Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Use of Metaphor as a Science Communication Tool: Air Traffic Control for Your Brain

Science is currently under-utilized as a tool for effective policy and program design. A key part of this research-to-practice gap lies in the ineffectiveness of current models of science translation. Drawing on theory and methods from anthropology and cognitive linguistics, this study explores the role of cultural models and metaphor in the practice of science communication and translation. Qualitative interviews and group sessions, along with quantitative framing experiments, were used to design and test the effectiveness of a set of explanatory metaphors in translating the science of executive function. Developmental and cognitive scientists typically define executive function as a multi-dimensional set of related abilities that include working memory, inhibitory control, and cognitive flexibility. The study finds one metaphor in particular—the brain's air traffic control system—to be effective in bridging gaps between expert and public understandings on this issue and in so doing improving the accessibility of scientific information to members of the public as they reason about public policy issues. Findings suggest both a specific tool that can be used in efforts to translate the science of executive function and a theory and methodology that can be employed to design and test metaphors as communication devices on other science and social issues.
Toward A Taxonomy of Multidimensional Constructs

We propose a taxonomy of multidimensional constructs based on the relations between the construct and its dimensions. Multidimensional constructs that exist at deeper levels than their dimensions we term latent model. We call constructs formed as algebraic functions of their dimensions aggregate model, whereas constructs formed as different profiles of dimensional characteristics we term profile model. We discuss the nature of multidimensional constructs defined under these models and their operationalizations in empirical research.
Diagnostic value of K‐ras mutation analysis for pancreaticobiliary cytology specimens with indeterminate diagnosis

Fine‐needle aspiration and bile duct brushing cytology have been traditionally used for early detection of pancreaticobiliary malignancy. Quite frequently, the cytological interpretations of these specimens are indeterminate. In this retrospective study, we evaluated the diagnostic value of detecting K‐ras (v‐Ki‐ras2 Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog) mutation in pancreaticobiliary cytology specimens that had equivocal cytological diagnoses.
Community Service through Facilitating Focus Groups: The Case for a Methods-Based Service-Learning Course.

This article explores the utility of focus group methodology as a tool for facilitating both community service and student community-based learning through an examination of a service-learning course, Community Service Through Facilitating Focus Groups, taught by the authors during 1998-99 at a mid-sized public university in the Pacific Northwest. A methods-based capstone is particularly valuable. By linking a course on research methods to a community-based learning project, students receive hands-on experience in using the method that they are studying in the classroom. The course is broken down into twelve elements, with student comments illustrating each class element, and a timeline for the course is provided. The article concludes with a discussion of how the nature of focus group methodology facilitates students' comprehension of sociology
Molecular Epidemiology and Distribution of Serotypes, Surface Proteins, and Antibiotic Resistance among Group B Streptococci in Italy

ABSTRACT Group B streptococci (GBS) comprising three different sets of isolates (31 invasive, 36 noninvasive, and 24 colonizing isolates) were collected in Italy during the years 2002 to 2005. Clonal groups were established by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), and selected isolates were studied by multilocus sequence typing (MLST). GBS isolates were also characterized by classical and molecular techniques for serotyping and protein gene and antibiotic resistance profiling. Some serotypes were significantly associated with a particular isolate population: serotype Ia more frequently corresponded to invasive strains than other strains, serotype V was more frequently encountered among noninvasive strains, and nontypeable strains were more common among isolates from carriers. Four major clonal groups accounted for 52.7% of all isolates: PFGE type 1/clonal complex 1 (CC1) comprised mainly serotype V isolates carrying the alp3 gene, PFGE type 2/CC23 encompassed serotype Ia isolates with the alp1 or alpha gene, PFGE type 3/CC17 comprised serotype III isolates carrying the rib gene, and PFGE type 4/CC19 consisted mainly of serotype II isolates possessing the rib gene. The same serotypes were shared by isolates of different clonal groups, and conversely, isolates belonging to the same clonal groups were found to be of different serotypes, presumably due to capsular switching by the horizontal transfer of capsular genes. Erythromycin resistance (prevalence, 16.5%; 15 resistant isolates of 91) was restricted to strains isolated from patients with noninvasive infections and carriers, while tetracycline resistance was evenly distributed (prevalence, 68.1%; 62 resistant isolates of 91). Most erythromycin-resistant GBS strains were of serotype V, were erm(B) positive, and belonged to the PFGE type 1/CC1 group, suggesting that macrolide resistance may have arisen both by clonal dissemination and by the horizontal transfer of resistance genes.
Cardiovascular Disease Risk amongst African Black Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: The Need for Population Specific Stratification

