Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The use of the classical twin method in the social and behavioral sciences: The fallacy continues.

The classical twin method assesses differences in behavioral trait resemblance between reared-together monozygotic and same-sex dizygotic twin pairs. Twin method proponents argue that the greater behavioral trait resemblance of the former supports an important role for genetic factors in causing the trait. Many critics, on the other hand, argue that non-genetic factors plausibly explain these results. The twin method has been used for decades in psychology, psychiatry, and medicine, and more recently in social science fields such as political science and economics. In 2012, a team of researchers in political science using behavioral genetic methods performed a study based on twin data in an attempt to test the critics’ position, and concluded in favor of the validity of the twin method and its underlying monozygotic–dizygotic “equal environment assumption. ” The author argues that this conclusion is not supported, because the investigators (1) framed their study in a way that guaranteed validation of the twin method, (2) put forward untenable redefinitions of the equal environment assumption, (3) used inadequate methods to assess twin environmental similarity and political ideology, (4) reached several conclusions that argue against the twin method’s validity, (5) overlooked previous evidence showing that monozygotic twin pairs experience strong levels of identify confusion and attachment, (6) mistakenly counted environmental effects on twins’ behavioral resemblance as genetic effects, and (7) conflated the potential yet differing roles of biological and genetic influences on twin resemblance. The author concludes that the study failed to support the equal environment assumption, and that genetic interpretations of twin method data in political science and the behavioral science fields should be rejected outright.
Trapping Molecules on a Chip

CO on a Chip Microfluidics technology has facilitated remarkable miniaturization of chemical synthesis platforms; through electrically gated solution flow and mixing, molecular reactions can be carried out on chips several centimeters across. When it comes to more fundamental dynamics studies, though, which involve probing gas-phase molecules in specific quantum mechanical states, the experiments still tend to require much larger interaction areas. Meek et al. (p. 1699) take a step toward miniaturization in this latter regime by demonstrating the isolation of a cold gas-phase beam of CO molecules just above a microelectrode-decorated chip. The technique relies on rapidly modulated electric fields that trap and then slow down the incoming molecules through dipole interactions. Once brought to a stop, the molecules can be held on the chip for a discrete period and then released to a detector. Trapping a beam of carbon monoxide molecules onto a chip should enable fundamental studies of chemical dynamics. Magnetic trapping of atoms on chips has recently become straightforward, but analogous trapping of molecules has proved to be challenging. We demonstrated trapping of carbon monoxide molecules above a chip using direct loading from a supersonic beam. Upon arrival above the chip, the molecules are confined in tubular electric field traps ~20 micrometers in diameter, centered 25 micrometers above the chip, that move with the molecular beam at a velocity of several hundred meters per second. An array of these miniaturized moving traps is brought to a standstill over a distance of only a few centimeters. After a certain holding time, the molecules are accelerated off the chip again for detection. This loading and detection methodology is applicable to a wide variety of polar molecules, enabling the creation of a gas-phase molecular laboratory on a chip.
The Noggin null mouse phenotype is strain dependent and haploinsufficiency leads to skeletal defects

Noggin is a secreted peptide that binds and inactivates Bone Morphogenetic Proteins, members of the transforming growth factor beta superfamily of secreted signaling molecules. In vertebrate limbs, Noggin is expressed in condensing cartilage and immature chondrocytes. Inactivation of the Noggin gene has been reported in an inbred 129X1/SvJ mouse genetic background. The null allele was lethal at 18.5 dpc and resulted in severe hyperplasia of the cartilage together with multiple joint fusions. In order to investigate the effect of the genetic background on the phenotypic manifestation of Noggin inactivation, we crossed the Noggin null allele into the outbred CD1 and inbred DBA1 and C57BL/6 mouse strains. We describe here skeletal phenotypes of Noggin null mice, such as accelerated or delayed mineralization of different bones suggestive of a complex tissue response to the perturbations in BMP balances. Additionally, we found that in the absence of Noggin, early specification of myogenic differentiation was unaffected, whereas terminal stages of myogenesis were delayed. Furthermore, we have discovered Noggin haploinsufficiency leading to carpal and tarsal fusions reminiscent of some phenotypes reported for NOGGIN haploinsufficiency in humans. Developmental Dynamics 235:1599–1607, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
International Collaborative Learning on the World Wide Web

