Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
cAMP-independent dilation of coronary arterioles to adenosine : role of nitric oxide, G proteins, and K(ATP) channels.

Adenosine is known to play an important role in the regulation of coronary blood flow during metabolic stress. However, there is sparse information on the mechanism of adenosine-induced dilation at the microcirculatory levels. In the present study, we examined the role of endothelial nitric oxide (NO), G proteins, cyclic nucleotides, and potassium channels in coronary arteriolar dilation to adenosine. Pig subepicardial coronary arterioles (50 to 100 microm in diameter) were isolated, cannulated, and pressurized to 60 cm H(2)O without flow for in vitro study. The arterioles developed basal tone and dilated dose dependently to adenosine. Disruption of endothelium, blocking of endothelial ATP-sensitive potassium (K(ATP)) channels by glibenclamide, and inhibition of NO synthase by N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester and of soluble guanylyl cyclase by 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3,-a]quinoxalin-1-one produced identical attenuation of vasodilation to adenosine. Combined administration of these inhibitors did not further attenuate the vasodilatory response. Production of NO from coronary arterioles was significantly increased by adenosine. Pertussis toxin, but not cholera toxin, significantly inhibited vasodilation to adenosine, and this inhibitory effect was only evident in vessels with an intact endothelium. Tetraethylammonium, glibenclamide, and a high concentration of extraluminal KCl abolished vasodilation of denuded vessels to adenosine; however, inhibition of calcium-activated potassium channels by iberiotoxin had no effect on this dilation. Rp-8-Br-cAMPS, a cAMP antagonist, inhibited vasodilation to cAMP analog 8-Br-cAMP but failed to block adenosine-induced dilation. Furthermore, vasodilations to 8-Br-cAMP and sodium nitroprusside were not inhibited by glibenclamide, indicating that cAMP- and cGMP-induced dilations are not mediated by the activation of K(ATP) channels. These results suggest that adenosine activates both endothelial and smooth muscle pathways to exert its vasodilatory function. On one hand, adenosine opens endothelial K(ATP) channels through activation of pertussis toxin-sensitive G proteins. This signaling leads to the production and release of NO, which subsequently activates smooth muscle soluble guanylyl cyclase for vasodilation. On the other hand, adenosine activates smooth muscle K(ATP) channels and leads to vasodilation through hyperpolarization. It appears that the latter vasodilatory process is independent of G proteins and of cAMP/cGMP pathways.
article Preservice Teachers' Knowledge of and Beliefs About Dyslexia

The p urpose of this research was to explore preservice teachers’ knowledge bases regarding dyslexia as a language-based reading disorder. In a researcher-designed open-ended survey, 287 preservice teachers from Alabama, New York, and Virginia defined dyslexia, identified the characteristics of students with dyslexia, provided ideas for effective instruction for students with dyslexia, and cited the sources which informed their knowledge. Findings indicated that while preservice teachers held basic understandings of dyslexia as a reading disorder, they expressed confusion and misunderstandings about the specific phonological processing components of dyslexia. Suggestions for improving preservice teacher education regarding dyslexia are provided.
Opposite effects of visual versus imagined presentation of faces on subsequent sex perception

Viewing faces of one sex changes the perception of subsequently seen ambiguous faces. Here we investigate if the mechanisms responsible for this sex aftereffect are also activated during mental imagery of faces. Participants categorized the sex of ambiguous faces after either viewing images of male or female actors' faces or imagining these same faces. As in previous studies, the ambiguous images were categorized as female more often after viewing male faces than after viewing female faces. The opposite effect was found for imagined faces, however; the ambiguous images were categorized as female more often after imagining female faces than after imagining male faces. Although our results are inconsistent with findings that imagined faces cause either no aftereffects or similar aftereffects to visually presented faces, our results are consistent with recent evidence that visual and imagined presentation of faces cause opposite adaptation effects on an early electrophysiological response associated with face processing.
Dermatology Disease Classification via Novel Evolutionary Artificial Neural Network

