Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Strong Effects on Weak Theoretical Grounds: Understanding the Distributed Practice Effect

The distributed practice effect is one of the most researched memory effects in cognitive psychology. Beneficial distributed practice effects for long-term retention have been demonstrated in different domains and they are remarkably large in size, too. However, despite strong effects, this research field still lacks a unified theory offering explanations for a wide range of findings. This article reviews empirical studies on the distributed practice effect that have immediate relevance for educational settings. Against the backdrop of this review, the article discusses theory candidates and ways of specifying them for empirical tests using nonstandard statistical methods. I conclude that future studies will have to fine-tune theories to strengthen the significance of empirical results and to allow for better recommendations to educators. This promises to increase the enthusiasm to systematically implement distributed practice in instruction routines and bridge psychological research and educational practice.
An evaluation of factors associated with completion and benefit from pulmonary rehabilitation in COPD

Background Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR) is an important treatment for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) but it is not established whether any baseline parameter can predict response or compliance. Aim To identify whether baseline measures can predict who will complete the programme and who will achieve a clinically significant benefit from a Minimum Clinical Important Difference (MCID) in terms of exercise capacity and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Methods Data were collected prospectively from patients with COPD at their baseline assessment for an outpatient PR programme in one of eight centres across London. ‘Completion’ was defined as attending at least 75% of the designated PR visits and return for the follow-up evaluation. The MCID for outcome measures was based on published data. Results 787 outpatients with COPD (68.1±10.5 years old; 49.6% males) were included. Patients who completed PR (n=449, 57.1%) were significantly older with less severe airflow obstruction, lower anxiety and depression scores, less dyspnoea and better HRQoL. Only baseline CAT score (OR=0.925; 95% CI 0.879 to 0.974; p=0.003) was retained in multivariate analysis. Patients with the lowest baseline walking distance were most likely to achieve the MCID for exercise capacity. No baseline variable could independently predict achievement of an MCID in HRQoL. Conclusions Patients with better HRQoL are more likely to complete PR while worse baseline exercise performance makes the achievement of a positive MCID in exercise capacity more likely. However, no baseline parameter could predict who would benefit the most in terms of HRQoL.
Etiology of Children's Diarrhea in Montevideo, Uruguay: Associated Pathogens and Unusual Isolates

ABSTRACT We studied microorganisms associated with infant diarrhea in a group of 256 children admitted to a public pediatric hospital in Montevideo, Uruguay. Diagnostic procedures were updated to optimize detection of potential pathogens, which were found in 63.8% of cases, and to be able to define their characteristics down to molecular or antigenic type. Coinfection with two or more agents was detected in more than one-third of positive studies. Escherichia coli enteric virotypes, especially enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC), were shown to be prevalent. Rotavirus,Cryptosporidium, Campylobacter (mainlyCampylobacter jejuni), and Shigella flexneri were also often identified. Enterotoxigenic E. coli,Salmonella, and Giardia lamblia were sporadically recognized. Unusual findings included two enteroinvasive E. coli strains, one Shigella dysenteriae 2 isolate, and a non-O:1 Vibrio cholerae culture. EPEC bacteria and S. flexneri(but not Salmonella) showed unusually frequent antimicrobial resistance, especially towards beta-lactam antibiotics, which is the subject of ongoing work.
Cross-acoustic transfer learning for sound event classification

A well-trained acoustic model that effectively captures the characteristics of sound events is a critical factor to develop more reliable system for sound event classification. Deep neural network (DNN) which has an ability to extract discriminative representation of features can be a good candidate for acoustic model of sound events. Compared to other data such as speech or image, the amount of sound database is often insufficient for learning the DNN properly, resulting in overfitting problems. In this paper, we propose a cross-acoustic transfer learning framework that can effectively train the DNN even with insufficient sound data by employing rich speech data. Three datasets are used to evaluate our proposed method; one sound dataset is from Real World Computing Partnership (RWCP) DB and two speech datasets are from Resource Management (RM) and Wall Street Journal (WSJ) DBs. A series of experimental results verify that cross-acoustic transfer learning performs significantly better than the baseline DNN which was trained only from sound data, achieving 26.24% relative classification error rate (CER) improvement over the DNN baseline system.
Lipid Parameters Including Lipoprotein (A) in Patients Undergoing CAPD and Hemodialysis

