Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Neural substrates supporting the influence of working memory contents on visual attention

3 Acknowledgments. 5 List of Figures. 9 List of Tables. 12 Chapter 1: General Introduction. 13 1.1. Commonalities between working memory (WM) and visual attention. 14 1.2. The interaction between WM and visual attention. 17 1.2.1. Behavioural evidence for an automatic interplay between WM and attention. 18 1.2. 2. Brain Imaging evidence for the interplay between WM and attention. 22 1.3. Role of the thalamus in memory and attention. 25 1.3.1. Anatomy of the thalamus. 25 1.3. 2. Functions of thalamic nuclei. 27 1.4. Aims and Hypothesis. 31 Chapter 2: A Lesion-Symptom Mapping Study. 34 2.1. Experiment 1: Voxel-based Lesion Symptom Mapping (VLSM). 35 Chapter 3: Characterization of thalamic deficits in WM guidance of visual attention. 49 3.1. Chapter Introduction. 50
The Closer the Better: Similarity of Publication Pairs at Different Cocitation Levels

We investigated the similarities of pairs of articles that are cocited at the different cocitation levels of the journal, article, section, paragraph, sentence, and bracket. Our results indicate that textual similarity, intellectual overlap (shared references), author overlap (shared authors), proximity in publication time all rise monotonically as the cocitation level gets lower (from journal to bracket). While the main gain in similarity happens when moving from journal to article cocitation, all level changes entail an increase in similarity, especially section to paragraph and paragraph to sentence/bracket levels. We compared the results from four journals over the years 2010–2015: Cell, the European Journal of Operational Research, Physics Letters B, and Research Policy, with consistent general outcomes and some interesting differences. Our findings motivate the use of granular cocitation information as defined by meaningful units of text, with implications for, among others, the elaboration of maps of science and the retrieval of scholarly literature.
Incentives and Barriers for Completing Music Teacher Education Doctoral Programs

The purpose of this study was to examine positive influences and barriers associated with entering and completing a music teacher education doctoral program. Subjects (N = 73), recent doctoral graduates in music education (RDG), were asked to rate 48 positive influence items and 54 barrier items. The highest ranked positive influence item was opportunity to teach at the college level in a tenure-track position. The highest ranked barrier item was needing time to research and write the dissertation. Using the top 24 positive influence items and the top 24 barrier items, two factor analysis procedures were calculated to determine whether positive influence and barrier items could be reduced to a smaller number of discrete factors. Three positive influence factors (Reputation of and Connection with Faculty/University, Desire to Affect Future Music Teachers and the Profession, and Career Advancement) and four barrier factors (Family/Time Considerations, Financial Challenges, Problems with Professors or Program, and Distance) were identified. Results were also compared with those from prior research in which practicing music educators (PME), identified as being outstanding candidates for doctoral studies, were asked to rate the same sets of positive influence items and barrier items. Finally, conclusions were drawn based on comparisons between the RDG and PME results.
Peripheral Immune Cell Gene Expression Predicts Survival of Patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Prediction of cancer recurrence in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) currently relies on the assessment of clinical characteristics including age, tumor stage, and smoking history. A better prediction of early stage cancer patients with poorer survival and late stage patients with better survival is needed to design patient-tailored treatment protocols. We analyzed gene expression in RNA from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of NSCLC patients to identify signatures predictive of overall patient survival. We find that PBMC gene expression patterns from NSCLC patients, like patterns from tumors, have information predictive of patient outcomes. We identify and validate a 26 gene prognostic panel that is independent of clinical stage. Many additional prognostic genes are specific to myeloid cells and are more highly expressed in patients with shorter survival. We also observe that significant numbers of prognostic genes change expression levels in PBMC collected after tumor resection. These post-surgery gene expression profiles may provide a means to re-evaluate prognosis over time. These studies further suggest that patient outcomes are not solely determined by tumor gene expression profiles but can also be influenced by the immune response as reflected in peripheral immune cells.
From broadscale patterns to fine‐scale processes: habitat structure influences genetic differentiation in the pitcher plant midge across multiple spatial scales

