Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Social media use by government: from the routine to the critical

Social media (i.e., Twitter, Facebook, Flickr, YouTube) and other services with user-generated content have made a staggering amount of information (and misinformation) available. Government officials seek to leverage these resources to improve services and communication with citizens. Yet, the sheer volume of social data streams generates substantial noise that must be filtered. Nonetheless, potential exists to identify issues in real time, such that emergency management can monitor and respond to issues concerning public safety. By detecting meaningful patterns and trends in the stream of messages and information flow, events can be identified as spikes in activity, while meaning can be deciphered through changes in content. This paper presents findings from a pilot study we conducted between June and December 2010 with government officials in Arlington, Virginia (and the greater National Capitol Region around Washington, DC) with a view to understanding the use of social media by government officials as well as community organizations, businesses and the public. We are especially interested in understanding social media use in crisis situations (whether severe or fairly common, such as traffic or weather crises).
ScanSAR processing using standard high precision SAR algorithms

Processing ScanSAR or burst-mode SAR data by standard high precision algorithms (e.g., range/Doppler, wavenumber domain, or chirp scaling) is shown to be an interesting alternative to the normally used SPECAN (or deramp) algorithm. Long burst trains with zeroes inserted into the interburst intervals can be processed coherently. This kind of processing preserves the phase information of the data-an important aspect for ScanSAR interferometry. Due to the interference of the burst images the impulse response shows a periodic modulation that can be eliminated by a subsequent low-pass filtering of the detected image. This strategy allows an easy and safe adaptation of existing SAR processors to ScanSAR data if throughput is not an issue. The images are automatically consistent with regular SAR mode images both with respect to geometry and radiometry. The amount and diversity of the software for a multimode SAR processor are reduced. The impulse response and transfer functions of a burst-mode end-to-end system are derived. Special attention is drawn to the achievable image quality, the radiometric accuracy, and the effective number of looks. The scalloping effect known from burst-mode systems can be controlled by the spectral weighting of the processor transfer function. It is shown that the fact that the burst cycle period is in general not an integer multiple of the sampling grid distance does not complicate the algorithm. An image example using X-SAR data for simulation of a burst system is presented.
Clinical implications of mutations in the hepatitis B virus genome

Infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality world-wide. HBV is a small, noncytopathic DNA virus that causes acute and chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. In Europe alone, an estimated 1 000 000 people become infected with HBV each year, of whom approximately 90 000 will develop chronic infection [1]. It is generally accepted that the diversity of clinical manifestations and the outcome of HBV infection depend primarily on the host immune response to the virus. The presence of a weak immune response to viral antigens is the main cause of virus persistence after exposure to HBV [2]. Viral kinetics in chronically infected patients show a high rate of replication with approximately 10 HBV particles released per day into the circulation with a half-life of only 1 day [3]. Mutations in the viral genome arise during this active replication, and mutant HBV strains can become dominant if they offer an advantage to the virus. The wide application of molecular biological techniques has demonstrated a number of HBV mutants: (a) with higher replicative potential, (b) able to escape immune recognition or (c) resistant to antiviral drugs. This review aims to analyse the molecular characteristics and the clinical impact of the most common mutations affecting the surface, core and polymerase gene.
Face occlusion detection by using B-spline active contour and skin color information

This paper proposes a face occlusion verification method for an automated teller machine (ATM) application. The proposed method mainly consists of three steps. Firstly, a head and shoulder shape is detected by applying B-spline active contour to motion edges. This motion edge is generated by a kurtosis-based frame selection and distance transformation-based motion edge detection. Secondly, a face area is estimated by fitting an ellipse to the detected head and shoulder shape. Finally, occlusion of the face area is determined by measuring skin color area ratio (SCAR) of whole face area and facial component areas. Experimental results show that the proposed head and shoulder detection method has 94.8% detection rate even though there are various types of severe occlusions in faces, and the proposed occlusion verifier has 86.7% verification rate.
Treatment for Alcoholism

Summary Our understanding of alcoholism and treatments for alcohol problems has developed dramatically in the last 20 years. This review summarizes some key aspects in our understanding of treatment for alcoholism. Few commonalities characterize individuals with alcohol problems or distinguish them from individuals without such problems. Evidence suggests that treatment is effective. Just as individuals vary in their development of alcoholism, they may recover in equally variable ways that include reductions in drinking as well as total abstinence.
Enhancement of Convergent Creativity Following a Multiday Wilderness Experience

