Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Psychophysiological and behavioural characteristics of individuals comorbid for antisocial personality disorder and schizophrenia-spectrum personality disorder

Background Few studies have examined people with comorbid schizophrenia-spectrum personality disorder and antisocial personality disorder, a subgroup who may differ psychophysiologically and behaviourally from those with either condition alone. Aims To test whether individuals with both types of personality disorder are particularly characterised by reduced orienting and arousal and by increased criminal offending. Method In a community adult sample, self-reported crime and skin conductance orienting were collected on four diagnostic groups: schizophrenia-spectrum personality disorder only; antisocial personality disorder only; comorbidity of the two disorders; and a control group. Results The comorbid group showed significantly higher levels of criminal behaviour than the other three groups. They also showed reduced skin conductance orienting to neutral tones compared with the other groups, and significantly reduced arousal and orienting to significant stimuli compared with the control group. Conclusions Reduced orienting may reflect a neurocognitive attentional risk factor for both antisocial and schizotypal personality disorders that indirectly reflects a common neural substrate to these disorders.
Exploring tourists' nostalgic experiences during culture festivals: the case of the Sung Chiang Battle Array

This study uses the means-end chain (MEC) approach with fuzzy conceptualization and incorporates Kano's model to elicit perceptions of nostalgic experiences and to explore preferences for Sung Chiang Battle Array (SCBA) cultural festivals. We provide a hierarchical value map that fuses attribute–consequence–value chains and Kano's model to distinguish the relationships between the factors of nostalgic experience and tourist satisfaction. Fuzzy linguistics is adopted to address the ill-defined nature of tourists' linguistic judgements so that they can be interpreted for the proposed MEC. By applying the ‘laddering' technique to interviews with 178 tourists, the resulting linkages strengthen the ability to probe outcomes and values and to derive a cognitive representation of nostalgic meanings. The findings of this research imply that, overall, tourists experience three different dominant perceptual orientations for nostalgic experiences in SCBA cultural festivals: ‘Learning and the challenge of a new experience', ‘Culture and art appreciation', and ‘The link between history and emotion'. The study's findings have implications for researchers and practitioners interested in nostalgic tourism.
Relationship, Social, and Individual Well-Being in Italian Male Same-Sex Couples

This study aimed at investigating Italian male same-sex couples’ attitudes, behaviors, and emotions regarding their own well-being. The study involved included 60 couples, and utilized semistructured interview and subsequent content analysis based on Grounded Theory methods. Findings identified several themes, including recurrent high relationship quality; frequent rejection by members of the family of origin, especially the mother, contrasted by strong support from the “family of choice”; perception of stereotypes and prejudices against same-sex relationships; and feelings of non-acceptance by Italian society, reflected by the lack of sociocultural and legal support and recognition. Despite these difficulties, many of these Italian gay men were able to form durable and satisfying relationships with high levels of well-being.
Gingival Tissue and Crevicular Fluid Co-operation in Adult Periodontitis

Activated matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) can contribute to periodontal ligament destruction in adult periodontitis. Since MMP-3 has been reported to activate proMMP-8 and -9, it was speculated that gingival tissue fibroblast-derived MMP-3 might, in periodontitis, be responsible for activation of gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) neutrophil-derived proMMP-8 and -9. Immunohistochemistry disclosed MMP-3 in gingival fibroblasts in periodontitis. Cultured gingival fibroblasts released only pro-MMP-3 when stimulated with tumor necrosis factor-α. However, Western blot revealed partially activated MMP-3, MMP-8, and MMP-9 in periodontitis GCF. Active MMP-8 (p < 0.05) and MMP-9 (p < 0.05) correlated with the presence of active MMP-3. It seems that resident gingival fibroblasts produce pro-MMP-3 in GCF, where it becomes activated, probably by cathepsin G or elastase released by neutrophils. Active MMP-3 then activates neutrophil-derived pro-MMP-8 and -9. Different tissue compartments/cells exert co-operative actions in mutual local MMP activation cascades.
Hopf bifurcation of a five-dimensional delay differential system

