Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dynamic Accommodation Responses Following Adaptation to Defocus

Purpose. Adaptation to defocus is known to influence the subjective sensitivity to blur in both emmetropes and myopes. Blur is a major contributing factor in the closed-loop dynamic accommodation response. Previous investigations have examined the magnitude of the accommodation response following blur adaptation. We have investigated whether a period of blur adaptation influences the dynamic accommodation response to step and sinusoidal changes in target vergence. Method. Eighteen subjects (six emmetropes, six early onset myopes, and six late onset myopes) underwent 30 min of adaptation to 0.00 D (control), +1.00 D or +3.00 D myopic defocus. Following this adaptation period, accommodation responses to a 2.00 D step change and 2.00 D sinusoidal change (0.2 Hz) in target vergence were recorded continuously using an autorefractor. Results. Adaptation to defocus failed to influence accommodation latency times, but did influence response times to a step change in target vergence. Adaptation to both +1.00 and +3.00 D induced significant increases in response times (p = 0.002 and p = 0.012, respectively) and adaptation to +3.00 D increased the change in accommodation response magnitude (p = 0.014) for a 2.00 D step change in demand. Blur adaptation also significantly increased the peak-to-peak phase lag for accommodation responses to a sinusoidally oscillating target, although failed to influence the accommodation gain. These changes in accommodative response were equivalent across all refractive groups. Conclusion. Adaptation to a degraded stimulus causes an increased level of accommodation for dynamic targets moving towards an observer and increases response times and phase lags. It is suggested that the contrast constancy theory may explain these changes in dynamic behavior.
Predicting students' academic performance based on school and socio-demographic characteristics

Students' trajectories into university are often uniquely dependent on school qualifications though these alone are limited as predictors of academic potential. This study endorses this, examining associations between school grades, school type, school performance, socio-economic deprivation, neighbourhood participation, sex and academic achievement at a British university. Consistent with past research, large entry-level differences between students are generally narrowed by final year at university. Students from the most deprived areas performed less well than more affluent students. Asian and black students performed less well than white students. Female students performed better than their male counterparts. Contrasting with past research, though school performance was positively associated with entry grades, students from low-performing schools were more likely to achieve the highest degree classifications. Additionally, independent school students performed less well than comprehensive school students at final year despite entering with higher grades. These variations exemplify how patterns observed nationally may differ between universities.
Distribution of lectin receptors sites in the zona pellucida of follicular and ovulated rat oocytes

Carbohydrates of the zona pellucida (ZP) in mammals are believed to have a role in sperm‐egg interaction. We have characterized the biochemical nature and distribution of the carbohydrate residues of rat ZP at the light (LM) and electron microscope (EM) levels, using lectins as probes. Immature female rats were induced to superovulate and cumulus‐oocyte complexes were isolated from the oviduct, fixed with glutaraldehyde, and embedded in araldite for LM and LR‐Gold for EM histochemistry. For examination of follicular oocytes, rat ovaries were fixed with glutaraldehyde and embedded in paraffin. The araldite or paraffin sections were deresined or deparaffinized, respectively, labeled with biotin‐tagged lectins as probes, and avidin‐biotin‐peroxidase complex as visualant. For EM examination, thin LR‐Gold sections were labeled with RCA‐I colloidal gold complex (RCA/G) and stained with uranyl acetate.
Desire to Acquire: Powerlessness and Compensatory Consumption

Three experiments examine how power affects consumers' spending propensities. By integrating literatures suggesting that (a) powerlessness is aversive, (b) status is one basis of power, and (c) products can signal status, the authors argue that low power fosters a desire to acquire products associated with status to compensate for lacking power. Supporting this compensatory hypothesis, results show that low power increased consumers' willingness to pay for auction items and consumers' reservation prices in negotiations but only when products were status related. The link between powerlessness and compensatory consumption has broad implications both for consumers' health and well-being and for understanding the psychological state of power. (c) 2008 by JOURNAL OF CONSUMER RESEARCH, Inc.
Differences in the rate of Rb86 uptake by several regions of the myocardium of control dogs and dogs receiving 1-norepinephrine or pitressin.

