Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Optimism across cultures: In response to the severe acute respiratory syndrome outbreak.

Based on our early research, we predicted that the Chinese may be more optimistic and less pessimistic than North Americans in response to negative life events. A survey was conducted to investigate optimism cross culturally in the context of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreaks in Canada and China. Chinese students in Beijing and European Canadians in Toronto answered questions about their perceptions of SARS. No significant cultural difference was found on dispositional optimism, as measured by the Revised Life Orientation Test (LOT-R). Unrealistic optimism was measured in the context of SARS. Both groups demonstrated unrealistic optimism (i.e. reporting that the self was less likely than an average person to get infected with SARS). Such optimistic bias was stronger among Chinese than among Canadians. Compared to the actual infection rates in Beijing and Toronto, both Chinese and Canadian participants overestimated their own chances of getting infected, indicating that they were being pessimistic. Indeed, Chinese were less pessimistic than Canadians. In addition, even though the Chinese reported more inconvenience brought by SARS than did Canadians, they also reported more positive changes brought by SARS, reflecting the Chinese dialectical views of events. Implications for research on optimism in context are discussed.
The rise and fall of tuberculosis in Malawi: associations with HIV infection and antiretroviral therapy

Since 1985, Malawi has experienced a dual epidemic of HIV and tuberculosis (TB) which has been moderated recently by the advent of antiretroviral therapy (ART). The aim of this study was to describe the association over several decades between HIV/AIDS, the scale‐up of ART and TB case notifications.
Multiphoton versus confocal high resolution z‐sectioning of enhanced green fluorescent microtubules: increased multiphoton photobleaching within the focal plane can be compensated using a Pockels cell and dual widefield detectors

Multiphoton excitation was originally projected to improve live cell fluorescence imaging by minimizing photobleaching effects outside the focal plane, yet reports suggest that photobleaching within the focal plane is actually worse than with one photon excitation. We confirm that when imaging enhanced green fluorescent protein, photobleaching is indeed more acute within the multiphoton excitation volume, so that whilst fluorescence increases as predicted with the square of the excitation power, photobleaching rates increase with a higher order relationship. Crucially however, multiphoton excitation also affords unique opportunities for substantial improvements to fluorescence detection. By using a Pockels cell to minimize exposure of the specimen together with multiple nondescanned detectors we show quantitatively that for any particular bleach rate multiphoton excitation produces significantly more signal than one photon excitation confocal microscopy in high resolution Z‐axis sectioning of thin samples. Both modifications are readily implemented on a commercial multiphoton microscope system.
The Study of Visual Functions in the Normal Eye of Patients with Unilateral Optic Neuritis.

Background: Comprehensive data on fellow eyes in unilateral optic neuritis is lacking. Aims: Evaluation of visual function of fellow eyes of patients with unilateral optic neuritis and response to treatment. Material and Methods: This was a retrospective study which included 20 patients with unilateral optic neuritis from a database of 34 patients of acute optic neuritis (bilateral or unilateral). All patients had assessment of visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, color vision, visual fields, visual evoked potentials (VEP) at presentation in affected and asymptomatic eyes. Patients were followed up at 1month, 3 months and 6 months after treatment with corticosteroids (IV Methylprednisolone followed by oral prednisone in rapid tapering doses), and then visual tests were repeated. Data was expressed as mean (95% confidence limit) and; analyzed by Mann–Whitney U test and paired t-test as appropriate. The probability level of <0.05 was set for statistical significance. Result: Most of the apparently normal asymptomatic fellow eyes at baseline had abnormal visual parameters [visual fields (90%), visual acuity (70%), contrast sensitivity (10%), color vision tests (10%) and VEP (40%)]. Mean values (±standard deviation) of visual parameters were reduced [visual acuity, 0.31 (0.280) logmar values; contrast sensitivity, 1.36 (±0.26) log units and visual fields, mean deviation -10.03 (±-7.39) dB respectively]. Most common field defect in fellow eye was peripheral scotoma, in contrast to affected eyes in which diffuse scotoma were predominant. None of the patient had dyschromatopsia. After IV Methylprednisolone, all visual parameters showed recovery which was maximum at 1 month, however only visual acuity showed a near significant trend (p=0.07). Conclusion: Patients with ‘unilateral’ optic neuritis have subtle bilateral affliction, detailed evaluation of fellow eye is warranted in all cases.
A model and measure of agreement for population-based studies

