Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Psychological essentialism and the differential attribution of uniquely human emotions to ingroups and outgroups

According to the psychological essentialism perspective, people tend to explain differences between groups by attributing them different essences. Given a pervasive ethnocentrism, this tendency implies that the human essence will be restricted to the ingroup whereas outgroups will receive a lesser degree of humanity. Therefore, it is argued that people attribute more uniquely human characteristics to the ingroup than to the outgroup. The present article focuses on secondary emotions that constitute such characteristics. Study 1 showed that members of high- and low-status groups attribute more positive secondary emotions to the ingroup than to the outgroup. Study 2 verified that the differential attribution extended also to negative secondary emotions. No exemplars of emotions were provided in Study, 3. Instead, participants had to estimate the means of two distributions of numbers that supposedly, represented characteristics of the ingroup and of the outgroup. The results of this third experiment illustrated the reluctance to attribute secondary emotions to the outgroup. The findings are discussed from the perspective of psychological essentialism. Copyright (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cellular Changes and Apoptosis in the Spleens and Peripheral Blood of Mice Infected with Blood-Stage Plasmodium chabaudi chabaudi AS

ABSTRACT Infection with blood-stage Plasmodium chabaudi chabaudiAS results in splenomegaly, peripheral leukocytosis, and a major activation of the immune system. The frequencies and absolute numbers of T-cell, B-cell, and macrophage populations in spleen and peripheral blood from P. chabaudi-infected BALB/c mice were compared and found to be significantly altered during acute infection. The kinetics of the redistribution of the different cell types in spleen and peripheral blood were different, with T and B cells appearing in the blood when their frequencies and absolute numbers in the spleen were low. The frequency and absolute number of apoptotic cells in the spleen were increased during acute P. chabaudi infection and involved both T cells, B cells, and macrophages. Both Fas and Fas-ligand expression were increased in the spleen. Taken together, our data provide new information on the complex cellular interactions that take place in the immune system during blood-stage malaria infection in a mouse model.
Carduelini New Sistematics: Crimson-winged Finch (Rhodopechys sangineus) is Included in “Arid-Zone” Carduelini Finches by Mitochondrial DNA Phylogeny

Rhodopechys sangineus phylogeny together with a group of Carduelini finches has been analyzed. Mitochon- drial cyt b molecule has been used for species comparison and maximum likelihood and Bayesian methods have been em- ployed in order to obtain a solid phylogeny. Compared Carduelini finches groups include: Greenfinches, "Arid-Zone" finches and Genera Rhodopechys and Pyrrhula species. Our results lead to conclude: 1) Genus Rhodopechys included species should need a new taxonomic classification; 2) Genus Pyrrhula shares a common ancestor with "Arid-Zone" finches group; the latter is phylogenetically a separate clade, including species from Carpodacus, Rhodopechys and Leu- costicte Genera, and 3) Pinicola enucleator belongs to Genus Pyrrhula and seems to be ancestral. Results show that a sis- tematics revision of Carduelini tribe bird species is required.
Vitamin D, Hypertension, and Ischemic Stroke: An Unresolved Relationship.

See related article, pp 499–507 Hypertension, one of the most common chronic diseases worldwide, is a major risk factor for coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, congestive heart failure, end-stage kidney disease, and peripheral vascular disease and consequently results in major disability and mortality. One of the most dreaded complications of hypertension is ischemic stroke. Efforts for over 4 decades have been directed to identify genes that are causally involved in the pathophysiology of hypertension and those that constitute genetically determined risk factors for the development of hypertension and its complications. Can the factors, genetic or otherwise, predisposing to hypertension-related ischemic stroke be identified and can a preventive strategy be derived, based on such information? It has long been suggested that a low plasma vitamin D level is one of the factors that may be associated with hypertension and ischemic stroke. This notion comes from biological studies in animals and observational studies in humans that relate low active vitamin D levels to the renin–angiotensin system and to arterial wall thickness or stiffness.1–6 Since then, multiple observational studies have tried to demonstrate an inverse correlation between plasma vitamin D levels and hypertension. However, a recent systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials on the effect of vitamin D supplementation on blood pressure failed to show that vitamin D supplementation effectively lowers blood pressure,7 casting doubt on the clinical relevance of such correlation. The question nonetheless remains whether there is a real causal relationship between low vitamin D levels and ischemic stroke that is associated with hypertension. In the current issue of Hypertension , Afzal and Nordestgaard8 approached the problem by asking whether lifelong exposure to low vitamin D level in a native Danish population is indeed a risk factor for high blood pressure on the one …
Three forms of binding and their neural substrates: Alternatives to temporal synchrony

