Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Proposal : Mechanisms Underlying Enhanced Processing Efficiency in Neural Systems

Neural cells continually and automatically adjust their responsiveness to input and their impact on other cells. While these dynamic changes in sensitivity are well documented and have been broadly observed in a variety of brain regions, the functional role that these changes play in the neural circuits that underlie human perception and cognition are far from clear. In this thesis, I will argue that short-term neural plasticity mechanisms such as firing-rate adaptation and synaptic depression play a central role in affording accurate, yet metabolically efficient information processing. In the neurologically intact brain, adaptation and synaptic depression reduce neural firing rates under repeated or continued exposure to a stimulus by automatically and locally attenuating synaptic efficacy while simultaneously synchronizing neural activity permitting coordinated, efficient signal propagation and enhanced perception. However, this benefit is limited: If local reductions in firing rate are too great, sensory signals can attenuate nearly completely, leading to diminished perceptual ability. Global neuromodulatory systems that are sensitive to behavioral state and performance level in a task can dynamically adjust the gain of cortical activity by reducing the local effects of adaptation and synaptic depression when performance is poor, ensuring accurate behavioral performance at the lowest metabolic cost. Under damage to these neuromodulatory systems, cortical gain is diminished and firing rate reductions can build up to the point where sensory signals are no longer reliably propagated, leading to refractory effects in behavioral performance. In a series of spikingand firing-rate neural network simulations that instantiate basic properties of short-term plasticity and neuromodulation, I will demonstrate that the repeated processing of a stimulus can facilitate subsequent identification ("repetition priming") or impair it ("habituation"), depending on the level of neuromodulation. As long as neuromodulatory levels are not too low, identification performance can improve while neurons reduce their firing rates and synchronize more with each repetition, dynamically enhancing processing efficiency. Critically, the simulations address not only common behavioral effects resulting from repeated stimulus processing but the accompanying observations from neuroimaging and neural recording experiments, as well. I will also demonstrate that under simulated damage to either cortical tissue or neuromodulatory systems, it is possible to account for the contrasting pattern of identification performance in two different populations of neuropsychological patients. Enhanced Processing Efficiency 4
Aesthetic predicates: a hybrid dispositional account

This paper explores the possibility of developing a hybrid version of dispositional theories of aesthetic values. On such a theory, uses of aesthetic predicates express relational second-order dispositional properties. If the theory is not absolutist, it allows for the relativity of aesthetic values. But it may be objected to on the grounds that it fails to explain disagreement among subjects who are not disposed alike. This paper proposes to adapt recent proposals of hybrid expressivist theories for moral predicates to the case of aesthetic predicates. Hybrid expressivist theories make no explicit commitment about the kind of property expressed by the predicate, but make explicit commitments to implicated (or presupposed) expressive content. It is argued that dispositionalism about the properties expressed by aesthetic predicates, combined with expressive implicatures (or presuppositions), can account for aesthetic disagreements even in cases where subjects are not relevantly alike.
Design and fabrication of a W-band linear array of planar antennas and study for the enhancement of its radiation properties with a chiral metamaterial cover

This work presents the design, fabrication and measurements of a W-band linear array of planar antennas. The structure of the antenna, which presents as benefit low cost and easy manufacture, is composed of three planar patches fed by slots. The simulation and the experimental results are compared showing a good agreement. In order to enhance the radiation properties, a chiral metamaterial cover is added to the antenna array. The chiral metamaterial cover is formed by two layers of mutually twisted planar metal rosettes in parallel planes and it is expected to enhance the directivity of the antenna array.
Sensitivity to Grammatical Definiteness in Anaphoric Contexts Among Japanese EFL Learners: Evidence From Grammaticality Judgments

This study investigated the ability of Japanese EFL learners to recognize incorrect definiteness marking on anaphoric noun phrases in English. Japanese EFL learners are known to have difficulty in accurately producing definite articles, but limited information is available regarding their capacity for using articles in constructing and maintaining text cohesion during reading. Twenty-two Japanese EFL university students performed a grammaticality judgment task on short passages containing either a direct or associative anaphoric reference, marked with either a definite or indefinite article. Results showed that participants judged the majority of passages as correct, regardless of whether the anaphoric reference was preceded by a accurate definite article or an inaccurate indefinite article. This indicates that the participants were not sensitive to the definiteness condition for either direct or associative anaphoric references. These findings indicate that Japanese EFL readers either do not process articles at all during reading, or read them without understanding their function. Pedagogical implications are discussed in terms of options for improving awareness of the article system in classroom texts and environments.
The role of habit and emotional regulation on entertainment video selection behavior

Communication research has largely sought to explore how users come to consume media. This study examines audience selection of entertainment media, in particular television program genres streamed in the online environment. By drawing from social cognitive theory, it is the aim of this study to investigate whether acts of emotional self-regulation can provide an explanation for selective exposure to media entertainment. In an experimental setting, mood management theory and social cognitive theory are pitted against each other in determining content preference under the influence of sad moods. Putting all subjects in a sad mood, and manipulating habit strengths for comedic and dramatic content, it is predicted that subjects whose emotional self-regulation is depleted will select more habitual entertainment video options than non-depleted subjects.
Personality profile of the children of long-lived parents.

