Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
From Empire to Iraq and the “War on Terror”

Charting the enduring export appeal of policing models from (Northern) Ireland, this article sheds some light on the processes by which policing models are communicated and actively promoted to the global policing environment. The authors demonstrate how the transplantation of the Irish colonial model (ICM) represents an early example of the globalization of policing. The legacy of counterinsurgency expertise embedded within the ICM remains a historical constant and is a key factor in relation to the increasing commodification of the contemporary Northern Irish policing model, a model that successfully blends counterterrorism experience with a template for democratic policing reform. By juxtaposing these models, the authors provide a conceptual framework through which to assess the contemporary substance of policing transfer. The authors conclude by suggesting that the seductiveness of these policing models is largely attributable to lessons in counterinsurgency and notions of “Ireland as the solution” to a host of complex security scenarios.
Youth Gambling: A Clinical and Research Perspective

This paper provides an overview of the current state of knowledge of youth gambling problems. The goals and contributions of the McGill University Youth Gambling Research & Treatment Clinic are highlighted. The authors integrate their clinical and research program findings within the context of the necessity of identifying risk factors associated with problem gambling amongst adolescents. Specific recommendations are made as well as a call for collaborative effort between the public, industry, legislators, clinicians and researchers to help resolve this growing problem.
Staged basilic vein transposition for dialysis angioaccess.

BACKGROUND To find out a suitable procedure to dissect an arterialised thick walled vein to create secondary angioaccess for dialysis. Delicacy of the vein wall, high rate of thrombosis and difficulty to find out a suitable vein are the main obstacles to vascular surgeons during the creation of secondary angioaccess. METHODS Forty patients in need for secondary angioaccess for dialysis were admitted for basilic vein transposition. They were classified randomly into two equal groups matched for age and sex. Group A patients were submitted to traditional basilic vein transposition. In group B, the operation was done in two stages. In the first stage, brachiobasilic anastomosis was done. Two to four weeks later the second stage was done to 19 patients (one patient had occluded shunt before the second stage) in the form of superficialization of the vein to be placed in the subcutaneous tissue. RESULTS Follow-up period for 6-24 months revealed that in the early postoperative period (4 weeks after operation) patency rate was 12/20 (60%) in group A and 18/20 (90%) with significant difference (p<0.05) between the two groups. Later, occlusion occurred in two patients in each group. At the end of the study the overall patency was 10/20 (50%) and 16/20 (80%) in group A and B respectively with significant difference between them. Both groups were similar in minor complications. CONCLUSIONS The staged basilic vein transposition is superior to the traditional operation in the patency rate and is recommended as a safe operation for a successful secondary angioaccess.
Inner Representations, Coping, and Posttraumatic Stress Symptomatology in a Community Sample of Trauma Survivors

To assess whether coping styles mediated the relation between inner representations and posttraumatic stress symptomatology, a community sample of self-defined trauma survivors (N = 95) completed the World Assumptions Scale, Ways of Coping Checklist—Revised, and Trauma Symptom Inventory. Regression analyses indicted that individuals with more positive inner representations reported experiencing less symptomatology and tended to use more active and less passive coping strategies. Furthermore, the relation between inner representations and the extent of symptomatology was mediated through the use of passive coping strategies, although the latter 2 variables were likely reciprocally related. The implications of these findings for the well-being of trauma survivors were discussed.
Continuous tilting interaction techniques on mobile devices for controlling public displays

The use of mobile devices to interact with public or semi-public displays has been widely studied. Researchers have investigated the potential use of motion gestures in such settings to allow users to control the display without having to shift either their gaze from the display or their hand position on the device. However, tilting gestures still offer several implementation challenges and multiple variants of such gestures have been proposed. For this reason, we designed a framework that supports the rapid development of web-based applications and enables experimentation with a variety of techniques for continuous tilting interactions. Moreover, we present a study of three different motion gestures (Constant Move, Balance Board and Mapped Container) that can be used to control the cursor on a remote screen.
Influence of Environmental Conditions on Methanogenic Compositions in Anaerobic Biogas Reactors

