Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Insiders’ Views of Prison Amenities

Existing research on views of prison amenities has largely focused on the general public. This research assesses the perceptions and views of correctional staff regarding what should be provided. Based on data from 554 Kentucky Department of Corrections staff members, results show that correctional staffers tend to have favorable views regarding the presence of prison amenities. Furthermore, analyses of patterns and trends across types of jobs, experience, and educational attainment show that prison staffers are accepting of most particular amenities. Finally, views on prison amenities are related to one’s position and length of experience in the prison, as well as one’s educational level. Policy and practical implications are discussed.
Faculty and student representations of academic writing at Spanish universities / Las representaciones de profesores y estudiantes sobre la escritura académica en las universidades españolas

Abstract Research on academic writing has been the focus of several international publications, seminars and conferences during the last decades. However, knowledge of the practices and conceptions, along with the status of writing in higher education, is quite disparate depending on the contexts and traditions. In this paper, we survey the research on representations of academic writing internationally as well as the background of the European Writing Survey (EUWRIT), which has two versions, one targeted at students and the other at faculty, both of which were used in our research project. This paper explains the rationale of the scales and describes the items and the international underpinnings which endorse their development. Then, the characteristics of the sample, which were shared by all the studies included in this special issue, are outlined. Participants were 1,044 students and 280 faculty in different disciplines at nine Spanish universities. The theoretical structure and reliability of each of the scales are analysed. The paper ends with the descriptive general results regarding faculty and students and the differences observed based on some characteristics of participants from different disciplines.
Perceiving the Causes of Success and Failure

The present study examines cross-cultural perceptions of causal attributions pertinent to success and failure in achievement-related contexts. Two groups of participants(taxi drivers and civil servants) from five nations (Belgium, West Germany, India, South Korea, and England) rated 22 causal ascriptions (including ability, effort, task difficulty, and luck) on four causal properties (locus, stability, controllability, and globality). There was high agreement among the two social class groups as well as among four of the nations regarding the ratings of specific causes on the causal dimensions. However, Indian respondents rated all causes as more external, variable, and uncontrollable than did participants from the other cultures. With the exception of the Indian data, the results suggest that a priori classifications of causal attributions have cross-cultural validity and that causal dimensions suggested by attribution theorists capture basic aspects of the meanings of causes that are shared in different cultures.
Equal Rights and Equal Duties? Activating Labour Market Policy and the Participation of Long-term Unemployed People with Disabilities after the Reform of the German Welfare State

Abstract The recent German welfare state reform with the introduction of Social Code II has created a complex situation for the labour market integration of long-term unemployed people with disabilities. A range of social laws with differing underlying principles is now applicable. In this article, we examine the effects that the implementation of this social code has on long-term unemployed people with disabilities. We show that their integration patterns changed. This is due to the building of new institutions responsible for labour market integration, followed by a temporary destabilisation of work routines at the operational level. Additionally, more persistent consequences occur because the inconsistencies of the relevant laws are creating an area of conflict, which is increasing the risk of marginalising people with disabilities in terms of labour market integration.
Classical conditioning of insulin effects in healthy humans.

OBJECTIVE Classical conditioning of insulin effects was examined in healthy humans using a placebo-controlled design. This study examined whether subjects who experienced a conditioned stimulus (CS) paired with insulin in the acquisition phase of a conditioning protocol would show a conditioned decrease of blood glucose when receiving the CS with a placebo injection in the test phase. METHODS Twenty healthy male students were assigned either to group 1, which received insulin (0.035 IU/kg i.v.), or to group 2, which received i.v. saline on 4 consecutive days (acquisition). On day 5 (test), both groups were injected with saline. The CS was an olfactory stimulus. Blood glucose, serum insulin, plasma glucagon, plasma catecholamines, serum cortisol, and symptoms were repeatedly measured during each session. RESULTS In the test phase, group 1 reacted with a significantly larger decrease of blood glucose after presentation of the CS than group 2. Within group 1, a larger conditioned blood glucose decrease was associated with features that enhance classical conditioning (ie, intensity of the unconditioned response and intensity of the CS). Furthermore, in group 1, there was an increase of baseline insulin from day 1 to day 5 and a tendency for insulin reduction after CS presentation. Groups also tended to differ in cortisol and neuroglycopenic symptoms after CS presentation. CONCLUSIONS Conditioned effects in blood glucose are in accordance with the predictions. As a result of the exploratory analyses, our data also provide hints about conditioned changes in insulin, counterregulatory hormones, and symptoms.
Modeling the Relations among Parental Involvement, School Engagement and Academic Performance of High School Students.

