Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evidence for K‐rich terranes on Vesta from impact spherules

Abstract— The howardite‐eucrite‐diogenite (HED) clan is a group of meteorites that probably originate from the asteroid Vesta. Some of them are complex breccias that contain impact glasses whose compositions mirror that of their source regions. Some K‐rich impact glasses (up to 2 wt% K2O) suggest that in addition to basalts and ultramafic cumulates, K‐rich rocks are exposed on Vesta's surface. One K‐rich glass (up to 6 wt% K2O), with a felsic composition, provides the first evidence of highly differentiated K‐rich rocks on a large asteroid. They can be compared to the rare lunar granites and suggest that magmas generated in a large asteroid are more diverse than previously thought.
Release Studies on Ciprofloxacin Loaded Non-ionic Surfactant Vesicles

Background: Development of new drug carriers would be an interesting approach if it allowed increased efficacy of antibiotics and a reduction in doses, thus reducing the risk of developing resistance. As with most drug carriers, niosomes have been used to improve the selective delivery and the therapeutic index of antimicrobial agents. Methods: In this study, different formulation of niosomes containing ciprofloxacin (CPFX), Span (20, 60 or 80), Tween (20, 60 or 80) and cholesterol were prepared by film hydration method. The release of the drug from different formulations was studied by using Franz diffusion cell. The niosomes were further characterized by optical microscopy and particle size analysis, and their antimicrobial activity was evaluated. Results: Size of the niosomes was significantly dependent on the amount of cholesterol and surfactant type and varied from 8.56 to 61.3 μm. The entrapment efficiency of CPFX niosomes prepared by remote loading was more than 74%. Niosomes composed of Span/Tween 60 provided a higher CPFX release rate than other formulations. The obtained results indicated a diffusion-based mechanism for drug leakage through bilayers. All formulations presented more antibacterial activity as compared to free CPFX solution. Conclusion: Niosomal CPFX appears to be a promising approach in the management of bacterial infections, especially ophthalmic ones, and should be further evaluated by in vivo experiments.
Novel Designs for the Audio Mixing Interface Based on Data Visualisation First Principles

Given the shortcomings of current audio mixing interfaces (AMIs) this study focuses on the development of alternative AMIs based on data visualisation first principles. The elementary perceptual tasks defined by Cleveland informed the design process. Two design ideas were considered for pan: using the elementary perceptual tasks ‘scale’ to display pan on either a single or multiple horizontal lines. Four design ideas were considered for level: using ‘length’, ‘area’, ‘saturation’ or ‘scalable icon’ for visualisation. Each level idea was prototyped with each pan idea, totalling eight novel interfaces. Seven subjects undertook a usability evaluation, replicating a 16 channel reference mix with each interface. Results showed that ‘scalable icons’, especially on multiple horizontal lines appear to show potential.
Prognostic value of KIT/PDGFRA mutations in gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST): Polish Clinical GIST Registry experience.

BACKGROUND Majority of gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs) are characterised by KIT-immunopositivity and the presence of KIT/platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRA) activating mutations. PATIENTS AND METHODS Spectrum and frequency of KIT and PDGFRA mutations were investigated in 427 GISTs. Univariate and multivariate analysis of relapse-free survival (RFS) was conducted in relation to tumours' clinicopathologic features and genotype. RESULTS Mutations were found in 351 (82.2%) cases, including 296 (69.3%) KIT and 55 (12.9%) PDGFRA isoforms. Univariate analysis revealed higher 5-year RFS rate in women (37.9%; P = 0.028) and in patients with gastric tumours (46.3%; P < 0.001). In addition a better 5-year RFS correlated with smaller tumour size ≤ 5 cm (62.7%; P < 0.001), tumours with mitotic index ≤ 5/50 high-power fields (60%; P < 0.001), and characterised by (very) low/moderate risk (70.2%; P = 0.006). Patients with GISTs bearing deletions encompassing KIT codons 557/558 had worse 5-year RFS rate (23.8%) than those with any other KIT exon 11 mutations (41.8%; P < 0.001) or deletions not involving codons 557/558 (33.3%; P = 0.007). Better 5-year RFS characterised patients with KIT exon 11 point mutations (50.7%) or duplications (40%). By multivariate analysis, tumours with PDGFRA mutations and KIT exon 11 point mutations/other than 557/558 deletions had lower risk of progression than with KIT exon 11 557/558 deletions (both Ps = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS KIT/PDGFRA mutational status has prognostic significance for patients' outcome and may help in management of patients with GISTs.
Interoperability in Train Control Systems Specification of Scenarios Using Open Nets 0

