Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Noninvasive myocardial contractility monitoring with seismocardiography during simulated dives.

OBJECTIVE To determine if bradycardia during hyperbaric exposure is accompanied by a negative influence on myocardial contractility. METHODS Accelerometer-based registration of myocardial compression waves with Seismocardiography (SCG) for noninvasive contractility monitoring. Comparative pulmonary artery (PA) catheter study (9 ICU-patients, mean = 67ys) with ejection-fraction (EF) equivalent versus sum of g-values of contraction phase in SCG, and Preload (leg-positioning). Test with monitoring of changes in Contractility Index (ContrI) derived from the SCG-power spectrum (contraction phases, area under curve). Hyperbaric chamber study (0.6MPa dive-simulation) in 14 healthy divers. Quantitative SCG-(ContrI, power spectra) and ECG-recording. RESULTS Correlation between changes in EF (PA catheter) and in the g-values (SCG) was r(SP) = 0.87 (p < 0.0001). ContrI increased in the leg-positioning test parallel to preload increase, heart rate remained stable. During hyperbaric exposure (0.6MPa) heart rate decrease was highly significant (68 to 58 min(-1); p < 0.001), ContrI and power spectra remained nearly unchanged, SCG registration was noise free. CONCLUSIONS Hyperoxic bradycardia during simulated dives is not accompanied by impaired contractility measured with SCG, which is concordant to findings with invasive methods in current literature. SCG is suitable for noninvasive and stress free contractility monitoring and patient surveillance in a hyperbaric chamber.
College Students’ Use of Behavioral Alteration Techniques as a Function of Aggressive Communication

This study examined the associations between students’ self-reported verbal aggressiveness and argumentativeness and their perceptions of student BATs (Golish, 1999) as appropriate and effective as well as how likely they were to use each BAT. Participants were 187 undergraduate students enrolled in communication courses at a large Mid-Atlantic university. Students’ verbal aggressiveness appears to influence their perceptions of BATs use as appropriate (6 of the 19 possible associations were significant) and effective (5 of the 19 possible associations were significant). Fewer associations found between students’ argumentativeness and perceptions of BATs use as effective (1 of the 19 possible) indicate argumentativeness exerts less influence on students’ perceptions. Together, students’ verbal aggressiveness and perceptions of BATs use as appropriate and effective were significant predictors of students’ likelihood to use prosocial and antisocial BATs. Student argumentativeness did not contribute to students’ BATs use.
Child, Family, and Community Transformations: Findings from Interviews with Mothers of Transgender Girls

The present study represents findings from interviews with five mothers, each of whom had a transgender child. All of the transgender children were natal/biological males between the ages of 8 and 11 years old and had socially transitioned to living as girls. Ehrensaft's (2012) notion of the “true gender self” was integrated with an ecological perspective to examine multiple interacting contexts, including family, neighborhood, and school, in which the participants lived. An overarching theme of “transformation” (or lack thereof) was used to organize the findings in relation to the transgender children, their families, and their communities. Changes in relation to the children's demeanor and well-being before and after their social transitions (e.g., from shy and depressed to happy and well-adjusted), the parents’ and other family members’ feelings and reactions to the children's gender identities and expressions over time (e.g., health care professionals and school staff learning along with and from the families), and the responses of others in the community (e.g., lack of knowledgeable health care professionals and school personnel) are discussed. Findings have implications for practice and future research.
Knowledge and Self-Efficacy as Predictors of Political Participation and Civic Attitudes: With Relevance for Educational Practice

The results reported in this article are part of a larger study of the political competencies of students in Norwegian upper secondary school. The main focus of this study is how to teach civics in secondary school as a preparation for democratic citizenship. In this study, it is argued that self-efficacy and motivation, in addition to knowledge, are key competence variables that should be studied simultaneously. Five similar causal models are constructed to explore the relationship between the competence variables and various forms of political participation, tolerance and involvement. Five structural equation models (SEMs) are then estimated using LISREL. The main results for the three mediation variables are as follows: self-efficacy is a stronger predictor of motivation and three aspects of political participation than knowledge. Knowledge, on the other hand, is moderately related to motivation, but is a stronger predictor of civic attitudes than self-efficacy, while motivation is a strong predictor of both future participation and civic attitudes. The results thus confirm that competence other than knowledge is vital to civic participation. Finally, the relevance of these results for civic education in upper secondary schools is discussed. It is emphasized that enhancing students’ self-efficacy in the political field (often referred to as ‘internal political efficacy’) may be of equal, if not greater, importance for school education as promoting civic competence.
Individuality and Identity Exploration: An Autophotographic Study ☆ ☆☆ ★

