Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
DESISTANCE FROM CRIME AND SUBSTANCE USE: A UNIVERSAL PROCESS OR BEHAVIOR-SPECIFIC?

Title of Document: DESISTANCE FROM CRIME AND SUBSTANCE USE: A UNIVERSAL PROCESS OR BEHAVIOR-SPECIFIC? Douglas Brian Weiss, Doctor of Philosophy, 2014 Directed By: Professor Raymond Paternoster, Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice Several prominent criminologists have suggested desistance from crime is in many ways similar to desistance from substance use. While a review of this literature supports this proposition in general, most of this research has focused on desistance from either crime or substance use rather than considering change across both behaviors. Indeed, those few studies that consider both behaviors often find individuals persist in substance use despite desistance from crime. Despite this discrepancy, there has yet to be a systematic comparison between desistance from these two behaviors. This dissertation seeks to address this gap by asking (1) whether the same set of social and psychological factors that distinguish crime desisters from persisters also differentiate heavy substance use desisters from persisters and (2) to what extent individuals who are desisting from crime are also desisting from heavy substance use. In addition to addressing these two primary research questions, a set of substance specific and subgroup analyses were performed to assess whether the results differ across substance type (alcohol, marijuana, and hard drugs) or along the demographics of race and gender. These analyses were performed using data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997 cohort. Desisters were identified using group-based trajectory modeling while multinomial logistic regression was used to examine the factors associated with desistance from each of these behaviors. The results of the analyses indicate that desistance from crime is associated with differences in social bonds and reduced levels of strain, while desistance from substance use is primarily associated with reduced levels of strain and individual personality differences. The substance specific analyses suggest different factors are associated with desistance from the use of different substances, while the raceand gender-specific analyses suggest differences across these demographics. The implications of these results for theories of desistance from crime and substance use are discussed as are the limitations of this dissertation and suggestions for future research. DESISTANCE FROM CRIME AND SUBSTANCE USE: A UNIVERSAL PROCESS OR BEHAVIOR-SPECIFIC?
Induction of 16alpha-/2-hydroxyestrone metabolite ratios in MCF-7 cells by pesticides, carcinogens, and antiestrogens does not predict mammary carcinogens.

The effects of several pesticides, mammary carcinogens, and antiestrogens on 17beta-estradiol (E2), 16alpha- and 2-hydroxylase activities, and 16alpha-/2-hydroxyestrone (OHE1) ratios were investigated in MCF-7 cells using a radiometric assay. The mammary carcinogens 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) and benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), respectively, increased and decreased 16alpha-/2-OHE1 ratios at some concentrations. The 16alpha-/2-OHE1 metabolite ratios for 10(-5) M kepone, atrazine, p,p'-DDE, o,p'-DDE, o,p'-DDT, and beta-hexachlorocyclohexane were 1.82 +/- 0.060, 0.71 +/- 0.027, 0.66 +/- 0.030, 1.56 +/- 0.089, 1.14 +/- 0.059, and 0.69 +/- 0.052 (mean +/- standard error), respectively, and did not show any specific trend. The effects of a series of direct and indirect acting antiestrogens on 16alpha-/2-OHE1 metabolite ratios were also investigated, and the results were compound specific. Indole-3-carbinol, tamoxifen, 4'-hydroxytamoxifen, and 9-cis,retinoic acid decreased the ratio; the effects of all trans-retinoic acid and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin were concentration dependent; the antiestrogen ICI 182,780 increased the 16alpha-/2-OHE1 metabolite ratio. The results indicate that in MCF-7 cells treated with pesticides, mammary carcinogens, and antiestrogens, there were both increased and decreased 16alpha-/2-OHE1 metabolite ratios for each class of chemicals and the assay did not predict mammary carcinogens. ImagesFigure 1Figure 2Figure 3Figure 4
Upper bounds for approximation of continuous-time dynamics using delayed outputs and feedforward neural networks

