Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Domain-Specific Ratings of Importance and Global Self-worth of Children with Visual Impairments

This study examined perceived competence; ratings of importance of physical appearance, athletic competence, and social acceptance; discrepancy scores; and global self-worth of 43 children with visual impairments. The findings revealed that the children discounted the importance of physical appearance, athletic competence, and social acceptance and had moderately high ratings of global, or overall, self-worth. The results are discussed in relation to understanding the effects of discounting strategies on domain-specific and overall self-esteem.
Plasma Exchange as a Therapy for Guillain‐Barré Syndrome with Immune Complexes

Small volume plasma exchange (PE) was evaluated in 6 patients with acute Guillain‐Barré syndrome (GBS) and in 1 with its chronic relapsing type. Patients were treated during the onset or progression of their neurologic involvement and no other combined therapy was provided. 6 of our patients had clear benefit following the first session. Two procedures on alternate days were carried out in 4 patients while a third procedure was performed in 3 due to insufficient exchange or to equivocal improvement. After PE, patients showed moderate to marked improvement in motor strength, in their ventilatory function and in their sensory symptoms, which improved definitely but more slowly than motility. Each patient showed, prior to therapy, high levels of immune complexes; their level was clearly reduced by PE and clinical results correlated with this removal. No relapse was observed during 5–15 months of appropriate follow‐up.
Self-regulation of academic motivation : advances in structure and measurement

Self-regulation of academic motivation is an under-explored aspect of selfregulation. This paper examines the structure of Self-Regulated Academic Motivation (SRAM) in the context of an overall model of Self-Regulated Learning (SRL) that also includes aspects of the self-regulation of academic cognition. In this study we first delineate key components of SRAM i.e., Mastery Self Talk, Relevance Enhancement, Situational Interest Enhancement, Performance Relative Ability Self Talk, Performance Extrinsic Self-Talk, Self Consequences and Environmental Structuring. We then test a series of Confirmatory Factor Analysis models measuring the latent components of SRAM with data from approximately 400 first year university students. Results indicate that the measure of SRAM was a valid measure of both the first and higher-order structure of SRAM, as well as being invariant across sex groups. Fit indices for all models were in excess of criterion values. We conclude that the theoretical structure we propose for SRAM is accurately operationalised by our measure with this sample. Thus, the study provides a basis upon which further testing of the theoretical SRAM model and the measure itself may be developed.
Intercontinental Spread of Asian-Origin H5N8 to North America through Beringia by Migratory Birds

ABSTRACT Phylogenetic network analysis and understanding of waterfowl migration patterns suggest that the Eurasian H5N8 clade 2.3. 4.4 avian influenza virus emerged in late 2013 in China, spread in early 2014 to South Korea and Japan, and reached Siberia and Beringia by summer 2014 via migratory birds. Three genetically distinct subgroups emerged and subsequently spread along different flyways during fall 2014 into Europe, North America, and East Asia, respectively. All three subgroups reappeared in Japan, a wintering site for waterfowl from Eurasia and parts of North America.
A Clinical and Pharmacokinetic Comparison of Ropivacaine and Bupivacaine in Axillary Plexus Block

The clinical and pharmacokinetic properties of ropivacaine and bupivacaine, both 5 mg/mL, used in axillary plexus block were compared in 60 patients in this randomized, double-blind, parallel-group study. The axillary plexus was identified with a nerve stimulator and 30, 35, or 40 mL of drug, depending on body weight, was injected into the perivascular sheath. In 20 patients, venous blood samples for the pharmacokinetic measurement were obtained over 24 h. The median onset times for anesthesia and complete motor block were in the range of 12-48 min and 5-20 min, respectively. Thirty-eight percent of patients in the ropivacaine group and 29% in the bupivacaine group needed additional nerve block(s) or supplementary analgesia and 7% in the bupivacaine group needed general anesthesia for surgery. Anesthesia was achieved in 52%-86% of the evaluated six nerves in the ropivacaine group and in 36%-87% in the bupivacaine group; the lowest figures were seen in the musculocutaneous nerve. In the pharmacokinetic study the mean peak plasma concentrations (Cmax) were 1.28 +/- 0.21 mg/L in the ropivacaine group and 1.28 +/- 0.47 mg/L in the bupivacaine group and the median times to peak plasma concentration (tmax) were 0.86 h and 0.96 h, respectively. The median terminal half-lives (t 1/2) were 7.1 h and 11.5 h in the ropivacaine group and the bupivacaine group, respectively (P = 0.07). No statistically significant differences were found between ropivacaine and bupivacaine in either the clinical or the pharmacokinetic comparisons. (Anesth Analg 1995;81:534-8)
Is Behavioral Regulation in Children With ADHD Aggravated by Comorbid Anxiety Disorder?