We consider the area of train control systems like the European Train Control Systems ETCS where several diierent scenarios are considered and accordant software components must interoperate eeectively in order to achieve the desired system behaviour. In order to specify corresponding problems for ETCS high-level Petri net techniques have been identiied as one of the most adequate formal speciication technique according to the state of the art. Unfortunately, Petri nets in the usual sense are not fully adequate to model such scenarios and to achieve interoperability. The new notion of open nets, developed within the DFG-Research Group Petri Net Technology, is most promising as a conceptual and formal technique for these kinds of problems. In this paper we study a simpliied version of a railway crossing control system with a few number of basic scenarios represented by interaction diagrams, which are modelled by open nets, called scenario nets. The interoperability of system components is speciied by suitable integration and composition techniques for open nets. These techniques should be a basis for in-teroperability in train control systems in general, especially for real problems in the area of ETCS.
Association between Infant Feeding and Early Postpartum Infant Body Composition: A Pilot Prospective Study

Research studies have produced conflicting results of the impact of breastfeeding on overweight/obesity. This study evaluated the impact of infant feeding on infant body composition. There were two groups of mother-infant pairs (exclusive breastfeeding [EBF; n = 27] and mixed feeding [MF; n = 13]) in this study. At baseline, participants were similar in their demographic characteristics except prepregnancy weight, where MF mothers tended to be heavier than their EBF counterparts (67.3 kg versus 59.9 kg; P = .034). Infant birth weight was slightly higher among the MF group than their EBF counterparts (3.5 kg versus 3.4 kg), although the differences were not statistically significant. At 3 months postpartum, mean infant FMI (4.1 kg/m2 versus 3.8 kg/m2) and percent body fat (24.4% versus 23.1%) were slightly higher among EBF infants than MF infants. In terms of growth velocity, EBF infants gained weight faster than their MF counterparts, although the differences were not statistically significant. The findings from this study suggest that EBF may promote faster weight gain and increase in both fat mass index (FMI) and percent body fat in the early postpartum period in addition to the numerous health benefits enjoyed by the infant and the mother who exclusively breastfeeds her newborn.
The ‘subject of ethics’ and educational research OR Ethics or politics? Yes please!

Abstract This paper outlines a theoretical context for research into ‘the subject of ethics’ in terms of how students come to see themselves as self-reflective actors. I maintain that the ‘subject of ethics’, or ethical subjectivity, has been overlooked as a necessary aspect of creating politically transformative spaces in education. At the heart of egalitarian politics lies a fundamental tension between the equality of voices (or ways of being) and the notion that one way of being or one voice may be deemed more legitimate than another; which in turn puts the equality of beings into question. Building from Michel Foucault’s work regarding ethics and subjectivity, I suggest that a ‘subject of ethics’ can be viewed, in part, as a series of relations of self that form the horizon upon which a subject comes to work on themselves relative to moral codes and power relations. Ethical relations of self can be a useful concept for those interested in educational research that furthers social and ecological justice. In the conclusion of this paper I also discuss the limitations of locating ethics entirely within a constituted human subject.
Beyond Innovation Characteristics: Effects of Adopter Categories on the Acceptance Outcomes of Online Shopping

