Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Barriers to and Reasons for Treatment Initiation Among Gambling Help-line Callers

Abstract Identifying barriers to seeking treatment is essential for increasing problem gambler treatment initiation in the community, given that as few as 1 in 10 problem gamblers ever seek treatment. Further, many problem gamblers who take the initial step of contacting problem gambling help-lines do not subsequently go on to attend face-to-face treatment. There is limited research examining reasons for attending treatment among this population. This study addressed these gaps in the literature by examining barriers and attractions to treatment among callers to the State of Michigan Problem Gambling Help-line. In total, 143 callers (n = 86 women) completed the Barriers to Treatment for Problem Gambling (BTPG) questionnaire and responded to open-ended questions regarding barriers to and reasons for treatment initiation, as part of a telephone interview. Greater endorsement of barriers to treatment was associated with a lower likelihood of initiating treatment, especially perceived absence of problem and treatment unavailability. Correspondingly, problem gamblers who identified more reasons to attend treatment were more likely to attend, with positive treatment perceptions being the most influential. These findings can help get people into treatment by addressing barriers and fostering reasons for attending treatment, as well as reminding clinicians of the importance of identifying and addressing individual treatment barriers among patients with problem gambling.
Speech Enhancement Based on Full-Sentence Correlation and Clean Speech Recognition

Conventional speech enhancement methods, based on frame, multiframe, or segment estimation, require knowledge about the noise. This paper presents a new method that aims to reduce or effectively remove this requirement. It is shown that by using the zero-mean normalized correlation coefficient (ZNCC) as the comparison measure, and by extending the effective length of speech segment matching to sentence-long speech utterances, it is possible to obtain an accurate speech estimate from noise without requiring specific knowledge about the noise. The new method, thus, could be used to deal with unpredictable noise or noise without proper training data. This paper is focused on realizing and evaluating this potential. We propose a novel realization that integrates full-sentence speech correlation with clean speech recognition, formulated as a constrained maximization problem, to overcome the data sparsity problem. Then we propose an efficient implementation algorithm to solve this constrained maximization problem to produce speech sentence estimates. For evaluation, we build the new system on one training dataset and test it on two different test datasets across two databases, for a range of different noises including highly nonstationary ones. It is shown that the new approach, without any estimation of the noise, is able to significantly outperform conventional methods that use optimized noise tracking, in terms of various objective measures including automatic speech recognition.
A case of impaired shape integration: Implications for models of visual object processing

We describe a patient, HE, who was left with a remarkably selective deficit in intermediate vision following an infarct in the right occipito-temporal region. Thus, HE was able to group elements by colour and proximity but impaired in grouping based on similarity in shape. This finding supports the notion that grouping may be divided into two general steps: (i) element clustering and (ii) shape configuration, with the latter operation being impaired in HE. As opposed to previous cases with shape integration deficits, HE was able to name objects accurately. Initially, this might suggest that shape integration is not a prerequisite for normal object naming. However, on more demanding tests of visual object recognition, HE's performance deteriorated, with her performance being inversely related to the demand placed on integration of local elements into more elaborate shape descriptions. From this we conclude that shape integration is important for normal object recognition.
Who Benefits from the Leverage in LBOs?

Tax savings associated with increased levels of debt are often thought to be an important source of returns for private equity funds conducting leveraged buyouts (LBOs). However, as leverage is available to all bidders, the vendors may appropriate any benefits in the form of the takeover premium. For the 100 largest U.S. public-to-private LBOs since 2003, we estimate the size of the additional tax benefits available to private equity purchasers. We find a strong cross-sectional relationship between tax savings and the size of takeover premia; and on average the latter are around twice the size of the former. Consequently, the tax savings from increasing financial leverage essentially accrue to the previous shareholders rather than the private equity fund that conducts the LBO. It is, therefore, unlikely that (ex ante predictable) tax savings are an important source of returns for private equity funds. Furthermore, policy proposals that aim to restrict leverage or the tax-deductibility of debt are likely to have their impact mainly on existing owners of companies.
Differentially Expressed Proteins Associated with Fusarium Head Blight Resistance in Wheat