Agreement between physicians in their classification of items such as mammograms for the presence of disease is an important tool in assessing the reliability of a diagnostic procedure, and the modeling of agreement data is a popular topic in the biomedical and social sciences. Interest often lies in assessing agreement in the underlying diagnostic procedure and making inferences for the populations of raters and items typically involved in the rating process. However, the majority of methods currently available are limited to inference for the specific groups of raters and items selected for study, and most do not apply when many raters are involved. In this paper we describe the use of generalized linear mixed models with crossed random effects to model agreement between many raters and items over the long-run for classifications made on a binary scale. These models flexibly allow for missing and unbalanced data, many raters and items, the inclusion of covariates that may influence the agreement process and most importantly, provides inference regarding the underlying diagnostic process and the populations of the typical raters and items involved in such classifications. To provide an overall measure of agreement we propose a summary model-based statistic which is easily interpretable in a manner similar to Cohen’s kappa statistic, while avoiding some of the biases that arise in Cohen’s kappa usage. The proposed agreement measure can also be used to describe agreement between subgroups of raters and items by utilizing available covariate information. Simulation studies demonstrate that the proposed approach provides unbiased chance-corrected estimates of agreement. The methods are applied to an agreement dataset involving the classification of mammograms for the presence/absence of breast cancer (Beam 2003).
Clarifying Teachers' Beliefs About Discipline

Student discipline is consistently a primary con cern of teachers and citizens. 1 In fact, teachers' in ability to manage students effectively is the main source of dissatisfaction for two-thirds of today's teachers. 2 Numerous books have been written to assist teachers with discipline problems, and there are many courses and workshops to choose from, ranging from "behavior modification methods" to "reality therapy" to "teacher effectiveness training. " But the increasing number of choices makes decisions more difficult, especially for beginning teachers whose teacher prep aration programs gave them little exposure to disci pline strategies, and who have yet to develop their own styles. We have developed a way for teachers to clarify their beliefs on discipline so they can select strategies with which they are comfortable. Self-concept the orists, including Lecky3 , Kelley4, Snygg and Combs5
Assessment of metal artifacts in three-dimensional dental surface models derived by cone-beam computed tomography

Objective The aim of this study was to assess artifacts induced by metallic restorations in three-dimensional (3D) dental surface models derived by cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Methods Fifteen specimens, each with four extracted human premolars and molars embedded in a plaster block, were scanned by CBCT before and after the cavitated second premolars were restored with dental amalgam. Five consecutive surface models of each specimen were created according to increasing restoration size: no restoration (control) and small occlusal, large occlusal, disto-occlusal, and mesio-occluso-distal restorations. After registering each restored model with the control model, maximum linear discrepancy, area, and intensity of the artifacts were measured and compared. Results Artifacts developed mostly on the buccal and lingual surfaces. They occurred not only on the second premolar but also on the first premolar and first molar. The parametric values increased significantly with increasing restoration size. Conclusions Metallic restorations induce considerable artifacts in 3D dental surface models. Artifact reduction should be taken into consideration for a proper diagnosis and treatment planning when using 3D surface model derived by CBCT in dentofacial deformity patients.
LeakChaser: helping programmers narrow down causes of memory leaks

In large programs written in managed languages such as Java and C#, holding unnecessary references often results in memory leaks and bloat, degrading significantly their run-time performance and scalability. Despite the existence of many leak detectors for such languages, these detectors often target low-level objects; as a result, their reports contain many false warnings and lack sufficient semantic information to help diagnose problems. This paper introduces a specification-based technique called LeakChaser that can not only capture precisely the unnecessary references leading to leaks, but also explain, with high-level semantics, why these references become unnecessary. At the heart of LeakChaser is a three-tier approach that uses varying levels of abstraction to assist programmers with different skill levels and code familiarity to find leaks. At the highest tier of the approach, the programmer only needs to specify the boundaries of coarse-grained activities, referred to as transactions. The tool automatically infers liveness properties of these transactions, by monitoring the execution, in order to find unnecessary references. Diagnosis at this tier can be performed by any programmer after inspecting the APIs and basic modules of a program, without understanding of the detailed implementation of these APIs. At the middle tier, the programmer can introduce application-specific semantic information by specifying properties for the transactions. At the lowest tier of the approach is a liveness checker that does not rely on higher-level semantic information, but rather allows a programmer to assert lifetime relationships for pairs of objects. This task could only be performed by skillful programmers who have a clear understanding of data structures and algorithms in the program. We have implemented LeakChaser in Jikes RVM and used it to help us diagnose several real-world leaks. The implementation incurs a reasonable overhead for debugging and tuning. Our case studies indicate that the implementation is powerful in guiding programmers with varying code familiarity to find the root causes of several memory leaks---even someone who had not studied a leaking program can quickly find the cause after using LeakChaser's iterative process that infers and checks properties with different levels of semantic information.
The Cognitive Mediation Model: Factors Influencing Public Knowledge of the H1N1 Pandemic and Intention to Take Precautionary Behaviors