OBJECTIVES Past research has shown that parental longevity is related to offspring physical health and longevity. Preliminary studies suggest that parental longevity may be linked to the offspring's personality traits. A comprehensive 5-factor personality model has been related to physical health, but the association with parental longevity has not yet been investigated. We used a 5-factor personality model to investigate the relationship between parental longevity and offspring personality. METHOD Data from the longitudinal Health and Retirement Study (HRS) was used in the analyses. Using the Midlife Development Inventory and the Life Orientation test, the relationship between parental attained age and offspring personality was assessed using regression models for both men and women. RESULTS Male offspring of long-lived fathers and mothers were more likely to be open to new experiences (p < .01) and be more extroverted (p = .03) compared with male offspring of short-lived fathers or mothers. Maternal or paternal attained age had no effect on the female offspring personality traits. DISCUSSION Personality is an important phenotype to consider when investigating genetic and environmental determinants of longevity. Further research is needed to investigate the potential of gender-specific mechanisms.
Gravity , Relic Coherent Gravitons and Optical Chaos

We discuss the production of massive relic coherent gravitons in a particular class of f(R) gravity, which arises from string theory, and their possible imprint in the Cosmic Microwave Background. In fact, in the very early Universe, these relic gravitons could have acted as slow gravity waves. They may have then acted to focus the geodesics of radiation and matter. Therefore, their imprint on the later evolution of the Universe could appear as filaments and a domain wall in the Universe today. In that case, the effect on the Cosmic Microwave Background should be analogous to the effect of water waves, which, in focusing light, create optical caustics, which are commonly seen on the bottom of swimming pools. We analyze this important issue by showing how relic massive gravity waves (GWs) perturb the trajectories of the Cosmic Microwave Background photons (gravitational lensing by relic GWs). The consequence of the type of physics discussed is outlined by illustrating an amplification of what might be called optical chaos.
Satellite and Skin Layer Effects on the Accuracy of Sea Surface Temperature Measurements from the GOES Satellites

Abstract The latest Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES) have facilitated significant improvements in the ability to measure sea surface temperature (SST) from geostationary satellites. Nonetheless, difficulties associated with sensor calibration and oceanic near-surface temperature gradients affect the accuracy of the measurements and the estimation and interpretion of the diurnal cycle of the bulk SST. Overall, measurements of SST from the GOES imagers on the GOES-8–10 satellites are shown to have very small bias (<0.02 K) and rms differences of between 0.6 and 0.9 K relative to buoy observations. Separate consideration of individual measurement times, however, demonstrates systematic bias variations of over 0.6 K with measurement hour. These bias variations significantly affect both the amplitude and shape of estimates of the diurnal SST cycle. Modeled estimates of the temperature difference across the oceanic cool skin and diurnal thermocline show that bias variations up to 0.3 K .
Functionally Deregulated AML1/RUNX1 Cooperates with BCR-ABL to Induce a Blastic Phase-Like Phenotype of Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia in Mice

Patients in the chronic phase (CP) of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) have been treated successfully following the advent of ABL kinase inhibitors, but once they progress to the blast crisis (BC) phase the prognosis becomes dismal. Although mechanisms underlying the progression are largely unknown, recent studies revealed the presence of alterations of key molecules for hematopoiesis, such as AML1/RUNX1. Our analysis of 13 BC cases revealed that three cases had AML1 mutations and the transcript levels of wild-type (wt.) AML1 were elevated in BC compared with CP. Functional analysis of representative AML1 mutants using mouse hematopoietic cells revealed the possible contribution of some, but not all, mutants for the BC-phenotype. Specifically, K83Q and R139G, but neither R80C nor D171N mutants, conferred upon BCR-ABL-expressing cells a growth advantage over BCR-ABL-alone control cells in cytokine-free culture, and the cells thus grown killed mice upon intravenous transfer. Unexpectedly, wt.AML1 behaved similarly to K83Q and R139G mutants. In a bone marrow transplantation assay, K83Q and wt.AML1s induced the emergence of blast-like cells. The overall findings suggest the roles of altered functions of AML1 imposed by some, but not all, mutants, and the elevated expression of wt.AML1 for the disease progression of CML.
The effect of statins on National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NiHSS) in Ischemic stroke