This paper presents three different ways of addressing the binding problem in different brain areas: generic neocortex, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex. None of these approaches involve the popular mechanism of temporal synchrony. The first two involve conjunctive representations that bind by ensuring that different neural units are activated for different combinations of input features. Specifically, we think the cortex constructs low-order conjunctions using coarse-coded distributed representations to avoid the combinatorial explosion usually associated with conjunctive solutions to the binding problem. We present a model that learns these representations in a challenging relational binding task, and furthermore is capable of considerable generalization to novel inputs. Next, we review the idea that the hippocampus performs conjunctive binding in long term memory through the use of higher-order conjunctions that are much more specific to particular events than those in the cortex. Finally, we present a model of a very different form of binding that involves the phonological loop — a mechanism for maintaining arbitrary sequences of phonemes in active memory. This phonological system can be used to bind by continuously repeating the to-be-bound information (e.g., “press left key for green X’s,.”). In total, this work suggests that instead of one simple and generic solution to the binding problem, the brain has developed a number of specialized mechanisms that build on the strengths of existing neural hardware in different brain areas.
Model-based Word Embeddings from Decompositions of Count Matrices

This work develops a new statistical understanding of word embeddings induced from transformed count data. Using the class of hidden Markov models (HMMs) underlying Brown clustering as a generative model, we demonstrate how canonical correlation analysis (CCA) and certain count transformations permit efficient and effective recovery of model parameters with lexical semantics. We further show in experiments that these techniques empirically outperform existing spectral methods on word similarity and analogy tasks, and are also competitive with other popular methods such as WORD2VEC and GLOVE.
Differences on social acceptance of humanoid robots between Japan and the UK

To validate a questionnaire for measuring people’s acceptance of humanoid robots in cross-cultural research (the Frankenstein Syndrome Questionnaire: FSQ), an online survey was conducted in both the UK and Japan including items on perceptions of the relation to the family and commitment to religions, and negative attitudes toward robots (the NARS). The results suggested that 1) the correlations between the FSQ subscale scores and NARS were sufficient, 2) the UK people felt more negative toward humanoid robots than did the Japanese people, 3) young UK people had more expectation for humanoid robots, 4) relationships between social acceptance of humanoid robots and negative attitudes toward robots in general were different between the nations and generations, and 5) there were no correlations between the FSQ subscale scores, and perception of the relation to the family and commitment to religions.
Factors influencing individuals' trust in online purchase through social networking sites

Internet is integrated into nearly all aspects of activities including businesses. It is a medium that can be accessed anywhere. The advancement of Internet has contributed to the development of electronic commerce and trust has been suggested in the literature to play an essential role in the development of e-commerce. Lately, e-commerce has also taken placed in a new platform, Social Networking Sites (SNSs). As in e-commerce, individuals' trust is also important in using SNSs as the medium of commerce. Based on literature review, we found limited number of studies investigating factors that affect individuals' trust in this medium. Examining factors that influence individuals' trust in online purchase using SNSs was the primary concern of this research. In this study, four factors were examined which are propensity to trust, experience in online purchase, testimonial, and monetary risk. The samples of this research were 129 Facebook users. Questionnaires were distributed through email and a posting on the researcher's Facebook. Multiple regression analysis was used to test the relationships proposed in the study. The study revealed that propensity to trust and testimonial were two significant factors that influence individuals' trust in online purchase through SNSs.
Hemispheric Asymmetries for Whole-Based and Part-Based Face Processing in the Human Fusiform Gyrus

Abstract Behavioral studies indicate a right hemisphere advantage for processing a face as a whole and a left hemisphere superiority for processing based on face features. The present PET study identifies the anatomical localization of these effects in well-defined regions of the middle fusiform gyri of both hemispheres. The right middle fusiform gyrus, previously described as a face-specific region, was found to be more activated when matching whole faces than face parts whereas this pattern of activity was reversed in the left homologous region. These lateralized differences appeared to be specific to faces since control objects processed either as wholes or parts did not induce any change of activity within these regions. This double dissociation between two modes of face processing brings new evidence regarding the lateralized localization of face individualization mechanisms in the human brain.
Supine Lower Body Negative Pressure Exercise During Bed Rest Maintains Upright Exercise Capacity.