The rate at which Rb86 enters the myocardium from the blood is determined by the rate of coronary blood flow and by the kinetics of potassium within the myocardium. In preparation for a study of the effects of disease on the rate of myocardial Rb86 uptake in man, a trial of methods was made in a series of dogs. During this study the rate of Rb86 uptake in several regions of the heart of control dogs was measured, and the effects of l-norepinephrine and Pitressin@S on differences in regional Rb86 uptake were determined, since these drugs respectively increase and decrease overall coronary blood flow (1, 2).
Cognitive Conceptions of Learning

Although cognitive psychology currently represents the mainstream of psychological and educational thinking, it is only recently that much concern has been shown for learning as such — that is, concern for the factors and/or variables that influence changes in human performance, knowledge structures, and/or conceptions. This article examines current thinking about learning within the framework of cognitive psychology and how a new, cognitive conception of learning can guide future research on both learning and instruction. Similarities and, differences between behavioral and cognitive conceptions of learning are discussed, along with issues such as the active (rather than passive) nature of learning, the concern for understanding (i.e., comprehension), the role of prior knowledge, the cumulative nature of most forms of human learning, and the role played by cognitive analyses of performance. Several cognitive theories of learning are presented as examples of how cognitive psychology has influenced research on learning.
Thou Shalt Not Be Aware: Society's Betrayal of the Child

412 April 1985 VoL 36 No. 4 Hospital and Community Psychiatry the “healthy but unhappy. ” Penhaps we have forsaken rights to treatment for rights to freedom. And who, in this era of block grants, cost containment, and consumer advocacy, is ultimately responsible for initiating and coordinating services? Surely the chronically mentally ill cannot go it alone. Although comprehensive, this monograph does have its shortcomings. It does not address where skills for community living would best be taught: in preparatory residential facilities or in the community itself. It gives but passing notice to the homeless mentally ill, a significant minority (perhaps one-
Spontaneous bacterial empyema

Purpose of review Spontaneous bacterial empyema (SBEM) is defined as spontaneous infection of a preexisting hepatic hydrothorax. SBEM is diagnosed after exclusion of pneumonia, and, in patients with liver cirrhosis, it is still associated with significant morbidity and mortality. To date, studies focusing on SBEM are rare. This review will highlight the recent data focusing on the clinical characteristics, bacteriology, management, and outcome predictors of cirrhotic patients with SBEM. Recent findings The Enterobacteriaceae (Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae) are the major causative pathogens isolated from SBEM patients. Therefore, the cornerstone of therapy is antibiotic therapy with immediate empirical use of third-generation cephalosporins as first-line treatment. Chest-tube placement is not necessary. Regression analysis identified three independent factors related to poor outcome: high score of the model for end-stage liver disease-sodium (MELD-Na), initial ICU admission, and initial antibiotic treatment failure. High MELD-Na score may be a useful predictor of SBEM mortality in cirrhotic patients. Summary Although SBEM is a rare complication of cirrhosis, the high mortality rate should increase physicians’ index of suspicion in cirrhotic patients with hydrothorax and prompt immediate diagnostic thoracentesis. The MELD-Na score rather than Child–Pugh score may be a strong predictor of in-hospital mortality of SBEM patients.
The Theoretical Concept of the ‘Civilising Offensive’ (Beschavingsoffensief): Notes on its Origins and Uses

