Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Vitamin D Receptor Gene Start Codon Polymorphisms (FokI) and Bone Mineral Density: Interaction with Age, Dietary Calcium, and 3′‐End Region Polymorphisms

Osteoporosis is a polygenic disease, whose determining loci have not yet been identified. Vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms in the 3′‐end region (as determined by the enzymes BsmI and ApaI) have been inconsistently associated with bone mineral mass. More recently, VDR start codon polymorphisms (as determined by the enzyme FokI) have been found to be related to adult bone mineral density (BMD) in pre‐ and postmenopausal American women. We investigated the association between BMD and FokI genotypes in premenopausal European–Caucasian women as well as in prepubertal girls from the same genetic background and examined the interaction with VDR 3′‐end region polymorphisms and with dietary calcium intake. Areal BMD (g/cm2) was measured by dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry at the level of the lumbar spine, femoral neck, and femoral shaft in 177 healthy premenopausal women (age range, 18.7–56.0 years) as well as in 155 prepubertal girls (age range, 6.6–11.4 years). Genotyping for FokI, BsmI, and ApaI VDR polymorphisms was performed using polymerase chain reaction methods. FokI genotype–dietary calcium interaction was cross‐sectionally analyzed in all subjects and longitudinally in 103 prepubertal girls enrolled in a calcium intervention trial. The prevalence of FokI VDR gene polymorphisms in this cohort was 15% for ff, 50% for Ff, and 35% for FF. In the whole cohort of premenopausal women or prepubertal girls, no significant association was found between FokI VDR gene polymorphisms and BMD, even adjusted for age (Z score), weight, height, and calcium intake. Further analysis of FokI VDR gene polymorphisms and dietary calcium intake suggested a possible interaction in BMD determination, since a trend for an association with FokI genotypes was more evident at high than low calcium intake in both cross‐sectional and longitudinal studies. Furthermore, cross‐genotyping FokI and either BsmI or ApaI VDR polymorphisms suggested that the ff genotype was associated with a significantly lower lumbar spine BMD in bb and aa prepubertal girls. FokI VDR gene polymorphisms were not significantly associated with BMD in healthy European‐Caucasian females. However, cross‐genotyping of the VDR 3′‐end and start codon polymorphic regions may provide a further insight into the complex determination of BMD.
Early Bone Response to Dual Acid-Etched and Machined Dental Implants Placed in the Posterior Maxilla: A Histologic and Histomorphometric Human Study

Purpose: To compare the early bone response to implants with dual acid-etched (DAE) and machined (MA) surface, when placed in the posterior human maxilla. Materials and Methods: Fourteen patients received 2 implants in the posterior maxilla: 1 DAE and 1 MA. After 2 months, the implants were retrieved for histologic/histomorphometric evaluation. The bone-to-implant contact (BIC%), bone density in the threaded area (BDTA%), and the bone density (BD%) were calculated. The Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed rank test was used to evaluate differences (BIC%, BDTA%, and BD%) between the surfaces. Results: In the MA implants, a mean (±SD) BIC%, BDTA%, and BD% of 21.76 (±12.79), 28.58 (±16.91), and 21.54 (±11.67), respectively, was reported. In the DAE implants, a mean (±SD) BIC%, BDTA%, and BD% of 37.49 (±29.51), 30.59 (±21.78), and 31.60 (±18.06), respectively, was reported. Although the mean BIC% of DAE implants value was almost double than that of MA implants, no significant differences were found between the 2 groups with regard to BIC% (P = 0.198) and with regard to BDTA% (P = 0.778) and BD% (P = 0.124). Conclusions: The DAE surface increased the periimplant endosseous healing properties in the native bone of the posterior maxilla.
Onset and Progression of Disruptive Behavior Problems Among Community Boys and Girls