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) enhances the risk of cardiovascular disease to a similar extent as diabetes. Whereas atherogenesis remains poorly elucidated in RA, traditional and nontraditional risk factors associate similarly and additively with CVD in RA. Current recommendations on CVD risk stratification reportedly have important limitations. Further, reported data on CVD and its risk factors derive mostly from data obtained in the developed world. An earlier epidemiological health transition is intrinsic to persons living in rural areas and those undergoing urbanization. It is therefore conceivable that optimal CVD risk stratification differs amongst patients with RA from developing populations compared to those from developed populations. Herein, we briefly describe current CVD and its risk factor profiles in the African black population at large. Against this background, we review reported data on CVD risk and its potential stratification amongst African black compared to white patients with RA. Routinely assessed traditional and nontraditional CVD risk factors were consistently and independently related to atherosclerosis in African white but not black patients with RA. Circulating concentrations of novel CVD risk biomarkers including interleukin-6 and interleukin-5 adipokines were mostly similarly associated with both endothelial activation and atherosclerosis amongst African black and white RA patients.
Cognitive modeling: knowledge, reasoning and planning for intelligent characters

Recent work in behavioral animation has taken impressive steps toward autonomous, self-animating characters for use in production animation and interactive games. It remains difficult, however, to direct autonomous characters to perform specific tasks. This paper addresses the challenge by introducing cognitive modeling. Cognitive models go beyond behavioral models in that they govern what a character knows, how that knowledge is acquired, and how it can be used to plan actions. To help build cognitive models, we develop the cognitive modeling language CML. Using CML, we can imbue a character with domain knowledge, elegantly specified in terms of actions, their preconditions and their effects, and then direct the character’s behavior in terms of goals. Our approach allows behaviors to be specified more naturally and intuitively, more succinctly and at a much higher level of abstraction than would otherwise be possible. With cognitively empowered characters, the animator need only specify a behavior outline or “sketch plan” and, through reasoning, the character will automatically work out a detailed sequence of actions satisfying the specification. We exploit interval methods to integrate sensing into our underlying theoretical framework, thus enabling our autonomous characters to generate action plans even in highly complex, dynamic virtual worlds. We demonstrate cognitive modeling applications in advanced character animation and automated cinematography.
Tobacco Use in Adult Long-term Survivors of Retinoblastoma

A significant risk of lung cancer was identified among hereditary, but not nonhereditary, retinoblastoma (Rb) patients. Tobacco use was investigated to determine whether differences in smoking prevalence might explain the lung cancer excess and to characterize smoking patterns in adult survivors of Rb. Subjects were 441 hereditary and 395 nonhereditary 1-year survivors of Rb, age ≥18 years, who responded to a telephone survey about current health behavior, including tobacco use. Response rates were 76% for hereditary and 73% for nonhereditary survivors. We compared patterns and predictors of current tobacco use among hereditary and nonhereditary survivors with other childhood cancer survivor studies and the U.S. population. Hereditary Rb survivors currently smoke cigarettes significantly less frequently than nonhereditary survivors (16. 8% versus 24.3%), although among current smokers, age at smoking initiation (17 years old) and average cigarettes (1.5 packs) smoked daily are similar. Predictors of current and ever cigarette smoking include nonhereditary Rb, older age, being female, less education, and use of other tobacco products. Rb survivors smoke cigarettes significantly less than the U.S. population (rate ratio, 0.63; 95% confidence interval, 0.5-0.8 for males; rate ratio, 0.75; 95% confidence interval, 0.6-0.9 for females), but Rb survivors have comparable smoking rates with other childhood cancer survivors. Smoking did not account for the increased risk of lung cancer among hereditary Rb patients, and this may point to an enhanced sensitivity to the carcinogenic effects of tobacco. Adult survivors of Rb should be encouraged to stop smoking. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2006;15(8):1464–8)
A Modular Ontology for the Enterprise Architecture Domain

Enterprise architecture supports the analysis, design and engineering of business-oriented systems through multiple views. Each view expresses the elements and relationships of a system from the perspective of specific system concerns relevant to one or more of its stakeholders. As a result, each view needs to expressed in the architecture description language that best suits its concerns. Therefore, an enterprise architecture may be described using a set of different languages. However, current enterprise architecture modelling languages display two issues in this setting. First, they lack mechanisms to integrate multiple architecture description languages. This issue hinders the specification of views using different languages. Second, enterprise architecture models lack quantitative analysis support. This paper describes an ontology-based approach in order to have a modular ontology for the enterprise architecture domain, to specify and integrate multiple architecture modelling languages and to analyse the resulting integrated models. The approach relies on transformations between an upper-domain ontology based on the ArchiMate language and on a set of domain-specific ontologies to deal with the specific architecture modelling languages. The resulting models are quantifiable in the sense they provide the means to assess the consistency of the enterprise architecture models and to analyse their structure. The applicability of the approach is shown through a case study and the correctness of the ontology is shown by a set of competency questions.
Mutations of domain V in 23S ribosomal RNA of macrolide-resistant Mycoplasma gallisepticum isolates in Egypt.