It is over 30 years since the theoretical concept of the civilising offensive (het beschavingsoffensief) emerged from Amsterdam and the work of Norbert Elias. Since then a small but important number of studies, primarily focused on the Netherlands, have applied the concept to various historical civilising projects aimed at bringing about cultural shifts and inculcating lasting habits in working-class populations deemed to be ‘immoral’ or ‘uncivilised’. More recently, a number of UK academics have sought to apply the concept to contemporary concerns related to welfare policies aimed at specific ‘problematic’ populations perceived to be in need of ‘civilising’. These disparate but overlapping UK accounts have neglected the Dutch origins of the concept. This paper seeks to reconcile that neglect in charting the genealogy of the concept of the civilising offensive. In doing so the paper argues that a greater appreciation of these theoretical origins and developments can not only aid a more coherent understanding of the concept and facilitate comparative analyses, but also enable its refinement and development - both as a complement to Elias’ theory of civilisation and as a tool for exposing the targeted and stigmatising projects of powerful groups. Drawing on existing studies, the paper also suggests that more nuanced insights on the impact of civilising offensives can be gleaned, and greater understanding accrued, by moving beyond the narrow conceptualisation of them as projects of elites (the established) aimed at less powerful groups (outsiders). The importance of internal pressures and group and peer socialisation relative to civilising offensives are therefore discussed. The paper concludes that the theoretical concept of the civilising offensive offers much potential in understanding group conflict and the role of the state in contemporary neoliberal society, as well as historically.
The effects of age, gender and computer experience upon computer attitudes

Summary The effects of age, gender and prior computing experience upon attitudes towards computers were investigated in 278 secondary school pupils drawn from the 11‐12 and 15‐16 years age‐groups. Males from both age‐groups reported greater experience with and more positive attitudes towards computers than females. Younger pupils, both male and female, were found to have greater experience with and more positive attitudes towards computers than older pupils. After controlling for ownership and use of a home computer by means of analyses of covariance, female and male pupils reported similar levels of enjoyment of computers, but age differences in enjoyment and gender and age differences in confidence with computers remained significant. Similar analyses using length of experience as a covariate did not significantly affect gender or age differences. The need to investigate and address the level of confidence of female pupils is briefly discussed.
A Psychometric Tool for a Virtual Reality Rehabilitation Approach for Dyslexia

Dyslexia is a chronic problem that affects the life of subjects and often influences their life choices. The standard rehabilitation methods all use a classic paper and pencil training format but these exercises are boring and demanding for children who may have difficulty in completing the treatments. It is important to develop a new rehabilitation program that would help children in a funny and engaging way. A Wii-based game was developed to demonstrate that a short treatment with an action video game, rather than phonological or orthographic training, may improve the reading abilities in dyslexic children. According to the results, an approach using cues in the context of a virtual environment may represent a promising tool to improve attentional skills. On the other hand, our results do not demonstrate an immediate effect on reading performance, suggesting that a more prolonged protocol may be a future direction.
A randomised controlled trial of metronidazole for the prevention of preterm birth in women positive for cervicovaginal fetal fibronectin: the PREMET study

OBJECTIVE To determine whether metronidazole reduces early preterm labour in asymptomatic women with positive vaginal fetal fibronectin (fFN) in the second trimester of pregnancy. DESIGN Randomised placebo-controlled trial. SETTING Fourteen UK hospitals (three teaching). POPULATION Pregnancies with at least one previous risk factor, including mid-trimester loss or preterm delivery, uterine abnormality, cervical surgery or cerclage. METHODS Nine hundred pregnancies were screened for fFN at 24 and 27 weeks of gestation. Positive cases were randomised to a week's course of oral metronidazole or placebo. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Primary outcome was delivery before 30 weeks of gestation. Secondary outcomes included delivery before 37 weeks. RESULTS The Trial Steering Committee (TSC) recommended the study be stopped early; 21% of women receiving metronidazole (11/53) delivered before 30 weeks compared with 11% (5/46) taking placebo [risk ratio 1.9, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.72-5.09, P = 0.18]. There were significantly more preterm deliveries (before 37 weeks) in women treated with metronidazole 33/53 (62%) versus placebo 18/46 (39%), risk ratio 1.6, 95% CI 1.05-2.4. fFN was a good predictor of early preterm birth in these asymptomatic women; positive and negative predictive values (24 weeks of gestation) for delivery by 30 weeks were 26% and 99%, respectively (positive and negative likelihood ratios 15, 0.35). CONCLUSION Metronidazole does not reduce early preterm birth in high risk pregnant women selected by history and a positive vaginal fFN test. Preterm delivery may be increased by metronidazole therapy.
A Caring Teacher: Explorations into primary school teachers' professional identity and ethic of care

