Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Abiotic and Biotic Factors Associated with Tick Population Dynamics on a Mammalian Host: Ixodes hexagonus Infesting Otters, Lutra lutra

The Eurasian otter, Lutra lutra, hosts several parasites with zoonotic potential. As this semiaquatic mammal has large ranges across terrestrial, freshwater and marine habitats, it has the capacity for wide dispersion of pathogens. Despite this, parasites of otters have received relatively little attention. Here, we examine their ectoparasite load and assess whether this is influenced by abiotic or biotic variables. Climatic phenomena such as the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) affect weather conditions in northern Europe. Consequently parasite distributions, particularly species with life stages exposed to the external environment, can be affected. We assessed the extent to which inter-annual variations in large-scale weather patterns (specifically the NAO and Central England (CE) temperatures) and host characteristics influenced tick prevalence and intensity. Ectoparasites consisted of a single species, the nidiculous tick Ixodes hexagonus (prevalence = 24.3%; mean intensity = 7.2; range = 1–122; on n = 820 otter hosts). The prevalence, but not intensity of infestation, was associated with high CE temperatures, while both prevalence and intensity were associated with positive phases of the NAO. Such associations indicate that I. hexagonus are most abundant when weather conditions are warmer and wetter. Ticks were more prevalent on juvenile than sub-adult or adult otters, which probably reflects the length of time the hosts spend in the holt where these ticks quest. High tick number was associated with poor host condition, so either poor condition hosts are more susceptible to ticks, or tick infestations negatively impact on host condition. Otters are clearly an important and common host for I. hexagonus, which has implications for vector-borne diseases. This work is the first to consider the impacts of long-term weather patterns on I. hexagonus and uses wild-animal cadavers to illustrate the importance of abiotic and biotic pressures impacting parasitic populations.
A Novel Chordoma Xenograft Allows In Vivo Drug Testing and Reveals the Importance of NF-κB Signaling in Chordoma Biology

Chordoma is a rare primary bone malignancy that arises in the skull base, spine and sacrum and originates from remnants of the notochord. These tumors are typically resistant to conventional chemotherapy, and to date there are no FDA-approved agents to treat chordoma. The lack of in vivo models of chordoma has impeded the development of new therapies for this tumor. Primary tumor from a sacral chordoma was xenografted into NOD/SCID/IL-2R γ-null mice. The xenograft is serially transplantable and was characterized by both gene expression analysis and whole genome SNP genotyping. The NIH Chemical Genomics Center performed high-throughput screening of 2,816 compounds using two established chordoma cell lines, U-CH1 and U-CH2B. The screen yielded several compounds that showed activity and two, sunitinib and bortezomib, were tested in the xenograft. Both agents slowed the growth of the xenograft tumor. Sensitivity to an inhibitor of IκB, as well as inhibition of an NF-κB gene expression signature demonstrated the importance of NF-κB signaling for chordoma growth. This serially transplantable chordoma xenograft is thus a practical model to study chordomas and perform in vivo preclinical drug testing.
Effects of Transactional Analysis Group Therapy on Ego States and Ego State Perception

This study investigated the effects on participants' ego state responses and their perception of each other's ego states of a 5-day therapy group using transactional analysis as its theoretical foundation. Twenty-eight third-year psychology students of the University of San Carlos, Cebu City, Philippines, participated in the study. In a pretest-posttest-control group design, 15 participants were assigned to the experimental group that underwent a group therapy patterned after the Gouldings' (1977) redecision therapy, while the remaining 13 students were assigned to the control group. Two posttests were conducted, one immediately following the therapy session and the other 6 weeks after it. Ego states were measured by the Adjective Checklist (ACL) developed by Gough and Heilbrun (1983). Ego state perception was measured by Dusay's (1977) egogram. A Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) indicated significant changes in the ego states after the first posttest: Hotelling's T = . 69584, F (5, 22) = 3.06171, p < . 03, and a near significance, Hotelling's T = . 57286, F (5, 22) = 2.52059, p < . 059 in the follow-up posttest. Ego states were also perceived to have changed significantly after 6 weeks. The observed pattern seemed to be increasing Nurturing Parent, Adult, and Natural Child ego states and decreasing Critical Parent and Adapted Child ego states. These ego state changes also seemed to be validated by a repeated measures MANOVA, which yielded significant effects on the experimental participants' perception of each others' ego states as measured by the egogram: Hotelling's T = 2.809, F (5, 10) = 5.619, p < . 01. Results are discussed in the context of the pattern of ego state changes. Also considered is the limitation of the nomothetic approach in this particular study.
Intergroup Contact and Contact Norms as Predictors of Postconflict Forgiveness

