Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Testosterone Levels and Development of the Penile Spines and Testicular Tissue during the Postnatal Growth in Wistar Rats

Aim of Study: Gonadal hormones exert a profound influence on the development, structure and function of the sexual organs. The testosterone is one of the androgens that plays an essential role in the development of sexual organs in male mammals. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to evaluate the testosterone levels and developmental pattern of the penile spines and seminiferous tubules during early postnatal life of Wistar rats. Methods and Materials: At 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 49, 56, 63 and 70 days after birth, penile and testicular tissues of male rats were dissected out and fixed for histological study and plasma testosterone levels were determined using high resolution chromatography. Results: An increase in the number of penile follicles, primarily in the distal region of the penis, was observed from postnatal days 14 to 42, followed by a gradual decrease. Penile spines were absent from birth until the first growth peak, which was observed at 42 postnatal days. Both testicular weight and the area of seminiferous tubules showed gradual increases before achieving their highest values at 42 postnatal days. Similarly, a gradual increase in testosterone levels was detected from day 28, with a peak at 42 postnatal days. Conclusions: These data show a temporal association between the development of the penile spines and testicular tissue with gradual increases in testosterone levels. These results may contribute to a better understanding of the behavioral, hormonal and morphological changes underlying sexual maturation in male rats.
Can At-Risk Youth Be Diverted From Crime?

Existing reviews of the impact of restorative justice programs on juvenile recidivism have reached mixed conclusions. The present meta-analysis identified relevant studies through a systematic search of 20 databases over a 25-year period as well as the ancestry method. Application of inclusion criteria resulted in a set of 21 studies contributing 21 independent effect sizes. Programs were found to be overall effective at reducing recidivism, with a pooled odds ratio of 1.28. Subgroup analyses indicate strong evidence that study and treatment characteristics play a role in evaluation results, such as strength of research design and racial/ethnic mix of program participants. Overall quality of the literature is relatively weak, with the large majority of studies derived from non-peer-reviewed sources and a lack of detail presented on treatment characteristics. Limitations with respect to exclusion criteria, sample sizes, and between-study heterogeneity are discussed.
CD62L (L-Selectin) Shedding for Assessment of Perioperative Immune Sensitivity in Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery with Cardiopulmonary Bypass

Objective To investigate the suitability of blood granulocyte and monocyte sensitivity, as measured by the quantity of different agonists required to induce CD62L shedding, for assessment of perioperative immune changes in patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. Methods Patients scheduled for aortocoronary bypass grafting or for valve surgery were included in this prospective observational study. Blood samples were drawn before anesthesia induction, directly after surgery and 48 hours after anesthesia induction. We determined the concentration of two different inflammatory stimuli – lipoteichoic acid (LTA) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF) - required to induce shedding of 50% of surface CD62L from blood granulocytes and monocytes. In parallel monocyte surface human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR, and plasma interleukin (IL)-8, soluble (s)CD62L, soluble (s)Toll-like receptor (TLR)-2 and ADAM17 quantification were used to illustrate perioperative immunomodulation. Results 25 patients were enrolled. Blood granulocytes and monocytes showed decreased sensitivity to the TLR 2/6 agonist Staphylococcus aureus LTA immediately after surgery (p = 0.001 and p = 0.004 respectively). In contrast, granulocytes (p = 0.01), but not monocytes (p = 0.057) displayed a decreased postoperative sensitivity to TNF. We confirmed the presence of a systemic inflammatory response and a decreased immune sensitivity in the post-surgical period by measuring significant increases in the perioperative plasma concentration of IL-8 (p≤0.001) and sTLR (p = 0.004), and decreases in monocyte HLA-DR (p<0.001), plasma sCD62L (p≤0.001). In contrast, ADAM17 plasma levels did not show significant differences over the observation period (p = 0.401). Conclusions Monitoring granulocyte and monocyte sensitivity using the “CD62L shedding assay” in the perioperative period in cardiac surgical patients treated with the use of cardiopulmonary bypass reveals common changes in sensitivity to TLR2/6 ligands and to TNF stimulus. Further long-term follow-up studies will address the predictive value of these observations for clinical purposes.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy versus Other PTSD Psychotherapies as Treatment for Women Victims of War-Related Violence: A Systematic Review

Although war-trauma victims are at a higher risk of developing PTSD, there is no consensus on the effective treatments for this condition among civilians who experienced war/conflict-related trauma. This paper assessed the effectiveness of the various forms of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) at lowering PTSD and depression severity. All published and unpublished randomized controlled trials studying the effectiveness of CBT at reducing PTSD and/or depression severity in the population of interest were searched. Out of 738 trials identified, 33 analysed a form of CBTs effectiveness, and ten were included in the paper. The subgroup analysis shows that cognitive processing therapy (CPT), culturally adapted CPT, and narrative exposure therapy (NET) contribute to the reduction of PTSD and depression severity in the population of interest. The effect size was also significant at a level of 0.01 with the exception of the effect of NET on depression score. The test of subgroup differences was also significant, suggesting CPT is more effective than NET in our population of interest. CPT as well as its culturallyadapted form and NET seem effective in helping war/conflict traumatised civilians cope with their PTSD symptoms. However, more studies are required if one wishes to recommend one of these therapies above the other.
Predicting the Performance of a Design Team Using a Markov Chain Model

