Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Understanding social networking use for social connectedness among rural older adults

Background: As a growing number of older adults are using social networking technologies, understanding the uses and activities associated with it are critical for designing interventions to maintain social connectedness and promote healthy aging. The purpose of this study was to examine the characteristics and perceptions of rural older adult social network site (SNS) users and nonusers, and the relationship between them in regards to social connectedness. Methods: A convenience sample of 350 rural older adults age 65 years and older in Southeast Idaho rural counties participated in this quantitative cross-sectional descriptive study. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire including a demographic survey, the Social Networking Site survey, and the Social Connectedness Scale -Revised. Quantitative data were analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistics and correlational and hierarchal regression. Results: Controlling for demographics, social connectedness was not an indicator of SNS use. Rural older adults who had home Internet, felt comfortable using the Internet, and viewed SNSs as important were more likely to use SNSs. Younger-old adults, married, with college education and/or higher income, were more likely to be SNS users. Lack of interest and lack of access and knowledge about SNSs were the main reasons nonusers chose not to use SNSs. Conclusion: Overcoming negative perceptions of SNSs and having access and ability to use SNSs may increase likelihood of use, and offer an interventional strategy for social connectedness.
Intuitionistic fuzzy rough sets: at the crossroads of imperfect knowledge

Abstract: Just like rough set theory, fuzzy set theory addresses the topic of dealing with imperfect knowledge. Recent investigations have shown how both theories can be combined into a more flexible, more expressive framework for modelling and processing incomplete information in information systems. At the same time, intuitionistic fuzzy sets have been proposed as an attractive extension of fuzzy sets, enriching the latter with extra features to represent uncertainty (on top of vagueness). Unfortunately, the various tentative definitions of the concept of an ‘intuitionistic fuzzy rough set’ that were raised in their wake are a far cry from the original objectives of rough set theory. We intend to fill an obvious gap by introducing a new definition of intuitionistic fuzzy rough sets, as the most natural generalization of Pawlak's original concept of rough sets.
Training-Induced, Pressure-Lowering Effect in SHR: Wide Effects on Circulatory Profile of Exercised and Nonexercised Muscles

Abstract—We showed that the training-induced, pressure-lowering effect correlates with decreased arteriole wall/lumen ratio and venule growth in the gracilis muscle. To investigate whether these beneficial changes are tissue-specific or occur in other muscles and tissues, we analyzed the effects of hypertension and training on microcirculatory profile of locomotor/nonlocomotor muscles and another nonmuscular tissue. Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and Wistar-Kyoto rats were submitted to low-intensity training (50% to 60% maximal exercise capacity, 13 weeks); age-matched control rats were kept sedentary. Trained and sedentary rats were instrumented for pressure and heart rate measurements at rest. Morphometric analyses (arterioles, capillaries, venules) were performed in all tissues. Training attenuated pressure and heart rate only in SHR. Arterioles (inner diameter <30 &mgr;m) were markedly hypertrophied in sedentary SHR, but wall/lumen ratio was equally reduced (≈30%) and normalized by training in locomotor (soleus, gastrocnemius, gracilis) and nonlocomotor skeletal muscles (temporalis) in the myocardium and diaphragm, without changes in the renal cortex. Training also increased venule density (≈2-fold) only in locomotor and nonlocomotor muscles of SHR. Capillary density was similarly increased in all exercised muscles of both groups, with no change in temporalis and kidneys. Data suggest that growth/proliferation of small venules and regression of hypertrophied arteriole wall/lumen ratio are generalized tissue-specific (skeletal muscle) and group-specific (SHR) adjustments to training to reduce local resistance and augment physical capacity of circulation, thus contributing to training-induced pressure-lowering effect. They are accompanied by remodeling of myocardium (cardiac output) and diaphragm arterioles (ventilatory adjustments), stressing the importance of training as a nonpharmacological therapy to control pressure levels in hypertension.
Key physiological properties contributing to rhizosphere adaptation and plant growth promotion abilities of Azospirillum brasilense.

Azospirillum brasilense is a plant growth promoting rhizobacterium (PGPR) that is being increasingly used in agriculture in a commercial scale. Recent research has elucidated key properties of A. brasilense that contribute to its ability to adapt to the rhizosphere habitat and to promote plant growth. They include synthesis of the auxin indole-3-acetic acid, nitric oxide, carotenoids, and a range of cell surface components as well as the ability to undergo phenotypic variation. Storage and utilization of polybetahydroxyalkanoate polymers are important for the shelf life of the bacteria in production of inoculants, products containing bacterial cells in a suitable carrier for agricultural use. Azospirillum brasilense is able to fix nitrogen, but despite some controversy, as judging from most systems evaluated so far, contribution of fixed nitrogen by this bacterium does not seem to play a major role in plant growth promotion. In this review, we focus on recent advances in the understanding of physiological properties of A. brasilense that are important for rhizosphere performance and successful interactions with plant roots.
The effects of age interval of the stimuli and sexual orientation of the participants on face recognition among Filipino college students

