Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Why U.S. Students Need Incentives to Learn.

F or the past two decades in America, the low level of academic achievement in our secondary schools has spelled disaster for our youth and for our economy. The statistics are alarming: Ninety-three percent of 17-yearolds do not have the "capacity to apply mathematical operations in a variety of problem settings" (National Assessment of Educational Progress, 1988, p. 42). For the last six years, an average of 28 percent of non-college-bound white high school graduates and 54 percent of black graduates had no job four months after graduating from high school (Bureau of Labor Statis tics 1989, 1991). Between 1971 and 1988. infla tion-adjusted wages fell 17.3 percent for young male high school graduates and 10 percent for young female grad uates (Katz and Murphy 1990). Fewer than 1 percent of American high school students take Advanced Placement (AP) Chemistry or AP Physics, and only 2.3 percent took the AP calculus exam. In contrast, 25 percent of all Canadian 18-year-olds are studying science that is comparable to AP courses in the United States. The 1.25 grade-level-equivalent decline in the academic achievement of high school seniors between 1967 and 1980 lowered the nation's produc tivity by $86 billion in 1987 and will lower it by more than $200 billion annually by the year 2010 (Bishop. March 1989). American students' academic decline can be attributed in part to their correct assessment of the lack of connectedness between work and schools. They know that, too often, taking difficult courses in school and studying hard will not be rewarded in the job market. Only about 20 percent of 10th graders believe that biology, chemistry, physics, or geometry is needed to qualify for their first-choice occupation (LSAY 1988. BA24BBA25D). Only 28 percent believe they need algebra.
Analysis of spontaneous MEG activity in Alzheimer's disease using time-frequency parameters

The aim of this study was to explore the ability of several time-frequency parameters to discriminate between spontaneous magnetoencephalographic (MEG) oscillations from 20 Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients and 21 controls. The spectral crest factor (SCF) and the spectral turbulence (ST) were calculated from the time-frequency distribution of the normalized power spectral density averaged over all MEG sensors. Results revealed statistically significant higher SCF and ST mean values for AD patients than controls (p < 0.05). This fact suggests a significant decrease in irregularity of AD patients' MEG activity. The standard deviation of SCF also provided significant differences (p < 0.05). This result indicates that AD patients showed a significantly higher variability than controls. The highest accuracy of 85.4% (90.5% sensitivity, 80.0% specificity) was achieved using simultaneously the mean value and the standard deviation of the SCF. We conclude that the variability of the spectral parameters can yield complementary information to the mean values, useful to help in AD detection.
Mnt Loss Triggers Myc Transcription Targets, Proliferation, Apoptosis, and Transformation

ABSTRACT Myc oncoproteins are overexpressed in most cancers and are sufficient to accelerate cell proliferation and provoke transformation. However, in normal cells Myc also triggers apoptosis. All of the effects of Myc require its function as a transcription factor that dimerizes with Max. This complex induces genes containing CACGTG E-boxes, such as Ornithine decarboxylase (Odc), which harbors two of these elements. Here we report that in quiescent cells the Odc E-boxes are occupied by Max and Mnt, a putative Myc antagonist, and that this complex is displaced by Myc-Max complexes in proliferating cells. Knockdown of Mnt expression by stable retroviral RNA interference triggers many targets typical of the “Myc” response and provokes accelerated proliferation and apoptosis. Strikingly, these effects of Mnt knockdown are even manifest in cells lacking c-myc. Moreover, Mnt knockdown is sufficient to transform primary fibroblasts in conjunction with Ras. Therefore, Mnt behaves as a tumor suppressor. These findings support a model where Mnt represses Myc target genes and Myc functions as an oncogene by relieving Mnt-mediated repression.
Summary of Pharmacokinetics and Tissue Distribution of a Broad‐Spectrum Fluoroquinolone, JNJ‐Q2