The author proposed a model to explain how parental involvement and school engagement related to academic performance. Participants were (671) 9th and 10th graders students who completed two scales of “parental involvement” and “school engagement” in their regular classrooms. Results of the path analysis suggested that the parental involvement influences school engagement directly. Also, parental involvement influences academic performance indirectly through its effects on school engagement. In addition, school engagement influences academic performance directly.
The democratic deficit of diaspora politics: Turkish Cypriots in Britain and the Cyprus issue

This article critically examines transnational political practices of migrants and their local and international political ramifications. Recent literature on migrant transnationalism heralds the role that migrants or refugees can play in democratisation in their countries of origin or even as significant actors in global politics. Drawing on an in-depth study of Turkish Cypriots in Britain, this article highlights two crucial and interrelated aspects of migrants' transnational political participation as it unfolds in both their country of residence and their country of origin. First, the paper illustrates the ambiguity of those patterns of political representation that may characterise the interac tion between migrants' homeland political associations and political actors in their countries of origin and settlement. Second, Turkish Cypriot transnational lobbying in Britain highlights how lack of access to the host-country political establishment limits migrants' influence on processes of democratisation in their country of origin. The paper explores the dynamics through which certain organisations manage to negotiate their way into the host-country political system while others remain outside on the 'Hyde Park Corner' of diaspora politics where central policy-makers rarely pass by.
Multidetector-CT Evaluation of Bone Substitutes Remodeling after Revision Hip Surgery

We evaluated remodeling of grafted bone substitutes after revision hip arthroplasty using serial examinations of multidetector-row computed tomography imaging. Ten patients (12 hips) had cementless revision surgery with grafting of beta-tricalcium phosphate granules and pastelike calcium phosphate cement in bone defects around the femoral component. At 3 weeks and 1 year postoperatively, the patients were evaluated using multidetector-row computed tomography imaging with a metal artifact minimizing protocol. New bone formation and changes in volume of beta-tricalcium phosphate and calcium phosphate cement were measured. At 1 year postoperatively, beta-tricalcium phosphate had decreased more than calcium phosphate cement. The residual volumes of calcium phosphate cement and beta-tricalcium phosphate were 78% (range, 37%-96%) and 30% (range, 10%-62%) of the initial grafted volume, respectively. The volume of the new bone that formed after absorption of beta- tricalcium phosphate was 34% (range, 11%-76%) of the initial beta-tricalcium phosphate volume. Use of cement in prior operations was an unfavorable factor in graft remodeling after revision surgery. Multidetector-row computed tomography is a promising tool for evaluating bone stock restoration of patients and influential factors of bone remodeling, and for clarifying remodeling patterns of various bone substitutes.Level of Evidence: Therapeutic study, Level IV (case series). See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Over-Expression of TRESK K+ Channels Reduces the Excitability of Trigeminal Ganglion Nociceptors