This study uses the cognitive mediation model as the theoretical framework to examine the influence of motivations, communication, and news elaboration on public knowledge of the H1N1 pandemic and the intention to take precautionary behaviors in Singapore. Using a nationally representative random digit dialing telephone survey of 1,055 adult Singaporeans, the authors' results show that the cognitive mediation model can be applied to health contexts, in which motivations (surveillance gratification, guidance, and need for cognition) were positively associated with news attention, elaboration, and interpersonal communication. News attention, elaboration, and interpersonal communication in turn positively influence public knowledge about the H1N1 influenza. In addition, results show that the motivations have significant indirect effects on behavioral intentions, as partially mediated by communication (media attention and interpersonal communication), elaboration, and knowledge. The authors conclude that the cognitive mediation model can be extended to behavioral outcomes, above and beyond knowledge. Implications for theory and practice for health communication were discussed.
Development and validation of the Attitudes Towards Asexuals (ATA) scale

Although asexuality (i.e., lack of sexual attraction) is receiving increasing public and academic attention, anti-asexual bias has been the focus of little empirical study. Here, we develop a measure of anti-asexual bias, the Attitudes Towards Asexuals (ATA) scale, consisting of a 16-item factor with strong reliability (α = .94). The ATA demonstrated convergent validity in terms of correlations with individual differences (e.g., positive relations with Right-Wing Authoritarianism, Social Dominance Orientation) and anti-asexual behavioural intentions (e.g., discomfort renting to and hiring asexuals, contact avoidance). Further, these relations were statistically unique from singlism (i.e., bias against singles). In addition, we found relations between greater ATA and greater sexism, greater traditional gender norm endorsement and lower past intergroup contact with asexuals, suggesting potential avenues for expanding our understanding of anti-asexual bias. Implications for examining anti-asexual bias as a distinct form of sexual prejudice are discussed.
A single-chip 75 GHz/0.35 /spl mu/m SiGe BiCMOS W-CDMA homodyne transceiver for UMTS mobiles

A single-chip, fully-integrated 3G UMTS/W-CDMA transceiver has been implemented in a standard 75-GHz/0.35 /spl mu/m SiGe BiCMOS process for use in FDD mobile terminals. The design comprises two integer-N/fractional-N synthesizers with fully integrated CMOS VCOs, on-chip tuning and PLL, a zero-IF receiver and a direct-conversion transmitter. The zero-IF receiver includes a differential-input, bipolar, low-noise amplifier (2nd LNA), a down-converter with CMOS Gilbert type mixers followed by a low-noise buffer amplifier, an analog active baseband filter of 5th-order with automatic on-chip filter calibration and interleaved with a programmable gain amplifier, and a programmable baseband output buffer. The direct-conversion transmitter includes a 4th-order analog active baseband filter, a bipolar direct modulation up-converter, and a variable gain RF amplifier with >80 dB gain control range, and a 3 dBm power amplifier driver. The transceiver is fully-programmable via two serial 3-wire-bus interfaces. The device operates at 2.7-3.0 V supply and consumes 35 mA and 53-78 mA, in the receive mode and in the transmit mode, respectively. The transceiver is mounted in a small outline, 40-pin, leadless, 5.5/spl times/6.5 mm/sup 2/ surface mount package and fully complies with ARIB W-CDMA and UMTS standards.
Relationship Lending and the Transmission of Monetary Policy

Repeated interactions allow lenders to uncover private information about their clients, decreasing the informational asymmetry between a borrower and his lender but introducing one between the lender and competing financiers. This paper constructs a credit-based model of production to analyze how learning through lending relationships affects monetary transmission. I examine how monetary policy changes the incentives of borrowers and lenders to engage in relationship lending and how these changes then shape the response of aggregate output. The results demonstrate that relationship lending prevails in equilibrium, smoothes the steady state output profile, and induces less volatile responses to certain monetary shocks.
The 'Telling Stories' Project : a case series study of narrative interaction between children who use speech generating devices and their educational staff

Story-telling is important to child language development and plays a critical role within the English National Curriculum. Children who use Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) have limited opportunities to develop narrative compared to their typically developing peers. The current study aimed to explore narrative construction in communicative dyads comprising an aided speaker (AS) and natural speaker (NS). A case series design was employed to investigate narrative interactions of children who use AAC with a familiar member of teaching staff. The sample comprised four children, two with cerebral palsy, one with autistic spectrum disorder and one with a genetic condition. Data collection took place at the school attended by each participant. Video capture was used to record one personal and one fictional narrative in four separate data collection sessions with each dyad. Data were transcribed using standard orthography. Three dependent variables were investigated: communicative modality, linguistic move-type and linguistic complexity. A subsidiary study was completed to test the reliability of Momentary Time Sampling in coding interactional data. The findings revealed multimodal contributions from both interlocutors. Speech was the dominant modality for all NS participants. Communicative modality use was more varied for the AS. NS participants assumed a more dominant, initiating role. Analysis highlighted patterns of frequent directives, such as instructions and w-question and yes/no question employed by the NS followed by AS responses during narrative interaction. However, some miscommunication between interlocutors was also recorded. Narrative interaction was found to follow the educational initiation-response feedback framework, although there was evidence of the AS and NS working together to construct narrative. Implications include the need for NS scaffolding within education to support AS access to narrative language. The case series serves to illustrate some of the challenges associated with narrative production for children who use AAC and the associated relevance of the NS’ role.
Randomization in a Substance Abuse Treatment Study: Participants Who Consent vs Those Who Do Not