ABSTRACT The influence of environmental parameters on the diversity of methanogenic communities in 15 full-scale biogas plants operating under different conditions with either manure or sludge as feedstock was studied. Fluorescence in situ hybridization was used to identify dominant methanogenic members of the Archaea in the reactor samples; enriched and pure cultures were used to support the in situ identification. Dominance could be identified by a positive response by more than 90% of the total members of the Archaea to a specific group- or order-level probe. There was a clear dichotomy between the manure digesters and the sludge digesters. The manure digesters contained high levels of ammonia and of volatile fatty acids (VFA) and were dominated by members of the Methanosarcinaceae, while the sludge digesters contained low levels of ammonia and of VFA and were dominated by members of the Methanosaetaceae. The methanogenic diversity was greater in reactors operating under mesophilic temperatures. The impact of the original inoculum used for the reactor start-up was also investigated by assessment of the present population in the reactor. The inoculum population appeared to have no influence on the eventual population.
Orbital apex syndrome affecting head and neck cancer patients: A case series

Background Orbital apex syndrome (OAS) is a complex and uncommon disorder that typically damages multiple cranial nerves in association with optic nerve dysfunction. OAS is associated with several different pathologies, however; only a few cases have been reported in association with head and neck cancer (HNC) so far. Material and Methods A case series of HNC patients diagnosed with OAS is described including clinicopathological data, image findings, and disease outcome. Results Ptosis and diplopia were diagnosed in four male patients with mean age of 61.2 years who were undergoing treatment for late-stage carcinomas of the tongue, larynx, and nasopharynx, eventually leading to the diagnosis of OAS. The mean overall survival rate after the diagnosis of OAS was 9.5 months. Conclusions The current study reinforces evidence that OAS indicates poor prognosis and highlights the importance of early diagnosis. Key words:Head and neck cancer, oral cancer, metastasis, orbital apex syndrome, optic neuropathy.
The "Americanization" of Israel: A Demographic, Cultural and Political Evaluation

AMERICANIZATION IS THE ACT, OR the process, of conforming to America's culture, ideologies, and material goods. It can largely be seen as an aspect of economic-technological development involving changes in lifestyle and consumer behaviors. ' For many countries in the world, the United States serves as a reference point, often as a source of aspiration, in different areas of life from economic to cultural, from dance to cinema, as well as in attitudes toward minorities, including those who differ in ethnicity, religion, race, or sexual orientation.z The United States has become a role model for other cultures, distinct one from the other, because it represents the abundant society, the freedom to consume, and, more generally, what many people see as the "good life. " America shapes the world of tomorrow.3 While in some places these influences are direct ones resulting from the actual presence of Americans (e.g., Japan or Europe after World War II), in most cases it is a domestic, local desire, led by interest groups and public sectors, to imitate and adjust to American models.4 In the Israeli context, for many years the influence of the United States was felt in the unique strategic ties and the political and economic support that resulted in the more than half serious notion that Israel was America's
Differential effects of organic nitrates on arterial diameter among healthy Japanese participants with different mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 genotypes: randomised crossover trial