Abstract This research examined the relation of identity status and identity style to individuality as portrayed through autophotographic essays of young adults ( N = 399) answering the question “who are you? ” It was reasoned that those who have engaged in an identity-exploration process should create richer, more individualistic photo essays than those who have not done so. Study 1 briefly presented a secondary analysis of a previously published study showing that individuals who have experienced an identity crisis (i.e., achieved and moratorium statuses) portray greater individuality and richness in their photo essays than those who have not (i.e., foreclosed and diffusion statuses). Study 2 extended this finding in a new sample by showing that individuals who primarily use a normative style of processing identity-relevant information devised the least individualistic photo essays whereas those with an information-oriented style devised the most individualistic photo essays. In particular, Study 2 showed that individuality of self-depiction was associated with less reliance on a normative style and, replicating past research, with greater openness to experience. Conceptions of identity and individuality are discussed in light of these findings.
Effects of Participant Preferences in Unblinded Randomized Controlled Trials

Little research has deliberately investigated the effects of participant preferences for treatment condition in unblinded randomized controlled trials. We designed a study with a non-patient sample comparing a randomized arm to a preference arm of the same trial to investigate: (1) whether having a choice to select one's preference affects feelings about participation, belief in treatment effectiveness, treatment contamination, intervention adherence and engagement, and trial attrition; and (2) the interaction of preferences and treatment assignment on these variables. Contamination and attrition were rare and excluded from analyses. There was no effect of choice. Participants mismatched to preference felt less positive about their experience, but this did not affect belief in treatment, adherence, or engagement. Stronger effects may occur for patient populations.
Predicting Pathological Features at Radical Prostatectomy in Patients with Prostate Cancer Eligible for Active Surveillance by Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Purpose The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic performance of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) and Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PIRADS) score in predicting pathologic features in a cohort of patients eligible for active surveillance who underwent radical prostatectomy. Methods A total of 223 patients who fulfilled the criteria for “Prostate Cancer Research International: Active Surveillance”, were included. Mp–1.5 Tesla MRI examination staging with endorectal coil was performed at least 6–8 weeks after TRUS-guided biopsy. In all patients, the likelihood of the presence of cancer was assigned using PIRADS score between 1 and 5. Outcomes of interest were: Gleason score upgrading, extra capsular extension (ECE), unfavorable prognosis (occurrence of both upgrading and ECE), large tumor volume (≥0.5ml), and seminal vesicle invasion (SVI). Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves and Decision Curve Analyses (DCA) were performed for models with and without inclusion of PIRADS score. Results Multivariate analysis demonstrated the association of PIRADS score with upgrading (P<0.0001), ECE (P<0.0001), unfavorable prognosis (P<0.0001), and large tumor volume (P = 0.002). ROC curves and DCA showed that models including PIRADS score resulted in greater net benefit for almost all the outcomes of interest, with the only exception of SVI. Conclusions mpMRI and PIRADS scoring are feasible tools in clinical setting and could be used as decision-support systems for a more accurate selection of patients eligible for AS.
An architecture for emotional and context-aware associative learning for robot companions

This work proposes a theoretical architectural model based on the brain's fear learning system with the purpose of generating artificial fear conditioning at both stimuli and context abstraction levels in robot companions. The proposed architecture is inspired by the different brain regions involved in fear learning, here divided into four modules that work in an integrated and parallel manner: the sensory system, the amygdala system, the hippocampal system and the working memory. Each of these modules is based on a different approach and performs a different task in the process of learning and memorizing environmental cues to predict the occurrence of unpleasant situations. The main contribution of the model proposed here is the integration of fear learning and context awareness in order to fuse emotional and contextual artificial memories. The purpose is to provide robots with more believable social responses, leading to more natural interactions between humans and robots.
Practical Control of Surge Tanks Suﬀering from Frequent Inlet Flow Upsets

In the presence of frequent inlet flow upsets, tuning of averaging level controllers is typically quite complicated since not only the size of the individual steps but also the time in between the subsequent steps need to considered. One structured way to achieve optimal filtering for such a case is to use Robust Model Predictive Control. The robust MPC controller is, however, quite computationally demanding and not easy to implement. In this paper two linear controllers, which mimic the behavior of the robust MPC, are proposed. Tuning guidelines to avoid violation of the tank level constraints as well as to achieve optimal filtering are presented.
Neuroblastoma and Fetal Exposure to Phenytoin in a Child Without Dysmorphic Features

