Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
“ Either they don ’ t know , don ’ t show , or don ’ t care about what ’ s going on in the hood : ” A Social Disorganization Theory Approach to Boyz n the

This research uses a social science approach to film criticism to determine if the Social Disorganization Theory (Shaw and McKay 1942) is evident in the 1991 film Boyz n the Hood The method used by this researcher was to apply the three Sampson and Groves (1989) measures of a socially disorganized community to the depiction of the African American community in Boyz n the Hood. The purpose of this research is to examine depictions of African Americans in a film based on predominantly African American neighborhoods to discover possible cyclical implications of such depictions. This research found that, according to the three Sampson measures, Boyz n the Hood depicted lowermiddle class African American communities in Los Angeles as socially organized. The strong local friendship ties, as depicted in the film, should have mediated against delinquency. However, as defined by Shaw and McKay, the community was actually disorganized since its residents could not realize their common values nor could the community control delinquency. The implication is that local friendship ties do not always mediate against street-corner peer groups. Instead, the particular dynamics of the friendship ties may be more of a measure of their ability to counter delinquent behavior. Growing up, this researcher loved movies. However, this researcher could not watch anything he wanted. His mother did not allow him to watch any films that contained a high amount of violence, use of profanity, or sex scenes. Of course, the majority of the movies that this researcher wanted to watch contained all the characteristics that were forbidden by his mother. Although as a child this researcher was not allowed to watch films such as Boyz n the Hood, many of this researcher’s peers watched them and loved them. As an adult, this researcher wanted to apply what he has learned in his classes to the forbidden films of this researcher’s youth. Is it possible that some films based on the African American experience contain content that validates the environmental conditions that lead to the aforementioned overrepresentation of African Americans in the criminal justice system? This study begins to answer the question by critiquing one film. The present research aims to examine one of the most successful African American films of the past few
Performance of an Interferon-Gamma Release Assay to Diagnose Latent Tuberculosis Infection During Pregnancy

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate an interferon (IFN)-gamma release assay in diagnosing latent tuberculosis infection in pregnant adolescents and women at risk for exposure to Mycobacterium tuberculosis. METHODS: This was a prospective study of women and adolescents receiving health care at Bellevue Hospital Outpatient Clinics in New York City. Each patient was assessed for M tuberculosis risk factors, had a tuberculin skin test placed, and an IFN-gamma release assay performed. The concordance between the tuberculin skin test and the IFN-gamma release assay was calculated and the results analyzed according to the likelihood of exposure to M tuberculosis. Mean mitogen IFN-&ggr; levels were used across groups to compare reliability between trimesters and assay performance in pregnant compared with nonpregnant females of childbearing age. RESULTS: A total of 140 pregnant and 140 nonpregnant females were enrolled in the study. The IFN-gamma release assay was highly specific, and IFN-gamma release assay positivity was associated with a greater likelihood of exposure to M tuberculosis. The overall agreement between the tuberculin skin test and IFN-gamma release assay results was 88% for all pregnant patients, corresponding to a &kgr; of 0.452 (confidence interval 0.26–0.64). Interferon-&ggr; release from the mitogen did not appear to have any temporal association with pregnancy trimester in cross-sectional or longitudinal studies. The IFN-gamma release assay performed equally well in pregnant and nonpregnant females. CONCLUSION: The IFN-gamma release assay performed equally well in each trimester of pregnancy with comparable results to nonpregnant females. Interferon-gamma release assays are much more specific, at least as sensitive, and may be a better predictor of disease progression than the tuberculin skin test. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II
Influence of Shyness, Uncertainty Avoidance, and Risk Taking on University Students' Academic Achievement: A Path Analysis

The current study aimed to investigate whether the samples academic achievement can be predicted by the direct and indirect influences of the independent variables: shyness, uncertainty avoidance, and risk taking. The sample consisted of two groups: 77 Omani university students, and 68 non-Omani university students. The study applied Darwish’s (2000) uncertainty avoidance scale, and Goss, Gilbert & Allan (1994) shame scale (ISS), while the risk taking scale was constructed by the researcher. Additionally, path analysis was used to test the study hypotheses. Results concluded that shyness (5%, p .05).
Jumping Mode Atomic Force Microscopy on Grana Membranes from Spinach*

