Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Stav o bračnim ulogama i percepcija obiteljskih odnosa kod zaposlenih supružnika

Cilj ovog istraživanja bio je utvrditi kvalitetu obiteljskog funkcioniranja kod zaposlenih bracnih parova s obzirom na stav partnera prema bracnim ulogama, u nasem drustvu gdje je jos uvijek ustaljena tradicionalna uloga supružnika. 177 zaposlenih bracnih parova iz razlicitih regija Republike Hrvatske i podrucja južne Hercegovine ispunjavali su upitnike kojima su mjereni stav o bracnim ulogama, tradicionalnost uloga bracnih partnera te drugi aspekti kvalitete obiteljskih odnosa. Rezultati pokazuju da nema znacajnih razlika u procijenjenim aspektima obiteljskih odnosa s obzirom na spol, sto je bilo ocekivano s obzirom na to da se radi o uzorku bracnih parova, koji procjenjuju istu obiteljsku sredinu. Daljnji rezultati ukazuju na to da oni s tradicionalnijim stavovima zaista imaju tradicionalnije brakove i znacajno vece procjene obiteljskog konflikta, dok oni s egalitarnijim stavovima imaju egalitarnije brakove i manje procjene obiteljskog konflikta. Parovi kongruentni u svojim stavovima prema bracnim ulogama procjenjuju manju tradicionalnost bracne zajednice, vecu socijalnu podrsku od obitelji i vecu kvalitetu obiteljskog funkcioniranja od parova nekongruentnih u stavovima prema bracnim ulogama. Slaganje bracnih partnera u stavu o bracnim ulogama i egalitarnost tog stava svakako su pokazali povoljnije djelovanje na obiteljsko funkcioniranje, ali treba ubuduce provjeriti ove rezultate na reprezentativnijim uzorcima ispitanika.
The diagnostic utility and tendency of the soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products (sRAGE) in exudative pleural effusion.

BACKGROUND The soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products (sRAGE) may have an inflammatory or homeostatic function in lung tissue. The aim of this study was to assess the usefulness of sRAGE as a diagnostic marker for exudative pleural effusions, which are common manifestations of a variety of diseases. METHODS Patients with an undiagnosed pleural effusion were prospectively enrolled between January 2013 and January 2015. Samples of blood and pleural fluid were centrifuged and the supernatant stored at -70 °C. The levels of sRAGE in serum and pleural fluid were determined using a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. RESULTS In total 47 patients, 21 patients were diagnosed with a tuberculous effusion, and the groups diagnosed with parapneumonic or malignant effusions comprised 13 patients each. The serum sRAGE levels for tuberculosis were significantly elevated [median, 1,291 pg/mL; interquartile range (IQR), 948-1,711 pg/mL] when compared with those for both pneumonia (median, 794 pg/mL; IQR, 700-1,255 pg/mL) and lung cancer (median, 886 pg/mL; IQR, 722-1,285 pg/mL) (P=0.029). The pleural sRAGE levels for pneumonia (median, 1,763 pg/mL; IQR, 1,262-4,431 pg/mL) were lower than those for both tuberculosis (median, 5,081 pg/mL; IQR, 3,300-6,004 pg/mL) and lung cancer (median, 4,936 pg/mL; IQR, 3,282-7,018 pg/mL) (P=0.009) The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis selected 896 pg/mL as the best cutoff value in the sRAGE serum level for tuberculosis [sensitivity, 86%; specificity 58%; area under the curve (AUC) =0.727, P=0.008]. For the pleural effusion sRAGE level, the ROC curve analysis selected 2,231 pg/mL as the best cutoff value for pneumonia (sensitivity, 91%; specificity, 62%, AUC =0.792, P=0.002). CONCLUSIONS Among patients with exudative effusion, pleural and serum sRAGE measurements may be useful supportive diagnostic tools in the evaluation of ambiguous pleural effusion. Furthermore, the behavior of sRAGE in the serum and pleural fluid of various pulmonary diseases suggests that sRAGE may be linked to the chronic process of lung damage and inflammation rather than acute bacterial infection.
Influence of Handrim Wheelchair Propulsion Training in Adolescent Wheelchair Users, A Pilot Study