Abstract Although the Internet has been widely celebrated for its potential to contribute to geographic learning, few have experimented with it as a vehicle for long-distance interactive collaboration. This article reports on an international effort whereby teams of students in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and the United States worked solely via the World Wide Web on a joint project critically analyzing electronic representations of the Third World. It summarizes the project's design, problems, and principle results. It concludes that although Web-based interactive learning is feasible and may complement traditional pedagogic formats, it is an imperfect substitute for traditional face-to-face interaction that occurs in the classroom.
Decreasing Adverse Outcomes of Unmodified Electroconvulsive Therapy: Suggestions and Possibilities

Abstract Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is far and away the most effective treatment for depression and quite effective for a range of other psychiatric conditions that are unresponsive to medication. Electroconvulsive therapy in the developed world has been administered with anesthesia, muscle relaxants, and ventilation since the mid-1950s following 20 years of unmodified treatment. However, in much of the developing world, ECT continues to be administered unmodified because of lack of resources. We review the efficacy of unmodified compared with modified treatment. We also review the potential drawbacks of unmodified treatment including fear and anxiety, worse postictal confusion, fracture risk, and the negative effects of unmodified treatment on how ECT is perceived in the general community. Finally, we consider potential solutions in developing countries to minimize adverse outcomes of unmodified treatment by pretreating patients either with low-dose benzodiazepines or sedating, but not anesthetizing, dosages of anesthetic agents. Randomized controlled trials are necessary before either of these options could be considered an acceptable alternative to completely unmodified treatment when modified treatment is unavailable.
Finance, Investment and Growth

This paper evaluates relations between industrial activity and the structure of countries' financial, ownership and legal systems. Using data on 27 industries in 14 OECD countries over the period 1970 to 1995, we evaluate whether the structure of countries' systems is associated with different types of economic activity. We do this by examining whether there is a link between industry activity and the interaction of country structures with industry characteristics. We find that there is a relation in terms of both industry growth rates and shares of output devoted to R&D. Investment in R&D rather than fixed capital formation appears to be the main route through which financial systems affect economic activity. Consistent with theories of financial development, relations between financial systems and economic activity are sensitive to countries' stages of economic development. For example, bank oriented systems are associated with higher growth of externally financed industries in low but not high income countries.
An Active Component of Achyranthes bidentata Polypeptides Provides Neuroprotection through Inhibition of Mitochondrial-Dependent Apoptotic Pathway in Cultured Neurons and in Animal Models of Cerebral Ischemia

An active component has been isolated by reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) from Achyranthes bidentata Blume polypeptides that are extracted from Achyranthes bidentata Blume, a Chinese medicinal herb. The active component is called ABPPk based on the order of HPLC elution. In this study, we used in vitro and in vivo experimental models of cerebral ischemia to investigate the possible neuroprotective effect of ABPPk. ABPPk treatment promoted neuronal survival and inhibited neuronal apoptosis in primary cortical neurons exposed to oxygen and glucose deprivation and in rats subjected to transient middle cerebral artery occlusion. The role of ABPPk in protection against ischemia-induced neuronal damage might be mediated by mitochondrial-dependent pathways, including modulation of apoptosis-related gene expression, regulation of mitochondrial dysfunction through restoring mitochondrial membrane potential, reducing release of mitochondrial apoptogenic factors, and inhibiting intracellular ROS production. The neuroprotective effect of ABPPk may suggest the possible use of this agent in the treatment and prevention of cerebral ischemic stroke.
Writing Self-efficacy Changes after Cognitive Strategy Intervention in Students with Learning Disabilities: The Mediational Role of Gender in Calibration