The thylakoid membrane system is a complex membrane system that organizes and reorganizes itself to provide plants optimal chemical energy from sunlight under different and varying environmental conditions. Grana membranes are part of this system and contain the light-driven water-splitting enzyme Photosystem II (PSII) and light-harvesting antenna complexes. Here, we present a direct visualization of PSII complexes within grana membranes from spinach. By means of jumping mode atomic force microscopy in liquid, minimal forces were applied between the scanning tip and membrane or protein, allowing complexes to be imaged with high detail. We observed four different packing arrangements of PSII complexes, which occur primarily as dimers: co-linear crystalline rows, nanometric domains of straight or skewed rows, and disordered domains. Upon storing surface-adhered membranes at low temperature prior to imaging, large-scale reorganizations of supercomplexes between PSII and light-harvesting complex II could be induced. The highest resolution images show the existence of membrane domains without obvious topography extending beyond supercomplexes. These observations illustrate the possibility for diffusion of proteins and smaller molecules within these densely packed membranes.
An empirical examination of service-oriented organizational citizenship behavior: The roles of justice perceptions and manifest needs

Purpose – The purpose of this study is twofold. First, we explore the relationship between organizational justice and service-oriented organizational citizenship behavior (SOCB). In particular, we focus on perceived distributive and procedural justice. Second, we examine the moderating effect of the need for achievement and need for affiliation. Design/methodology/approach – The paper employed an online cross-sectional survey approach and distributed questionnaires to service employees at a large service organization. Data were analyzed with a two-step structural equation modeling technique using LISREL 8.7. Findings – Perceived procedural justice significantly predicts SOCB. Additionally, the need for affiliation positively moderates the relationship between perceived procedural justice and SOCB, whereas the need for achievement positively moderates the relationship between perceived distributive justice and SOCB. Practical implications – Results confirm the importance of establishing and implementing tr.
Acquisition of Clostridium difficile on Hands of Healthcare Personnel Caring for Patients with Resolved C. difficile Infection

In an observational study, we found that healthcare personnel frequently acquired Clostridium difficile on their hands when caring for patients with recently resolved C. difficile infection (CDI) (<6 weeks after treatment) who were no longer under contact precautions. Continuing contact precautions after diarrhea resolves may be useful to reduce transmission. Infect. Control Hosp. Epidemiol. 2016;37(4):475–477
Performance Analysis and Improvement of Turkish Broadcast News Retrieval

This paper presents our work on the retrieval of spoken information in Turkish. Traditional speech retrieval systems perform indexing and retrieval over automatic speech recognition (ASR) transcripts, which include errors either because of out-of-vocabulary (OOV) words or ASR inaccuracy. We use subword units as recognition and indexing units to reduce the OOV rate and index alternative recognition hypotheses to handle ASR errors. Performance of such methods is evaluated on our Turkish Broadcast News Corpus with two types of speech retrieval systems: a spoken term detection (STD) and a spoken document retrieval (SDR) system. To evaluate the SDR system, we also build a spoken information retrieval (IR) collection, which is the first for Turkish. Experiments showed that word segmentation algorithms are quite useful for both tasks. SDR performance is observed to be less dependent on the ASR component, whereas any performance change in ASR directly affects STD. We also present extensive analysis of retrieval performance depending on query length, and propose length-based index combination and thresholding strategies for the STD task. Finally, a new approach, which depends on the detection of stems instead of complete terms, is tried for STD and observed to give promising results. Although evaluations were performed in Turkish, we expect the proposed methods to be effective for similar languages as well.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF EPIDEMIOLOGY

