Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Acute Salivary Hormone Responses to Complex Exercise Bouts

Beaven, CM, Gill, ND, Ingram, JR, and Hopkins, WG. Acute salivary hormone responses to complex exercise bouts. J Strength Cond Res 25(4): 1072-1078, 2011-The combination of resistance and plyometric training, or complex training, may yield greater functional gains than either method alone. As steroid hormones respond to exercise stimuli and modulate the functional outcomes, it is possible that complex training creates an enhanced anabolic physiological milieu for adaptation. We investigated acute responses of salivary testosterone and cortisol to complex exercise bouts. After a standardized warm-up, 16 semiprofessional rugby players performed 1 of 4 exercise bouts in a cross-over manner: power-power; power-strength; strength-power; or strength-strength. Each player completed each of the 4 bouts twice over a 4-week period in a balanced random order such that each player performed a total of 8 bouts. The power block consisted of 3 sets of 3 repetitions of jump squat exercise at 50% of 1-repetition maximum load. The strength block consisted of three sets of three repetitions of box squat exercise at a 3-repetition maximum load. There were 3-minute rest periods between sets and 4-minute rest periods between exercise blocks. Saliva was sampled before, during, and immediately after the exercise bout. The greatest overall hormonal responses were a small increase in testosterone (13%; 90% confidence limits ±7%) and a trivial increase in cortisol (27%; ±30%) after the strength-power bout. A clear difference was observed between the strength-power and the power-power bouts immediately after exercise for testosterone (10%; ±8%) and cortisol (29%; ±17%). The preceding exercise block had little effect on subsequent strength and power performance. The hormonal response after the strength-power bout suggests that this exercise sequence provides an enhanced anabolic milieu for adaptation.
The Transmission of Knowledge in Medieval Cairo: A Social History of Islamic Education

This study interprets the social and cultural consequences of Islam's regard for knowledge, showing how education in the Middle Ages played a central part in the religious experience of nearly all Muslims. Focusing on Cairo, which under Mamluk rule (1250-1517) was a vital intellectual centre with a complex social system, the author describes the transmission of religious knowledge there as a highly personal process, one dependent on the relationships between individual scholars and students. The great variety of institutional structures, he argues, supported educational efforts without ever becoming essential to them. By not being locked into formal channels, religious education was never exclusively for the elite but was open to all.
Inner Retinal Oxygen Extraction Fraction in Response to Light Flicker Stimulation in Humans.

PURPOSE Light flicker has been shown to stimulate retinal neural activity, increase blood flow, and alter inner retinal oxygen metabolism (MO2) and delivery (DO2). The purpose of the study was to determine the change in MO2 relative to DO2 due to light flicker stimulation in humans, as assessed by the inner retinal oxygen extraction fraction (OEF). METHODS An optical imaging system, based on a modified slit lamp biomicroscope, was developed for simultaneous measurements of retinal vascular diameter (D) and oxygen saturation (SO2). Retinal images were acquired in 20 healthy subjects before and during light flicker stimulation. Arterial and venous D (DA and DV) and SO2 (SO2A and SO2V) were quantified within a circumpapillary region. Oxygen extraction fraction was defined as the ratio of MO2 to DO2 and was calculated as (SO2A - SO2V)/SO2A. Reproducibility of measurements was assessed. RESULTS Coefficients of variation and intraclass correlation coefficients of repeated measurements were <5% and ≥0.83, respectively. During light flicker stimulation, DA, DV , and SO2V significantly increased (P ≤ 0.004). Oxygen extraction fraction was 0.37 ± 0.08 before light flicker and significantly decreased to 0.31 ± 0.07 during light flicker (P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Oxygen extraction fraction before and during light flicker stimulation is reported in human subjects for the first time. Oxygen extraction fraction decreased during light flicker stimulation, indicating the change in DO2 exceeded that of MO2. This technology is potentially useful for the detection of changes in OEF response to light flicker in physiological and pathological retinal conditions.
Deterministic Annealing Clustering for ANN-Based Short-Term Load Forecasting

