Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Scared stiff? The effectiveness of threat appeals in counseling services advertising to high-anxiety students

This exploratory study proposes and tests a theoretical model that analyzes threat appeals in regard to their effectiveness for high-anxiety students, one of the major target groups for counseling services. In particular, affective and cognitive responses to a threat appeal advertisement and their effects on attitude toward the advertisement and behavior are examined. The results suggest that a strong threat appeal is not effective for counseling services but that positive emotions toward the advertisement and cognitive involvement have a positive impact on advertising outcomes. The study contributes further to knowledge of threat appeal effectiveness, targeting “anxious” audiences.
An Analysis of the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory Ratings of Traumatized Children and Adolescents Relative to Non-traumatized Controls

An Analysis of the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory Ratings of Traumatized Children and Adolescents Relative to Non-traumatized Controls Nicole K. Elliott This study compared the anger ratings of traumatized youth with and without PTSD relative to the anger ratings of a non-traumatized control group. Participants consisted of youth aged 7-18 years who were previously evaluated for a study at Bellevue Hospital Center in New York City. In order to potentially increase the external validity of the study, youth with comorbid major depressive disorder and substance dependence were included in the sample. Diagnostic measures identified 31 youth with PTSD, 59 traumatized youth without PTSD, and 39 nontraumatized controls. Participants completed the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory, a selfreport inventory that measures anger experience, anger expression, and anger control. Data analyses indicated significant group differences on the State Anger, Trait Anger, Angry Temperament, and Angry Reaction scales and subscales. Specifically, the PTSD group and traumatized PTSD negative group had significantly higher State Anger scores than the control group. State Anger scores for the PTSD and traumatized PTSD negative groups did not significantly differ. Regarding Trait Anger, the PTSD group had significantly higher scores than both the traumatized PTSD negative and control groups. Trait Anger scores for the traumatized PTSD negative group and the controls did not significantly differ. Angry Temperament scores of the PTSD group were significantly higher than scores of the traumatized PTSD negative and control groups. Angry Temperament scores of the traumatized PTSD negative and control groups did not differ. Angry Reaction scores of the PTSD group significantly exceeded scores of the control group only. Angry Reaction scores for the PTSD and traumatized PTSD negative groups did not differ, and the traumatized PTSD negative and control group scores also did not differ. Statistical analyses failed to identify significant group differences for the remaining scales (Anger Expression, Anger In, Anger Out, and Anger Control). Overall findings of this study indicate that the relationship between PTSD and anger varied depending on the anger domain that was examined, as significantly higher anger scores were not consistently related to diagnostic status. A discussion of the results including theoretical and clinical significance is presented. Finally, limitations of the study and possible directions for future research are addressed.
Evaluation of airway protection: Quantitative timing measures versus penetration/aspiration score

Quantitative measures of swallowing function may improve the reliability and accuracy of modified barium swallow (MBS) study interpretation. Quantitative study analysis has not been widely instituted, however, secondary to concerns about the time required to make measures and a lack of research demonstrating impact on MBS interpretation. This study compares the accuracy of the penetration/aspiration (PEN/ASP) scale (an observational visual‐perceptual assessment tool) to quantitative measures of airway closure timing relative to the arrival of the bolus at the upper esophageal sphincter in identifying a failure of airway protection during deglutition.
A subcortical oscillatory network contributes to recovery of hand dexterity after spinal cord injury

Recent studies have shown that after partial spinal-cord lesion at the mid-cervical segment, the remaining pathways compensate for restoring finger dexterity; however, how they control hand/arm muscles has remained unclear. To elucidate the changes in dynamic properties of neural circuits connecting the motor cortex and hand/arm muscles, we investigated the cortico- and inter-muscular couplings of activities throughout the recovery period after the spinal-cord lesion. Activities of antagonist muscle pairs showed co-activation and oscillated coherently at frequencies of 30–46 Hz (γ-band) by 1-month post-lesion. Such γ-band inter-muscular coupling was not observed pre-lesion, but emerged and was strengthened and distributed over a wide range of hand/arm muscles along with the recovery. Neither the β-band (14–30 Hz) cortico-muscular coupling observed pre-lesion nor a γ-band oscillation was observed in the motor cortex post-lesion. We propose that a subcortical oscillator commonly recruits hand/arm muscles, via remaining pathways such as reticulospinal and/or propriospinal tracts, independent of cortical oscillation, and contributes to functional recovery.
N100m in children possessing absolute pitch

