Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cosmic colored black holes.

We present spherically symmetric static solutions (a particlelike solution and a black-hole solution) of the Einstein-Yang-Mills system with a cosmological constant. Although their gravitational structures are locally similar to those of the Bartnik-McKinnon particles or the colored black holes, the asymptotic behavior becomes quite different because of the existence of a cosmological horizon. We also discuss their stability by means of a catastrophe theory as well as a linear perturbation analysis and find the number of unstable modes.
Predictors of Perceived Support Quality in Visually Impaired Elders

Although there is a strong empirical link between support quality and health in later life, research on the predictors of support quality is lacking. Significant predictors of components of kin and non-kin perceived support quality were identified and compared in 241 visually impaired elders reporting on their closest friend and closest family member. Results revealed differ ential patterns of predictors for family and friend support components. Having a spouse as closest family member was associated with higher perceived affective and instrumental family support. Significant interactions for family relationship type and sex showed that for males, but not females, having a spouse as closest family member was associated with lower perceived affective and informational friendship support. Participant age was positively associated with instrumental family support, but negatively associated with instrumental and affective friendship sup port. Overall, functional disability had a negative association with support quality. Strategies for increasing support quality are discussed.
Erythropoietin mRNA expression in human fetal and neonatal tissue.

Based on animal experiments, a switch of the erythropoietin (EPO) production site from the liver in the fetus to the kidneys in the adult has been postulated. To study the switch in humans, we have quantitated EPO mRNA expression in liver, kidney, spleen, and bone marrow of human fetuses and neonates by means of a competitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Tissue samples from 66 routine postmortem examinations were obtained. EPO mRNA was expressed in 97% of the tissue specimen derived from the liver (n = 66) and in 93% of those from the kidneys (17 weeks of gestation until 18 months after birth; n = 59). For the first time the EPO gene was found expressed in vivo in human spleen (96% of 64 samples) and in fetal and neonatal bone marrow (81% of 21 samples). EPO mRNA expression in the kidneys increased significantly beyond 30 weeks of gestation (P < .05). Although there was a slight decrease in EPO mRNA content per g liver tissue towards birth, the liver accounted for about 80% of the total body EPO mRNA. The contribution of the spleen and bone marrow were minor compared with liver and kidneys. Our results indicate that in humans the liver is the primary site of EPO gene expression not only in fetal, but also in neonatal life. A significant increase of renal EPO mRNA expression after 30 weeks of gestation might indicate the beginning switch.
Individualism and Good Works

Building on previous research by Allik and Realo and Conway, Ryder, Tweed, and Sokol, the present study investigates whether cultural individualism is related to greater levels of prosocial behavior toward strangers. Focusing on regional variations within the United States, the authors found individualism to be positively related to charitable giving and volunteerism such that both were more likely to occur in more individualist states. Differentiating between different types of charitable causes, the authors found that cultural individualism was primarily related to giving to and volunteering for causes that were compatible with core individualist values, whereas no such relationship was found for religious causes and nonreligious cause that did not incorporate values of individualism.
Steroid for epidural injection in spinal stenosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Purpose To investigate the effectiveness and safety of epidural steroid injections in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). Methods We performed a search on the CENTRAL, Pubmed, Embase and Cochrane databases up to September 2014. We recovered 17 original articles, of which only 10 were in full compliance with the randomized controlled trial (RCT) criteria. These articles were reviewed in an independent and blinded way by two reviewers who were previously trained to extract data and score their quality by the criteria of the Cochrane Handbook (5.1.0). Results We accepted ten studies with 1,010 participants. There is minimal evidence that shows that epidural steroid injections are better than lidocaine alone, regardless of the mode of epidural injection. There is a fair short-term and long-term benefit for treating spinal stenosis with local anesthetic and steroids. Conclusions This meta-analysis suggests that epidural steroid injections provide limited improvement in short-term and long-term benefits in LSS patients.
The Lives of Erich Fromm: Love's Prophet

Aragno A (1997). Symbolization: Proposing a developmental paradigm for a new psychoanalytic theory of mind. Madison, CT: International UP. Aragno A (2008). Forms of knowledge: A psychoanalytic study of human communication. Baltimore, MD: PublishAmerica. Aragno A (2009). Meaning’s vessel: A metapsychological understanding of metaphor. Psychoanal Inq 29:30–47. Aragno A (2013). The stuff of dreams: A psychoanalytic exploration of the bio-semiotic origins of mind. Int J Humanities Ann Rev 11:13–34. Lakoff G, Johnson M (1980). Metaphors we live by. Chicago, IL: U Chicago Press. Stone L (1961). The psychoanalytic situation: An examination of its development and essential nature. New York, NY: International UP.
THE JOB SATISFACTION AND/OR PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL BEING OF YOUNG ADULTS WITH AN INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY AND NONDISABLED YOUNG ADULTS IN EITHER SHELTERED EMPLOYMENT, COMPETITIVE EMPLOYMENT OR UNEMPLOYMENT

