Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Music-listening systems

When human listeners are confronted with musical sounds, they rapidly and automatically orient themselves in the music. Even musically untrained listeners have an exceptional ability to make rapid judgments about music from very short examples, such as determining the music's style, performer, beat, complexity, and emotional impact. However, there are presently no theories of music perception that can explain this behavior, and it has proven very difficult to build computer music-analysis tools with similar capabilities. This dissertation examines the psychoacoustic origins of the early stages of music listening in humans, using both experimental and computer-modeling approaches. The results of this research enable the construction of automatic machine-listening systems that can make human-like judgments about short musical stimuli. New models are presented that explain the perception of musical tempo, the perceived segmentation of sound scenes into multiple auditory images, and the extraction of musical features from complex musical sounds. These models are implemented as signal-processing and pattern-recognition computer programs, using the principle of understanding without separation. Two experiments with human listeners study the rapid assignment of high-level judgments to musical stimuli, and it is demonstrated that many of the experimental results can be explained with a multiple-regression model on the extracted musical features. From a theoretical standpoint, the thesis shows how theories of music perception can be grounded in a principled way upon psychoacoustic models in a computational-auditory-sceneanalysis framework. Further, the perceptual theory presented is more relevant to everyday listeners and situations than are previous cognitive-structuralist approaches to music perception and cognition. From a practical standpoint, the various models form a set of computer signal-processing and pattern-recognition tools that can mimic human perceptual abilities on a variety of musical tasks such as tapping along with the beat, parsing music into sections, making semantic judgments about musical examples, and estimating the similarity of two pieces of music. Thesis Supervisor: Barry L. Vercoe, D.M.A. Professor of Media Arts and Sciences This research was performed at the MIT Media Laboratory. Primary support was provided by the Digital Life consortium of the Media Laboratory, with additional support from Interval Research Corporation. The views expressed within do not necessarily reflect the views of supporting sponsors. Doctoral Dissertation Committee
The role of overt aggression, relational aggression, and prosocial behavior in the prediction of children's future social adjustment.

2 limitations of past research on social adjustment were addressed: (1) the tendency to focus on forms of aggression that are typical of boys (e.g., overt aggression) and to neglect forms that are more typical of girls (e.g., relational aggression) and (2) the tendency to study negative behaviors (e.g., aggression), to the exclusion of positive behaviors (e.g., prosocial acts). Using a longitudinal design (n = 245; third- through sixth-grade children, 9-12 years old), assessments of children's relational aggression, overt aggression, prosocial behavior, and social adjustment were obtained at 3 points during the academic year. Findings showed that, as has been demonstrated in past research for overt aggression, individual differences in relational aggression were relatively stable over time. Additionally, relational aggression contributed uniquely to the prediction of future social maladjustment, beyond that predicted by overt aggression. Finally, prosocial behavior contributed unique information (beyond that provided by overt and relational aggression) to the prediction of future social adjustment.
HIV testing experiences of Aboriginal youth in Canada: service implications

Abstract The objective of this study was to explore HIV testing experiences and service views of Canadian Aboriginal youth in order to provide information for HIV testing services. An exploratory, mixed-method, community-based research design was used for this study. Findings reported here are from 210 survey participants who had experienced an HIV test. Youth were recruited through 11 Aboriginal organizations across Canada, including AIDS service organizations, health centers, community organizations, and friendship centers. Youth who had tested for HIV ranged in age from 15 to 30 years of age (20% were <20), and came from First Nations (75%), Métis (14%), and Inuit (9%) backgrounds. Participants lived in all provinces and one territory. Over half (62%) were female. While the majority of survey respondents indicated at their last HIV test they had been treated with care (80%), respect (77%), or kindness (76%), some reported being treated with hostility (19%), fear (12%), discrimination (11%), avoidance (10%), or being treated in a bored way (15%). When asked about information they had received, 28% of survey respondents could not remember; 23% said they were not given any information, and 24% said their questions were not answered. Emotional reactions to testing ranged from anxiety/apprehension (64% of survey respondents) to being “calm” (19%). When asked for suggestions to improve testing services, participants indicated emotional support, compassion, professional yet personable services, and personalized HIV information were important. Study results suggest that to facilitate HIV testing for Aboriginal youth, testing services and counseling must be respectful, compassionate, non-judgmental, and culturally responsive in order to provide emotional support and HIV information that is meaningful and memorable.
Effects of intravenous dexmedetomidine in humans. I. Sedation, ventilation, and metabolic rate.