Background: The present study investigated the impact of coexisting anxiety disorder in children with ADHD on their ability to regulate behavior. Method: Parent reports on the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF) in a comorbid group of children with ADHD and anxiety (n = 11) were compared to BRIEF reports in a group of children with a “pure” ADHD (n = 23), a “pure” anxiety (n = 24) and a group without any diagnosis (n = 104) in a 2 (ADHD vs. no ADHD) × 2 (anxiety vs. no anxiety) design. Results: The children with ADHD and anxiety disorder scored significantly higher on the Inhibit scale than children within the other three groups. Main effects of diagnosis appeared in ADHD children on the Inhibit, Emotional Control, and Working Memory scales, and on the Shift and Emotional Control scales in anxious children. Conclusion: The results indicate that a behavioral dysregulation in ADHD children is aggravated by comorbid anxiety.
Age Estimation from Telephone Speech using i-vectors

Motivated by the success of i-vectors in the field of speaker recognition, this paper proposes a new approach for age estimation from telephone speech patterns based on i-vectors. In this method, each utterance is modeled by its corresponding ivector. Then, Support Vector Regression (SVR) is applied to estimate the age of speakers. The proposed method is trained and tested on telephone conversations of the National Institute for Standard in Technology (NIST) 2010 and 2008 Speaker Recognition Evaluations databases. Evaluation results show that the proposed method outperforms different conventional methods in speaker age estimation.
White female victims and death penalty disparity research

Empirical studies of the death penalty continue to find that the race and gender of homicide victims are associated with the severity of legal responses in homicide cases even after controlling for legally relevant factors. A limitation of this research, however, is that victim race and gender are examined as distinct and independent factors in statistical models. In this study, we explore whether the independent examination of victim race and gender masks important differences in legal responses to homicides. In particular, we empirically test the hypothesis that defendants convicted of killing white females are significantly more likely to receive death sentences than killers of victims with other race-gender characteristics. Findings indicate that homicides with white female victims were more likely to result in death sentences than other victim race-gender dyads. We posit that this response may be unique and result in differential sentencing outcomes.
Suicide among psychiatric hospital inpatients

Synopsis We examined for risk factors for suicide among psychiatric in-patients by comparing 37 in-patients from an Ontario Provincial Psychiatric Hospital who had committed suicide with 37 age and sex matched in-patient controls. Significantly more of the suicide victims had made a previous suicide attempt (62·2 v. 35·1%), suffered from schizophrenia (75·7 v. 35·1%), were involuntary at their last admission (70·3 v. 43·2%) and lived alone (70·3 v. 43·2%). Only six patients committed suicide on the ward. Almost a third of the patients, the majority schizophrenic, committed suicide after having been in the hospital for more than a year. These results suggest that in the psychiatric hospital setting the in-patient at risk for suicide has previously exhibited suicidal behaviour, suffers from schizophrenia, was admitted involuntarily, lives alone and that the risk of suicide may remain high among long-stay schizophrenics.
The myth of legality and public evaluation of the Supreme Court

Objective. We investigate the extent to which the American people subscribe to the myth of legality-the notion that the Supreme Court's decisions are based on legal principles rather than on political influences. Methods. Using survey research, we examine the mass public's perceptions of the bases for Supreme Court decisions. We identify those perceptions that are consistent with the myth of legality and isolate the myth holders. Finally, we embed myth holding into a broader model of public evaluation of the Supreme Court. Results. We find that the myth holders are better educated, more attentive to the Court, and more favorable to the Court as an institution, even when controlling for other determinants of public evaluation of the Court. Conclusions. The myth of legality is a viable component of American political culture that assists citizens in making sense of the Supreme Court's decision-making processes
P2 receptors, platelet function and pharmacological implications

Summary ADP and ATP play a crucial role in platelet activation and their receptors are potential targets for antithrombotic drugs. The ATP-gated cation channel P2X1 and the two G protein-coupled ADP receptors, P2Y1 and P2Y12, selectively contribute to platelet aggregation and formation of a thrombus.Owing to its central role in the growth and stabilization of a thrombus, the P2Y12 receptor is an established target of antithrombotic drugs like the thienopyridines clopidogrel or prasugrel, or competitive antag-onists such as cangrelor or AZD6140.The optimal inhibition of this receptor to reach clinical efficacy while preserving patients from unacceptable bleeding is a matter of debate. On the other hand, studies in P2Y1 and P2X1 knockout mice and using selective P2Y1 and P2X1 antagonists have shown that these receptors are also attractive targets for new antithrombotic compounds. Finally, the regulation by the P2 receptors of the platelet involvement in inflammatory processes is also briefly discussed.
Sources of long-lived atmospheric VOCs at the rural boreal forest site, SMEAR II

