Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Standardization vs. Rapport: Respondent laughter and Interviewer Reaction during Telephone Surveys

Laughter emerges naturally in interaction. In the context of the telephone survey interview, however, laughter threatens standardization. Consequently, some survey research centers prohibit interviewers from laughing during the administration of surveys. The data for this study are recorded telephone interviews from one such survey research center. How interviewers handle the “laughter invitations” of respondents is analyzed. Because these interviewers are not taught what to do when laughter occurs, they rely on their tacit knowledge, either accepting the invitation, declining it, or engaging in “pseudo-laughter”: Interviewers most often decline or use a pseudo-laughing response. Laughter patterns in a survey research center that does not prohibit interviewer laughter are examined for comparison, and generally much more reciprocation and laughter are observed. Respondent laughter exhibits a central tension in the telephone survey interview: How can interviewers maintain both standardization and an appropriately affiliative social relationship with respondents? The differential management of this tension is explored in terms of survey methodology, the sociology of (social) scientific knowledge, and the organization of talk in institutional settings.
Differences in Visual Preferences and Cognitive Aptitudes of Professional Artists and Nonartists

In one study, four tests of artistic judgment and a battery of cognitive ability tests were administered to examinee artists and nonartists. In another study, the artistic judgment tests were administered to professional artists and nonartists. The results showed professional artists and nonartists to differ significantly on all dimensions of visual preference and examinee artists to score significantly higher on several tests of cognitive ability. The results suggest fundamental differences between the visual preferences of artists and nonartists with interesting implications concerning the influence of art background on cognitive development.
Feeding difficulty in older adults with dementia.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To use concept analysis to identify characteristics of feeding difficulty and its antecedents and consequences that provide direction for assessment and management. BACKGROUND Feeding difficulty is often recognised as a common problem for older adults and is associated with weight loss, poor nutrition and risk for aspiration pneumonia. The cognitive impairment found in persons with dementia impairs the ability of these adults to complete motor and perceptual tasks required for eating and often prevent the older adult from accepting help with feeding from caregivers. DESIGN Systematic review. METHODS In 2006, literature searches using keywords (feeding, eating, nutrition, malnutrition, feeding assessment, dementia, ageing and concept analysis, dementia and feeding and excluding enteral feeding, tube feedings, PEG and enteral nutrition) were done in Medline, CINHAL, AGELINE and Social Science Full Text. Seventy relevant articles in English were found. After a review of the relevant articles, concept analysis was used to develop a definition of feeding difficulty, its defining characteristics and to delineate feeding difficulty from its antecedents and consequences. RESULTS Feeding difficulties arise at the interface between the caregiver strategies to assist the older adult with getting food into the mouth and chewing and swallowing food. A model of feeding difficulty delineates the antecedents and consequences of feeding difficulties. CONCLUSIONS The conceptual model of feeding difficulties provides a strong and clear organising structure for research that can be used to developed evidence based guidelines for practice. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE The conceptual model provides directions for assessment of feeding difficulties and their antecedents. The model can be used to identify interventions that address antecedents of feeding difficulty (risk factors) and different types of feeding difficulties.
Subcellular Localization of Prostaglandin Endoperoxide H Synthases-1 and -2 by Immunoelectron Microscopy*