The problem of approximation of unknown dynamics of a continuous-time observable nonlinear system is considered using a feedforward neural network, operating over delayed sampled outputs of the system. Error bounds are derived that explicitly depend upon the sampling time interval and network architecture. The main result of this note broadens the class of nonlinear dynamical systems for which adaptive output feedback control and state estimation problems are solvable.
Using the Job Burden-Capital Model of Occupational Stress to Predict Depression and Well-Being among Electronic Manufacturing Service Employees in China

Background: This study aimed to identify the association between occupational stress and depression-well-being by proposing a comprehensive and flexible job burden-capital model with its corresponding hypotheses. Methods: For this research, 1618 valid samples were gathered from the electronic manufacturing service industry in Hunan Province, China; self-rated questionnaires were administered to participants for data collection after obtaining their written consent. The proposed model was fitted and tested through structural equation model analysis. Results: Single-factor correlation analysis results indicated that coefficients between all items and dimensions had statistical significance. The final model demonstrated satisfactory global goodness of fit (CMIN/DF = 5.37, AGFI = 0.915, NNFI = 0.945, IFI = 0.952, RMSEA = 0.052). Both the measurement and structural models showed acceptable path loadings. Job burden and capital were directly associated with depression and well-being or indirectly related to them through personality. Multi-group structural equation model analyses indicated general applicability of the proposed model to basic features of such a population. Gender, marriage and education led to differences in the relation between occupational stress and health outcomes. Conclusions: The job burden-capital model of occupational stress-depression and well-being was found to be more systematic and comprehensive than previous models.
Morinda citrifolia (Noni) Juice Augments Mammary Gland Differentiation and Reduces Mammary Tumor Growth in Mice Expressing the Unactivated c-erbB2 Transgene

Morinda citrifolia (noni) is reported to have many beneficial properties, including on immune, inflammatory, quality of life, and cancer endpoints, but little is known about its ability to prevent or treat breast cancer. To test its anticancer potential, the effects of Tahitian Noni Juice (TNJ) on mammary carcinogenesis were examined in MMTV-neu transgenic mice. Mammary tumor latency, incidence, multiplicity, and metastatic incidence were unaffected by TNJ treatment, which suggests that it would not increase or decrease breast cancer risk in women taking TNJ for its other benefits. However, noni may be useful to enhance treatment responses in women with existing HER2/neu breast cancer since TNJ resulted in significant reductions in tumor weight and volume and in longer tumor doubling times in mice. Remarkably, its ability to inhibit the growth of this aggressive form of cancer occurred with the mouse equivalent of a recommended dose for humans (<3 oz/day). A 30-day treatment with TNJ also induced significant changes in mammary secondary ductule branching and lobuloalveolar development, serum progesterone levels, and estrous cycling. Additional studies investigating TNJ-induced tumor growth suppression and modified reproductive responses are needed to characterize its potential as a CAM therapy for women with and without HER2+ breast cancer.
Millimetric properties of gamma-ray burst host galaxies

We present millimetre (mm) and submillimetre (submm) photometry of a sample of five host galaxies of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs), obtained using the Max Planck Millimetre Bolometer (MAMBO2) array and Submillimetre Common-User Bolometer Array (SCUBA). These observations were obtained as part of an ongoing project to investigate the status of GRBs as indicators of star formation. Our targets include two of the most unusual GRB host galaxies, selected as likely candidate submm galaxies: the extremely red (R−K≈ 5) host of GRB 030115, and the extremely faint (R > 29.5) host of GRB 020124. Neither of these galaxies is detected, but the deep upper limits for GRB 030115 impose constraints on its spectral energy distribution, requiring a warmer dust temperature than is commonly adopted for submillimetre galaxies (SMGs). As a framework for interpreting these data, and for predicting the results of forthcoming submm surveys of Swift-derived host samples, we model the expected flux and redshift distributions based on luminosity functions of both submm galaxies and GRBs, assuming a direct proportionality between the GRB rate density and the global star formation rate density. We derive the effects of possible sources of uncertainty in these assumptions, including (1) introducing an anticorrelation between GRB rate and the global average metallicity, and (2) varying the dust temperature.
Cooperative Download in Vehicular Environments

