Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Coping in Outdoor Recreation: Causes and Consequences of Crowding and Conflict Among Community Residents

Displacement, product shift, and rationalization are coping mechanisms that can be adopted in response to crowding and conflict in outdoor recreation. Using survey methods, this study found relatively high levels of adoption of coping mechanisms by residents of communities in and around Acadia National Park, Maine in response to perceived increases in 1) overall recreation use levels, 2) selected recreation activities and 3) selected problem behaviors. While only 7.4% of respondents reported that they no longer use the carriage roads because of the changes in use that have occurred, nearly all respondents (94%) reported adopting one or more behavioral or cognitive coping mechanisms. Study findings suggest that coping may be pervasive in outdoor recreation, that coping includes behavioral and cognitive mechanisms, and that coping is related to perceived changes in both the amount and type of outdoor recreation. High levels of coping as found in this study may be stressful at the individual level, may lead to diminished diversity of outdoor recreation opportunities at the societal level, and suggests that overall “satisfaction” may be a superficial and even misleading measure of quality in outdoor recreation.
Importance of Early Intervention for Disruptive Behavior Problems: Comparison of Treatment and Waitlist-Control Groups

The stability of young children's behavior problems and the effectiveness of an early intervention approach known as Parent–Child Interaction Therapy are examined. Participants were 32 families with young children (ages 2.5 to 8.6 years) who were referred for treatment of disruptive behavior. The families were divided into two groups: the waitlist-control and treatment groups. Dependent measures were administered at both Assessment 1 (the time of referral) and Assessment 2 (the end of treatment for the treatment group; immediately prior to treatment for the waitlist-control group). No significant differences were found between the waitlist-control and treatment groups at Assessment 1 on the dependent variables, the Child Behavior Checklist, Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory, and Parenting Stress Index. However, the behavior of the treatment group improved over the course of approximately 3 months of Parent–Child Interaction Therapy, while the behavior of the waitlist-control group continued to be problemati.
A Sotchastic Mesh Method for Pricing High-Dimensional American Options

High-dimensional pricing problems frequently arise with financial options (examples include basket options, outperformance options, interest-rate and foreign currency options) and real options. American versions of these options, i.e., where the owner has the right to exercise early, are particularly challenging to price. We present a new stochastic mesh method for pricing high-dimensional American options when there is a finite, but possibly large, number of exercise dates. The algorithm provides point estimates and confidence intervals and it converges to the correct values as the computational effort increases. Computational evidence is given which indicates the viability of the method.
Here we go again: a reply to ‘What's in a number?’ by Gibson and Asthana

L'auteur effectue ici une reponse a une critique emise a son encontre a propos d'une recherche portant sur les elements facteurs de segregation entre ecoles au Royaume-Uni. Sa demonstration s'oriente plutot vers une justification methodologique et un dementi des affirmations de ses detracteurs.
An EEG Tool for Monitoring Patient Engagement during Stroke Rehabilitation: A Feasibility Study

Objective Patient engagement is of major significance in neural rehabilitation. We developed a real-time EEG marker for attention, the Brain Engagement Index (BEI). In this work we investigate the relation between the BEI and temporary functional change during a rehabilitation session. Methods First part: 13 unimpaired controls underwent BEI monitoring during motor exercise of varying levels of difficulty. Second part: 18 subacute stroke patients underwent standard motor rehabilitation with and without use of real-time BEI feedback regarding their level of engagement. Single-session temporary functional changes were evaluated based on videos taken before and after training on a given task. Two assessors, blinded to feedback use, assessed the change following single-session treatments. Results First part: a relation between difficulty of exercise and BEI was identified. Second part: temporary functional change was associated with BEI level regardless of the use of feedback. Conclusions This study provides preliminary evidence that when BEI is higher, the temporary functional change induced by the treatment session is better. Further work is required to expand this preliminary study and to evaluate whether such temporary functional change can be harnessed to improve clinical outcome. Clinical Trial Registration Registered with clinicaltrials.gov, unique identifier: NCT02603718 (retrospectively registered 10/14/2015).
Understanding Social Robots

Research on social robots is mainly comprised of research into algorithmic problems in order to expand a robot´s capabilities to improve communication with human beings. Also, a large body of research concentrates on the appearance, i.e. aesthetic form of social robots. However, only little reference to their definition is made. In this paper we argue that form, function, and context have to be taken systematically into account in order to develop a model to help us understand social robots. Therefore, we address the questions: What is a social robot, what are the interdisciplinary research aspects of social robotics, and how are these different aspects interlinked? In order to present a comprehensive and concise overview of the various aspects we present a framework for a definition towards social robots.
Using the Stepfamily Genetic Design to Examine Gene-Environment Processes in Child and Family Functioning