Prostaglandin endoperoxide H synthases-1 and -2 (PGHS-1 and -2) are the major targets of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin and ibuprofen. These enzymes catalyze the committed step in the formation of prostanoids from arachidonic acid. Although PGHS-1 and -2 are similar biochemically, a number of studies suggest that PGHS-1 and PGHS-2 function independently to form prostanoids that subserve different cellular functions. We have hypothesized that these isozymes may reside, at least in part, in different subcellular compartments and that their compartmentation may affect their access to arachidonic acid and serve to separate the functions of the enzymes. To obtain high resolution data on the subcellular locations of PGHS-1 and -2, we employed immunoelectron microscopy with multiple antibodies specific to each isozyme. Both PGHS-1 and -2 were found on the lumenal surfaces of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and nuclear envelope of human monocytes, murine NIH 3T3 cells, and human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Within the nuclear envelope, PGHS-1 and -2 were present on both the inner and outer nuclear membranes and in similar proportions. Western blotting data showed a similar distribution of PGHS-1 and -2 in subcellular fractions, and product analysis using isozyme-specific inhibitors suggested that both enzymes generate the same products in NIH 3T3 cells. Thus, we are unable to attribute the independent functioning of PGHS-1 and PGHS-2 to differences in their subcellular locations. Instead, the independent operation of these isozymes may be attributable to subtle kinetic differences (e.g. negative allosteric regulation of PGHS-1 at low concentrations of arachidonate (500–1000 nm)). A further conclusion of importance from a cell biological perspective is that membrane proteins such as PGHS-1 and -2, which are located on the lumenal surface of the ER, are able to diffuse freely among the ER and the inner and outer membranes of the nuclear envelope.
An Investigation into the Relationship between Human Cranial and Pelvic Sexual Dimorphism

When faced with commingled remains, it might be assumed that a more “masculine” pelvis is associated with a more “masculine” cranium, but this relationship has not been specifically tested. This study uses geometric morphometric analyses of pelvic and cranial landmarks to assess whether there is an intra‐individual relationship between the degrees of sexual expression in these two skeletal regions. Principal component and discriminant function scores were used to assess sexual dimorphism in 113 U.S. Black individuals. Correlation values and partial least squares regression (PLS) were used to evaluate intra‐individual relationships. Results indicate that the os coxae is more sexually dimorphic than the cranium, with element shape being more sexually dimorphic than size. PLS and correlation results suggest no significant intra‐individual relationship between pelvic and cranial sexual size or shape expression. Thus, in commingled situations, associations between these skeletal elements cannot be inferred based on degree of “masculinity. ”
The Impacts of Multiple 360 Feedback Projects Utilizing Coaching and Follow-Up: A Quantitative Longitudinal Exploratory Descriptive Research Study

360 degree feedback is a great tool for organizational development, however many organizations don’t include coaching and follow-up to maximize impact for long term results. This quantitative longitudinal exploratory descriptive research study explores the impact of conducting the same 360 feedback survey within the same organization over a 3 year time frame utilizing coaching and follow-up. Data from 6 individuals indicate an improvement of selfawareness and an increase of set goals and completed goals. Theories of self-awareness and selfperception are discussed as well as the development of a new communication channel between manager and employee for organizational development purposes. IMPACT OF MULTIPLE 360 FEEDBACK PROJECTS 3 IMPACT OF MULTIPLE 360 FEEDBACK PROJECTS 4 Table of
IL-1 is required for tumor invasiveness and angiogenesis

Here, we describe that microenvironmental IL-1β and, to a lesser extent, IL-1α are required for in vivo angiogenesis and invasiveness of different tumor cells. In IL-1β knockout (KO) mice, local tumor or lung metastases of B16 melanoma cells were not observed compared with WT mice. Angiogenesis was assessed by the recruitment of blood vessel networks into Matrigel plugs containing B16 melanoma cells; vascularization of the plugs was present in WT mice, but was absent in IL-1β KO mice. The addition of exogenous IL-1 into B16-containing Matrigel plugs in IL-1β KO mice partially restored the angiogenic response. Moreover, the incorporation of IL-1 receptor antagonist to B16-containing plugs in WT mice inhibited the ingrowth of blood vessel networks into Matrigel plugs. In IL-1α KO mice, local tumor development and induction of an angiogenic response in Matrigel plugs was less pronounced than in WT mice, but significantly higher than in IL-1β KO mice. These effects of host-derived IL-1α and IL-1β were not restricted to the melanoma model, but were also observed in DA/3 mammary and prostate cancer cell models. In addition to the in vivo findings, IL-1 contributed to the production of vascular endothelial cell growth factor and tumor necrosis factor in cocultures of peritoneal macrophages and tumor cells. Host-derived IL-1 seems to control tumor angiogenesis and invasiveness. Furthermore, the anti-angiogenic effects of IL-1 receptor antagonist, shown here, suggest a possible therapeutic role in cancer, in addition to its current use in rheumatoid arthritis.
Optimal allocation of TCSC using adaptive cuckoo search algorithm