Abstract. In this study a long-term volatile organic compound (VOCs) concentration data set, measured at the SMEAR II (Station for Measuring Ecosystem–Atmosphere Relations) boreal forest site in Hyytiala, Finland during the years 2006–2011, was analyzed in order to identify source areas and profiles of the observed VOCs. VOC mixing ratios were measured using proton transfer reaction mass spectrometry. Four-day HYSPLIT 4 (Hybrid Single Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory) backward trajectories and the Unmix 6.0 receptor model were used for source area and source composition analysis. Two major forest fire events in Russia took place during the measurement period. The effect of these fires was clearly visible in the trajectory analysis, lending confidence to the method employed with this data set. Elevated volume mixing ratios (VMRs) of non-biogenic VOCs related to forest fires, e.g. acetonitrile and aromatic VOCs, were observed. Ten major source areas for long-lived VOCs (methanol, acetonitrile, acetaldehyde, acetone, benzene, and toluene) observed at the SMEAR II site were identified. The main source areas for all the targeted VOCs were western Russia, northern Poland, Kaliningrad, and the Baltic countries. Industrial areas in northern continental Europe were also found to be source areas for certain VOCs. Both trajectory and receptor analysis showed that air masses from northern Fennoscandia were less polluted with respect to both the VOCs studied and other trace gases (CO, SO2 and NOx), compared to areas of eastern and western continental Europe, western Russia, and southern Fennoscandia.
Ratings of Oil Power Transformer in Different Cooling Modes

This case study shows the application of the calculation method based on the detailed thermal-hydraulic network model. The method is applied for the thermal design of oil power transformer of rated power 750 MVA in oil-directed, air-forced cooling mode; rated powers are also specified for oil-natural, air-forced and oil-natural, air-natural cooling modes. The results of the calculations using developed software for three cooling modes are compared with the results of the heat-run test of the transformer equipped with fiber-optic sensors. In addition to confirmation of the accuracy of the model, this paper demonstrates the full power of the integrated method (inner heating and outer cooling) for thermal calculations. All relevant components (pressure drops, oil flows, oil temperatures, etc.) in different cooling modes are obtained from the model and exposed in this paper.
NMODE - Neuro-MODule Evolution.

Modularisation, repetition, and symmetry are structural features shared by almost all biological neural networks. These features are very unlikely to be found by the means of structural evolution of artificial neural networks. This paper introduces NMODE, which is specifically designed to operate on neuro-modules. NMODE addresses a second problem in the context of evolutionary robotics, which is incremental evolution of complex behaviours for complex machines, by offering a way to interface neuro-modules. The scenario in mind is a complex walking machine, for which a locomotion module is evolved first, that is then extended by other modules in later stages. We show that NMODE is able to evolve a locomotion behaviour for a standard six-legged walking machine in approximately 10 generations and show how it can be used for incremental evolution of a complex walking machine. The entire source code used in this paper is publicly available through GitHub.
Speciation in rapidly diverging systems: lessons from Lake Malawi

Rapid evolutionary radiations provide insight into the fundamental processes involved in species formation. Here we examine the diversification of one such group, the cichlid fishes of Lake Malawi, which have radiated from a single ancestor into more than 400 species over the past 700 000 years. The phylogenetic history of this group suggests: (i) that their divergence has proceeded in three major bursts of cladogenesis; and (ii) that different selective forces have dominated each cladogenic event. The first episode resulted in the divergence of two major lineages, the sand‐ and rock‐dwellers, each adapted to a major benthic macrohabitat. Among the rock‐dwellers, competition for trophic resources then drove a second burst of cladogenesis, which resulted in the differentiation of trophic morphology. The third episode of cladogenesis is associated with differentiation of male nuptial colouration, most likely in response to divergent sexual selection. We discuss models of speciation in relation to this observed pattern. We advocate a model, divergence with gene flow, which reconciles the disparate selective forces responsible for the diversification of this group and suggest that the nonadaptive nature of the tertiary episode has significantly contributed to the extraordinary species richness of this group.
The Symbol Digit Modalities Test as sentinel test for cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis

Cognitive impairment (CI) is found in about half of the multiple sclerosis (MS) population and is an important contributor to employment status and social functioning. CI is encountered in all disease stages and correlates only moderately with disease duration or Expanded Disability Status Scale scores. Most present neuropsychological test batteries are time‐demanding and expensive. The Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) has been suggested as a screening tool for CI in MS. In this paper, we aim to assess the performance of the SDMT in predicting the outcome of an extensive battery.
LITHOCHOLIC ACID DECREASES EXPRESSION OF UGT2B7 IN CACO-2 CELLS: A POTENTIAL ROLE FOR A NEGATIVE FARNESOID X RECEPTOR RESPONSE ELEMENT

