Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Macaque Inferior Temporal Neurons Are Selective for Three-Dimensional Boundaries and Surfaces

The lower bank of the superior temporal sulcus (TEs), part of the inferior temporal cortex, contains neurons selective for disparity-defined three-dimensional (3-D) shape. The large majority of these TEs neurons respond to the spatial variation of disparity, i.e., are higher-order disparity selective. To determine whether curved boundaries or curved surfaces by themselves are sufficient to elicit 3-D shape selectivity, we recorded the responses of single higher-order disparity-selective TEs neurons to concave and convex 3-D shapes in which the disparity varied either along the boundary of the shape, or only along its surface. For a majority of neurons, a 3-D boundary was sufficient for 3-D shape selectivity. At least as many neurons responded selectively to 3-D surfaces, and a number of neurons exhibited both surface and boundary selectivity. The second aim of this study was to determine whether TEs neurons can represent differences in second-order disparities along the horizontal axis. The results revealed that TEs neurons can also be selective for horizontal 3-D shapes and can code the direction of curvature (vertical or horizontal). Thus, TEs neurons represent both boundaries and surfaces curved in depth and can signal the direction of curvature along a surface. These results show that TEs neurons use not only boundary but also surface information to encode 3-D shape properties.
Development of the Group Leader Self-Efficacy Instrument

Abstract This articlepresents the Group Leader Self-Eficacy Instrument (GLSI. , which measures counselor trainees' self-eficacy for performinggroup leader skills in training groups, Foundation of the GLSI based on group theory, counselor training practice, and research is described. Development of the GLSI through replicated factor analysis is detailed, and evidence for the reliability and validity of the instrument is presented. Based on the single factor structure of the GLSI, an integrated approach to teaching group leadership is recommended.
Necessary and Sufficient Conditions for Stabilizability subject to Quadratic Invariance

In this paper we deal with the problem of stabilizing linear, time-invariant plants using feedback control configurations that are subject to sparsity constraints. Recent results show that given a strongly stabilizable plant, the class of all stabilizing controllers that satisfy certain given sparsity constraints admits a convex representation via Zames's Q-parametrization. More precisely, if the pre-specified sparsity constraints imposed on the controller are quadratically invariant with respect to the plant, then such a convex representation is guaranteed to exist. The most useful feature of the aforementioned results is that the sparsity constraints on the controller can be recast as convex constraints on the Q-parameter, which makes this approach suitable for optimal controller design (in the ℋ2 sense) using numerical tools readily available from the classical, centralized optimal ℋ2 synthesis. All these procedures rely crucially on the fact that some stabilizing controller that verifies the imposed sparsity constraints is a priori known, while design procedures for such a controller to initialize the aforementioned optimization schemes are not yet available. This paper provides necessary and sufficient conditions for such a plant to be stabilizable with a controller having the given sparsity pattern. These conditions are formulated in terms of the existence of a doubly coprime factorization of the plant with additional sparsity constraints on certain factors. We show that the computation of such a factorization is equivalent to solving an exact model-matching problem. We also give the parametrization of the set of all decentralized stabilizing controllers by imposing additional constraints on the Youla parameter. These constraints are for the Youla parameter to lie in the set of all stable transfer function matrices belonging to a certain linear subspace.
Resistance Training and the Blood Lactate Response to Resistance Exercise in Women

This study examined the effect of resistance training on blood lactate (BL), heart rate (HR), and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) responses to an exhaustive set of squats in 7 college-age women, Baseline testing consisted of a dual set of squats at 70 and 50% of 1-RM performed to exhaustion. Immediate postexercise BL response was elevated 6.5-fold above baseline values while HR exceeded 90% of age-predicted max. After 10 wks of resistance training, the dependent variables were assessed at Post 1 and Post 2 testing sessions. At Post 1, subjects performed a nonexhaustive set of squats using the same workload and number of repetitions completed during baseline testing. At Post 2 they performed an exhaustive set of squats at 70 and 50% of posttraining 1-RM. Immediate postexercise BL was reduced at Post 1 when compared to baseline BL. Post-2 BL was similar to baseline BL and significantly greater than Post-l BL. Resistance training also lowered the RPE response to resistance exercise at Post 1 (p ≤ 0.01), but Post-2 RPE did not differ from baseline values. The HR response to resistance exercise was not altered by resistance training.
The banana plant and the moon: Conservation and the Malagasy ethos of life in Masoala, Madagascar