Objective Oyslipidemia possibly contributes to the vascular complications commonly afflicting uremic patients. Lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] has been identified as an independent risk factor for atherosclerotic vascular dis ease. The aim of our study was to compare lipidparameters, including Lp(a), between hemodialysis (HO) and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPO) patients. Design A cross-sectional study. Setting University Medical Center. Participants Forty CAPO and 40 HO patients carefully matched for age, sex, body mass index (BMI), smoking habits, and duration of dialysis were studied. A group of 40 healthy individuals matched for age, sex, BMI, and smoking habits was used as control. Interventions None. Main Outcome Measures Serum lipid parameters and atherogenic risk ratios were the main outcome measures. Results Both groups of dialysis patients had increased serum triglycerides and decreased levels of Apo AI and HOL cholesterol compared to controls. Moreover, the risk ratios total cholesterol/HOL cholesterol and LOL cholesterol/HOL cholesterol were significantly higher, and the ratio ApoA1/ApoB was significantly lower in both groups of patients in comparison to the normal subjects. Both groups of dialysis patients exhibited decreased ratios of LOL cholesterol/ApoB and HOL cholesterol/ApoAI, suggesting the presence of compositional lipoprotein changes. CAPO patients had a more atherogenic lipid profile compared to HO patients, since they exhibited higher levels of total and LOL cholesterol, of ApoB as well as of the ratios total cholesterol/HOL cholesterol and LOL cholesterol/ HOL cholesterol, and lower levels of the ratio ApoA1/ApoB compared to HO patients. Both groups of dialysis patients had increased serum Lp(a) levels. Even though CAPO patients had higher serum Lp(a) levels than HO patients, the differences between these two groups were only marginally statistically significant (p = 0.056 by Mann-Whitney U-test). Uremic dyslipidemia was positively correlated with serum albumin levels in both groups of patients. Conclusion CAPO patients exhibit a more atherogenic lipid profile than that of HO patients. The marked disturbances in Lp(a) levels may further increase the vascular risk in both groups of patients.
Cytogenetic response of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris Linnaeus, 1753) (Pinaceae) to heavy metals

Abstract We studied cytogenetic reactions of Scots pine seedlings to heavy metals – lead, cupric and zinc nitrates applied at concentrations 0.5 to 2000 µM. We determined the range of concentrations of heavy metals that causes mutagenic effect. Lead was found to cause the strongest genotoxicity as manifested by significant increase in the frequency of pathological mitosis, occurrence of fragmentations and agglutinations of chromosomes, various types of bridges, and a significant number of the micronuclei which were absent in the control. Possible cytogenetic mechanisms of the cytotoxic action of heavy metals are discussed.
Lack of Benefit of Ischemic Postconditioning After Routine Thrombus Aspiration During Reperfusion

Objectives: The underutilization of manual thrombus aspiration (MTA) may have reduced the benefits of ischemic postconditioning (PostCon), as it reduces thrombus embolization. We aimed to assess the benefits of PostCon in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) after the systematic utilization of MTA. Methods: A total of 87 patients were enrolled in a prospective, randomized trial (43 PostCon and 44 controls). After MTA, PostCon was performed on the treatment group by applying 4 cycles of alternate reperfusion and reocclusion (60 seconds each) using the angioplasty balloon. The primary end point was infarct size assessed by the area under the curve (AUC) of troponin T (TnT) activity. The secondary end points were left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) and major cardiac events (new myocardial infarction or cardiac death) both at discharge and at follow-up. Results: The AUC for TnT was no different with respect to study arms (median [interquartile range]): PostCon = 8.9 (10.6) versus control = 8.2 (10.6), P = . 68. Left ventricle ejection fraction improved from in-hospital to follow-up (9 ± 3 months) for the entire cohort (46.3% ± 7.3% vs 52.2% ± 10.7%, P < .001), with no differences between PostCon and controls (51.6% ± 9.5% vs 52.7% ± 11.9%, P = .89); major cardiac events at 14 ± 4 months of follow-up were also no different (PostCon = 1.0 (2.3%) vs control = 0, P = . 49). Conclusion: In patients with STEMI treated with MTA, PostCon offered no benefits to infarct size, LVEF, or major cardiac events.
Exploring Peer Review in the Computer Science Classroom