Objectives To determine whether polymorphisms at codon 487 (*1, GAA=Glu; *2, AAA=Lys) of mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) influence nitroglycerine (glyceryl trinitrate (GTN))-induced vasodilation, and whether GTN or isosorbide dinitrate (ISDN) is a more effective antianginal agent in each ALDH2 genotype. Design A randomised, open-label, crossover trial with 117 healthy Japanese (20–39 years) whose genotypes were determined (*1/*1, n=47; *1/*2, n=48; *2/*2, n=22) was performed at Kyushu University Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan. Participants were randomly assigned to treatment: sublingual spray of GTN (0.3 mg) or ISDN (1.25 mg). After ≥1 week, measurements were repeated using the other drug. The main outcome measures were the maximal rate of increase in the brachial artery diameter determined by ultrasonography, the time required to attain maximal dilation (Tmax) and the time required to attain 90% maximal dilation (T0.9). Results The maximal artery diameter increase in response to GTN or ISDN did not differ among genotypes. However, GTN Tmax was significantly longer for *2/*2 (299.7 s, 269.0–330.4) than *1/*1 (254.7 s, 238.6–273.4; p=0.0190). GTN T0.9 was significantly longer in the *1/*2 (206.1 s, 191.7–219.3) and *2/*2 (231.4 s, 211.8–251.0) genotypes than *1/*1 (174.9 s, 161.5–188.3; p=0.0068, p<0.0001, respectively). In contrast, the time-course of ISDN-induced vasodilation did not differ among genotypes. GTN Tmax and T0.9 among *1 allele carriers (*1/*1 and *1/*2) were significantly shorter than those of ISDN, whereas the time course of GTN and ISDN vasodilation did not differ among participants carrying *2/*2. Conclusions The amplitude of GTN-induced vasodilation was not influenced by the ALDH2 genotype, but the response was significantly delayed in *2 allele carriers, especially *2/*2. GTN dilated the artery more quickly than ISDN in *1/*1 and *1/*2, but not in *2/*2. Trial registration number UMIN000001492 (UMIN-CTR database).
An empirical test of the information-motivation-behavioral skills model of ART adherence in a sample of HIV-positive persons primarily in out-of-HIV-care settings

The current body of evidence supporting the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills (IMB) model of antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence rests exclusively on data collected from people living with HIV (PLWH) at point-of-HIV-care services. The aims of this study were to: (1) determine if the IMB model is a useful predictive model of ART adherence among PLWH who were primarily recruited in out-of-HIV-care settings; and (2) assess whether the theorized associations between IMB model constructs and adherence persist in the presence of depression and current drug use. PLWH (n = 312) responding to a one-time online survey completed the Life Windows IMB-ART-Adherence Questionnaire, and demographic, depression (CES-D 10), and drug use items. Path models were used to assess the fit of a saturated versus fully mediated IMB model of adherence and examined for moderating effects of depression and current drug use. Participants were on average 43 years of age, had been living with HIV for 9 or more years, and mostly male (84.0%), Caucasian (68.8%), and gay-identified (74.8%). The a priori measurement models for information and behavioral skills did not have acceptable fit to the data and were modified accordingly. Using the revised IMB scales, IMB constructs were associated with adherence as predicted by the theory in all but one model (i.e., the IMB model operated as predicted among nondrug users and those with and without depression). Among drug users, information exerted a direct effect on adherence but was not significantly associated with behavioral skills. Results of this study suggest that the fully or partially mediated IMB model is supported for use with samples of PLWH recruited primarily out-of-HIV-care service settings and is robust in the presence of depression and drug use.
Intergenerational programming of impaired nephrogenesis and hypertension in rats following maternal protein restriction during pregnancy

Associations between birth weight and CVD in adult life are supported by experiments showing that undernutrition in fetal life programmes blood pressure. In rats, the feeding of a maternal low-protein (MLP) diet during gestation programmes hypertension. The present study aimed to assess the potential for a nutritional insult to impact across several generations. Pregnant female Wistar (F0) rats were fed a control (CON; n 10) or MLP (n 10) diet throughout gestation. At delivery all animals were fed a standard laboratory chow diet. At 10 weeks of age, F1 generation offspring were mated to produce a second generation (F2) without any further dietary change. The same procedure produced an F3 generation. Blood pressure in all generations was determined at 4, 6 and 8 weeks of age and nephron number was determined at 10 weeks of age. F1 generation MLP-exposed offspring exhibited raised (P < 0·001) systolic blood pressure (male 143 (sem 4) mmHg; female 141 (sem 4) mmHg) compared with CON animals (male 132 (sem 3) mmHg; female 134 (sem 4) mmHg). Raised blood pressure and reduced nephron number was also noted in the F2 generation (P < 0·001) and this intergenerational transmission occurred via both the maternal and paternal lines, as all three possible offspring crosses (MLP × CON, CON × MLP and MLP × MLP) were hypertensive (132 (sem 3) mmHg) compared with CON animals (CON × CON; 123 (sem 2) mmHg). No effect was noted in the F3 generation. It is concluded that fetal protein restriction may play a critical role in determining blood pressure and overall disease risk in a subsequent generation.
Leptin, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF), and CD14 in ovine adipose tissue and changes in circulating TNF in lean and fat sheep.