For people in rural Madagascar, the growth of one's kin group and the joint processes of movement and anchorage in the land are fundamental aspects of a successful life. In this article, I examine the clash between the Malagasy ethos of growth and the canonical conservationist ethos of static equilibrium. I argue that biodiversity conservation on the Masoala peninsula leaves local people with a sense of having been defeated in the purpose of life as they understand it. I further suggest that, in the case of people of slave descent, such defeat reverses the historical process of shedding slave status. [Madagascar, Masoala, conservation, national parks, concepts of growth, slavery]
Fascioperiosteal Flap and Neoosteogenesis in Radical Mastoidectomy

A surgical method, consisting of IRM and inferiorly based fascioperiosteal flap was utilized on twenty-five patients who had chronic otitis media with cholesteatoma and the long term results of the method are presented. At most, two months postoperatively, none of the patients were obligated to have any otologic care. Ear discharge, debris formation within the mastoid cavity, recurrence of cholesteatoma and/or osteitis were not encountered in the group. On the seventh year postoperatively, all of the mastoid cavities were healthy and reduced in volume. In seven years, the average volume became progressively reduced to 39% of the average volume measured one month postoperatively. This was considered to be due to the neoosteogenetic activity of the fascioperiosteal flap. This flap also provided a viable bed for a healthy epithelial layer.
Phosphate control in dialysis

Prevention and correction of hyperphosphatemia is a major goal of chronic kidney disease–mineral and bone disorder (CKD–MBD) management, achievable through avoidance of a positive phosphate balance. To this aim, optimal dialysis removal, careful use of phosphate binders, and dietary phosphate control are needed to optimize the control of phosphate balance in well-nourished patients on a standard three-times-a-week hemodialysis schedule. Using a mixed diffusive–convective hemodialysis tecniques, and increasing the number and/or the duration of dialysis tecniques are all measures able to enhance phosphorus (P) mass removal through dialysis. However, dialytic removal does not equal the high P intake linked to the high dietary protein requirement of dialysis patients; hence, the use of intestinal P binders is mandatory to reduce P net intestinal absorption. Unfortunately, even a large dose of P binders is able to bind approximately 200–300 mg of P on a daily basis, so it is evident that their efficacy is limited in the case of an uncontrolled dietary P load. Hence, limitation of dietary P intake is needed to reach the goal of neutral phosphate balance in dialysis, coupled to an adequate protein intake. To this aim, patients should be informed and educated to avoid foods that are naturally rich in phosphate and also processed food with P-containing preservatives. In addition, patients should preferentially choose food with a low P-to-protein ratio. For example, patients could choose egg white or protein from a vegetable source. Finally, boiling should be the preferred cooking procedure, because it induces food demineralization, including phosphate loss. The integrated approach outlined in this article should be actively adapted as a therapeutic alliance by clinicians, dieticians, and patients for an effective control of phosphate balance in dialysis patients.
Influence of esmolol on requirement of inhalational agent using entropy and assessment of its effect on immediate postoperative pain score

Background and Context: Beta-blockers have been used for attenuation of stress response, decreasing anaesthetic requirement and augmentation of the effect of opioids during general anaesthesia. Aims and Objectives: The present study aims to evaluate the influence of esmolol on the requirement of an inhalational agent while monitoring the depth of anaesthesia by entropy and also its effect on immediate postoperative pain score. Methods: Fifty American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) I and II patients, between 25 and 65 years of age who underwent lower abdominal surgeries were randomly allocated to two groups: Group E and Group S of 25 patients each. Group E received esmolol infusion while Group S received the same volume of saline infusion. Demographic data, haemodynamics, amount of isoflurane used, end-tidal isoflurane concentration, postoperative pain score and total dose of morphine consumed in immediate postoperative period of 30 min were analyzed by using appropriate statistical tests. Value of P<0.05 was considered significant and P<0.001 as highly significant. Results: The two groups were comparable with respect to age, weight, ASA physical status, duration of surgery and amount of isoflurane used during anaesthesia. Assessment of postoperative pain was assessed by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) which showed significant difference at 30 min. The total dose of morphine consumption was significantly less (P<0.05) in Group E for relief of postoperative pain. Conclusions: We conclude that in light of depth of anaesthesia monitor esmolol has no effect on requirement of isoflurane, but it decreases the postoperative pain as well as postoperative requirement of morphine without increasing the risk of awareness.
Interactivity and Equifinality of Risks for Adolescent Smoking