Over the past two decades, much research effort has been directed to identifying salient perceptions of innovation characteristics that determine user acceptance of technology, but largely ignored the potential effect of individual adopter differences. According to innovation diffusion theory, some individuals are more likely to adopt an innovation than others because of their differences in individual innovativeness and can be grouped into distinct adopter categories based on their innovativeness. The present research develops a new measure of adopter categories and examines the role of adopter categories in determining user acceptance outcomes (adoption behavior, current use, and future use intention) over and above perceived innovation characteristics in the adoption context of online shopping. More than 400 individuals including 115 business professionals participated in the study. Results obtained through PLS analyses confirm the important role of adopter categories in determining the acceptance outcomes beyond the perceptions of innovation characteristics.
Rough Set Method Based on Multi-Granulations

The original rough set model is concerned primarily with the approximation of sets described by single binary relation on universe. In the view of granular computing, classical rough set theory is researched by single granulation (static granulation). The article extends the Pawlak rough set model to rough set model based on multi-granulations MGRS, where the set approximations are defined by using multi-equivalences on the universe. Mathematical properties of MGRS are investigated. It is shown that some properties of Pawlak rough set are special instances of MGRS, approximation measure of set described by using multi-granulations is always better than by using single granulation, which is suitable for describing more accurately the concept and solving problem according to user requirement
I Paid More Than You (Before)?! The Effect of Self-Construal and Comparison Target on Unfairness Perceptions and Willingness to Pay

The present research explores how self-construal interacts with social versus temporal comparison target in shaping consumer perceptions of price unfairness and willingness to pay. Three experiments find that independent consumers perceive stronger price unfairness when paying more than other consumers do, whereas interdependent consumers perceive stronger unfairness when paying more than they themselves paid in previous transactions. These effects occur because consumers are differentially sensitive to social versus temporal comparisons in their self-appraisal as a function of their self-construal. The sensitivity to social (temporal) comparison among independent (interdependent) consumers also affects their willingness to pay. These results show that self-construal affects consumers’ respective means for maintaining their self-appraisal and alters the relevance of different comparison targets.
Comparing outcomes of cataract surgery: challenges and opportunities.

BACKGROUND There is an increasing demand for routine assessment of surgical outcomes. However, for assessments to be valid, it is essential to understand the influence of patient characteristics on outcomes. The VF-14 visual function instrument offers a possible means of monitoring outcomes of cataract surgery. This article examines lessons learned in the course of an attempt to do this. METHODS One thousand and ninety-eight patients (41 per cent male and 59 per cent female) undergoing cataract extraction in 29 private hospitals within the British United Provident Association (BUPA) chain in the United Kingdom completed the VF-14 before and at 4 months following surgery. Outcome was measured in terms of absolute post-operative score achieved. The demographic factors associated with post-operative VF-14 score were examined using multivariate analysis, adjusting for baseline score. RESULTS Women undergoing cataract extraction had worse pre-operative visual function than men. Post-operative VF-14 score was stable as the age of the patient increased, until age 85, after which it declined. The reduction in final outcome in older people was explained in part by their worse post-operative scores but also was associated with increasing age independent of pre-operative score. CONCLUSION First, although many patients undergoing cataract extraction at an advanced age will achieve excellent results, older age does reduce the outcome that can be expected. Consequently, comparisons of performance of units or surgeons undertaking cataract surgery must take account of the age spectrum being treated. It is not enough simply to add a health status measure to an existing administrative database. Further research is needed to understand the reasons for the poorer outcomes at older ages, in particular the role of co-existing eye disease and development of data systems must take account of the additional information required to make appropriate adjustments.
Liquid crystal polymer (LCP): A promising technology for conformal high performance microwave/millimeter-wave circuits and packaging