Neuro-genetic systems are biologically inspired computational models that use evolutionary algorithms (EAs) in conjunction with neural networks (NNs) to solve problems. They are especially useful in classification problems in which classifier systems are not able to provide easy answers. In this paper a novel neuro-genetic approach is used in order to predict a known classification problem, related to dermatology diseases.
An investigation of the role of CD56bright natural killer cells in an inflammatory response

2 Abstract of Thesis Natural killer (NK) cells are a distinct population of lymphocytes with powerful cytotoxic effects against virus infected cells and transformed cells, without the need for prior sensitisation. They play an important role in innate immunity, providing a first line of defence against invading pathogens and also play a part in initiating and influencing adaptive immunity. There are two major subsets of NK cells; CD56bright and CD56dim. The CD56dim subset are more proficient killers, whereas the CD56bight subset are more adept at producing cytokines. In the peripheral blood, the majority of NK cells are CD56dim. However, previous work has shown the converse to be true in the synovial fluid of joints that are inflamed in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and at other sites of peripheral inflammation including that involving pleural and peritoneal cavities; here ~90% of the NK cells are of the CD56bright phenotype. These synovial CD56bright NK cells can engage with CD14+ monocytes in a reciprocal activatory fashion, possibly contributing to the inflammatory state. The enrichment of CD56bright NK cells at sites of inflammation could reflect either preferential recruitment to the site of inflammation or local differentiation of the CD56dim to the CD56bright subset. This thesis addresses the mode of accumulation of CD56bright NK cells at sites of inflammation using an in vitro model. Trafficking of NK cells from the periphery to the site of inflammation involves transmigration across vascular endothelium, a process that has been shown to alter the phenotype and function of cells. This study provides novel evidence that the interaction of NK cells with endothelium results in the activation of NK cells and modifies the NK cell phenotype including the expression of certain
Ownership and dividend policy : new evidence from Germany

This study examines whether large shareholders influence dividend policy in Germany in the period 2005-2008. First, we test if the voting power of large shareholders influences the decision on paying dividends. Second, we examine if the voting power influences the amount of dividends paid. Third, we study if different shareholder types influence the amount of dividends differently, and fourth, whether shareholder types in interaction with their voting power influence the amount of dividends. We find no evidence of the impact of the holdings of the largest shareholders: neither on the decision to pay cash dividends nor on the amounts of dividends paid. Banks, and families (including private blockholders) pay less dividends. When voting power is included, state authorities increase dividends. Finally, we have indications that families use the recently instituted instrument of Beteiligungsgesellschaften to receive more dividends than they do without this tax vehicle. JEL Classification: G32, G35
A Trigeminoreticular Pathway: Implications in Pain

Neurons in the caudalmost ventrolateral medulla (cmVLM) respond to noxious stimulation. We previously have shown most efferent projections from this locus project to areas implicated either in the processing or modulation of pain. Here we show the cmVLM of the rat receives projections from superficial laminae of the medullary dorsal horn (MDH) and has neurons activated with capsaicin injections into the temporalis muscle. Injections of either biotinylated dextran amine (BDA) into the MDH or fluorogold (FG)/fluorescent microbeads into the cmVLM showed projections from lamina I and II of the MDH to the cmVLM. Morphometric analysis showed the retrogradely-labeled neurons were small (area 88.7 µm2±3.4) and mostly fusiform in shape. Injections (20–50 µl) of 0.5% capsaicin into the temporalis muscle and subsequent immunohistochemistry for c-Fos showed nuclei labeled in the dorsomedial trigeminocervical complex (TCC), the cmVLM, the lateral medulla, and the internal lateral subnucleus of the parabrachial complex (PBil). Additional labeling with c-Fos was seen in the subnucleus interpolaris of the spinal trigeminal nucleus, the rostral ventrolateral medulla, the superior salivatory nucleus, the rostral ventromedial medulla, and the A1, A5, A7 and subcoeruleus catecholamine areas. Injections of FG into the PBil produced robust label in the lateral medulla and cmVLM while injections of BDA into the lateral medulla showed projections to the PBil. Immunohistochemical experiments to antibodies against substance P, the substance P receptor (NK1), calcitonin gene regulating peptide, leucine enkephalin, VRL1 (TPRV2) receptors and neuropeptide Y showed that these peptides/receptors densely stained the cmVLM. We suggest the MDH- cmVLM projection is important for pain from head and neck areas. We offer a potential new pathway for regulating deep pain via the neurons of the TCC, the cmVLM, the lateral medulla, and the PBil and propose these areas compose a trigeminoreticular pathway, possibly the trigeminal homologue of the spinoreticulothalamic pathway.
Adaptation of the short version of the Psychological Capital Questionnaire (PCQ-12) into Spanish / Adaptación al español de la versión reducida del Cuestionario de Capital Psicológico (PCQ-12)