This study examines the mediational role of gender in the effects of two patterns of cognitive and self-regulatory strategy interventions in the writing self-efficacy calibration of students with learning disabilities (LD). 121 5th and 6th Primary grade students with LD (43 girls and 78 boys), ranging in age from 10 to 12 years old were randomly allocated either to one of the experimental intervention groups, (n = 48, 19 girls and 29 boys), and followed a intervention program based on the Self-Regulated Strategy Development Model, or they received training based on the Social Cognitive Model of Sequential Skill Acquisition (n = 31, 15 girls and 26 boys), or alternatively they were allocated to the ordinary instruction group (n = 32, 9 girls and 23 boys). Writing performance was assessed using two types of writing evaluation: a reader-based score concerned with structure, coherence and quality, and a text based score regarding productivity, coherence and structure. Writing self-efficacy beliefs were also assessed using a self-report scale including eight items about the students' confidence in completing a writing task and to gain specific writing skills. The results suggest that the miscalibration of writing self-efficacy in girls with LD was significantly modified to a more realistic calibration of their writing competence after experimental intervention. However, the findings do not confirm the same clear statement for boys. Este estudio examina el papel mediacional del género en los efectos de dos patrones de intervenciones de estrategias cognitivas y auto-reguladoras en la calibración de la autoeficacia escritora de alumnos con dificultades de aprendizaje (DA). Se asignaron al azar a 121 alumnos de educación primaria de 5⍜ y 6⍜ con DA (43 chicas y 78 chicos), edades entre 10 y 12 años, o a uno de los grupos de intervención experimental (n = 48, 19 chicas y 29 chicos), y recibieron un programa de intervención basado en el modelo de desarrollo de estrategia auto-regulada o un entrenamiento basado en el modelo cognitivo de adquisición secuencial de habilidades (n = 31, 15 chicas y 26 chicos), o alternativamente, fueron asignados a un grupo de instrucción normal (n = 32, 9 chicas y 23 chicos). Se evaluó la ejecución de escritura con dos tipos evaluación: una puntuación basada en el lector, ligada a la estructura, la coherencia y la calidad, y una puntuación basada en el texto, ligada a la productividad, la coherencia y la estructura. Las creencias de autoeficacia sobre la escritura también se evaluaron con una escala de auto-informe que incluía ocho ítems acerca de la confianza de los alumnos al completar una tarea de escritura y al ganar habilidades de escritura específica. Los resultados sugieren que la calibración errónea de la autoeficacia de escritura en chicas con DA se modificó significativamente a una calibración más realista de su competencia en escritura después de la intervención experimental. Sin embargo, los resultados no confirman lo mismo para los chicos.
DNA Microarray Image Coding

DNA micro arrays are useful to identify the function and regulation of a large number of genes in a single experiment, even whole genomes. In this work, we analyze the relationship between DNA micro array image histograms and the compression performance of loss less JPEG2000. Also, a reversible transform based on histogram swapping is proposed. Intensive experimental results using different coding parameters are discussed. Results suggest that this transform improves previous loss less JPEG2000 results on all DNA micro array image sets.
Combinatorial Testing with Shielding Parameters

Combinatorial testing is an important approach to detecting interaction errors for a system with several parameters. Existing research in this area assumes that all parameters of the system under test are always effective. However, in many realistic applications, there may exist some parameters that can disable other parameters in certain conditions. These parameters are called shielding parameters. Shielding parameters make test cases generated by the existing test model, which uses the Mixed Covering Array (MCA), fail in exposing some potential errors that should be detected. In this paper, the Mixed Covering Array with Shielding parameters (MCAS) is proposed to describe such problems. Then test cases can be generated by constructing MCAS’s in three different approaches. According to the experimental results, our test model can generate satisfactory test cases for combinatorial testing with shielding parameters.
In vitro inhibition of phosphodiesterase-5 and arginase activities from rat penile tissue by two Nigerian herbs (Hunteria umbellata and Anogeissus leiocarpus)

