Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Quantitative study of aluminum‐induced changes in synaptic ultrastructure in rats

Some evidence suggests that aluminum is one of the risk factors in Alzheimer's disease (AD); however, there is no study on the relationship between the synaptic configuration changes and aluminum uptake. In the present study, 40 rats were fed with water solution aluminum for 3 months and the effects of aluminum on the Gray's type I synapses in hippocampus and frontal cortex of rats were quantitatively investigated by electron microscopy. The effects of aluminum on the ability to learn and memorize were tested by a Morris water maze. Length of synaptic active zone, width of synaptic cleft, curvature of synapse, and thickness of postsynaptic density (PSD) were measured in the interface of synapses by the IBM‐PC microimage processing system. The flat synapse, positive and negative curvature synapses, as well as the perforated synapse were classified and counted according to the type of the interfacial structure of a synapse. The amounts of aluminum deposited in brain were measured with an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Our results show that the time and the distance taken by the rats to find the water maze increased after the rats were fed aluminum for 3 months. As compared with control, the synapses in aluminum‐induced rats exhibited the following significant changes: decreased thickness of PSD (P < 0.01), increased width of synaptic cleft (P < 0.05), increased numbers of flat synapse, decreased numbers of positive curvature synapse and perforated synapse, and significantly increased aluminum deposits in hippocampus and frontal cortex (P < 0.01). Our study indicates that aluminum can decrease the ability of rats to learn and memorize and induce their synaptic configuration changes. These changes may be related to synaptic efficacy and may be one of the mechanisms for AL to induce AD. Synapse 52:292–298, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Educational Assortative Marriage in Comparative Perspective

Most studies of assortative marriage still rely on cross-sectional data and apply log-linear modeling of the contingency table of wives’ and husbands’ educational levels. However, these macro studies have provided quite ambiguous findings and interpretations. In comparison, the life course approach analyzes single individuals over the life course and explicitly recognizes the dynamic nature of partner decisions and the importance of educational roles and institutional circumstances. Based on life course studies, educational homogamy seems to be driven by three factors: (a) Individuals often prefer to associate with equally educated partners; (b) educational expansion increases contact opportunities for equally educated men and women at an age when young people start to look for partners and form couples; and (c) women's changing economic role in dual-earner societies increases the importance of women's education and labor force attachment.
Infrequent parental monitoring predicts sexually transmitted infections among low-income African American female adolescents.

OBJECTIVE To prospectively determine (using an 18-month follow-up period) the association between African American female adolescents' perceptions of parental monitoring and their acquisition of biologically confirmed infection with Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and Trichomonas vaginalis. DESIGN A prospective cohort study of 217 African American female adolescents enrolled in the control arm of a randomized trial of a human immunodeficiency virus prevention intervention program. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS A volunteer sample of adolescents (aged 14-18 years) recruited from low-income neighborhoods characterized by high rates of unemployment, substance abuse, violence, and sexually transmitted diseases. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Adolescents provided 2 self-collected vaginal swab specimens. One was tested for C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae DNA with ligase chain reaction. The other was used to inoculate culture medium for T. vaginalis. Identical assay procedures were repeated at the 6-month, 12-month, and 18-month follow-up intervals. RESULTS Adjusted odds ratios indicated that adolescents who perceived infrequent parental monitoring at baseline were 1.8 (95% confidence interval, 1.01-3.21) and 2.4 (95% confidence interval, 1.22-4.87) times more likely to acquire chlamydia or trichomoniasis, respectively, compared with their counterparts who perceived greater levels of monitoring. Similarly, adolescents who perceived infrequent parental monitoring were 2.1 (95% confidence interval, 1.16-3.74) times more likely to test positive for a sexually transmitted infection during the course of the 18-month follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS Adolescents' perceptions of their parental-monitoring levels predicted subsequent acquisition of biologically confirmed chlamydia and trichomoniasis infections. These findings suggest that expanded efforts leading toward effective clinic- and community-based sexually transmitted infection intervention programs involving parents may be warranted.
Trends in drug prescribing for osteoporosis after hip fracture, 1995-2004.