This article summarizes key pharmacokinetic properties of JNJ‐Q2, a broad‐spectrum fluoroquinolone, being developed for acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections and community‐acquired bacterial pneumonia. Two randomized placebo‐controlled studies and one open‐label study are presented: single and multiple ascending‐dose studies evaluating intravenous (IV) and oral pharmacokinetics, absolute bioavailability accumulation, and lung penetration. Fifty‐seven participants received JNJ‐Q2, which was safe and well tolerated. The half‐life was 13 to 20 hours, clearance (CLtot) was 4.41 to 6.22 L/h, volume of distribution (Vd) was 86 to 148 L, renal clearance (CLren) was 0.58 L/h, and the fraction excreted in urine (%Fe) was 12%. Accumulation ratio was 1.63, and absolute bioavailability was 0.65. The lung penetration study demonstrated substantial concentration of JNJ‐Q2 in epithelial lining fluid and alveolar macrophages with ratios to free plasma of 50.6 and 156.9, respectively, at 6 hours postdose. JNJ‐Q2 doses under consideration for future clinical trials are 150 mg for IV and 250‐mg tablets for oral administration.
Intravenous N-Acetylcysteine for Prevention of Contrast-Induced Nephropathy: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized, Controlled Trials

Background Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is one of the common causes of acute renal insufficiency after contrast procedures. Whether intravenous N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is beneficial for the prevention of contrast-induced nephropathy is uncertain. In this meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials, we aimed to assess the efficacy of intravenous NAC for preventing CIN after administration of intravenous contrast media. Study Design Relevant studies published up to September 2012 that investigated the efficacy of intravenous N-acetylcysteine for preventing CIN were collected from MEDLINE, OVID, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and the conference proceedings from major cardiology and nephrology meetings. The primary outcome was CIN. Secondary outcomes included renal failure requiring dialysis, mortality, and length of hospitalization. Data were combined using random-effects models with the performance of standard tests to assess for heterogeneity and publication bias. Meta-regression analyses were also performed. Results Ten trials involving 1916 patients met our inclusion criteria. Trials varied in patient demographic characteristics, inclusion criteria, dosing regimens, and trial quality. The summary risk ratio for contrast-induced nephropathy was 0.68 (95% CI, 0.46 to 1.02), a nonsignificant trend towards benefit in patients treated with intravenous NAC. There was evidence of significant heterogeneity in NAC effect across studies (Q = 17.42, P = 0.04; I2 = 48%). Meta-regression revealed no significant relation between the relative risk of CIN and identified differences in participant or study characteristics. Conclusion This meta-analysis showed that research on intravenous N-acetylcysteine and the incidence of CIN is too inconsistent at present to warrant a conclusion on efficacy. A large, well designed trial that incorporates the evaluation of clinically relevant outcomes in participants with different underlying risks of CIN is required to more adequately assess the role for intravenous NAC in CIN prevention.
Configural processing in face recognition in schizophrenia

Introduction. There is currently substantial literature to suggest that patients with schizophrenia are impaired on many face-processing tasks. This study investigated the specific effects of configural changes on face recognition in groups of schizophrenia patients. Methods. In Experiment 1, participants identified facial expressions in upright faces and in faces inverted from their upright orientation. Experiments 2 and 3 examined recognition memory for faces and other non-face objects presented in upright and inverted orientations. Experiment 4 explored recognition of facial identity in composite images where the top half of one face was fused to the bottom half of another face to form a new face configuration. Results. In each experiment, the configural change had the same effect on face recognition for the schizophrenia patients as it did for control participants. Recognising inverted faces was more difficult than recognising upright faces, with a disproportionate effect of inversion on faces relative to other objects. Recognition of facial identity in face-halves was interfered with by the formation of a new face configuration. Conclusion. Collectively, these results suggest that people with schizophrenia rely on configural information to recognise photographs of faces.
A non-conservative robust output feedback MPC for constrained linear systems