We consider a complex (i.e., nonlinear) road scenario where users aboard vehicles equipped with communication interfaces are interested in downloading large files from road-side Access Points (APs). We investigate the possibility of exploiting opportunistic encounters among mobile nodes so to augment the transfer rate experienced by vehicular downloaders. To that end, we devise solutions for the selection of carriers and data chunks at the APs, and evaluate them in real-world road topologies, under different AP deployment strategies. Through extensive simulations, we show that carry&forward transfers can significantly increase the download rate of vehicular users in urban/suburban environments, and that such a result holds throughout diverse mobility scenarios, AP placements and network loads.
Toxicity of a pah photooxidation product to the bacteria Photobacterium phosphoreum and the duckweed Lemna gibba: Effects of phenanthrene and its primary photoproduct, phenanthrenequinone

Phenanthrene (PHE) undergoes a significant increase in toxicity after exposure to simulated or natural sunlight in aqueous media, coincident with the appearance of PHE photoproducts. To investigate whether the primary photoproduct of PHE, 9,10‐phenanthrenequinone (PHEQ), contributes to the increased hazards of solutions containing photomodified PHE, toxicity assays were conducted using the marine bacteria Photobacterium phosphoreum and the aquatic plant Lemna gibba (duckweed). Photo‐bacterium phosphoreum was exposed to PHE, PHEQ, a photomodified PHE mixture containing known amounts of PHE and PHEQ (pmPHE), and a mixture mimicking the amounts of PHE and PHEQ in the pmPHE mixture. The bacteria were found to be equally sensitive to PHE in simulated solar radiation (SSR, a light source with a visible light : UVA : UVB ratio similar to that of sunlight) or darkness, with an EC50 of 0.53 mg/L. In both darkness or SSR, solutions containing PHEQ (with or without PHE) all exhibited an EC50 of 0.06 to 0.10 mg/L based on PHEQ concentrations, indicating that PHEQ was the primary active component of the pmPHE mixture. Lemna gibba was tested in SSR and visible light with PHE, PHEQ, and the pmPHE mixture. The calculated EC50 for PHE was 3.5 mg/L in SSR and 10.8 mg/L in visible light, showing that the presence of UV radiation in the SSR source increased the phytotoxicity of PHE. Strikingly, PHEQ was much more toxic to L. gibba than PHE in a light‐independent manner (an EC50 of 0.53 and 0.57 mg/L PHEQ in dark and SSR, respectively). Thus, for both P. phosphoreum and L. gibba the major photooxidation product of PHE in SSR, PHEQ, is the more toxic of the two chemicals.
Control of foot and mouth disease : lessons from the experience of the outbreak in Great Britain in 2001

An epidemic of foot and mouth disease occurred on an unprecedented scale in Great Britain in 2001. This was characterised by widespread dissemination of disease in sheep due to infection being present but unreported for at least three weeks before the first case was identified. As envisaged by the contingency plans, existing procedures dealt rapidly with disease in many parts of the country where outbreaks were reported. Elsewhere, the scale and speed of disease spread was so great that veterinary resources had to be supplemented on the operational front by a large influx of military and administrative support. At the time of writing (June 2002), the United Kingdom Government has already identified a number of key lessons, and will learn further from this experience and from the findings of inquiries, how a future outbreak of this unprecedented nature and extent could be handled. Lessons identified so far relate to the improvement of contingency plans, the wider impact on rural businesses and communities, reassessing the possible use of emergency vaccination, the availability of serological capacity, better animal identification and movement controls, carcass disposal, communications, data handling and management information. The authors present the initial lessons learned and which formed the basis of official submissions to the inquiries. Further lessons will be learned from the findings of those inquiries.
Triangulating a Cognitive Control Network Using Diffusion-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Functional MRI