Introduction. Stroke is a type of nervous focal disorder that occurs suddenly because of acute vascular events. 113-149 out of 100000 persons (0.113-0.149%) face with stroke in Iran annually. This causes treatment costs and many disabilities. Recently, studies indicated that statins, as a class of drugs, could decrease the chance of stroke recurrence and probably disabilities after stroke onset. This paper presents the effects of previous statins consumption on NIHSS in patients hospitalized in Shahid Mohammadi Hospital of Bandar Abbas in 2014-5. Materials and methods. Based on the World Health Organization categorization, 140 patients suffered from stroke, experienced stroke once or more, and were older than 20 years old. They were studied with a simple convenience sampling in this descriptive study during 2014-5. The exclusion criteria were non-neurological vision disorders, ICH, and unwillingness of the patients to participate in the research. The patients were classified into two teams, one taking statin before the stroke onset (group A) and other taking no statins before stroke onset (group B). Patients were initially examined with the help of NIHSS rate measurement (using NIHSS rating standard questionnaire), type of stroke (ischemic or hemorrhagic), and other demographic data. Then the data were inserted into SPSS 22 and descriptive statistical tests (median, mean and standard deviation), Spearman and Mann-Whitney tests, were used due to the abnormal distribution of the data. Results. 140 patients suffered from stroke (95 men (67.85%) and 45 women (32.14%)) with an average age of 67.9 years old, being studied in two groups (A and B). A direct correlation was seen between age and NIHSS (sig = 0.057) but it was not notable (P > 0.05). There was no clear relationship among sex, number of prior stroke onsets, type of stroke, lipid profile (TG, Total Cholesterol, LDL, HDL), blood sugar, underlying disease (diabetes, hypertension and ischemic heart diseases), drug abuse and history of hospitalization in ICI with NIHSS rate (P > 0.05). 106 patients (75.71%) have never taken any type of statin class of drugs and only 34 patients (24.28%) were taking these medications before the stroke. The difference between NIHSS rates of groups A and B was not clear and notable (P > 0.05). Conclusion. According to the findings of this research, taking statins before the onset of stroke and immediately after it showed no significant difference in the level of following dysfunction, measured with NIHSS, and further studies are necessary.
Milk protein fractions moderately extend the duration of satiety compared with carbohydrates independently of their digestive kinetics in overweight subjects

Digestive kinetics are believed to modulate satiety through the modulation of nutrient delivery. We hypothesised that the duration of satiety could be extended by modulating the kinetics of dietary amino acid delivery in overweight subjects, using snacks containing casein and whey protein. In the present study, eighty-two subjects underwent a first satiety test where they received a control snack containing 60 g maltodextrin. For the next 5 d, the subjects consumed a liquid protein snack containing 30 g carbohydrates and 30 g proteins (casein, whey protein or an equal mix of the two; n 26–28 per group). The subjects then underwent a second satiety test after ingesting the protein snack. The time period elapsing between the snack and request for lunch, food intake at lunch and satiety scores were recorded. A subgroup of twenty-four subjects underwent a digestive and metabolic investigation after ingesting their protein snack. Gastric emptying times were 2·5, 4 and 6 h for whey protein, mix and casein, respectively, displaying different kinetics of appearance of dietary N in plasma but without affecting pancreatic and gastrointestinal hormones. Compared with the control snack, proteins extended the duration of satiety (+17 min, P= 0·02), with no difference between the protein groups. The satiating effect of proteins was greater in subjects who ate their lunch early after the snack (below the median value, i.e. 2 h) at the control test (+32 min, P= 0·001). Energy intake at lunch was not modulated by proteins. The satiating effect of proteins is efficient in overweight subjects, especially when the duration of satiety is short, but independently of their digestive and plasma amino acid kinetics.
Can resilience be developed at work? A meta-analytic review of resilience-building programme effectiveness

Organizations have increasingly sought to adopt resilience-building programmes to prevent absenteeism, counterproductive work behaviour, and other stress-related issues. However, the effectiveness of these programmes remains unclear as a comprehensive review of existing primary evidence has not been undertaken. Using 42 independent samples across 37 studies, the present meta-analysis sought to address this limitation in the literature by summarizing the effectiveness of resilience-building programmes implemented in organizational contexts. Results demonstrated that the overall effect of such programmes was small (d = 0.21) and that programme effects diminish over time (dproximal = 0.26 vs. ddistal = 0.07). Alternatively, moderator analyses revealed that programmes targeting individuals thought to be at greater risk of experiencing stress and lacking core protective factors showed the opposite effect over time. Programmes employing a one-on-one delivery format (e.g., coaching) were most effective, followed by the classroom-based group delivery format. Programmes using train-the-trainer and computer-based delivery formats were least effective. Finally, substantially stronger effects were observed among studies employing single-group within-participant designs, in comparison with studies utilizing between-participant designs. Taken together, these findings provide important theoretical and practical implications for advancing the study and use of resilience-building in the workplace. Practitioner points Resilience-building programmes have had a modest effect in the workplace. The effect is weaker than that associated with secondary prevention techniques, but similar to those shown for other primary prevention techniques. Across primary studies, programme effects diminished substantially from proximal (≤1 month post-intervention) to distal time points (>1 month). However, among those at greater risk of experiencing stress or who lack protective resources, weak proximal effects became stronger when measured distally. To optimize the effectiveness of resilience-building programmes, developers should carefully conduct needs assessments, identifying individuals at elevated risk. Methodological decisions (i.e., the use of within- vs. between-participant designs) may have a substantial impact on the conclusions researchers draw regarding the effectiveness of resilience-building programmes. When evaluating the effectiveness of resilience-building programmes, researchers and practitioners should compare observed effects to estimates of mean effects across studies using similar evaluative designs.
The chronology of the Eocene tectonic and stratigraphic development of the eastern Pyrenean foreland basin, northeast Spain