Dexmedetomidine (DMED) is a highly selective centrally acting alpha 2-adrenergic agonist thought to provide significant sedation without appreciable ventilatory effects. This double-blind, placebo-controlled experiment evaluated four dose levels of DMED (0.25, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 micrograms/kg intravenously over 2 min) in 37 healthy male volunteers. Measurements of sedation, arterial blood gases, resting ventilation, hypercapnic ventilatory response (HVR), and metabolic rate (O2 consumption and CO2 production) were performed at baseline, 10 min after DMED infusion, and thereafter at the end of each subsequent 45-min period. DMED caused sedation resulting in loss of responsiveness in most of the subjects administered 1.0 and 2.0 micrograms/kg; sedation was evident for 195 min following 2.0 micrograms/kg (P < .05). Ten minutes following infusion of 1.0 and 2.0 micrograms/kg, PaCO2 had increased by 5.0 and 4.2 mmHg, respectively (P < .05), and 60 min following 2.0 micrograms/kg, VE had decreased by 28% (P < .05). The placebo group showed a progressive increase in the HVR slope (50% increase by 330 min following the infusion; P < .05). Overall, across all the DMED doses, the slope was decreased (P < .05) at all times after DMED. The calculated ventilation at a PaCO2 of 55 mmHg was decreased (39%; P < .05) 10 min following 1.0 and 2.0 micrograms/kg, returning to control values by 285 min following 2.0 micrograms/kg. O2 consumption increased 16% (P < .05) at 10 min following 2.0 micrograms/kg; CO2 production decreased (22% at 60 min). By 5 h postinfusion, both had returned to normal. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Sirolimus therapy following early cyclosporine withdrawal in transplant patients: mechanisms of action and clinical results

Cyclosporine (CsA), a member of the family of calcineurin inhibitors, is a cornerstone of the immunosuppressive treatments used after organ transplantation. However, it exhibits significant toxicity, including nephrotoxicity and increased cardiovascular risk factors. CsA withdrawal has been used as a strategy to improve renal allograft function and other CsA-related toxicities. In order to maintain adequate immunosuppression levels, sirolimus may be used in association with CsA withdrawal. Sirolimus is a member of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) family. It presents a good immunosuppressive efficacy associated with antiproliferative actions. Early withdrawal of CsA with sirolimus is associated with a significant improvement of renal function. Despite numerically a higher incidence of acute rejection episodes, this maneuver seems also to be associated with a better allograft survival in the long-term, and improvement of renal histology and blood pressure. However, CsA withdrawal is only feasible in a selected population. Furthermore, the use of sirolimus is associated with other side-effects including lipid abnormalities, abnormal liver tests, and thrombocytopenia. Other studies are mandatory to define the population who can benefit from this maneuver. Finally, complete CsA avoidance has been already reported and is currently under clinical investigation.
Poor access to water and sanitation: Consequences for girls at a rural school

Inadequate access to water continues to be a serious problem at many South African schools. This Briefing reports the findings of a qualitative study at a rural primary school in KwaZulu-Natal which has no on-site water connections. Methods of data collection included observation, interviews with educators and focus group discussions with grade 7 learners. In addition, learners used an activity clock to plot the different water related activities they were involved in. The Briefing firstly provides an environmental depiction of the school and then explores the consequential water and sanitation related challenges faced by girl learners. Key findings relate to the heavy physical burden of carrying water imposed on girls and not boys, and gender stereotyping resulting from inculcation at a very early age that there are forms of labour appropriate only for females. Further challenges for learners, revealed by the study, related to the needs of girls during menstruation. We conclude that the data derived from the study shows clearly that inadequate access to water is not gender neutral in its consequences. In particular, the data reveals that inadequate access to water and sanitation significantly diminished learning opportunities for girls at the school.
Continuous Response Monitoring of Relative Time-to-Contact Judgments: Does Effective Information Change During an Approach Event?

ABSTRACT In many previous studies of time-to-contact (TTC) judgments of approaching objects, a response was measured after observers viewed the entire event and was used to infer the informational basis for the judgment. Such measures primarily reflect the information used at the end of the approach event and may not reveal whether observers used different information at different times during the event. Evidence indicates that observers use multiple information sources and that the effectiveness of information varies with distance. We introduce a method in which observers continuously report which of 2 approaching objects would reach them first, throughout the approach. We identified the occurrence and time of response reversals. Most observers changed their relative TTC judgments during the event. The pattern of responses indicated that observers did not use tau early during the approach when objects were far and did not use optical size later when the objects were closer. Most observers relied on either optical size or optical expansion rate early during the approach and expansion rate later during the event, although there were individual differences. A single relative TTC judgment measured after observers view an approach event may not reflect judgments or their informational basis throughout the entire event.
Intestinal decontamination for control of nosocomial multiresistant gram-negative bacilli. Study of an outbreak in an intensive care unit.