We recorded the auditory evoked magnetic fields from children with and without absolute pitch under the following conditions: (a) hearing 1000 Hz pure tones inattentively, (b) hearing eight random tones inattentively and (c) listening to eight random tones and identifying each tone. We calculated the appearance rate of N100m as the ratio of the subjects who had N100m. There was a significant positive correlation between the appearance rate of N100m and age in both groups. There was also a significant positive correlation between the appearance rate of N100m and the kinds of the task only in children without absolute pitch. These results suggest that, in the children with absolute pitch, N100m was elicited equally in every session because of their automatically driven auditory attention. No significant correlation was found between the appearance rate of N100m and the possession of absolute pitch.
The Impact of Monaural Beat Stimulation on Anxiety and Cognition

Application of auditory beat stimulation has been speculated to provide a promising new tool with which to alleviate symptoms of anxiety and to enhance cognition. In spite of reportedly similar EEG effects of binaural and monaural beats, data on behavioral effects of monaural beats are still lacking. Therefore, we examined the impact of monaural beat stimulation on anxiety, mood and memory performance. We aimed to target states related to anxiety levels and general well-being, in addition to long-term and working memory processes, using monaural beats within the range of main cortical rhythms. Theta (6 Hz), alpha (10 Hz) and gamma (40 Hz) beat frequencies, as well as a control stimulus were applied to healthy participants for 5 min. After each stimulation period, participants were asked to evaluate their current mood state and to perform cognitive tasks examining long-term and working memory processes, in addition to a vigilance task. Monaural beat stimulation was found to reduce state anxiety. When evaluating responses for the individual beat frequencies, positive effects on state anxiety were observed for all monaural beat conditions compared to control stimulation. Our results indicate a role for monaural beat stimulation in modulating state anxiety and are in line with previous studies reporting anxiety-reducing effects of auditory beat stimulation.
Pediatric Extracorporeal Life Support in Specialized Situations

Objectives: The purpose of this review was to provide a systematic review of the literature regarding the use of extracorporeal life support (ECLS) in various specialized conditions, as part of the Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Society/Extracorporeal Life Support Organization Joint Statement on Mechanical Circulatory Support. Data Sources: MEDLINE and PubMed. Study Selection: Searches for published abstracts and articles were conducted using the following MeSH terms: extracorporeal life support, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, or mechanical support, and pediatric or children. Data Extraction: Abstracts of all articles including case reports were reviewed; the full article was reviewed if the abstract indicated that it focused on extracorporeal life support for conditions other than primary respiratory disease or persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn and described outcomes such as survival to hospital discharge. Studies with potential overlapping patients were highlighted in the review process and summary results. Data Synthesis: Classification of recommendations and level of evidence are expressed in the American College of Cardiology Foundation/American Heart Association format. Conclusions: The majority of specialized situations where extracorporeal life support is used fall into the category of class II–III evidence. Class I indications for extracorporeal life support in the pediatric population include myocarditis and in the context of acute interventions in the cardiac catheterization laboratory.
What university students think about assessment: a case study from Italy

Nowadays, assessment is widely recognized as a key element in higher education systems. Current studies are moving towards the revision of traditional modalities of testing, the individuation of alternative forms of assessment, and, above all, the analysis of conceptions that teachers and students have about assessment. The present research is oriented towards this last point. The paper presents an exploratory analysis of students' conceptions about formative assessment and self-assessment. Researchers conducted a survey in a public university in the South of Italy. Respondents indicated a great level of confusion about assessment. A critical need to re-look into assessment practices in the Italian higher education system is implied by this study.
Outside the Box—Novel Therapeutic Strategies for Glioblastoma

AbstractStandard approaches to therapy for malignant glioma provide modest improvement of progression-free survival and overall survival. Almost all patients experiencing glioblastoma eventually progress, and no cure is currently available. During the last decade, we have witnessed a 30% improvement in 2-year overall survival rates, yet glioblastoma continues to cause approximately 13,000 cancer-related deaths in the United States annually. Thus, novel therapies need to be investigated alongside continued development of currently available radiotherapy and chemotherapy options. Because glioblastoma does not typically metastasize outside the brain, development of unique local therapies that are not available for other cancers is feasible. Experimental agents, like scorpion venom-derived chlorotoxin, have been successfully applied in local therapy for glioblastoma. In addition, multiple new gene therapy approaches are emerging for both local and systemic glioblastoma therapy. Lastly, alternating electric fields are being introduced to cancer therapy. This review will discuss these “nonstandard”—outside the box—modalities for therapy for malignant glioma.
Parental divorce and midshipmen performance at the United States Naval Academy

