Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Convergent Validity of Two Visual Motor Integration Tests

Background: Occupational therapists often assess visual motor integration (VMI) skills. It is, therefore, imperative that therapists use VMI tests with robust measurement properties. Objective: This study examined the convergent validity of two VMI tests used to assess children, adolescents and adults. Method: Three groups of healthy participants (n = 153) completed the Beery-Buktenica Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration (DTVMI) and the Full Range Test of Visual Motor Integration (FRTVMI). Seventy-three children aged 5–10 years (37 males and 36 females; mean age 7.5 years, SD = 2.20), 19 adolescents aged 11–17 years (8 males and 11 females; 13.1 years, SD = 2.16), and 61 adults (18 males and 43 females; mean age 31.82 years, SD = 11.20) completed the DTVMI and the FRTVMI. Spearman rho correlation coefficients were used to investigate whether each pair of the VMI test scores for each of the three participant age groups were associated. Results: The Spearman rho correlation coefficients between all three versions of the DTVMI and FRTVMI were statistically significant. For the child group, the correlation coefficient was rho = 0.70 (p<0.000), while the correlation between the VMI scores obtained by the adolescent group on the two tests was rho = 0.77 (p<0.000). For the adult participant group, the correlation coefficient between the DTVMI and the FRTVMI was rho = 0.70 (p<0.000). Conclusion: The VMI scores obtained by the three participant age groups on the DTVMI and the FRTVMI were all significantly correlated with each other. Overall, the DTVMI and the FRTVMI exhibited large levels of convergent validity with each other, indicating that the two tests appear to measure similar visual-motor integration constructs.
The ‘obesity crisis’ and school physical education

The article builds on a number of recent critical reviews to argue that claims that we are experiencing an obesity crisis are almost entirely without foundation. The possibility is explored that this crisis is manufactured through a complex process of the social production of knowledge. The article marshals evidence to challenge the basis upon which crisis claims are made. In the context of this challenge, the relationship of this alleged crisis to school physical education is explored. Despite ambivalence from physical educators over the place of health-related exercise in their programmes, I propose that they may find it increasingly difficult to resist calls for physical education to be held accountable for children's health. This is because the notion of the obese child generates a powerful and increasingly pervasive cultural symbolism of degeneration. I conclude that there is a need for a critical pedagogy in physical education to provide a morally and educationally defensible form of engagement with obesity discourse.
Brain interstitial oligomeric amyloid β increases with age and is resistant to clearance from brain in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease

There is a growing body of evidence that soluble oligomeric forms of amyloid β (Aβ) play a critical role in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Despite the importance of soluble Aβ oligomers as a therapeutic target for AD, the dynamic metabolism of these Aβ species in vivo has not been elucidated because of the difficulty in monitoring brain Aβ oligomers in living animals. Here, using a unique large pore‐sized membrane microdialysis, we characterized soluble Aβ oligomers in brain interstitial fluid (ISF) of awake, freely moving APP/PS1 transgenic and control WT mice. We could detect high‐molecular‐weight (HMW) and low‐molecular‐weight (LMW) Aβ oligomers in the brain ISF of living animals, which increased dramatically in an age‐dependent manner (5‐ to 8‐fold increase, 4 vs. 17‐18 mo). Notably, HMW Aβ decreased more slowly than other forms of Aβ after acute γ‐secretase inhibition [% decrease from the baseline (HMW vs. LMW) was 36.9 vs. 74.1% (Aβ40, P<0.05) and 25.4 vs. 88.0% (Aβ42, P<0.01)], suggesting that HMW Aβ oligomers clear more slowly than other forms from the brain. These data reveal the dynamic metabolism of neurotoxic Aβ oligomers in AD brain and could provide new insights into Aβ‐targeted therapies for AD. —Takeda, S. , Hashimoto, T. , Roe, A. D. , Hori, Y. , Spires‐Jones, T. L.and Hyman, B. T. , Brain interstitial oligomeric amyloid β increases with age and is resistant to clearance from brain in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. FASEB J. 27, 3239–3248 (2013). www.fasebj. org
Deletion analysis of the 5' untranslated leader sequence of tobacco mosaic virus RNA

