Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of Optimism Skills Group Training: Examination of the Attributional Styles of Boys at the Kerman Juvenile Correction and Rehabilitation Center

Background The way that people explain events may influence aspects of their development and health. A number of studies have reported that there is a positive relationship between pessimism and the risk of poor heath, infectious disease, and early mortality. Objectives This study was conducted to examine the effectiveness of an optimism skills group training (OSGT) on the attribution styles of delinquent boys. Patients and Methods A quasi-experimental method with a two-group design was used, with random assignment and pre- and post-tests. The subjects were selected from adolescent boys, aged 13 to 18 years, in the Kerman Juvenile Correction and Rehabilitation Center (KJCRC). The participants were allocated to two matched groups based on their pre-test scores. They were assigned randomly to the control and experimental groups. The sample comprised 61 boys. Optimism Skills Group Training (OSGT) was conducted with the experimental group during 10 sessions. Then the subjects were administered the post-test, with a follow-up test a month later. Statistical analysis was conducted using the t-test and repeated-measures analysis of variance. The research instrument was the Attributional Style Questionnaire (ASQ). Results The results showed that the OSGT changed the attributional styles of delinquent boys from pessimistic to optimistic. Also, the follow up study showed that the effect on the delinquent boys’ attributional style was still present after one month. Conclusions Even though the OSGT is an effective technique for inculcating an optimistic attribution style in delinquent boys, this important method needs to be continually implemented in their education.
Multiple large shareholders and earnings informativeness

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to add to the understanding of the monitoring role of multiple large shareholders (MLS) by examining their impact on the informativeness of firms' earnings. Design/methodology/approach - The paper uses regression models that relate earnings to stock returns for a sample of 402 French publicly traded firms covered during 2003-2007. Findings - The paper shows that earnings informativeness is significantly positively related to the owner's ultimate cash flow rights. Consistent with the alignment effect, stock ownership aligns management and shareholders interests which reduces managers' incentives to manipulate accounting information. It also finds that earnings informativeness is significantly negatively related to the excess control of the ultimate controlling shareholder. This result supports the entrenchment effect and suggests that controlling shareholders have greater incentives to obscure accounting figures when expropriation is likely. Finally, control contestability of the largest controlling shareholder mitigates information asymmetry problems thereby enhancing earnings informativeness. Research limitations/implications - The findings stress the importance of MLS in enhancing internal monitoring and mitigating agency costs. Because France is characterized by a weak legal system, highly concentrated ownership structures and excess control, the results provide valuable insights to mitigate extreme agency problems. Originality/value - The paper adds to the literature on corporate governance and the quality of accounting information by investigating strategic interactions between various blockholders and their impact on earnings informativeness. The study complements prior studies on the monitoring role of MLS by demonstrating that both their presence and control size translate into significantly greater earnings informativeness.
A Natural Language Tutorial Dialogue System for Physics

Abstract : We describe the WHY2-ATLAS intelligent tutoring system for qualitative physics that interacts with students via natural language dialogue. We focus on the issue of analyzing and responding to multi-sentential explanations. We explore approaches for achieving a deeper understanding of these explanations and dialogue management approaches and strategies for providing appropriate feedback on them.
Value and Capital

﻿LEAVING aside the courageous efforts of people around Monthly Review and Science and Society there has, by and large, been hardly any Marxist tradition among American intellectuals. However, during the last few years the situation has considerably changed and there is now a growing interest in Marxism, particularly among the younger social scientists of America. The book under review falls within this trend.
Evidence for flux-lattice melting and a dimensional crossover in single-crystal Bi2.15Sr1.85CaCu2O8+ delta from muon spin rotation studies.

