Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Applied music studio teachers in higher education: Exploring the impact of identification and talent on career satisfaction

The purpose of this study was to explore how highly trained performing musicians, currently working in higher education conservatoires or universities, understand, categorize, and reflect on their identification as a studio music teacher. Using an online survey involving participants (N = 173) across nine western countries, respondents identified how they saw themselves, as performer, teacher, or both. Quantitative items illustrated their beliefs in regard to talent (self-concept) and identification with two domains (teaching and performing), as well as levels of satisfaction in both roles. Results showed that participants held two identities as both teachers and performers, that they felt slightly more talented at teaching, and that they were more satisfied with performing than with teaching. Using regression, the authors documented that identification with being a teacher predicted 41% of the variance in whether studio teachers were satisfied with being a teacher. Performing talent predicted 26% of their satisfaction with being a performer. The findings are significant to music educators because they demonstrate the complexities associated with the interplay between identification with teaching and with performing. Institutional leaders who recruit and employ advanced musicians to teach in the studio should explore this interplay or balance and, where appropriate, put in place mechanisms to support individuals as they navigate through these domains.
Prostaglandin receptors and role of G protein-activated pathways on corpora lutea of pseudopregnant rabbit in vitro.

Studies were conducted to characterize receptors for prostaglandin (PG) F(2alpha) (PGF(2alpha)) and PGE(2), and the signalling pathways regulating total nitric oxide synthase activity and progesterone production in rabbit corpora lutea (CL) of different luteal stages. CL were obtained at days 4, 9 and 13 of pseudopregnancy and cultured in vitro for 2 h with PGF(2alpha) or PGE(2) and with activators and inhibitors of G protein (Gp), phospholipase C (PLC), protein kinase C (PKC), adenylate cyclase (AC) and protein kinase A (PKA). High affinity PGF(2alpha) receptor (K(d)=1.9+/-0.6 nM mean+/-s.e. m. ) concentrations increased (P< or =0.01) four- to five-fold from early to mid- and late-luteal phases (50.6+/-8.5, 188.3+/-36.1 and 231.4+/-38.8 fmol/mg protein respectively). By contrast, PGE(2) receptor (K(d)=1.6+/-0.5 nM) concentrations decreased (P< or =0.01) from day 4 to day 9 and 13 (27.5+/-7.7, 12.4+/-2.4 and 16.5+/-3.0 fmol/mg protein respectively). The Gp-dependent AC/PKA pathway was triggered only on day 4 CL, mimicking the PGE(2) treatment and increasing progesterone production. In both day 9 and day 13 CL, the Gp-activated PLC/PKC pathway evoked a luteolytic effect similar to that induced by PGF(2alpha). The time-dependent selective resistance to PGF(2alpha) and PGE(2) by rabbit CL is mediated by factors other than a lack of luteal receptor-ligand interactions.
SUPERVISORY PRACTICES USED BY TEACHER EDUCATORS IN AGRICULTURE: A COMPARISON OF DOCTORAL/RESEARCH EXTENSIVE AND RESEARCH NON-EXTENSIVE INSTITUTIONS

The purpose of this study was to compare student teacher supervision among doctoral/research extensive and research non-extensive institutions. Results of this census study provide benchmark data on supervisory practices followed by teacher educators in doctoral/research extensive and research non-extensive institutions. The doctoral/research extensive (N=111) and research non-extensive (N=34) teacher educators who participated in the study were predominantly male and most had received formal training on supervision. In addition, these teacher educators devoted, on average, 19% of their academic appointments to supervision, conducted three on-site visits lasting approximately four to five hours, and had served as cooperating teachers for an average of two student teachers. On average, teacher educators from doctoral/research extensive institutions had been university supervisors for 14 years and research non-extensive teacher educators had been university supervisors for 12.5 years. Based on the Supervisory Options for Instructional Leaders (SOIL) Model, respondents from doctoral/research extensive and research non-extensive institutions used components of clinical supervision to a greater extent than they used contextual or differentiated supervision. The most frequently used level of the SOIL Model utilized by teacher educators in doctoral/research extensive institutions was the structured level; however, the moderately structured level was the most frequently utilized by teacher educators in research non-extensive institutions.
Does body mass index affect infection-related outcomes in the intensive care unit?