Ten full-time adolescent wheelchair users (ages 13–18) completed a total of three propulsion trials on carpet and tile surfaces, at a self-selected velocity, and on a concrete surface, at a controlled velocity. All trials were performed in their personal wheelchair with force and moment sensing wheels attached bilaterally. The first two trials on each surface were used as pre-intervention control trials. The third trial was performed after receiving training on proper propulsion technique. Peak resultant force, contact angle, stroke frequency, and velocity were recorded during all trials for primary analysis. Carpet and tile trials resulted in significant increases in contact angle and peak total force with decreased stroke frequency after training. During the velocity controlled trials on concrete, significant increases in contact angle occurred, as well as decreases in stroke frequency after training. Overall, the use of a training video and verbal feedback may help to improve short-term propulsion technique in adolescent wheelchair users and decrease the risk of developing upper limb pain and injury.
A Robust Adaptive RBFNN Augmenting Backstepping Control Approach for a Model-Scaled Helicopter

This brief investigates the trajectory tracking problem for a model-scaled helicopter with a novel robust adaptive radial basis function neural network (RBFNN) augmenting backstepping control approach. The helicopter model is first decomposed into an approximate strict-feedback format with some unmodeled dynamics. Backstepping technique is employed as the main control framework, which is augmented by robust RBFNNs to approximate the unmodeled dynamics. Each robust RBFNN utilizes an n th-order smooth switching function to combine a conventional RBFNN with a robust control. The conventional RBFNN dominates in the neural active region, while the robust control retrieves the transient outside the active region, so that the stability range can be widened. In addition, command filters are employed to approximate derivatives of the virtual controls in the backstepping procedure. This systematic design methodology is proven to achieve ultimate boundedness of the closed-loop helicopter system. Simulations validate the effectiveness of the proposed control approach.
Location-Based Services for Mobile Telephony: a Study of Users' Privacy Concerns

Context-aware computing often involves tracking peoples' location. Many studies and applications highlight the importance of keeping people's location information private. We discuss two types of location- based services; location-tracking services that are based on other parties tracking the user's location and position-aware services that rely on the device's knowledge of its own location. We present an experimental case study that examines people's concern for location privacy and compare this to the use of location-based services. We find that even though the perceived usefulness of the two different types of services is the same, location- tracking services generate more concern for privacy than position-aware services. We conclude that development emphasis should be given to position-aware services but that location-tracking services have a potential for success if users are given a simple option for turning the location-tracking off.
Predictive validity of the N2 and P3 ERP components to executive functioning in children: a latent-variable analysis

Executive functions (EFs) are commonly theorized to be related yet separable constructs in adults, and specific EFs, such as prepotent response inhibition and working memory, are thought to have clear and distinct neural underpinnings. However, recent evidence suggests that EFs are unitary in children up to about 9 years of age. The aim of the current study was to test the hypothesis that peaks of the event-related potential (ERP) of specific EFs are related to behavioral performance, despite EFs being psychometrically indistinguishable in children. Specifically, N2 difference waveform (associated with cognitive control and response inhibition) and P3b peak (associated with updating of working memory) latent variables were created and entered into confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation models with a unitary executive functioning factor. Children aged 7–9 years (N = 215) completed eight measures of inhibition, working memory, and shifting. A modified flanker task was also completed during which EEG data were recorded. The N2 difference waveform and P3b mean amplitude factors both significantly correlated with (and were predictors of) the executive functioning factor, but the P3b latency factor did not. These results provide evidence of the electrophysiological indices of EFs being observable before the associated behavioral constructs are distinguishable from each other. From this, it is possible that ERPs could be used as a sensitive measure of development in the context of evaluation for neuropsychological interventions.
A randomised controlled trial of proactive telephone counselling on cold-called smokers' cessation rates

