Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
States of Compliance?: Global Human Rights Treaties and ASEAN Member States

The status of human rights in Southeast Asia is under increasing scrutiny as the process of community building culminates in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR). National, regional, and external civil society actors now populate the ASEAN “human rights space” pressuring member governments and ASEAN institutions. This article investigates the status of human rights in the 10 member states of ASEAN by presenting the patterns of ratification, reservation, and fulfillment of the core global human rights treaties. This analysis suggests that, despite a growing number of treaty ratifications, compliance with the standards those treaties include remains elusive. Reservations, resistance to the optional protocols, and nonsubmission of reports to the relevant treaty bodies suggest that ratification has not led to full compliance. The article concludes that Southeast Asian states will continue to diversify with regard to human rights, placing great strain not only on the AICHR but ASEAN itself.
A Novel Murine Model of Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Inflammation-Associated Colon Cancer with Ulcerative Colitis-Like Features

Mutations that increase susceptibility to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have been identified in a number of genes in both humans and mice, but the factors that govern how these mutations contribute to IBD pathogenesis and result in phenotypic presentation as ulcerative colitis (UC) or Crohn disease (CD) are not well understood. In this study, mice deficient in both TNF and IL-10 (T/I mice) were found to spontaneously develop severe colitis soon after weaning, without the need for exogenous triggers. Colitis in T/I mice had clinical and histologic features similar to human UC, including a markedly increased risk of developing inflammation-associated colon cancer. Importantly, development of spontaneous colitis in these mice was prevented by antibiotic treatment. Consistent with the known role of Th17-driven inflammation in response to bacteria, T/I mice had elevated serumTh17-type cytokines when they developed spontaneous colitis and after systemic bacterial challenge via NSAID-induced degradation of the mucosal barrier. Although TNF production has been widely considered to be be pathogenic in IBD, these data indicate that the ability to produce normal levels of TNF actually protects against the spontaneous development of colitis in response to intestinal colonization by bacteria. The T/I mouse model will be useful for developing new rationally-based therapies to prevent and/or treat IBD and inflammation-associated colon cancer and may further provide important insights into the pathogenesis of UC in humans.
Transportation Policy and the Effects on Modal Choice in the EU

This study addresses the question of how trans-national regulations could stimulate environmentally friendly transportation. Effects of capacity limitations, costs and transit time requirements on the attractiveness of different containerized transportation modes are modeled for a representative freight corridor in the European Union. Multiple legislative scenarios are developed for 2010, taking into account various characteristics of road, rail and inland waterway transportation, including costs to society and environmental costs. Analysis of the scenarios reveals that under the current legislation environmentally friendly transportation modes are already very attractive, but lack sufficient capacity to deal with demand. Further legislative interventions, such as increased taxation, would only lead to increased transportation costs, and render containerized transportation less effective and more costly to society. For a more favorable modal split, it appears that important investments are to be made in dedicated cargo rail and inland waterways.
`When something is different people fear it¿: children's perceptions of an arts-based inclusion project

In this article Teresa Whitehurst and Amy Howells describe how pupils and staff from mainstream and special settings worked together on a project, resulting in a musical performance. They demonstrate at the outset that, even after several decades of ‘integration’ and then inclusion, there remains an attitudinal hurdle to overcome. Mainstream pupils in this study report feelings of fear, lack of preparation and alienation with regard to pupils with severe and c o m p l ex learning difficulties. The project in question prompted these pupils to significantly change their perceptions of their peers with learning difficulties, a process substantially assisted by the involvement of all children in the production of a school performance.
Primary care quality in the Medicare Program: comparing the performance of Medicare health maintenance organizations and traditional fee-for-service medicare.