ABSTRACT: Despite the fact that the teratogenic effects of phenytoin have been suggested in several case reports, the evidence for a possible oncogenic potential of phenytoin has not been widely recognized. Recently, neuroblastoma as well as other neuroectodermal and non-ectodermal tumors has been seen in several children exposed to phenytoin prenatally. Previous cases have been almost uniformly associated with the features of “fetal hydantoin syndrome” and none have been developmentally normal. We report a developmentally-normal boy of 2½ years with an abdominal neuroblastoma whose mother had been on phenytoin (as well as carbamazepine) throughout gestation. We review the various neoplasms which have been reported in the offspring of mothers receiving phenytoin.
A Genome-wide Approach to Identify the Genes Involved in Biofilm Formation in E. coli

Abstract Biofilm forming cells are distinctive from the well-investigated planktonic cells and exhibit a different type of gene expression. Several new Escherichia coli genes related to biofilm formation have recently been identified through genomic approaches such as DNA microarray analysis. However, many others involved in this process might have escaped detection due to poor expression, regulatory mechanism, or genetic backgrounds. Here, we screened a collection of single-gene deletion mutants of E. coli named ‘Keio collection’ to identify genes required for biofilm formation. Of the 3985 mutants of non-essential genes in the collection thus examined, 110 showed a reduction in biofilm formation nine of which have not been well characterized yet. Systematic and quantitative analysis revealed the involvement of genes of various functions and reinforced the importance in biofilm formation of the genes for cell surface structures and cell membrane. Characterization of the nine mutants of function-unknown genes indicated that some of them, such as yfgA that genetically interacts with a periplasmic chaperone gene surA together with yciB and yciM, might be required for the integrity of outer membrane.
MULTIGRID METHODS FOR THE PURE TRACTION PROBLEM OF LINEAR ELASTICITY: FOSLS FORMULATION

Multigrid methods for two first-order system least squares (FOSLS) using bilinear finite elements are developed for the pure traction problem of planar linear elasticity. They are two-stage algorithms that first solve for the gradients of displacement, then for the displacement itself. In this paper, concentration is given on solving for the gradients of displacement only. Numerical results show that the convergences are uniform even as the material becomes nearly incompressible. Computations for convergence rates are included.
Why Study the U.S. South? The Nexus of Race and Place in Investigating Black Student Achievement

This article highlights the significance of the U.S. South in scholarly discussions regarding the academic achievement gap involving Black students. Despite national concern, patterns embedded in Black student achievement as related to geographical influences generally are ignored, especially in the South, where the majority of Black people in the United States reside. The authors refine the scholarship on the Black–White achievement gap through an analysis of racialized national spaces and population shifts, to set forth a more comprehensive understanding of school achievement than previously existed. In elucidating the nexus between race and place and the implications for Black student achievement, the authors specifically highlight the saliency of the U.S. South as a critical—and neglected—site for the investigation of such issues.
The evolution of consciousness

Preface. 1: Body and Soul. 2: Concepts of the Mind. 3: From Philosophy to Psychology. 4: Behaviourism: Mindless Psychology. 5: Of Mice and Men. 6: Unconscious Minds. 7: Self and Sensitivity. 8: Minds and Machines. References. Index
Public Perceptions of Criminal Behavior

The literature on public perceptions of criminal behavior is reviewed in an attempt to summarize the main trends and their significance for future research and correctional policy. Four key aspects of deviance perception are identified-opinion, intensity of reaction, social definition, and societal reactions-and the studies reviewed are classified accordingly. It is concluded that strength of religiosity is an important factor mediating perceptions of deviance. However, in comparison to the extensive work in perceptions of mental illness, perceptions of crime have rarely been found to be affected by the various social class variables. A broad consensus concerning the severity of traditional criminal behavior has been found in many studies. Lack of consensus is found concerning behavior which is more on the fringe of traditional crime, such as victimless crimes and some white-collar crimes.
Effects of Parental Presence/Absence on Size of Children's Human Figure Drawings

The effects of parental presence or absence in the home on the size of male and female human figure drawings were examined for a sample of 480 Barbadian children ages 7 to 13 yr. Most children of both sexes drew larger female than male figures, but significant effects relating to mother-absence and father-absence were found for boys and girls, respectively. Findings were not entirely consistent with those of previous research but would seem to reflect the matrifocality of Caribbean households.
Money walks: a human-centric study on the economics of personal mobile data

In the context of a myriad of mobile apps which collect personally identifiable information (PII) and a prospective market place of personal data, we investigate a user-centric monetary valuation of mobile PII. During a 6-week long user study in a living lab deployment with 60 participants, we collected their daily valuations of 4 categories of mobile PII (communication, e.g. phonecalls made/received, applications, e.g. time spent on different apps, location and media, e.g. photos taken) at three levels of complexity (individual data points, aggregated statistics and processed, i.e. meaningful interpretations of the data). In order to obtain honest valuations, we employ a reverse second price auction mechanism. Our findings show that the most sensitive and valued category of personal information is location. We report statistically significant associations between actual mobile usage, personal dispositions, and bidding behavior. Finally, we outline key implications for the design of mobile services and future markets of personal data.
Muscarinic (m2/m4) receptors reduce N- and P-type Ca2+ currents in rat neostriatal cholinergic interneurons through a fast, membrane- delimited, G-protein pathway