The microscopic magnetic field distribution in the mixed state of single-crystal Bi 2.15 Sr 1.85 CaCu 2 O 8+δ has been measured using the muon spin rotation technique. A study of the line shapes as a function of temperature and magnetic field gives evidence for an abrupt change of flux-lattice structure which is attributed to the presence of a flux-lattice melting line in the B-T phase diagram. In addition, the data suggest the existence of a crossover field above which the flux structure is more 2D in nature
The interaction between human vision and eye movements in health and disease

Human motor behaviour depends on the successful integration of vision and eye movements. Many studies have investigated neural correlates of visual processing in humans, but typically with the eyes stationary and fixated centrally. Similarly, many studies have sought to characterise which brain areas are responsible for oculomotor control, but generally in the absence of visual stimulation. The few studies to explicitly study the interaction between visual perception and eye movements suggest strong influences of both static and dynamic eye position on visual processing and modulation of oculomotor structures by properties of visual stimuli. However, the neural mechanisms underlying these interactions are poorly understood. This thesis uses a range of fMRI methodologies such as retinotopic mapping, multivariate analsyis techniques, dynamic causal modelling and ultra high resolution imaging to examine the interactions between the oculomotor and visual systems in the normal human brain. The results of the experiments presented in this thesis demonstrate that oculomotor behaviour has complex effects on activity in visual areas, while spatial properites of visual stimuli modify activity in oculomotor areas. Specifically, responses in the lateral geniculate nucleus and early cortical visual areas are modulated by saccadic eye movements (a process potentially mediated by the frontal eye fields) and by changes in static eye position. Additionally, responses in oculomotor structures such as the superior colliculus are biased for visual stimuli presented in the temporal rather than nasal hemifield. These findings reveal that although the visual and oculomotor systems are spatially segregated in the brain, they show a high degree of integration at the neural level. This is consistent with our everyday experience of the visual world where frequent eye movements do not lead to disruption of visual continuity and visual information is seamlessly transformed into motor behaviour.
A fast patch-dictionary method for whole image recovery

Various algorithms have been proposed for dictionary learning. Among those for image processing, many use image patches to form dictionaries. This paper focuses on whole-image recovery from corrupted linear measurements. We address the open issue of representing an image by overlapping patches: the overlapping leads to an excessive number of dictionary coefficients to determine. With very few exceptions, this issue has limited the applications of image-patch methods to the local kind of tasks such as denoising, inpainting, cartoon-texture decomposition, super-resolution, and image deblurring, for which one can process a few patches at a time. Our focus is global imaging tasks such as compressive sensing and medical image recovery, where the whole image is encoded together, making it either impossible or very ineffective to update a few patches at a time. Our strategy is to divide the sparse recovery into multiple subproblems, each of which handles a subset of non-overlapping patches, and then the results of the subproblems are averaged to yield the final recovery. This simple strategy is surprisingly effective in terms of both quality and speed. In addition, we accelerate computation of the learned dictionary by applying a recent block proximal-gradient method, which not only has a lower per-iteration complexity but also takes fewer iterations to converge, compared to the current state-of-the-art. We also establish that our algorithm globally converges to a stationary point. Numerical results on synthetic data demonstrate that our algorithm can recover a more faithful dictionary than two state-of-the-art methods. Combining our whole-image recovery and dictionary-learning methods, we numerically simulate image inpainting, compressive sensing recovery, and deblurring. Our recovery is more faithful than those of a total variation method and a method based on overlapping patches.
Evaluation of dielectric fluids for macro-scale electrostatic actuators and machinery