Abstract Psychological capital (PsyCap) has been a topic of increasing interest in the last decade. However, there is a lack of validated instruments in Spanish to map PsyCap and its consequences for individuals’ well-being. Consequently, the goal of this study is to adapt the 12-item short version of the Psychological Capital Questionnaire (PCQ-12) to the Spanish context by analysing its internal consistency and reliability, factor solution and external validity. Results indicated that the PCQ-12 exhibited good Cronbach’s alpha (.87) and omega coefficient (.93) values in a sample from a vehicle inspection company (n = 798). As expected, results also revealed that a second-order factor structure provided the best fit. Moreover, PsyCap is associated with increased job engagement (β = .579; R2adjusted = .333), decreased job burnout (β = −.409; R2adjusted = .166), and lower psychological distress (β = −.349; R2adjusted = .121) (all p < .01), which provided additional support for using the PCQ-12 in the Spanish context. Implications for theory and practice are discussed.
What Is a Person? What Is the Self? Formulations for a Science of Psychology

This article offers solutions to two historically unresolved subject matter problems in psychology: (a) What is a “person”? And, (b) what is the “self”? Part 1 of the article presents Peter Ossorio’s (2006) Descriptive Psychologically based answer to the first of these questions, an answer that comprises a paradigm case formulation of the concept “person” itself, as well as a parametric analysis for describing individual persons. Part 2 of the article presents a new solution to the second question. The solution is a disarmingly simple one in which “self” or “I,” consistent with actual usage, means simply and essentially “this person”—this holistically considered, embodied, conscious, deliberate actor that I intend when I use the terms “I” or “me” or “myself”—as opposed to “that person,” the specific individual I intend when I say “he” or “she” or “herself. ” The ways in which this formulation (a) uniquely possesses an empirical grounding, (b) avoids many historical problems that have arisen in trying to delineate the nature of the self, and (c) integrates the field of self psychology, are all demonstrated. The article provides logical and empirical arguments in support of both of its formulations, as well as for the importance of the science of psychology possessing such formulations of its core subject matter.
Studies on wood degradation and cellulolytic activity of microfungi

The cellulolytic activity and wood-degrading ability of 160 different species of microfungi, mostly wood-inhabiting, have been investigated. The cellulolytic activity was determined by a cellulose clearing method. 109 of the species showed cellulolytic activity. The wood-degrading ability was determined microscopically on sections from decayed wood blocks. The attack on three hardwoods and two softwoods was examined. Most studies were performed with birch wood which was used as a "standard wood" for comparisons. Two morphologically distinct types of attack were observed, Type I (cavity formation) and Type 2 (erosion of cell walls). 120 of the tested species were found capable of degrading birch wood. These species could be classified into three groups with respect to their decay patterns, 1) species producing only Type I attack; 2) species producing only Type 2; 3) species producing both types of attack. The cavity-forming species formed cavities in both hardwoods and softwoods. All the species which produced Type 2 or Type I+Type 2 attack in birch wood showed cellulolytic activity in the cellulose clearing test. Fifteen of the twenty-three species which only produced Type I attack, failed to produce clearing. The decay capacity (weight losses) of the wood-degrading species was also studied.
Support for Terrorism: The Role of Beliefs in Jihad and Institutional Responses to Terrorism