Background Fusarium head blight (FHB), mainly caused by Fusarium graminearum, substantially reduces wheat grain yield and quality worldwide. Proteins play important roles in defense against the fungal infection. This study characterized differentially expressed proteins between near-isogenic lines (NILs) contrasting in alleles of Fhb1, a major FHB resistance gene in wheat, to identify proteins underlining FHB resistance of Fhb1. Methods The two-dimensional protein profiles were compared between the Fusarium-inoculated spikes of the two NILs collected 72 h after inoculation. The protein profiles of mock- and Fusarium-inoculated Fhb1+NIL were also compared to identify pathogen-responsive proteins. Results Eight proteins were either induced or upregulated in inoculated Fhb1+NIL when compared with mock-inoculated Fhb1+NIL; nine proteins were either induced or upregulated in the Fusarium-inoculated Fhb1+NIL when compared with Fusarium-inoculated Fhb1−NIL. Proteins that were differentially expressed in the Fhb1+NIL, not in the Fhb1−NIL, after Fusarium inoculation included wheat proteins for defending fungal penetration, photosynthesis, energy metabolism, and detoxification. Conclusions Coordinated expression of the identified proteins resulted in FHB resistance in Fhb1+NIL. The results provide insight into the pathway of Fhb1-mediated FHB resistance.
A folding dickson-based fully integrated wide input range capacitive DC-DC converter achieving Vout/2-resolution and 71% average efficiency

This paper presents a fully integrated capacitive DC-DC converter with a wide input voltage range. The folding Dickson converter is used to implement four discrete voltage conversion ratios, capable of operating over a wide input voltage range. A subconverter is added, enabling four additional voltage conversion ratios, improving the input voltage resolution from Vout to 1 Vout. This way, the extra conversion ratios increase the overall efficiency, and at the same time reduce output ripple specifications. Implementing this additional converter at the end of the Dickson cascade reduces the complexity of driving the extra power train switches. This improved folding Dickson converter achieves an average efficiency above 70% at maximum output power, and operates over an input voltage range of 2.5-8V for an output voltage of 1.2V. The converter has been implemented and validated in a standard 90nm technology.
The effect of drinks on color stability and surface roughness of nanocomposites

Objective: The aim was to evaluate the color and surface roughness of nanoparticle (C1) and nanohybrid (C2) composites after immersion in distilled water, acai juice, grape juice and red wine and repolishing. Materials and Methods: After recording the initial surface roughness and color, the specimens were divided into four groups according to the storage solution. The specimens were reassessed after immersion for 1, 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks and after repolishing. Results: The results showed that after 2 weeks, there were statistically significant changes in color of both resins in all groups, with the exception of the specimens stored in distilled water (P > 0.05). Only 12 weeks of immersion in red wine changed the roughness of composite C1 (P = 0.009). Conclusions: Red wine produced the greatest color change in nanocomposites, followed by grape juice. Acai juice made the color unacceptable clinically only after 12 weeks. Repolishing reduced the color change in all groups.
Spreading of X chromosome inactivation via a hierarchy of defined Polycomb stations

X chromosome inactivation (XCI) achieves dosage balance in mammals by repressing one of two X chromosomes in females. During XCI, the long noncoding Xist RNA and Polycomb proteins spread along the inactive X (Xi) to initiate chromosome-wide silencing. Although inactivation is known to commence at the X-inactivation center (Xic), how it propagates remains unknown. Here, we examine allele-specific binding of Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) and chromatin composition during XCI and generate a chromosome-wide profile of Xi and Xa (active X) at nucleosome-resolution. Initially, Polycomb proteins are localized to ∼150 strong sites along the X and concentrated predominantly within bivalent domains coinciding with CpG islands (“canonical sites”). As XCI proceeds, ∼4000 noncanonical sites are recruited, most of which are intergenic, nonbivalent, and lack CpG islands. Polycomb sites are depleted of LINE repeats but enriched for SINEs and simple repeats. Noncanonical sites cluster around the ∼150 strong sites, and their H3K27me3 levels reflect a graded concentration originating from strong sites. This suggests that PRC2 and H3K27 methylation spread along a gradient unique to XCI. We propose that XCI is governed by a hierarchy of defined Polycomb stations that spread H3K27 methylation in cis.
Coping with Stress in a Family with an Alcoholic Parent.

