Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Developmental grey matter changes in superior parietal cortex accompany improved transitive reasoning

Abstract The neural basis of developmental changes in transitive reasoning in parietal regions was examined, using voxel-based morphometry. Young adolescents and adults performed a transitive reasoning task, subsequent to undergoing anatomical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain scans. Behaviorally, adults reasoned more accurately than did the young adolescents. Neural results showed (i) less grey matter density in superior parietal cortex in the adults than in the young adolescents, possibly due to a developmental period of synaptic pruning; (ii) improved performance in the reasoning task was negatively correlated with grey matter density in superior parietal cortex in the adolescents, but not in the adult group; and (iii) the latter results were driven by the more difficult trials, requiring greater spatial manipulation. Taken together, the results support the idea that during development, regions in superior parietal cortex are fine-tuned, to support more robust spatial manipulation, resulting in greater accuracy and efficiency in transitive reasoning.
Alteration in Superoxide Dismutase 1 Causes Oxidative Stress and p38 MAPK Activation Following RVFV Infection

Rift Valley fever (RVF) is a zoonotic disease caused by Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV). RVFV is a category A pathogen that belongs to the genus Phlebovirus, family Bunyaviridae. Understanding early host events to an infectious exposure to RVFV will be of significant use in the development of effective therapeutics that not only control pathogen multiplication, but also contribute to cell survival. In this study, we have carried out infections of human cells with a vaccine strain (MP12) and virulent strain (ZH501) of RVFV and determined host responses to viral infection. We demonstrate that the cellular antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) displays altered abundances at early time points following exposure to the virus. We show that the enzyme is down regulated in cases of both a virulent (ZH501) and a vaccine strain (MP12) exposure. Our data demonstrates that the down regulation of SOD1 is likely to be due to post transcriptional processes and may be related to up regulation of TNFα following infection. We also provide evidence for extensive oxidative stress in the MP12 infected cells. Concomitantly, there is an increase in the activation of the p38 MAPK stress response, which our earlier published study demonstrated to be an essential cell survival strategy. Our data suggests that the viral anti-apoptotic protein NSm may play a role in the regulation of the cellular p38 MAPK response. Alterations in the host protein SOD1 following RVFV infection appears to be an early event that occurs in multiple cell types. Activation of the cellular stress response p38 MAPK pathway can be observed in all cell types tested. Our data implies that maintaining oxidative homeostasis in the infected cells may play an important role in improving survival of infected cells.
Impact of manganese on primary hippocampal neurons from rodents

Manganese‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MEMRI) is a powerful tool for in vivo tract tracing or functional imaging of the central nervous system. However Mn2+ may be toxic at high levels. In this study, we addressed the impact of Mn2+ on mouse hippocampal neurons (HN) and neuron‐like N2a cells in culture, using several approaches. Both HN and N2a cells not exposed to exogenous MnCl2 were shown by synchrotron X‐ray fluorescence to contain 5 mg/g Mn. Concentrations of Mn2+ leading to 50% lethality (LC50) after 24 h of incubation were much higher for N2a cells (863 mM) than for HN (90 mM). The distribution of Mn2+ in both cell types exposed to Mn2+ concentrations below LC50 was perinuclear whereas that in cells exposed to concentrations above LC50 was more diffuse, suggesting an overloading of cell storage/detoxification capacity. In addition, Mn2+ had a cell‐type and dose‐dependent impact on the total amount of intracellular P, Ca, Fe and Zn measured by synchrotron X‐ray fluorescence. For HN neurons, immunofluorescence studies revealed that concentrations of Mn2+ below LC50 shortened neuritic length and decreased mitochondria velocity after 24 h of incubation. Similar concentrations of Mn2+ also facilitated the opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore in isolated mitochondria from rat brains. The sensitivity of primary HN to Mn2+ demonstrated here supports their use as a relevant model to study Mn2+‐induced neurotoxicity. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Continuous Transversus Abdominis Plane (TAP) Block and Intraoperative Coeliac Plexus Block (CPB) for Post-Operative Analgesia Following Laparotomy: Two Case Reports