Objectives Active telephone recruitment (‘cold calling’) can enrol almost 45 times more smokers to cessation services than media. However, the effectiveness of proactive telephone counselling with cold-called smokers from the broader community is unknown. This study examined whether proactive telephone counselling improved abstinence, quit attempts and reduced cigarette consumption among cold-called smokers. Methods From 48 014 randomly selected electronic telephone directory numbers, 3008 eligible smokers were identified and 1562 (51.9%) smokers recruited into the randomised controlled trial. Of these, 769 smokers were randomly allocated to proactive telephone counselling and 793 to the control (ie, mailed self-help) conditions. Six counselling calls were offered to intervention smokers willing to quit within a month and four to those not ready to quit. The 4-month, 7-month and 13-month follow-up interviews were completed by 1369 (87.6%), 1278 (81.8%) and 1245 (79.9%) participants, respectively. Results Proactive telephone counselling participants were significantly more likely than controls to achieve 7-day point prevalence abstinence at 4 months (13.8% vs 9.6%, p=0.005) and 7 months (14.3% vs 11.0%, p=0.02) but not at 13 months. There was a significant impact of telephone counselling on prolonged abstinence at 4 months (3.4% vs 1.8%, p=0.02) and at 7 months (2.2% vs 0.9%, p=0.02). At 4 months post recruitment, telephone counselling participants were significantly more likely than controls to have made a quit attempt (48.6% vs 42.9%, p=0.01) and reduced cigarette consumption (16.9% vs 9.0%, p=0.0002). Conclusions Proactive telephone counselling initially increased abstinence and quitting behaviours among cold-called smokers. Given its superior reach, quitlines should consider active telephone recruitment, provided relapse can be reduced. Trial registration Australian New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry; ACTRN012606000221550.
A portable 6-DOF motion tracker using high-accuracy AR markers — First report on the feasibility

We report a portable 6-DOF (six degrees of freedom) motion tracking system which uses high-accuracy AR markers. It enables easy measurement of 6-DOF motion of multiple tracking points by a single camera. We examined the measurement accuracy of the motion tracker by comparing with an ordinary motion-capture system. The pose estimation errors are about 5 [mm] in location (depth) and about 2 [deg] in orientation. We also demonstrated its availability and feasibility through a tracking test of human-arm motion.
The Wonder of Reading: The Effect of Generative Study Strategies on EFL Learners' Reading Comprehension and Recall of Short Stories.

EFL learners often tend to shift the major load of language learning task to the reading skill, due to insufficient access to the spoken mode of language. Experiences of practitioners as well as various research reports in the literature indicate that the more actively learners get engaged with the reading materials, the more profound their comprehension of the reading texts would be. Drawing on Wittrock's 'generative learning theory' (e.g., 1992), this paper has investigated the effect of summarization and question generation, as two generative strategies, on EFL learners' reading comprehension and recall of literary texts. Three homogeneous groups of undergraduates (both males and females) participated in this study (N=63). They were randomly assigned to attend a 'short-stories' course in three different sections. The participants in section A were trained how to summarize the short stories in their own words, those in section B generated questions out of the texts, but those in section C (i.e., the control group) were not asked to apply either of the two strategies. The results of administering a reading comprehension achievement test and a recall test indicated that the two experimental groups outscored the control group on both tests.
Creativity and madness: New findings and old stereotypes.

"In this excellent, concise volume, Rothenberg reports his current views on this fascinating subject. Well argued and judicious. I cannot recommend this book too highly. "--Journal of the American Medical Association. "This intriguing theory will no doubt provoke lively debate both in and outside professional circles. For lay readers, however, the book's real pleasure lies in the substantive analyses of Sylvia Plath, August Strindberg, Emily Dickenson, Tennessee Williams, Eugene O'Neill, and William Faulkner. "--Wilson Library BulletinIntrigued by history's list of "troubled geniuses,"Albert Rothenberg investigates how two such opposite conditions -- outstanding creativity and psychosis -- could coexist in the same individual. Rothenberg concludes that high-level creativity transcends the usual modes of logical thought -- and may even superficially resemble psychosis. But he also discovers that all types of creative thinking generally occur in a rational and conscious frame of mind, not in a mystically altered or transformed state.Far from being the source -- or the price -- of creativity, Rothenberg discovers, psychosis and other forms of mental illness are actually hindrances to creative work. Disturbed writers and absent-minded professors make great characters in fiction, but Rothenberg has uncovered an even better story -- the virtually infinite creative potential of healthy human beings.
Determining the Optimal Stopping Time for Automated Negotiations