SUMMARY Studying children in different types of families-intact, single-mother, and stepparent families-affords opportunities for testing models of gene-environment processes, based on estimates of sibling similarity among full-siblings and half-siblings. We used a stepfamily quantitative genetic design to estimate genetic and environmental sources of variance in children's behavior problems and prosocial behaviors, as well as negativity in their relationships with their mothers and mothers' partners. Participants included full- and half-sibling pairs (same- and opposite-sex) from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children. Mothers reported on their children's behavior problems and prosocial behaviors, as well as negativity in their parent-child relationships, for a target child (4 years old) and oneolder sibling (M =6.31 years). There was additive genetic variance in child behavior problems and partner-child negativity, and shared environmental variance in mother-child and partner-child negativity. One-fifth to two-thirds of the variance was accounted for by nonshared environment and error. These findings were similar even after controlling for sibling gender and age differences, the resident status of the older sibling, and the older siblings' degree of contact with the nonresident biological parent. The links between parental negativity and child behavior problems were mediated by genetic covariance suggesting possible gene-environment correlation processes, and the links between parental negativity and child prosocial behaviors were mediated primarily by environmental covariance.
R factor transfer in Rhizobium leguminosarum.

SUMMARY: R factors of the compatibility class P were transferred between strains of Escherichia coli k12 and Rhizobium leguminosarum. These R factors were stable in R. leguminosarum and conferred similar levels of antibiotic resistance to those in the corresponding R+ E. coli k12 hosts, with the exception of carbenicillin resistance which was greatly reduced. Transfer between R. leguminosarum strains was by conjugation and was stimulated by conditions favouring spheroplast formation. R factor mediated recombination could not be demonstrated.
Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Product-Dependent Activation of p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Contributes to Amyloid-β-Mediated Cortical Synaptic Dysfunction

Soluble amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide is likely to play a key role during early stages of Alzheimer's disease (AD) by perturbing synaptic function and cognitive processes. Receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) has been identified as a receptor involved in Aβ-induced neuronal dysfunction. We investigated the role of neuronal RAGE in Aβ-induced synaptic dysfunction in the entorhinal cortex, an area of the brain important in memory processes that is affected early in AD. We found that soluble oligomeric Aβ peptide (Aβ42) blocked long-term potentiation (LTP), but did not affect long-term depression, paired-pulse facilitation, or basal synaptic transmission. In contrast, Aβ did not inhibit LTP in slices from RAGE-null mutant mice or in slices from wild-type mice treated with anti-RAGE IgG. Similarly, transgenic mice expressing a dominant-negative form of RAGE targeted to neurons showed normal LTP in the presence of Aβ, suggesting that neuronal RAGE functions as a signal transducer for Aβ-mediated LTP impairment. To investigate intracellular pathway transducing RAGE activation by Aβ, we used inhibitors of stress activated kinases. We found that inhibiting p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK), but not blocking c-Jun N-terminal kinase activation, was capable of maintaining LTP in Aβ-treated slices. Moreover, Aβ-mediated enhancement of p38 MAPK phosphorylation in cortical neurons was reduced by blocking antibodies to RAGE. Together, our results indicate that Aβ impairs LTP in the entorhinal cortex through neuronal RAGE-mediated activation of p38 MAPK.
Increasing access to fair capacity evaluation for discharge decision-making for people with aphasia: A randomised controlled trial

Background: Every competent person in Ontario has the right to decide on a discharge destination. If capacity to consent to such a decision is in doubt, it is evaluated. The current process is largely inaccessible to people with aphasia, there are no methods to help someone overcome communication barriers and demonstrate an understanding of information and an appreciation of the consequences of a decision. Health care professionals who evaluate capacity also report significant problems in communicating with this population. Competent individuals with aphasia have erroneously been found lacking in capacity. Aims: To develop and test the effectiveness of a communicatively accessible capacity evaluation tool with communication training supports; thus, allowing health care professionals to evaluate more equitably the capacity of people living with aphasia to consent to be admitted to long term care. Methods & Procedures: The Communication Aid to Capacity Evaluation (CACE) was developed and validated. Thirty-two social workers were partnered with 32 competent participants with aphasia, and randomly divided into an experimental and control group. The social workers were blinded to the participants with aphasia’s capacity. Both groups administered the current capacity questionnaire. The experimental group evaluators were subsequently trained to use the CACE and introduced to supportive communication techniques. Following a 2-week interval, this group administered the CACE, and the control group re-administered the current capacity questionnaire. The 64 evaluations were recorded, and independent speech language pathologists administered standardised assessments. Outcomes & Results: Using the current capacity questionnaire one competent participant was found lacking in capacity, and one-third of social workers were unable to determine capacity. Following the introduction of the CACE with communication training, the evaluators in the experimental group were able to accurately determine capacity. Standardised measures showed a statistically significant difference between the two groups. The experimental group demonstrated improved communication skills [F(2, 29) = 12.03, p = . 002, d = 1.13], and successful transfer of information increased [F(2, 29) = 10.51, p < ·003, d = . 99]. Participants with aphasia using the CACE reported an increased ability to communicate information (t = 3.322, p = .000) and decreased frustration (t = 3.958, p = .002). Conclusions: The CACE was an effective capacity evaluation tool for people living with aphasia. Communication support allowed for increased transfer of information demonstrating both understanding and appreciation of a decision. Evaluators were better able to determine capacity. This challenging and vulnerable population’s right to decide where and how to live was better protected.
1.5 generation Asian migrants and intergenerational transnationalism: Thoughts and challenges from New Zealand