INTRODUCTION Avian mycoplasmas impose a significant economic burden to the poultry industry. In recent years, macrolide-resistant Mycoplasma gallisepticum have occasionally been encountered in Egypt. METHODOLOGY This study was designed to document the involvement of macrolide-resistant M. gallisepticum in respiratory organs of chickens suffering respiratory problems. Concurrently, an exhaustive molecular characterization of the intrinsic resistance of recovered isolates to macrolides was done. RESULTS Of 120 chickens showing respiratory problems, 14 (11.67%) M. gallisepticum were isolated and genetically identified; 8 of them were recovered from air sacs, 4 from lungs, and 2 from tracheas. Broth microdilution of all M. gallisepticum isolates showed various degrees of minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) against macrolides: erythromycin (0.25-32 µg/mL), tylosin (0.0625-4 µg/mL), and tiamulin (0.031-2 µg/mL). Nucleotide sequencing of domain V (peptidyl transferase region) of the 23S rRNA gene of macrolide-resistant M. gallisepticum isolates revealed transition mutations at positions 2068 and 2069 (corresponding to 2058 and 2059 in Escherichia coli numbering) in an isolate and at position 2067 (corresponding to 2057 in E. coli numbering) in three isolates as hot spots for macrolide resistance. Surprisingly, a transversion mutation at position 2621 (corresponding to 2611 in E. coli numbering) was reported in one of the recovered isolates as a first report. CONCLUSION Generation of new mutations is evidence for persistence of M. gallisepticum despite macrolide treatment. Periodic surveys to monitor for the possible appearance of resistant strains are recommended.
High levels of myogenic tone antagonize the dilator response to flow of small rabbit cerebral arteries.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Pressure and shear stress exerted by flowing blood are two mechanical forces that play a major role in the regulation of vascular tone. We sought to evaluate the interaction between pressure and flow in isolated rabbit cerebral arteries. METHODS Responses to intraluminal flow of isolated pressurized rabbit posterior cerebral arteries were investigated at low, medium, and high levels of myogenic tone by setting the luminal pressure at 40, 60, and 80 mm Hg, respectively. RESULTS At both low and medium levels of myogenic tone, flow induced dilation. The response was significantly larger at 40 than at 60 mm Hg. At the high level of myogenic tone, the response to flow consisted of a combination of an initial transient dilation followed by sustained constriction. Flow-induced dilation but not flow-induced constriction response was endothelium dependent. Removal of the endothelium inhibited the dilator response by approximately 80%. Flow-induced dilation was inhibited (approximately 40%) by N omega-nitro-L-arginine (100 mumol/L) but not by indomethacin (10 mumol/L). Endothelium removal not only decreased the amplitude of flow-induced dilation but also promoted the appearance of flow-induced constriction at low and medium levels of myogenic tone. CONCLUSIONS The intraluminal pressure and in consequence the level of myogenic tone at which flow is applied determine the nature of the response of the smooth muscle cells of the blood vessel wall.
Macroeconomic Implications of Agglomeration

Cities exist because of the productivity gains arising from clustering production and workers, a process called agglomeration. How important is agglomeration for aggregate growth? This paper constructs a dynamic stochastic general equilibrium model of cities and uses it to estimate the effect of local agglomeration on aggregate growth. We combine aggregate time series and city-level panel data to estimate our modelâ€™s parameters by the Generalized Method of Moments. The estimates imply that local agglomeration has an economically and statistically significant impact on the growth rate of per capita consumption, raising it by about 10 percent.
DSMC evaluation of the Navier‐Stokes shear viscosity of a granular fluid

A method based on the simple shear flow modified by the introduction of a deterministic non‐conservative force and a stochastic process is proposed to measure the Navier‐Stokes shear viscosity in a granular fluid described by the Enskog equation. The method is implemented in DSMC simulations for a wide range of values of dissipation and density. It is observed that, after a certain transient period, the system reaches a hydrodynamic stage which tends to the Navier‐Stokes regime for long times. The results are compared with theoretical predictions obtained from the Chapman‐Enskog method in the leading Sonine approximation, showing quite a good agreement, even for strong dissipation.
Design and scalability analysis of bandwidth-compressed stream computing with multiple FPGAs