Electronic markets are virtual frameworks where entities not known in advance have the opportunity to interact for the trading of products or services. Usually, a negotiation is necessary for the conclusion of the transaction. The conclusion is either positive (agreement) or negative (conflict). An efficient reasoning mechanism is necessary for players participating in negotiations. In this paper, we focus on the buyer side and propose two decision models based on the optimal stopping theory (OST). OST is proved to be very efficient in cases where an entity tries to find the time to stop a process with the aim of maximizing her utility. The outcome of the proposed decision method indicates whether the buyer stops a negotiation either by accepting the offer or continuing in the negotiation by rejecting it. In our models, we assume zero knowledge on the players' characteristics. Our proposed decision models do not require any complex modeling or any information provided by experts. Experimental results reveal the efficiency of each model and provide a comparison assessment with other research efforts.
Communicating With Strangers: An Approach to Intercultural Communication

Part 1 Conceptual foundations: central concepts issues and the study of intercultural communication. Part 2 Influences on the process of communicating with strangers: cultural influences on communication socio-cultural influence on communication psycho-cultural influences on communication environmental influences on communication. Part 3 Encoding and decoding messages: message decoding verbal behaviour non-verbal behaviour. Part 4 Interactions with strangers: interpersonal interactions with strangers stranger adaptation effectiveness in communicating with strangers becoming intercultural building community.
University Students’ Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Emergency Contraception Pills

The purpose of this study was to assess university students’ knowledge and attitudes toward emergency contraception pills (ECPs). A written survey was administered to a convenience sample at a university. Study findings showed favorable student attitudes toward ECP and poor knowledge levels. Knowledge and attitude scores were not influenced by gender. Students who reported receiving health care provider ECP counseling had more positive attitudes toward ECP than those who did not receive counseling, but no knowledge level difference existed. More research is needed on methods to educate students on ECP and on the relationship between knowledge, attitudes and ECP utilization.
Blockade of GITR–GITRL interaction maintains Treg function to prolong allograft survival

Involvement of Treg in transplant tolerance has been demonstrated in multiple models. During the active process of graft rejection, these regulatory cells are themselves regulated and inactivated, a process termed counter‐regulation. We hypothesize that ligation of the costimulatory molecule glucocorticoid‐induced TNF receptor‐related protein (GITR) on Treg inhibits their ability to promote graft survival, and by blocking GITR ligation graft survival can be prolonged. To this aim, we have designed a soluble GITR fusion protein (GITR‐Fc), which binds GITR ligand and inhibits activation of GITR. Here, we show that GITR‐Fc prolonged mouse skin graft survival, and this prolongation is dependent on Treg. In a full MHC‐mismatched skin graft setting, GITR‐Fc significantly improved graft survival when used in combination with MR1, anti‐CD40L, while GITR‐Fc alone did not demonstrate graft prolongation. These results demonstrate that disruption of binding of GITR with GITR ligand may be an important strategy in prolonging allograft survival.
Dynamics of Memory T Cell Proliferation Under Conditions of Heterologous Immunity and Bystander Stimulation1