The ability to stop motor responses depends critically on the right inferior frontal cortex (IFC) and also engages a midbrain region consistent with the subthalamic nucleus (STN). Here we used diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) tractography to show that the IFC and the STN region are connected via a white matter tract, which could underlie a “hyperdirect” pathway for basal ganglia control. Using a novel method of “triangulation” analysis of tractography data, we also found that both the IFC and the STN region are connected with the presupplementary motor area (preSMA). We hypothesized that the preSMA could play a conflict detection/resolution role within a network between the preSMA, the IFC, and the STN region. A second experiment tested this idea with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) using a conditional stop-signal paradigm, enabling examination of behavioral and neural signatures of conflict-induced slowing. The preSMA, IFC, and STN region were significantly activated the greater the conflict-induced slowing. Activation corresponded strongly with spatial foci predicted by the DWI tract analysis, as well as with foci activated by complete response inhibition. The results illustrate how tractography can reveal connections that are verifiable with fMRI. The results also demonstrate a three-way functional–anatomical network in the right hemisphere that could either brake or completely stop responses.
Prospective evaluation of vascular complications after liver transplantation: comparison of conventional and microbubble contrast-enhanced US.

PURPOSE To prospectively compare diagnostic performance of conventional Doppler ultrasonography (US) and microbubble contrast material-enhanced US for assessment of vascular complications after liver transplantation, with clinical follow-up or angiography as reference standard. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study was approved by institutional review board and was HIPAA compliant. Written informed consent was obtained. Seventy-two patients (49 men, 23 women; average age, 52.3 years) were included in this study. Patients who had undergone liver transplantation underwent conventional color Doppler and contrast-enhanced US of the liver. Quality of hepatic artery (HA) and portal vein (PV) visualization, contrast material arrival time, and time for complete evaluation of vasculature were compared for both techniques. McNemar test was used to compare vascular flow visualization scores; Student t test was used to compare mean study times with both techniques. Patients without HA flow at Doppler US underwent angiography; those with flow were followed up clinically. McNemar test was used to compare sensitivity of both techniques. RESULTS Contrast-enhanced US helped significantly improve flow visualization in hepatic vessels (P < .001). Mean contrast material arrival time was 13.7 seconds +/- 3.8 (standard deviation) in proper HA and 20.7 seconds +/- 6.3 in PV. Mean study time decreased from 27.4 minutes +/- 13.9 to 9.3 minutes +/- 4.5 (P < .01). Doppler US failed to depict HA flow in eight patients; contrast-enhanced US showed flow in six and no flow in two of these patients. Follow-up results confirmed contrast-enhanced US findings. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for Doppler US were 91.3%, 100%, and 91.5%, respectively. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of contrast-enhanced US were all 100%. Sensitivity and accuracy values of the two techniques were significantly different (P < .014); there was no significant difference in specificity (P > .99) CONCLUSION Contrast-enhanced US helped improve flow visualization in the HA and PV, decrease scanning time, and correctly differentiate between thrombosis and a patent artery in patients without HA flow at conventional Doppler US.
Characterization of Klebsiella pneumoniae Type 1 Fimbriae by Detection of Phase Variation during Colonization and Infection and Impact on Virulence

ABSTRACT Klebsiella pneumoniae is recognized as an important gram-negative opportunistic pathogen. The ability of bacteria to adhere to host structures is considered essential for the development of infections; however, few studies have examined the influence of adhesion factors on K. pneumoniae virulence. In this study, we cloned and characterized the type 1 fimbria gene cluster of a clinical K. pneumoniae isolate. Although this cluster was not identical to the Escherichia coli type 1 fimbria gene cluster, an overall high degree of structural resemblance was demonstrated. Unique to the K. pneumoniae fim gene cluster is the fimK gene, whose product contains an EAL domain, suggesting that it has a role in regulation of fimbrial expression. Like expression of type 1 fimbriae in E. coli, expression of type 1 fimbriae in K. pneumoniae was found to be phase variable, and an invertible DNA element (fim switch) was characterized. An isogenic type 1 fimbria mutant was constructed and used to evaluate the influence of type 1 fimbriae in different infection models. Type 1 fimbriae did not influence the ability of K. pneumoniae to colonize the intestine or infect the lungs, but they were determined to be a significant virulence factor in K. pneumoniae urinary tract infection. By use of a PCR-based assay, the orientation of the fim switch during colonization and infection was investigated and was found to be all “off” in the intestine and lungs but all “on” in the urinary tract. Our results suggest that during colonization and infection, there is pronounced selective pressure in different host environments for selection of either the type 1 fimbriated or nonfimbriated phenotype of K. pneumoniae.
Schizophrenia‐relevant behaviors in a genetic mouse model of constitutive Nurr1 deficiency