The signaling pathways mediating the muscarinic modulation of Ca2+ currents in neostriatal cholinergic interneurons were studied by combined patch-clamp recording and single-cell reverse transcription- PCR. Cholinergic interneurons were identified by the presence of choline acetyltransferase mRNA. These neurons expressed Q-, N-, L-, P-, and R-type Ca2+ currents and the mRNA for the alpha1 subunits believed to form the channels underlying these currents (classes A, B, C, D, and E). Of the interneurons tested, nearly all expressed M2-class (m2, m4) receptor mRNAs, whereas m1 receptor mRNA was found in only a subset (approximately 30%) of the sample. The muscarinic agonist oxotremorine methiodide produced a dose-dependent reduction of N- and P-type Ba2+ currents through Ca2+ channels that was antagonized by atropine. N- ethylmaleimide eliminated the modulation, as did preincubation with pertussis toxin. The onset and offset of the modulation were rapid and dose-dependent. The modulation was also attenuated by strong depolarizing prepulses and was not observed in cell-attached membrane patches. Taken together, our results suggest that activation of M2- class muscarinic receptors in cholinergic interneurons reduces N- and P- type Ca2+ currents through a membrane-delimited pathway using a Gi/o- class G-protein. This signaling pathway provides a cellular mechanism for hetero- and homosynaptic control of interneuronal activity and acetylcholine release in the striatum.
Macpherson Country: genealogical identities, spatial histories and the Scottish diasporic clanscape

This paper explores the intertwining of personal or autobiographical narratives with broader cultural and historical narratives associated with particular regions, nations and diasporas. More particularly, it is concerned with the intertwining of surnames, place names and ‘place-stories’, and with notions of clanship, clanlore and clanlands, as resources used in the negotiation of self-identity among members of the transnational Scottish heritage community. Using the spatial histories and mnemonic practices of the Clan Macpherson as examples, it demonstrates how the ‘romantic ideology’ of Highland clanship serves to re-root members of an ‘unsettled’ settler society in what is perceived as their ancestral homeland. This (re-)establishment of kinship ties to a particular territory is effected through various enunciative acts: for instance, becoming acquainted with the clan’s origin myths, slogans, stories and symbols; visiting the clanlands and those collective ‘sites of memory’ associated with events in clan history; participating in clan marches and ceremonials; and tracing the family tree. Whilst this ‘sedentary poetics’ of Highland clanship entails a re-essentialization of identity that has become morally untenable in the contemporary West, it is argued that, in the context of Scottish diasporic roots-tourism, the assertion of a close bond between blood and soil is more benign. For those who, by virtue of a particular surname, or through the labours of their genealogical research, have identified themselves as members of a Scottish Highland diaspora, the ideal of Highland clanship provides a powerful ‘answering image’ to that represented by the indigenous peoples and cultures of the countries in which their migrant ancestors settled. Sensing their own (vicarious) complicity in the violences of colonization and thus questioning the legitimacy of their right to belong in lands historically appropriated from indigenous populations, the clan provides its diasporic members with the possibility of recovering their own indigenous identity.
A Synthetic Uric Acid Analog Accelerates Cutaneous Wound Healing in Mice

Wound healing is a complex process involving intrinsic dermal and epidermal cells, and infiltrating macrophages and leukocytes. Excessive oxidative stress and associated inflammatory processes can impair wound healing, and antioxidants have been reported to improve wound healing in animal models and human subjects. Uric acid (UA) is an efficient free radical scavenger, but has a very low solubility and poor tissue penetrability. We recently developed novel UA analogs with increased solubility and excellent free radical-scavenging properties and demonstrated their ability to protect neural cells against oxidative damage. Here we show that the uric acid analog (6, 8 dithio-UA, but not equimolar concentrations of UA or 1, 7 dimethyl-UA) modified the behaviors of cultured vascular endothelial cells, keratinocytes and fibroblasts in ways consistent with enhancement of the wound healing functions of all three cell types. We further show that 6, 8 dithio-UA significantly accelerates the wound healing process when applied topically (once daily) to full-thickness wounds in mice. Levels of Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase were increased in wound tissue from mice treated with 6, 8 dithio-UA compared to vehicle-treated mice, suggesting that the UA analog enhances endogenous cellular antioxidant defenses. These results support an adverse role for oxidative stress in wound healing and tissue repair, and provide a rationale for the development of UA analogs in the treatment of wounds and for modulation of angiogenesis in other pathological conditions.