The job satisfaction and/or psychological well being of young adults with an intellectual disability who were either competitively employed, employed in a sheltered workshop or unemployed were examined and compared with the job satisfaction and/or psychological well being of nondisabled young adults who were competitively employed or unemployed.Administration of a questionnaire to these young adults found that: (a)For both those with an intellectual disability and the nondisabled, competitive employment was a more positive alternative than unemployment in terms of psychological well being. (b)Those with an intellectual disability generally had lower psychological well being in comparison to the nondisabled regardless of whether they were employed or unemployed. (c)For those with an intellectual disability, competitive employment was a more positive alternative to sheltered employment in terms of job satisfaction but not in terms of psychological well being. (d)For those with an intellectual disability, self .
National Assessment of New Standards for Mathematics in Elementary Education in Flanders

A baseline assessment of the new curriculum standards of mathematics for elementary education in Flanders is presented and discussed. A total of 24 measurement scales, each representing a cluster of standards, covered the whole mathematics curriculum. A total of 5,763 6th-grade students participated in the study. Performance on each scale was summarized by estimating the proportion of students who were nonmasters, intermediate, and good masters. Overall, the more innovative curriculum standards were mastered worse. Few gender differences in performance were observed.
Rate Models for Conductance-Based Cortical Neuronal Networks

Population rate models provide powerful tools for investigating the principles that underlie the cooperative function of large neuronal systems. However, biophysical interpretations of these models have been ambiguous. Hence, their applicability to real neuronal systems and their experimental validation have been severely limited. In this work, we show that conductance-based models of large cortical neuronal networks can be described by simplified rate models, provided that the network state does not possess a high degree of synchrony. We first derive a precise mapping between the parameters of the rate equations and those of the conductance-based network models for time-independent inputs. This mapping is based on the assumption that the effect of increasing the cell's input conductance on its f-I curve is mainly subtractive. This assumption is confirmed by a single compartment Hodgkin-Huxley type model with a transient potassium A-current. This approach is applied to the study of a network model of a hypercolumn in primary visual cortex. We also explore extensions of the rate model to the dynamic domain by studying the firing-rate response of our conductance-based neuron to time-dependent noisy inputs. We show that the dynamics of this response can be approximated by a time-dependent second-order differential equation. This phenomenological single-cell rate model is used to calculate the response of a conductance-based network to time-dependent inputs.
Contribution of the hepatic lipase gene to the atherogenic lipoprotein phenotype in familial combined hyperlipidemia.

Familial combined hyperlipidemia (FCH) is a common genetic lipid disorder with a frequency of 1-2% in the population. In addition to the hypercholesterolemia and/or hypertriglyceridemia that affected individuals exhibit, small, dense LDL particles and decreased HDL-cholesterol levels are traits frequently associated with FCH. Recently, we reported that families with FCH and families enriched for coronary artery disease (CAD) share genetic determinants for the atherogenic lipoprotein phenotype (ALP), a profile presenting with small, dense LDL particles, decreased HDL-cholesterol levels, and increased triglyceride levels. Other studies in normolipidemic populations have shown that the hepatic lipase (HL) gene is linked to HDL-cholesterol levels and that a polymorphism within the HL promoter (-514C-->T) is associated with increased HDL-cholesterol levels as well as larger, more buoyant LDL particles. In the present study, we tested whether the HL gene locus also contributes to ALP in a series of Dutch FCH families using nonparametric sibpair linkage analysis and association analysis. Evidence for linkage of LDL particle size (P < 0.019), HDL-cholesterol (P < 0.003), and triglyceride levels (P < 0.026) to the HL gene locus was observed. A genome scan in a subset of these families exhibited evidence for linkage of PPD (LOD = 2.2) and HDL-cholesterol levels (LOD = 1.2) to the HL gene locus as well. The -514C-->T promoter polymorphism was significantly associated (P < 0.0001) with higher HDL-cholesterol levels in the unrelated males of this population, but not in unrelated females. No association was observed between the polymorphism and LDL particle size or triglyceride levels. Our results provide support that ALP is a multigenic trait and suggest that the relationship between small, dense LDL particles, HDL-cholesterol, and triglyceride levels in FCH families is due, in part, to common genetic factors.
U.S. Latinas/os’ Ethnic Identity