Abundant and clearly exposed relationships between structures and syntectonic sedimentary rocks in the southern Pyrenees make this area particularly suitable for detailed studies of the sequential development of a collisional orogenic belt. During the Pyrenean orogeny, major shortening occurred in the eastern Pyrenees in Eocene and early Oligocene times. Until now, individual tectonic and depositional events have been only loosely defined temporally by biostratigraphic data. In order to provide a more precise chronological framework, four new magnetostratigraphic sections, spanning 8 km of Eocene strata and encompassing 18 m.y. , have been developed in the eastern Pyrenees of northern Spain. The ages of nine major depositional sequences in the eastern Pyrenean foreland have been specified within the context of these chronologic data, beginning with the early Eocene transgression that commenced at 58 Ma. The timing of numerous tectonic events that occurred during the subsequent 16 m.y. can also be delineated, including the initial emplacement of the Pedraforca thrust sheet (58-54 Ma), the development of the Pedraforca breakback thrusts (47.5-40 Ma) at a mean shortening rate of 2.4 mm/yr, rotation of the Pedraforca footwall, three intervals of motion along the Vallfogona thrust (42.5-44.0, 40.5-41.5, and
Impaired emotional facial expression recognition is associated with interpersonal problems in alcoholism.

AIMS Emotional facial expression (EFE) recognition has been shown to be impaired in abstinent alcoholics. The present study investigated the relationship between EFE recognition impairments and interpersonal difficulties in recently detoxified alcoholics (RA). METHODS Thirty recently detoxified alcoholics were compared to 30 normal controls (NC) matched for age, sex and educational level on an EFE decoding test. This test involves 16 photographs depicting EFE of happiness, anger, disgust and sadness. Subjects were asked to fill in the Inventory of Interpersonal Problems evaluating six dimensions of interpersonal problems (assertiveness, submissiveness, intimacy, reliability, control and sociability). RESULTS RA had EFE recognition deficits and more interpersonal problems, compared to NC. Reported interpersonal difficulties were correlated with EFE decoding problems. CONCLUSIONS Interpersonal difficulties serve as a mediator between EFE accuracy problems and alcoholism. Impaired EFE recognition could have a role in the interpersonal difficulties encountered by RA and may therefore constitute a relapse factor.
Systemic siRNA Delivery via Peptide-Tagged Polymeric Nanoparticles, Targeting PLK1 Gene in a Mouse Xenograft Model of Colorectal Cancer

Polymeric nanoparticles were developed from a series of chemical reactions using chitosan, polyethylene glycol, and a cell-targeting peptide (CP15). The nanoparticles were complexed with PLK1-siRNA. The optimal siRNA loading was achieved at an N : P ratio of 129.2 yielding a nanoparticle size of >200 nm. These nanoparticles were delivered intraperitoneally and tested for efficient delivery, cytotoxicity, and biodistribution in a mouse xenograft model of colorectal cancer. Both unmodified and modified chitosan nanoparticles showed enhanced accumulation at the tumor site. However, the modified chitosan nanoparticles showed considerably, less distribution in other organs. The relative gene expression as evaluated showed efficient delivery of PLK1-siRNA (0.5 mg/kg) with 50.7 ± 19.5% knockdown (P = 0.031) of PLK1 gene. The in vivo data reveals no systemic toxicity in the animals, when tested for systemic inflammation and liver toxicity. These results indicate a potential of using peptide-tagged nanoparticles for systemic delivery of siRNA at the targeted tumor site.
The Role of Passion in Effective Teaching and Learning

Passion has a motivating factor; therefore, it is a significant need for high quality learning and teaching. Passion is seeking for the new, and experiencing new ideas. Passion is on the basis of effective teaching. Passion which is indispensable for learning and teaching facilitates learning thorough desire and enthusiasm it creates. Passionate teachers via creating effective learning environments endeavor to increase learning potentials of their students. This study focuses on differences passionate teachers make, and points out the effects of passion on effective learning and teaching.