This article analyses New Zealand's post-1987 immigration patterns, specifically the arrival of East Asian professionals and their families, and their impact on the demographic and cultural composition of New Zealand society. The discussion addresses a specific and under-theorised category of migrants: school-aged children who migrate with their parents, identified as the ‘1.5 generation’. Focusing on the unique position and attributes of the 1.5 generation, it is posited that New Zealand's new intergenerational transmigrant communities seriously challenge conventional attempts to explain – and manage – migrant settlement and incorporation into host societies.
Constant Factor Lasserre Integrality Gaps for Graph Partitioning Problems

Partitioning the vertices of a graph into two roughly equal parts while minimizing the number of edges crossing the cut is a fundamental problem (called balanced separator) that arises in many settings. For this problem, and variants such as the uniform sparsest cut problem where the goal is to minimize the fraction of pairs on opposite sides of the cut that are connected by an edge, there are large gaps between the known approximation algorithms and nonapproximability results. While no constant factor approximation algorithms are known, even APX-hardness is not known either. In this work we prove that for balanced separator and uniform sparsest cut, semidefinite programs from the Lasserre hierarchy (which are the most powerful relaxations studied in the literature) have an integrality gap bounded away from 1, even for $\Omega(n)$ levels of the hierarchy. This complements recent algorithmic results in Guruswami and Sinop [Proceedings of the 52nd Annual Symposium on Foundations of Computer Science (FOCS), .
Novel comprehensive diagnostic strategy in Pitt–Hopkins syndrome: Clinical score and further delineation of the TCF4 mutational spectrum

Pitt–Hopkins syndrome (PTHS), characterized by severe intellectual disability and typical facial gestalt, is part of the clinical spectrum of Rett‐like syndromes. TCF4, encoding a basic helix‐loop‐helix (bHLH) transcription factor, was identified as the disease‐causing gene with de novo molecular defects. While PTHS appears to be a recognizable clinical entity, it seems to remain underdiagnosed, especially when facial gestalt is less typical. With the aim to facilitate the diagnosis of PTHS and to increase its rate and specificity, we have investigated 33 novel patients and defined a Clinical Diagnosis Score. Analysis of 112 individuals (79 previously reported and 33 novel patients) allowed us to delineate the TCF4 mutational spectrum, with 40% point mutations, 30% small deletions/insertions, and 30% deletions. Most of these were private mutations and generated premature stop codons. Missense mutations were localized in the bHLH domain, which is a mutational hotspot. No obvious difference was observed between patients harboring truncating, missense mutations, or deletions, further supporting TCF4 haploinsufficiency as the molecular mechanism underlying PTHS. In this study, we have summarized the current knowledge of TCF4 molecular pathology, reported all the mutations in the TCF4 database (http://www.LOVD.nl/TCF4), and present a novel and comprehensive diagnostic strategy for PTHS. Hum Mutat 33:64–72, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Students' Perceptions of Work-Based Training and Examination-Based Learning Relating to the Professional Competence of Auditors and the Impact of Regulatory Changes on Audit Training in the UK

The purpose of this paper is to investigate students' perceptions of work-based training and examination-based learning as it relates to the professional competence of auditors. The paper takes as its motivation the fall in the number of accountants registering as qualified auditors in the UK following fundamental changes in the audit environment. Legislation aimed at reducing red tape has resulted in a large number of UK companies taking advantage of an audit exemption, and most of these are clients of small audit firms. This legislative change has had significant pedagogic implications on the experiential learning of audit trainees and the availability of training opportunities for them. The contribution of the paper is to explain the perceived relevance and importance of training opportunities to trainees seeking to obtain audit qualifications. Using data from an on-line questionnaire and focus groups, the study reports that trainees in smaller firms lack opportunities to obtain sufficient audit experience, and there is a lack of synchronization between limited practical experience and classroom tuition provided before taking auditing examinations. The implications are that effective audit training will become restricted to large audit firms the trainees in which often choose different career paths to auditing, thereby limiting the number of qualified auditors in the UK in the future.
Prospective Study on Harvesting Autologous Bone Grafts from the Anterior Iliac Crest Using a New Specialized Reamer