By examining adoptively transferred CSFE-labeled lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV)-immune donor T cells in Thy-1 congenic hosts inoculated with viruses or with the cytokine inducer poly(I:C), strikingly different responses of bona fide memory T cells were found in response to different stimuli. Poly(I:C) (cytokine) stimulation caused a limited synchronized division of memory CD8 T cells specific to each of five LCMV epitopes, with no increase and sometimes a loss in number, and no change in their epitope hierarchy. Homologous LCMV infection caused more than seven divisions of T cells specific for each epitope, with dramatic increases in number and minor changes in hierarchy. Infections with the heterologous viruses Pichinde and vaccinia (VV) caused more than seven divisions and increases in number of T cells specific to some putatively cross-reactive but not other epitopes and resulted in substantial changes in the hierarchy of the LCMV-specific T cells. Hence, there can be memory T cell division without proliferation (i.e., increase in cell number) in the absence of Ag and division with proliferation in the presence of Ag from homologous or heterologous viruses. Heterologous protective immunity between viruses is not necessarily reciprocal, given that LCMV protects against VV but VV does not protect against LCMV. VV elicited proliferation of LCMV-induced CD8 and CD4 T cells, whereas LCMV did not elicit proliferation of VV-induced T cells. Thus, depending on the pathogen and the sequence of infection, a heterologous agent may selectively stimulate the memory pool in patterns consistent with heterologous immunity.
Volatility, Liquidity, and Liquidity Risk

Liquidity affects various capital market outcomes such as expected returns and capital structure. Prior research has shown that an important determinant of liquidity is volatility, where higher stock return volatility is associated with higher illiquidity. Using recent developments in the literature, we revisit this relation and decompose total volatility into its jump and diffusive components. Our investigation is motivated by the fact that variation in the structure of volatility is driven by variation in economic factors across firms and by the fact that the two volatility components are predicted to have differential effects on liquidity. We find that the positive relation between total volatility and illiquidity is exclusively driven by the jump component, and is independent of any information asymmetry effects. In contrast, we find a negative relation between diffusive volatility and illiquidity. We show that this negative relation is driven by the positive association between diffusive volatility and trading activity. Finally, we show that these findings translate to differential effects for jump and diffusive volatility components on liquidity risk and premium. Our findings have implications for the understanding of asset prices, corporate finance decisions and policy-makers.
Instrument to Measure Psychological Contract Violation in Pharmacy Students

Objectives. To adapt and evaluate an instrument that measures perceived psychological contract violations in pharmacy students by schools and colleges of pharmacy. Design. A psychological contract violations measure was developed from existing literature and the 1997 ACPE Guidelines and pilot-tested with second-year pharmacy students at 2 schools of pharmacy. A revised measure then was administered to second-year pharmacy students at 6 schools of pharmacy. Using a 5-point Likert-type scale, participants were asked to indicate the level of obligations they received compared to what was promised by the school of pharmacy. Results. Exploratory factor analysis on the psychological contract violations measure was conducted using principal components analysis resulting in 7 factors, which led to a revised measure with 26 items. Using a sample of 339 students, the proposed 7-factor measurement model was tested using confirmatory factor analysis. In general, the results supported the hypothesized model. The final 23-item scale demonstrated both reliability and validity. Some students perceived certain aspects of the psychological contract that exists with their school of pharmacy were being violated. Conclusion. The psychological contract violations measure may serve as a valuable tool in helping to identify areas where their students believe that schools/colleges of pharmacy have not fulfilled promised obligations.
Nested PCR for Specific Diagnosis of Taenia solium Taeniasis

ABSTRACT Taeniasis due to Taenia solium is a disease with important public health consequences, since the larval stage is not exclusive to the animal intermediate, the pig, but also infects humans, causing neurocysticercosis. Early diagnosis and treatment of T. solium tapeworm carriers is important to prevent human cysticercosis. Current diagnosis based on microscopic observation of eggs lacks both sensitivity and specificity. In the present study, a nested-PCR assay targeting the Tso31 gene was developed for the specific diagnosis of taeniasis due to T. solium. Initial specificity and sensitivity testing was performed using stored known T. solium-positive and -negative samples. The assay was further analyzed under field conditions by conducting a case-control study of pretreatment stool samples collected from a population in an area of endemicity. Using the archived samples, the assay showed 97% (31/32) sensitivity and 100% (123/123) specificity. Under field conditions, the assay had 100% sensitivity and specificity using microscopy/enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay coproantigen testing as the gold standards. The Tso31 nested PCR described here might be a useful tool for the early diagnosis and prevention of taeniasis/cysticercosis.