A five-dimensional delay differential system is proposed to describe oscillatory behaviour in microbial continuous culture. Stability and Hopf bifurcation are discussed, including the changing regularity of the bifurcation value. An explicit algorithm for determining the direction of Hopf bifurcation and the stability of periodic solution is derived, using the theory of normal form and centre manifold. Finally, some numerical simulations are performed to illustrate the analytical results found.
The left ventricle in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease

The concept of left ventricular (LV) remodeling in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) includes changes in the LV occurring in response to mitral regurgitation (MR). The general aim of this thesis was to study LV remodeling and function in dogs with different severities of naturally acquired MMVD using 1) digital signal analysis technique for murmur and heart sound assessment, 2) biomarker analyses of circulating cardiac troponin I (cTnI), C-reactive protein (CRP), and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), and 3) real-time three-dimensional (RT3D) echocardiography for assessment of changes in LV shape and volume. Digital linear and nonlinear analyses (using seven different sound variables) of cardiac sounds showed that more severe MR produced a murmur of “harsher” quality, longer duration, and with more complexity in the signal. The energy of the first heart sound was not associated with MR severity (assessed by echocardiography), whereas the energy of the second heart sound decreased with increasing MR severity. Biomarker assessments showed circulating (cTnI) concentration to increase with increasing disease severity, whereas circulating C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration was not associated with disease severity. Neither MMP-2 nor -9 were associated with the MMVD severity groups (which was mainly based on volume overload status), however, MMP-9 activity decreased with worsening systolic function. The RT3D echocardiographic examinations showed prominent LV volume expansions only in dogs with more severe MMVD. The mid LV segment contributed the most to the global volume increase. The LV shape changed from elliptical to more globular in response to increasing volume overload, with the basal and apical segments contributing the most to the increase in sphericity. In conclusion, the findings in the present thesis provide data that might contribute to the understanding of the complex pathophysiology of MMVD; thereby potentially impacting both clinical management and prediction of outcome for affected dogs in the future.
Generalist teachers' self-efficacy in primary school music teaching

This qualitative study focuses on the music teaching experiences of five Australian generalist primary school teachers in their third year of teaching. The aim was to identify these teachers' current practices in teaching music, in particular their self-efficacy in relation to teaching music. A narrative inquiry methodology was employed, drawing on interviews with each of the participants. Narratives revealed that the five teachers demonstrate a range of music teaching practices, including teaching a weekly music lesson to all classes in a school, conducting choirs, attempting to sing with the aid of a CD with children, using technology to facilitate music composition, integrating music with other arts into an assembly performance, and facilitating and participating in a school-based rock band. A range of individual factors impacted on these teaching practices, including musical background, current engagement in music making, access to music professional development, access to resources, and music courses.
Adaptive Contention Window Scheme for WLANs

In this paper, a new bakeoff algorithm is proposed to enhance the performance of the IEEE 802.11 Distributed Coordination Function (DCF) which employs Binary Exponential Backoff (BEB) algorithm. We present simulation results showing that the new algorithm outperforms the BEB algorithm and compared with the previously proposed enhancement algorithms, a salient feature of our algorithm is that it performs well when the number of active stations is large and small : that is, in both heavy and light contention cases. Furthermore, the adaptive window adjustment algorithm is simpler than previously proposed enhancement schemes in that no live measurement of the WLANs traffic activity is needed and don't assume constant packet sizes.
STABILIZATION AND ADJUSTMENT POLICIES AND PROGRAMMES RESEARCH ADVISERS: Professors