To determine the sequences essential for viral multiplication in the 5' untranslated leader sequence of tobacco mosaic virus RNA, mutant TMV-L (a tomato strain) RNAs which carry several deletions in this 71-nucleotide sequence were constructed by an in vitro transcription system and their multiplication was analyzed by introducing mutant RNA into tobacco protoplasts by electroporation. Large deletions of the sequence from nucleotides 9 to 47 or 25 to 71 abolished viral multiplication; when about 10-nucleotide deletions were introduced throughout this 5' leader sequence, only deletion of the sequence from nucleotides 2 to 8 abolished detectable viral multiplication. This mutant RNA, however, directed the synthesis of the 130,000-molecular-weight protein in a rabbit reticulocyte lysate in vitro translation system, and consequently this 5'-proximal portion appears likely to be essential for replication.
Selective Brain-Targeted Antagonism of p38 MAPKα Reduces Hippocampal IL-1β Levels and Improves Morris Water Maze Performance in Aged Rats

Abstract Background: P38 mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) α modulates microglia-mediated inflammatory responses and a number of neuronal physiological processes. Objective: To evaluate pre-clinically the pharmacological effects in the brain of p38 MAPKα inhibition with a brain-penetrant specific chemical antagonist. Methods: VX-745, a blood-brain barrier penetrant, highly selective p38 MAPKα inhibitor, and clinical stage investigational drug, was utilized. Initially, a pilot study in 26-month-old Tg2576 mice was conducted. Subsequently, a definitive dose-response study was conducted in aged (20–22 months) rats with identified cognitive deficits; n = 15 per group: vehicle, 0.5, 1.5, and 4.5 mg/kg VX-745 by oral gavage twice daily for 3 weeks. Assessments in aged rats included IL-1β, PSD-95, TNFα protein levels in hippocampus; and Morris water maze (MWM) test for cognitive performance. Results: Drug effect could not be assessed in Tg2576 mice, as little inflammation was evident. In cognitively-impaired aged rats, VX-745 led to significantly improved performance in the MWM and significant reduction in hippocampal IL-1β protein levels, though the effects were dissociated as the MWM effect was evident at a lower dose level than that required to lower IL-1β. Drug concentration-effect relationships and predicted human doses were determined. Conclusions: Selective inhibition of p38 MAPKα with VX-745 in aged rats reduces hippocampal IL-1β levels and improves performance in the MWM. As the two effects occur at different dose levels, the behavioral effect appears to be via a mechanism that is independent of reducing cytokine production. The predicted human doses should minimize risks of systemic toxicity.
Participation in Structured Youth Programs

This study examines the cultural and contextual factors that influence the decisions of underrepresented urban youth, who identify themselves as Black/ African American, Latino, Arab, or Chaldean, to participate in youth programs. Although youth programs are increasingly recognized for their positive influences, little is known about the factors that influence a young person's decision to participate. Using the concept systems method, participants engaged in “brainstorming sessions” that led to more in-depth discussions about why youth participate in youth programs. Overall, youth emphasized how youth programs help young people stay off the streets, learn new skills, avoid boredom, and provide opportunities for fun and enjoyable activities. The perceived barriers preventing young people from participating differed between genders and ethnicities and included barriers related to personal decisions, peer influence, and parental restrictions.
Order Flow and Liquidity around NYSE Trading Halts

We study order flow and liquidity around NYSE trading halts. We find that market and limit order submissions and cancellations increase significantly during trading halts, that a large proportion of the limit order book at the reopen is composed of orders submitted during the halt, and that the market-clearing price at the reopen is a good predictor of future prices. Depth near the quotes is unusually low around trading halts, though specialists and/or floor traders appear to provide additional liquidity at these times. Finally, specialists appear to 'spread the quote' prior to imbalance halts to convey information to market participants. Copyright The American Finance Association 2000.
Molecular Epidemiology of Dengue Viruses Co-circulating in Upper Myanmar in 2006