Abstract : This study examines the relationship of parental divorce to the performance of Naval Academy Midshipman. Parental Status was determined by the ACE survey, which is completed in the plebe year. Parent Status of midshipmen is merged with Institutional Research Data to determine effects of parental divorce on midshipmen performance. For the purposes of the study, numerous aspects of performance are measured: (1) academic grade point average, (2) military grade point average, (3) conduct, (4) attrition rates, (5) participation in varsity athletics, and (6) leadership responsibilities. The common expectation is that midshipmen from divorced families will perform lower than midshipmen from intact families. Lower performance was noted in academic and military grade point averages, attrition, and participation in varsity athletics among midshipmen from divorced families. No significant difference in performance was noted in conduct or leadership responsibilities.
Price Formats as a Source of Price Dispersion: A Study of Online and Offline Prices in the Domestic U.S. Airline Markets

A large body of research in economics, information systems, and marketing has sought to understand sources of price dispersion. Previous empirical work has mainly offered consumer-and/or product-based explanations for this phenomenon. In contrast, our research explores the key role played by vendors' price-format adoption in explaining price dispersion. We empirically analyze over a half-million online and offline prices offered by major U.S. airlines in the top 500 domestic markets. Our study shows that a vendor's price format remains an important source of price dispersion in both channels even after accounting for other factors known to impact dispersion in airline ticket prices. Importantly, this finding is true for both transacted and posted tickets. We document several other interesting empirical findings. First, the lower variance in the prices of “everyday low price” (EDLP) firms serves to reduce the market-level dispersion in prices when such firms are present. Moreover, the price variance of non-EDLP firms in these markets is also lower than in those markets in which EDLP competitors are absent. Second, we also find that dispersion in offered prices increases closer to the departure date, which is consistent with theoretical assertion that price dispersion increases with reservation prices. Finally, we continue to observe dispersion of online prices even after accounting for vendor strategy and other known sources of dispersion, suggesting that the prices are unlikely to converge even in the presence of sophisticated online search mechanisms.
Systematic identification and molecular characterization of genes differentially expressed in breast and ovarian cancer

The identification of novel disease‐associated genes in gynaecological tumours has important implications for understanding the process of tumourigenesis and the development of novel treatment regimens. cDNA libraries from disease tissues may represent a valuable source to identify such genes. Recently, a bio‐informatic procedure based on an ‘electronic Northern’ approach was established to screen expressed sequence tag (EST) libraries for genes differentially expressed in tumour and normal tissues, and identified 450 candidate genes differentially expressed in breast and ovarian cancer. In this report, the validation of an initial set of 40 candidate genes, which were selected due to their localization in chromosomal regions frequently altered in gynaecological tumours, is described. Differential expression of 29 of these genes, including three uncharacterized novel genes, was confirmed by applying cancer profiling arrays with 106 matched pairs of tumour/normal cDNAs and quantitative reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) on 60 clinical specimens. The majority of these differentially expressed genes have not been described previously in the context of breast and ovarian cancer, and may constitute novel diagnostic markers for these tumour entities. Copyright © 2004 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Low-Temperature Effects on Photosynthesis and Correlation with Freezing Tolerance in Spring and Winter Cultivars of Wheat and Rye

Winter cultivars of rye (Secale cereale L., cv Musketeer) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cvs Kharkov and Monopol), but not a spring cultivar of wheat (Glenlea), grown at cold-hardening temperatures showed, at high irradiances, a higher proportion of oxidized to reduced primary, stable quinone receptor (QA) than did the same cultivars grown under nonhardening conditions. In addition, there was a positive correlation between the effects of low-growth temperature on this increased proportion of oxidized QA, and a concomitant increase in the capacity for photosynthesis, and LT50, the temperature at which 50% of the seedlings are killed, in cultivars showing different freezing tolerances. This suggests that low-temperature modulation of the photosynthetic apparatus may be an important factor during the induction of freezing resistance in cereals. Finally, the control of photosystem II photochemistry by nonphotochemical quenching of excitation energy was identical for nonhardened and cold-hardened winter rye. However, examination of measuring temperature effects per se revealed that, irrespective of growth temperature, nonphotochemical quenching exerted a stronger control on photosystem II photochemistry at 10[deg] C rather than at 20[deg] C.
An Improved LSB Based Steganography Technique for RGB Color Images

This paper proposes an improved LSB(least Significant bit) based Steganography technique for images imparting better information security . It presents an embedding algorithm for hiding encrypted messages in nonadjacent and random pixel locations in edges and smooth areas of images. It first encrypts the secret message, and detects edges in the cover-image using improved edge detection filter. Message bits are then, embedded in the least significant byte of randomly selected edge area pixels and 1-3-4 LSBs of red, green, blue components respectively across randomly selected pixels across smooth area of image. It ensures that the eavesdroppers will not have any suspicion that message bits are hidden in the image and standard steganography detection methods can not estimate the length of the secret message correctly. The Proposed approach is better in PSNR value and Capacity as shown experimentally than existing techniques.
The Wiley-Blackwell handbook of individual differences