Abstract Background: Anogeissus leiocarpus and Hunteria umbellata have been reportedly used in traditional medicine for the management of erectile dysfunction (ED). However, the scientific basis for their use has not been well established. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the inhibitory effects of water extractable phytochemicals of H. umbellata and A. leiocarpus on phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) and arginase as well as pro-oxidants induced lipid peroxidation in rat penile tissue. Methods: The effects of the extracts on important enzymes (PDE-5 and arginase) linked with ED and pro-oxidants (Fe2+ and sodium nitroprusside) induced lipid peroxidation were investigated. Also, radicals scavenging and metal chelating abilities were determined. In addition, phenolic contents were determined and characterized using HPLC. Results: The results showed that both extracts inhibited PDE-5 and arginase activities in a dose-dependent manner. Inhibitory property of A. leiocarpus (IC50 – 174.19 μg/mL) was significantly better (p<0.05) than that of H. umbellata (IC50 – 537.72 μg/mL) in PDE-5 assay. The extracts were potent inhibitors of arginase than PDE-5, and these extracts were equally potent in inhibiting arginase. Furthermore, Fe2+ and sodium nitroprusside caused a significant increase in malondialdehyde content; however, both extracts reduced malondialdehyde level in concentration-dependent manner. It is noteworthy that both extracts scavenged radicals (OH* and ABTS*) and chelated Fe2+. HPLC analysis revealed abundance of rutin, chlorogenic acid, gallic acid, caffeic acid, and quercetin, among others. Conclusions: The ability of the extracts to inhibit PDE-5, arginase and pro-oxidant induced lipid peroxidation, and chelate metal might suggest their folkloric use for the management of ED.
Phase-field modelling of rapid solidification in alloy systems: Spontaneous grain refinement effects

Phase-field modelling of rapid alloy solidification, in which the rejection of latent heat from the growing solid cannot be ignored, has lagged significantly behind the modelling of conventional casting practises which can be approximated as isothermal. This is in large part due to the fact that if realistic materials properties are adopted the ratio of the thermal to solute diffusivity (the Lewis number) is typically 103 - 104, leading to severe multi-scale problems. However, use of state-of-the-art numerical techniques such as local mesh adaptivity, implicit time-stepping and a non-linear multi-grid solver allow these difficulties to be overcome. Here we describe how the application of this model, formulated in the thin-interface limit, can help to explain the long-standing phenomenon of spontaneous grain refinement in deeply undercooled melts. We find that at intermediate undercoolings the operating point parameter, σ*, may collapse to zero, resulting in the growth of non-dendritic morphologies such as doublons and 'dendritic seaweed'. Further increases in undercooling then lead to the re-establishment of stable dendritic growth. We postulate that remelting of such seaweed structures gives rise to the low undercooling instance of grain refinement observed in alloys.
Performance of indirect matrix converter with improved control feeding to induction motor for speed control by using PI and fuzzy controllers

This paper presents Indirect Matrix Converter(IMC) with improved control supplying power to different loads at different frequencies. An improved switching technique is used at the input stage of this proposed IMC so that a higher dc voltage is obtained compared to the IMC with conventional control. The fundamental input current is at unity power factor for all operating conditions. In this IMC, the inverter switching states are selected through its output space vectors such that the switching losses and the output distortions are minimised. The performance of proposed IMC with two separate inverters one supplying the R-L Load and other feeding an Induction motoris studied. Speed control of Induction motor using closed loop V/f control with PI controller and Fuzzy Logic controller is analysed. Performance of the IMC with improved control is analysed in Matlab/simulink software.
Effect of Plowing Speed, Disk Angle and Tilt Angle on Farm Tractor Wheel Slip and on Plowing Depth Using Disk Plow