Continuous Transversus Abdominis Plane (TAP) Block and Intraoperative Coeliac Plexus Block (CPB) for Post-Operative Analgesia Following Laparotomy: Two Case Reports Vasanth Rao Kadam, and George Kiroff Clinical Senior Lecturer, The University of Adelaide, Acute Care Medicine, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, 28 Woodville Road, Woodville, SA, 5011. Australia Division of Surgery, Hepatobiliary Unit, Associate Professor, The University of Adelaide, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, 28 Woodville Road, Woodville, SA, 5011. Australia Corresponding author: Vasanth Rao Kadam, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, 28 Woodville Road, Woodville, SA, 5011. Australia. Tel: +61-882226000, Fax: +61-882227065, E-mail: Vasanth.rao@health.sa. gov.au
A leadership discussion with Dr. Bernard Bass.

Sport management scholars and practitioners alike hold tremendous interest in the area of leadership. Recent developments in the area, particularly regarding transformational leadership, offer great promise to both groups. This article contains a discussion with internationally famous leadership scholar Dr. Bernard Bass about the current thinking and future direction for leadership theory development. A summary of that discussion is presented along with implications for sport management scholars and practitioners.
How to Find New Characteristic-Dependent Linear Rank Inequalities using Binary Matrices as a Guide

In Linear Algebra over finite fields, a characteristic-dependent linear rank inequality is a linear inequality that holds by ranks of subspaces of a vector space over a finite field of determined characteristic, and does not in general hold over other characteristics. In this paper, we show a method to produce these inequalities using binary matrices with suitable ranks over different fields. In particular, for each $n\geq7$, we produce $2\left\lfloor \frac{n-1}{2}\right\rfloor -4$ characteristic-dependent linear rank inequalities over $n$ variables. Many of the inequalities obtained are new but some of them imply the inequalities presented in [1,9].
Half-Iris Feature Extraction and Recognition Using a New Class of Biorthogonal Triplet Half-Band Filter Bank and Flexible k-out-of-n:A Postclassifier

Abstract-This paper presents a shift, scale, and rotation-in- variant technique for iris feature-representation and fused postclassification at the decision-level to improve the accuracy and speed of the iris-recognition system. Most of the iris-recognition systems are still incapable for providing low false rejections due to a wide variety of artifacts and are computationally inefficient. In order to address these problems, effective and computationally efficient iris features are extracted based on a new class of triplet half-band filter bank (THFB). First, a new class of THFB is designed by using generalized half-band polynomial suitable for iris feature extraction. This THFB satisfies perfect reconstruction (PR) and provides linear phase, regularity, better frequency-selectivity, near-orthogonality, and good time-frequency localization. The uses of these properties are investigated to approximate iris features significantly. Second, a novel flexible k-out-of-n.A (Accept) postclassifier (any k-out-of-n-regions-Accept) is explored to achieve the robustness against possible intraclass iris variations. The proposed approach (THFB+ k-out-of-n.A) is capable of handling various artifacts, particularly segmentation error, eyelid/eyelashes occlusion, shadow of eyelids, head-tilt, and specular reflections during iris verification. Experimental results using UBIRIS, MMU1, CASIA-IrisV3, and IITD databases show the superiority of the proposed approach with some of the existing popular iris-recognition algorithms.
A prevalence study of children with imprisoned fathers: annual and lifetime estimates

In Australia, data are not routinely collected on the parental status of prisoners, so there are no official nationwide figures and few State‑based figures. The current study uses data collected in Queensland over a six‑month period to estimate how many Queensland children, in one year and in their entire childhood, experience paternal imprisonment. Additional data were collected relating to the provision of care for the child prior to, and during, their father's imprisonment. Participants were 303 imprisoned fathers (51 per cent of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander origin) who reported a total of 753 children. Using these data and population statistics, it was estimated that 0.8 per cent of children in Queensland experienced paternal imprisonment in one year while approximately four per cent experience paternal imprisonment in their lifetime. Indigenous children were nine times more likely to experience paternal imprisonment in one year and four times more likely to experience paternal imprisonment in their lifetime compared to non‑Indigenous children. Approximately half of the children (48 per cent) lived with their father prior to his imprisonment. Results are discussed in relation to whether children were living with their father as well as the possibility of pre-existing risks in children's lives that may subsequently interact with their father's imprisonment.
Polarimetric SAR Data in Land Cover Mapping in Boreal Zone