ABSTRACT Passive support for terrorism refers to expressions of sympathy for acts of terrorism and/or the justifications (ideology) used by terrorist groups to legitimise their beliefs and actions. One form of passive support is whether Muslims feel terrorists have valid grievances. Appealing to a sense of grievance is a key way that violent Islamists attempt to recruit fellow Muslims to their cause. Using survey data collected from 800 Muslims living in Australia, this paper examines factors that lead Muslims to believe that terrorists have valid grievances. Factors examined include beliefs in jihad and attitudes towards counterterrorism policing and laws. Other variables included in the analysis are social identity, age, gender, income, religious denomination (Sunni vs. Shia), religious commitment, i.e., Mosque attendance, and recent contact with police. The most significant predictor of passive support for terrorism was found to be particular beliefs in jihad. The perceived legitimacy of counterterrorism laws and trust in police were also important. Implications for countering extremist ideology and generating community cooperation in counterterrorism will be considered.
Motives of Problematic and Nonproblematic Online Gaming among Adolescents and Young Adults

The aim of the present research was to explore the motives of playing online multiplayer games that leads toward either problematic online gaming or nonproblematic online gaming behavior. A sample of 357 online gamers (298 boys and 59 girls with mean age = 16.8 years) was selected from schools, colleges, and universities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Problematic Online Gaming Questionnaire-Short Form (Papay et al., 2013) and Online Gaming Motivation Scale (Yee, Ducheneaut, and Nelson, 2012) were used to measure problematic online gaming and motives to play online games, respectively. One hundred and ninety participants were identified as problematic gamers, while one hundred and sixty five participants were identified as nonproblematic gamers. Results indicated that all motives (achievement, socialization, and immersion) had significant positive relationship with online gaming behavior. Results indicated that problematic gamers had higher motivation for socialization, achievement, and immersion than nonproblematic gamers. Regression analysis indicated that time of playing online games, socialization and immersion motives act as significant positive predictors of online gaming.
Cortical Sensorimotor Processing of Painful Pressure in Patients with Chronic Lower Back Pain—An Optical Neuroimaging Study using fNIRS

In this study we investigated sensorimotor processing of painful pressure stimulation on the lower back of patients with chronic lower back pain (CLBP) by using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to measure changes in cerebral hemodynamics and oxygenation. The main objectives were whether patients with CLBP show different relative changes in oxy- and deoxyhemoglobin ([O2Hb] and [HHb]) in the supplementary motor area (SMA) and primary somatosensory cortex (S1) compared to healthy controls (HC). Twelve patients with CLBP (32 ± 6.1 years; range: 24–44 years; nine women) and 20 HCs (33.5 ± 10.7 years; range 22–61 years; eight women) participated in the study. Painful and non-painful pressure stimulation was exerted with a thumb grip perpendicularly to the spinous process of the lumbar spine. A force sensor was attached at the spinous process in order to control pressure forces. Tactile stimulation was realized by a one-finger brushing. Hemodynamic changes in the SMA and S1 were measured bilaterally using a multi-channel continuous wave fNIRS imaging system and a multi-distant probe array. Patients with CLBP showed significant stimulus-evoked hemodynamic responses in [O2Hb] only in the right S1, while the HC exhibited significant [O2Hb] changes bilaterally in both, SMA and S1. However, the group comparisons revealed no significant different hemodynamic responses in [O2Hb] and [HHb] in the SMA and S1 after both pressure stimulations. This non-significant result might be driven by the high inter-subject variability of hemodynamic responses that has been observed within the patients group. In conclusion, we could not find different stimulus-evoked hemodynamic responses in patients with CLBP compared to HCs. This indicates that neither S1 nor the SMA show a specificity for CLBP during pressure stimulation on the lower back. However, the results point to a potential subgrouping regarding task-related cortical activity within the CLBP group; a finding worth further research.
Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy Prevents Gastroesophageal Reflux in Patients with Nasogastric Tube Feeding: A Prospective Study with 24-Hour pH Monitoring