ABSTRACT Key psychosocial risks associated with adolescent smoking are well established. However, the ways in which the key risks of impulsivity, peer cigarette smoking, and self-reported use of alcohol interact to predict adolescent cigarette smoking is largely unknown. A sample of 210 Australian middle high school students aged 14–16 completed questionnaires. A 3-way interaction of impulsivity, peer cigarette smoking and self-reports of alcohol use significantly predicted smoking, and relegated simpler interactions to nonsignificance. Adolescents with two and three elevated risk factors were 17 and 40 times more likely to be recent smokers, respectively, compared with those who evidenced no elevated risk factors. Common prevention strategies involving alcohol refusal skills training may need refinement to take into account the complexity of risk factor interactions.
Sunitinib Reverses Type-1 Immune Suppression and Decreases T-Regulatory Cells in Renal Cell Carcinoma Patients

Purpose: Immune dysfunction is well documented in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) patients and likely contributes to tumor evasion. This dysfunction includes a shift from a type-1 to a type-2 T-cell cytokine response and enhanced T-regulatory (Treg) cell expression. Given the antitumor activity of select tyrosine kinase inhibitors such as sunitinib in metastatic RCC (mRCC) patients, it is relevant to assess their effect on the immune system. Experimental Design: Type-1 (IFNγ) and type-2 (interleukin-4) responses were assessed in T cells at baseline and day 28 of treatment with sunitinib (50 mg/d) by measuring intracellular cytokines after in vitro stimulation with anti-CD3/anti-CD28 antibodies. Results: After one cycle of treatment, there was a significant increase in the percentage of IFNγ-producing T cells (CD3+, P < 0.001; CD3+CD4+, P = 0.001), a reduction in interleukin-4 production (CD3+ cells, P = 0.05), and a diminished type-2 bias (P = 0.005). The increase in type-1 response may be partly related to modulation of Treg cells. The increased percentage of Treg cells noted in mRCC patients over healthy donors (P = 0.001) was reduced after treatment, although not reaching statistical significance. There was, however, an inverse correlation between the increase in type-1 response after two cycles of treatment and a decrease in the percentage of Treg cells (r = −0.64, P = 0.01). In vitro studies suggest that the effects of sunitinib on Treg cells are indirect. Conclusions: The demonstration that sunitinib improved type-1 T-cell cytokine response in mRCC patients while reducing Treg function provides a basis for the rational combination of sunitinib and immunotherapy in mRCC.
MODELING THE FERMENTATIVE PRODUCTION OF L-GLUTAMIC ACID BY CORYNEBACTERIUM GLUTAMICUM IN A BATCH BIOREACTOR

The fermentation kinetics of L-glutamic acid by Corynebacterium glutamicum was studied in a batch bioreactor. Mathematical model using the logistic equation for growth, Leudeking-Piret kinetic equation for product formation and Leudeking-Piret like equation for substrate consumption was proposed. Based on the analysis of experimental data followed by computer simulation, the model seemed to provide a reasonable description for L-glutamic acid fermentation.
Rationale for targeting the immune system through checkpoint molecule blockade in the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer

Background Treatments of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC)—particularly of the squamous subtype—are limited. In this article, we describe the immunomodulatory environment in NSCLC and the potential for therapeutic targeting of the immune system through cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4) and programmed death-1 (PD-1) immune-checkpoint pathway blockade. Materials and methods We searched PubMed and presented abstracts for publications describing the clinical benefit of checkpoint blockade in NSCLC. Results Antibody-mediated checkpoint molecule blockade is being investigated in NSCLC, and of these approaches, the anti-CTLA-4 antibody ipilimumab has undergone the most extensive clinical study. By targeting the immune system rather than specific antigens, checkpoint blockade agents differ from vaccine therapy. In a phase II study in advanced NSCLC, phased ipilimumab with chemotherapy demonstrated the greatest efficacy in squamous NSCLC. A phase I study of nivolumab, an anti-PD-1 antibody, has suggested that this agent is also active against squamous and non-squamous NSCLC. Ongoing phase III studies are evaluating the therapeutic potential of these agents. Conclusions Although treatment options for NSCLC are limited, a better understanding of the immune profile of this disease has facilitated the development of immunotherapeutics that target checkpoint blockade molecules, and clinical evaluation to date supports combining checkpoint blockade with chemotherapy for squamous NSCLC.
The Influence of Moral Disengagement, Morally Based Self-Esteem, Age, and Gender on Traditional Bullying and Cyberbullying