Generally the accent at Sheffield is on close integration of the teaching in the clinical and paraclinical subjects. An enlightened step seems to be the division of the final M.B. , Ch.B. , examination into three parts-part I at the end of the fourth year, part II at the end of fifth year and part III at the end of sixth year. In this way, the burden of the traditional final M.B. , Ch.B. , is spread, and there is a closer integration of the examinations in the various departments. At Sheffield, the student is allowed a three months' elective period in the fifth year, and great latitude is given to students as to how they may spend this time. In general it is a curricular change that is welcomed by both students and teachers. A notable feature at Sheffield is that part III of the M.B. , Ch.B. examination comprises examinations in only medicine (including psychiatry), surgery and clinical science. Prediatrics and obstetrics and gynrecology are disposed of in part II at the end of fifth year.
eIF4G Functionally Differs from eIFiso4G in Promoting Internal Initiation, Cap-independent Translation, and Translation of Structured mRNAs*

Eukaryotic initiation factor (eIF) 4G plays an important role in assembling the initiation complex required for ribosome binding to an mRNA. Plants, animals, and yeast each express two eIF4G homologs, which share only 30, 46, and 53% identity, respectively. We have examined the functional differences between plant eIF4G proteins, referred to as eIF4G and eIFiso4G, when present as subunits of eIF4F and eIFiso4F, respectively. The degree to which a 5′-cap stimulated translation was inversely correlated with the concentration of eIF4F or eIFiso4F and required the poly(A)-binding protein for optimal function. Although eIF4F and eIFiso4F directed translation of unstructured mRNAs, eIF4F supported translation of an mRNA containing 5′-proximal secondary structure substantially better than did eIFiso4F. Moreover, eIF4F stimulated translation from uncapped monocistronic or dicistronic mRNAs to a greater extent than did eIFiso4F. These data suggest that at least some functions of plant eIFiso4F and eIF4F have diverged in that eIFiso4F promotes translation preferentially from unstructured mRNAs, whereas eIF4F can promote translation also from mRNAs that contain a structured 5′-leader and that are uncapped or contain multiple cistrons. This ability may also enable eIF4F to promote translation from standard mRNAs under cellular conditions in which cap-dependent translation is inhibited.
Stem‐cell factor in aplastic anemia: in vitro expression in bone marrow stroma and fibroblast cultures

Abstract: In vitro expression of stem‐cell factor (SCF) by bone marrow (BM) cells of 30 patients with aplastic anemia (AA) has been analyzed at the mRNA and protein levels. While no deficiencies were found in SCF mRNA expression, low levels of soluble SCF protein were measured in poorly growing AA stroma cultures. The SCF protein concentration in the supernatant and the confluence of AA stroma growth were found to correlate (R = 0.70). Defective proliferation was observed in the majority (20/30) of AA stroma cultures and was paralleled by poor growth of homogeneous cultures of fibroblasts from the same marrow sample. AA stroma growth was enhanced by addition of exogenous SCF in combination with interleukin‐11 (IL‐11), leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). Our results demonstrate that deficient growth of stroma cells results in decreased production of SCF. Therefore, SCF and other stroma‐derived cytokines may be of therapeutic value in AA patients with documented defects within the BM microenvironment.
Two new monoterpene glycosides and trypanocidal terpenoids from Dracocephalum kotschyi.

From the whole plant of Dracocephalum kotschyi BOISS. , two new monoterpene glycosides (9, 10), together with seven known terpenoids and a phytosterol (1-8), were isolated. Their structures were determined to be limonen-10-al (1), geranial (2), neral (3), beta-sitosterol (4), oleanolic acid (5), ursolic acid (6), p-mentha-8-en-1,2-diol (7), colosolic acid (8), limonen-10-ol 10-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (9), and limonen-10-ol 10-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (10). Compounds 1 (3.1 microM), 2 (3.1 microM), 3 (3.1 microM), 5 (6.2 microM), 6 (6.2 microM), and 8 (6.2 microM) were effective against epimastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi.
Clinical Information Extraction Using Word Representations