The spatial scale at which samples are collected and analysed influences the inferences that can be drawn from landscape genetic studies. We examined genetic structure and its landscape correlates in the pitcher plant midge, Metriocnemus knabi, an inhabitant of the purple pitcher plant, Sarracenia purpurea, across several spatial scales that are naturally delimited by the midge’s habitat (leaf, plant, cluster of plants, bog and system of bogs). We analysed 11 microsatellite loci in 710 M. knabi larvae from two systems of bogs in Algonquin Provincial Park (Canada) and tested the hypotheses that variables related to habitat structure are associated with genetic differentiation in this midge. Up to 54% of variation in individual‐based genetic distances at several scales was explained by broadscale landscape variables of bog size, pitcher plant density within bogs and connectivity of pitcher plant clusters. Our results indicate that oviposition behaviour of females at fine scales, as inferred from the spatial locations of full‐sib larvae, and spatially limited gene flow at broad scales represent the important processes underlying observed genetic patterns in M. knabi. Broadscale landscape features (bog size and plant density) appear to influence oviposition behaviour of midges, which in turn influences the patterns of genetic differentiation observed at both fine and broad scales. Thus, we inferred linkages among genetic patterns, landscape patterns and ecological processes across spatial scales in M. knabi. Our results reinforce the value of exploring such links simultaneously across multiple spatial scales and landscapes when investigating genetic diversity within a species.
Creativity associated with the application of a motivational intervention programme for the teaching of dance at school and its effect on the both genders

The current study reviews processes of teaching-learning based on creativity, with the application by teachers of several strategies to support the need for autonomy, competence, and relatedness. The aim is to learn the effect of pupil’s gender on their motivational level and the psychological consequences that might arise in the cognitive, affective, and behavioural domains. A quasi-experimental study was carried out at four schools in Mexico, with 12 physical education teachers and 40 natural groups of pupils aged between 11 and 17 (M = 13.17). The groups were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (24 groups, 447 pupils) or a control group (16 groups, 474 pupils). A prior training programme was carried out with the teachers in the experimental group to enable them to support the psychological need for autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Initial and final measurements were taken in both groups, and the results revealed that independently of the programme used, girls showed higher motivation and positive psychological consequences in the teaching of dance compared to the male participants. In conclusion, it is important to continue with research and set a methodology that addresses those differences, dedicating the necessary time and treatment to resolve their questions and necessities.
A SIMULATION MODEL OF QUANTITATIVE MICROBIAL RISK ASSESMENT MODEL DURING PROCESSING OF FRESH CUT LETTUCE By HAREGEWOIN

The objective of this study was to determine an appropriate incubat ion temperature, pummeling time, and sampling method for the total recovery and quantification of aerobic micro-flora found in fresh produce. Microbial analysis for aerobic bacterial count in fresh cut salad mix was conducted and sa mples were incubated at 21 ° C, 32C or 35C for 48 ± 3 hours. Counts for aerobic bacteria recovered from salad mix incubated at 21 C were found to be significantly (P<0.05) higher than those recovered from samples incubated either at 32 C and or 35C. Aerobic bacterial counts recovered from fresh cut salad that was pummeled for two minutes weren’t significantly (P<0.05) different from those observed following a one minute pummeling ti me. Also, recovery of aerobic microorganisms from whole head iceberg lettuce wasn’t significantly different (P<0.05) from that obtained from the outer layer of leaves alone.
How to make software softer—designing tailorable applications

The design of tailorable systems is an important issue for fields of application which are characterized by differentiation and dynamics. We show how tailorability can be combined with approaches of evolutionary and participative software-engineering and discuss some conceptual problems arising from this approach. Moreover, we present two case studies on how to design tailorable functionality in a groupware development project.
Religiosity and dispositional forgiveness