This paper compares ALOS PALSAR fully polarimetric and dual-polarized data in the application area of land cover mapping. To assure versatile comparison of the data, different classification methods and different features of data are used. Two of the classification methods used are based on supervised classification and two on unsupervised classification. Polarimetric data are used in three ways: (1) as fully polarimetric data; (2) features calculated from fully polarimetric data; and (3) intensity data of selected channels. Combinations of six (water, field, sparse forest, dense forest, peat land, and urban areas), five, four, and three classes were used for classification. Fully polarimetric data gave better results (87.5%-84.7% with three classes; open land areas, forest, and water) than intensity data only (83.6%-78.6%), but the differences in the overall accuracies between the methods were not more than 7.6%. Kappa coefficients of agreement are moderate for all the classifications. Supervised classification can be expected to perform better than unsupervised classification, given that the training areas can be selected accurately. Dual polarization data were found to be an attractive alternative in cases where fully polarimetric data are not available or it is of low resolution. With intensities of selected polarimetric features, it was possible to obtain a high classification accuracy as with fully polarimetric data. This also opens possibilities for nonspecialist users to benefit from polarimetric information in classification.
Ad hoc receive sensors aimed at enhancing multistatic radar operation for surveillance of limited critical areas

Possible advances of multistatic radar systems are considered for surveillance of limited and critical areas for homeland protection. New enabling technologies are highlighted by referring to the use of multiparametric multichannel multistatic radar receivers densely distributed over the area of interest. In such a framework, specific focus is given to evaluating target visibility as well as to the possible application of an "ad hoc" network (AHN) of smart and adaptive radar-communication antennas.
Northeastern University

Northeastern University's approach to undergraduate education in biomedical engineering is oriented toward complementing our students' strong back ground in both theory and practice in the traditional disciplines of electrical and computer (ECE), mechanical and industrial, and chemical engineering. Our undergraduate program operates around four key elements. Exposure to life science courses such as biology, psychology, and chemistry provides an appropriate foundation for real-world application of biomedical engineering.
Seasonal Patterns of Stress, Disease, and Sickness Responses

The combined challenge of low food availability and low temperatures can make winter difficult for survival, and nearly impossible for breeding. Traditionally, studies of seasonality have focused on reproductive adaptations and largely ignored adaptations associated with survival. We propose shifting the focus from reproduction to immune function, a proxy for survival, and hypothesize that evolved physiological and behavioral mechanisms enable individuals to anticipate recurrent seasonal stressors and enhance immune function in advance of their occurrence. These seasonal adaptations, which have an important influence on seasonal patterns of survival, are reviewed here. We then discuss studies suggesting that photoperiod (day length) and photoperiod-dependent melatonin secretion influence immune function. Our working hypothesis is that short day lengths reroute energy from reproduction and growth to bolster immune function during winter. The net effect of these photoperiod-mediated adjustments is enhanced immune function and increased survival.
Starburst and post-starburst high-redshift protogalaxies