A central task in clinical information extraction is the classiﬁcation of sentences to identify key information in publications, such as intervention and outcomes. Surface tokens and part-of-speech tags have been the most commonly used feature types for this task. In this paper we evaluate the use of word representations, induced from approximately 100 m tokens of unlabelled in-domain data, as a form of semi-supervised learning for this task. We take an approach based on unsupervised word clusters, using the Brown clustering algorithm, with results showing that this method outperforms the standard features. We inspect the induced word representations and the resulting discriminative model features to gain further insights about this approach.
A Population of Indirect Pathway Striatal Projection Neurons Is Selectively Entrained to Parkinsonian Beta Oscillations

Classical schemes of basal ganglia organization posit that parkinsonian movement difficulties presenting after striatal dopamine depletion stem from the disproportionate firing rates of spiny projection neurons (SPNs) therein. There remains, however, a pressing need to elucidate striatal SPN firing in the context of the synchronized network oscillations that are abnormally exaggerated in cortical–basal ganglia circuits in parkinsonism. To address this, we recorded unit activities in the dorsal striatum of dopamine-intact and dopamine-depleted rats during two brain states, respectively defined by cortical slow-wave activity (SWA) and activation. Dopamine depletion escalated striatal net output but had contrasting effects on “direct pathway” SPNs (dSPNs) and “indirect pathway” SPNs (iSPNs); their firing rates became imbalanced, and they disparately engaged in network oscillations. Disturbed striatal activity dynamics relating to the slow (∼1 Hz) oscillations prevalent during SWA partly generalized to the exaggerated beta-frequency (15–30 Hz) oscillations arising during cortical activation. In both cases, SPNs exhibited higher incidences of phase-locked firing to ongoing cortical oscillations, and SPN ensembles showed higher levels of rhythmic correlated firing, after dopamine depletion. Importantly, in dopamine-depleted striatum, a widespread population of iSPNs, which often displayed excessive firing rates and aberrant phase-locked firing to cortical beta oscillations, preferentially and excessively synchronized their firing at beta frequencies. Conversely, dSPNs were neither hyperactive nor synchronized to a large extent during cortical activation. These data collectively demonstrate a cell type-selective entrainment of SPN firing to parkinsonian beta oscillations. We conclude that a population of overactive, excessively synchronized iSPNs could orchestrate these pathological rhythms in basal ganglia circuits. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Chronic depletion of dopamine from the striatum, a part of the basal ganglia, causes some symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Here, we elucidate how dopamine depletion alters striatal neuron firing in vivo, with an emphasis on defining whether and how spiny projection neurons (SPNs) engage in the synchronized beta-frequency (15–30 Hz) oscillations that become pathologically exaggerated throughout basal ganglia circuits in parkinsonism. We discovered that a select population of so-called “indirect pathway” SPNs not only fire at abnormally high rates, but are also particularly prone to being recruited to exaggerated beta oscillations. Our results provide an important link between two complementary theories that explain the presentation of disease symptoms on the basis of changes in firing rate or firing synchronization/rhythmicity.
Investigating the influence of outcome utility on estimates of probability

This thesis is concerned with the rationality of human probability estimates, specifically the potential influence of outcome utility on estimates of probability. Intuitively, and normatively, the desirability of an outcome should not make that outcome seem more or less likely to occur. Chapter 1 provides a background to the subsequent empirical work by addressing some general issues surrounding a probabilistic approach to human reasoning. The major questions addressed are whether people represent uncertainty quantitatively and their competence at doing so, considered with reference to the status of extant biases in the literature on human probability judgment. Chapter 2 presents seven studies investigating the effect of negative utility on estimates of probability, using a minimal paradigm in which there is a visually defined, objective, probability. When there was an indication that future human action could influence the likelihood of an outcome (the outcome was, in some way, controllable), negative outcomes were rated as more likely to occur than neutral outcomes. This moderating effect of control can be given a decision-theoretic explanation in terms of loss function asymmetry (e.g., Weber, 1994). Consequently, these effects can be understood as rational reactions to the recognition of the uncertainty of human cognition. Chapter 3 investigates the effects of positive utility using the same visual representation of probability. Across four studies, no effect of positive outcome utility was observed, a result consistent with the asymmetric loss function explanation proposed for the findings in Chapter 2. Chapter 4 presents a statistical-based critique of the 'unrealistic optimism' phenomenon (e.g., Weinstein, 1980). Additionally, two empirical studies failed to find any evidence that the 'unrealistic optimism' phenomenon is more than just a statistical artifact. The results from all three experimental chapters provide support for the contention that people's probability estimates are not systematically biased by utility considerations.
Fruitless Attempts? The Kurdish Initiative and Containment of the Kurdish Movement in Turkey