This paper presents a clustering method for preprocessing input data of short-term load forecasting in power systems. Clustering the input data prior to forecasting with the artificial neural network(ANN) decreases the prediction errors observed. In this paper, an MLP ANN is used to deal with one-step-ahead daily maximum load forecasting, and the deterministic annealing (DA) clustering is employed to classify input data into clusters. The DA clustering is based on the principle of maximum entropy in statistical mechanics to evaluate globally optimal classification. The proposed method is successfully applied to real data. A comparison is made between the proposed and the conventional methods in terms of the average and the maximum prediction errors. The effectiveness of the proposed method is demonstrated through comparison of the real load data with short-term forecasted values.
The development of a scale for measuring offence-related feelings of shame and guilt

Abstract There is substantial evidence that shame and guilt are distinct emotions. Within the field of forensic psychology, it has been suggested that feelings of shame and guilt about a crime differ in their implications for the offender's behaviour. However, investigation of this issue is hampered by the absence of separate, dedicated measures of offence-related guilt and shame. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a preliminary measure of shame and guilt about a crime. The Offence-Related Shame and Guilt Scale was completed by 60 men detained on forensic psychiatric units, as were two existing general measures of shame and guilt. Exploratory factor analysis revealed the existence of two substantive shame and guilt dimensions. The resulting scales were found to have adequate internal consistency and test – retest reliability. Overall the results of this study suggest that while there is considerable overlap between the two emotions, shame and guilt represent distinct emotional responses to an offence.
Disability Group Identification and Disability-Rights Advocacy

Following social identity theory, the present investigation examines the political benefits of self-identification as a member of the disability community for disability-rights advocacy across college (n = 204), community (N = 93), and international (N = 268) samples of adults with disabilities. Consistent with predictions, emerging adults (EAs) with disabilities (n = 204) demonstrated more political conviction and were twice as likely to be involved in disability-rights advocacy as nondisabled peers (n = 1,111). Studies 2 and 3 revealed that disability identification predicted disability-rights advocacy, preferences for affiliation with other disabled people, and stronger perceptions of solidarity, personal, and group discrimination. Age-group moderated effects in Study 2 such that EAs least identified as disabled reported the lowest levels of solidarity and the least awareness of discrimination. Implications of social identification for the political involvements of stigmatized groups are discussed along with complexities related to age, impairment visibility, and duration of disability.
Intelligibility/Severity Measurements of Prekindergarten Children's Speech

Intelligibility/severity measurements were obtained for 48 prekindergarten children with varying levels of phonological proficiency/ deficiency. The measure used as the “standard” was percentage of words understood (i.e., orthographically transcribed correctly) in continuous speech in a known context by unfamiliar trained listeners. The children were divided into four groups based on the percentage of words understood from their continuous speech samples. The ranges of intelligibility for each group were: (a) 91–100% for children with “adult-like” speech; (b) 83–90% for children in the “mild” category; (c) 68–81% for children with moderate intelligibility/speech involvement; and (d) 16–63% for the 12 children in the “severe” (i.e., least intelligible) category. When the percentages of the children in the severe group were excluded, the range of the top three groups combined was 68–100% and the mean was 85%. For a child 4 years of age or older, any percentage of words understood in connected speech that fa.
PI3kα and STAT1 Interplay Regulates Human Mesenchymal Stem Cell Immune Polarization