Model predictive control is an advanced control strategy with a large number of applications. The ability to handle multi-variable problems easily while satisfying input and state constraints make this approach highly appealing. However, when uncertainties are present, a robust scheme is required to ensure stability and satisfaction of constraints. Robustness however should not lead to a drastic deterioration of the performance in the nominal case. One kind of uncertainties that require a robust behavior are disturbances and uncertain model parameters, another uncertain influence comes from measurement errors and state estimation. While most MPC approaches assume that exact state information is available at every time step in the MPC formulation, this is not realistic. Normally not all the states are measured and the measurements are corrupted by noise. Because of the presence of constraints, the separation principle does not hold even in the case of linear systems and hence an output feedback scheme needs to be devised such that the estimation error is accounted for in addition to plant-model mismatch and disturbances. In this work, we propose and demonstrate a non-conservative output feedback scheme within the multi-stage MPC framework for linear time-invariant systems.
Antibodies to Canine Distemper and Phocine Distemper Viruses in Polar Bears from the Canadian Arctic

Serum samples collected from 200 polar bears (Ursus maritimus) from two populations in the Canadian arctic, the western Hudson Bay and Lancaster Sound populations, between 1989 and 1996, were tested for antibodies to canine distemper (CDV) and phocine distemper viruses (PDV) using virus neutralization. Antibodies to CDV and PDV were detected in 48 and six polar bears, respectively. All six bears that tested positive for PDV also tested positive for CDV; in only one case did the antibody titer for PDV exceed that of CDV. Differences in antibody prevalence to CDV were detected between populations and age classes but not sex or year of sampling.
Radiotherapy effect on frequency of Candida spp. and on virulence of C. albicans isolated from the oral cavity of head and neck cancer patients

The aim of this study was to investigate the diversity and prevalence of yeasts, and the virulence of C. albicans found in the oral cavity during the course of ionizing radiation treatment of patients with head and neck tumor (HNTP). Samples from 21 HNTP and 24 healthy controls were isolated and identified. C. albicans isolated from two patients during radiotherapy were analyzed for virulence factors. Radiotherapy induced a higher level of both yeast colonization (81% vs 33%) and non-albicans Candida (NAC) colonization (52.4% vs 4.0%) in HNTP than the control group. Patients were colonized by 5 different NAC species: C. glabrata, C. tropicalis, C. parapsilosis, C. krusei and C. kefir. On the other hand, C. albicans colonization was similar in patients and controls (6/21, 28.6% vs 7/24, 29.2%, respectively). Also, of the 11 patients assessed before and during radiotherapy, 5 (45.5%) were colonized before the start of treatment and another 5 (45.5%) during treatment. All of the latter were colonized by NAC species alone. Moreover, we observed a significant and continuous enhancement of C. albicans virulence as the radiotherapy progressed, in the two patients involved in this test. Thus, it is concluded that radiotherapy is an important predisposing factor for the oral candidiasis, including NAC species. Also, it may facilitate the development of more virulent C. albicans strains.
A unique virus complex causes Ageratum yellow vein disease.

Ageratum conyzoides L. , a weed species widely distributed throughout southeast Asia, frequently exhibits striking yellow vein symptoms associated with infection by Ageratum yellow vein virus (AYVV), a member of the Geminiviridae (genus Begomovirus). Most begomoviruses have bipartite genomes (DNAs A and B), but only a DNA A has been identified for AYVV. We demonstrate that yellow vein disease of A. conyzoides results from co-infection by AYVV DNA A (2,741 nt) and a circular DNA that is approximately half its size (1,347 nt) that we designate DNA beta. Apart from the sequence TAATATTAC, common to all geminiviruses and containing the initiation site of rolling circle replication, DNA beta shows negligible sequence homology either to AYVV DNA A or to DNA B associated with bipartite begomoviruses. DNA beta depends on DNA A for replication and is encapsidated by DNA A-encoded coat protein and so has characteristics of a DNA satellite. However, systemic infection of A. conyzoides by DNA A alone is sporadic and asymptomatic, and DNA A accumulation is reduced to 5% or less of its accumulation in the presence of DNA beta. Therefore, DNA A and DNA beta together form a previously unrecognized disease-inducing complex. Our data also demonstrate that the nanovirus-like DNA 1 component associated with infected A. conyzoides plays no essential role in the disease and represents a satellite-like DNA. Furthermore, the satellite DNA previously found associated with tomato leaf curl virus is probably a defective DNA beta homologue.
Social Policy and Self-Help in Denmark—A Foucauldian Perspective