STUDY OBJECTIVE To study the efficacy of intestinal decontamination by oral nonabsorbable antibiotic agents to control a nosocomial outbreak of intestinal colonization and infection with multiresistant Enterobacteriaceae, and to examine its effects on endemic nosocomial infection rates. DESIGN A 10-week prospective incidence study (group 1), and then an 8-week randomized, open trial of intestinal decontamination (groups 2 and 3). SETTING A medical intensive care unit of a tertiary care university hospital. PATIENTS Consecutive patients with unit stay of over 2 days and a severity score at admission of more than 2; 124 patients were included in group 1, 50 in group 2 (control), and 36 in group 3 (intestinal decontamination). INTERVENTIONS Neomycin, polymyxin E, and nalidixic acid were given to group 3 patients throughout their stay in the unit. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Intestinal colonization with multiresistant strains occurred in 19.6% of patients in group 1, at a mean of 16 days after admission, and preceded detection in clinical samples by a mean of 11 days. During the decontamination trial, intestinal colonization rates decreased to 10% (group 2), and 3% (group 3) (P = 0.12 and P less than 0.01, compared with group 1, respectively). Corresponding infection rates were 9% (group 1), 3% (group 2), and 0 (group 3). No new cases were detected in the following 4 months. The intestinal colonization rate with gram-positive cocci was higher in group 3 than group 2 (P less than 0.001). The overall rate of nosocomial infections was at 28% (group 1), 33% (group 2), and 32% (group 3). CONCLUSIONS Intestinal decontamination can help to control an outbreak of intestinal colonization and infection with multiresistant gram-negative bacilli in the intensive care unit, but should not be recommended for routine prevention of endemic nosocomial infections.
Parents' health and demographic characteristics predict noncompliance with well-child visits.

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to investigate factors related to well-child visit noncompliance in an ethnically diverse family practice clinic population. METHODS Participants included 146 parents (131 mothers and 15 fathers) of children aged 0 to 24 months who received care at a St. Paul residency clinic. Participants completed telephone surveys that asked about their demographic characteristics, attitudes toward well-child visits, whether the most recent planned well-child visit had been kept, and their own and their child's health characteristics. RESULTS All participants thought that well-child visits were important, with immunizations being the highest rated reason for importance. Fourteen percent of parents said they had missed a recent well-child visit, mostly because they forgot. More than three fourths of parents believed visit reminders were helpful, and the preferred type of reminder was a telephone call. Noncompliance with well-child visits was associated with the parent's depressive symptoms, transportation difficulties, working at a job, having private (vs public) health insurance, and being older (vs younger). CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that well-child visit compliance might be enhanced by visit reminders and improved access to transportation. The relationship of well-child visit noncompliance to parental depressive symptoms, if verified in other populations, points to a need for greater surveillance of children/families who do not schedule or keep well-child visits.
Pathways connecting the right and left cochlear nuclei

Connections between the right and left cochlear nuclei were studied with retrograde and anterograde axonal transport techniques. Large, multipolar neurons in the anterior and posterior divisions of the anteroventral cochlear nucleus and in the posteroventral cochlear nucleus project to the ventral and dorsal cochlear nuclei on the opposite side. In addition, giant cells in the deep layers of the dorsal cochlear nucleus project to the contra‐lateral posteroventral cochlear nucleus and possibly also to the contralateral dorsal cochlear nucleus. The pattern of terminal distribution of the crossed connections was determined by using the anterograde axonal transport of horseradish peroxidase‐labelled wheat germ lectin. Although no part of the cochlear nuclear complex is completely free of anterograde label, the densest labelling is found in the anterior division of the anteroventral cochlear nucleus, throughout the posteroventral cochlear nucleus (where it is closely associated with cell bodies), and in the fusiform and superficial layers of the dorsal cochlear nucleus.
WHAT RESEARCH TELLS US ABOUT FLEXIBILITY-II

Essentially, there are two factors which have a negative influence on flexibility. These are, not being sufficiently active, and being sufficiently active in selected sports without compensatory exercises. It is especially the latter that is of primary concern here, and there are two activities that exemplify this better than any others, running and cycling. Compared to average people, runners tend to be quite restricted in terms of hip flexion with knee extended (Bach, Green, Jensen & Savinar, 1985), cyclists likewise. The reason for this lies in the highly specific nature of the exercises, which, because of their intense, strenuous and repetitive character, shorten relevant tissues. We can by analogy show that many other activities of this sort are in the absence of effective countermeasures deleterious to flexibility. For the active and inactive alike the implications are clear. It is good t be flexible. It is good to increase flexibility. This said, a question remains. How? Massage is sometimes held to be a suitable alternative to stretching. Others, prudently more hesitant, sing the praises of massage without mention of stretching (Crosman, Chateauvert & Weisberg, 1984; Salzmann, 1 982). Overall, the effects of massage on flexibility are comparably minimal and shortlived. That the more respected massage exponents fail to even mention stretching suggests a narrowmindedness that is best acknowledged yet best untouched but by those with an eye to critique. Warmup, as it may increase tissue temperature and thus to some extent flexibility, is often recommended. There are no pretensions here, however, as warmup is held by
A Psychological Perspective on Economics