OBJECTIVE To examine trends in osteoporosis drug prescribing after hip fracture from 1995 to 2004. METHODS We conducted a population-based study of enrollees in the Pennsylvania Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract for the Elderly. Hip fractures were identified using Medicare hospital claims between January 1, 1995, and June 30, 2004. Osteoporosis treatment comprised oral bisphosphonates, calcitonin, hormone therapy, raloxifene, and/or teriparatide. Kaplan-Meier methods were used to estimate the probability of treatment within 6 months of fracture, censoring patients on their date of death or 6 months postfracture. RESULTS Treatment within 6 months after hip fracture improved from 7% in 1995 to 31% in 2002, and then remained stable through 2004. Similar patterns were observed among new users, with treatment increasing from 4% in 1995 to 17% in 2002, with no subsequent increase through 2004. Bisphosphonates led other treatments in the frequency of prescribing, except during 1997-99, when calcitonin was the most common. Among women, hormone therapy prescribing decreased from 22% of those treated in 1995 to 4% in 2004, and raloxifene prescribing remained relatively constant (4%-10%) since its introduction (p for trend = 0.15). Of patients treated before and after hip fracture, 18% changed therapy postfracture. Significantly more patients changed therapy following fracture if a different physician prescribed treatment (26%) compared to those treated by the same physician pre- and postfracture (13%; p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION Prescribing practices changed substantially over the 10 years of study. The proportion of hip fracture patients treated with osteoporosis drugs has increased, but remains low, with fewer than one-third receiving pharmacotherapy.
Characterizing the relationship in social media between language and perspective on science-based reasoning as justification for belief

Characterizing the Relationship in Social Media Between Language and Perspective on Science-Based Reasoning as Justification for Belief James Spencer Evans, M.A. The University of Texas at Austin, 2014 Supervisor: Jason Baldridge Beliefs that are not the result of science-based interpretation of evidence (e.g., belief in ghosts or belief that prayer is effective) are extremely common. Science enthusiasts have expressed interest in automatic detection of non-science-based claims. This thesis intends to provide some first steps toward a solution, specifically aimed at detecting Twitter users who are likely or unlikely to take a science-based perspective on all topics. As part of this thesis, a set a Twitter users was labeled as being either “pro-science” (i.e. as having the view that beliefs are rational if and only if they are in accord with science-based reasoning) or “non-pro-science” (i.e.
The fire, human and climate nexus in the Sydney Basin, eastern Australia

It is widely believed that Australian Aborigines utilized fire to manage many landscapes; however, to what extent this use of fire impacted on Australia's ecosystems remains uncertain. The late Pleistocene/ Holocene fire history from three sites within the Sydney Basin (Gooches Swamp, Lake Baraba and Kings Waterhole) were compared with archaeological and palaeoclimatic data. The Gooches Swamp record appeared to be most influenced by climate and there was an abrupt increase in fire activity from the mid Holocene perhaps associated with the onset of modern El Niño-dominated conditions. The Kings Waterhole site also displayed an abrupt increase at this time, however there was a marked decrease in charcoal from ~3 ka. Similarly Lake Baraba displayed low levels of charcoal in the late Holocene. At both Kings Waterhole and Lake Baraba archaeological evidence suggests intensified human activity in the late Holocene during this period of lower and less variable charcoal. It is hence possible that Aboriginal people strongly influenced fire activity in some areas of the Sydney Basin during the late Holocene perhaps in response to the increased risk of large intense fires as an ENSO-dominated climate became more prevalent. The fire history within the Sydney Basin varies both temporally and spatially and therefore it is inappropriate to apply a single fire regime to the entire region for landscape management. This work also has implications for future fire incidence associated with climatic variability under an enhanced Greenhouse effect.
Physical education within the Scottish context

In 2010, schools in Scotland implemented a new curriculum, a Curriculum for Excellence, and for physical education (PE), this represented a move from the ‘Expressive Arts’ to ‘Health and Wellbeing’ (HWB). To understand this new position, we explored the thoughts of those who were directly involved in the construction of the policy text for PE within HWB (n = 10). All of the participants supported the position of PE within HWB, accepting that PE has an important role to play in improving pupils’ health and wellbeing, although there was some concern that teachers might misinterpret the role of PE within HWB. However, all of the participants believed that this new position for PE would encourage other professionals to value PE more highly. We conclude by suggesting that there should be a greater involvement of teachers in the reform process so that future curricular innovations are more closely aligned with the knowledge and practice of teachers. This may enable them to understand policy more clearly and implement policy more effectively.
Effort and active experiencing as factors in verbatim recall

Recent research has shown that professional actors’ learning strategies enable them to retrieve lengthy, complex material verbatim without line‐by‐line memorization. Two experiments were performed to determine the operative mechanisms behind this phenomenon and whether students would also demonstrate enhanced retention if instructed in the use of professional actors’ strategies. The first experiment appeared to rule out the effort involved in generating elaborations as the primary operative mechanism. The second experiment indicated that a specific form of perspective taking, which the experimenters call active experiencing, can produce enhanced verbatim retention in students compared to that produced by intentional memorization.
Screening for genetic haemochromatosis in blood samples with raised alanine aminotransferase.