The present study focused upon the capacity for forgiveness and religious faith. Two hundred and eighty participants from a public community college and a private Christian university completed questionnaires measuring the dispositional tendency to forgive, and several variables associated with religiosity, including motivation for religious activity, personal concept of God and religious problem-solving style. Results indicated that dispositional forgiveness was positively correlated with intrinsic motivation. Forgiveness was also positively correlated with loving God concepts, and with religious problem-solving styles involving either a partnership with God or deference to God. Alternatively, the dispositional tendency for forgiveness was negatively correlated with controlling God concepts and with problem-solving styles not incorporating faith. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses indicated that each of the religious variables contributed uniquely to total scores of forgiveness. Results of the study are discussed in light of their implications for the multifaceted and complex nature of both religiosity and forgiveness.
Accelerated Antibacterial Inactivation on 2D Cu-Titania Surfaces: Latest Developments and Critical Issues

This review focuses on Cu/TiO2 sequentially and Cu-TiO2 co-sputtered catalytic/photocatalytic surfaces leading to bacterial inactivation discussing their stability, synthesis, adhesion and antibacterial kinetics. The intervention of TiO2, Cu and the synergic effect of Cu and TiO2 on films prepared by a colloidal approach and other techniques is also reviewed leading to bacterial inactivation. Processes in aerobic media and anaerobic media leading to bacterial loss of viability on multidrug resistant (MDR) pathogens, Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria are described. Insight is provided for the interfacial charge transfer mechanism under solar irradiation occurring between TiO2 and Cu. surface properties of 2D TiO2/Cu and TiO2-Cu films are correlated with the bacterial inactivation kinetics observed in the dark and under light. The intervention of these antibacterial sputtered surfaces in health-care facilities leading to MRSA-isolates is described in the dark and under the actinic light. The synergic intervention of the Cu and TiO2 films leading to bacterial inactivation prepared by direct current magnetron sputtering (DCMS), pulsed direct current magnetron sputtering (DCMSP) and highly ionized pulse plasma magnetron sputtering (HIPIMS) is reported in a detailed way.
Reactive and Proactive Aggression and Suicide Attempts Among Criminal Offenders

Outwardly directed aggression is associated with suicide attempts, but aggression is a heterogeneous construct. Increased specificity in our understanding of the link between aggression and suicide attempts can be attained by examining subtypes of aggression. We studied the relationships of reactive and proactive aggression to history of a suicide attempt among 96 criminal offenders in a pretrial supervision program. Consistent with prior findings in nonoffender samples, reactive aggression was associated with a history of suicide attempt after controlling for gender and depression. Proactive aggression was unrelated to suicide attempts. Results indicate that suicide risk assessments in forensic settings may be informed by the measurement of reactive aggression.
Modeling Cryptosporidium and Giardia in Ground and Surface Water Sources in Rural India: Associations with Latrines, Livestock, Damaged Wells, and Rainfall Patterns

Surface and groundwater contamination with fecal pathogens is a public health concern especially in low-income settings where these sources are used untreated. We modeled observed Cryptosporidium and Giardia contamination in community ponds (n = 94; 79% contaminated), deep tubewells (DTWs) (n = 107; 17%), and shallow tubewells (STWs) (n = 96; 19%) during the 2012 and 2013 monsoon seasons (June–August) in 60 villages in Puri District, India to understand sources and processes of contamination. Detection of Cryptosporidium and/or Giardia in a tubewell was positively associated with damage to the well pad for DTWs, the amount of human loading into pour-flush latrine pits nearby (≤15 m) for STWs, and the village literacy rate (for Giardia in STWs). Pond concentration levels were positively associated with the number of people practicing open defecation within 50 m and the sheep population for Cryptosporidium, and with the village illiteracy rate for Giardia. Recent rainfall increased the risk of Cryptosporidium in STWs (an extreme event) and ponds (any), while increasing seasonal rainfall decreased the risk of Giardia in STWs and ponds. Full latrine coverage in this setting is expected to marginally reduce pond Cryptosporidium contamination (16%) while increasing local groundwater protozoal contamination (87–306%), with the largest increases predicted for Cryptosporidium in STWs.
Cognitive profiles of typical and atypical readers: evidence from the italian orthography