Four studies were designed to determine whether 1) tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) and the Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) binding ligand, CD14, are produced by sheep adipose tissue; 2) nutritional reserves and/or short-term fasting affect circulating concentrations of TNF; 3) there is a relationship between TNF and metabolic factors in sheep; and 4) inflammation alters circulating concentrations of leptin. In Exp. 1 and 2, ewes were assigned, based on ultrasonic assessments of last-rib subcutaneous fat measurements to fat (fat thickness > 1 cm; mean = 1.52 +/- 0.03 cm) or thin (fat thickness < 1 cm; mean = 0.25 +/- 0.03 cm) groups. Fat and thin ewes were assigned to fed or fasted groups for a total of four groups (fed-fat; fasted-fat; fed-thin; fasted-thin). Fed-ewes had ad libitum access to feed, and fasted-ewes were prohibited feed 48 h before initiation of sample collection. In Exp. 1, subcutaneous fat samples were collected from just above the last rib for detection of TNF and CD14 mRNA, and immunoreactivity. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha-like immunoreactivity in adipocytes was sparse, more pronounced in cells in fed-ewes than fasted-ewes, and localized to membranes between adjacent cells in nucleated regions. Immunoreactivity for CD14 was minimally observed but present in adipocytes and widely expressed in infiltrating monocytes and epithelial vascular cells. Leptin was detected in adipocytes. In Exp. 2, plasma samples collected every 6 h for 24 h were analyzed for plasma concentrations of TNF. Fat ewes had greater plasma concentrations of TNF than thin ewes (P = 0.039). In Exp. 3, wethers were injected i.v. with interleukin-1beta or TNF. Blood samples were collected every 15 min for 8 h following injection. Plasma concentration of leptin was not affected by treatment (P > 0.39). In Exp. 4, wethers were injected with LPS. Blood samples were collected every 15 min for 8 h following injection. Plasma concentration of leptin was not altered by LPS (P > 0.20). These results provide evidence: 1) of TNF-like immunoreactivity within fat tissue; 2) that elements within fatty tissues have CD14 that may allow adipocyte function to be directly affected by LPS; 3) that plasma concentrations of leptin are not altered by LPS treatment; and 4) that circulating concentrations of TNF are elevated with obesity in sheep.
Effects of Fluency Training on Second Graders' Reading Comprehension

Abstract For years researchers have posited a strong relationship between developing students' reading fluency and concurrent improvements in reading comprehension. Although moderate-to-strong correlations between developing reading fluency and improved reading comprehension have recently been reported, no study has shown that direct training of students' reading fluency would result in improved reading comprehension ability. This study assessed the effects of developing second-grade students' oral reading fluency using the oral recitation lesson (ORL) and the effects that fluency training may have upon students' resulting reading comprehension. Subjects were randomly assigned to treatment groups, and instructional treatments were used for a full semester. At the conclusion of the study, second-grade subjects' fluency and comprehension in the ORL group and the round robin (RR) reading control group were compared. Results showed statistically different levels of fluency as measured by errors per minute (EP.
A constant error in psychological ratings.