Bed rest and spaceflight reduce exercise fitness. Supine lower body negative pressure (LBNP) treadmill exercise provides integrated cardiovascular and musculoskeletal stimulation similar to that imposed by upright exercise in Earth gravity. We hypothesized that 40 min of supine exercise per day in a LBNP chamber at 1.0-1.2 body wt (58 +/- 2 mmHg LBNP) maintains aerobic fitness and sprint speed during 15 days of 6 degrees head-down bed rest (simulated microgravity). Seven male subjects underwent two such bed-rest studies in random order: one as a control study (no exercise) and one with daily supine LBNP treadmill exercise. After controlled bed-rest, time to exhaustion during an upright treadmill exercise test decreased 10%, peak oxygen consumption during the test decreased 14%, and sprint speed decreased 16% (all P < 0.05). Supine LBNP exercise during bed rest maintained all the above variables at pre-bed-rest levels. Our findings support further evaluation of LBNP exercise as a countermeasure against long-term microgravity-induced deconditioning.
Ibuprofen and Diclofenac Restrict Migration and Proliferation of Human Glioma Cells by Distinct Molecular Mechanisms

Background Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been associated with anti-tumorigenic effects in different tumor entities. For glioma, research has generally focused on diclofenac; however data on other NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen, is limited. Therefore, we performed a comprehensive investigation of the cellular, molecular, and metabolic effects of ibuprofen and diclofenac on human glioblastoma cells. Methods Glioma cell lines were treated with ibuprofen or diclofenac to investigate functional effects on proliferation and cell motility. Cell cycle, extracellular lactate levels, lactate dehydrogenase-A (LDH-A) expression and activity, as well as inhibition of the Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT-3) signaling pathway, were determined. Specific effects of diclofenac and ibuprofen on STAT-3 were investigated by comparing their effects with those of the specific STAT-3 inhibitor STATTIC. Results Ibuprofen treatment led to a stronger inhibition of cell growth and migration than treatment with diclofenac. Proliferation was affected by cell cycle arrest at different checkpoints by both agents. In addition, diclofenac, but not ibuprofen, decreased lactate levels in all concentrations used. Both decreased STAT-3 phosphorylation; however, diclofenac led to decreased c-myc expression and subsequent reduction in LDH-A activity, whereas treatment with ibuprofen in higher doses induced c-myc expression and less LDH-A alteration. Conclusions This study indicates that both ibuprofen and diclofenac strongly inhibit glioma cells, but the subsequent metabolic responses of both agents are distinct. We postulate that ibuprofen may inhibit tumor cells also by COX- and lactate-independent mechanisms after long-term treatment in physiological dosages, whereas diclofenac mainly acts by inhibition of STAT-3 signaling and downstream modulation of glycolysis.
Single fibre electromyography in central core disease

Single fibre electromyography in the extensor digitorum communis muscle was studied in five patients with central core disease. The average number of muscle fibre action potentials belonging to the same motor unit was higher in patients than in healthy subjects of the same age. The increase in motor unit fibre density is consistent with increased terminal innervation ratio described in other papers about central core disease.
Development of a novel ex vivo porcine skin explant model for the assessment of mature bacterial biofilms

Bacterial biofilms have been proposed to be a major factor contributing to the failure of chronic wounds to heal because of their increased tolerance to antimicrobial agents and the prolonged inflammation they cause. Phenotypic characteristics of bacterial biofilms vary depending on the substratum to which they attach, the nutritional environment, and the microorganisms within the biofilm community. To develop an ex vivo biofilm model that more closely mimics biofilms in chronic skin wounds, we developed an optimal procedure to grow mature biofilms on a central partial‐thickness wound in 12‐mm porcine skin explants. Chlorine gas produced optimal sterilization of explants while preserving histological properties of the epidermis and dermis. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus developed mature biofilms after 3 days that had dramatically increased tolerance to gentamicin and oxacillin (∼100× and 8,000× minimal inhibitory concentration, respectively) and to sodium hypochlorite (0.6% active chlorine). Scanning electron microscopy and confocal microscopy verified extensive exopolymeric biofilm structures on the explants. Despite a significant delay, a ΔlasI quorum‐sensing mutant of P. aeruginosa developed biofilm as antibiotic‐tolerant as wild‐type after 3 days. This ex vivo model simulates growth of biofilms on skin wounds and provides an accurate model to assess effects of antimicrobial agents on mature biofilms.
A Chlorophyll-Deficient Rice Mutant with Impaired Chlorophyllide Esterification in Chlorophyll Biosynthesis1[W][OA]

Chlorophyll (Chl) synthase catalyzes esterification of chlorophyllide to complete the last step of Chl biosynthesis. Although the Chl synthases and the corresponding genes from various organisms have been well characterized, Chl synthase mutants have not yet been reported in higher plants. In this study, a rice (Oryza Sativa) Chl-deficient mutant, yellow-green leaf1 (ygl1), was isolated, which showed yellow-green leaves in young plants with decreased Chl synthesis, increased level of tetrapyrrole intermediates, and delayed chloroplast development. Genetic analysis demonstrated that the phenotype of ygl1 was caused by a recessive mutation in a nuclear gene. The ygl1 locus was mapped to chromosome 5 and isolated by map-based cloning. Sequence analysis revealed that it encodes the Chl synthase and its identity was verified by transgenic complementation. A missense mutation was found in a highly conserved residue of YGL1 in the ygl1 mutant, resulting in reduction of the enzymatic activity. YGL1 is constitutively expressed in all tissues, and its expression is not significantly affected in the ygl1 mutant. Interestingly, the mRNA expression of the cab1R gene encoding the Chl a/b-binding protein was severely suppressed in the ygl1 mutant. Moreover, the expression of some nuclear genes associated with Chl biosynthesis or chloroplast development was also affected in ygl1 seedlings. These results indicate that the expression of nuclear genes encoding various chloroplast proteins might be feedback regulated by the level of Chl or Chl precursors.
Dynamic Games with Asymmetric Information: A Framework for Empirical Work*