(WIDER) was established in 1984 and started work in Helsinki in the spring of 1985. The principal purpose of the Institute is to help identify and meet the need for policy-oriented socioeconomic research on pressing global and development problems and their interrelationships. The establishment and location of WIDER in Helsinki have been made possible by a generous financial contribution from the Government of Finland. The work of WIDER is carried out by staff researchers and visiting scholars and through networks of collaborating institutions and scholars in various parts of the world. WIDER's research projects are grouped into three main themes: I Hunger and poverty-the poorest billion II Money, finance and trade-reform for world development III Development and technological transformation-the management of change WIDER seeks to involve policy makers from developing countries in its research efforts and to draw specific policy lessons from the research results. The Institute continues to build up its research capacity in Helsinki and to develop closer contacts with other research institutions around the world. In addition to its scholarly publications, WIDER issues short, non-technical reports aimed at policy makers and their advisers in both developed and developing countries. WIDER will also publish a series of study group reports on the basic problems of the global economy.
Gender expectations and their impact on black female offenders and victims

The characterizations of females presented by early theorists were based on an image of the ideal woman that was specific to upper class white women. Literature in the areas of female crime and and the victimization of females has supported the view that females who did not live up to these expectations were denied preferential treatment. This article hypothesizes that the gender role expectations of black females differ significantly from those of white females. These race-specific expectations are identified. Although these myths have not received empirical support, the characterizations remain. It is further argued that these misconceptions concerning the black female have been used as justifications for denying her equal treatment.
Livestock veterinarians at high risk of acquiring methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus ST398

SUMMARY The prevalence and risk factors associated with livestock-associated MRSA (LA-MRSA) carriage was examined in Danish and Belgian veterinarians. The MRSA and LA-MRSA carriage rates were 9·5% (95% CI 5·3–15·6) and 7·5% (95% CI 3·8–13·1) for MRSA and LA-MRSA, respectively, in Belgium and 1·4% (95% CI: 0·17–5·05) in Denmark (all Danish MRSA isolates belonged to the LA-MRSA genotype). All LA-MRSA isolates were resistant to tetracycline and 53·4% (7/13) showed a multi-resistant phenotype. LA-MRSA was significantly associated with veterinarians in contact with livestock (P=0·046). In the multivariable analysis, working with small animals in a veterinary clinic seems to be negatively associated (OR 0·15, 95% CI 0–1·0, P=0·05) and a strong direct association was found for LA-MRSA acquisition and exposure to live pigs (OR 12·1, 95% CI 1·6–548·5, P=0·01). Since carriage of MRSA ST398 may increase the risk of complications during hospitalization, our results underline that preventive measures may need to be developed for veterinary professionals, particularly for livestock veterinarians.
Effects of 5 Weeks of High-Intensity Interval Training vs. Volume Training in 14-Year-Old Soccer Players

Sperlich, B, De Marées, M, Koehler, K, Linville, J, Holmberg, H-C, and Mester, J. Effects of 5 weeks' high-intensity interval training vs. volume training in 14-year-old soccer players. J Strength Cond Res 25(5): 1271-1278, 2011-High-intensity interval training (HIIT) in junior and adult soccer has been shown to improve oxygen uptake (&OV0312;o2) and enhance soccer performance. The main purpose of this study was to examine the short term effects of a 5-week HIIT vs. high-volume training (HVT) program in 14-year-old soccer players regarding the effects on &OV0312;o2max and 1,000-m time (T1000) and on sprinting and jumping performance. In a 5-week period, 19 male soccer players with a mean (SD) age of 13.5 ± 0.4 years performed HIIT at close to ∼90% of maximal heart rate. The HVT intensity was set at 60-75% of maximal heart rate. &OV0312;o2max increased significantly (7.0%) from pre to post in HIIT but not after HVT. T1000 decreased significantly after HIIT (∼−10 vs. ∼−5 seconds in HVT). Sprint performance increased significantly in both groups from pre to posttesting without any changes in jumping performance.
Arteriovenous fistula maturation in patients with permanent access created prior to or after hemodialysis initiation