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, and conduct disorder are the most common forms of psychopathology seen among community youth. This study investigated prospective symptomatology of these disruptive behavior disorders from ages 5 though 14 in an at-risk community-based sample of 170 boys and girls born to adolescent mothers. The prevalence of problems was elevated, with boys and girls generally experiencing equally high prevalence rates. Intraindividual instability was common, and rates of co-occurrence were low. The fluctuating symptomatology in this community-based sample was in contrast to the clinical literature, which indicates higher rates of stability and comorbidity. Findings are discussed in terms of the unique set of results that stemmed from this prospectively assessed at-risk community-based sample of boys and girls.
THE ROLE OF STEROID HORMONES IN LEARNING AND MEMORY

Sufficient evidence has accumulated since the 1970s to support the hypothesis that gonadal steroids can influence processes that allow an organism to learn and remember new information. Although this conclusion quickly leads to exciting implications for our understanding of cognitive function and for the treatment of cognitive disability, it also raises questions regarding the nature, mechanism, and significance of the steroid modulation of learning and memory. In order to support the case that a steroid plays a meaningful role in cognition, several central issues must be addressed : adaptative value (the proposed effect of the steroid on learning and memory should have adaptive value to the organism); strenght of effect (empirical data supporting the role of the steroid in learning and memory should be sufficiently robust in magnitude and replicability); neural substrate (anatomical and physilogical substrates should exist to support the actions of the steroid on learning and memory) ; and nonmnemonic processes (processes other than those directly mediating steroid effects on learning and memory systems should be identified) (23). Sufficient evidence has accumulated since the 1970s to support the hypothesis that gonadal steroids can influence processes that allow an organism to learn and remember new information. Although this conclusion quickly leads to exciting implications for our understanding of cognitive function and for the treatment of cognitive disability, it also raises questions regarding the nature, mechanism, and significance of the steroid modulation of learning and memory. In order to support the case that a steroid plays a meaningful role in cognition, several central issues must be addressed : adaptative value (the proposed effect of the steroid on learning and memory should have adaptive value to the organism); strenght of effect (empirical data supporting the role of the steroid in learning and memory should be sufficiently robust in magnitude and replicability); neural substrate (anatomical and physilogical substrates should exist to support the actions of the steroid on learning and memory) ; and nonmnemonic processes (processes other than those directly mediating steroid effects on learning and memory systems should be identified) (23).
The influence of regulatory fit on evaluation and intentions to buy genetically modified foods: The mediating role of social identification

The present study examines how communicated messages could be effective in affecting consumers' attitudes and behavioural intentions regarding genetically modified (GM) foods. Based on Regulatory Focus Theory, it was hypothesized that exposure to a communication message matching a consumer's regulatory orientation (i.e. regulatory fit) leads to more positive attitudes and greater willingness to buy GM foods than exposure to a communication message that does not match with consumer's regulatory orientation. Moreover, it was expected that social identification with the consumer of GM foods mediates the relationship between both regulatory fit and attitudes and regulatory fit and behavioural intentions. The results support our hypotheses by showing that communicated messages that are congruent (vs incongruent) with consumers' regulatory orientations enhanced social identification with the consumer of GM foods, which, in turn, positively affected attitudes and behavioural intentions. Management implications for designing informative messages regarding GM foods are discussed.
Institutional productivity ratings based on publications in reading journals: 1978–1983

Abstract The productivity of institutions was assessed by counting articles published in eight reading journals from 1978–1983. The top twenty‐five were all state assisted institutions. Twelve of these were among the top twenty‐five in an earlier study by Hopkins (1979). Other rankings were compiled by: 1) calculating productivity in two high prestige research journals and 2) calculating articles per faculty member in the same institutions.
Understanding Chinese Students' Learning Needs in Western Business Classrooms

This study was motivated by a recognized tension experienced by teachers and students resulting from an increasingly internationalized university classroom. We propose that this tension is exacerbated in business classrooms because of the participatory nature of many of the pedagogical tools used in these classrooms, tools which have been designed for Western students rather than those from Eastern cultures. These pedagogical tools include in-class discussions, student presentations, case analyses, and group work. This study examines the attitudes and opinions of Chinese students enrolled in Western business courses toward these specific pedagogical tools. We believe that this is the first study to look at these issues using a student lens. Three major themes emerge from the study: (1) Chinese students have a strong desire to be prepared for their classes; (2) Chinese students are not averse to participating in class; and (3) Chinese students want help, both academic and social. Our findings add depth to existing research by expanding on what is known about the Chinese learner and create awareness amongst business instructors and support staff to enhance classroom learning and teaching for all students.
Age differences in work motivation in a sample from five northern European countries.