To understand the molecular epidemiology of circulating dengue viruses (DENV) in Upper Myanmar, DENV isolation was attempted by inoculating the sera of a panel of 110 serum samples onto a C6/36 mosquito cell line. The samples were collected from dengue (DEN) patients admitted at Mandalay Children’s Hospital in 2006. Infected culture fluids were subjected to a RT-PCR to detect the DENV genome. Three DENV strains were isolated. This was the first DENV isolation performed either in Mandalay or in Upper Myanmar. One strain belonged to DENV serotype-3 (DENV-3), and two other strains belonged to DENV serotype-4 (DEN-4). The sequence data for the envelope gene of these strains were used in a phylogenetic comparison of DENV-3 and DENV-4 from various countries. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that this DENV-3 strain was clustered within genotype II, and the two DENV-4 strains were clustered within genotype I in each serotype. The Myanmar strains were closely related to strains from the neighboring countries of Thailand and Bangladesh. These results are important for elucidating the trends of recent and future DEN outbreaks in Myanmar.
The effects of immobilization on vascular canal orientation in rat cortical bone

It is well established that bone is capable of adapting to changes in loading; however, little is known regarding how loading specifically affects the internal 3D microarchitecture of cortical bone. The aim of this study was to experimentally test the hypothesis that loading is a determinant of the 3D orientation of primary vascular canals in the rat tibial diaphysis. Left tibiae from 10 rats (30 weeks old) that had been immobilized (sciatic neurectomy) for 27 weeks, right SHAM‐operated tibiae from these same rats (internal control) and right tibiae from 10 normal age‐matched rats (external control) were scanned by micro‐CT. Mean canal orientation (for the whole bone segment and by region), percent porosity, canal diameter and canal separation were quantitatively assessed in 3D. Canal orientation in the immobilized tibiae was significantly (P < 0.001) more radial (by 9.9°) compared to the external controls but did not differ from the internal controls (P = 0.310). Comparing the external and internal controls, orientation was significantly (P < 0.05) more radial in the internal control group (by 6.8°). No differences were found for percent porosity and canal separation. Canal diameter was significantly greater in the immobilized vs. internal (P < 0.001) and external control (P < 0.001) tibiae. The differences in orientation relative to the external controls indicated that the organization of cortical bone in the rat is affected by loading. Although the predicted difference in canal orientation was not detected between immobilized and internal control groups, the distributions of individual canal orientations, from which the mean values were derived, revealed distinctive patterns for all three groups. The internal controls exhibited an intermediate position between the immobilized and external controls, suggesting that paralysis on the contralateral side resulted in altered loading relative to the normal state represented by the external control. This was also evident in a regional analysis by quadrant. The loaded bones had the same cross‐sectional shape; however, their internal structure differed. These results provide novel insights into the impact of loading on the 3D organization of primary cortical bone and have implications for understanding the relation between cortical bone adaptation, disease and mechanical properties.
Cyclophilin A up-regulates MMP-9 expression and adhesion of monocytes/macrophages via CD147 signalling pathway in rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract Objectives. To investigate whether cyclophilin A (CypA) can up-regulate the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in monocytes/macrophages and whether CD147 facilitates this regulation in RA. Methods. Peripheral blood monocytes were isolated from RA patients and differentiated into macrophages by M-CSF (15 ng/ml). Under CypA stimulation (200 ng/ml), the protein release and activation of MMPs were detected by gelatin zymography and invasion assay. Human monocyte cell line THP-1 cells were selected for the advanced searching for potential interaction between CypA and CD147 in production of MMPs and cell adhesion to extracellular matrix (ECM). Results. CypA significantly increased production and activation of MMP-9, not MMP-2, in the monocytes/macrophages derived from RA SF. CSA and HAb18G/CD147 antagonistic peptide AP-9 against CD147, respectively, dramatically decreased MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression, both in the absence or presence of CypA. Similar effects of CypA on MMP-9 production and cell invasion were observed in THP-1 cells. CypA-induced nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) activity for MMP-9 transcription were strongly blocked by extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), c-Jun amino terminal kinase (JNK) inhibitors (U0126 and SP600125, respectively), but not by p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitors (SB203580). CypA also induced calcium mobilization and increased the adhesion of THP-1 cells to ECM. Conclusions. These findings suggest that in RA, the abundant CypA, by its direct binding to CD147, up-regulates MMP-9 expression and adhesion of monocytes/macrophages to ECM, and the cyclophilin-CD147 interactions might contribute to the destruction of cartilage and bone.
Teachers' Perceptions of Large-Scale Assessment Programs Within Low-Stakes Accountability Frameworks