Nurr1 (NR4A2) is an orphan nuclear receptor highly essential for the dopaminergic development and survival. Altered expression of Nurr1 has been suggested as a potential genetic risk factor for dopamine‐related brain disorders, including schizophrenia. In support of this, recent experimental work in genetically modified mice shows that mice with a heterozygous constitutive deletion of Nurr1 show a facilitation of the development of schizophrenia‐related behavioral abnormalities. However, the behavioral characterization of this Nurr1‐deficient mouse model remains incomplete. This study therefore used a comprehensive behavioral test battery to evaluate schizophrenia‐relevant phenotypes in Nurr1‐deficient mice. We found that these mice displayed increased spontaneous locomotor activity and potentiated locomotor reaction to systemic treatment with the non‐competitive N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, dizocilpine (MK‐801). In addition, male but not female Nurr1‐deficient mice showed significant deficits in the prepulse inhibition and prepulse‐elicited reactivity. However, Nurr1 deletion did not induce overt abnormalities in other cardinal behavioral and cognitive functions known to be impaired in schizophrenia, including social interaction and recognition, spatial recognition memory or discrimination reversal learning. Our findings thus suggest that heterozygous constitutive deletion of Nurr1 results in a restricted phenotype characteristic of schizophrenia symptomatology, which primarily relates to motor activity, sensorimotor gating and responsiveness to the psychomimetic drug MK‐801. This study further emphasizes a critical role of altered dopaminergic development in the precipitation of specific brain dysfunctions relevant to human psychotic disorder.
Reliability of power output measurements during repeated treadmill sprinting in rugby players

The non-motorized treadmill system initially reported by Lakomy in 1984 has been used extensively to assess sprinting performance. However, there has been limited research into the reliability of power output measurement using such systems. The aim of this study was to design a system and protocol capable of measuring treadmill sprinting performance in rugby players and to assess the reliability of this system for measuring power output. Twenty-seven rugby players, all of whom were familiar with treadmill sprinting, performed three maximal 6 s sprints with 2 min recovery between sprints, on two occasions 1 week apart. Both tests were performed on a non-motorized Woodway tramp treadmill, interfaced to a data acquisition system. There were no significant differences ( P > 0.05) between power output for repeated trials on the same day (between trials) or for repeated trials on different days (between days). Limits of agreement for maximum average power (the average of 100 readings per second) were 4 - 98 and 30 - 157 W for between trials and between days, respectively. When reported as ratio limits of agreement, these were 1.07 (*/ 1 1.12) and 1.03 (*/ 1 1.16), respectively. The limits of agreement for maximum instantaneous power (the highest of 100 readings per second) were 51 - 464 and 105 - 588 W for between trials and between days, respectively. When reported as ratio limits of agreement, these were 1.02 (*/ 1 1.20) and 1.04 (*/ 1 1.21) for between trials and between days, respectively. The coefficients of variation for all measures of power output were less than 9.3%. Hence, the treadmill system and protocol developed in this study provide a reliable measure of power output for rugby players.
Elementary Students' Beliefs About the Causes of Learning Difficulties: A Comparison Between Canada and Saudi Arabia

In this cross-cultural comparison, students from inclusive schools in Canada and Saudi Arabia shared their beliefs about the causes of and factors associated with learning difficulties. Qualitative data were collected through interviews with 36 Canadian and 62 Saudi elementary students in Grades 5 and 6. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. Six categories emerged: Lack of Knowledge, Achievement, Academic Skills; Cognitive and Social-Emotional Barriers; Lack of Attention and/or Motivation and Behavioural Issues; Home and Parental Concerns; Teacher-Related Issues; and Physical/Sensory Disabilities and Innate Conditions. Results showed that participants from both countries had a general understanding of the factors associated with learning difficulties. Compared to their Saudi peers, Canadian students showed a deeper understanding of cognitive and social-emotional factors associated with learning difficulties. Educational and research implications are discussed.