The aim of this research was to examine the pathway to intergroup forgiveness in postconflict contexts from the framework of improved intergroup relations and with an emphasis on identifying context-specific variables. Two studies investigated the relationship between intergroup contact and ingroup contact norms, and postconflict forgiveness. In the context of Anglo-German post-WWII relations, Study 1 provided evidence that intergroup anxiety and common ingroup identity were significantly predicted by positive intergroup contact and ingroup norms, which then predicted forgiveness of the German outgroup for wartime actions. Accordingly, focusing on Greek and Turkish Cypriot relations in Cyprus the results of Study 2 showed that positive contact with Greek Cypriots and ingroup contact norms were related to decreased intergroup anxiety and dehumanization, which in turn were associated with increased forgiveness. The results are discussed in the context of intergroup relations and postconflict resolution.
Friend or foe. Are mobile phones helping or hindering romantic relationships

•The key results of this current study were overall more women signalled that they could not imagine their lives without a mobile phone, which would therefore signal higher levels of addiction in woman towards the mobile phone device in comparison to men. Mobile phones were also reported to be the cause of past arguments for couples and 59.3% of couples agreed that mobile phones had caused an argument in the past. Woman also experienced higher levels of emotional responses when separated from their devices; however men do experience higher feelings of separation than woman. There was also a noncorrelation between affection and satisfaction therefore meaning that it could not be confirmed that people who are more satisfied in their relationships use their mobile phones to express affection.
Cloud-based data stream processing

In this tutorial we present the results of recent research about the cloud enablement of data streaming systems. We illustrate, based on both industrial as well as academic prototypes, new emerging uses cases and research trends. Specifically, we focus on novel approaches for (1) scalability and (2) fault tolerance in large scale distributed streaming systems. In general, new fault tolerance mechanisms strive to be more robust and at the same time introduce less overhead. Novel load balancing approaches focus on elastic scaling over hundreds of instances based on the data and query workload. Finally, we present open challenges for the next generation of cloud-based data stream processing engines.
Visual Voice Activity Detection Using Frontal versus Profile Views

Visual activity detection of lip movements can be used to overcome the poor performance of voice activity detection based solely in the audio domain, particularly in noisy acoustic conditions. However, most of the research conducted in visual voice activity detection (VVAD) has neglected addressing variabilities in the visual domain such as viewpoint variation. In this paper we investigate the effectiveness of the visual information from the speaker's frontal and profile views (i.e left and right side views) for the task of VVAD. As far as we are aware, our work constitutes the first real attempt to study this problem. We describe our visual front end approach and the Gaussian mixture model (GMM) based VVAD framework, and report the experimental results using the freely available CUAVE database. The experimental results show that VVAD is indeed possible from profile views and we give a quantitative comparison of VVAD based on frontal and profile views The results presented are useful in the development of multi-modal Human Machine Interaction (HMI) using a single camera, where the speaker's face may not always be frontal.
Current Innovations in Endoscopic Therapy for the Management of Colorectal Cancer: From Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection to Endoscopic Full-Thickness Resection