Optimal location and setting of FACTS devices are considered complicated and multi-objective problems. In this paper, adaptive cuckoo search (ACS) algorithm, an efficient heuristic optimization technique, is employed to find the optimal location and setting of a thyristor controlled series capacitor (TCSC) device in a modified IEEE9 bus system. The minimum bus-bar voltage, the overall system active and reactive power losses are observed to evaluate the system performance. This system performance is observed by using the proposed ACS and compared with Genetic Algorithm (GA) and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) after allocating the TCSC. The results reflected that the total active loss is reduced from 5.54 MW to 5.41 MW and the reactive power loss is reduced from 69.75 MVAR to 58.8 MVAR. Moreover, an enhancement in the voltage profile is achieved.
Involvement of the medial thalamus in multiple attributes of memory

It is widely regarded that the amnesic deficits associated with diencephalic amnesia and medial temporal lobe amnesia are similar. However, the neural basis of diencephalic amnesia and the contributions of different medial thalamic nuclei continue to prove a contentious issue. Contrary to the view that specific medial thalamic nuclei are responsible for profound amnesia after diencephalic injury in humans, the neural connections associated with three aggregates of thalamic nuclei suggest that they each contribute to independent memory systems. These three aggregates were identified by a review of the neuroanatomical tracing studies from the research literature. One thalamic aggregate comprised of the anterior thalamic nucleus (AT), while the other two consisted of less conventional groupings of medial thalamic nuclei, namely a lateral thalamic group (LT) and a posteromedial thalamic group (MT). The LT aggregate was identified as the rostral intralaminar nuclei (paracentral, centrolateral, and rostral central medial) and the lateral and paralamellar segments of the mediodorsal thalamic nucleus. The MT aggregate was identified as the central and medial segments of the mediodorsal nucleus as well as the intermediodorsal nucleus. The functional contributions to specific attributes of memory were assessed in rats across a variety of behavioural tasks. Highly localised lesions to the MT produced deficits on a reward magnitude task, which previously has been found to be sensitive to amygdala and lateral prefrontal lesions, which supports the view that the MT contributes to an amygdala-based memory system. Only AT lesions produced deficits in spatial memory tasks, which are also sensitive to hippocampal lesions, which confirms earlier evidence that the AT contributes to an extended hippocampal system responsible for spatial memory processing. Only LT lesions produced deficits in an egocentric response memory task, which is also disrupted by dorsomedial prefrontal cortex and dorsal striatum lesions, and which thus supports the notion that the LT is a functional component of a dorsal striatum memory system. In addition, LT and MT lesions, but not AT lesions, impaired temporal order memory, while no lesion impaired object recognition or sustained attention. These new dissociations indicate that distributed neural circuits incorporating many brain structures including the medial thalamus can be identified as contributing to independent learning and memory processes.
Assessment of Synaptic Function During Short-Term Facilitation in Motor Nerve Terminals in the Crayfish

An enhanced buildup of (Ca 2+ )i occurs during short-term facilitation (STF) at the crayfish neuromuscular junc- tion (NMJ). As a model system, this NMJ allows discrete postsynaptic quantal events to be counted and characterized in relation to STF. Providing 10 pulses, at 20 and 40Hz, we monitored postsynaptic quantal events over a discrete region of a nerve terminal with a focal macropatch electrode. Characteristics of quantal events were clustered into groups by peak amplitude and time to the peak amplitude. Since the synapses at this NMJ have varied spacing of active zones, number of active zones and synaptic size, the graded nature of synaptic recruitment is likely one means of titrating synaptic efficacy for the graded depolarization on the non-spiking muscle fiber. Synapses in this preparation would appear to have a "quan- tal signature" that can be used for quantifying their activity which is useful in estimating the overall number of active sites. We use mixture modeling to estimate n (number of active sites) and p (probability of vesicle fusion) from the quan- tal characteristics. In a preparation that was stimulated at 40Hz, synapses were recruited (increase in n) and the number active synapses increased in p. In a different preparation, p increased as the stimulation was changed from 20 to 40Hz, but n did not show a substantial increase; however, during the STF train, p increases slightly. This study provides a novel ap- proach in determining subsets of the single evoked quanta to better estimate n and p which describe synaptic function.
Intestinal permeability and inflammation in patients on NSAIDs