The immunomodulatory capacity of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is critical for their use in therapeutic applications. MSC response to specific inflammatory cues allows them to switch between a proinflammatory (MSC1) or anti‐inflammatory (MSC2) phenotype. Regulatory mechanisms controlling this switch remain to be defined. One characteristic feature of MSC2 is their ability to respond to IFNγ with induction of indoleamine 2,3‐dioxygenase (IDO), representing the key immunoregulatory molecule released by human MSC. Here, we show that STAT1 and PI3Kα pathways interplay regulates IFNγ‐induced IDO production in MSC. Chemical phosphoinositide 3‐kinase (PI3K) pan‐inhibition, PI3Kα‐specific inhibition or shRNA knockdown diminished IFNγ‐induced IDO production. This effect involved PI3Kα‐mediated upregulation of STAT1 protein levels and phosphorylation at Ser727. Overexpression of STAT1 or of a constitutively active PI3Kα mutant failed to induce basal IDO production, but shifted MSC into an MSC2‐like phenotype by strongly enhancing IDO production in response to IFNγ as compared to controls. STAT1 overexpression strongly enhanced MSC‐mediated T‐cell suppression. The same effect could be induced using short‐term pretreatment of MSC with a chemical inhibitor of the counter player of PI3K, phosphatase and tensin homolog. Finally, downregulation of STAT1 abrogated the immunosuppressive capacity of MSC. Our results for the first time identify critical upstream signals for the induced production of IDO in MSCs that could be manipulated therapeutically to enhance their immunosuppressive phenotype. Stem Cells 2015;33:1892–1901
Degree and Range of Specialization Across Related Hunting Activities

Recreation specialization was examined among a sample of Pennsylvania resident hunters who hunted in the 1992? 1993 hunting season. Using Iterative Proportional Fitting to define hunting activity, hunters were assigned to one of seven hunting activities based on days of participation. A 12-page questionnaire was completed by 1,006 hunters (representing a 78% response rate). The dimensions used to define recreation specialization were participation, skill, lifestyle, and equipment. Levene's test for homogeneity and a one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) were conducted to determine differences in degree and range of specialization for hunters in the seven activities. Results indicated that both degree and range of specialization varied significantly across the different types of hunting activities, which supports Bryan's (1979) hypothesis that differences in degree and range of specialization can be found in specific types of recreation under a larger activity heading. A hierarchy of hunting subactivities by.
Goal Instability in Relation to Career Thoughts, Decision State, and Performance in a Career Course

Goal instability and its relation to career thoughts, decision state, and performance in an undergraduate career course in a large university were investigated in this study. Participants completed six instruments measuring the nature of goals, career thinking, occupational decision making, satisfaction with career choice, tension associated with career decisions, and a performance contract of course activities to be completed for a grade. Bivariate correlations and multiple regression analyses indicated that the degree of goal instability was directly related to negative career thoughts, dissatisfaction with career choice, career tension, and inversely related to classroom performance. Results of the analyses suggested that goal instability may serve as an initial global screening measure of readiness for career exploration in a classroom environment. The use of supplementary readiness measures is discussed.
Even mirror Fourier nonlinear filters

In this paper, a novel sub-class of linear-in-the-parameters (LIP) nonlinear filters, formed by the so-called even mirror Fourier nonlinear (EMFN) filters, is presented. These filters are universal approximators for causal, time invariant, finite-memory, continuous nonlinear systems as the well-known Volterra filters. However, in contrast to Volterra filters, their basis functions are mutually orthogonal for white uniform input signals. Therefore, in adaptive applications, gradient descent algorithms with fast convergence speed and efficient nonlinear system identification algorithms can be devised. Preliminary results, showing the potentialities of EMFN filters in comparison with other LIP nonlinear filters, are presented and commented.
Modeling the Prospective Relationships of Impairment, Injury Severity, and Participation to Quality of Life Following Traumatic Brain Injury