Ethnic identity is theoretically linked to the psychological health of U.S. Latinas/os and has played a preeminent role in the limited literature focused on this group. However, research does not uniformly confirm a positive relationship between ethnic identity and psychological health among U.S. Latinas/os. Emerging work suggests that inconsistencies in the existing literature might be better understood if ethnic identity conceptualizations accounted for context and the developmental period under study. It also has been suggested that the narrow collection of methods and analytical tools used in ethnic identity research prevent a complete understanding of this construct. This article introduces the rationale for consideration of context, incorporation of a life span perspective, and expansion of methodological approaches in the study of U.S. Latina/o ethnic identity, describing the manner in which the four empirical studies in this major contribution illustrate these issues. The practice implications of current findings are summarized after offering suggestions for future research.
Performance overview and analysis of compressed sensing approach in medical imaging techniques

In this paper we present a comparison of the two tomography techniques used for medical diagnosis and are growing at a very fast rate namely Compressed Sensing using Transmission Electron Microscopy and X-Ray energy dispersive spectrometry (XED). The discussion is all about their respective uses, advantages over the other, limitations, similarities, and availability and future aspects. As the era of globalization is flourishing, the world is also experiencing curable and non-curable diseases and needs a solution. With a faster growth we need to study the rapid progress of human body systems in order to vanish the root cause. TEM imaging in combination with XEDS mapping using asymmetrically arranged XEDS detector design around the specimen over comes many of the obstacles in 3D chemical imaging of nano materials and successfully elucidating the 3D chemical information in a large field of view of then TEM sample.
An Unconventional Antigen Translated by a Novel Internal Ribosome Entry Site Elicits Antitumor Humoral Immune Reactions1

Self-tumor Ags that elicit antitumor immune responses in responses to IFN-α stimulation remain poorly defined. We screened a human testis cDNA library with sera from three polycythemia vera patients who responded to IFN-α and identified a novel Ag, MPD6. MPD6 belongs to the group of cryptic Ags without conventional genomic structure and is encoded by a cryptic open reading frame located in the 3′-untranslated region of myotrophin mRNA. MPD6 elicits IgG Ab responses in a subset of polycythemia vera patients, as well as patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia and prostate cancer, suggesting that it is broadly immunogenic. The expression of myotrophin-MPD6 transcripts was up-regulated in some tumor cells, but only slightly increased in K562 cells in response to IFN-α treatment. By using bicistronic reporter constructs, we showed that the translation of MPD6 was mediated by a novel internal ribosome entry site (IRES) upstream of the MPD6 reading frame. Furthermore, the MPD6-IRES-mediated translation, but not myotrophin-MPD6 transcription, was significantly up-regulated in response to IFN-α stimulation. These findings demonstrate that a novel IRES-mediated mechanism may be responsible for the translation of unconventional self-Ag MPD6 in responsive to IFN-α stimulation. The eliciting antitumor immune response against unconventional Ag MPD6 in patients with myeloproliferative diseases suggests MPD6 as a potential target of novel immunotherapy.
Illicit material detection using dual-energy x-ray images

Dual energy X-ray inspection systems are widely used in security and controlling systems. The performance of these systems however, degrades with the poor performance of human operators. Computer vision based systems are of vital importance in improving the detection rate of illicit materials, while keeping false alarms at a reasonably low level. In this study, a novel method is proposed for detecting material overlapping and reconstructing multiple images by alleviating these overlaps. Evaluation tests were conducted on images taken from luggage inspection X-ray screening devices used in shopping centres. The experimental results indicate that the reconstructed images are much easier to inspect by human operators than the unprocessed original images.
Stability and change of lifestyle profiles in cardiovascular patients after their first acute coronary event

Background Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Lifestyle and health behavior changes play an important role in the primary and secondary prevention of ACS recurrence. Changes in unhealthy lifestyles after an acute coronary event have been analyzed by considering separate behaviors individually, even though research on the healthy population has demonstrated that unhealthy behaviors tend to co-occur. Purpose The aim of this study was to identify lifestyle profiles of ACS patients and to explore their pathways of change for one year after their first coronary event by adopting a typological approach. Methods Two hundred and twenty-three patients (84% male; mean age = 57.14) completed self-report measures of health-related behaviors at the beginning of cardiac rehabilitation, and six months and twelve months after. At each wave depression, anxiety and heart rate were also evaluated. Cluster analysis was performed to identify lifestyle profiles and to analyze their change over time. Differences in psychological factors and heart rate among clusters were assessed. Results Patients' diet, physical activity, and smoking behavior greatly improved six months after their first coronary event. No further improvements were detected after one year. At each wave specific lifestyle profiles were identified, ranging from more maladaptive to healthier clusters. Patients with multiple unhealthy behaviors experience greater difficulties in maintaining a healthier lifestyle over time. Moreover, the results demonstrated the association between lifestyle profiles at twelve months after the acute coronary event and depression measured six months earlier. Finally, the most maladaptive lifestyle profile had many members with elevated heart rate at twelve months after the cardiac rehabilitation. Conclusions Current findings may have a strong practical impact in the development and implementation of personalized secondary prevention programs targeting lifestyles of ACS patients.
Large-scale land deals, global capital and the politics of livelihoods: Experiences of women small-holder farmers in Chisumbanje, Zimbabwe