In computer science, students could benefit from more opportunities to learn important, high-level concepts and to improve their learning skills. Peer review is one method to encourage this by providing students with the opportunity to evaluate other people's work and to receive feedback on their own projects. This allows for rich learning experience but it is not immediately obvious how to create a programming project review that will improve the students' conceptual understanding, require higher level thinking, and be engaging. The current literature does not typically address differences between review implementations or provide reasons for design decisions. This work explored how two different types of reviews affected the students' learning of concepts, high-level thinking, and engagement. There were indications that the type of review affected how well students addressed the concept they were reviewing and the comments' length. This shows that the review's type may affect student engagement and conceptual learning. There were also differences in how they reviewed the concepts of Abstraction, Decomposition, and Encapsulation, suggesting that the concepts are being learned in different ways. Both of these results have an impact on the use of peer review computer science but need further investigation.
The molecular function of Ase1p

The midzone is the domain of the mitotic spindle that maintains spindle bipolarity during anaphase and generates forces required for spindle elongation (anaphase B). Although there is a clear role for microtubule (MT) motor proteins at the spindle midzone, less is known about how microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) contribute to midzone organization and function. Here, we report that budding yeast Ase1p is a member of a conserved family of midzone-specific MAPs. By size exclusion chromatography and velocity sedimentation, both Ase1p in extracts and purified Ase1p behaved as a homodimer. Ase1p bound and bundled MTs in vitro. By live cell microscopy, loss of Ase1p resulted in a specific defect: premature spindle disassembly in mid-anaphase. Furthermore, when overexpressed, Ase1p was sufficient to trigger spindle elongation in S phase–arrested cells. FRAP revealed that Ase1p has both a very slow rate of turnover within the midzone and limited lateral diffusion along spindle MTs. We propose that Ase1p functions as an MT cross-bridge that imparts matrix-like characteristics to the midzone. MT-dependent networks of spindle midzone MAPs may be one molecular basis for the postulated spindle matrix.
Macro-social Marketing

This article provides the theoretical underpinnings for the concept of macro-social marketing. Macro-social marketing seeks to use social marketing techniques in a holistic way to effect systemic change, as opposed to individual level change. The article provides the conceptual roots of the concept derived from systems theory and institutional theory. It starts by explaining what types of macromarketing issues – dubbed here wicked problems – can be approached using macro-social marketing. Systems theory is then used to explain the interconnectedness of wicked problems throughout the social and cultural systems, as well as the material environment and marketing system (Dixon 1984). Subsequent sections apply institutional theory to explain how systemic change can be brought about through the use of macro-social marketing, and discuss change at a broader conceptual level, as well as how this process then trickles down to individual organizations within the marketing system.
Partial cerebellar hypoplasia in a patient with Prader-Willi syndrome.

UNLABELLED We report a 3-y-old male infant with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) caused by a de novo interstitial deletion of 15q11-q13. Additional features included a right cerebellar hemisphere hypoplasia. The extent of deletion was determined by FISH analysis using an SNRPN PW/AS probe that maps in the PWS/AS critical region (CR) and with specific 15q BACs. We unravelled an interstitial 15q11.2-q13.1 deletion spanning about 3 Mb. CONCLUSION To date only a few other PWS patients--including autopsy cases--with CNS structural anomalies have been described. Our case report adds knowledge to the issue of brain involvement in Prader-Willi syndrome. Further MRI studies of PWS patients will be helpful to clarify a correlation between PWS and brain abnormalities.
Evaluation of an educational program for primary care practitioners, on the management of osteoarthritis.