Background—The frequency with which non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) increase small intestinal permeability and cause inflammation is uncertain. Aims—To examine small intestinal permeability and inflammation in a large number of patients on long term NSAIDs. Methods—Sixty eight patients receiving six different NSAIDs for over six months underwent combined absorption-permeability tests at three different test dose osmolarities (iso-, hypo-, and hyperosmolar). Two hundred and eighty six patients on 12 different NSAIDs underwent indium-111 white cell faecal excretion studies to assess the prevalence and severity of intestinal inflammation. Results—The iso- and hyperosmolar tests showed significant malabsorption of 3–0-methyl-d-glucose, d-xylose, andl-rhamnose. Intestinal permeability changes were significantly more pronounced and frequent with the hypo- and hyperosmolar as opposed to the iso-osmolar test. Sequential studies showed that four and nine patients (of 13) developed inflammation after three and six months treatment with NSAIDs, respectively. There was no significant difference (p>0.1) in the prevalence (54–72%) or severity of intestinal inflammation in the 286 patients taking the various NSAIDs apart from those on aspirin and nabumetone, these having no evidence of intestinal inflammation. There was no significant correlation between the inflammatory changes and age, sex, dose of NSAID, length of disease, or NSAID ingestion. Conclusions—Intestinal permeability test dose composition is an important factor when assessing the effects of NSAIDs on intestinal integrity. All the conventional NSAIDs studied were equally associated with small intestinal inflammation apart from aspirin and nabumetone which seem to spare the small bowel.
Local matching Gabor entropy weighted face recognition

Face recognition has a wide range of possible applications in surveillance, access control, human computer interfaces and in electronic marketing and advertising for selected customers. Several models based on Gabor feature extraction have been proposed for face recognition with very good results on internationally available face databases. In this paper, we propose a methodological improvement to increase face recognition rate by selection and weighting Gabor jets by an entropy measure. We also propose improvements in the Borda count classification through a threshold to eliminate low score jets from the voting process to increase the face recognition rate. We show that combinations of weighting Gabor jets and threshold Borda yield the best results. We tested our methodological improvements on the FERET and the AR face databases. On the FERET database we reduce the total number of errors from 163 to 102 which is the highest score published up to date. The total number of errors in face recognition was reduced in 37%. On the AR database we also obtained important improvements and tested face images with illumination and gesticulation changes, and occlusions.
Bacterial Meningitis in Malawian Infants <2 Months of Age