Abstract Large scale land acquisitions by foreign conglomerates in Zimbabwe have been a recurrent phenomenon within the last five years. This has led to land deals being negotiated with state, individual and nongovernmental actors, leading to the production of agro fuels. This article investigates how the large scale commercial land deals have affected the livelihoods of women small holder farmers, the role of global capital in entrenching discrimination of women and how the politics of resource use and distribution has become a central force in shaping livelihoods in Zimbabwe's communal areas. The article is based on field work that was conducted in Ndowoyo communal area, in Chisumbanje village, from July 2011 until April 2012. The methods used for collecting data were in-depth interviews with the women, interviews with officials from the Platform for Youth Development, a nongovernmental organisation, Macdom Pvt Ltd and Ratings Investments, focus group discussions and personal observations that involved interactions with the women. In 2011, Macdom Pvt Ltd and Ratings Investments, both bio fuels companies owned by Billy Rautenbach started green fuel production operations in Chisumbanje and this has led to the altering of the livelihoods systems of women smallholder farmers. The argument seeks, first, to demonstrate how the company‘s green fuel production systems have led to the loss of land for women and the redefinition of tenure in a communal area. Secondly it explores how the company has been involved in political issues that have undermined the role of development for the women and, thirdly, the article investigates how the women have created livelihood alternatives in an area which has been transformed from a communal rural area into almost an urban area. It concludes by suggesting the need to give primacy to women centred notions of agency in coping with the negative implications of commercial land deals on women‘s livelihoods.
Are Three Sputum Acid-Fast Bacillus Smears Necessary for Discontinuing Tuberculosis Isolation?

ABSTRACT To evaluate the efficacy of three sputum acid-fast bacillus (AFB) smears to rule out pulmonary tuberculosis, sputum AFB smear and culture results were analyzed at two university-affiliated teaching hospitals. The negative predictive value of the smear increased by only 0.2% on days 2 and 3 each, indicating that in low-prevalence populations, there is limited value in requiring three negative sputum AFB smears before discontinuing tuberculosis isolation.
Predicting Taiwanese adoption website members intentions regarding on-line dog adoptions

This study conducted an online survey of 292 Taiwanese who were members of animal adoption websites. About one-third of the respondents indicated they had adopted stray dogs while more than half expressed willingness to adopt dogs from public animal shelters. Results showed that respondents’ general intention to adopt dogs was related to their attitude toward general adoption, gender and religion. The respondents’ specific intention to adopt dogs online was influenced by attitude toward online adoption, subjective norm (that is, opinions from friends and relatives regarding online adoption), and perceived behavioural control (that is, perceived personal ability and resources to go through the online adoption process). Based on these findings, this study suggested that adoption websites should promote the idea that adoption is the best arrangement for abandoned dogs and will bring happiness to the adopter. Public shelters, on the other hand, should improve their websites, public relations, and marketing. They should also consider sorting their dogs into “health categories,” so people can easily select the dogs they want. Key words: Theory of planned behaviour, animal adoption websites, adopt dogs.
Becoming a Nonexpert and Other Strategies for Managing Fieldwork Dilemmas in the Criminal Justice System

In this article, the author presents three fieldwork strategies for managing role conflict in criminal justice settings. One of the most critical issues for ethnographers immersed in fieldwork is balancing the tension between the researcher and participant-observation roles. Ethnographers in criminal justice settings as well as other types of street-level bureaucracies are commonly confronted with dilemmas involving physical risk, highly sensitive data, marginalized clientele, and the exploitive use of power and domination by institutional gatekeepers. Researchers venturing into challenging fieldwork settings, such as criminal justice environments, must be highly attuned to the constraints and opportunities for collecting data. The author argues that these strategies can augment ethnographers' “data collection toolkit” to better address fieldwork problems. In addition, deploying these strategies can help to reveal unforeseen findings in the study.
How will Internet Use Affect the Patient? A Review of Computer Network and Closed Internet-based System Studies and the Implications in Understanding How the Use of the Internet Affects Patient Populations

The widespread use of the Internet by patients is transforming the delivery of health information. Little research has been done, however, to assess the relationship between patients' use of online health resources and self efficacy, behavior or health status. To understand these effects and create a national research agenda, professionals should establish theoretically based studies. This article provides an overview of studies using computer networks and Internet-based closed systems in which a specific population has access to online health tools similar to those available on the Internet. These studies provide a microcosm of the effects Internet use may have on a patient's health-related behaviors. Three areas of proposed research will be explored: content research; process research; and outcomes research.