In a study made in 1915 of employees of two large industrial corporations, it appeared that the estimates of the same man in a number of different traits such as intelligence, industry, technical skill, reliability, etc., etc, were very highly correlated and very evenly correlated. It consequently appeared probable that those giving the ratings were unable to analyze out these different aspects of the person's nature and achievement and rate each in independence of the others Their ratings were apparently affected by a marked tendency to think of the person in general as rather good or rather inferior and to color the judgments of the qualities by this general feeling This same constant error toward suffusing ratings of special features with a halo belonging to the individual a's a whole appeared in the ratings of officers made by their superiors in the army. The official rating plan devised by Walter Dill Scott called for separate ratings for Physical Qualities, Intelligence, Leadership and Personal Qualities (i. e. Character) The instructions very emphatically required each of these four to be estimated independently of the others, as appears from the directions quoted below. Yet the correlations of the Intelligence rating with the ratings for Physique, Leadership and Character made by a very conscientious officer in the case of 137 aviation cadets whose work he, as flight commander, supervised, were . 51, . 58 and . 64 respectively. These are all higher than reality, plus the attenuation due to erroneous judgments, could well give, especially within the restricted range of the commissioned-officer group. They are also too much alike. In reality Intelligence and Character or Intelligence and Leadership should give about three times as close a correlation as Intelligence and Physique
Conceptual Tutoring Software for Promoting Deep Learning: A Case Study

The paper presents a case study of the use of conceptual tutoring software to promote deep learning of the scientific concept of density among 50 final year pre-service student teachers in a natural sciences course in a South African university. Individually-paced electronic tutoring is potentially an effective way of meeting the students' varied learning needs within the limited time available for content teaching in the pedagogically focused course. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected in the forms of engagement patterns, surveys, focus-group discussions, and pre- and post- test scores. These were used to formulate a rich description in answer to the questions "Is deep learning evident when student teachers engage with a module on density using conceptual tutoring software? ," and "What design features of this module are effective in promoting deep learning? " The findings suggest that conceptual tutoring software can be effective in promoting deep learning among student teachers. The sub-step design, branched structure, and conceptual approaches used in the tutoring design, and the inclusion of a written task and a test, were found to be effective in promoting deep learning.
Earliest Radiometrically Dated Artifacts from Southeast Asia

Un gisement de la province de Lampang en Thailande, Ban Mae Tha, a fourni des eclats travailles dates du Pleistocene moyen (0,8 et 0,6 millions d'annees) par le Potassium-Argon et le paleomagnetisme. D'autres artefacts decouverts a l'abri de Kao Pah Nam attestent egalement une occupation pre-hoabinhienne
More than a ‘humpty dumpty’ term: Strengthening the conceptualization of soft skills

There is an ongoing sociological debate regarding which work activities can be considered ‘skilled’. In recent years, this debate has become increasingly controversial due to the growing prominence of so-called ‘soft skills’, especially when used in interactive service work. This article seeks to strengthen the conceptualization of soft skills, through case study investigation, to determine whether or not they are worthy of the ‘skilled’ label. An expanded notion of skill is supported, recognizing that in service contexts displaying employer-facilitated worker discretion and requirements for contextual knowledge in the use of soft skills, the term can indeed have real meaning.
Cross-Racial Comparison of the WAIS and WAIS-R

This research involved a cross-racial comparison of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) with the revised version, the WAIS-R. Three groups of 25 Anglo, 25 Black, and 25 Mexican-American male college students were administered both versions of the WAIS on the same day, using a procedure that precluded the repetition of identical test items. The data were subjected to multivariate, then univariate, analyses of variance and correlational analysis. Significant differences were found among the racial groups, with the Anglos scoring higher than the Blacks or Mexican-Americans. The WAIS and WAIS-R scores were all highly correlated but the WAIS-R produced significantly lower scores than the WAIS for all three groups. Despite significant differences for ethnicity and test form, no significant interaction (form X race) was found, confirming that the WAIS/WAIS-R differences were consistent across racial groups. Results are discussed in terms of sociocultural and bilingual factors affecting test bias.