The liquid crystal polymer (LCP) is a fairly new and promising thermoplastic organic material which has impressive electrical and mechanical characteristics such as low dielectric loss, stable dielectric constant across a frequency range from DC to 110 GHz, low water absorption and low thermal expansion coefficient. It can be used as a low-cost technology for high-volume large-area processing and provides very reliable high-performance. This paper briefly introduces LCP technology and some typical state-of-arts applications.
Inclusive Education for Students with Hearing Impairment in the Regular Secondary Schools in the North-West Region of Cameroon: Initiatives and Challenges

Abstract Although some initiatives are implemented in the education of students with hearing impairments in the regular school, challenges are still encountered in their education. This article which is part of the results from an ongoing qualitative study in the North-West region of Cameroon addresses the different initiatives and challenges involved with including students with hearing impairment in regular schools. Interviews, participant observations as well as field notes were the main instruments used in collecting data from the six teachers and six students with hearing impairments who participated in the research. Academic support, classroom placement and the way of working of the sign language interpreters were considered the major initiatives and challenges in the education of the students with hearing impairment in regular schools. It is apparent that adequate adjustments have not been made within the schools to meet the needs of the students with hearing impairments. This hence questions their actual inclusion in the regular school.
Wave exposure as a predictor of benthic habitat distribution on high energy temperate reefs

The new found ability to measure physical attributes of the marine environment at high resolution across broad spatial scales has driven the rapid evolution of benthic habitat mapping as a field in its own right. Improvement of the resolution and ecological validity of seafloor habitat distribution models has, for the most part, paralleled developments in new generations of acoustic survey tools such as multibeam echosounders. While sonar methods have been well demonstrated to provide useful proxies of the relatively static geophysical patterns that reflect distribution of benthic species and assemblages, the spatially and temporally variable influence of hydrodynamic energy on habitat distribution have been less well studied. Here we investigate the role of wave exposure on patterns of distribution of near-shore benthic habitats. A high resolution spectral wave model was developed for a 624 km2 site along Cape Otway, a major coastal feature of western Victoria, Australia. Comparison of habitat classifications implemented using the Random Forests algorithm established that significantly more accurate estimations of habitat distribution were obtained by including a fine-scale numerical wave model, extended to the seabed using linear wave theory, than by using depth and seafloor morphology information alone. Variable importance measures and map interpretation indicated that the spatial variation in wave induced bottom orbital velocity was most influential in discriminating habitat the classes containing canopy forming kelp Ecklonia radiata, a foundation kelp species that affects biodiversity and ecological functioning on shallow reefs across temperate Australasia. We demonstrate that hydrodynamic models reflecting key environmental drivers on wave exposed coastlines are important in accurately defining distributions of benthic habitats.
Developmental Trajectories of Regulating Attentional Selection Over Time

Adaptive behavior in learning environments requires both the maintenance of an attentional focus on a task-set and suppression of distracting stimuli. This may be especially difficult when the competing information is more appealing than the target event. The aptitude to “pay attention” and resist distraction has often been noted as an important prerequisite of successful acquisition of intellectual abilities in children. This focused review draws on research that highlights interindividual differences in the temporal dynamics of attentional engagement and disengagement under competition, and their relation with age and cognitive/academic skills. Although basic strategies of attention control are present in very young children, the more refined ability to manage attentional resources over time in an economic and adaptive fashion appears during early school years, dramatically improves until the early teen years, and continues to develop into late adolescence. Across studies, parameters of attention control over time predict specific aspects of academic performance, rather than general intellectual ability. We conclude that the ability to strategically regulate the dynamic allocation of attention at rapid rates may represent an important element of cognitive and academic development.
Developments In Business Simulation & Experiential Exercises , Volume 19 , 1992 184 AN EXAMINATION OF THE EFFECT OF TEAM COHESION , PLAYER ATTITUDE , AND PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS ON SIMULATION PERFORMANCE RESULTS