Recently interest towards electrostatic actuators and machinery has increased for use in MEMS, mechatronics and renewable energy applications. Effective electromechanical power conversion using electrostatics requires dielectric fluids whose permittivity and breakdown field strength can facilitate adequate electric shear stress and pressure beyond the capabilities of media such as air or vacuum. This paper discusses design points for practical electrostatic force production and evaluates available dielectric fluids in terms of electric shear stress and pressure capability. Key dielectric properties including relative permittivity and breakdown field strength are measured via custom test stand. Attractive force is measured between two electrodes mounted on load cells inside a tank filled with a dielectric liquid. Electrode surfaces may be configured to facilitate electric pressure or shear measurement. Measurements demonstrate fluids capable of reaching several PSI of electric pressure while correlating with analytical and finite element (FE) models, ultimately forming a base for electrostatic actuator/machine design.
Serum leptin and habitual fatty acid dietary intake in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE To study the contribution of a normal intake of nutrients to the variability of serum leptin concentrations in persons with type 1 diabetes mellitus. DESIGN We studied the relation between serum leptin and nutrient intake in a cross-sectional study. METHODS Serum leptin measured by radioimmunoassay, nutritional data determined by a self-administered 7-day nutritional questionnaire, and the fatty acid composition of the serum phospholipids (measured by thin layer chromatography and gas chromatography) were determined in 60 patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Correlation and regression analyses were performed between serum leptin and dietary fatty acids and serum phospholipid fatty acids. RESULTS In the prediction models for the concentrations of serum leptin in men with type 1 diabetes mellitus, the dietary fatty acids displaced the anthropometric variables, and were independent of the serum testosterone concentrations. This fact remained when the prediction was made on the basis of indirect markers of the intake, such as the serum phospholipid fatty acids. In the women, the fatty acids from the diet or from the serum phospholipids also partly explained the variation in serum leptin, although not displacing the anthropometric variables. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that, in non-experimental conditions, the concentrations of serum leptin in men with type 1 diabetes mellitus and, to a lesser extent, those in women with diabetes, may be influenced by the composition of the habitual diet, especially the type of dietary fat.
Massive Star Cluster Populations in Irregular Galaxies as Probable Younger Counterparts of Old Metal-rich Globular Cluster Populations in Spheroids

Peak metallicities of metal-rich populations of globular clusters (MRGCs) belonging to early-type galaxies and spheroidal subsystems of spiral galaxies (spheroids) of different mass fall within the somewhat conservative -0.7 ≤ [Fe/H] ≤ -0.3 range. Indeed, if possible age effects are taken into account, this metallicity range might become smaller. Irregular galaxies such as the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC), with longer timescales of formation and lower star formation (SF) efficiency, do not contain old MRGCs with [Fe/H] > -1.0, but they are observed to form populations of young/intermediate-age massive star clusters (MSCs) with masses exceeding 104 M⊙. Their formation is widely believed to be an accidental process fully dependent on external factors. From the analysis of available data on the populations and their hosts, including intermediate-age populous star clusters in the LMC, we find that their most probable mean metallicities fall within -0.7 ≤ [Fe/H] ≤ -0.3, as the peak metallicities of MRGCs do, irrespective of signs of interaction. Moreover, both the disk giant metallicity distribution function (MDF) in the LMC and the MDFs for old giants in the halos of massive spheroids exhibit a significant increase toward [Fe/H] ≈ -0.5. That is in agreement with a correlation found between SF activity in galaxies and their metallicity. The formation of both the old MRGCs in spheroids and MSC populations in irregular galaxies probably occurs at approximately the same stage of the host galaxies' chemical evolution and is related to the essentially increased SF activity in the hosts around the same metallicity that is achieved very early in massive spheroids, later in lower mass spheroids, and much later in irregular galaxies. Changes in the interstellar dust, particularly in elemental abundances in dust grains and in the mass distribution function of the grains, may be among the factors regulating star and MSC formation activity in galaxies. Strong interactions and mergers affecting the MSC formation presumably play an additional role, although they can substantially intensify the internally regulated MSC formation process. Several implications of our suggestions are briefly discussed.
The metabolic and temporal basis of muscle hypertrophy in response to resistance exercise