This study investigates the degree to which current alcohol abuse and psychopathology in adult children of alcoholics (COAs) are associated with the COAs' reports of family disruption, family coping, and individual child coping when the child lives with the parent. Family disruption, family passive appraisal of the problem, individual attempts to escape or avoid the problem, and individual self-blame are found to be associated with poorer adult functioning. The family's positive reframing of the problem is associated with better outcomes.
Maternal Antibodies in Breast Milk Protect the Child From Enterovirus Infections

OBJECTIVE. Enterovirus infections are frequent in infants and may cause severe complications. We set out to assess whether breastfeeding can protect against these infections and whether such an effect is related to maternal antibodies in breast milk or in the peripheral circulation of the infant. METHODS. One hundred fifty infants who were prospectively followed up from birth were monitored for enterovirus infections. The duration of breastfeeding was recorded, and maternal breast milk and blood samples were regularly taken at 3-month intervals for the detection of enterovirus antibodies and RNA. Maternal serum was available from early pregnancy, delivery, and 3 months postpartum. RESULTS. Enterovirus infections were frequent and were diagnosed in 43% of infants before the age of 1 year and in 15% of the mothers during pregnancy. Infants exclusively breastfed for >2 weeks had fewer enterovirus infections by the age of 1 year compared with those exclusively breastfed for ≤2 weeks (0.38 vs 0.59 infections per child). High maternal antibody levels in serum and in breast milk were associated with a reduced frequency of infections. This effect was seen only in those infants breastfed >2 weeks, indicating that breast milk antibodies mediate this effect. Enterovirus RNA was not found in any of the breast milk samples. CONCLUSIONS. These results suggest that breastfeeding has a protective effect against enterovirus infections in infancy. This effect seems to be mediated primarily by maternal antibodies in breast milk.
A Modified Involvement Scale

Abstract This investigation examines the psychometric properties of a modified involvement scale (MIS) using recreationists sampled at a national forest in upstate South Carolina and consumers enquiring about angling opportunities in the Low Country of South Carolina. Following the testing of several model configurations, support for a conceptualization of enduring involvement was observed consisting of five correlated facets: attraction, centrality, social bonding, identity expression and identity affirmation. This conceptualization was an extension of McIntyre’s measure. Notable departures from McIntyre’s conceptualization include the extraction of a social component previously embedded in the centrality facet and greater distinction in the leisure identification processes. This led to the construction of two identification facets. Testing using multiple criteria of validity and reliability illustrated that the MIS was a sound indicator of enduring leisure involvement.
Top-N recommendations from implicit feedback leveraging linked open data

The advent of the Linked Open Data (LOD) initiative gave birth to a variety of open knowledge bases freely accessible on the Web. They provide a valuable source of information that can improve conventional recommender systems, if properly exploited. In this paper we present SPrank, a novel hybrid recommendation algorithm able to compute top-N item recommendations from implicit feedback exploiting the information available in the so called Web of Data. We leverage DBpedia, a well-known knowledge base in the LOD compass, to extract semantic path-based features and to eventually compute recommendations using a learning to rank algorithm. Experiments with datasets on two different domains show that the proposed approach outperforms in terms of prediction accuracy several state-of-the-art top-N recommendation algorithms for implicit feedback in situations affected by different degrees of data sparsity.
Effect of the Scapula Reposition Test on shoulder impingement symptoms and elevation strength in overhead athletes.