BACKGROUND Obesity is a worldwide healthcare concern, but its impact on critical care (intensive care unit; ICU) outcomes is not well understood. The general hypothesis is that obesity worsens ICU outcomes, but published reports fail to demonstrate this effect consistently. We hypothesized that increasing BMI would be an independent predictor of higher mortality rates in the surgical/trauma ICU. METHODS Data on patients with infections, defined by U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria, were collected prospectively from a single university surgical/trauma ICU. From 1996 to 2003, 807 such patients had measurable BMIs on admission to the ICU and were divided into underweight (<18.5 kg/m(2)), normal weight (18.5-24.9 kg/m(2)), overweight (25.0-29.9 kg/m(2)), obese (30.0-39.9 kg/m(2)), and morbidly obese (> or =40.0 kg/m(2)). The primary outcome was in-hospital death. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed. RESULTS In-hospital death was associated with increasing age, increasing average Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score, history of diabetes (p = 0.001), cardiac disease (p = 0.001), hypertension (p = 0.044), history of cerebrovascular disease (p = 0.021), renal insufficiency (p = 0.007), need for hemodialysis (p < 0.001), history of pulmonary disease (p = 0.012), requirement for mechanical ventilation while in the ICU (p = 0.107), history of malignant disease (p < 0.001), and history of liver disease (p < 0.001). The multivariate analysis selected age (odds ratio [OR] 1.03 per integer; confidence interval [CI] 1.0, 1.05), APACHE II score (OR 1.17 per integer; CI 1.12, 1.74), diabetes (OR 2.20; CI 1.32, 3.65), mechanical ventilation (OR 1.88; CI 1.21, 2.94), malignancy (OR 2.54; CI 1.43, 4.47), and liver disease (OR 5.01; CI 2.69, 9.32) as significant risk factors. When controlling for these variables, none of the BMI groups had an independent association with death compared with the normal weight group. CONCLUSION Contrary to the hypothesis, the data suggest no discernable independent association of increasing BMI with heightened mortality rate in the surgical/trauma ICU patient with infection.
Long‐term efficacy of cognitive training for age‐associated memory impairment: A six‐month follow‐up study

The purpose of this investigation was to assess the impact of pretraining on the long‐term effect of an imagery‐based mnemonic in persons with age‐associated memory impairment (AAMI). Eighty‐two participants were randomly assigned to one of six groups: (1) verbal judgment pretraining plus mnemonic training, (2) visual imagery elaboration pretraining plus mnemonic training, (3) relaxation pretraining plus mnemonic training, (4) nonspecific pretraining plus mnemonic training, (5) nonspecific training, and (6) wait list. Participants receiving the three specific pretraining techniques along with mnemonic training (Groups I to 3) recalled more than those receiving nonspecific pretraining with mnemonic training (Group 4) or nonspecific pretraining without mnemonics (Group 5). Participants receiving mnemonic training (Groups 1 to 4) did not differ from nonmnemonic controls (Group 5) at 6 months. The results suggest that specific pretraining strategies can help maintain beneficial effects of imagery‐based mnemon.
Scalable Reliable Multicast Using Erasure-Correcting Re-sends

Reliable multicast schemes often cannot scale to large receiver sets due to the problems of state explosion and message implosion. In this paper we propose Erasure Correcting Scalable Reliable Multicast, ECSRM. ECSRM is based on the SRM framework proposed by Floyd et. al., which utilizes NACK suppression to reduce message implosion. ECSRM makes a number of modifications to SRM to addressed enhanced scalability and rate control. Most notably, instead of re-sending lost packets, erasure-correcting encoded packets are sent in response to NACK messages.
Contextual Influences on Culture Research