When faced with a complex design problem, a design team may separate it into subproblems. We would like to know when this approach is superior and how subproblems should be assigned to team members. We created mathematical models of searches that represent bounded rational decision-makers (“agents”) solving a design problem. These discrete-time Markov chains were used to calculate the probability distribution of the value of the solution found and the expected number of steps required. We evaluated the performance of two- and three-agent teams who used two approaches to solve design problems. In the “all-at-once” approach, they search the entire set of solutions. In the “separation” approach, they separate the problem into two subproblems. Three stopping rules and two different types of collaboration were modeled. Using a separation increases the likelihood of finding a high-value solution when high-value solutions are less likely. The optimal assignment of team members to subproblems depended upon the distribution of values in the solution space. These results suggest that more effort should be spent developing better concepts when high-quality concepts are rare. When concepts have similar performance, more effort should be spent searching for better designs that implement the selected concept.
Basic Relationship Patterns

Relationships between objects are almost as important to designs as objects themselves. Most programming languages do not support relationships well, so programmers must implement relationships in terms of more primitive constructs. This paper presents (cid:12)ve basic patterns which describe how objects can be used to model relationships within programs. By using these patterns, programs and designs can be made smaller, more (cid:13)exible, and easier to understand and maintain.
Prior Experience but Not Size of Error Improves Motor Learning on the Split-Belt Treadmill in Young Children

Children can modify learned motor skills, such as walking, to adapt to new environments. Movement errors in these new situations drive the learning. We used split-belt walking to determine whether size of the error affects the degree of learning. Twenty-two children (aged 2–5 y) walked on the split-belt treadmill on two separate days spaced 1 week apart. Twenty-eight adults served as controls. On Day 1, children experienced an abrupt change in belt speeds (from 1∶1 to 2∶1 differential) resulting in large errors, or a gradual change (same change in speed over 12–15 min), resulting in small errors. Learning was measured by the size of the aftereffect upon return to a 1∶1 differential. On Day 2 (1 week later), the leg on the fast belt was reversed, as was the method of introducing the speed differential. We found that the error size did not affect learning. Unexpectedly, learning was greater on Day 2 compared to Day 1, especially for children under 4 y of age, despite the fact that the task was opposite to that of Day 1, and did not influence learning in adults. Hence, 11 additional children under 4 y of age were tested with belts running at the same speed on Day 1, and with a 2∶1 speed differential (abrupt introduction) on Day 2. Surprisingly, learning was again greater on Day 2. We conclude that size of error during split-belt walking does not affect learning, but experience on a treadmill does, especially for younger children.
Tempol Moderately Extends Survival in a hSOD1G93A ALS Rat Model by Inhibiting Neuronal Cell Loss, Oxidative Damage and Levels of Non-Native hSOD1G93A Forms

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by the progressive dysfunction and death of motor neurons by mechanisms that remain unclear. Evidence indicates that oxidative mechanisms contribute to ALS pathology, but classical antioxidants have not performed well in clinical trials. Cyclic nitroxides are an alternative worth exploring because they are multifunctional antioxidants that display low toxicity in vivo. Here, we examine the effects of the cyclic nitroxide tempol (4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl piperidine-1-oxyl) on ALS onset and progression in transgenic female rats over-expressing the mutant hSOD1G93A . Starting at 7 weeks of age, a high dose of tempol (155 mg/day/rat) in the rat´s drinking water had marginal effects on the disease onset but decelerated disease progression and extended survival by 9 days. In addition, tempol protected spinal cord tissues as monitored by the number of neuronal cells, and the reducing capability and levels of carbonylated proteins and non-native hSOD1 forms in spinal cord homogenates. Intraperitoneal tempol (26 mg/rat, 3 times/week) extended survival by 17 days. This group of rats, however, diverted to a decelerated disease progression. Therefore, it was inconclusive whether the higher protective effect of the lower i.p. dose was due to higher tempol bioavailability, decelerated disease development or both. Collectively, the results show that tempol moderately extends the survival of ALS rats while protecting their cellular and molecular structures against damage. Thus, the results provide proof that cyclic nitroxides are alternatives worth to be further tested in animal models of ALS.
The Experience of Racism: Black Staff in Social Services