This article focuses on how recognition and general acceptance of self-help groups and self-help organisations in Denmark change over time from 1848 up until today. The development between 1960 and 2000 is given a special focus. The article discusses in a Foucauldian perspective the Danish discourse of self-help in relation to welfare policy, professional intervention, social movements, self-help organizations, and applied social research and illuminates how notions about “help” and “adequate support” for citizens are constantly defined and re-defined as part of a cultural process in the Danish context. The article further discusses how Danish welfare policy is influenced by global changes in discourses in a way that demonstrates the international significance of the “Danish case. ”
Energy-Efficient Deadline-Aware Data-Gathering Scheme Using Multiple Mobile Data Collectors

In wireless sensor networks, the data collected by sensors are usually forwarded to the sink through multi-hop forwarding. However, multi-hop forwarding can be inefficient due to the energy hole problem and high communications overhead. Moreover, when the monitored area is large and the number of sensors is small, sensors cannot send the data via multi-hop forwarding due to the lack of network connectivity. In order to address those problems of multi-hop forwarding, in this paper, we consider a data collection scheme that uses mobile data collectors (MDCs), which visit sensors and collect data from them. Due to the recent breakthroughs in wireless power transfer technology, MDCs can also be used to recharge the sensors to keep them from draining their energy. In MDC-based data-gathering schemes, a big challenge is how to find the MDCs’ traveling paths in a balanced way, such that their energy consumption is minimized and the packet-delay constraint is satisfied. Therefore, in this paper, we aim at finding the MDCs’ paths, taking energy efficiency and delay constraints into account. We first define an optimization problem, named the delay-constrained energy minimization (DCEM) problem, to find the paths for MDCs. An integer linear programming problem is formulated to find the optimal solution. We also propose a two-phase path-selection algorithm to efficiently solve the DCEM problem. Simulations are performed to compare the performance of the proposed algorithms with two heuristics algorithms for the vehicle routing problem under various scenarios. The simulation results show that the proposed algorithms can outperform existing algorithms in terms of energy efficiency and packet delay.
Mortality in Type 1 Diabetes in the DCCT/EDIC Versus the General Population

OBJECTIVE Historically, mortality in type 1 diabetes has exceeded that in the general population. We compared mortality in the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial/Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications (DCCT/EDIC) study cohort to that of the current general U.S. population. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS The DCCT (1983–1993) compared intensive versus conventional therapy, with HbA1c levels of ∼7 vs. 9%, respectively, over an average of 6.5 years of treatment. EDIC is the observational follow-up study of the DCCT (1994 to the present). Vital status was ascertained for 97.5% of the original DCCT cohort (n = 1,441) after a mean of 27 years follow-up. Expected mortality during DCCT/EDIC was estimated using the current age-, sex-, and race-specific risks in the general U.S. population, and the observed versus expected mortality compared using standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) and Poisson regression models. RESULTS Mortality in the DCCT intensive therapy group was nonsignificantly lower than that in the general U.S. population (SMR = 0.88 [95% CI 0.67, 1.16]), whereas mortality in the DCCT conventional therapy group was significantly greater than that in the general population (SMR = 1.31 [95% CI 1.05, 1.65]). The SMR increased with increasing mean HbA1c, and above an HbA1c of 9%, the rate of increase in SMR among females was greater than that among males. CONCLUSIONS Overall mortality in the combined DCCT/EDIC cohort was similar to that of the general population but was higher in the DCCT conventional therapy group. Mortality increased significantly with increasing mean HbA1c, more so among females than males, especially for HbA1c >9%.
SIMULATION OF MICROBUBBLE RESISTANCE REDUCTION ON A SUBOFF MODEL