Abstract Constituting ∼40% of body mass, skeletal muscle has essential locomotory and metabolic functions. As such, an insight into the control of muscle mass is of great importance for maintaining health and quality-of-life into older age, under conditions of cachectic disease and with rehabilitation. In healthy weight-bearing individuals, muscle mass is maintained by the equilibrium between muscle protein synthesis (MPS) and muscle protein breakdown; when this balance tips in favour of MPS hypertrophy occurs. Despite considerable research into pharmacological/nutraceutical interventions, resistance exercise training (RE-T) remains the most potent stimulator of MPS and hypertrophy (in the majority of individuals). However, the mechanism(s) and time course of hypertrophic responses to RE-T remain poorly understood. We would suggest that available data are very much in favour of the notion that the majority of hypertrophy occurs in the early phases of RE-T (though still controversial to some) and that, for the most part, continued gains are hard to come by. Whilst the mechanisms of muscle hypertrophy represent the culmination of mechanical, auto/paracrine and endocrine events, the measurement of MPS remains a cornerstone for understanding the control of hypertrophy – mainly because it is the underlying driving force behind skeletal muscle hypertrophy. Development of sophisticated isotopic techniques (i.e. deuterium oxide) that lend to longer term insight into the control of hypertrophy by sustained RE-T will be paramount in providing insights into the metabolic and temporal regulation of hypertrophy. Such technologies will have broad application in muscle mass intervention for both athletes and for mitigating disease/age-related cachexia and sarcopenia, alike.
A Close Encounter with Personal Bias: Pedagogical Implications for Teacher Education

Abstract:This qualitative study explored the reactions of practicing teachers when presented with an “encounter” experience that challenged them to examine their own bias in an on-line graduate course. In this case, the encounter experience was completing two Implicit Association Tests—one on race and one on skin tone. The researchers examined the discussion board entries of 302 early childhood and elementary teachers enrolled in the course and found that teacher reactions generally typified one of five categories: (a) disregard for the results, (b) disbelief in the results, (c) acceptance of the results, (d) discomfort with the results, and, finally, (e) distress with the results. The results are discussed in the context of helping teachers become aware of the potential impact of bias on the teaching and learning process. Pedagogical strategies to mediate the typology of reactions to the suggestion of personal bias are highlighted.
The usefulness of direct ethanol metabolites in assessing alcohol intake in nonintoxicated male patients in an emergency room setting.

BACKGROUND A major part of medical pathology in internal medicine is associated with chronic alcoholism. The aim of the current study was to investigate whether screening for Alcohol Use Disorders (AUD) can be improved through determination of direct ethanol metabolites compared to traditional biological state markers, the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) and additional self-reports beyond the detection time period of a positive blood alcohol concentration (BAC). METHODS A total of 74 blood alcohol negative male patients who presented at the emergency room with either thoracic or gastrointestinal complaints were included. Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) was determined in whole blood, and ethyl glucuronide (EtG) in serum and urine samples. Traditional biological state markers [carbohydrate deficient transferrin (%CDT), gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), mean corpuscular volume (MCV)] were determined. The AUDIT was obtained and furthermore, all patients completed an additional self-report of alcohol consumption. Patients were divided into two (2) groups: AUDIT scores < 8 and AUDIT scores >or= 8. RESULTS After assessment of the AUDIT, patients were allocated to one of the following groups: patients with AUDIT scores < 8 (n = 52) and with AUDIT scores >or= 8 (n = 22). Twenty-five percent of the patients with AUDIT scores below the cut-off (n = 13/52) were tested positive for both PEth and UEtG. Of the patients who declared to be sober during the past 12 months, 38.5% were tested positive for PEth and UEtG. PEth discriminated similarly as %CDT for AUDIT scores >or= 8 (AUC: 0.672; 95%CI 0.524 to 0.821). Self-reports of alcohol consumption were unreliable. CONCLUSION Determination of direct ethanol metabolites such as PEth and UEtG provides additional evidence in screening for AUD in an ER setting. Determination of PEth might be considered complementary with or alternatively to %CDT.
Trace Theorems for some Nonlocal Function Spaces with Heterogeneous Localization