This experiment was conducted at the Agricultural Research Station, Mu’tah University in 2007, where the soil is a sandy clay loam (56% sand, 15% silt, 29% clay) to study the effect of three plowing speeds (4, 7 and 10km/h), three disk angles (35°, 45° and 55°) and three tilt angles (15°, 20° and 25°) on tractor wheel slip and plowing depth using mounted disk plow. The plowing depth was adjusted at 20 cm. The results showed that increasing the plowing speed significantly (p<0.05) increased tractor wheel slip and plowing depth. Increasing disk angle of the plow significantly increased tractor wheel slip, while the effect of disk angle on plowing depth was not significant. Increasing tilt angle of the plow significantly increased the tractor wheel slip and significantly decreased the plowing depth. Results showed that 3.9% was the optimal wheel slippage, which was obtained from the combined effect of 4 km/h plowing speed, 35° disk angle and 15° tilt angle. Moreover, results showed that 23.6 cm was the optimal plowing depth, which was obtained from the combined effect of 55° disk angle and 15° tilt angle.
The first use of bone tools: a reappraisal of the evidence from Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania

University of the Witwatersrand, Palaeo-Anthropological Scientific Trust (PAST) Ernest Oppenheimer Memorial Trust Cultural Service of the French Embassy in South Africa, French Ministry for Education and Science OMLL/ESF Program, Human Sciences Research Council Nedcor Foundation and Palaeo-Anthropology Unit for Research and Exploration
Thrust sequences and the significance of low-angle, out-of-sequence faults in the northernmost Moine Nappe and Moine Thrust Zone, NW Scotland

In common with most thrust belts, the Moine Thrust Zone, Scotland, preserves a foreland-propagating sequence of thrusting. However, significant examples of local to regional overstep sequences are also recognized and their interpretation remains controversial. Remapping of the northernmost Moine Thrust Zone has defined a thick belt of mylonites in the centre of which lies the ductile WNW-directed Moine Thrust. The base of the mylonite belt, however, is marked by a regionally significant, low-angle, west-directed brittle fault, here termed the Lochan Riabhach Thrust, that truncates thrust-related structures in its footwall. Comparison of the tectonic stratigraphy of the mylonite belt with that preserved in a downfaulted outlier to the west at Durness indicates that the Lochan Riabhach Thrust cuts down-section in its footwall and therefore appears to be extensional. Locally, it is unequivocally breached by underlying imbricate thrusts. We prefer to interpret the Lochan Riabhach ‘Thrust’ as an extensional fault that formed during a hiatus in thrust stacking. We relate this faulting episode to the changes in the stability of the evolving orogenic wedge and reiterate that such extensional faults may be common, although possibly unrecognized, features in many other thrust belts.
Neuroblastoma in dialog with its stroma: NTRK1 is a regulator of cellular cross-talk with Schwann cells

In neuroblastoma, the most common solid tumor of childhood, excellent prognosis is associated with extensive Schwann cell (SC) content and high-level expression of the neurotrophin receptor, NTRK1/TrkA, which is known to mediate neuroblastoma cell differentiation. We hypothesized that both stromal composition and neuroblastic differentiation are based on bidirectional neuroblastoma-SC interaction. Reanalysis of microarray data from human SY5Y neuroblastoma cells stably transfected with either NTRK1 or NTRK2 revealed upregulation of the mRNA for the SC growth factor, NRG1, in NTRK1-positive cells. Media conditioned by NTRK1-expressing neuroblastoma cells induced SC proliferation and migration, while antibody-based NRG1 neutralization significantly decreased these effects. Vice versa, NRG1-stimulated SC secreted the NTRK1-specific ligand, NGF. SC-conditioned medium activated the NTRK1 receptor in a neuroblastoma cell culture model conditionally expressing NTRK1 and induced differentiation markers in NTRK1-expressing cells. NTRK1 induction in neuroblastoma xenografts mixed with primary SC also significantly reduced tumor growth in vivo. We propose a model for NTRK1-mediated and NRG1-dependent attraction of adjacent SC, which in turn induce neuroblastic differentiation by secretion of the NTRK1-specific ligand, NGF. These findings have implications for understanding the mature and less malignant neuroblastoma phenotype associated with NTRK1 expression, and could assist the development of new therapeutic strategies for neuroblastoma differentiation.