Quenching of star-formation has been identified in many starburst and post-starburst galaxies, indicating burst-like star-formation histories (SFH) in the primordial Universe. Galaxies undergoing violent episodes of star-formation are expected to be rich in high energy cosmic rays (CRs). We have investigated the role of these CRs in such environments, particularly how they could contribute to this burst-like SFH via quenching and feedback. These high energy particles interact with the baryon and radiation fields of their host via hadronic processes to produce secondary leptons. The secondary particles then also interact with ambient radiation fields to generate X-rays through inverse-Compton scattering. In addition, they can thermalise directly with the semi-ionised medium via Coulomb processes. Heating at a rate of ∼10−25 erg cm−3 s−1can be attained by Coulomb processes in a star-forming galaxy with one core-collapse SN event per decade, and this is sufficient to cause quenching of star-formation. At high-redshift, a substantial amount of CR secondary electron energy can be diverted into inverse-Compton X-ray emission. This yields an X-ray luminosity of above 1041 erg s−1by redshiftz = 7 which drives a further heating effect, operating over larger scales. This would be able to halt inflowing cold gas filaments, strangulating subsequent star-formation. We selected a sample of 16 starburst and post-starburst galaxies at 7 ≲ z ≲ 9 and determine the star-formation rates they could have sustained. We applied a model with CR injection, propagation and heating to calculate energy deposition rates in these 16 sources. Our calculations show that CR feedback cannot be neglected as it has the strength to suppress star-formation in these systems. We also show that their currently observed quiescence is consistent with the suffocation of cold inflows, probably by a combination of X-ray and CR heating.
Issues in Establishing Climate Sensitivity in Recent Studies

Numerous attempts have been made to constrain climate sensitivity with observations [1-10] (with [6] as LC09, [8] as SB11). While all of these attempts contain various caveats and sources of uncertainty, some efforts have been shown to contain major errors and are demonstrably incorrect. For example, multiple studies [11-13] separately addressed weaknesses in LC09 [6]. The work of Trenberth
Carboxyl-Terminal Splicing Enhances Physical Interactions between the Cytoplasmic Tails of Purinergic P2X Receptors

Purinergic P2X receptors are ion-conducting channels composed of three subunits, each having two transmembrane domains and intracellular amino (N) and carboxyl (C) termini. Although alternative splicing extensively modifies the C-terminal sequences of P2X subunits, the direct influence of such post-transcriptional modifications on receptor architecture and function remains poorly understood. In this study, we focused on mouse pituitary P2X2 receptors. In this tissue, progressive splicing of the P2X2a C terminus generated two functional subunit variants, P2X2b and P2X2e, which exhibited accelerated desensitization rates and attenuated calcium signals when the receptors were in homomeric states. To measure the intersubunit interaction in living cells, the efficient transfer of bioluminescent resonance energy between luciferase and fluorescent proteins attached to the N- or C-subunit termini of these subunits was used. The constitutive interactions between the full-length C termini of P2X2a receptor were detected by a significant increase in fluorescence/luminescence intensity ratio compared with negative controls. Moreover, interactions between C termini and between C- and N termini of adjacent subunits were significantly enhanced in homomeric and heteromeric receptors containing P2X2b or P2X2e subunits. Finally, deletion of two amino acids at the splicing junction, but not at the C-terminal end of the P2X2b receptor, resulted in the enhancement of channel desensitization and luminescence resonance energy transfer. These results indicate that C-terminal structure plays a critical role in the cytoplasmic intersubunit interactions and suggest that the extent of subunit interactions before ATP application could contribute to the subsequent channel activity and conformation changes associated with agonist-dependent desensitization.
A Comparison of a Gifted Education Program among Eighth Grade Gifted Students at a Georgia Junior High School.

Jerry Clark Harden. A COMPARISON OF A GIFTED EDUCATION PROGRAM AMONG EIGHTH GRADE GIFTED STUDENTS AT A GEORGIA JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL. (under the direction of Dr. Kathie Morgan) School of Education, Liberty University, March, 2012. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships that may exist among mean scores on the math and reading portions of the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) of eighth grade gifted students of different gender, race, and socioeconomic status. Significant changes have been made to Georgia’s gifted identification procedures over the last few decades to lessen the underrepresentation of minorities and students of low socioeconomic status. However, issues still exist in the referral process, the identification process, and the performance of gifted students. Although the referral process and identification procedures have been and continue to be researched, questions related to the differences in academic performance of gifted students have not been adequately examined. Is there a difference in the mean ITBS scores of gifted students based on the identification method used? What differences in mean ITBS scores exist among gifted students of different gender, race, and socioeconomic status? This study used a casual comparative design to examine a gifted program at a junior high school located in Georgia and answer the research questions mentioned above. Statistical analysis was conducted using measures of central tendency and two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) procedures. Descriptors: Gifted Education, Psychometric Approach, Multiple Criteria Approach, Gender, Race, Socioeconomic Status.
Blood pressure screening during the May Measurement Month 2017 programme in Vietnam—South-East Asia and Australasia