TWIK-related spinal cord K+ (TRESK) channel is abundantly expressed in trigeminal ganglion (TG) and dorsal root ganglion neurons and is one of the major background K+ channels in primary afferent neurons. Mutations in TRESK channels are associated with familial and sporadic migraine. In rats, both chronic nerve injury and inflammation alter the expression level of TRESK mRNA. Functional studies indicate that reduction of endogenous TRESK channel activity results in hyper-excitation of primary afferent neurons, suggesting that TRESK is a potential target for the development of new analgesics. However, whether and how enhancing TRESK channel activity would decrease the excitability of primary afferent neurons has not been directly tested. Here, we over-expressed TRESK subunits in cultured mouse TG neurons by lipofectamine-mediated transfection and investigated how this altered the membrane properties and the excitability of the small-diameter TG population. To account for the heterogeneity of neurons, we further divided small TG neurons into two groups, based on their ability to bind to fluorescently-labeled isolectin B (IB4). The transfected TG neurons showed a 2-fold increase in the level of TRESK proteins. This was accompanied by a significant increase in the fraction of lamotrigine-sensitive persistent K+ currents as well as the size of total background K+ currents. Consequently, both IB4-positive and IB4-negative TG neurons over-expressing TRESK subunits exhibited a lower input resistance and a 2-fold increase in the current threshold for action potential initiation. IB4-negative TG neurons over-expressing TRESK subunits also showed a significant reduction of the spike frequency in response to supra-threshold stimuli. Importantly, an increase in TRESK channel activity effectively inhibited capsaicin-evoked spikes in TG neurons. Taken together, our results suggest that potent and specific TRESK channel openers likely would reduce the excitability of primary afferent neurons and therefore are potential therapeutics for the treatment of migraine and other chronic pain symptoms.
Validating and Mapping Surface Water Temperatures in Lake Taihu: Results From MODIS Land Surface Temperature Products

Data from four in situ high-frequency monitoring sites in Lake Taihu, China were used to 1) assess the accuracy of MODIS land surface temperature (LST) products; 2) characterize the spatial and temporal variability in lake surface water temperature (LSWT) with Aqua MODIS thermal-infrared imagery; and 3) explore the causes of these variations. The validation showed that MODIS-derived LSWTs and in situ water temperatures were significantly correlated, with a coefficient of determination higher than 0.96 and a root mean square error between 1.2°C and 1.8°C. These results indicate MODIS LST products can be used to assess the spatial and temporal thermal behavior of Lake Taihu. A spatial analysis of daytime LSWT showed different thermal zones along the lake due to the differential heat storage capacity between the deep and shallow regions of the lake, such as the littoral and East Lake Taihu. In contrast, the nighttime LSWT showed little variation, and there was a uniform surface water temperature. Following a change in solar radiation, the annual cycle of the average LSWT (with a nearly 24°C range) started to increase in January and peaked in July. In Lake Taihu, the mean nighttime LSWT from July to September rapidly warmed over the period of 2002-2013 at an average rate of 0.059 ± 0.053°C/year. Our study promotes the use of MODIS LST products in limnology through a validation using a large amount of real-time synchronous water temperature data based on high-frequency observations, which were seldom used in previous studies.
ORAL IMMUNIZATION AND PRODUCTION OF COPROANTIBODY IN HUMAN VOLUNTEERS.

A group of nine human volunteers received daily doses of oral cholera vaccine for 4 weeks. At the end of this period, seven (78%) showed appreciable antibody titers in fluid stools and/or duodenal fluids. Coproantibody could be maintained in these volunteers for 12 weeks (i.e., the length of the experiment) by a single weekly oral dose of vaccine. A primary course of daily oral doses for 2 (rather than 4) weeks was less effective in inducing coproantibody. Completely ineffective was a primary course of twice-weekly (rather than daily) oral doses for 4 weeks. A tentative schedule for induction of coproantibody in man by oral vaccine may therefore be formulated which consists of a primary course of one daily dose for 4 weeks, followed by one weekly dose for as long as coproantibody must be maintained. Oral vaccination is the only known method for maintaining coproantibody in man. Coproantibody titers in the orally immunized volunteers were of the same order of magnitude as those found previously after parenteral vaccination, in spite of the fact that 75 times higher serum antibody titers were induced by parenteral vaccine. Consequently, coproantibody stimulated by oral immunization appears to be produced in the intestine rather than being derived from serum antibody. Coproantibody titers in the duodenum of fasting volunteers were low, but increased sharply after a test meal of butter. Antibody titers in duodenal fluids were unrelated to the presence of bile. In many volunteers duodenal antibody titers were of the same order of mangitude as fecal titers, suggesting that release of antibody into the lumen occurs not only in the duodenum but also in lower portions of the intestinal tract. Presence of coproantibody in duodenal fluids was unrelated to the presence of bile pigments.
Specificity in the Relationships Between Stressors and Depressed Mood Among Adolescents: The Roles of Gender and Self - Efficacy