Background: Neonatal meningitis is an important cause of morbidity in sub-Saharan Africa and requires urgent empiric treatment with parenteral administered antibiotics. Here we describe the etiology, antimicrobial susceptibility and suitability of the World Health Organization first-line recommended antibiotics (penicillin and gentamicin) for bacterial meningitis in young infants in Malawi. Methods: We reviewed all cerebrospinal fluid samples received from infants ⩽2 months of age with clinically suspected meningitis between January 1, 2002, and December 31, 2008, at the Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre, Malawi. Results: We identified 259 culture-positive isolates from 259 infants ⩽2 months of age. Sixty isolates were from neonates ⩽7 days old, in whom the most common pathogens were Group B Streptococcus (27/60; 45.0%), Streptococcus pneumoniae (13/60; 21.7%) and nontyphoidal Salmonella enterica (7/60; 11.7%). One hundred and ninety one isolates were from young infants who were >7 days and ⩽2 months of age. In this group, the most common isolates were S. pneumoniae (80/191; 41.9%), Group B Streptococcus (38/191; 19.9%) and nontyphoidal Salmonella enterica (34/191; 17.8%). More isolates were susceptible to ceftriaxone than to the combination of penicillin and gentamicin (218/220; 99.1% vs. 202/220; 91.8%, Fisher’s exact test P = 0.006). In particular, Gram-negative isolates were significantly more susceptible to ceftriaxone than to gentamicin (72/74; 97.3% vs. 63/74; 85.1%, Fisher’s exact test P = 0.020). Penicillin and gentamicin provided less coverage for Gram-negative than Gram-positive isolates (74/86; 86.0% vs. 155/163; 95.1%, &khgr;2 = 6.24, P = 0.012). Conclusions: In view of these results, the World Health Organization recommendations for empiric penicillin and gentamicin for suspected neonatal meningitis should be reevaluated.
Dose-response relationship of resistance training in older adults: a meta-analysis.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to determine the dose-response relationship of resistance training (RT) to improve strength and function in older adults. METHODS A systematic literature search was performed in relevant databases and study reference lists to identify randomized controlled trials. Randomized controlled trials comparing the effects of different doses of strength training in older people (65 yr and older) on strength and functional outcomes were eligible. Two independent reviewers decided on study inclusion, extracted data, and assessed methodological quality. Standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for relevant outcomes and pooled using a random-effects model. RESULTS Twenty-nine trials with a total of 1313 subjects (mean age = 65-81 yr) are summarized in this review. Trials comparing different training intensities show strong effects of progressive resistance training (PRT) on maximal strength in a dose-dependent manner, with high-intensity (HI) PRT being more effective compared with moderate (MI)- and low-intensity (LI) PRT (SMD [HI vs LI] = 0.88, 95% CI = 0.21-1.55; SMD [HI vs MI] = 0.62, 95% CI = 0.22-1.03). PRT was also successful for improving functional outcomes, but gains were independent of training intensity. Power training (PT) was more effective for improving muscle power (SMD [PT vs PRT] = 1.66, 95% CI = 0.08-3.24) and functional outcomes than PRT. There was only little information available on training volume and frequency. DISCUSSION Higher training intensities are superior to lower intensities for improving maximal strength but not necessarily for functional performance of older adults. PT has shown to be a particularly effective method for enhancing muscle power and functional performance. More research is necessary to identify the effect of different training volumes and frequencies and the dose-response relationship for very old and frail populations.
The Finite Element Analysis for a Mini-Conductance Probe in Horizontal Oil-Water Two-Phase Flow

Oil-water two-phase flow is widespread in petroleum industry processes. The study of oil-water two-phase flow in horizontal pipes and the liquid holdup measurement of oil-water two-phase flow are of great importance for the optimization of the oil production process. This paper presents a novel sensor, i.e., a mini-conductance probe (MCP) for measuring pure-water phase conductivity of oil-water segregated flow in horizontal pipes. The MCP solves the difficult problem of obtaining the pure-water correction for water holdup measurements by using a ring-shaped conductivity water-cut meter (RSCWCM). Firstly, using the finite element method (FEM), the spatial sensitivity field of the MCP is investigated and the optimized MCP geometry structure is determined in terms of the characteristic parameters. Then, the responses of the MCP for the oil-water segregated flow are calculated, and it is found that the MCP has better stability and sensitivity to the variation of water-layer thickness in the condition of high water holdup and low flow velocity. Finally, the static experiments for the oil-water segregated flow were carried out and a novel calibration method for pure-water phase conductivity measurements was presented. The validity of the pure-water phase conductivity measurement with segregated flow in horizontal pipes was verified by experimental results.
How Much Does the Private Sector Really Borrow? A New Database for Total Credit to the Private Non-Financial Sector

Despite their importance, data capturing total credit to the private non-financial sector are scarce. This article introduces a new BIS database that provides this information for 40 economies with, on average, more than 45 years of quarterly data, reaching back to the 1940s and 1950s in some cases. It explains the key concepts underlying the compilation of the new series, including a description of the high-level statistical criteria applied, the characteristics of the underlying series used and the statistical techniques employed. For illustration purposes, some facets of the historical evolution of total credit are explored, revealing interesting similarities and differences across countries.