This article argues that different contexts in politics, economics, and society have shaped existing conceptions of culture in the field of international cross cultural management research, such as cross-national comparison (CNC) and intercultural interaction. This has led to different assumptions about culture that have, in turn, influenced research methodologies and research questions. An examination of recent changes that have impacted on work realities, and hence the research context, leads us to conclude that the assumptions underlying the dominant CNC perspective, as well as a fundamental construct in the intercultural interaction perspective, no longer fit most work contexts. We describe the multiple cultures perspective as an alternative research paradigm for investigating culture, since its underlying assumptions are shaped by the new work realities. Finally, we explore some key issues and challenges for researchers in the field that influence the way research is currently conducted and will be conducted in the future.
The effects of light on alertness and performance in relation to melatonin secretion

Cognitive performance and alertness are severely compromised during the night compared to the day. This lowered alertness and performance has implications for night shift workers, employers and the general pUblic: a higher number of accidents occur during the night shift. Countermeasures suggested for these alertness and performance decrements include the use of bright light (BL), napping and caffeine. A series of experiments was carried out to test systematically whether BL did indeed improve nocturnal alertness and performance. The first experiment established that 2hrs of bright light (broad spectrum white, 02:00-04:00h, 1O,000Iux) did improve subjective alertness and performance. The timing, duration and wavelength of light was then investigated. It was concluded that BL given in the middle of the night (white 00:00-01 :OOh, 10,000lux) was more effective than light given at 20:00h or 04:00h. Light of 2hrs and 4hrs duration were more effective than 1 hr of light centred at 03:00h (white, 1O,000lux). Light of shorter wavelengths appeared to be more effective than light of longer wavelengths at improving nocturnal alertness and performance (01 :00-05:00h, ~300lux). The mechanism by which bright light exerted its effect was investigated and, for certain measures (subjective fatigue, feeling awake and performance on the digit symbol substitution task), the improvement seen with bright light treatment was abolished with concomitant melatonin administration (2mg, 00: 15h) suggesting that for these measures bright light may exert its effect through melatonin suppression. The effects of bright light (white, 03 :00-03: 10h, 10,000lux) and/or caffeine (300mg) on sleep inertia after a Ihr nocturnal nap were also investigated and it was concluded that both BL and caffeine can decrease the sleep inertia effect. The results from the work contained in this thesis suggest that BL may be a useful countermeasure to lowered alertness and performance during the night.
Incorporating Human Perception With the Motion Washout Filter Using Fuzzy Logic Control

Nowadays, classical washout filters are extensively used in commercial motion simulators. Even though there are several advantages for classical washout filters, such as short processing time, simplicity and ease of adjustment, they have several shortcomings. The main disadvantage is the fixed scheme and parameters of the classical washout filter cause inflexibility of the structure and thus the resulting simulator fails to suit all circumstances. Moreover, it is a conservative approach and the platform cannot be fully exploited. The aim of this research is to present a fuzzy logic approach and take the human perception error into account in the classical motion cueing algorithm, in order to improve both the physical limits of restitution and realistic human sensations. The fuzzy compensator signal is applied to adjust the filtered signals on the longitudinal and rotational channels online, as well as the tilt coordination to minimize the vestibular sensation error below the human perception threshold. The results indicate that the proposed fuzzy logic controllers significantly minimize the drawbacks of having fixed parameters and conservativeness in the classical washout filter. In addition, the performance of motion cueing algorithm and human perception for most occasions is improved.
Modular kinetic analysis reveals differences in Cd2+ and Cu2+ ion‐induced impairment of oxidative phosphorylation in liver

Impaired mitochondrial function contributes to copper‐ and cadmium‐induced cellular dysfunction. In this study, we used modular kinetic analysis and metabolic control analysis to assess how Cd2+ and Cu2+ ions affect the kinetics and control of oxidative phosphorylation in isolated rat liver mitochondria. For the analysis, the system was modularized in two ways: (a) respiratory chain, phosphorylation and proton leak; and (b) coenzyme Q reduction and oxidation, with the membrane potential (Δψ) and fraction of reduced coenzyme Q as the connecting intermediate, respectively. Modular kinetic analysis results indicate that both Cd2+ and Cu2+ ions inhibited the respiratory chain downstream of coenzyme Q. Moreover, Cu2+, but not Cd2+ ions stimulated proton leak kinetics at high Δψ values. Further analysis showed that this difference can be explained by Cu2+ ion‐induced production of reactive oxygen species and membrane lipid peroxidation. In agreement with modular kinetic analysis data, metabolic control analysis showed that Cd2+ and Cu2+ ions increased control of the respiratory and phosphorylation flux by the respiratory chain module (mainly because of an increase in the control exerted by cytochrome bc1 and cytochrome c oxidase), decreased control by the phosphorylation module and increased negative control of the phosphorylation flux by the proton leak module. In summary, we showed that there is a subtle difference in the mode of action of Cd2+ and Cu2+ ions on the mitochondrial function, which is related to the ability of Cu2+ ions to induce reactive oxygen species production and lipid peroxidation.
Social inclusion of people with severe mental illness living in community housing programs.