Identifying reliable predictors of positive adjustment following traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains an important area of inquiry. Unfortunately, much of available research examines direct relationships between predictor variables and outcomes without attending to the contextual relationships that can exist between predictor variables. Relying on theoretical models of well-being, we examined a theoretical model of adjustment in which the capacity to engage in intentional activities would be prospectively associated with greater participation, which in turn would predict subsequent life satisfaction and perceived health assessed at a later time. Structural equation modeling of data collected from 312 individuals (226 men, 86 women) with TBI revealed that two elements of participation—mobility and occupational activities—mediated the prospective influence of functional independence and injury severity to optimal adjustment 60 months following medical discharge for TBI. The model accounted for 21% of the variance in life satisfaction and 23% of the variance in self-rated health. Results indicate that the effects of functional independence and injury severity to optimal adjustment over time may be best understood in the context of participation in meaningful, productive activities. Implications for theoretical models of well-being and for clinical interventions that promote adjustmentafter TBI are discussed.
Moroccan adolescent suspect offenders in the Netherlands: ethnic differences in offender profiles

Ethnic minority youths are over-represented in the juvenile justice system in Western societies. However, research on the nature of crime committed by these youths is lacking. In the present study, offending patterns of incarcerated native Dutch adolescents and adolescents of Moroccan origin were compared. Criminal record data were used to examine the offence history of 291 incarcerated adolescents. Offender types were determined through latent class analysis. Adolescents of Moroccan origin were incarcerated more often, for more offences and at a younger age than native Dutch adolescents. A four-class model of offender types was found: property offenders, violent offenders, sexual offenders and arsonists. Property offenders were mainly Moroccan adolescents, the other offender types consisted predominantly of native Dutch adolescents. Moroccan adolescents in pre-trial arrest in the Netherlands can be characterized as early starting offenders who persist in being incarcerated for property-based crime.
In Defense of Textual Analysis: Resisting Methodological Hegemony in Media and Cultural Studies

Media and cultural studies are currently experiencing a renewed and intensified engagement with sociology and sociological methods, with studies of popular music especially affected by attempts to make media and cultural research “more sociological. ” This paper explores recent methodological debates in media and cultural studies by critiquing the “ethnographic turn” in popular music studies, as well as the growing antipathy toward textual analysis methods. It argues that while sociological popular music studies may rhetorically privilege “real” experience over abstract textualism, its methods are often limited to the dimensions of experience that can be readily observed and verbalized, or resort to the kind of abstract theorizing its practitioners claim to reject. Using examples from heavy and extreme metal music, this paper argues that while all research methods are inevitably partial, textual analysis can offer creative ways to articulate experiences that would otherwise be inaccessible to empirical research methods, and that the use of text-based approaches can improve, rather than weaken, our understanding of popular media and culture.
Addition of Bevacizumab to Chemotherapy in Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Introduction Recently, studies have demonstrated that the addition of bevacizumab to chemotherapy could be associated with better outcomes in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the benefit seems to be dependent on the drugs used in the chemotherapy regimens. This systematic review evaluated the strength of data on efficacy of the addition of bevacizumab to chemotherapy in advanced NSCLC. Methods PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases were searched. Eligible studies were randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that evaluated chemotherapy with or without bevacizumab in patients with advanced NSCLC. The outcomes included overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), response rate (RR), toxicities and treatment related mortality. Hazard ratios (HR) and odds ratios (OR) were used for the meta-analysis and were expressed with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results We included results reported from five RCTs, with a total of 2,252 patients included in the primary analysis, all of them using platinum-based chemotherapy regimens. Compared to chemotherapy alone, the addition of bevacizumab to chemotherapy resulted in a significant longer OS (HR 0.89; 95% CI 0.79 to 0.99; p = 0.04), longer PFS (HR 0.73; 95% CI 0.66 to 0.82; p<0.00001) and higher response rates (OR 2.34; 95% CI 1.89 to 2.89; p<0.00001). We found no heterogeneity between trials, in all comparisons. There was a slight increase in toxicities in bevacizumab group, as well as an increased rate of treatment-related mortality. Conclusions The addition of bevacizumab to chemotherapy in patients with advanced NSCLC prolongs OS, PFS and RR. Considering the toxicities added, and the small absolute benefits found, bevacizumab plus platinum-based chemotherapy can be considered an option in selected patients with advanced NSCLC. However, risks and benefits should be discussed with patients before decision making.
Lessons Learned about Neurodegeneration from Microglia and Monocyte Depletion Studies