ion as the test progressed. Each child received a score of zero, one or two points for each item based on the quality of the definition given. The score can range from 0 to 60. Phonological awareness (PA) Phonological awareness was measured using the phonemeand syllable-blending subtests of the PRCR-2 learning prerequisites battery (Cornoldi, Miato, Molin, & Poli, 2009). In the blending phonemes subtest, the examiner enunciated a word’s individual phonemes one at a time and then asked the child to produce the entire word. The task was composed of 14 words ranging between 4 and 10 phonemes. One point was given for each correct blend of phonemes. The score can range from 0 to 52. In the blending syllables subtest, the examiner enunciated a word’s individual syllables and asked the child to produce the entire word. The task was composed of 10 three-syllable words. Two points were given for producing the entire word and one point for blending at least two syllables. The maximum score is 20.
Forgetting in short term memory: the effect of time

Forgetting in short-term memory has been studied extensively and yet no consensus has emerged to explain its cause. Two theories continue to provide competing explanations of forgetting in short-term memory: decay and interference. Decay presupposes that the memory trace for a set of stimuli to be remembered weakens in proportion to the amount of time that passes whereas interference posits one stimulus interacting with another as the cause of forgetting. Recent evidence has suggested that decay should no longer be considered a viable mechanism to explain forgetting; but the current set of studies provides compelling evidence to the contrary. Hence these studies argue that decay should not be abandoned. Forgetting in Short Term Memory 1
Characteristics and outcome of long-stay patients in a paediatric intensive care unit in Cape Town, South Africa.

BACKGROUND Paediatric intensive care is a costly, specialised and limited resource in low- and middle-income countries. The implications of extended paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) stay in South Africa (SA) are not known. OBJECTIVES To describe the characteristics, outcomes and resource consumption of long-stay patients (LSPs) and to identify predictive factors for long PICU stay. METHODS A retrospective review of routinely collected data on all children admitted to an SA PICU over one calendar year. Long PICU stay was defined statistically as >19 days. Long- and short-stay patient (SSP) groups were compared, and variables significantly associated with long stay on univariate analysis were entered into a stepwise multiple regression model. RESULTS Over the study period, 1 126 children (median age 8 months, 60.9% male) were admitted to the PICU, occupying 5 936 bed-days; 54 LSPs (4.8%) utilised 1 807 (30.4%) bed-days. Mortality and the standardised mortality ratio (actual/mean predicted mortality) in LSPs and SSPs were 29.6% v. 12% (p=0.002) and 2.4 v. 0.7 (p=0.002), respectively. Median duration of stay for LSPs and SSPs was 29.5 days and 2 days, respectively (p<0.0001). LSPs were younger than SSPs (median 4 months (interquartile range 2 - 17) v. 9 months (2 - 34); p=0.03), and fewer were male (48% v. 61.6%, p=0.049). On multivariate analysis, only female gender was independently associated with long PICU stay. CONCLUSIONS LSPs represent a small proportion of PICU admissions, yet have a higher mortality rate than SSPs and consume disproportionate PICU resources. No predictive model could be established for early recognition of potential LSPs to plan PICU bed allocation effectively.
Presidents and Promises: From Campaign Pledge to Presidential Performance. By Fishel Jeff. (Washington, D.C.: Congressional Quarterly Press, 1985. Pp. xv + 226. $9.95, paper.)

1. Interest groups often resort to litigation when they view their goals as unobtainable or difficult to achieve in other political forums. 2. Sponsorship is the preferred strategy of interest group litigators. 3. The resources interest groups need are money, government support, frequent and increasing use of the courts, expertise, extra-legal publicity, and intergroup support. 4. Interest groups generally obtain their objectives through litigation, (p. 15)
Pirfenidone inhibits the induction of iNOS stimulated by interleukin-1beta at a step of NF-kappaB DNA binding in hepatocytes.