BACKGROUND In the UK approximately 1 in 140 people are homozygous for the C282Y mutation of the HFE gene and are at risk from iron overload caused by genetic haemochromatosis (GH). Early detection can prevent organ damage secondary to iron deposition and increase life expectancy. AIM To screen for GH in all blood samples sent to the laboratory for routine liver function tests in which raised serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity was detected. METHODS ALT was measured in sera sent to the laboratory for routine liver function tests. In those samples found to have raised activity, transferrin saturation and ferritin were measured followed by genetic testing when transferrin saturation was increased. RESULTS Of the 35 069 serum samples assayed for routine liver function tests, 1490 (4.2%) had raised ALT levels (>50 u/l). Transferrin saturation and serum ferritin concentrations were measured in these patient samples, and in 56 transferrin saturation was >60%. Further blood samples were requested from these patients for genetic testing: 33 samples were obtained. There were nine patients homozygous for the C282Y mutation of the HFE gene and three compound heterozygotes (heterozygous for both C282Y and H63D mutations). CONCLUSIONS The association of raised ALT activity and transferrin saturation of >60% could provide a simple, cost effective method for detecting individuals with clinical haemochromatosis. Although many patients with GH may have been missed, this study suggests that the clinical penetrance of the disorder may be much lower than is generally supposed and that genetic screening will identify many people who may never develop clinical haemochromatosis.
How do I know if I need a hearing aid? Further support for the self-categorisation approach to symptom perception

This paper extends the self-categorisation model of symptom perception to predict that people aged 50 years and over will report higher levels of hearing handicap when they categorise themselves as members of a group of older people. This prediction is supported with an opportunity sample ( N = 50; mean age = 63 years) who completed a questionnaire designed to screen for hearing handicap in “the elderly” ( sic ). Participants also underwent pure-tone audiometry, which confirmed that the observed difference in hearing handicap was not attributable to any difference in hearing threshold level. Hence these findings offer further support for the self-categorisation model of symptom perception. Their theoretical, clinical, and methodological implications together with possible therapeutic applications of self-categorisation theory to auditory rehabilitation of older people are discussed.
A Field Study of Participant Reactions to a Developmental Assessment Centre: Testing an organisational justice model

Although assessment centres are being increasingly employed for developmental purposes, there has been a dearth of research regarding them. We investigated an organisational justice theory model suggested by Cohen-Charash and Spector (2001) in this relatively novel context. The model included antecedents (e.g., perceived validity), organisational justice perceptions (i.e., distributive justice and procedural justice), and one outcome (i.e., feedback utility perceptions). Most of our hypotheses were supported, suggesting much evidence for this model. The predicted effect for perceived fakability was not supported. Contrary to our hypothesis, distributive justice perceptions were at least as important as procedural justice perceptions in predicting feedback utility perceptions. A direct test of the effect of context on organisational justice theory is recommended.
Effects of physiological age on residual feed intake of growing heifers

Using a retrospective evaluation of feed efficiency, this study investigated the effects of physiological age on residual feed intake (RFI) in growing heifers. Data were collected during 1973 and 1974 at the McGregor location of the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station. Heifers (n = 77) were obtained from a large crossbreeding program utilizing a five-breed diallel mating scheme using Angus, Brahman, Hereford, Holstein and Jersey breeds. At approximately 6 months of age, pre-pubertal heifers were individually penned and received ad libitum access to a balanced diet. Individual feed intake and body weight data were collected at 28-day intervals for 84 days prior to puberty and for 90 days after puberty. The diet was changed at puberty to provide a lower energy density. Considering all females as cohorts, RFI was calculated for each heifer for each period using separate models for the pre- and post-pubertal periods. A moderate, positive Pearson correlation (r = 0.48; P < 0.001) was detected between pre- and post-pubertal RFI. Furthermore, heifer RFI rank was compared between the pre- and post-pubertal periods using Spearman rank order correlation and a similar correlation (r = 0.46; P < 0.001) was revealed. This suggests that RFI determined during the pre-pubertal period may only be a moderate predictor of post-pubertal RFI. As a result, physiological age should be considered when evaluating cattle for feed efficiency using RFI.
Circulating lethal toxin decreases the ability of neutrophils to respond to Bacillus anthracis

Polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMNs) play a protective role during Bacillus anthracis infection. However, B. anthracis is able to subvert the PMN response effectively as evidenced by the high mortality rates of anthrax. One major virulence factor produced by B. anthracis, lethal toxin (LT), is necessary for dissemination in the BSL2 model of mouse infection. While human and mouse PMNs kill vegetative B. anthracis, short in vitro half‐lives of PMNs have made it difficult to determine how or if LT alters their bactericidal function. Additionally, the role of LT intoxication on PMN's ability to migrate to inflammatory signals remains controversial. LF concentrations in both serum and major organs were determined from mice infected with B. anthracis Sterne strain at defined stages of infection to guide subsequent administration of purified toxin. Bactericidal activity of PMNs assessed using ex vivo cell culture assays showed significant defects in killing B. anthracis. In vivo PMN recruitment to inflammatory stimuli was significantly impaired at 24 h as assessed by real‐time analysis of light‐producing PMNs within the mouse. The observations described above suggest that LT serves dual functions; it both attenuates accumulation of PMNs at sites of inflammation and impairs PMNs bactericidal activity against vegetative B. anthracis.
Human immunodeficiency virus type 1-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes release gamma interferon, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), and TNF-beta when they encounter their target antigens

