs by deep sequencing to characterize the inheritance patterns of small RNA levels in reciprocal hybrids of two Arabidopsis thaliana accessions, Columbia and Landsberg erecta. We find 24-nt siRNAs predominate among those small RNAs that are differentially expressed between the parents. Following hybridization, the transposable element (TE)-derived siRNAs are often inherited in an additive manner, whereas siRNAs associated with protein-coding genes are often down-regulated in hybrids to the levels observed for the parent with lower relative siRNA levels. Among the protein-coding genes that exhibit this pattern, genes that function in pathogen defense, abiotic stress tolerance, and secondary metabolism are significantly enriched. Small RNA clusters from protein-coding genes where a TE is present within one kilobase show a different predominant inheritance pattern (additive) from those that do not (low-parent dominance). Thus, down-regulation in the form of low-parent dominance is likely the default pattern of inheritance for genic siRNA, and a different inheritance mechanism for TE siRNA is suggested.
The Importance of Simplicity and Validation in GeneticProgramming for Data Mining in Financial

A genetic programming system for data mining trading rules out of past foreign exchange data is described. The system is tested on real data from the dollar/yen and dollar/DM markets, and shown to produce considerable excess returns in the dollar/yen market. Design issues relating to potential rule complexity and validation regimes are explored empirically. Keeping potential rules as simple as possible is shown to be the most important component of success. Validation issues are more complicated. Inspection of tness on a validation set is used to cut-oo search in hopes of avoiding overrtting. Additional attempts to use the validation set to improve performance are shown to be ineeective in the standard framework. An examination of correlations between performance on the validation set and on the test set leads to an understanding of how such measures can be marginally beniicial; unfortunately, this suggests that further attemps to improve performance through validation will be diicult.
One-year follow-up of blood-retinal barrier and retinal thickness alterations in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and mild nonproliferative retinopathy.

OBJECTIVE To examine the 1-year alterations of the blood-retinal barrier and changes in retinal thickness occurring in the macular region in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and mild nonproliferative retinopathy. METHODS We classified 12 eyes of 12 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and mild nonproliferative retinopathy by 7-field stereoscopic fundus photography, levels 20 and 35 of Wisconsin grading, and examined them 3 times, at 6-month intervals, by fluorescein angiography, retinal leakage analyzer (RLA) (modified confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscope), and retinal thickness analyzer. The maps of retinal leakage and retinal thickness were aligned and integrated into one image. Data from the group of individuals with diabetes were compared with those from a healthy control population (n = 14; mean age, 48 years; age range, 42-55 years) to establish reference maps for the RLA and the retinal thickness analyzer. RESULTS Areas of abnormally increased fluorescein sodium leakage and increased thickness were detected in all eyes examined at baseline. The sites of increased fluorescein leakage reached values as high as 483% above normal, but in 10 of the total 36 examinations performed, fluorescein leakage returned to normal levels. A statistically significant correlation was found between changes in hemoglobin A(1c) values and variations in percentage of abnormal fluorescein leakage between the 6- and 12-month examinations (P<.001). When comparing the RLA-leaking sites among the 3 examinations, a good correlation was seen among the location of these sites of maximum leakage, but there was a clear fluctuation in the percentage of increases. A correlation was noted between the location of the RLA-leaking sites and the location of areas of increased retinal thickness in subsequent examinations, either 6 or 12 months later. Microaneurysms showed relatively little leakage and leaked progressively less in successive examinations. CONCLUSIONS The dominant alteration in the retina of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and mild nonproliferative retinopathy is the presence of RLA-leaking sites, indicating spotty retinal vascular damage characterized by alteration of the blood-retinal barrier. This damage appears to be reversible and directly associated with variations in glycemic metabolic control. Retinal edema appears to develop mainly as a result of retinal vascular leakage.
An empirical typology of social networks and its association with physical and mental health: a study with older Korean immigrants.

OBJECTIVES In the context of social convoy theory, the purposes of the study were (a) to identify an empirical typology of the social networks evident in older Korean immigrants and (b) to examine its association with self-rated health and depressive symptoms. METHOD The sample consisted of 1,092 community-dwelling older Korean immigrants in Florida and New York. Latent class analyses were conducted to identify the optimal social network typology based on 8 indicators of interpersonal relationships and activities. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to examine how the identified social network typology was associated with self-rating of health and depressive symptoms. RESULTS Results from the latent class analysis identified 6 clusters as being most optimal, and they were named diverse, unmarried/diverse, married/coresidence, family focused, unmarried/restricted, and restricted. Memberships in the clusters of diverse and married/coresidence were significantly associated with more favorable ratings of health and lower levels of depressive symptoms. DISCUSSION Notably, no distinct network solely composed of friends was identified in the present sample of older immigrants; this may reflect the disruptions in social convoys caused by immigration. The findings of this study promote our understanding of the unique patterns of social connectedness in older immigrants.
Capital Structure and Moral Hazard within Entrepreneurial Firms