BACKGROUND Since 1972, Medicare beneficiaries have had the option of enrolling in a Medicare-qualified health maintenance organization (HMO). Little information exists to inform beneficiaries' choices between the traditional fee-for-service (FFS) Medicare program and an HMO. OBJECTIVES To compare the primary care received by seniors in Medicare HMOs with that of seniors in the traditional FFS Medicare program, and among HMOs, and to examine performance differences associated with HMO model-type and profit status. METHODS Data were derived from a cross-sectional observational survey of Medicare beneficiaries 65 years or older in the 13 states with mature, substantial Medicare HMO markets. Only beneficiaries continuously enrolled for 12 months or more in traditional FFS Medicare or a qualified Medicare HMO were eligible. Data were obtained using a 5-stage protocol involving mail and telephone (64% response rate). Analyses included respondents who identified a primary physician and had all required data elements (N = 8828). We compared FFS and HMO performance on 11 summary scales measuring 7 defining characteristics of primary care: (1) access, (2) continuity, (3) integration, (4) comprehensiveness, (5) "whole-person" orientation, (6) clinical interaction, and (7) sustained clinician-patient partnership. RESULTS For 9 of 11 indicators, performance favored traditional FFS Medicare over HMOs (P<.001). Financial access favored HMOs (P<.001). Preventive counseling did not differ by system. Network-model HMOs performed more favorably than staff/group-model HMOs on 9 of 11 indicators (P<.001). Few differences were associated with HMO profit status. CONCLUSIONS The findings are consistent with previous comparisons of indemnity insurance and network-model and staff/group-model HMOs in elderly and nonelderly populations. The stability of results across time, geography, and populations suggests that the relative strengths and weaknesses of each system are enduring attributes of their care. Medicare enrollees seem to face the perennial cost-quality trade-off: that is, deciding whether the advantages of primary care under traditional FFS Medicare are worth the higher out-of-pocket costs.
The Effect of High School Size on Student Participation, Satisfaction, and Attendance

In the first issue of Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis, Guthrie (1979) proposed an agenda for interdisciplinary research on organizational scale and school success. This agenda could include questions about the relationship of school and school district size to economic efficiency, parent and citizen participation, and student outcomes, approached through a variety of research methods. It could also lead to the development of common data bases and integrated studies useful for policy decisions. This paper presents a preliminary effort, using existing data, to deal with one aspect of these issues, the effect of high school size on student participation, satisfaction, and attendance.
Co-Innovation: motivators and inhibitors for customers to participate in online co-creation processes

This study is concerned with identifying the motivators and deterrents of consumers to participate in co-creation processes. Co-creation processes are activities by firms to include consumers in the product development process in order to achieve a higher value through a better fit between need and product. Based on a literature review a model is developed, which is tested through an online questionnaire. The main motivators are oriented to U&G, uses and gratification, Antecedents found in existing research were used. U&G theory is a functionalist perspective on mass media communication which identifies several motivational factors. The survey results show that there are two clusters of co-creators, “motivated co-creators” and “not motivated co-creators”. These show four factors as main motivators, which are implications with the product, enjoyment, network with community and satisfaction and enrichment. However, it was also found that most respondents never participated in co-creation activities. This implies possibilities for management to advertise such activities in order to benefit from the customers’ knowledge, which needs further research in this area first, identifying more motivators with which the firms can gain the trust of costumers. The advertisement needs two strategies considering the two different groups of co-creators existing. “Motivated co-creators” put learning from the co-creation activities as their primary motivation. In contrast, “non-motivated co-creators” firstly seek the enjoyment out of such a participation.
The deepest Herschel-PACS far-infrared survey: number counts and infrared luminosity functions from combined PEP/GOODS-H observations

We present results from the deepest Herschel-Photodetector Array Camera and Spectrometer (PACS) far-infrared blank field extragalactic survey, obtained by combining observations of the Great Observatories Origins Deep Survey (GOODS) fields from the PACS Evolutionary Probe (PEP) and GOODS-Herschel key programmes. We describe data reduction and theconstruction of images and catalogues. In the deepest parts of the GOODS-S field, the catalogues reach 3σ depths of 0.9, 0.6 and 1.3 mJy at 70, 100 and 160 μm, respectively, and resolve ~75% of the cosmic infrared background at 100 μm and 160 μm into individually detected sources. We use these data to estimate the PACS confusion noise, to derive the PACS number counts down to unprecedented depths, and to determine the infrared luminosity function of galaxies down to L_(IR) = 10^(11) L⊙ at z ~ 1 and L_(IR) = 10^(12) L⊙ at z ~ 2, respectively. For the infrared luminosity function of galaxies, our deep Herschel far-infrared observations are fundamental because they provide more accurate infrared luminosity estimates than those previously obtained from mid-infrared observations. Maps and source catalogues (>3σ) are now publicly released. Combined with the large wealth of multi-wavelength data available for the GOODS fields, these data provide a powerful new tool for studying galaxy evolution over a broad range of redshifts.
Generalized Tunstall codes for sources with memory

Tunstall codes are variable-to-fixed length codes that maximize the expected number of source letters per dictionary string for discrete, memoryless sources. We analyze a generalization of Tunstall coding to sources with memory and demonstrate that as the dictionary size increases, the number of code letters per source symbol comes arbitrarily close to the minimum among all variable-to-fixed length codes of the same size. We also find the asymptotic relationship between the dictionary size and the average length of a dictionary entry.
Cognitive processes in psychological adaptation to miscarriage: A preliminary report