Abstract Elevated blood pressure (BP) is a growing burden worldwide, leading to over 10 million deaths each year. May Measurement Month (MMM) is a global initiative aimed at raising awareness of high BP and to act as a temporary solution to the lack of screening programmes worldwide. Our aim was to screen for hypertension (HTN) and cardiovascular risk factors in people aged ≥18 years in the community, thereby define the proportion of subjects with elevated BP and assess the awareness and the effectiveness of its treatment. An opportunistic cross-sectional survey of volunteers aged ≥18 years was carried out in May 2017. Blood pressure measurement, the definition of HTN and statistical analysis followed the standard MMM protocol. From May 2017 to June 2017, through 10 cities/provinces in Vietnam, 10 993 individuals with mean age 49.1 ± 16.2 years were screened during MMM17. After multiple imputation, 3154 (28.7%) had HTN. Of individuals not receiving antihypertensive medication, 1509 (16.1%) were hypertensive. Of individuals receiving antihypertensive medication, 620 (37.7%) had uncontrolled BP. Raised BP was also associated with additional risk factors including smoking, alcohol, overweight-obesity, and diabetes. May Measurement Month 17 was the largest BP screening campaign ever undertaken in Vietnam. Undiagnosed and uncontrolled HTN in Vietnam remains a substantial health problem. Local campaigns applying standardized methods such as MMM17, will be highly useful to screen for the significant number of individuals with raised BP and increase the awareness of HTN.
Allelic Combinations of Soybean Maturity Loci E1, E2, E3 and E4 Result in Diversity of Maturity and Adaptation to Different Latitudes

Soybean cultivars are extremely diverse in time to flowering and maturation as a result of various photoperiod sensitivities. The underlying molecular genetic mechanism is not fully clear, however, four maturity loci E1, E2, E3 and E4 have been molecularly identified. In this report, cultivars were selected with various photoperiod sensitivities from different ecological zones, which covered almost all maturity groups (MG) from MG 000 to MG VIII and MG X adapted from latitude N 18° to N 53°. They were planted in the field under natural daylength condition (ND) in Beijing, China or in pots under different photoperiod treatments. Maturity-related traits were then investigated. The four E maturity loci were genotyped at the molecular level. Our results suggested that these four E genes have different impacts on maturity and their allelic variations and combinations determine the diversification of soybean maturity and adaptation to different latitudes. The genetic mechanisms underlying photoperiod sensitivity and adaptation in wild soybean seemed unique from those in cultivated soybean. The allelic combinations and functional molecular markers for the four E loci will significantly assist molecular breeding towards high productivity.
Generic Statements Require Little Evidence for Acceptance but Have Powerful Implications

Generic statements (e.g., "Birds lay eggs") express generalizations about categories. In this paper, we hypothesized that there is a paradoxical asymmetry at the core of generic meaning, such that these sentences have extremely strong implications but require little evidence to be judged true. Four experiments confirmed the hypothesized asymmetry: Participants interpreted novel generics such as "Lorches have purple feathers" as referring to nearly all lorches, but they judged the same novel generics to be true given a wide range of prevalence levels (e.g., even when only 10% or 30% of lorches had purple feathers). A second hypothesis, also confirmed by the results, was that novel generic sentences about dangerous or distinctive properties would be more acceptable than generic sentences that were similar but did not have these connotations. In addition to clarifying important aspects of generics' meaning, these findings are applicable to a range of real-world processes such as stereotyping and political discourse.