Abstract. This paper investigates the relationship between employee age and levels of trait-like dispositional motivation in a sample of 7644 individuals from five Northern European countries (Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden) who completed a comprehensive motivation questionnaire for selection or development purposes. Age differences in motivation were examined by controlling for demographic variables and testing for non-linear relationships. On the whole, effects were small, with age explaining up to 7 % incremental variance in specific motivation scales. Small effects were found for five motivation scales, which indicated a tendency for older employees in this sample to be more motivated by intrinsically rewarding job features but less motivated by features that entail low perceived utility or that are mainly extrinsically rewarding. Results were generally consistent across the five Nordic countries but in countries where the average retirement age is higher (i. e., in late-exit cultures) .
Behavioral/systems/cognitive Functional Integration across Brain Regions Improves Speech Perception under Adverse Listening Conditions

Speech perception is supported by both acoustic signal decomposition and semantic context. This study, using event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging, investigated the neural basis of this interaction with two speech manipulations, one acoustic (spectral degradation) and the other cognitive (semantic predictability). High compared with low predictability resulted in the greatest improvement in comprehension at an intermediate level of degradation, and this was associated with increased activity in the left angular gyrus, the medial and left lateral prefrontal cortices, and the posterior cingulate gyrus. Functional connectivity between these regions was also increased, particularly with respect to the left angular gyrus. In contrast, activity in both superior temporal sulci and the left inferior frontal gyrus correlated with the amount of spectral detail in the speech signal, regardless of predictability. These results demonstrate that increasing functional connectivity between high-order cortical areas, remote from the auditory cortex, facilitates speech comprehension when the clarity of speech is reduced.
Ordinal Neural Networks Without Iterative Tuning

Ordinal regression (OR) is an important branch of supervised learning in between the multiclass classification and regression. In this paper, the traditional classification scheme of neural network is adapted to learn ordinal ranks. The model proposed imposes monotonicity constraints on the weights connecting the hidden layer with the output layer. To do so, the weights are transcribed using padding variables. This reformulation leads to the so-called inequality constrained least squares (ICLS) problem. Its numerical solution can be obtained by several iterative methods, for example, trust region or line search algorithms. In this proposal, the optimum is determined analytically according to the closed-form solution of the ICLS problem estimated from the Karush-Kuhn-Tucker conditions. Furthermore, following the guidelines of the extreme learning machine framework, the weights connecting the input and the hidden layers are randomly generated, so the final model estimates all its parameters without iterative tuning. The model proposed achieves competitive performance compared with the state-of-the-art neural networks methods for OR.
Music: Artistic performance or a therapeutic tool? A study on differences