The quality of health care depends, in part, on the rapidity with which health professionals are willing to adapt to medical innovation and adjust patient care practices in light of new knowledge. By understanding how information is transmitted and under what conditions physicians will accept innovation, we can design educational programs that have a high probability of changing physician behavior. Primary care physicians practicing in community settings often rely on informal and personal methods of education. Actual experiences in patient care are probably the strongest influences that bring about changes in professional practice. When faced with clinical problems, primary care practitioners commonly turn to colleagues for advice. Previous studies have demonstrated the presence of key individuals in each community who are consulted frequently. These practitioners, referred to as ‘‘educationally influential physicians’’ or EIs, have the ability to change their peers’ behavior in a desired manner (I). This project was based on the hypothesis that
Polymerization efficiency of dental dual-cured resin cement light-cured at various times after the initiation of chemical activation

Abstract This study reports the effect of light-exposure timing on the polymerization results of the dental dual-cured resin cement using multiple measurements over time. Specimens were light-polymerized at 5 different delayed time points after mixing the materials: immediate (1 min), 10 min, 30 min, 60 min, and 2 weeks. The degree of conversion (DC) measurement with infrared spectroscopy (IR) measurements and surface hardness test with Vickers diamond indenter was performed. The group that underwent immediate light-curing showed statistically lower DC at 2 weeks compared to groups with provided longer delay time in light-curing. (p < 0.05). GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
Increased alpha activity in REM sleep in de novo patients with Parkinson's disease

We compared the sleep structure including a quantitative electroencephalographic (EEG) analysis and the frequency of periodic limb movements (PLM) in 17 patients with Parkinson's disease (PD; 10 men, seven women, mean age 65.9 years, mean Hoehn and Yahr stage 1.8) who had never been treated with dopaminergic agents (de novo), and 10 healthy controls (six men, four women, mean age 64.5 years). The REM sleep EEG of the PD patients was characterized by a sustained increase in the high‐theta/alpha (7.8–10.5 Hz) frequency range during the first one‐third (i.e., 11.00 p.m. to 01.40 a.m.) of the night. There was no significant difference in the sleep continuity and sleep architecture as well as in the PLM index between both groups. The analysis of the temporal dynamics of the observed changes suggests a dysregulation of the REM sleep homeostasis in the patients with PD. © 2001 Movement Disorder Society.
Exploring PE teachers’ ‘gut feelings’

Research shows that teachers’ grading is influenced by non-achievement factors in addition to official criteria, such as knowledge and skills. Some grading criteria are internalised by the teacher, who is sometimes unable to verbalise the criteria used and refers to what is called a ‘gut feeling’. Therefore, transparency, validity and reliability are problematic. The aim of this study was to explore which criteria physical education teachers consider important when grading. Such an exploration makes it possible to discuss how the verbalised criteria and the value they are given by the teachers can be understood. Four Year 9 teachers at different Swedish compulsory schools were interviewed using Kelly’s Repertory Grid technique. Among the verbalised criteria, four themes were identified: motivation, knowledge and skills, self-confidence and interaction with others. The teachers sometimes had difficulties predicting which criteria had relevance to the grades given, and the criteria considered important by the teachers were not always reflected in the grade. The verbalised criteria revealed teachers using grades to encourage such student behaviours that helped them to handle the classroom situation and to facilitate students learning. To become cognisant of and develop their grading, methods to verbalise their individual grading criteria were needed, and Kelly’s Repertory Grid technique is one possible option. The results provide discussion points about reasons for the way teachers are grading.
Understanding the role of NOS-3 in ventilator-induced lung injury: don't take NO for an answer.