Abstract Twenty-two women who wished to continue their pregnancies were interviewed several months after their first miscarriage. Levels of anxiety and depression showed an extremely high degree of variability. Cognitive processes in the form of a search for meaning, mastery and self-enhancement hypothesised to be important in adaptation to negative events were assessed. Having an explanation for the miscarriage and the experience leading to a general reappraisal of values were associated with lower levels of intrusive thoughts. A belief in a medical cause was linked to lower anxiety. Women believed that neither they themselves nor their doctors could exert much influence over the outcome of future pregnancies. Stronger belief in personal control was associated with higher anxiety levels. There is a need to consider not only the emotional consequences of miscarriage but also the cognitive mediators influencing such responses and although based upon a small sample this study initiates that process.
The Perception of Self-Efficacy in Coping with Economic Risks Among Young Adults: An Application of Psychological Theory and Research

The present study was prompted by the paucity of research about the perception among young people of their ability to cope with economic risks of contemporary society. The variables used in this exploration were attitudes to money. The variable of emotion management was included on the rationale that stress and negative emotions tend to arise from demands to manage economic aspects of life. The links between a sense of economic self-efficacy and these variables were examined using a questionnaire filled out by 120 respondents. The findings revealed considerable correspondence between economic self-efficacy and the notion of adhering to meticulous saving plans as well as firmer self-control of emotions. Profiles that successfully discriminated between low and high sense of economic self-efficacy were identified. The results further our understanding of the interplay between psychological factors and the self-perception of efficacy in dealing with economic change.
Evangelical Christian Schools in England and The Netherlands

The Netherlands is well known for its great diversity of state-funded schools (including faith-based schools) and it is widely believed that starting a new school is a relatively easy process. This paper reflects on the process of policy-borrowing that occurred when British Evangelical Christian pressure groups looked to The Netherlands for inspiration. It shows that the reality of the Dutch situation is some distance from the rhetoric and that, until recently, it has actually been very difficult to start an Evangelical school. It describes the process by which two Evangelical Christian schools were established, and outlines the nature of the nine-year legal battle that one of them fought to obtain funding. The paper then discusses some of the ironies of this particular piece of policy-borrowing.
[Echocardiographic prediction of risk for embolism in patients with infective endocarditis].

The relationship between two-dimensional echocardiographic findings of vegetation and embolic events was investigated in 26 patients with infective endocarditis (17 males and 9 females, mean [+/-SD] age 51 +/- 17 years). The size and the other morphologic characteristics of vegetation (mobility, extent and consistency) were analyzed retrospectively according to the criteria by Sanfilippo, et al., and parameters were assigned scores from 1 to 4 to provide a total score. Patients with a maximum vegetation diameter > 10 min had a significantly higher incidence of embolic events than those with < or = 10 mm (p < 0.05). Each parameter of vegetation showed no significant difference between patients with and without embolic events; but the total score was significantly higher in patients with embolic events (p < 0.05). Particularly, all patients with a total score > or = 10 had embolic events, whereas those without embolic events had a total score < or = 9. There were no significant differences in the frequency of emergent valve replacement between patients with aortic value and mitral valve endocarditis. However, the incidence of heart failure was higher, but not significantly, in patients with aortic valve (67%) and combined valve endocarditis (67%) than in those with mitral valve endocarditis (36%). The maximum size and total score reflecting mobility, extent and consistency of vegetation using two-dimensional echocardiography provide useful information to predict the occurrence of embolic events in patients with infective endocarditis.
Impact of low-level viremia on clinical and virological outcomes in treated HIV-1-infected patients