The aim of this study is to analyze and describe how musicians who are also music therapy students separate music as artistic performance from music as a therapeutic tool. The data consist of 18 written reflections from music therapy students that were analyzed according to a phenomenographic method. The findings are presented as four qualitatively-separated perceptions that describe differences in the purpose, symbolic value, professional competence and perceived reception of music. The underlying meaning is discussed as a difference between intuition and reflection. Performance Musique — Artistique ou Outil Thérapeutique? Une étude sur les differences Le présent travail a l’objectif d’analyser et de décrire comment les musicians, qui sont aussi des étudiants de musicothérapie, separent la music comme performance artistique de la musique comme outil thérapeutique. Les données consistent de 18 réflections des étudiants de musicothérapie, qui ont été analysés d’après une méthode phénoménologique. Les résultats sont présentés comme quatre perceptions qualitativement séparées, qui décrivent différences dans le but, la valeur symbolique, la compétence professional et la reception aperçue de la musique. Le signification sous-jacente est discutée comme une difference entre intuition et réflection. Musik — Künstlerischer Akt oder therapeutisches Mittel? Eine Studie von Differenzen Das Ziel dieser Studie ist es, festzustellen und zu beschreiben, wie Musiker, die Musiktherapie studieren, zwischen Musik als künstlerischem Akt und Musik als therapeutischem Mittel unterscheiden. Das zugrunde liegende Datenmaterial besteht aus 18 Reflexionen von Musiktherapiestudenten, die gemäß einer phänomenographischen Methode analysiert wurden. Die Ergebnisse werden als vier qualitativ unterschiedene Erkenntnisse dargestellt, welche Differenzen in der Absicht, dem symbolischen Wert, der professionellen Kompetenz und der wahrgenommenen Rezeption der Musik beschreiben. Die zugrunde liegende Bedeutung wird als eine Differenz zwischen Intuition und Reflexion diskutiert. ¿Interpretación Artístico-Musical o Instrumento Terapéutico? Un Estudio sobre Diferencias El propósito de este estudio es describir y analizar cómo los músicos que son además estudiantes de musicoterapia distinguen entre la música como interpretación artística y como herramienta terapéutica. La investigación consta de 18 reflexiones escritas por estudiantes de musicoterapia cuyos datos fueron analizados de acuerdo al métodos fenomenográfico. Los resultados se presentan en cuatro apartados separados cualitativamente describiendo las diferencias en objetivos, el valor simbólico, las competencias profesionales, y la sensación percibida de la música. Se debate el significado implícito de los resultados como una diferencia entre intuición y reflexión.
Lived experiences of ageing and later life in older people with intellectual disabilities

ABSTRACT The aim of this article is to explore how older people with intellectual disability (ID), who live in group accommodation, describe their lived experience in relation to ageing and later life. The article is based on a study with a phenomenological approach, grounded on the concept of life-world. Individual, qualitative interviews were conducted with 12 people with ID (five men, seven women), between the ages of 48 and 71 (mean=64), who lived in four different group accommodation units in southern Sweden. A descriptive phenomenological analysis method was used, which disclosed a structure consisting of themes and sub-themes. The findings of the study reveal the informants' lived experience of ageing and later life as a multifaceted phenomenon, expressed through the two themes, ‘age as a process of change’ and ‘existential aspects of ageing’, each with three sub-themes. The body is an essential element in their experience of ageing and growing old, and in how this experience is expressed. The study also found social, cultural and historical dimensions of the life-world to be important in the informants' experience of ageing and later life. This supports understanding of the existence of a collective life-world for older people with ID, the unique experiences the informants share because of their disability and its consequences for their lifecourse.
The Role of Horizontal Gene Transfer in the Evolution of the Oomycetes

Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) or lateral gene transfer (LGT) involves the transmission of genetic material between distinct evolutionary lineages and can be an important source of biological innovation. For instance, the acquisition of foreign genes can allow recipient organisms to adapt to new lifestyles or to exploit a novel ecological niche, such as a host environment. HGT has long been recognised as an important factor contributing to the evolution of prokaryotic lineages especially in connection to the evolution of pathogencity [1,2]. However, it is becoming increasingly apparent that HGT has also played a role in the evolution of pathogenic traits in eukaryotes [3,4]. Here, we consider how HGT has contributed to genome evolution in the oomycetes.
Fertility Following Marital Dissolution

Surprisingly, nearly one third of all nonmarital births in the United States are to formerly married mothers. The author uses data from the National Survey of Families and Households to investigate the level and timing of such births as well as their determinants. Discrete time-event history analyses are used to evaluate the associations between various life course factors and postmarital childbearing. The present study improves on prior research by examining the role of postmarital cohabitation experience in fertility following marital dissolution. Postmarital cohabitation experience more than doubles the odds of having a postmarital birth. In fact, about 20% of postmarital births occur to cohabiting mothers.
Ca2+-Dependent Regulation of Ca2+ Currents in Rat Primary Afferent Neurons: Role of CaMKII and the Effect of Injury