Introduction Multiple factors and comorbidities have been implicated in the ability of arteriovenous fistulas (AVF) to mature, including vessel anatomy, advanced age, and the presence of coronary artery disease or peripheral vascular disease. However, little is known about the role of uremia on AVF primary failure. In this study, we attempt to evaluate the effect of uremia on AVF maturation by comparing AVF outcomes between pre-dialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage five patients and those who had their AVF created after hemodialysis (HD) initiation. Methods We included 612 patients who underwent AVF creation between 2003 and 2015 at the University of Miami Hospital and Jackson Memorial Hospital. Effects of uremia on primary failure were evaluated using univariate statistical comparisons and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Results Primary failure occurred in 28.1% and 26.3% of patients with an AVF created prior to or after HD initiation, respectively (p = 0.73). The time of HD initiation was not associated with AVF maturation in multivariate logistic regression analysis (p = 0.57). In addition, pre-operative blood urea nitrogen (p = 0.78), estimated glomerular filtration rate (p = 0.66), and serum creatinine levels (p = 0.14) were not associated with AVF primary failure in pre-dialysis patients. Conclusions Our results show that clearance of uremia with regular HD treatments prior to AVF creation does not improve the frequency of vascular access maturation.
Association of Human Papilloma Virus 16 Infection and p53 Polymorphism among Tobacco using Oral Leukoplakia Patients: A Clinicopathologic and Genotypic Study

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) and p53 alterations are speculated to play a role in carcinogenesis. This study was carried out to find out the association of HPV and p53 with precancerous lesions of the oral cavity such as leukoplakia: The objective of this study was to find the association among human papilloma virus (HPV) 16 infections and p53 polymorphism in tobacco using the oral leukoplakia patients. Methods: A total of 91 oral leukoplakia patients and 100 controls were randomly selected from the out-patient department of a tertiary care dental hospital of North-east India. Blood samples were drawn incisional biopsy was performed from the lesion proper and the tissue was processed for histopathological grading. Cytological smears were taken from the lesional site of leukoplakia patients and buccal mucosa of controls. The rate of HPV infection and p53 polymorphism was detected with the help of polymerase chain reaction, gel electrophoresis and deoxyribonucleic acid sequencing. Results: The rate of HPV 16 infection was found significantly high in the oral leukoplakia patients. No particular p53 genotype at exon 4 of codon 72 was found to be associated with oral leukoplakia, but “C” allele (proline) at exon 4 of codon 72 was significantly raised in these patients. Conclusions: Oral leukoplakia, a well-known pre-cancerous lesion, has been shown to be associated with tobacco, but certain other factors like HPV infection and p53 polymorphism may play an important role in its development.
The New Frontier

This research focuses on and explores the processes by which first-year undergraduate students compose their first university composition paper. The first half of this research examines previous case studies done in the field of first time composers, including studies by both Sondra Perl and Janet Emig. The second half of the research revolves around my own case study, which focused specifically on the first composition paper students write in Composition 101 classes. I performed my case study by recruiting and surveying students from a Composition 101 class in University of Montevallo’s College of Arts and Sciences. The survey asked their major and contained a series of nine questions that asked students their opinions regarding the differences between high school and university level writing, the process by which they composed their first paper, and their thoughts on how this composition class either benefitted or disadvantaged them. After receiving the completed surveys I examined and interpreted the responses in comparison to the previous case studies. The responses both mimicked the patterns of the previous case studies and presented new and unique patterns. Overall this research aimed to not only to get an understanding of what has been observed in composition studies so far but also to obtain an understanding of this particular classroom. In doing so, I was able to obtain a better understanding of the compositional processes of this classroom and how these results could influence the continuing process of writing pedagogy.
Amplicon DNA melting analysis for mutation scanning and genotyping: cross-platform comparison of instruments and dyes.