Human UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) 2B7 is the major isoform catalyzing the glucuronidation of a variety of endogenous compounds including bile acids. To determine the role of bile acids in the regulation of UGT2B7 expression, Caco-2 cells were incubated with the natural human farnesoid X receptor (hFXR) ligand, chenodeoxycholic acid, as well as the secondary bile acid, lithocholic acid, derived from chenodeoxycholic acid. Incubation of Caco-2 cells with lithocholic acid in the absence of exogenous hFXR resulted in a dose-dependent down-regulation of UGT2B7 mRNA levels, with an IC50 of 13 μM. Similar down-regulation was also observed with chenodeoxycholic acid; however, much higher concentrations were required. Transient transfection of Caco-2 cells with hFXR suppressed UGT2B7 mRNA expression both in the absence and presence of ligand. UGT2B7 promoter transfection experiments and deletion/mutation analysis showed that lithocholic acid-activated hFXR decreased UGT2B7 promoter activity via a negative hFXR response element (NFRE) located between nucleotides –148 and –134. Cotransfection with hFXR and/or human retinoid X receptor further enhanced the repression. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays additionally confirmed the role of NFRE in UGT2B7 down-regulation by lithocholic acid. These findings suggest that lithocholic acid, an activator of nuclear hFXR, acts as a negative regulator of UGT2B7 expression, indicating that hFXR may play an essential role in lithocholic acid homeostasis through negative regulation of this UGT that is involved in lithocholic acid biotransformation. Therefore, it is postulated that lithocholic acid toxicity may be due to down-regulation of genes involved in its detoxification, including UGT2B7, leading to limited excretion of lithocholic acid from the body.
Dealing with Multiple Solutions in Structural Vector Autoregressive Models

ABSTRACT Structural vector autoregressive models (VARs) hold great potential for psychological science, particularly for time series data analysis. They capture the magnitude, direction of influence, and temporal (lagged and contemporaneous) nature of relations among variables. Unified structural equation modeling (uSEM) is an optimal structural VAR instantiation, according to large-scale simulation studies, and it is implemented within an SEM framework. However, little is known about the uniqueness of uSEM results. Thus, the goal of this study was to investigate whether multiple solutions result from uSEM analysis and, if so, to demonstrate ways to select an optimal solution. This was accomplished with two simulated data sets, an empirical data set concerning children's dyadic play, and modifications to the group iterative multiple model estimation (GIMME) program, which implements uSEMs with group- and individual-level relations in a data-driven manner. Results revealed multiple solutions when there were large contemporaneous relations among variables. Results also verified several ways to select the correct solution when the complete solution set was generated, such as the use of cross-validation, maximum standardized residuals, and information criteria. This work has immediate and direct implications for the analysis of time series data and for the inferences drawn from those data concerning human behavior.
Patients' experiences from symptom onset to initial treatment for atrial fibrillation.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To describe patients' experiences from symptom onset to initial treatment for atrial fibrillation. BACKGROUND The estimated number of individuals with atrial fibrillation globally in 2010 was 33·5 million. World-wide, each year, new cases of atrial fibrillation approach 5 million, and prevalence will increase 2·5-fold by 2050. As a result, clinicians worldwide will treat a growing number of patients with atrial fibrillation. Early intervention to promote atrial fibrillation self-management is critical to reduce associated complications of stroke and heart failure. Greater understanding of patients' experiences from symptom onset to initial treatment for atrial fibrillation is needed to guide development of interventions to promote early effective self-management. DESIGN A descriptive qualitative design was used. METHODS Twenty females and 21 males at an academic medical centre were interviewed using open-ended questions to explore their experiences from symptom onset to initial treatment for atrial fibrillation. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis. RESULTS Participants' mean age was 64·3 (SD = 10·1) years. Four themes were identified: (1) misinterpreting symptoms; (2) discovering the meaning of atrial fibrillation; (3) facing fears, uncertainty, and moving to acceptance; and (4) receiving validation and reassurance. Participants lacked knowledge of atrial fibrillation and took cues from providers' responses to appraise symptoms and diagnosis. Fear and uncertainty were reduced when providers initiated prompt treatment and took time to explain atrial fibrillation. Patients appreciated receiving clear information about atrial fibrillation, were engaged in learning, and motivated to participate in their care. CONCLUSIONS Providers played a critical role in helping patients to develop an accurate understanding of atrial fibrillation, to cope with the new diagnosis, and motivated them to engage in effective self-management. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE Insight into participant experiences from symptom onset to initial treatment for atrial fibrillation may inform development of interventions to promote effective atrial fibrillation self-management.