The study's aim was to test for hypothesised specificity in the relationships of stressors (interpersonal stress and worries about daily living) with depressed mood among Romanian adolescents. Six hundred and thirty adolescents in grades 7, 9 and 11 in Bucharest schools participated. Structural equation models assessed the degree to which effects of stressors on depressed mood were mediated through social support and self-efficacy, and moderated by gender and self-efficacy. Neither social support nor self-efficacy had direct or mediating roles in predicting depressed mood among girls. Among boys, social support and self-efficacy played significant roles in the connection between interpersonal stress and depressed mood. Among girls, daily worries were associated with depressed mood only among those with low self-efficacy, and interpersonal stress was associated with depressed mood only among those with high self-efficacy. The data presented here show that different stressors have different relationships to a single outcome — depressed mood — conditioned by gender and self-efficacy.
Assessing Suitability for Offender Rehabilitation

Although the need to assess appropriate candidates for offender rehabilitation programs is widely acknowledged, few assessment tools are available that have been validated for use with offender populations. This article reports on the development and validation of a brief self-report measure designed to assess treatment readiness in offenders who have been referred to a cognitive skills program. The measure, the Corrections Victoria Treatment Readiness Questionnaire, displayed acceptable levels of convergent and discriminant validity, and was able to predict treatment engagement and treatment performance at the midpoint of the program. Suggested cutoff points are reported for use in assessing offenders for this type of program. It is concluded that the measure can play a valuable role in the assessment of offenders who are being considered for rehabilitative treatment.
Message-driven relaxed consistency in a software distributed shared memory

Message-passing and distributed shared memory have their respective advantages and disadvantages in distributed parallel programming. We approach the problem of integrating both mechanisms into a single system by proposing a new message-driven coherency mechanism. Messages carrying explicit causality annotations are exchanged to trigger memory coherency actions. By adding annotations to standard message-based protocols, it is easy to construct efficient implementations of common synchronization and communication mechanisms. Because these are user-level messages, the set of available primitives is extended easily with language-or application-specific mechanisms. CarlOS, an experimental prototype for evaluating this approach, is derived from the lazy release consistent memory of TreadMarks. We describe the message-driven coherency memory model used in CarlOS, and we examine the performance of several applications.
Remotivation Therapy and Huntington's Disease

&NA; Huntington's disease (HD) is a genetic, autosomal dominant, neurodegenerative disorder for which there is no known cure. Because remotivation therapy (RmT) has been effective in other neurological conditions and because of the lack of current efficacious treatments for HD, RmT may be a beneficial therapy for persons suffering from the disease, By cultivating a more fertile environment, RmT leads to increased self‐awareness, self‐esteem, and an improved quality of life, even in late‐stage HD. Two recent studies using animal models suggest that exposure of transgenic HD mice to a stimulating, enriched environment helped to prevent the loss of cerebral volume and delay the onset of motor disorders. Six case studies are presented that demonstrate improved physical, mental, and social functioning in persons with HD when a more stimulating environment is provided.
ECG Criteria to Identify Epicardial Ventricular Tachycardia in Nonischemic Cardiomyopathy