Objective: A mixed research design study compared patients who consented to treatment randomization with patients who opted for usual care. Methods: Patients in substance abuse rehabilitation who consented to randomization (that is, consenting group [CG]) were compared with those unwilling to undergo randomization (that is, nonconsenting group [NG]) but who, nevertheless, underwent the experimental assessment sessions, which spanned from intake to 6-month follow-up. Results: Patients in the CG exhibited a longer history of drug abuse, less occupational stability at intake, and following intensive treatment, tended not to do as well in terms of recovery, compared with those in the NG. Conclusion: Inclusion of data from partial participants in research protocols may offer a viable strategy to better appraise data generalizability.
Interrelationships of the volume and time components of individual breaths in resting man.

1. The volume and time components of individual breaths have been investigated under ‘steady‐state’ conditions during air‐breathing in fifteen subjects and, in a further six subjects, also during the addition of 1–5 and 3% CO2 to the inspired gas. 2. A computer‐assisted method has been used to derive from the air flow record the individual breath values of tidal volume (VT), inspiratory duration (TI), expiratory duration (TE) and cycle duration (TC = TI + TE) for a sequence of breaths in the various steady‐state conditions. 3. When the subjects were breathing room air, for breath sequences of over 200 breaths (n = 228–365), mean values of TI (TI) mostly lay between 1 and 2–5 sec, TE between 2‐0 and 3–5 sec and VT between 0–4 and 0–91. The distributions of VT, TI and TE were in general unimodal. 4. Significant negative correlations between VT and F, and positive correlations between VT and TC, have been confirmed. 5. In all fifteen subjects, a highly significant positive correlation existed between VT and TI (mean r = +0–704), which was stronger than that between VT and TC (mean r = +0–533). Weaker positive correlations were demonstrated between VT and TE, and between TI and TE (mean r = +0–359 and +0–381 respectively). 6. The intercept of the regression of VT on TI passed close to the origin, typically slightly positive on the VT axis (mean = +0–0991.). This, coupled with the strong positive correlation between VT and TI, indicates that the mean inspiratory flow rate (VI = VT/TI) for each breath is held relatively constant from breath to breath. 7. In the six subjects studied during CO2 inhalation, the mean % contributions of VT and F to the increase in ventilation associated with breathing 3% CO2 were 75 and 25% respectively. 8. At the three different levels of ventilation, neither VT, TI nor TE showed a wholly consistent trend, although VT tended to increase, TE to decrease and TI to be unchanged. In contrast, the average values of VI (VI) consistently increased as the chemical stimulus was raised. 9. It is concluded that the previously observed tendency for ventilation to be held constant from breath to breath during steady‐state breathing depends predominantly on the tendency for VI to be held constant. Close restraints are evidently not imposed on the individual values of VT and TI under these conditions. The neural mechanism generating breathing appears to control ventilation principally by regulating the rate of inspiratory air flow and secondarily TE.
Occurrence and profiles of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in soils from a typical e-waste recycling area in Southeast China

Surface soils collected from Taizhou, a typical e-waste recycling area in Southeast China, were analyzed for the residues of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) by using microwave-assisted extraction and gas chromatography -mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The total concentrations of 16 PAHs in US EPA's priority list (ΣPAHs), six indicator PCBs (ΣPCBs), 15 OCPs widely used in China (ΣOCPs) in soils ranged from 125 to 4737 ng/g (average: 854 ng/g), from not detected to 55.4 ng/g (3.16 ng/g), and from 47.9 to 820 ng/g (276 ng/g), respectively. Individual PAHs were ubiquitously found in soil samples with detected ratio of 96% and their residual levels were comparable with those of serious polluted sites. Principal component analysis in combination with diagnostic ratios suggested that the combustion of coal, wood, and plastic wastes that are closely associated with illegal and unsafe recycling operations of e-wastes was the main source of PAHs in this area. Compared with other polluted sites, the PCBs residues in soils were generally low except for those in the major recycling site. The residual levels of OCPs in this region were also relatively higher and hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and its metabolite forms including dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane (DDD) and dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE), hexachlorobenzene (HCB), and dicofol were dominant species. The composition analysis indicated that the HCHs residues in soils might originate from the application of lindane (pure γ-HCH) and parts of DDTs possibly from the wide use of dicofol with high impurity of DDT compounds in this region.