Abstract Following the victory of the Kurdish party DTP (Demokratik Toplum Partisi, Democratic Society Party) in Turkey's southeastern provinces in the local elections of March 2009, Turkey witnessed the AKP (Adalet ve Kalkınma Partisi, Justice and Development Party) government's Kurdish initiative, the closure of the victorious Kurdish party, and waves of arrests of Kurdish activists and politicians. This rush of action constituted a renewed effort to contain and roll back the political and societal influence of the Kurdish movement. But what is it exactly that the government and the state were attempting to contain, and why? This article considers the recent moves of the ruling AKP, the judiciary, and the Turkish Armed Forces in regard to the “Kurdish problem” in Turkey's southeast, interpreting them as different responses to the regional success of the Kurdish movement.
A Novel, Killed-Virus Nasal Vaccinia Virus Vaccine

ABSTRACT Live-virus vaccines for smallpox are effective but have risks that are no longer acceptable for routine use in populations at minimal risk of infection. We have developed a mucosal, killed-vaccinia virus (VV) vaccine based on antimicrobial nanoemulsion (NE) of soybean oil and detergent. Incubation of VV with 10% NE for at least 60 min causes the complete disruption and inactivation of VV. Simple mixtures of NE and VV (Western Reserve serotype) (VV/NE) applied to the nares of mice resulted in both systemic and mucosal anti-VV immunity, virus-neutralizing antibodies, and Th1-biased cellular responses. Nasal vaccination with VV/NE vaccine produced protection against lethal infection equal to vaccination by scarification, with 100% survival after challenge with 77 times the 50% lethal dose of live VV. However, animals protected with VV/NE immunization did after virus challenge have clinical symptoms more extensive than animals vaccinated by scarification. VV/NE-based vaccines are highly immunogenic and induce protective mucosal and systemic immunity without the need for an inflammatory adjuvant or infection with live virus.
A Phase II Study of Lonafarnib (SCH66336) in Patients With Chemorefractory, Advanced Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck

Objective:Treatment options for recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) following platinum-based therapy are limited. Lonafarnib is a potent, specific inhibitor of farnesyl transferase that demonstrated marked antitumor activity as monotherapy in treatment-naive SCCHN in a phase Ib study. A phase II study of lonafarnib was conducted to determine its efficacy and safety in patients with recurrent, platinum-refractory SCCHN. Methods:This was an open-label, phase II, single-center study in patients with recurrent SCCHN after platinum-based therapy. A Simon 2-stage design was used, with a plan to close the study to further accrual if <2 of the first 15 patients had objective responses. Patients were treated with lonafarnib 200 mg twice daily (b.i.d.) by mouth continuously in 4-week cycles. Results:Fifteen patients with baseline Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group PS 0–1 and median age 57 years were enrolled. Twelve patients had received at least 2 previous chemotherapy regimens. Median duration of treatment with lonafarnib was 61 days. No objective response was observed. Seven (47%) patients maintained stable disease through ≥3 cycles of therapy. Median time to progression and survival time were 2.04 and 9.17 months, respectively. Most treatment-related toxicities were grade 1–2, and there were no treatment-related deaths. Conclusions:Lonafarnib at a dose of 200 mg b.i. d. was well-tolerated. However, there were no objective responses observed in the first 15 patients enrolled in this study, and the study was closed to further accrual, as per predefined criteria. Further evaluation of lonafarnib in platinum-refractory SCCHN is not planned.