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is accepted as a minimally invasive treatment for colorectal cancer. However, due to technical difficulties and an increased rate of complications, ESD is not widely used in the colorectum. In some cases, endoscopic treatment alone is insufficient for disease control, and laparoscopic surgery is required. The combination of laparoscopic surgery and endoscopic resection represents a new frontier in cancer treatment. Recent developments in advanced polypectomy and minimally invasive surgical techniques will enable surgeons and endoscopists to challenge current practice in colorectal cancer treatment. Endoscopic full-thickness resection (EFTR) of the colon offers the potential to decrease the postoperative morbidity and mortality associated with segmental colectomy while enhancing the diagnostic yield compared to current endoscopic techniques. However, closure is necessary after EFTR and natural transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES). Innovative methods and new devices for EFTR and suturing are being developed and may potentially change traditional paradigms to achieve minimally invasive surgery for colorectal cancer. The present paper aims to discuss the complementary role of ESD and the future development of EFTR. We focus on the possibility of achieving EFTR using the ESD method and closing devices.
Population impact of different definitions of airway obstruction

There is currently no consensus on the criteria for diagnosing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. This study evaluated the impact of different definitions of airway obstruction on the estimated prevalence of obstruction in a population-based sample. Using the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, obstructive airway disease was defined using the following criteria: 1) self-reported diagnosis of chronic bronchitis or emphysema; 2) forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC) <0.70 and FEV1 <80% predicted (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) Stage IIA); 3) FEV1/FVC below the lower limit of normal; 4) FEV1/FVC <88% pred in males and <89% pred in females; 5) FEV1/FVC <0.70 (“fixed ratio”). Spirometry in this dataset did not include reversibility testing, making it impossible to distinguish reversible from irreversible obstruction. Rates in adults varied from 77 per 1,000 (self-report) to 168 per 1,000 (fixed ratio). For persons aged >50 yrs, the fixed ratio criteria produced the highest rate estimates. For all subgroups tested, the GOLD Stage II criteria produced lower estimates than other spirometry-based definitions. Different definitions of obstruction may produce prevalence estimates that vary by >200%. International opinion leaders should agree upon a clear definition of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease that can serve as a population-based measurement criterion as well as a guide to clinicians.
The Missing Luminous Blue Variables and the Bistability Jump

We discuss an interesting feature of the distribution of luminous blue variables (LBVs) on the H-R diagram, and we propose a connection with the bistability jump seen in the winds of early-type supergiants. There appears to be a deficiency of quiescent LBVs on the S Doradus instability strip at luminosities between log(L/L☉) ≃ 5.6 and 5.8. The upper boundary, interestingly, is also where the temperature-dependent S Doradus instability strip intersects the bistability jump at about Teff ≃ 21,000 K. Because of increased opacity, winds of early-type supergiants are slower and denser on the cool side of the bistability jump, and we postulate that this may trigger optically thick winds that inhibit quiescent LBVs from residing there. We conduct numerical simulations of radiation-driven winds for a range of temperatures, masses, and velocity laws at log(L/L☉) = 5.7 to see what effect the bistability jump should have. We find that for relatively low stellar masses, the order-of-magnitude increase in the wind density at the bistability jump leads to the formation of a modest to strong pseudophotosphere that might alter a star's apparent position on the H-R diagram. The effect is strongest for LBVs approaching 10 M☉, where the pseudophotospheres are sufficiently extended to make an early B-type star appear as a yellow hypergiant. Thus, the proposed mechanism will be most relevant for LBVs that are post-red supergiants [curiously, the upper boundary at log(L/L☉) ≃ 5.8 coincides with the upper luminosity limit for red supergiants]. Further work is obviously needed, especially with regard to a possible evolutionary connection between the "missing" LBVs and the most luminous red supergiants and yellow hypergiants. Specifically, yellow hypergiants such as IRC +10420 and ρ Cas occupy the same luminosity range as the missing LBVs and show apparent temperature variations at constant luminosity. If these yellow hypergiants do eventually become Wolf-Rayet stars, we speculate that they may skip the normal LBV phase, at least as far as their apparent positions on the H-R diagram are concerned.
Neuregulin–1 and ErbB4 Immunoreactivity Is Associated with Neuritic Plaques in Alzheimer Disease Brain and in a Transgenic Model of Alzheimer Disease