This article explores primary school teachers' conceptions of caring within teaching and discusses the relevance of an ethic of care for teaching. Thirty-two Swiss and English primary school teachers participated in this exploratory study. The methodology included semi-structured interviews as well as image-based approaches employing photographs and drawings. Caring within teaching can be understood in a range of ways: caring as commitment, caring as relatedness, caring as physical care, caring as expressing affection, such as giving a cuddle, caring as parenting and caring as mothering. The author suggests that these definitions of caring within teaching can be placed along a continuum. Caring understood as mothering at one end of this continuum is distinctly associated with traditional Western notions of femininities whereas caring as commitment is non-gender-specific. Caring as relatedness can be linked with the concept of ethic of care, which has been conceptualised as a moral perspective more often held by women. The findings of this study challenge this view, as an ethic of care understood as responsibility for and relatedness to their pupils emerged amongst men as well as women.
Deliberation and protest: strange bedfellows? Revealing the deliberative potential of 2013 protests in Turkey and Brazil

Deliberation and protest have usually been understood as two mutually exclusive ways of practicing democracy. It has been argued that protests, due to their adversarial nature, and orientation toward conflict would hinder, rather than enhance, the prospects for deliberation. The recent cycle of protests, including the Arab Spring, Indignados and Occupy Wall Street, has however shown that contentious politics do not necessarily stand in opposition to the idea of deliberative democracy. On the contrary, these protests feature important deliberative qualities. In this article, we seek to identify the deliberative dimension of the recent wave of protests. We do so through a close analysis of theoretical approaches in democratic theory and by drawing on the 2013 protests in Brazil and Turkey. We show that deliberative democracy is not antithetical to conflicts and agonism generated by protests. In fact, protests constitute an integral part of public deliberation, especially when the latter is understood in broader terms, in terms of public conversation that occurs in multiple sites of communication. We argue that the deliberative dimension of the aforementioned protests is manifested in: (i) how they were organized, (ii) how they were carried out and (iii) what they have achieved.
The Nature of Expressiveness and Instrumentality in Homicide

One of the main areas of concern regarding offender profiling has been the general lack of extensive empirical studies on the psychological processes underpinning this process. This study aimed to investigate the possibility of establishing a model of homicide behaviors that could be used as a basis for evaluating the scientific validity of offender profiling. A sample of 247 British single offender-single victim solved homicide cases was analyzed using a nonmetric multidimensional scaling procedure known as Smallest Space Analysis. The results indicated that homicide crime scenes could most readily be differentiated in terms of the expressive and instrumental role the victim had to the offender. The backgrounds of the offenders could similarly be differentiated by an expressive/instrumental thematic split. However, when these two elements were combined, there was a substantial mix between crime scene themes and themes of background characteristics. The results are discussed in terms of the validity of classifying homicide into a expressive/instrumental dichotomy and the implications this classification may have for offender profiling.
Effect of Norharmane in vitro on Juvenile Hormone Epoxide Hydrolase Activity in the Lower Termite, Reticulitermes speratus