BACKGROUND/AIMS Pirfenidone has antiinflammatory effects in animals with endotoxemia. We reported that pirfenidone inhibits the enhancement of inflammatory cytokines and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in liver of endotoxin-treated rats, leading to the prevention of hepatic injury. However, the mechanisms involved in suppression of these gene inductions are obscure. Studies were performed to investigate whether pirfenidone directly influences iNOS induction in hepatocytes. METHODS Cultured hepatocytes were treated with interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) in the presence and absence of pirfenidone, and iNOS induction and its signal including NF-kappaB were analyzed. RESULTS Pirfenidone inhibited the induction of iNOS mRNA and protein, resulting in the decrease of nitric oxide production. Gel shift assay demonstrated that pirfenidone inhibited the activation of NF-kappaB. Consistent with this observation, transfection experiments revealed that pirfenidone decreased transcriptional activation of iNOS gene promoter. In contrast, pirfenidone had no effect on the degradation of IkappaB, and could not prevent nuclear translocation of p50/p65. Finally, pirfenidone inhibited the activation of Akt and up-regulation of IL-1 receptor stimulated by IL-1beta. CONCLUSIONS Results indicate that pirfenidone inhibits the induction of iNOS gene expression at a step of NF-kappaB DNA binding, but not its nuclear translocation, partly through the inhibition of IL-1 receptor induction in hepatocytes.
Phase II Study of Adjuvant Immunotherapy with the CSF-470 Vaccine Plus Bacillus Calmette–Guerin Plus Recombinant Human Granulocyte Macrophage-Colony Stimulating Factor vs Medium-Dose Interferon Alpha 2B in Stages IIB, IIC, and III Cutaneous Melanoma Patients: A Single Institution, Randomized Study

The irradiated, allogeneic, cellular CSF-470 vaccine plus Bacillus Calmette–Guerin (BCG) and recombinant human granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (rhGM-CSF) is being tested against medium-dose IFN-α2b in stages IIB–III cutaneous melanoma (CM) patients (pts) after surgery in an open, randomized, Phase II/III study. We present the results of the Phase II part of the ongoing CASVAC-0401 study (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01729663). Thirty-one pts were randomized to the CSF-470 vaccine (n = 20) or to the IFN-α2b arm (n = 11). During the 2-year treatment, immunized pts should receive 13 vaccinations. On day 1 of each visit, 1.6 × 107 irradiated CSF-470 cells plus 106 colony-forming units BCG plus 100 µg rhGM-CSF were administered intradermally, followed on days 2–4 by 100 µg rhGM-CSF. IFN-α2b pts should receive 10 million units (MU)/day/5 days a week for 4 weeks; then 5 MU thrice weekly for 23 months. Toxicity and quality of life (QOL) were evaluated at each visit. With a mean and a maximum follow-up of 39.4 and 83 months, respectively, a significant benefit in the distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) for CSF-470 was observed (p = 0.022). Immune monitoring showed an increase in antitumoral cellular and humoral response in vaccinated pts. CSF-470 was well tolerated; 20/20 pts presented grades 1–2 dermic reactions at the vaccination site; 3/20 pts presented grade 3 allergic reactions. Other adverse events (AEs) were grade 1. Pts in the IFN-α2b arm presented grades 2–3 hematological (7/11), hepatic (2/11), and cardiac (1/11) toxicity; AEs in 9/11 pts forced treatment interruptions. QOL was significantly superior in the vaccine arm (p < 0.0001). Our results suggest that CSF-470 vaccine plus BCG plus GM-CSF can significantly prolong, with lower toxicity, the DMFS of high-risk CM pts with respect to medium-dose IFN-α2b. The continuation of a Phase III part of the CASVAC-0401 study is encouraged.