Abstract Contact with nature has been shown to improve a variety of psychological indices. The current study tested convergent creativity in undergraduate students following a 6-day wilderness trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). An indoor control group was also tested. The students taking the BWCAW trip had significantly more correct solutions on the Remote Associates Test (RAT) compared to the indoor condition. The results contribute to a growing interest in the cognitive benefits of the outdoors by demonstrating that nature immersion can improve correct solutions on a convergent creativity test. Limitations include self-selection issues and lack of rigorous control over extraneous variables while in the wilderness environment. Nonetheless, applications of this data may be important for providing natural experiences for students as a strategy for ensuring healthy cognition in ever-increasing urban environments. Key Words: Convergent creativity—Nature immersion—Remote Associates Tes.
The number of neurons in dorsal root ganglia L4–L6 of the rat

The number of neurons in the dorsal root ganglia L4–L6 of the rat was determined because published data are inconsistent and in general incompatible with the number of afferent axons in the sciatic nerve. Nucleoli were counted in serial sections; epoxy‐resin sections 3 μm thick, or paraffin sections 5 μm thick, or unstained 12‐μm paraffin sections of osmicated tissue were used. Correction factors for split and multiple nucleoli were obtained by counting nucleolar profiles in consecutive sections of identified cells. Dividing the number of nucleolar profiles into the number of cells gave the factor by which the counts of nucleolar profiles had to be multiplied to obtain the number of neurons.
Tension development in highly stretched vertebrate muscle fibres

1. An apparatus is described by which the length of a selected part of an isolated muscle fibre can be held constant, giving isometric conditions, or alternatively its length can be measured while tension is held constant (isotonic). Control can be switched between length and tension so as to carry out afterloaded contractions with a shortening stop.
Preparation and Physical Characterization of Alginate Microparticles Using Air Atomization Method

Alginate microparticles were prepared using an air atomization method and varying formulation and processing conditions. Thereafter, the size and surface morphology of alginate microparticles were characterized. The trapping efficiencies of the ketoconazole, acetaminophen, vitamin C, and Bifidobacteria bifidum as model core materials were then determined. The air atomization process produced free-flowing and small-size microparticles after the freeze-drying process. The size distribution and surface morphology varied depending on the concentration of wall-forming materials and processing conditions. Generally, the geometric mean size increased as the concentration of alginate and poly-l-lysine and the delivery rate increased, but the air pressure decreased. Most of all, the ratio of delivery rate of alginate solution and air pressure could affect the size and surface morphology of alginate microparticles. However, the geometric mean size of alginate poly-l-lysine microparticles reproducibly ranged from about 80 to 130 μm. The microparticles were irregularly spherical or elliptical. The trapping efficiencies of ketoconazole, acetaminophen, vitamin C, and bifidobacteria were determined to be 71.5%, 60.1%, 1.6%, and 31%, respectively, when alginate concentration (1.5%), poly-l-lysine concentration (0.02%), air pressure (0.75 bar), delivery rate (8 ml/min), and spraying distance (45 cm) were applied. The current microencapsulation process using the air atomization method provides an alternative to entrapping small molecules and macromolecules without using harmful organic solvents. In addition, the small-size and free-flowing alginate microparticles containing active substances can be used as an intermediate in pharmaceutical applications.
Internet-Based Course for the Management of Stress for Junior High Schools

Objective: To determine the feasibility and efficacy of a Web-based stress management programme for schools. Method: A six-lesson Web-based programme was constructed in collaboration with the schools. It was implemented across Year 8 in six schools (464 students). Students completed measures of knowledge, perceived competence, and coping behaviours, prior to the programme; at the conclusion of the last lesson; and 3 months later. Well-being and distress were measured prior to each lesson. Results: Input from schools into the development of the programme was very valuable. Knowledge about stress improved after the six lessons and students reported that support seeking coping had increased and avoidance behaviour decreased. Scores on measures of distress went down and well-being scores rose. Seventy-nine per cent of the students completed five or more lessons. Conclusions: Web-based curriculum-consistent education in mental health is feasible and efficacious at the level expected from a brief universal intervention.
Feasibility of a Novel Functional Sensibility Test as an Assisted Examination for Determining Precision Pinch Performance in Patients with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