Summary This paper presents a mixture-model based computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation on the two-phase microbubble flow over the hull of a SUBOFF model, aimed at assessing the roles of air-injection-to-freestream velocity ratio and air volume fraction in microbubble resistance reduction. The numerical framework consists of the Reynolds-average Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations and the standard k e − turbulence model with standard wall function treatment, which is validated, without microbubbles, by existing experimental data of the same SUBOFF model. The effect of velocity ratio is then investigated by comparing different types of the resistance reduction at various water speeds, and the effect of air volume fraction on the friction resistance reduction is also studied with various air injection velocities. This study confirms that both the velocity ratio and air volume fraction play important roles in the microbubble resistance reduction phenomenon.
Insulin‐like growth factor family in malignant haemangiopericytomas: the expression and role of insulin‐like growth factor I receptor

Haemangiopericytoma is a rare soft tissue tumour originating from the contractile pericapillary cells. Relatively little is known about its molecular pathogenesis. To address this issue, the insulin‐like growth factor family (IGFs) was analysed in 19 tumours collected from a human tumour bank network. Seven of the tumours were associated with severe hypoglycaemia. Of these, six were retroperitoneal and one was located in the leg. 3 out of the 19 tumours (15·8 per cent) were positive for insulin‐like growth factor I (IGF I) mRNA and 11 were positive for IGF II mRNA (57·9 per cent). Almost 90 per cent of haemangiopericytomas expressed IGF I receptor (IGF IR) mRNA (17 out of 19), five (26·3 per cent) expressed IGF binding protein 1 (IGF BP1), three (15·8 per cent) expressed IGF BP2, and four (21 per cent) exhibited IGF BP3 mRNA. All of the 14 haemangiopericytomas examined with regard to specific receptor binding were IGF IR positive, ranging from 1·2 to 16·2 per cent. Binding was much higher in IGF I/IGF IR positive tumours (15·3±0·7) than in IGF I negative/IGF IR positive tumours (5·1±3·3). The potential role of IGF IR as a growth promoting factor in malignant haemangiopericytoma was studied using antisense oligonucleotides and monoclonal antibody αIR3 that specifically inhibit IGF IR synthesis or activity. 10 µM IGF IR antisense oligonucleotides significantly inhibited the growth of haemangiopericytoma cells in culture, by around 50 per cent; monoclonal antibody against IGF IR (αIR3) also significantly inhibited proliferation. The data suggest that IGF IR may play an important role in the genesis and progression of malignant haemangiopericytomas. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
GABA sensitivity of spectrally classified horizontal cells in goldfish retina

We studied the GABA sensitivity of horizontal cells in the isolated goldfish retina. After the glutamatergic input to the horizontal cells was blocked with DNQX, GABA depolarized the monophasic and biphasic horizontal cells. The pharmacology of these GABA-induced depolarizations was tested with the GABA receptor antagonists bicuculline-methiodide and picrotoxin, the GABA transporter agonist nipecotic acid, and the GABA transporter antagonist SKF 89976-A. The GABA-induced responses of monophasic horizontal cells consisted of two components; one with characteristics of GABA-gated chloride channels, and one with characteristics of GABA transporters. In biphasic horizontal cells, we only found evidence for GABA-gated chloride channels. The results show that monophasic horizontal cells in goldfish contain the two components of a positive feedback loop (GABA transporters and GABA-gated chloride channels), as described in salamander. Furthermore, our results indicate that the monophasic horizontal cells may project directly to the biphasic horizontal cells, via an excitatory GABAergic pathway. We propose that the function of these GABAergic systems in horizontal cells is to abolish cone dominance in bipolar cells surround in the dark-adapted retina.