OBJECTIVE The authors investigated levels of social inclusion among service users of two types of psychiatric community housing programs in the Netherlands. METHODS A large-scale cross-sectional survey was conducted that included service users of community housing programs (N=255) and their key workers (N=75). Data on social inclusion-participating in activities, receiving and making visits, and vocational participation-were collected through a service user diary. Univariate regression analyses were performed with the social inclusion variables as the dependent variables and type of housing program (supported independent living versus residential care) as the independent variable. RESULTS Service users living independently were more likely to feel socially included, in terms of activities and visits, than residents. Type of housing program was not associated with vocational participation. CONCLUSIONS Although service users living independently were more likely than residents to be socially included, their vocational participation was similar to that of residents. It seems that for both groups of service user, it is important to improve the availability of vocational interventions or programs.
Calcium channel blockers, angiotensin receptor blockers, and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors: Effectiveness in combination with diuretics or β-blockers for treating hypertension

This retrospective database analysis compared the effectiveness of dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers (DHPs), angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) added to diuretics or β-blockers. Adults with hypertension treated with diuretic or β-blocker monotherapy between 1998 and 2001 were identified from a large US electronic medical records database of primary care practices. Patients were required to have a baseline blood pressure (BP) ≥140/90 mmHg (≥130/80 mmHg for diabetes mellitus) and recorded BP measurements within 6 months before and 1–12 months following index date. Patients were matched 1:1:1 by propensity score to correct for differences in baseline characteristics. 1875 patients met study criteria and 660 (220 in each cohort) were matched based on propensity scores. Matched cohorts had no significant differences in baseline characteristics. Mean changes in systolic/diastolic BP were −17.5/−8.8, −15.7/−6.3, and −13.0/−8.0 mmHg with DHPs, ACE inhibitors, and ARBs, respectively. Joint National Committee on the Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High BP 6/7 goal attainment for each regimen was 47.3%, 40.0%, and 32.2%, respectively. DHPs, ACE inhibitors, and ARBs improved BP when added to patients’ β-blocker or diuretic therapy. The greatest benefits were observed with DHPs, followed by ACE inhibitors, then ARBs.
KRAS mutation coupled with p53 loss is sufficient to induce ovarian carcinosarcomas in mice

Ovarian carcinosarcoma cancer is the most lethal form of gynecological malignancy, but the pathogenesis and biological function for this ovarian cancer remain unknown. We establishment the transgenic mouse model of K‐rasG12Dp53loxP/loxP and found that K‐ras mutation and p53 deletion within the ovarian surface epithelium gave rise to ovarian lesions with a hyperproliferation and endometrioid glandular morphology. Furthermore, double mutant ovaries formed ovarian carcinosarcomas that were high grade and poorly differentiated. Induction was widely metastatic and spread to abdominal organs including liver, spleen, and kidney at 4 wk. We also confirmed the role of K‐rasG12D in ovarian cancer cell lines MCAS and PA‐1 and showed that K‐rasG12D overexpression strongly induced cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. The ovarian cancer model we developed recapitulates the specific tumor histomorphology and the probable mechanism of malignant transformation in endometriosis.
Distinct antinociceptive actions mediated by different opioid receptors in the region of lamina I and laminae III‐V of the dorsal horn of the rat