While bone marrow-derived Ly6Chi monocytes can infiltrate the central nervous system (CNS) they are developmentally and functionally distinct from resident microglia. Our understanding of the relative importance of these two populations in the distinct processes of pathogenesis and resolution of inflammation during neurodegenerative disorders was limited by a lack of tools to specifically manipulate each cell type. During recent years, the development of experimental cell-specific depletion models has enabled this issue to be addressed. Herein we compare and contrast the different depletion approaches that have been used, focusing on the respective functionalities of microglia and monocyte-derived macrophages in a range of neurodegenerative disease states, and discuss their prospects for immunotherapy.
Permeability characteristics of the cholera-infected small intestine.

The concept of cholera stool being due to increased outpouring of fluid into the intestinal tract has been considered for many years (Becquerel, 1849; Saha and Das, 1952). However, the finding of an intact mucosa (Gangarosa, Beisel, Benyajati, Sprinz, and Piyaratn, 1960) and the demonstration of a sodium pump inhibitor in cholera stool (Huber and Phillips, 1960) has caused this theory to be abandoned in favour of an absorptive defect. Recent studies of water and sodium ion flux in the infected intestine (Love, 1969) and isotope studies of Mitchell (1965) showed no evidence of absorptive incapacity. The former results were more in keeping with an increase in mucosal permeability at cell membrane or vascular level. Fordtran, Rector, Ewton, Soter, and Kinney (1965) have described a method for measuring permeability characteristics of intestinal mucosa based on earlier work of Lindemann and Solomon (1962). By using solutes of varying molecular size to produce osmotic fluid flow across the mucosa it was possible to calculate the porosity of the bowel. In the present studies this concept has been applied to the cholera-infected intestine of the rabbit in an attempt to elucidate further the mechanism of the diarrhoeal stool in this disease.
EARLY HONG KONG TELEVISION, 1950s–1970s

This article argues that the development of television in Hong Kong should be viewed as a part of British media history. Yet within this context, it is striking that the Hong Kong Government did not follow the public ownership model of the BBC (even though it had followed a similar model with radio broadcasting), nor did the Government make significant efforts to use television as a vehicle for promoting British culture within Hong Kong. Instead, Hong Kong television was commercial from the beginning, with Government regulation and Government-produced content emerging only in response to political crisis in the late 1960s—and even then, only to a very limited extent. I argue that this early television history reflects both the increasing autonomy of the Hong Kong Government from London in the post-war period, and the development of a distinct Hong Kong Britishness that favoured minimal regulation of oligopolistic commercial interests.
Molecular and Nonmolecular Diagnostic Methods for Invasive Fungal Infections

SUMMARY Invasive fungal infections constitute a serious threat to an ever-growing population of immunocompromised individuals and other individuals at risk. Traditional diagnostic methods, such as histopathology and culture, which are still considered the gold standards, have low sensitivity, which underscores the need for the development of new means of detecting fungal infectious agents. Indeed, novel serologic and molecular techniques have been developed and are currently under clinical evaluation. Tests like the galactomannan antigen test for aspergillosis and the β-glucan test for invasive Candida spp. and molds, as well as other antigen and antibody tests, for Cryptococcus spp. , Pneumocystis spp. , and dimorphic fungi, have already been established as important diagnostic approaches and are implemented in routine clinical practice. On the other hand, PCR and other molecular approaches, such as matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), have proved promising in clinical trials but still need to undergo standardization before their clinical use can become widespread. The purpose of this review is to highlight the different diagnostic approaches that are currently utilized or under development for invasive fungal infections and to identify their performance characteristics and the challenges associated with their use.