To understand the feasibility of a novel functional sensibility test for determining precision pinch performance in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome, this study investigates the validity, sensitivity and specificity of functional sensibility derived from a pinch-holding-up activity (PHUA) test. Participants include 70 clinically defined carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) patients with 119 involved hands and 70 age- and gender-matched controls. To examine the discriminating ability of the functional sensibility test, the differences in the ability of pinch force adjustments to the inertial load of handling object between CTS and control subjects are analyzed. The results of functional sensibility are correlated with the severity of CTS to establish concurrent validity. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve is constructed to demonstrate the accuracy of the proposed test. The functional sensibility score significantly discriminates the patients and control groups (respectively, 12.94±1.72 vs. 11.51±1.15N in peak pinch force (FPPeak), p<0.001; 2.92±0.41 vs. 2.52±0.24 in force ratio, p<0.001) and is moderately correlated (r = 0.42–0.54, p<0.001) with the results of traditional sensibility tests (touch-pressure threshold and two-point discrimination test). In addition, there is a statistical difference in the results of functional sensibility (p<0.001) among the subgroups of CTS severity based on electrophysiological study. The sensitivity and specificity are 0.79 and 0.76, respectively, for the functional sensibility test. The areas under the ROC curve are 0.85 and 0.80 for the force ratio and FPPeak, respectively. In conclusion, the functional sensibility test could be feasibly used as a clinical tool for determining both the sensibility and precision pinch performance of hands for the patients with CTS.
Significance of RBP4 in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus: a case-control study of Han Chinese women

Abstract The role of retinol binding protein 4 (RBP4) in insulin resistance was recently identified. Our study investigated the correlation between RBP4 levels with lipid and glucose metabolism in a case-control study of women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Between May 2008 and May 2010, 70 pregnant women (24–28 weeks gestation) were recruited, including 35 women with GDM and 35 healthy controls. Blood samples were collected prior to and after oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) to detect serum RBP4, insulin, glycated hemoglobin, triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) levels; the insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) was calculated. Serum RBP4 levels in the GDM group were significantly higher than the control group (22.9 ± 3.09 µg/ml versus 17.9 ± 3.91 µg/ml; p < 0.01). Insulin, TC and TG levels in the GDM group and the control group were all significantly higher than the control group (p < 0.05). Serum RBP4 levels in the GDM group were correlated with HOMA-IR, TG and blood glucose levels at 1 h and 2 h after glucose was administered (r = 0.49, 0.49, 0.52,0.52, respectively; p < 0.01). In conclusion, serum RBP4 levels are elevated in GDM cases than controls. In addition, RBP4 correlates with abnormalities of insulin resistance, glucose and lipid metabolism.
Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology Studies of a Co-chaperone of the Androgen Receptor, Fkbp52, as Candidate for Hypospadias

Background: Hypospadias is a common inborn error of the male urethral development, for which the aetiology is still elusive. Polymorphic variants in genes involved in the masculinisation of male genitalia, such as the androgen receptor, have been associated with some cases of hypospadias. Co-regulators of the androgen receptor start being acknowledged as possible candidates for hormone-resistance instances, which could account for hypospadias. One such molecule, the protein FKBP52, coded by the FKBP4 gene, has an important physiological role in up-regulating androgen receptor activity, an essential step in the development of the male external genitalia. The presence of hypospadias in mice lacking fkbp52 encouraged us to study the sequence and the expression of FKBP4 in boys with isolated hypospadias.
The Neural Processing of Emotional Pictures: Evidence from Evoked Potentials and Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Emotionally salient stimuli such as naturalistic scenes, facial expressions and emotional body language elicit increased neuronal activation in associative sensory cortex, as well affective cortical and sub-cortical networks. It has been suggested, that the affective quality of these stimuli is largely a result of evolutionary predisposition and that their selective perceptual encoding may thus be biologically prepared. The present study tested whether comparable neuronal processing patterns are also elicited by expressive hand gestures, bearing distinct emotional yet highly symbolic meaning. During functional scanning, 33 subjects passively viewed blocked picture presentations of pleasant, neutral and unpleasant hand gestures. Consistent with a priori assumptions, emotionally meaningful gestures were associated with increased BOLD activations in extrastriate visual cortex, as well as in parietal areas. These results suggest that emotional significance detected by the brain is not exclusively founded in the genetic heritage of the human species but may also get attached to highly symbolic stimuli by social learning. Affective hand gestures
Le redoublement au cours de la scolarité obligatoire : nouvelles analyses, mêmes constats

Cet article synthetise un ensemble d'analyses effectuees sur la question du redoublement au cours de la scolarite obligatoire. Fondees sur des donnees actuelles, issues des panels d'eleves et des evaluations nationales et internationales de leurs acquis et de leurs attitudes, ces nouvelles analyses confirment ce que rapporte la litterature disponible sur le sujet, tant au plan national qu'international. Ces nouvelles analyses prennent notamment en compte les enquetes recentes de la Direction de l'evaluation et de la prospective, qui ont elargi le domaine de l'evaluation des acquis cognitifs a celui des aspects lies a la motivation ou bien encore l'estime de soi. En regle generale, a l'ecole et au college, le redoublement s'avere inefficace et peu equitable du point de vue des progres individuels des eleves. Il affecte negativement la motivation, le sentiment de performance et les comportements d'apprentissage de ceux-ci et les stigmatise : a niveau egal en fin de troisieme, les eleves en retard obtiennent de moins bonnes notes que les eleves « a l'heure », sont moins ambitieux que ceux-ci et sont plus souvent orientes en filiere professionnelle. En outre, les comparaisons internationales montrent que le redoublement est inefficace du point de vue des resultats d'ensemble des systemes educatifs.
Phonological representations in dyslexia: nature, influences and development.