Background—ECG criteria identifying epicardial (EPI) origin for ventricular tachycardia (VT) in nonischemic cardiomyopathy have not been determined. Endocardial (ENDO) and EPI basal left ventricle fibrosis characterizes the VT substrate. Methods and Results—We assessed the QRS from 102 basal-superior/lateral EPI and 67 comparable ENDO pace maps in 14 patients with nonischemic cardiomyopathy. Pace mapping focused on low bipolar voltage areas. Published morphology criteria: q wave in lead I (QWLI) and no q waves in inferior leads and interval criteria: pseudo-delta wave ≥34 ms, intrinsicoid deflection time ≥85 ms, shortest RS complex ≥121 ms, and maximum deflection index ≥0.55 were assessed for ability to identify EPI origin. Sixteen EPI and 8 ENDO of the 34 mapped VTs (71%) in the study population and 14 EPI and 7 ENDO VTs from an 11-patient validation cohort were localized to basal-superior/lateral left ventricle and corroborated pacing data. A QWL1 was seen in EPI but not ENDO pace maps (91% versus 4%; P<0.001), identified 14 of 16 EPI VTs (sensitivity, 88%), and was seen in 1 of 8 ENDO VTs (specificity, 88%). None of the remaining criteria achieved similar sensitivity without specificity <50%. We identified 4 criteria (q waves in inferior leads, pseudo-delta wave ≥75 ms, maximum deflection index ≥0.59, and QWL1) having ≥95% specificity and ≥20% sensitivity in identifying EPI/ENDO origin for pace maps. This 4-step algorithm identified the origin in 109 of 115 pace maps (95%), 21 of 24 VTs (88%) in the study population, and 19 of 21 VTs (90%) in validation cohort. Conclusions—Morphological ECG features that describe the initial QRS vector can help identify basal-superior/lateral EPI VTs in nonischemic cardiomyopathy.
Forebrain connections of the hamster intergeniculate leaflet: Comparison with those of ventral lateral geniculate nucleus and retina

The hamster intergeniculate leaflet (IGL), part of the circadian rhythm regulatory system, has very extensive interconnections with subcortical visual nuclei. The present investigation describes IGL connections with the hamster diencephalon and telencephalon and compares them with ventral lateral geniculate nucleus (VLG) connections and retinal projections. Connections of the geniculate nuclei were evaluated using anterograde transport of iontophoretically injected Phaseolus vulgaris leucoagglutinin and by retrograde transport of cholera toxin β fragment. The cholera fragment was also injected intraocularly to trace retinal efferents. The IGL has ipsilateral and contralateral projections to the anterior and posterior hypothalamic nuclei, the ventral preoptic, lateral and dorsal hypothalamic areas, but not to the core ventromedial nucleus and very sparsely to the paraventricular nucleus. There are also IGL projections to the medial and lateral zona incerta, anteroventral, anterodorsal, reuniens, parataenial, paraventricular, centrolateral, central medial, and laterodorsal thalamic nuclei. IGL projections to the telencephalon are found in the horizontal limb of the diagonal band, olfactory tubercle, nucleus of the lateral olfactory tract, posterior bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, ventral pallidum, and in nuclei of the medial amygdala. The only substantial VLG projections are to bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, IGL, medial zona incerta, central medial and laterodorsal thalamic nuclei. Several of the IGL targets, the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis and zona incerta in particular, send projections back to the IGL and VLG. In addition, cells are present in the caudal cingulate cortex that project to both nuclei. Retinal projections are found in many of the regions receiving IGL innervation, including nuclei of the medial basal telencephalon, the posteromedial bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, and nuclei of the hypothalamus. A retinal projection is also visible in the lateral olfactory tract from which it extends rostrally, then medially along the base of the rhinal fissure. Fibers also extend caudally, in a superficial location, to perirhinal cortex. The results further demonstrate the widespread connections of the IGL and support the idea that the IGL modulates olfactory, photic, and circadian rhythm regulation of regulatory physiology and behavior.