STUDY DESIGN Two group, repeated measures design. OBJECTIVES To determine whether manually repositioning the scapula using the Scapula Reposition Test (SRT) reduces pain and increases shoulder elevation strength in athletes with and without positive signs of shoulder impingement. BACKGROUND Symptom alteration tests may be useful in determining a subset of those with shoulder pathology who may benefit from interventions aimed at improving scapular motion abnormalities. METHODS AND MEASURES One hundred forty-two college athletes underwent testing for clinical signs of shoulder impingement. Tests provoking symptoms were repeated with the scapula manually repositioned into greater retraction and posterior tilt. A numeric rating scale was used to measure symptom intensity under both conditions. Isometric shoulder elevation strength was measured using a mounted dynamometer with the scapula in its natural position and with manual repositioning. A paired t test was used to compare the strength between positions. The frequency of a significant increase in strength with scapular repositioning, defined as the minimal detectable change (90% confidence interval), was also assessed. RESULTS Of the 98 athletes with a positive impingement test, 46 had reduced pain with scapular repositioning. Although repositioning produced an increase in strength in both the impingement (P=.001) and non-impingement groups (P=.012), a significant increase in strength was found with repositioning in only 26% of athletes with, and 29% of athletes without positive signs for shoulder impingement. CONCLUSION The SRT is a simple clinical test that may potentially be useful in an impairment based classification approach to shoulder problems.
Vilfredo Pareto on Labor: A Critical Re-examination

This article comprehensively examines Vilfredo Pareto's thoughts on labor and highlights their significance within his body of work. Like the other pioneers in neoclassical economics, Pareto disregarded worker subjectivity toward labor performance and the resulting variability in the substance of labor. Thus emasculating the human traits of labor, in his theory of pure economics, Pareto identified the nature of labor exchange with that of the exchange of nonhuman objects, thereby subsuming the former under his general equilibrium system. This neoclassical principle of rationalizing the market determination of labor exchange on its deindividuation governed Pareto's speculations throughout his work. Even his arguments in applied economics in favor of worker solidarity and strikes were grounded on this principle. It remained the basis for Pareto's opinions on actual labor relations. Pareto's frustration here turned him into an anti-unionist, but it also helped to mold his prime ideas regarding sociology and his awareness of the limits of economics. However, Pareto's adherence to his former concept of labor exchange contradicting its nature became a chief cause of his failure to integrate his economic thinking with its sociological counterpart and occasioned his sympathy with Fascism. Thus, this article concludes that Pareto's thoughts on labor profoundly affected his entire body of thought and that their flaw is not exclusive to him but inherent in neoclassical economics.
Fires in the Cenozoic: a late flowering of flammable ecosystems

Modern flammable ecosystems include tropical and subtropical savannas, steppe grasslands, boreal forests, and temperate sclerophyll shrublands. Despite the apparent fiery nature of much contemporary vegetation, terrestrial fossil evidence would suggest we live in a time of low fire activity relative to the deep past. The inertinite content of coal, fossil charcoal, is strikingly low from the Eocene to the Pleistocene and no charcoalified mesofossils have been reported for the Cenozoic. Marine cores have been analyzed for charcoal in the North Pacific, the north and south Atlantic off Africa, and the south China sea. These tell a different story with the oldest records indicating low levels of fire activity from the Eocene but a surge of fire from the late Miocene (~7 Ma). Phylogenetic studies of woody plants adapted to frequent savanna fires show them beginning to appear from the Late Miocene with peak origins in the late Pliocene in both South American and African lineages. Phylogenetic studies indicate ancient origins (60 Ma+) for clades characteristic of flammable sclerophyll vegetation from Australia and the Cape region of South Africa. However, as for savannas, there was a surge of speciation from the Late Miocene associated with the retreat of closed fire-intolerant forests. The wide geographic spread of increased fire activity in the last few million years suggests a global cause. However, none of the potential global factors (oxygen, rainfall seasonality, CO2, novel flammable growth forms) provides an adequate explanation as yet. The global patterns and processes of fire and flammable vegetation in the Cenozoic, especially since the Late Miocene, deserve much more attention to better understand fire in the earth system.
GENDER AND FAMILY EFFECTS ON THE “SECOND-SHIFT” DOMESTIC ACTIVITY OF COLLEGE-EDUCATED YOUNG ADULTS