Neuregulin-1 (NRG-1) regulates developmental neuronal survival and synaptogenesis, astrocytic differentiation, and microglial activation. Given these NRG-1 actions, we hypothesized that the synaptic loss, gliosis, inflammation, and neuronal death occurring in Alzheimer disease (AD) is associated with altered expression of NRG-1 and its receptors (the erbB2, erbB3, and erbB4 membrane tyrosine kinases). We examined the expression and distribution of NRG-1 and the erbB kinases in the hippocampus of AD patients and cognitively normal controls and in transgenic mice that coexpress AD-associated mutations of the β amyloid precursor protein (APPK670N,M671L) and presenilin-1 (PS1M146L). In the hippocampi of both control humans and wild type mice, NRG-1 and the 3 erbB receptors are expressed in distinct cellular compartments of hippocampal neurons. All 4 molecules are associated with neuronal cell bodies, but only NRG-1, erbB2, and erbB4 are present in synapse-rich regions. In AD and in the doubly transgenic mouse, erbB4 is expressed by reactive astrocytes and microglia surrounding neuritic plaques. In AD brains, microglia and, to a lesser extent, dystrophic neurites, also upregulate NRG-1 in neuritic plaques, suggesting that autocrine and/or paracrine interactions regulate NRG-1 action within these lesions. NRG-1 and erbB4, as well as erbB2, are similarly associated with neuritic plaques in the doubly transgenic mice. Thus, in AD the hippocampal distribution of NRG-1 and erbB4 is altered. The similarities between the alterations in the expression of NRG-1 and its receptors in human AD and in APPK670N;M671L/PS1M146L mutant mice suggests that this animal model may be very informative in deciphering the potential role of these molecules in AD.
Using a Pictorial Quiz to Facilitate Learning During Nursing Science Lectures

Learning science has traditionally proved difficult for many students, including student nurses. This difficulty arises from many factors, including elements such as learning styles that are not congruent with the presented material, or an inability to engage with the subject. A tool to facilitate nursing student’s learning science was developed and implemented. This novel technique involved a pictorial quiz that was presented to students during their science lectures. Students were then surveyed half way through the academic year to assess the effectiveness of the pictorial quiz as a learning tool. Results indicated that students found the pictorial quiz to be a positive addition to their learning experience, with students indicating that learning was facilitated and the quiz experience was enjoyable. The current format for quiz delivery was also deemed acceptable. These results suggest the quiz tool currently exists in a format which is beneficial to nursing students learning and engaging with a science subject, and that the framework exists to further develop the potential of this novel tool across both other subjects and through different modes of delivery. Furthermore, the possible by-products of using the tool include improving lecturer creativity and developing critical thinking skills.
The prevalence of comorbid depression in adults with diabetes: a meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE To estimate the odds and prevalence of clinically relevant depression in adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Depression is associated with hyperglycemia and an increased risk for diabetic complications; relief of depression is associated with improved glycemic control. A more accurate estimate of depression prevalence than what is currently available is needed to gauge the potential impact of depression management in diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS MEDLINE and PsycINFO databases and published references were used to identify studies that reported the prevalence of depression in diabetes. Prevalence was calculated as an aggregate mean weighted by the combined number of subjects in the included studies. We used chi(2) statistics and odds ratios (ORs) to assess the rate and likelihood of depression as a function of type of diabetes, sex, subject source, depression assessment method, and study design. RESULTS A total of 42 eligible studies were identified; 20 (48%) included a nondiabetic comparison group. In the controlled studies, the odds of depression in the diabetic group were twice that of the nondiabetic comparison group (OR = 2.0, 95% CI 1.8-2.2) and did not differ by sex, type of diabetes, subject source, or assessment method. The prevalence of comorbid depression was significantly higher in diabetic women (28%) than in diabetic men (18%), in uncontrolled (30%) than in controlled studies (21%), in clinical (32%) than in community (20%) samples, and when assessed by self-report questionnaires (31%) than by standardized diagnostic interviews (11%). CONCLUSIONS The presence of diabetes doubles the odds of comorbid depression. Prevalence estimates are affected by several clinical and methodological variables that do not affect the stability of the ORs.
Frequent assessments may obscure cognitive decline.