The intent of this study was to examine the views of teachers regarding the appropriateness of the purposes and uses of the provincial assessments in Alberta and Ontario and the seriousness of the concerns raised about these assessments. These provinces represent educational jurisdictions that use large-scale assessments within a low-stakes accountability framework in which the results are intended to be used to support school-based improvement efforts. Despite being implemented at different times (1982–Alberta; 1996–Ontario), teachers in both provinces appear to hold relatively similar views about the testing programs in their own provinces and the issues associated with these programs. Teachers’ concerns regarding the use of these assessments for accountability purposes and the potential misuses of the results appear to be a dominant influence on teachers’ generally low ratings of other purposes and uses of the assessments in both provinces, including those related to improving instruction and learning.
Is the Log Export Ban Effective? Revisiting the Issue through the Case of Indonesia

The effectiveness of a log export ban policy in achieving the twin goals of conservation and economic development has been vigorously debated by many researchers and policymakers for the last two decades or so. Despite the abundance of work focusing on this issue that demonstrates the perversity of this policy, many countries around the world still implement it. This paper will, first, review the economic and political arguments on the pros and cons of this policy. Second, it will review the Indonesian experience in implementing the policy in the 1980s and 2000s. Third, using a CGE model, this paper will predict the anticipated impact of implementing the log export ban policy on the national economy and on household incomes for various socio-economic groups.
Development and Validation of the Motivational Climate Scale for Youth Sports

The Motivational Climate Scale for Youth Sports (MCSYS) provides an age-appropriate measure of coach-initiated motivational climates in youth sports. Items have a readability level of grade 4.0 or below. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses revealed that both child and adolescent athletes (ages 9–14) discriminate between mastery- and ego-involving coaching behaviors. The MCSYS demonstrated acceptable reliability and strong factorial validity. Construct validity research yielded predicted relations within a nomological net that included athletes’ achievement goal orientations, competitive trait anxiety, sport enjoyment and coach evaluations, intrinsic motivation, and self-esteem. In both white middle-class and low income minority samples, the mastery and ego subscales also proved sensitive to a coach intervention designed to promote the establishment of a mastery climate and a reduction of ego climate behaviors. We discuss use of the scale to, measure motivational climate at individual and team levels and the desirability of multi-level statistical analyses of climate data.
Bicultural Identity Negotiation, Conflicts, and Intergroup Communication Strategies

This qualitative study explores the significant yet understudied topic of bicultural identity and intergroup-intercultural communication. Ting-Toomey’s identity negotiation theory and Giles’ communication accommodation theory guide this investigation into the meaning construction of “bicultural identity” of Asian/Caucasian individuals and their intergroup communication strategies. Bicultural identity development is a multilayered, complex lived experience. Response analysis to the research questions revealed eight thematic patterns such as bicultural construction of integrated identity, distinctive communication practice, and identity buffering strategies. These patterns culminate to the proposed idea of a “double-swing bicultural identity” model. The study concludes with a discussion on contributions, limitations, and future directions.
GENETIC VARIANCE AND PHENOTYPIC PLASTICITY IN A COMPONENT OF FEMALE MATE CHOICE IN AN ULTRASONIC MOTH