Stream computing in Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) is seen as a promising solution in delivering the necessary performance and energy efficiency requirements of compute-intensive applications like numerical simulations. The inherent structure and customizability of FPGAs naturally make them the better alternative in achieving a highly-scalable computing design solution. This paper presents a scalable custom computing approach through temporal parallelism by increasing the depth of a computing pipeline in a 1D ring of cascaded FPGAs with high-speed, low-latency communication links. Spatial parallelism is also explored by replicating the computing core inside the FPGAs to further increase throughput. Due to communication bandwidth limitations, a hardware-based lossless bandwidth compression scheme was utilized in order to alleviate this bottleneck and transfer more data streams. A performance model is presented for the scalability analysis and performance estimation of this approach. For evaluation and verification, an actual numerical simulation was implemented on an Intel Arria 10 FPGA with spatially paralleled computing cores. Initial results show that the measured performance ratings are close to the predicted values using the performance model. Similarly, it was also demonstrated that the 1D ring topology of multiple FPGAs with bandwidth-compressed links can scale the performance when a sufficiently large data set is computed, even with a deeper pipeline and insufficient inter-FPGA bandwidth.
Lassitude and Latitude

During the first half of the 20th century, environmental determinism was a powerful paradigm of geographical scholarship. Among those who accepted environmentalism were Ellen Semple, Ellsworth Huntington and Griffith Taylor. In essence, they argued that the physical environment determined human behaviour. Their writings implied that physical activity was determined by physical-environmental factors, ignoring culture, politics and history. Sports scientists also argued that environment was the explanatory variable in `explaining' differences in sports ability and success. The argument that some peoples were athletically underdeveloped because of the climate in which they lived was an essentially racist view. A study of the 1952 Olympics by Ernst Jokl contested the environmentalist perspective but it lives on today in popular and academic writing.
Patterns of PTSD among police officers following shooting incidents: A two‐dimensional model and treatment implications

Shooting incidents are a rare phenomenon in low violence police work. However, when an incident occurs, the psychological impact for the officers involved may take the form of severe PTSD symptomatology. Of 37 police officers who had been involved in serious shooting incidents between 1977 and 1984 we found that 17 (46%) fulfilled DSM-III criteria for PTSD, either at the time of the interview (n=7, 19%) or prior to it (n=10, 27%). Of the PTSD-negative group 17 still showed an impressive pattern of PTSD symptoms. Only three showed no symptoms of PTSD at all. Lauferet al. (1985) presented a two-dimensional model which seems to fit the PTSD-pattern in police officers reacting to trauma. From clinical experience, it is apparent that most police officers involved in these incidents seek refuge in denial (Lazarus, 1984). Focused psychotherapy in combination with working through of the incidents and sometimes psychopharmacological intervention appear to be of value in alleviating PTSD in police officers. Preliminary experience in psychotherapy with these police officers is presented in two case vignettes.
AD lesions and infarcts in demented and non‐demented Japanese‐American men

Neocortical neuritic plaques and neurofibrillary tangles are hallmark neuropathological lesions of dementia. Concomitant cerebrovascular lesions increase dementia severity in patients meeting neuropathological criteria for Alzheimer's disease and contribute to cognitive impairment in persons with mild entorhinal Alzheimer lesions. This study investigates whether individuals with sparse neocortical neuritic plaques experience increased odds of crossing the threshold to clinical dementia when they have coexistent cerebrovascular lesions. Dementia examinations were given to 3,734 men during the 1991–1993 Honolulu‐Asia Aging Study examination and to 2,603 men during the 1994–1996 examination. Lesion quantification was done without clinical data. Among 333 autopsied men, 120 had dementia, 115 had marginal results, and 98 had normal cognition. In men with neurofibrillary tangles, dementia frequency increased with increasing neuritic plaque density, and increased further in the presence of cerebrovascular lesions. The association was strongest in men with sparse neuritic plaques (1–3/mm2) where dementia frequency more than doubled with coexistent cerebrovascular lesions (45 vs 20%). Among all dementia cases, 24% were linked to cerebrovascular lesions. Findings suggest cerebrovascular lesions are associated with a marked excess of dementia in cases with low neuritic plaque frequency. Prevention of cerebrovascular lesions may be critically important in preserving late‐life cognitive function. Ann Neurol 2005
Opportunity or Inequality in Vocational Education? A Qualitative Investigation

ABSTRACTRecent research points to an association between participation in certain kinds of secondary vocational programs and the development of improved attitudes (e.g. toward self, school, work, and others). There is considerable disagreement, however, over the meaning of these findings. Supporters of vocational education suggest they reflect the capacity of vocational programs to enhance the work skills and opportunity of disadvantaged participants; critics, on the other hand, argue they reveal the process by which vocational education actually inhibits the opportunity of such youth by fostering compliant work attitudes and an acceptance on their part of low status employment.The study here is an attempt to address this debate through ethnographic investigation. It suggests that while most of the students found their programs enjoyable and rewarding, this response was, generally, the product of a complex assemblage of personal, social, economic, family, and educational factors which worked against the g.