AbstractThe iliac crest remains the most frequent donor site for bone harvesting. Despite the surgical access to the iliac crest being relatively simple and the operation being carried out regularly, there are frequent complications. Therefore, a new, manual iliac crest reamer (R group) was compared to the classical harvesting of a corticocancellous bone graft by means of an oscillating saw (Con group) in a prospective study on 80 consecutive patients having hand surgery. Follow-up time was 3 months. Operation time and incidence of hematomas, seromas, and paresthesias in the R group were significantly shorter and less, respectively, than in the Con group. Pain at harvest site measured with the visual analogue scale (VAS) at 5 days, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks postoperatively was significantly less in group R as well. The utilization of the iliac crest reamer allows bone graft harvest in a relatively quick and simple operation with relatively few complications but with the limitation in that the maximum diameter of a bone cylinder that it can harvest is 20 mm.
Measuring coaching: behavioral and skill-based managerial coaching scales

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is two-fold: to identify the reliability and content validity of two popular managerial coaching scales – the Ellinger Behavioral Scale and the Park Skills-based Scale – to determine the extent to which the construct, coaching, is more accurately measured as a behavioral construct or a skill-based construct from the perspective of the coach, and from that of his or her direct reports using a single data set. Design/methodology/approach – This research utilized survey research which tested the reliability and validity of two existing coaching scales. Analyses included correlation matrices, principle axis factor analysis, and confirmatory factor analysis. Findings – Results of this research indicate that neither scale is perfectly reliable and valid. However, given the results of the analysis, the authors recommend the Park scale for leaders and the Ellinger scale for team members. Research limitations/implications – This research indicates that investment in valid scales.
DEVELOPMENT AND CHARACTERIZATION OF TRANSDERMAL MICROEMULSION GEL FOR AN ANTIVIRAL DRUG

The objective of this study was to design and develop o/w microemulsion for transdermal delivery of poorly water soluble acyclovir by aqueous titration method. Oleic acid: castor oil (3:1), tween 80, and ethanol were selected as oily phase, surfactant and cosurfactant respectively. The Pseudoternary phase diagrams were constructed by aqueous titration method. The cosurfactant affect the shape and extant of microemulsion regions. Ethanol (cosurfactant) is expected to disorder the interfacial film gave extended microemulsion zones by destabilizing the liquid crystalline phase. Largest Microemulsion single phase region was found at Smix (2:1) than the system at other Smix. Characterization of microemulsion were done for droplet Shape and size, refractive index, pH, Viscosity, drug loading capacity. The mean droplet size of microemulsion was found below 50 nm. The maximum solubility of ACV in microemulsion system was found to be 47.4 mg/ml. The ex-vivo skin permeation studies were done using skin of Wistar albino rat by Franz diffusion cell, and microemulsion formulation MEC1 exhibited highest flux, was found to be 238.1±4.87 μg/cm/hr, while flux of MEGel, aqueous solution and conventional emulsion of ACV were found to be 230.40±6.23 μg/cm/hr, 2.47±0.76 μg/cm/hr and 8.65 ±1.21 μg/cm/hr respectively. The pharmacokinetic parameters of MEGel after topical application to the Wistar albino rat skin were significantly different from those of ACV in aqueous solution (PD) and conventional emulsion (CE). It can be concluded that microemulsion of ACV prepared with Oleic acid: castor oil (3:1) as oily phase, tween80 as surfactant, and ethanol as cosurfactant can be used as transdermal drug carrier for this and other poorly water soluble drug.
Heavy-Traffic Optimality of a Stochastic Network under Utility-Maximizing Resource Control

We study a stochastic network that consists of a set of servers processing multiple classes of jobs. Each class of jobs requires a concurrent occupancy of several servers while being processed, and each server is shared among the job classes in a head-of-the-line processor-sharing mechanism. The allocation of the service capacities is a real-time control mechanism: in each network state, the control is the solution to an optimization problem that maximizes a general utility function. Whereas this resource control optimizes in a ``greedy'' fashion, with respect to each state, we establish its asymptotic optimality in terms of (a) deriving the fluid and diffusion limits of the network under this control, and (b) identifying a cost function that is minimized in the diffusion limit, along with a characterization of the so-called fixed point state of the network.
Why should recovery be a cause for concern? An investigation of an unusual pattern of recovery in a man with aphasia

A man with dysphasia who showed an unusual pattern of recovery 11 months post-stroke is described. Models of brain recovery are used to try and explain the rapid improvement in his language functioning following heart failure. Assessments were administered at three separate phases: pre-heart failure, and one and two months post-heart failure. The results demonstrate that there was significant improvement in some tasks but not others: the pattern could be attributed to more effective semantic processing. The findings suggest that further investigation of clients with delayed improvements might help us understand the brain mechanisms underlying language recovery.