Currents through voltage-gated Ca2+ channels (ICa) may be regulated by cytoplasmic Ca2+ levels ([Ca2+]c), producing Ca2+-dependent inactivation (CDI) or facilitation (CDF). Since ICa regulates sensory neuron excitability, altered CDI or CDF could contribute to pain generation after peripheral nerve injury. We explored this by manipulating [Ca2+]c while recording ICa in rat sensory neurons. In uninjured neurons, elevating [Ca2+]c with a conditioning prepulse (−15 mV, 2 s) inactivated ICa measured during subsequent test pulses (−15 mV, 5 ms). This inactivation was Ca2+-dependent (CDI), since it was decreased with elimination of Ca2+ influx by depolarization to above the ICa reversal potential, with high intracellular Ca2+ buffering (EGTA 10 mm or BAPTA 20 mm), and with substitution of Ba2+ for extracellular Ca2+, revealing a residual voltage-dependent inactivation. At longer latencies after conditioning (>6 s), ICa recovered beyond baseline. This facilitation also proved to be Ca2+-dependent (CDF) using the protocols limiting cytoplasmic Ca2+ elevation. Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) blockers applied by bath (KN-93, myristoyl-AIP) or expressed selectively in the sensory neurons (AIP) reduced CDF, unlike their inactive analogues. Protein kinase C inhibition (chelerythrine) had no effect. Selective blockade of N-type Ca2+ channels eliminated CDF, whereas L-type channel blockade had no effect. Following nerve injury, CDI was unaffected, but CDF was eliminated in axotomized neurons. Excitability of sensory neurons in intact ganglia from control animals was diminished after a similar conditioning pulse, but this regulation was eliminated by injury. These findings indicate that ICa in sensory neurons is subject to both CDI and CDF, and that hyperexcitability following injury-induced loss of CDF may result from diminished CaMKII activity.
The effect of nonlinear utility on behaviour in repeated prisoner’s dilemmas

The present study focuses on the effect of agents’ utility on their cooperation in indefinitely repeated two-person prisoner’s dilemma games (PDs). A game-theoretical analysis suggests that conditions for cooperation in the PDs improve with concavity of utility, with increasing risk aversion, and with increasing loss aversion in the case of PDs with both negative and positive outcomes. The hypotheses were tested in an experiment in which participants played a number of (different) indefinitely repeated PDs and their utility was elicited. The results provide no evidence that concave utility promotes cooperation in the PDs, but we do show that cooperation is promoted by risk aversion and possibly by loss aversion.
Preparing High-Quality Teachers: Views From the Classroom

Every child has the right to a highly qualified teacher, yet as a nation we are reluctant to empirically investigate how teacher preparation programs are succeeding. Results from the present study suggested that (a) traditionally certified (TC) teachers felt better prepared than non–traditionally certified (NTC) teachers on communicating, planning, and using instructional strategies; (b) NTC teachers’ positive mentoring and prior classroom experiences in conjunction with the overall less positive mentoring experiences of TC teachers may have minimized differences; (c) novice teachers did not feel prepared on items related to multicultural curriculum or assessing student learning; and (d) prior classroom experiences, first year support, and program components were important, but instruction on teaching standards was of particular importance for NTC teachers.
Creative supply-chain linkages and innovation: Do the creative industries stimulate business innovation in the wider economy?

Abstract Knowledge transfer between businesses is facilitated by their supply-chain relationships. Creative businesses in sectors such as advertising, architecture and software are heavily engaged in business-to-business activity. This opens up the possibility that the creative industries, as a focal point for creativity, stimulate and support business innovation in the wider economy. This study combines data on business-to-business relationships between creative and non-creative sectors, based on input-output tables for the UK, and firm-level data on business innovation, taken from the Community Innovation Survey, to explore whether the creative industries support innovation through this channel.