The Wiley-Blackwell Handbook of Individual Differences provides a comprehensive, up-to-date overview of recent research, current perspectives, practical applications, and likely future developments in individual differences. Brings together the work of the top global researchers within the area of individual differences, including Philip L. Ackerman, Ian J. Deary, Ed Diener, Robert Hogan, Deniz S. Ones and Dean Keith Simonton Covers methodological, theoretical and paradigm changes in the area of individual differences Individual chapters cover core areas of individual differences including personality and intelligence, biological causes of individual differences, and creativity and emotional intelligence.
Effort Analysis: Individual Score Validation of Achievement Test Data

Whenever the purpose of measurement is to inform an inference about a student’s achievement level, it is important that we be able to trust that the student’s test score accurately reflects what that student knows and can do. Such trust requires the assumption that a student’s test event is not unduly influenced by construct-irrelevant factors that could distort his score. This article examines one such factor—test-taking motivation—that tends to induce a person-specific, systematic negative bias on test scores. Because current measurement models underlying achievement testing assume students respond effortfully to test items, it is important to identify test scores that have been materially distorted by non-effortful test taking. A method for conducting effort-related individual score validation is presented, and it is recommended that measurement professionals have a responsibility to identify invalid scores to individuals who make inferences about student achievement on the basis of those scores.
Synaptic dynamics contribute to long-term single neuron response fluctuations

Firing rate variability at the single neuron level is characterized by long-memory processes and complex statistics over a wide range of time scales (from milliseconds up to several hours). Here, we focus on the contribution of non-stationary efficacy of the ensemble of synapses–activated in response to a given stimulus–on single neuron response variability. We present and validate a method tailored for controlled and specific long-term activation of a single cortical neuron in vitro via synaptic or antidromic stimulation, enabling a clear separation between two determinants of neuronal response variability: membrane excitability dynamics vs. synaptic dynamics. Applying this method we show that, within the range of physiological activation frequencies, the synaptic ensemble of a given neuron is a key contributor to the neuronal response variability, long-memory processes and complex statistics observed over extended time scales. Synaptic transmission dynamics impact on response variability in stimulation rates that are substantially lower compared to stimulation rates that drive excitability resources to fluctuate. Implications to network embedded neurons are discussed.
Escherichia coli Peptidoglycan Structure and Mechanics as Predicted by Atomic-Scale Simulations

Bacteria face the challenging requirement to maintain their shape and avoid rupture due to the high internal turgor pressure, but simultaneously permit the import and export of nutrients, chemical signals, and virulence factors. The bacterial cell wall, a mesh-like structure composed of cross-linked strands of peptidoglycan, fulfills both needs by being semi-rigid, yet sufficiently porous to allow diffusion through it. How the mechanical properties of the cell wall are determined by the molecular features and the spatial arrangement of the relatively thin strands in the larger cellular-scale structure is not known. To examine this issue, we have developed and simulated atomic-scale models of Escherichia coli cell walls in a disordered circumferential arrangement. The cell-wall models are found to possess an anisotropic elasticity, as known experimentally, arising from the orthogonal orientation of the glycan strands and of the peptide cross-links. Other features such as thickness, pore size, and disorder are also found to generally agree with experiments, further supporting the disordered circumferential model of peptidoglycan. The validated constructs illustrate how mesoscopic structure and behavior emerge naturally from the underlying atomic-scale properties and, furthermore, demonstrate the ability of all-atom simulations to reproduce a range of macroscopic observables for extended polymer meshes.
Enhancing image annotation by integrating concept ontology and text-based bayesian learning model

Automatic image annotation (AIA) has been a hot research topic in recent years since it can be used to support concept-based image retrieval. However, most existing AIA models depend heavily on the availability of a large number of labeled training samples, which require significant human labeling efforts. In this paper, we propose a novel learning framework which integrates text-based Bayesian model (TBM) and concept ontology to effectively expand the training set of each concept class without the need of additional human labeling efforts or collecting additional training images from other data sources. The basic idea lies in exploiting the text information from training set to provide additional effective annotations for training images so that training data for each concept class can be augmented. In this study we employ Bayesian Hierarchical Multinomial Mixture Models (BHMMMs) as our baseline AIA model. By combining additional annotations obtained from TBM into each concept class in the training phase, the performance of BHMMMs can be significantly improved on Corel image dataset with 263 testing concepts as compared to the state-of-the-art AIA models under the same experimental configurations.