We develop a framework for the analysis of dynamic oligopolies with persistant sources of asymmetric information that enables applied analysis of situations of empirical importance that have been difficult to deal with. The framework generates policies that are "relatively" easy for agents to use while still being optimal in a meaningful sense, and is amenable to empirical research in that its equilibrium conditions can be tested and equilibrium policies are relatively easy to compute. We conclude with an example that endogenizes the maintenance decisions of electricity generators when the costs states of the generators are private information. Copyright 2012, Oxford University Press.
SOKONGAN PIHAK PENGURUSAN SEKOLAH TERHADAP TEKANAN KERJA GURU DI SEKOLAH KEBANGSAAN DAN SEKOLAH JENIS KEBANGSAAN CINA

This articel is about teachers’ work stress in National Primary Schools (SK) and National Chinese Type Primary School (SJKC) based on five factors recommended by Seily (2007). The research is designed based on a combination of quantitative and qualitative method which are divided into two phases. For the first phase, a survey method which uses questionnaire as a measuring instrument is used to collect data, while the interview method is used in second phase. The sample for the first phase consists of 289 respondents who are selected randomly from six SK and six SJKC from the southwest district, Penang. The second phase consists of four focus groups taken from two SK and two SJKC each. The teachers are represent the highest and the lowest work stress groups. After analysing, the result showed that pupil’s misbehaviour and teachers’ workload are the main factors that cause teachers to be stressful. The finding also indicated that teachers from SJKC experience higher work stress than teachers from SK. The interview results showed that administrators play an important role to overcome teachers’ stress. Results showed that teachers who experience low work stress usually get support from administrators. The results also showed that if the administrators are fair in distributing the tasks, give motivation and support to teachers, practice an open door policy, encourage teamwork and are strict in overcoming pupils discipline problems will directly assist in reducing the teachers work stress. Thus, it can be concluded that the administrators support is very important to relieve the teachers work stress and increase the teacher commitment and give job satisfaction which in turn will help the administrators in achieving their goals.
Cortical area size dictates performance at modality-specific behaviors

The mammalian neocortex is organized into unique areas that serve functions such as sensory perception and modality-specific behaviors. The sizes of primary cortical areas vary across species, and also within a species, raising the question of whether area size dictates behavioral performance. We show that adult mice genetically engineered to overexpress the transcription factor EMX2 in embryonic cortical progenitor cells, resulting in reductions in sizes of somatosensory and motor areas, exhibit significant deficiencies at tactile and motor behaviors. Even increasing the size of sensorimotor areas by decreasing cortical EMX2 levels can lead to diminished sensorimotor behaviors. Genetic crosses that retain ectopic Emx2 transgene expression subcortically but restore cortical Emx2 expression to wild-type levels also restore cortical areas to wild-type sizes and in parallel restore tactile and motor behaviors to wild-type performance. These findings show that area size can dictate performance at modality-specific behaviors and suggest that areas have an optimal size, influenced by parameters of its neural system, for maximum behavioral performance. This study underscores the importance of establishing during embryonic development appropriate levels of regulatory proteins that determine area sizes, thereby influencing behavior later in life.
A RANDOMIZED TRIAL OF MOTIVATIONAL INTERVIEWING TO IMPROVE MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS’ ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE

Motivational interviewing (MI) is an effective method of promoting change in adults, but research on adolescents is limited. This study tests the efficacy of MI for promoting academic achievement in middle school students. Participants were 103 6th-, 7th, and 8th-grade students randomly assigned to either a MI (n = 50) or a waitlist control condition (n = 53). Students in the MI condition participated in a single MI session during the 7 th or 8 th week of the second semester. In comparison to the control group, students who received MI demonstrated significant improvements in their class participation, overall positive academic behavior, and significantly higher 4 th quarter math grades. Thus, consistent with other studies finding single session effects of MI, a single MI session can have beneficial effects on academic behaviors. Pending further study and replication of these findings, MI could become an efficient and effective new counseling approach for improving academic performance. C