although nitric oxide synthases (NOSs) were first described in 1989 ([12][1]), these complex enzymes are still not fully understood, and their role in human lung disease remains unclear. Three NOS isoforms have been described in humans: neuronal or nNOS (NOS-1), inducible or iNOS (NOS-2), and
Effects of testosterone on the expression levels of AMH, VEGF and HIF-1α in mouse granulosa cells

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of testosterone on mouse granulosa cell morphology, and the expression levels of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α). Mouse granulosa cells were isolated and identified, and their morphology was examined using hematoxylin and eosin, F-actin, and follicle-stimulating hormone receptor staining. The mRNA expression levels of AMH, VEGF and HIF-1α were examined using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and their protein secretion levels were investigated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Testosterone treatment did not affect granulosa cell morphology; however, it significantly increased the mRNA expression levels of AMH and VEGF, and the protein secretion levels of AMH, VEGF and HIF-1α. These results suggested that testosterone was able to regulate the functions of granulosa cells by upregulating the expression levels of AMH, VEGF and HIF-1α.
Spatially resolved X‐ray spectroscopy of the core of the Centaurus cluster

ABSTRA C T We present Chandra data from a 31.7-ks observation of the Centaurus cluster, using the ACIS-S detector. Images of the X-ray emission show a plume-like feature at the centre of the cluster, of extent 60 arcsec (20 kpc in projection). The feature has the same metallicity as gas at a similar radius, but is cooler. Using adaptive binning, we generate temperature, abundance and absorption maps of the cluster core. The radial abundance profile shows that the previously known, steep abundance gradient peaks with a metallicity of 1: 3‐1 : 8Z ( at a radius of about 45 arcsec (15 kpc), before falling back to 0.4 Z( at the centre of the cluster. A radial temperature profile shows that the temperature decreases inwards. We determine the spatial distributions of each of two temperature components, where applicable. The radiative cooling time of the cooler component within the inner 10 arcsec (3 kpc) is less than 2 £ 10 7 yr. X-ray holes in the image coincident with the radio lobes are seen, as well as two outer sharp temperature drops, or cold fronts. The origin of the plume is unclear. The existence of the strong abundance gradient is a strong constraint on extensive convection or gas motion driven by a central radio source.
CHARACTERISTICS OF SIROLIMUS-ASSOCIATED INTERSTITIAL PNEUMONITIS IN RENAL TRANSPLANT PATIENTS

Background. Sirolimus, a promising new immunosuppressive drug for organ transplantation, is currently associated with side effects, such as thrombocytopenia and hyperlipidemia. Methods. Eight renal transplant recipients, who developed unexplained interstitial pneumonitis during sirolimus therapy, were extensively re-screened for all causes of pneumonitis. Results. Interstitial pneumonitis was constantly characterized by bilateral interstitial infiltrates on chest x-rays and lung computed tomography scans, with marked general symptoms in all patients but one. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) disclosed lymphocytic alveolitis (mainly of the CD4 type) in seven patients and alveolar hemorrhage in one. Transbronchial lung biopsies, performed in two patients, showed bronchiolitis obliterans with organizing pneumonia combined with lymphocytic interstitial pneumonitis. Pulmonary infections were ruled out by specific stainings and cultures of BAL, bronchial aspirates, and blood cultures. After the elimination of all possible causes, sirolimus-induced pneumonitis was considered probable. Discontinuation of sirolimus in seven cases and dose reduction in the remaining case dramatically improved clinical and radiological status within a few weeks and led to complete resolution within 3 months. Conclusions. Sirolimus is very probably responsible for interstitial pneumonitis on the following grounds: (a) occurrence of pneumonitis during sirolimus therapy; (b) absence of any other causes; and (c) resolution within 3 months of sirolimus discontinuation or dose reduction. Sirolimus should now be added to the list of possible causes of pulmonary complications after renal transplantation. Discontinuation or dose reduction of sirolimus led to complete and lasting resolution of symptoms.