The paper examines how racism is experienced by Black and minority ethnic staff in social services. Departing from previous approaches using pre-determined definitions, the research is based on self-defined incidents of racism. It provides an insight into personal and structural features influencing perceptions and coping strategies, illuminates different forms of racism and examines the relationship between institutional and personal racism. It is argued that anti-racist policies in social services have so far failed to address the important role of institutional racism, thus leaving power structures intact and perpetuating racism at the personal and organisational level.
Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism Used to Investigate Genetic Variability of the Stable Fly (Diptera: Muscidae) Across North America

ABSTRACT The stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans (L.), is a cosmopolitan pest of livestock and humans. The pestiferous nature and painful bite cause stress to cattle and other animals. The stress and resulting avoidance behaviors manifest as reductions in weight gain or milk production in cattle; estimated annual economic loss in the United States exceeds US$2 billion. Understanding the population genetics of stable flies could provide information on their population dynamics, origins of outbreaks, and geographical patterns of insecticide resistance, resulting in a tactical advantage for developing management strategies. Previous studies, mostly on a local scale, reported a high level of gene flow between locations. Here, we report results wherein amplified fragment length polymorphism was used to determine genetic diversity of stable fly samples consisting of 11–40 individuals from 12 locations representing the United States, Canada, and Panama. The Analysis of Molecular Variance showed that the majority of genetic diversity was within groups; very little was among groups. The FST and GST values were low (<0.4), Nm values high (>1.0). The tests of neutrality suggested population expansion, and no genetic differentiation was found between locations. These results show that stable flies have a high level of gene flow on a continental scale, with limited isolation owing to distance or geographical barriers.
Dynamic Stark effect and forbidden-transition spectral lineshapes

We report on an experimental and theoretical study of the dynamic (ac) Stark effect on a for bidden transition. A general framework for parameterizing and describing off-resonant ac-Stark shifts is presented. A model is developed to calculate spectral line shapes resulting from resonant excitation of atoms in an intense standing light-wave in the presence of off-resonant ac-Stark shifts. The model is used in the analysis and interpretation of a measurement of the ac-Stark shifts of the static-electric-field-induced 6s2 1S0 --> 5d6s 3D1 transition at 408 nm in atomic Yb. The results are in agreement with estimates of the ac-Stark shift of the transition under the assumption that the shift is dominated by that of the 6s2 1S0 ground state. A detailed description of the experiment and analysis is presented. A bi-product of this work is an ind ependent determination (from the saturation behavior of the 408-nm transition) of the Stark transition polarizability, which is found to be in agreement with our earlier measurement. This work is part of the ongoing effort aimed at a precision measurement of atomic parity-violation effects in Yb.
Development of Middle School Teachers' Knowledge and Pedagogy of Justification: Three Studies Linking Teacher Conceptions, Teacher Practice, and Student Learning

Recent initiatives in mathematics education reform have identified proof and reasoning practices as critical for all grades of mathematics (NCTM, 2000; CCSSO, 2010). Successful enactment of these ambitious practices depends, in part, on teacher conceptions of proof and justification. This study examines middle school teacher conceptions of justification along three dimensions: What is justification? What is the purpose of justification? What are teacher proficiencies with justification? Data for this analysis is drawn from twelve middle school math teacher participants in the JAGUAR project and includes interview transcripts, justification assessments, and participation in workshops. One important result from this case study analysis is that teachers viewed justification as a mathematical practice, one that centers on why something works or is true mathematically, as well as a pedagogical practice, one that centers on communication of student reasoning. Motivation Using proofs to establish the validity of mathematical results is critical for the practice of mathematics. Yet many math teachers think of proof as a specific skill independent from content, with little relation to “every-day” mathematics instruction (Hanna, 2000; Knuth, 2002b; Ross, 1998; Wu, 1996). Over the past several decades math education researchers and policy makers have argued for greater integration of proof and justification into mathematics instruction. Schoenfeld (1994) argued that “proof is not a thing separable from mathematics, as it appears to be in our curricula; it is an essential
Antigenic Variation of Anaplasma marginale by Expression of MSP2 Mosaics

ABSTRACT Anaplasma marginale is a tick-borne pathogen, one of several closely related ehrlichial organisms that cause disease in animals and humans. These Ehrlichia species have complex life cycles that require, in addition to replication and development within the tick vector, evasion of the immune system in order to persist in the mammalian reservoir host. This complexity requires efficient use of the small ehrlichial genome. A. marginaleand related ehrlichiae express immunoprotective, variable outer membrane proteins that have similar structures and are encoded by polymorphic multigene families. We show here that the major outer membrane protein of A. marginale, MSP2, is encoded on a polycistronic mRNA. The genomic expression site for this mRNA is polymorphic and encodes numerous amino acid sequence variants in bloodstream populations of A. marginale. A potential mechanism for persistence is segmental gene conversion of the expression site to link hypervariable msp2 sequences to the promoter and polycistron.
Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience Aging Neuroscience