This study examines gender differences in the extent and type of household activity and sense of domestic obligation across familial stages within a sample of young college-educated adults (N = 1,151). When children are present, substantial gender differences appear in housework and perceived home obligations. Implications of the results are discussed in terms of gender socialization and preparation for parenting.
Reducing Negative Mood Through Mandala Creation: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract This study examined whether the creation of a mandala has specific efficacy for reducing negative mood states. A convenience sample of 67 adult participants was randomly assigned to one of 4 conditions following negative mood induction: (a) coloring a blank circle with instructions to express feelings, (b) coloring a blank circle with instructions to draw freely, (c) coloring a square with instructions to express feelings, or (d) coloring a square with instructions to draw freely. The two circle (mandala) groups reported significantly greater mood improvement compared to the two square conditions. These results demonstrate that the circular shape of the mandala serves as an “active ingredient” in mood enhancement.
Coping with early stage breast cancer: examining the influence of personality traits and interpersonal closeness

The study examines the influence of personality traits and close relationships on the coping style of women with breast cancer. A sample of 72 Italian patients receiving treatment for early stage breast cancer was recruited. Participants completed questionnaires measuring personality traits (Interpersonal Adaptation Questionnaire), interpersonal closeness (Inclusion of the Other in the Self Scale), and adjustment to cancer (Mini-Mental Adjustment to Cancer Scale). We hypothesized that diverse personality traits and degrees of closeness contribute to determine the coping styles shown by participants. Multiple regression analyses were conducted for each of the five coping styles (Helplessness/Hopelessness, Anxious Preoccupation, Avoidance, Fatalism, and Fighting Spirit) using personality traits and interpersonal closeness variables (Strength of Support Relations, and Number of Support Relations) as predictors. Women who rated high on assertiveness and social anxiety were more likely to utilize active coping strategies (Fighting Spirit). Perceived strength of relationships was predictive of using an active coping style while the number of supportive relationships did not correlate with any of the coping styles. Implications for assessment of breast cancer patients at risk for negative adaptation to the illness and the development of psychosocial interventions are discussed.
Phytoremediation of heavy metal contaminated soil potential by woody plants on Tonglushan ancient copper spoil heap in China

ABSTRACT Fast-growing metal-accumulating woody plants are considered potential candidates for phytoremediation of metals. Tonglushan mining, one of the biggest Cu production bases in China, presents an important source of the pollution of environment. The sample was collected at Tonglushan ancient copper spoil heap. The aims were to measure the content of heavy metal in the soil and woody plants and to elucidate the phytoremediation potential of the plants. The result showed that soil Cu, Cd and Pb were the main contamination, the mean contents of which were 3166.73 mg/kg, 3.66 mg/kg and 137.06 mg/kg respectively, which belonged to severe contamination. Fourteen species from 14 genera of 13 families were collected and investigated; except for Ligutrum lucidum, the other 13 woody plants species were newly recorded in this area. In addition, to assess the ability of metal accumulation of these trees, we proposed accumulation index. Data suggested that Platanus × acerilolia, Broussonetia papyrifera, Ligutrum lucidum, Viburnum awabuki, Firmiana simplex, Robina pseudoacacia, Melia azedarach and Osmanthus fragrans exhibited high accumulated capacity and strong tolerance to heavy metals. Therefore, Platanus × acerilolia and Broussonetia papyrifera can be planted in Pb contaminated areas; Viburnum awabuki, Firmiana simplex, Robina pseudoacacia and Melia azedarach are the suitable trees for Cd contaminated areas; Viburnum awabuki, Melia azedarach, Ligutrum lucidum, Firmiana simplex, Osmanthus fragrans and Robina pseudoacacia are appropriate to Cu, Pb and Cd multi-metal contaminated areas.