BACKGROUND DNA melting analysis for genotyping and mutation scanning of PCR products by use of high-resolution instruments with special "saturation" dyes has recently been reported. The comparative performance of other instruments and dyes has not been evaluated. METHODS A 110-bp fragment of the beta-globin gene including the sickle cell anemia locus (A17T) was amplified by PCR in the presence of either the saturating DNA dye, LCGreen Plus, or SYBR Green I. Amplicons of 3 different genotypes (wild-type, heterozygous, and homozygous mutants) were melted on 9 different instruments (ABI 7000 and 7900HT, Bio-Rad iCycler, Cepheid SmartCycler, Corbett Rotor-Gene 3000, Idaho Technology HR-1 and LightScanner, and the Roche LightCycler 1.2 and LightCycler 2.0) at a rate of 0.1 degrees C/s or as recommended by the manufacturer. The ability of each instrument/dye combination to genotype by melting temperature (Tm) and to scan for heterozygotes by curve shape was evaluated. RESULTS Resolution varied greatly among instruments with a 15-fold difference in Tm SD (0.018 to 0.274 degrees C) and a 19-fold (LCGreen Plus) or 33-fold (SYBR Green I) difference in the signal-to-noise ratio. These factors limit the ability of most instruments to accurately genotype single-nucleotide polymorphisms by amplicon melting. Plate instruments (96-well) showed the greatest variance with spatial differences across the plates. Either SYBR Green I or LCGreen Plus could be used for genotyping by T(m), but only LCGreen Plus was useful for heterozygote scanning. However, LCGreen Plus could not be used on instruments with an argon laser because of spectral mismatch. All instruments compatible with LCGreen Plus were able to detect heterozygotes by altered melting curve shape. However, instruments specifically designed for high-resolution melting displayed the least variation, suggesting better scanning sensitivity and specificity. CONCLUSION Different instruments and dyes vary widely in their ability to genotype homozygous variants and scan for heterozygotes by whole-amplicon melting analysis.
Prisons: From occupational deprivation to occupational enrichment

Abstract Whilst prisons and prison life are never far from the attention of the popular media, many dimensions of prison life and the incarceration process itself remain poorly understood. The concept of occupational deprivation, recently developed in the occupational science literature, is one that has been applied to understanding the phenomenon of inmates’ restricted occupational engagement in traditional penal settings. This article explores occupational deprivation as a feature of prison life and considers how penal policies create or inadvertently reinforce this situation. In contrast, occupational enrichment is posited as an approach that could be adopted in penal environments to better meet the needs of inmates and society at large.
A history of chaos theory

Whether every effect can be precisely linked to a given cause or to a list of causes has been a matter of debate for centuries, particularly during the 17th century when astronomers became capable of predicting the trajectories of planets. Recent mathematical models applied to physics have included the idea that given phenomena cannot be predicted precisely although they can be predicted to some extent in line with the chaos theory Concepts such as deterministic models, sensitivity to initial conditions, strange attractors, and fractal dimensions are inherent to the development of this theory, A few situations involving normal or abnormal endogenous rhythms in biology have been analyzed following the principles of chaos theory This is particularly the case with cardiac arrhythmias, but less so with biological clocks and circadian rhythms.
The Effects of Postnatal Retinoic Acid Administration on Nephron Endowment in the Preterm Baboon Kidney

Administration of retinoic acid (RA), the active metabolite of vitamin A, is linked to the stimulation of nephrogenesis. The aim of this study was to determine whether early postnatal administration of RA could enhance ongoing nephrogenesis in a baboon model of premature birth. Unbiased stereological methods were used to estimate kidney volume, renal corpuscle volume, and nephron number. The percentage of abnormal glomeruli and the number of glomerular generations was also determined in the kidneys of preterm control (n = 6) and preterm +RA (n = 6) animals that received 500 μg/kg/d of all-trans RA after premature delivery. There was no significant difference between the preterm control and the preterm +RA groups in kidney size, nephron number (preterm control: 329,924 ± 41,752; preterm +RA: 354,041 ± 52,095; p = 0.59), renal corpuscle volume, number of glomerular generations, or the percentage of abnormal glomeruli. The proportion of abnormal glomeruli did not appear to be linked to any elements of postnatal care examined. The results of this study indicate that early postnatal administration of RA is unable to stimulate nephrogenesis in the kidney of the preterm baboon. Encouragingly, it does not appear to have any adverse effects on kidney development.