Effects of an initial testing experience on the level of cognitive performance at a 2nd occasion are well documented. However, less is known about the effects of additional testing experiences beyond the 1st on the amount of cognitive change over a specified interval. This issue was investigated in a moderately large sample of adults between 18 and 95 years of age who performed a battery of cognitive tests either 2 or 3 times at variable intervals between each assessment. Multiple regression analyses were used to examine effects of the number of assessments on change while controlling the length of the interval between the 1st and last assessments. Change in each of 5 cognitive domains was less negative when there was an intervening assessment. To illustrate, for adults between 65 and 95 years of age, the estimated change from a 1st to a 2nd assessment across an average interval of 3.9 years was -. 25 standard deviation units (p < .01), but it was only -. 06 standard deviation units, and not significantly different from 0, when an intervening assessment occurred during the interval. These results indicate that cognitive change may not be detected when individuals are assessed frequently with relatively short intervals between the assessments.
CO2 Laser acceleration of forward directed MeV proton beams in a gas target at critical plasma density

Abstract The generation of 1–5 MeV protons from the interaction of a 3 ps TW CO2 laser pulse with a gas target with a peak density around the critical plasma density has been studied by 2D particle-in-cell simulations. The proton acceleration in the preformed plasma with a symmetric, linearly ramped density distribution occurs via formation of sheath of the hot electrons on the back surface of the target. The maximum energy of the hot electrons and, hence, net acceleration of protons is mainly defined by Forward Raman scattering instability in the underdense part of the plasma. Forward directed ion beams from a debris free gaseous target can find an application as a high-brightness ion source-injector to a conventional accelerator operating up to kHz pulse repetition frequency.
Investigations of luminance- and contrast-modulated binocular rivalry

Binocular rivalry can occur when incompatible stimuli are presented separately to the eyes. Since the invention of the stereoscope by Wheatstone in 1838, binocular rivalry has been intensively investigated with visual stimuli, which are differentiated from the background by variations in luminance, so-called luminance-modulated stimuli. However, it is also possible to perceive stimuli for which luminance of the target does not differ from that of the background but instead varies in contrast: so-called contrast-modulated (CM) stimuli. The main aim of this thesis is to investigate CM and noisy luminance-modulated (LM) stimuli under binocular rivalry conditions as the gained knowledge would enhance our understanding of both CM processing, as well as binocular rivalry. Perceptual change rates, proportions of exclusive visibility, mixed percepts (i.e. piecemeal and superimposition), as well as changes of these proportions across time and distributions of perceptual phases were calculated and compared between various CM and LM stimulus conditions. To compare those stimulus types with each other, the detection threshold was measured in one experiment to determine the visibility of each stimulus type, i.e. multiples above threshold. LM stimuli engage in significantly more exclusive visibility and trigger more alternation even when CM stimuli are of comparable visibility. Lower proportions of exclusive visibility and numbers of perceptual alternation for CM stimuli were due to greater proportions of superimposition. When comparably visible LM and CM stimuli compete with each other under binocular rivalry conditions, CM exclusive visibility predominates over LM exclusive visibility. Even if LM visibility is many times above CM visibility, LM stimuli never reach perceptual predominance. This result suggests that CM stimuli are processed unlike LM stimuli by neurones that receive initial binocular input. The results obtained were integrated into models concerning alternation dynamics and underlying processing sites for LM and CM stimuli.