The current study investigated moral disengagement, morally based self-esteem, age, and gender as predictors of traditional bullying and cyberbullying. The participants were 210 Australian school students aged 12 to 15, evenly split between males and females. Salient predictors of traditional bullying were overall moral disengagement, and the specific practices of moral justification and diffusion of responsibility. Furthermore, overall moral disengagement and the specific practices of diffusion of responsibility and attribution of blame predicted cyberbullying. Morally based self-esteem did not influence either form of bullying. Age predicted cyberbullying, with a greater tendency for older students to bully than younger students, while gender predicted involvement in traditional bullying, with boys more likely to bully than girls. Implications for antibullying interventions in schools are suggested.
Reducing the Probability of Bankruptcy Through Supply Chain Coordination

With the increasing interdependence among supply chain members, bankruptcy of a supply chain member may cause other member firms to get into financial difficulties. This paper investigates the methods for reducing the probability of bankruptcy through supply chain coordination. Based on the developed multiagent simulation model for a simple three-echelon supply chain, the effects of coordination mechanisms, such as information sharing (INS) and vendor-managed inventory (VMI), on reducing the occurrence of bankruptcy at each stage of the supply chain are examined. Simulation results show that such coordination mechanisms are effective in reducing the risk of bankruptcy. However, the key roles of these coordination mechanisms, e.g., the manufacturer in VMI and the retailer in INS, may be reluctant to cooperate since they gain less benefit or even suffer a loss from the coordination. Additional cooperation incentive measures, i.e., permissible delay in payment for INS and inventory subsidy for VMI, are thus proposed for the implementation of these coordination mechanisms, and simulation results confirm their validity.
Probabilistic representation of the uncertainty of stereo-vision and application to obstacle detection

Stereo-vision is extensively used for intelligent vehicles, mainly for obstacle detection, as it provides a large amount of data. Many authors use it as a classical 3D sensor which provides a large tri-dimensional cloud of metric measurements, and apply methods usually designed for other sensors, such as clustering based on a distance. For stereo-vision, the measurement uncertainty is related to the range. For medium to long range, often necessary in the field of intelligent vehicles, this uncertainty has a significant impact, limiting the use of this kind of approaches. On the other hand, some authors consider stereo-vision more like a vision sensor and choose to directly work in the disparity space. This provides the ability to exploit the connectivity of the measurements, but roughly takes into consideration the actual size of the objects. In this paper, we propose a probabilistic representation of the specific uncertainty for stereo-vision, which takes advantage of both aspects - distance and disparity. The model is presented and then applied to obstacle detection, using the occupancy grid framework. For this purpose, a computationally-efficient implementation based on the u-disparity approach is given.
The Lowenfeld Mosaic Technique: Its Clinical Use And Potential For Facilitating Self-Actualization

The administration and potential clinical utility of the Lowenfeld Mosaic Test,an assessment device for which there has been renewed interest in recent years, is described. An overview of the technique is provided, as well as a case example of an adult client that demonstrates how the technique may potentially be useful both for assessment and for enhancing self-understanding and personal growth. Limitations of the technique as well as future research needs are discussed.
The Effect of School Poverty on Racial Gaps in Test Scores: The Case of the Minnesota Basic Standards Tests

Using data from 1996, 1998, and 1999 Minnesota comprehensive statewide testing of eighth graders, we examine whether Black students perform worse than White students because Blacks re more likely to attend high-poverty schools. We find the impacts of school poverty on Black students' test scores are miniscule. The results decompose aggregate racial gaps in test scores between portions due to unequal endowments - including differences in school poverty rates-and unequal impacts that these endowments have on test scores. Ultimately, school poverty or other characteristics of students, their schools or the programs in which they participate explain little of the test score gap. We conclude that much of the Black-White test score gap can be attributed to racial differences in treatment.
Text Entry Method Affects Password Security

Text-based passwords continue to be the prime form of authentication to computer systems. Today, they are increasingly created and used with mobile text entry methods, such as touchscreens and mobile keyboards, in addition to traditional physical keyboards. This raises a foundational question for usable security: whether text entry methods affect password generation and password security. This paper presents results from a between-group study with 63 participants, in which each group generated passwords for multiple virtual accounts using a different text entry method. Participants were also asked to recall their passwords afterwards. We applied analysis of structures and probabilities, with standard and recent security metrics and also performed cracking attacks on the collected data. The results show a significant effect of text entry methods on passwords. In particular, one of the experimental groups created passwords with significantly more lowercase letters per password than the control group ($t(60) = 2.99, p = 0.004$). The choices for character types in each group were also significantly different ($p=0.048, FET$). Our cracking attacks consequently expose significantly different resistance across groups ($p=0.031, FET$) and text entry method vulnerabilities. Our findings contribute to the understanding of password security in the context of usable interfaces.