The present study examines the relationship between team cohesion, participant attitudes, and performance expectations with actual performance in a simulation competition. Importantly, these measures were not only taken at the beginning and end of the competition, but during each decision-making period. The rigorously controlled experiment involving 389 students found a strong relationship between beginning team cohesion and performance expectations and final game performance but little relationship between beginning participant attitudes and game performance. Further, while student attitudes and performance expectations changed over time in relation to game performance, team cohesion did not.
Human Secreted Ly-6/uPAR Related Protein-1 (SLURP-1) Is a Selective Allosteric Antagonist of α7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor

SLURP-1 is a secreted toxin-like Ly-6/uPAR protein found in epithelium, sensory neurons and immune cells. Point mutations in the slurp-1 gene cause the autosomal inflammation skin disease Mal de Meleda. SLURP-1 is considered an autocrine/paracrine hormone that regulates growth and differentiation of keratinocytes and controls inflammation and malignant cell transformation. The majority of previous studies of SLURP-1 have been made using fusion constructs containing, in addition to the native protein, extra polypeptide sequences. Here we describe the activity and pharmacological profile of a recombinant analogue of human SLURP-1 (rSLURP-1) differing from the native protein only by one additional N-terminal Met residue. rSLURP-1 significantly inhibited proliferation (up to ~ 40%, EC50 ~ 4 nM) of human oral keratinocytes (Het-1A cells). Application of mecamylamine and atropine,—non-selective inhibitors of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) and muscarinic acetylcholine receptors, respectively, and anti-α7-nAChRs antibodies revealed α7 type nAChRs as an rSLURP-1 target in keratinocytes. Using affinity purification from human cortical extracts, we confirmed that rSLURP-1 binds selectively to the α7-nAChRs. Exposure of Xenopus oocytes expressing α7-nAChRs to rSLURP-1 caused a significant non-competitive inhibition of the response to acetylcholine (up to ~ 70%, IC50 ~ 1 μM). It was shown that rSLURP-1 binds to α7-nAChRs overexpressed in GH4Cl cells, but does not compete with 125I-α-bungarotoxin for binding to the receptor. These findings imply an allosteric antagonist-like mode of SLURP-1 interaction with α7-nAChRs outside the classical ligand-binding site. Contrary to rSLURP-1, other inhibitors of α7-nAChRs (mecamylamine, α-bungarotoxin and Lynx1) did not suppress the proliferation of keratinocytes. Moreover, the co-application of α-bungarotoxin with rSLURP-1 did not influence antiproliferative activity of the latter. This supports the hypothesis that the antiproliferative activity of SLURP-1 is related to ‘metabotropic’ signaling pathway through α7-nAChR, that activates intracellular signaling cascades without opening the receptor channel.
High Frequency of Fibromyalgia in Patients with Psoriatic Arthritis: A Pilot Study

Background. Widespread pain from fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is observed in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA). We hypothesized that there is increased frequency of FMS in patients with PsA that contributes to fatigue and pain. Method. We prospectively enrolled patients with PsA based on the Classification criteria for Psoriatic Arthritis and healthy subjects were used as controls. The frequency of FMS was determined using London Fibromyalgia Epidemiologic Study Screening Questionnaire (LFESSQ) and Symptoms Intensity scale (SIs). Results. 34 PsA patients and 44 controls fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Median age of PsA patients was 52 years with 53.33% females. Median age of controls was 50.5 years with 59% females. FMS was present in 53.33% of PsA patients compared to 4.54% of the controls (P < 0.001), based on LFESSQ. 37.50% of PsA had FMS compared to 6.66% of controls (P < 0.001) based on SIs. There was a significant correlation between LFESSQ and SIs in the psoriatic group (P = 0.00243). 76.66% of PsA patients complained of fatigue compared to 40.90% of controls, but the mean fatigue score between the two groups was comparable (5.03 versus 5.18). Conclusion. FMS-associated pain and fatigue are significantly more frequent in patients with PsA compared to controls.