Background:The goal of antiretroviral therapy (ART) is to reduce HIV-related morbidity and mortality by suppressing HIV replication. The prognostic value of persistent low-level viremia (LLV), particularly for clinical outcomes, is unknown. Objective:Assess the association of different levels of LLV with virological failure, AIDS event, and death among HIV-infected patients receiving combination ART. Methods:We analyzed data from 18 cohorts in Europe and North America, contributing to the ART Cohort Collaboration. Eligible patients achieved viral load below 50 copies/ml within 3–9 months after ART initiation. LLV50–199 was defined as two consecutive viral loads between 50 and 199 copies/ml and LLV200–499 as two consecutive viral loads between 50 and 499 copies/ml, with at least one between 200 and 499 copies/ml. We used Cox models to estimate the association of LLV with virological failure (two consecutive viral loads at least 500 copies/ml or one viral load at least 500 copies/ml, followed by a modification of ART) and AIDS event/death. Results:Among 17 902 patients, 624 (3.5%) experienced LLV50–199 and 482 (2.7%) LLV200–499. Median follow-up was 2.3 and 3.1 years for virological and clinical outcomes, respectively. There were 1903 virological failure, 532 AIDS events and 480 deaths. LLV200–499 was strongly associated with virological failure [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 3.97, 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.05–5.17]. LLV50–199 was weakly associated with virological failure (aHR 1.38, 95% CI 0.96–2.00). LLV50–199 and LLV200–499 were not associated with AIDS event/death (aHR 1.19, 95% CI 0.78–1.82; and aHR 1.11, 95% CI 0.72–1.71, respectively). Conclusion:LLV200–499 was strongly associated with virological failure, but not with AIDS event/death. Our results support the US guidelines, which define virological failure as a confirmed viral load above 200 copies/ml.
Simulated calcium current can both cause calcium loading in and trigger calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum of a skinned canine cardiac Purkinje cell

Skinned canine cardiac Purkinje cells were stimulated by regularly repeated microinjection-aspiration sequences that were programmed to simulate the fast initial component of the transsarcolemmal Ca2+ current and the subsequent slow component corresponding to noninactivating Ca2+ channels. The simulated fast component triggered a tension transient through Ca2+-induced release of Ca2+ from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). The simulated slow component did not affect the tension transient during which it was first introduced but it potentiated the subsequent transients. The potentiation was not observed when the SR function had been destroyed by detergent. The potentiation decreased progressively when the slow component was separated by an increasing time interval from the fast component. The potentiation was progressive over several beats under conditions that decreased the rate of Ca2+ accumulation into the SR (deletion of calmodulin from the solutions; a decrease of the temperature from 22 to 12 degrees C). In the presence of a slow component, an increase of frequency caused a positive staircase, and the introduction of an extrasystole caused a postextrasystolic potentiation. There was a negative staircase and no postextrasystolic potentiation in the absence of a slow component. These results can be explained by a time- and Ca2+- dependent functional separation of the release and accumulation processes of the SR, rather than by Ca2+ circulation between anatomically distinct loading and release compartments. The fast initial component of transsarcolemmal Ca2+ current would trigger Ca2+ release, whereas the slow component would load the SR with an amount of Ca2+ available for release during the subsequent tension transients.
Dynamic structure factor of ultracold Bose and Fermi gases in optical lattices

We investigate the dynamic structure factor of atomic Bose and Fermi gases in one-dimensional optical lattices at zero temperature. The focus is on the generic behaviour of S(k, ω) as a function of filling and interaction strength with the aim of identifying possible experimental signatures for the different quantum phase transitions. We employ the Hubbard or Bose–Hubbard model and solve the eigenvalue problem of the Hamiltonian exactly for moderate lattice sizes. This allows us to determine the dynamic structure factor and other observables directly in the phase transition regime, where approximation schemes are generally not applicable. We discuss the characteristic signatures of the various quantum phases appearing in the dynamic structure factor and illustrate that the centroid of the strength distribution can be used to estimate the relevant excitation gaps. Employing sum rules, these quantities can be evaluated using ground-state expectation values only. Important differences between bosonic and fermionic systems are observed, e.g., regarding the origin of the excitation gap in the Mott-insulator phase.
BDNF Val66Met polymorphism and anxiety/depression symptoms in schizophrenia in a Chinese Han population

Background Although several lines of evidences suggest that the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) Val66Met polymorphism may be involved in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia, this association remains controversial. Here, we aim to investigate the genetic association between the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism and schizophrenia and to explore whether this polymorphism could influence the severity of clinical symptoms in schizophrenic patients in a Chinese Han population. Patients and methods Genotyping of the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism was carried out in 456 schizophrenic patients and 483 controls using the fluorescence resonance energy transfer method. The patients’ psychotic symptoms were assessed using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale. The general clinical data of schizophrenic patients were analyzed. Results There were significant differences in the genotype distribution and allelic frequencies of the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism between the schizophrenia group and the controls. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism explained ∼16% of the variance in anxiety/depression symptoms in schizophrenic patients. Conclusion Our data provide evidence that the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism may be involved in the etiology of schizophrenia in a Chinese Han population. Furthermore, the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism is a significant factor influencing the severity of anxiety/depression symptoms in schizophrenic patients.