Developmental dyslexia is a specific difficulty in acquiring literacy skills that manifests despite normal IQ, adequate educational opportunity and in the absence of any obvious sensory or neurological damage. According to the Phonological Representations Hypothesis a core deficit for individuals with dyslexia across languages is a brain-based difficulty in accurately storing the sound sequences that make up words, or 'phonological' representations. In this thesis the Phonological Representation Hypothesis (PRH) of dyslexia was tested and elaborated. Twenty-four dyslexic children alongside chronological age and reading age matched groups were assessed over a three-year period. Consistent with the PRH, associations were found between the quality of the dyslexic children's phonological representations, as indexed by picture naming, and their performance on related input and output phonological processing tasks based on the same lexical items. Possible reasons for the underspecificity of dyslexic phonological representations were also investigated at cognitive and perceptual levels. The sensitivity of dyslexic individuals to the presence of similar-sounding words within their mental lexicon, 'phonological neighbourhood density', was assessed. Across a range of phonological awareness tasks the dyslexic group were found to be as sensitive to this lexical factor as their age peers. Perception of amplitude envelope onsets (AEOs) was also investigated. AEOs are an auditory parameter associated with speech rhythm and were hypothesised here to be important for the establishment of well-specified phonological representations. Dyslexic insensitivity to AEO variation was seen longitudinally through both behavioural and neurophysiological assessment. These findings suggest that for some dyslexic children perception of basic rhythmic speech cues may play a role in their phonological representation deficit.
Elastic-Stiffness Coefficients of Titanium Diboride

Using resonance ultrasound spectroscopy, we measured the monocrystal elastic-stiffness coefficients, the Voigt Cij, of TiB2. With hexagonal symmetry, TiB2 exhibits five independent Cij: C11, C33, C44, C12, C13. Using Voigt-Reuss-Hill averaging, we converted these monocrystal values to quasiisotropic (polycrystal) elastic stiffnesses. Briefly, we comment on effects of voids. From the Cij, we calculated the Debye characteristic temperature, the Grüneisen parameter, and various sound velocities. Our study resolves the enormous differences between two previous reports of TiB2’s Cij.
Examining Sexual Victimization Among Women: Do Ecological Factors Predict the Severity of Sexual Assault?

Title of Document: EXAMINING SEXUAL VICTIMIZATION AMONG WOMEN: DO ECOLOGICAL FACTORS PREDICT THE SEVERITY OF SEXUAL ASSAULT? Patricia L. Fanflik, MS, MA, Doctoral Candidate, 2014 Directed By: Professor and Chair, Elaine A. Anderson, Ph.D., Department of Family Science Rape and other forms of sexual victimization against women are considered to be among the most severe and underreported crimes in the United States. Although all forms of sexual assault can be traumatic, there is research to suggest that the more severe the assault; specifically, the greater level of threat or violence, the greater the level of psychological distress a victim will experience following the attack. One of the most inconsistent and understudied areas in rape-related research involves the examination of sexual assault severity. This limitation is unfortunate given the evidence suggesting that recovery from sexual assault trauma may be mitigated or exacerbated by severity of the assault. Knowledge regarding sexual assault severity may help explain why some women report better psychological functioning than others following the attack. The guiding theoretical perspective for this study is based in Bronfenbrenner’s ecological theory. The purpose of this study is to empirically examine individual, familial, and community level factors and the impact these factors have on severity of sexual assault experienced by a diverse sample of women in the United States. A secondary analysis was conducted using data from the National Crime Victimization Survey from 19922005. The sample included Asian, Hispanic, Native American, non-Hispanic Black, and non-Hispanic White women, 12 years of age or older, reporting at least one sexual assault incident. Using multinomial logistic regression, results indicated that marital status including divorced, separated, or widowed women, and relationship to offender such as current or former spouse, other family member, boy/girlfriend, and acquaintance proved to be risk factors for severity of sexual assault among the sample. Older age, other victimization experiences, children present in the household, and work the previous week were found to have a protective influence on severity of sexual assault. The current findings underscore the importance for additional research investigating women of color as protective and risk factors were present for each race/ethnicity examined and also adds to the body of knowledge regarding severity of sexual assault. EXAMINING SEXUAL VICTIMIZATION AMONG WOMEN: DO ECOLOGICAL FACTORS PREDICT THE SEVERITY OF SEXUAL ASSAULT?