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection is associated with elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid of infected persons, but the sources of these proteins as well as the specific stimuli which trigger their production and release have not been fully defined. In this study, we evaluated the ability of HIV-1-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) clones derived from seropositive persons to release gamma interferon (IFN-gamma), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), and TNF-beta upon contact with target cells presenting viral antigen. Peripheral blood- and cerebrospinal fluid-derived HIV-1-specific CD3+ CD4- CD8+ CTL clones as well as freshly isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells from infected persons were tested in parallel for HIV-1-specific cytotoxicity and cytokine release. Target cells consisted of autologous and allogeneic B-lymphoblastoid cell lines sensitized with synthetic HIV-1 peptides containing the epitopes recognized by these CTL. Cytokine production was measured by specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay of culture supernatant fluid. HIV-1-specific CTL clones directed at envelope, Gag, reverse transcriptase, and Nef epitopes specifically released IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, and TNF-beta upon contact with their relevant target epitopes but not following contact with irrelevant epitopes. These cytokines were released in an HLA class I-restricted fashion, and release was detectable as early as 4 to 6 h of incubation and remained elevated at 48 h. Fresh peripheral blood mononuclear cells from a seropositive person likewise released IFN-gamma in an antigen-specific and HLA class I-restricted manner when incubated with target cells presenting a peptide containing a CTL epitope, paralleling the HIV-specific cytolytic activity of these cells. These studies indicate that in addition to mediating direct cytotoxicity, HIV-1-specific CTL may affect other immune responses by releasing IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, and TNF-beta. Elevated levels of these cytokines which have been detected in serum and cerebrospinal fluid of infected persons may be due at least in part to the persistent HIV-1-specific CTL response.
Suicide and Hastened Death

Despite the high frequency of suicide and its ubiquity in the caseloads of practicing psychologists, several sources of evidence converge to suggest that the training of mental health professionals in this critical area is woefully inadequate. For example, surveys of psychology training programs suggest that only 40% offer formal training in working with self-destructive clients (Bongar & Harmatz, 1991), and only about half of psychology trainees report receiving even minimal training in suicide intervention (Kleespies, Penk, & Forsyth, 1993). When such training is offered, it is typically limited to a recitation of risk factors and a cursory discussion of “no harm” contracts, coupled with the ethical necessity to report and prevent client self injury. Needless to say, this leaves trainees substantially unprepared for managing the complexity of actual suicidal crises, to say nothing of their preparedness to engage emerging challenges in the practice of counseling psychology, such as consultation regarding the appropriateness of hastened death in the presence of intractable terminal pain and debilitation. In the face of this general inattention to issues of suicide and hastened death, Westefeld et al. (2000 [this issue]) and Werth and Holdwick (2000 [this issue]) have performed an important service in systematically summarizing the dauntingly complex literatures in both areas and sketching their implications for the practice of counseling psychology. Indeed, the impressive scope and balance of their respective reviews pose a challenge to the prospective commentator charged with critiquing or extending their survey of these cognate fields. Because of the comprehensiveness of their coverage and my general agreement with the tenor of their conclusions, I will focus on augmenting the implications of the two foregoing articles for training in counseling psychology. In doing so, I will draw particularly on my own experience as an educator of professionals, graduate students, and paraprofessionals in suicide intervention, as well as my collaborative research on the development and assessment of competencies in this area of practice.
Leadership as a subversive activity

Purpose – Leadership is as widely used as it is misused and misunderstood. This paper seeks to argue that in an educational context it is important not only to revisit and reframe conceptions of leadership but also to see it as having an essentially subversive purpose. The paper aims to dicuss subversion in an intellectual, moral and political sense, as a sacred mission to confront the “noble lies” of politicians, the superficiality of the designer culture and the line of least resistance opted for by overworked and demoralised teachers.Design/methodology/approach – The empirical base for this paper is a seven‐country three‐years study entitled Leadership for Learning which brought together staff from 24 schools in seven countries to explore the connections between learning and leadership and to arrive at some common understanding which could be tested in practice across national and linguistic boundaries.Findings – While recognising the unique contexts and differing cultural traditions as diverse as thos.