Abstract The aromatic &bgr;-carboline norharmane was determined in workers, nymphs, and ergatoids of Reticulitermes speratus (Kolbe) (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Norharmane levels in workers, nymphs, and ergatoids collected in May (∼4.3 ng/termite) were higher than those in November (∼0.2 ng/termite). Fluorescence of norharmane was observed in histological sections in whole animals and in the fat body. Norharmane, at a final concentration of 1 mM, stimulated juvenile hormone epoxide hydrolase (JHEH) activity of enzyme extract from ergatoids, but inhibited JHEH activity at higher concentrations. The elevated JHEH activity stimulated by norharmane should accelerate juvenile hormone metabolism in R. speratus.
Measurements of Hand and Foot – A Predictor of Stature in Adult Human Population of Uttar Pradesh

Materials and Methods: 238 males and 259 females in the age group of 18-30 year were considered for measurements: height, hand morphometrics and foot morphometrics. Stadiometer was used to measure the height. All morphometric measurements analyzed by SPSS. Results: In females, stature varied from 140.500 to 180.00 cm with mean value of 157.199±6.244 cm. In males, stature varied from 159.00 to 190.00 cm with mean value of 172.742 cm ±6.110 cm. The mean height of subject is 164.642 ± 9.926 cm. The mean hand length, hand breadth, middle finger length, thumb length, foot length and foot breadth are 18.304 ± 1.458cm, 7.757 ± 0.688 cm, 7.528 ± 0.597 cm, 6.092 ± 0.543 cm, 24.728 ± 1.927 cm, and 9.402 ± 0.819 respectively.
Review Article a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Estimating the Expected Dropout Rates in Randomized Controlled Trials on Yoga Interventions

A reasonable estimation of expected dropout rates is vital for adequate sample size calculations in randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Underestimating expected dropouts rates increases the risk of false negative results while overestimating rates results in overly large sample sizes, raising both ethical and economic issues. To estimate expected dropout rates in RCTs on yoga interventions, MEDLINE/PubMed, Scopus, IndMED, and the Cochrane Library were searched through February 2014; a total of 168 RCTs were meta-analyzed. Overall dropout rate was 11.42% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 10.11%, 12.73%) in the yoga groups; rates were comparable in usual care and psychological control groups and were slightly higher in exercise control groups (rate = The upper border of 95% CIs for dropout rates commonly was below 20% regardless of study origin, health condition, gender, age groups, and intervention characteristics; however, it exceeded 40% for studies on HIV patients or heterogeneous age groups. In conclusion, dropout rates can be expected to be less than 15 to 20% for most RCTs on yoga interventions. Yet dropout rates beyond 40% are possible depending on the participants' sociodemographic and health condition.
Fathering to Ensure Child’s Success

In a globalizing urban India, middle-class parents are extremely anxious about their child’s success and future in a competitive world. In this context, the present article attempts to capture middle-class educated Indian fathers’ thoughts, feelings, and contributions in ensuring children’s success, through primary research conducted in the city of Baroda in western India using qualitative and quantitative methods. Descriptive data and fathers’ voices highlight their notions of achievement, the nature and extent of their involvement in different areas of their children’s lives, namely, providing, guiding and mentoring, practical and emotional support, communication, education, and extracurricular activities. Fathers’ vision of a successful child, nature of involvement and their reasoning are in consonance with their desire for involvement in promoting the child’s cognitive and social competence, and passing on sanskar, a unique aspect of Hindu culture.
Implicit-Explicit Differences in Self-Enhancement for Americans and Japanese

Past research on cross-cultural psychology has shown that North Americans have self-enhancing attitudes, evaluating themselves more favorably than others, including friends. The present research identifies a discrepancy — this self-enhancement in relation to friends did not appear when measured implicitly. Using American and Japanese university students as subjects, the present studies investigated responses to explicit (self-report) and implicit measures (the Implicit Association Test) toward three targets: self, best friends, and fellow university students. Results revealed that North Americans showed more positive implicit attitudes toward best friends than toward self, a very different pattern from the explicit results. For the Japanese, best friends were evaluated slightly more positively than the self on implicit measures, which contrasted with previous findings with explicit measures that showed best friends being evaluated more positively.