Advancing age has the greatest impact on structural integrity of the frontal and medial temporal cortices and progressively lesser impact on posterior brain regions such as the parietal and occipital cortices (O'Sullivan et al. Studies also show aging is associated with altered fronto-temporal activation patterns compared to young adults during hippocampal-dependent tasks, such that older adults tend to have more fronto-temporal activation compared to younger adults who co-activate the hippocampus with regions involved in the perceptual representation of to-be remembered stimuli (Grady et al., 2003; Dennis et al., 2008). One study suggested this altered fronto-hippocampal pattern in aging might be due to deficient deactivation in a network of task-independent brain regions called the Default Mode Network (Miller et al., 2008). Thus the frontal cortex plays a prominent role in cognitive aging, and interventions that target improved communication and
Inhibition of return: Twenty years after

When responding to a suddenly appearing stimulus, we are slower and/or less accurate when the stimulus occurs at the same location of a previous event than when it appears in a new location. This phenomenon, often referred to as inhibition of return (IOR), has fostered a huge amount of research in the last 20 years. In this selective review, which introduces a Special Issue of Cognitive Neuropsychology dedicated to IOR, we discuss some of the methods used for eliciting IOR and its boundary conditions. We also address its debated relationships with orienting of attention, succinctly review findings of altered IOR in normal elderly and neuropsychiatric patients, and present results concerning its possible neural bases. We conclude with an outline of the papers collected in this issue, which offer a more in-depth treatment of behavioural, neural, and theoretical issues related to IOR.
Pedestrian Volume Modeling: A Case Study of San Francisco

Pedestrian volume information is critical to study traffic safety as well as to plan for pedestrian friendly design. We present a model used to estimate the pedestrian volumes for street intersections in the city of San Francisco, California. Through regression analysis at multiple geographical scales, a set of socioeconomic variables and built-environment characteristics were examined. Three factors emerged as having strong explanatory power on the variances of pedestrian volume: population and job density, local transit access, and land use mix. It was found that the strongest area of influence on pedestrian traffic is around a one-block radius of an intersection. Multiple-scale analysis reveals that not all variables are significant at the same scale. In fact, the best model was obtained when a mix of scales was used. Because the analysis in this paper utilizes easy-to-access data and routine statistical analysis, it is easy to apply it in other cities, hence providing a valuable tool for geographers, public health professionals, urban planners, and transportation engineers.
Communications in Mathematical Physics Quantum Capacity under Adversarial Quantum Noise : Arbitrarily Varying Quantum Channels

We investigate entanglement transmission over an unknown channel in the presence of a third party (called the adversary), which is enabled to choose the channel from a given set of memoryless but non-stationary channels without informing the legitimate sender and receiver about the particular choice that he made. This channel model is called an arbitrarily varying quantum channel (AVQC). We derive a quantum version of Ahlswede’s dichotomy for classical arbitrarily varying channels. This includes a regularized formula for the common randomness-assisted capacity for entanglement transmission of an AVQC. Quite surprisingly and in contrast to the classical analog of the problem involving the maximal and average error probability, we find that the capacity for entanglement transmission of an AVQC always equals its strong subspace transmission capacity. These results are accompanied by different notions of symmetrizability (zero-capacity conditions) as well as by conditions for an AVQC to have a capacity described by a single-letter formula. In the final part of the paper the capacity of the erasure-AVQC is computed and some light shed on the connection between AVQCs and zero-error capacities. Additionally, we show by entirely elementary and operational arguments motivated by the theory of AVQCs that the quantum, classical, and entanglement-assisted zeroerror capacities of quantum channels are generically zero and are discontinuous at every positivity point.
TOWARDS A NEW FRAMEWORK FOR EVALUATING SYSTEMIC AND PARTICIPATIVE METHODS

Systems practitioners often make significant claims for the value of their methodologies and methods. However, when evidence is presented to support these claims, it is usually based solely on the practitioner’s own reflections on single case studies. Less often, practitioners set up post-intervention debriefings with project participants using questionnaires. While the latter is an improvement on researcher reflections alone, there have been few attempts at systematically evaluating across methods and across case studies undertaken by different practitioners. This is understandable because, in any given local intervention, contextual factors, the skills of the practitioner and the purposes being pursued by stakeholders are inevitably going to affect the perceived success or failure of a method. The use of standard metrics and even qualitative criteria for comparison can therefore be made problematic by the need to consider what is unique in each intervention. So is it possible to develop a single evaluation approach that can support both locally meaningful evaluations and longerterm comparisons between methods? This paper offers a framework for the evaluation of methods that seeks to do just this. Research on the framework and associated tools is in its infancy, but pilot studies suggest that it is promising. Comparing across methods will ultimately require the development of a longer-term international research program, and the paper serves as a first call for participants in this.