This paper tests agency theory using unique entrepreneurial effort and financing choices data. Focusing on entrepreneurs as a special type of agent, the paper develops a modified principal-agent model within a private firm setting. In line with the typical agency theory prediction, this model suggests that the severity of entrepreneur moral hazard relates to the firm’s capital structure. Specially, the model predicts that the entrepreneurial effort is negatively related to equity and debt financing, and higher firm risk leads to greater entrepreneurial effort reductions. Accounting for both observable and unobservable firm and entrepreneur heterogeneities, empirical tests find supportive evidence for all these predictions. ∗Assistant Professor, School of Business & Economics, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, N2L 3C5. Phone: 519-884-0710 ext. 2925. Fax: 519-888-1015. E-mail:wwu@wlu.ca. The author gratefully acknowledges that financial support for this research was received from a grant partly funded by WLU operating funds and partly by the SSHRC institutional Grant awarded to WLU.
The Analgesic Effect of Epidural Clonidine After Spinal Surgery: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND: Clonidine is an α2 adrenoreceptor and imidazoline receptor agonist, which has analgesic, sedative, and minimum alveolar anesthetic concentration-sparing effects. It has been used orally, IV, and epidurally. In spinal surgery, there is a reluctance to use local anesthetic-based epidural analgesia postoperatively because of fears of masking important signs of nerve root or spinal cord injury. METHODS: We randomized 66 patients undergoing uncomplicated decompressive spinal surgery to receive an epidural infusion of either clonidine (Group C) or saline placebo (Group P) postoperatively. Morphine consumption by patient-controlled analgesia device was recorded for 36 h. RESULTS: Morphine consumption was significantly lower in Group C. The mean consumption at 36 h was 35 mg (95% confidence interval 21–50 mg) in Group C, compared with 61 mg (95% confidence interval 48–74 mg) in the control group. Nausea was significantly reduced in Group C (6.5%), when compared with placebo (38.2%). CONCLUSION: Low-dose epidural clonidine significantly reduced the demand for morphine and reduced postoperative nausea with few side effects.
Pasteurella multocida urinary tract infection in a patient with cervical cancer

Introduction. Infections caused by Pasteurella species are commonly associated with contact with dogs and cats, typically involving bites and scratches, but casual contact with household pets can also be a risk factor. Urinary tract infection (UTI) caused by Pasteurella species is rare and a significant majority of cases have some known risk factor associated with an underlying chronic illness or structural and/or functional urological abnormality. Case presentation. Here, we present a case of a UTI due to Pasteurella multocida in a patient with squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix who also had a household cat. Conclusion. Providers and laboratorians should be aware of risk factors associated with UTIs caused by Pasteurella species.
Art Therapy using Possible Selves and Digital Media for Individuals with Alcohol Addiction in Korea

The primary purposes of this mixed methods study were to (a) examine whether using an art therapy intervention based on the theory of possible selves enhanced the motivation for change among individuals with alcohol addiction in Korea, and (b) to explore the study participants’ lived experiences of the self as it emerged from the specific art therapy intervention. This study consisted of three distinct theoretical frameworks: the transtheoretical model (TTM); the theory of possible selves; and art therapy—which bridged the two aforementioned theories. A total of seven participants completed five individual sessions each, creating a series of possible future selves through the use of digital media. This convergent parallel mixed methods study included pre and post evaluations using the Korean version of the Stages of Change Readiness and Treatment Eagerness Scale, which measures motivation in three independent subscales (Recognition, Ambivalence, and Taking Steps). Phenomenological research was proceeded simultaneously, which data were collected holistically and creatively throughout the sessions. As a result, qualitative relationships among self-perception, motivation, and creative imagination were revealed in the participants’ movement through the stages of change. These findings also suggested that clients’ artwork of their possible future selves can be powerful predictors to reflect readiness for change, and art therapists are in a unique position to utilize this tool to enhance motivation for change in addiction treatment. However, no statistically significant difference was reported both on a Wilcoxon Signed-ranks Test and a mixed-design ANOVA. Yet considering the small sample size (n = 7), Taking Steps was remarkably found to exceed a large effect size (r = 0.50). Limitations and cultural aspects in this study are also discussed. Continuing research on the topic of possible future selves by using digital media is encouraged for further exploration and application in art therapy. ART THERAPY AND POSSIBLE SELVES 12 CHAPTER
The Search for the Phonological Store: From Loop to Convolution

The phonological loop system of Baddeley and colleagues' Working Memory model is a major accomplishment of the modern era of cognitive psychology. It was one of the first information processing models to make an explicit attempt to accommodate both traditional behavioral data and the results of neuropsychological case studies in an integrated theoretical framework. In the early and middle 1990s, the purview of the phonological loop was expanded to include the emerging field of functional brain imaging. The modular and componential structure of the phonological loop seemed to disclose a structure that might well be transcribed, intact, onto the convolutions of the brain. It was the phonological store component, however, with its simple and modular quality, that most appealed to the neuroimaging field as the psychological box that might most plausibly be located in the brain. Functional neuroimaging studies initially designated regions in the parietal cortex as constituting the neural correlate of the phonological store, whereas later studies pointed to regions in the posterior temporal cortex. In this review, however, we argue the phonological store as a theoretical construct does not precisely correspond to a single, functionally discrete, brain region. Rather, converging evidence from neurology, cognitive psychology, and functional neuroimaging argue for a reconceptualization of phonological short-term memory as emerging from the integrated action of the neural processes that underlie the perception and production of speech.