Abstract Female response to male advertisement signals in lesser waxmoths showed substantial genetic variation, phenotypic plasticity across rearing environments, and genotype-by-environment interactions resulting in crossing reaction norms. These results represent two previously underemphasized means by which genetic variation may be maintained in sexually selected traits: genetic variation in female response to male traits, and variation in the selection acting on both males and females. Genotype-by-environment interactions and reaction norms that cross indicate that divergent selection may act on male and female sexual traits if the level of environmental change is high. The processes that contribute to the maintenance of genetic variation may thus also contribute to population differentiation.
Endogenous antibodies promote rapid myelin clearance and effective axon regeneration after nerve injury

Degenerating myelin inhibits axon regeneration and is rapidly cleared after peripheral (PNS) but not central nervous system (CNS) injury. To better understand mechanisms underlying rapid PNS myelin clearance, we tested the potential role of the humoral immune system. Here, we show that endogenous antibodies are required for rapid and robust PNS myelin clearance and axon regeneration. B-cell knockout JHD mice display a significant delay in macrophage influx, myelin clearance, and axon regeneration. Rapid clearance of myelin debris is restored in mutant JHD mice by passive transfer of antibodies from naïve WT mice or by an anti-PNS myelin antibody, but not by delivery of nonneural antibodies. We demonstrate that degenerating nerve tissue is targeted by preexisting endogenous antibodies that control myelin clearance by promoting macrophage entrance and phagocytic activity. These results demonstrate a role for immunoglobulin (Ig) in clearing damaged self during healing and suggest that the immune-privileged status of the CNS may contribute to failure of CNS myelin clearance and axon regeneration after injury.
Automating the CGF Model Development and Refinement Process by Observing Expert Behavior in a Simulation

Ultimate widespread use of CGF entities in tactical simulations will depend on how easy it will be to develop, refine and maintain models of the behaviors to be represented. However, proper vehicle behavior model development for CGF applications can be difficult as well as expensive. Means to quickly and effectively create models for new vehicles and/or behaviors must be developed to permit CGF models to be widely used in the future. One realistic approach to overcoming this model generation bottleneck is to create and refine vehicle models through automated observation of the behavior of an entity being controlled by a human expert in a simulation. This is a learning paradigm quite commonly used by humans. This paper describes an on-going research effort that introduces some new ideas on how to accomplish autonomous model development through observation.
An investigation into the influence of gender and parenting styles on excessive exercise and disordered eating

Previous research has shown a gender difference in the incidence of eating disorders, with a far higher number of female sufferers. This study aimed to re-examine this gender difference, and also any difference in primary excessive exercise, based on Lerner et al.'s (1976) theoretical distinction between ‘body effectiveness’ and ‘body attractiveness’. It also considered the significance of parental styles to abnormal eating and exercising behaviour. As predicted, young adult females demonstrated significantly higher levels of disordered eating than young adult males while the reverse was the case for excessive exercise. The degree of these behavioural abnormalities was related to low body satisfaction and subjects' weight perceptions. For both sexes, mother and father overprotection was associated with low body satisfaction, and, for female subjects, disordered eating patterns. These results are discussed in relation to Lerner et al.'s (1976) theory and the models proposed by Eisler and Le Grange (1990). Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.
Development and validation of a multidimensional eating disorder inventory for anorexia nervosa and bulimia.

The development and validation of a new measure, the Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI) is described. The EDI is a 64 item, self-report, multiscale measure designed for the assessment of psychological and behavioral traits common in anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia. The EDI consists of eight sub-scales measuring: 1) Drive for Thinness, 2) Bulimia, 3) Body Dissatisfaction, 4) Ineffectiveness, 5) Perfectionism, 6) Interpersonal Distrust, 7) Interoceptive Awareness and 8) Maturity Fears. Reliability (internal consistency) is established for all subscales and several indices of validity are presented. First, AN patients (N = 113) are differentiated from female comparison (FC) subjects (N = 577) using a cross-validation procedure. Secondly, patient self-report subscale scores agree with clinician ratings of subscale traits. Thirdly, clinically recovered AN patients score similarly to FCs on all subscales. Finally, convergent and discriminate validity are established for subscales. The EDI was also administered to groups of normal weight bulimic women, obese, and normal weight but formerly obese women, as well as a male comparison group. Group differences are reported and the potential utility of the EDI is discussed.