Background/Aims Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) has been widely used for patients with swallowing dysfunction. However, its beneficial effects in the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) are controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of PEG on the prevention of GER in patients with nasogastric tube (NGT) feeding. Methods Continuous 24-hour pH monitoring was performed prospectively in 21 patients receiving NGT feeding before and 7.3±2.2 days after PEG placement to compare the severity of GER. Results We studied 21 patients with a mean age of 59.8±14.1 years. The mean duration of NGT placement was 5.8±5.4 months. The causes of swallowing dysfunction included cerebral infarction, cerebral hemorrhage and other central nervous system (CNS) lesions. When all of the patients were considered, there were no significant differences in reflux parameters after PEG placement compared to before PEG placement. However, all seven patients who had preexisting GER showed significant improvement (p<0.05) of the reflux parameters, including the frequency of acid reflux, duration of acid reflux, total time with a pH below 4.0 and the fraction of time with a pH below 4.0, after PEG placement. Conclusions PEG might prevent GER in patients receiving NGT feeding, especially in those patients with GER.
Leveraging knowledge based question answer technology to address user-interactive short domain question in natural language

With the rapid growth of the Internet and database technologies in recent years, question answering systems (QAS) have emerged as important applications. Although many QAS have been implemented, little work has been done on the development of a user-centered evaluation for QAS. User-centered evaluation is used to understand a user's needs and identify important dimensions and factors in the development of an information system in order to improve its acceptance. This paper presents the application of understanding of short domain question in natural language to data query. The word segmentation tool, IK Analyzer, which is extended with the obtained domain dictionary, is used to segment the short text questions. From the segmentation results, the keywords are extracted to obtain query target and query requirement of the question and to generate a SQL statement for data query. The method proposed in this paper can be applied to question-answering system based on database and to develop a user-centered evaluation model for QAS from the user's perspective for enhancing the user satisfaction and acceptance of QAS.
Methods for ranking information retrieval systems without relevance judgments

In this paper we present some new methods of ranking information retrieval systems without relevance judgement. The common ground of these methods is using a measure we called reference count. An extensive experimentation was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed methods using various different standards Information Retrieval evaluation measures for the ranking, like average precision, R-precision, and precision and different document levels. We also compared the effectiveness of the proposed methods with the method proposed by Soboroff et al. The experimental results showed that the proposed methods are effective, and in many cases are more effective than Soboroff at al.'s method.
Action recognition from motion capture data using Meta-Cognitive RBF Network classifier

Action recognition plays an important role in various applications, including smart homes and personal assistive robotics. In this paper, we propose an algorithm for recognizing human actions using motion capture action data. Motion capture data provides accurate three dimensional positions of joints which constitute the human skeleton. We model the movement of the skeletal joints temporally in order to classify the action. The skeleton in each frame of an action sequence is represented as a 129 dimensional vector, of which each component is a 3D angle made by each joint with a fixed point on the skeleton. Finally, the video is represented as a histogram over a codebook obtained from all action sequences. Along with this, the temporal variance of the skeletal joints is used as additional feature. The actions are classified using Meta-Cognitive Radial Basis Function Network (McRBFN) and its Projection Based Learning (PBL) algorithm. We achieve over 97% recognition accuracy on the widely used Berkeley Multimodal Human Action Database (MHAD).