It is a classical result of Sobolev spaces that any $H^1$ function has a well-defined $H^{1/2}$ trace on the boundary of a sufficient regular domain. In this work, we present stronger and more general versions of such a trace theorem in a new nonlocal function space ${\mathcal{S}}(\Omega)$ satisfying $H^1(\Omega)\subset {\mathcal{S}}(\Omega)\subset L^2(\Omega)$. The new space ${\mathcal{S}}(\Omega)$ is associated with a nonlocal norm characterized by a nonlocal interaction kernel that is defined heterogeneously with a special localization feature on the boundary. Through the heterogeneous localization, we are able to show that the $H^{1/2}$ norm of the trace on the boundary can be controlled by the nonlocal norm that is weaker than the classical $H^1$ norm. In fact, the trace theorems can be essentially shown without imposing any extra regularity of the function in the interior of the domain other than being square integrable. Implications of the new trace theorems for the coupling of local and nonlocal e.
An empirical study of rendering sinusoidal textures on a ultrasonic variable-friction haptic surface

An ultrasonic variable-friction tactile display (VFTD) utilizes a squeeze film effect to generate and transmit a touch sensation of texture to a human fingertip in contact with the haptic surface. Haptic devices in this category can render and control various types of surface roughness through the amplitude modulation. This paper presents an experimental study of constructing amplitude modulation signals to create a virtual texture with a simple sinusoidal topology on a VFTD. A series of user tests have been conducted to identify and evaluate the relationship between an amplitude-modulated electrical signal input and a rendered texture output. The experimental results may significantly contribute to a better understanding of texture rendering on the variable-friction tactile displays.
A Helly-Type Theorem for Unions of Convex Sets

Abstract. We prove that for any d, k ≥ 1 there are numbers q = q(d,k) and h = h(d,k) such that the following holds: Let ${\cal K}$ be a family of subsets of the d-dimensional Euclidean space, such that the intersection of any subfamily of ${\cal K}$ consisting of at most q sets can be expressed as a union of at most k convex sets. Then the Helly number of ${\cal K}$ is at most h. We also obtain topological generalizations of some cases of this result. The main result was independently obtained by Alon and Kalai, by a different method.
The Effect of Antiretroviral Combination Treatment on Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) Genome Load in HIV-Infected Patients

We evaluated the effect of combination anti-retroviral treatment (cART) on the host control of EBV infection in moderately immunosuppressed HIV-1 patients. Twenty HIV-1 infected individuals were followed for five years with repeated measurements of EBV DNA load in peripheral blood lymphocytes in relation to HIV-RNA titers and CD4+ cell counts. Individuals with optimal response, i.e. durable non-detectable HIV-RNA, showed a decline of EBV load to the level of healthy controls. Individuals with non-optimal HIV-1 control did not restore their EBV control. Long-lasting suppression of HIV-replication after early initiation of cART is a prerequisite for re-establishing the immune control of EBV.
Interventions for ADHD: Treatment in Developmental Context

Introduction to Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. Etiology and Associated Features of ADHD: A Transactional Neurodevelopmental Model. Developmental Challenges of the Toddler/Preschool Stage: The Impact of ADHD on Normal Development. Intervention Strategies and Techniques for the Toddler/Preschool Stage. Developmental Challenges of the Middle Childhood Stage: The Impact of ADHD in Normal Development for the Middle Childhood Stage. Developmental Challenges of the Adolescent Stage: The Impact of ADHD on Normal Development. Intervention Strategies and Techniques for the Adolescent Stage. Developmental Challenges of Adulthood: The Impact of ADHD on Normal Development and Interventions Options. Future Research Trends.
The nature of circulating CD27+CD43+ B cells

To the Editor: We recently read with great interest an article in The Journal of Experimental Medicine from the [laboratory of Thomas Rothstein][1] ([Griffin et al., 2011][2]). This paper described a new B cell population present in human cord blood and adult peripheral blood that displays