1 In view of the presence of μ, δ and κ opioid receptors in the spinal dorsal horn and their apparent involvement in behavioural analgesia, the present experiments addressed the action of selective agonists ionophoresed in the vicinity of rat dorsal horn neurones which were located either in lamina I or in laminae III‐V. 2 In laminae III‐V, κ agonists (U50488H and dynorphin A) caused a selective inhibition of the nociceptive responses of multireceptive cells, whilst μ and δ agonists ([d‐Ala2,MePhe4,Gry‐ol]enkephalin and [d‐Pen2,d‐Pen5]enkephalin respectively) failed to alter either the spontaneous activity or the responses to noxious and innocuous cutaneous stimuli and to d,l‐homocysteic acid or glutamate. Nocispecific neurones were encountered too rarely in laminae III‐V to study their properties. 3 In lamina I, agonists had no effects on either nocispecific or multireceptive neurones. In contrast, the μ agonist [d‐Ala2,MePhe4,Gly‐ol]enkephalin consistently inhibited nociceptive responses of both multireceptive and nocispecific lamina I cells. The δ agonist [d‐Pen2,d‐Pen5]enkephalin consistently caused selective inhibition of the nociceptive responses of multireceptive cells but had a mixed profile of action on nocispecific cells. 4 These results suggest that μ, δ and κ opioid receptors mediate different antinociceptive actions in both laminae III‐V and lamina I. The study reveals a distinct physiological role for δ receptors in modulating nociceptive inputs to lamina I neurones. In contrast to μ and κ receptor actions, δ receptors heterogeneously influence subpopulations of neurones.
Reactive environments

increasingly widespread, we are confronted with the burden of controlling a myriad of complex devices in our day-today activities. While many people today could hardly imagine living in electronics-free homes or working in offices without computers, few of us have truly mastered full control of our VCRs, microwave ovens, or office photocopiers. Rather than making our lives easier, as technology was intended to do, it has complicated our activities with lengthy instruction manuals and confusing user interfaces. Designers have been trying to make the computer more “user-friendly” ever since its inception. The last two decades have brought us the notable advances of keyboard terminals, graphics displays, and pointing devices, as well as the graphical user interface, introduced in 1981 by the Xerox Star and popularized by the Apple Macintosh. Most recently, we have seen the emergence of pen-based and portable computers. However, despite this progress of interface improvements, very little has changed in terms of how we work with these machines. The basic rules of interaction are the same as they were in the days of the ENIAC: users must engage in an explicit, machine oriented dialogue with the computer rather than interact with the computer as they do with other people. In the last few years, computer scientists have begun talking about a new approach to human-computer interaction in which computing would not necessitate sitting in front of a screen and isolating ourselves from the world around us. Instead, in a computer-augmented environment, electronic systems could be merged into the physical world to provide computer functionality to everyday objects. This idea is exemplified by Ubiquitous Computing (UbiComp)
Betalain, Acid Ascorbic, Phenolic Contents and Antioxidant Properties of Purple, Red, Yellow and White Cactus Pears

Commercialization of cactus pears based on their antioxidant properties can generate competitive advantages, and these can turn into business opportunities and the development of new products and a high-value ingredient for the food industry. This work evaluated the antioxidant activities (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical-scavenging, protection against oxidation of a β-carotene-linoleic acid emulsion, and iron (II) chelation), the content of total phenolic compounds, ascorbic acid, betacyanin, betaxanthin and the stability of betacyanin pigments in presence of Cu (II)-dependent hydroxyl radicals (OH•), in 18 cultivars of purple, red, yellow and white cactus pear from six Mexican states. Our results indicated that the antiradical activities from yellow and white cactus pear cultivars were not significantly different (p < 0.05) and were lower than the average antiradical activities in red and purple cultivars. The red cactus pear from the state of Zacatecas showed the highest antioxidant activity. The free radical scavenging activity for red cactus pears was significantly correlated (p < 0.05) to the concentration of total phenolic compounds (R2 = 0.90) and ascorbic acid (R2 = 0.86). All 18 cultivars of cactus pears studied showed significant chelating activity of ferrous ions. The red and purple cactus pears showed a great stability when exposed to OH•.