My first exposure to the psychological assumptions of economics was in a report that Bruno Frey wrote on that subject in the early 1970's. Its first or second sentence stated that the agent of economic theory is rational and selfish, and that his tastes do not change. I found this list quite startling, because I had been professionally trained as a psychologist not to believe a word of it. The gap between the assumptions of our disciplines appeared very large indeed. Has the gap been narrowed in the intervening 30 years? A search through some introductory textbooks in economics indicates that if there has been any change, it has not yet filtered down to that level: the same assumptions are still in place as the cornerstones of economic analysis. However, a behavioral approach to economics has emerged in which the assumptions are not held sacrosanct. In the following I comment selectively on the developments with regard to the three assumptions, on both sides of the disciplinary divide.
The Transcriptomic Response of Rat Hepatic Stellate Cells to Endotoxin: Implications for Hepatic Inflammation and Immune Regulation

With their location in the perisinusoidal space of Disse, hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) communicate with all of the liver cell types both by physical association (cell body as well as cytosolic processes penetrating into sinusoids through the endothelial fenestrations) and by producing several cytokines and chemokines. Bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS), circulating levels of which are elevated in liver diseases and transplantation, stimulates HSCs to produce increased amounts of cytokines and chemokines. Although recent research provides strong evidence for the role of HSCs in hepatic inflammation and immune regulation, the number of HSC-elaborated inflammatory and immune regulatory molecules may be much greater then known at the present time. Here we report time-dependent changes in the gene expression profile of inflammatory and immune-regulatory molecules in LPS-stimulated rat HSCs, and their validation by biochemical analyses. LPS strongly up-regulated LPS-response elements (TLR2 and TLR7) but did not affect TLR4 and down-regulated TLR9. LPS also up-regulated genes in the MAPK, NFκB, STAT, SOCS, IRAK and interferon signaling pathways, numerous CC and CXC chemokines and IL17F. Interestingly, LPS modulated genes related to TGFβ and HSC activation in a manner that would limit their activation and fibrogenic activity. The data indicate that LPS-stimulated HSCs become a major cell type in regulating hepatic inflammatory and immunological responses by altering expression of numerous relevant genes, and thus play a prominent role in hepatic pathophysiology including liver diseases and transplantation.
Three dimensional patient-specific collagen architecture modulates cartilage responses in the knee joint during gait

Abstract Site-specific variation of collagen fibril orientations can affect cartilage stresses in knee joints. However, this has not been confirmed by 3-D analyses. Therefore, we present a novel method for evaluation of the effect of patient-specific collagen architecture on time-dependent mechanical responses of knee joint cartilage during gait. 3-D finite element (FE) models of a human knee joint were created with the collagen architectures obtained from T2 mapped MRI (patient-specific model) and from literature (literature model). The effect of accuracy of the implementation of collagen fibril architecture into the model was examined by using a submodel with denser FE mesh. Compared to the literature model, fibril strains and maximum principal stresses were reduced especially in the superficial/middle regions of medial tibial cartilage in the patient-specific model after the loading response of gait (up to −413 and −26%, respectively). Compared to the more coarsely meshed joint model, the patient-specific submodel demonstrated similar strain and stress distributions but increased values particularly in the superficial cartilage regions (especially stresses increased >60%). The results demonstrate that implementation of subject-specific collagen architecture of cartilage in 3-D modulates location- and time-dependent mechanical responses of human knee joint cartilage. Submodeling with more accurate implementation of collagen fibril architecture alters cartilage stresses particularly in the superficial/middle tissue.
Services for Academic Libraries in the New Era

The purpose of this paper is to document the integration of Web 2.0 [1] services into the working framework of some of the most advanced academic libraries in the world. It reports a follow-up study that builds on a previous study conducted approximately two years ago. The comparison of those two studies produces interesting findings, notably an increase in the integration of web-based services. However, when some of the most core Web 2.0 services were examined, user participation was quite low. A quantitative approach to the content analysis of library web sites was performed to examine the prominence of twelve pre-determined services. In addition, the literature review focuses on the critical opinions expressed regarding the use of these web services by academic libraries, highlighting some of the problems and issues that have been raised, but are often overlooked.