For the past years, studies on face recognition were focused on the effects and influence of illumination, pose, and angle to the performance, which, in fairness, has been proven by different research works as the dominant factor of adding complexity to face recognition across age progression observed through photographs, specifically headshots (Ling, Soatto, Ramanathan, & Jacobs, 2007; Ramanathan & Chellappa, 2006; Ramanathan & Chellappa, 2005). However, studies on face verification and recognition with time lapses between pairs of photographs and the interaction on the sexual orientation of the identifier was somehow defocused on the factor of effects of age progression or the time interval between pairs of facial images on face recognition. Thus, the researchers aimed to resolve the gap on the prevailing literatures on face recognition by finding the effects of age interval of the stimuli and sexual orientation of the participants on face recognition using Filipino college students as sample. Results showed that the greater the age gaps between the pair of images, the lesser the chance of identifying it. In addition, it is also not important to consider whether identifier is male or female in terms of recognizing picture because based from the result of the experiment, sexual orientation does not have an effect on the performance of the participants in face recognition. The study was guided by the theory of Biederman (1987) and Recognition By Components (RBC) to analyze the findings.
Corner transfer matrices in statistical mechanics

Corner transfer matrices are a useful tool in the statistical mechanics of simple two-dimensional models. They can be a very effective way of obtaining series expansions of unsolved models, and of calculating the order parameters of solved ones. Here we review these features and discuss the reason why the method fails to give the order parameter of the chiral Potts model.
Synergy between gemifloxacin and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole against community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

OBJECTIVES The rapid emergence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus from the community (CA-MRSA) presents difficulties in making treatment choices. We evaluated whether combining another orally available agent commonly used to treat CA-MRSA with gemifloxacin would enhance gemifloxacin activity against CA-MRSA. METHODS Fifty strains of SCCmec IV, agr group 1, Panton-Valentine leucocidin-positive CA-MRSA were evaluated for susceptibilities to gemifloxacin, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, doxycycline, levofloxacin, rifampicin, clindamycin and erythromycin. Twenty of these strains were evaluated for the potential for synergy between gemifloxacin and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, clindamycin and rifampicin by time-kill analysis. Two strains were further evaluated in an in vitro pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) model. RESULTS In time-kill analyses, gemifloxacin combined with trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole produced additivity (6/20) or synergy (11/20) in 85% of the isolates tested. The addition of clindamycin to gemifloxacin showed additivity (3/20) or synergy (2/20) in 25% of the isolates. All isolates displayed indifference to the combination of gemifloxacin and rifampicin. In the PK/PD model, combining gemifloxacin and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole provided potent and sustained bactericidal activity to detection limits of 2 log(10) cfu/mL by 48 h; gemifloxacin combined with clindamycin or with rifampicin killed to detection limits by 56 h or later. One isolate developed efflux-mediated resistance to gemifloxacin at 96 h with gemifloxacin monotherapy. All combinations prevented the emergence of this resistance. CONCLUSIONS Synergy or additivity was demonstrated by time-kill analysis between gemifloxacin and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole in most isolates tested. In the PK/PD model, the addition of trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, clindamycin and rifampicin enhanced the activity of gemifloxacin against CA-MRSA and suppressed the emergence of resistance to gemifloxacin.
Power, contested institutions and land: repoliticising analysis of natural resources and conflict in Darfur

ABSTRACT The fact that attributing the conflict in Darfur to environmental factors masks human agency and therefore accountability for the violence is well recognised. However, this point is often made with reference to government culpability for the violence in terms that reduce the Darfur conflict to one of political and economic marginalisation alone. The academic discourse has thereby created a misleading dichotomy between a ‘depoliticised’ local conflict and a ‘political’ conflict at the national level. This article bridges that polarised debate by investigating the contested institutions across Darfur that are relevant to conflicts within Darfur, to conflict with Khartoum and to regional conflicts notably involving Libya and Chad. Three case studies of conflict in Darfur are investigated with a focus on the complex interplay between solidarities of livelihood (which downplay ethnic divisions) and solidarities of ethnicity (which feature highly in conflict). Regional and national conflicts interact with conflict within Darfur through manipulation of contested institutions, among other means. The paper investigates how divergent framings of natural resources and conflict have been instrumentalised within the global discourse on Darfur, to the detriment of both the search for peace in Darfur and a theoretical understanding of the links between natural resources and conflict.
A multi-channel token ring protocol for QoS provisioning in inter-vehicle communications

This paper proposes a multi-channel token ring media access control (MAC) protocol (MCTRP) for inter-vehicle communications (IVC). Through adaptive ring coordination and channel scheduling, vehicles are autonomously organized into multiple rings operating on different service channels. Based on the multi-channel ring structure, emergency messages can be disseminated with a low delay. With the token based data exchange protocol, the network throughput is further improved for non-safety multimedia applications. An analytical model is developed to evaluate the performance of MCTRP in terms of the average full ring delay, emergency message delay, and ring throughput. Extensive simulations with ns-2 are conducted to validate the analytical model and demonstrate the efficiency and effectiveness of the proposed MCTRP.
Inclusão escolar e formação inicial de professores: a percepção de alunos egressos de um curso de Pedagogia (School inclusion and initial teachers training: the perception of students graduated in Education)

Inclusive education implies decision-making that affects the school educational process and contests traditional practices, both from organizational and political point of view as well as didactic-pedagogical. The initial teacher training lies in this scenario and has presented limitations. Training courses, especially the degree in Education, have not been able to train the future teachers to effectively meet the needs and particularities of the target students of Special Education. In view of this context, the objective of the research was to identify, along with the graduating students of Education course of the Faculty of Philosophy and Sciences UNESP / Marília (Brazil), their perceptions about such initial formation course, and verify 1 Docente do Departamento de Educação Especial da Faculdade de Filosofia e Ciências/Unesp de Marília, Pesquisadora do Projeto OBEDUC/CAPES; Marília/SP. Email: poker@marilia.unesp. br 2 Professora da Rede Municipal de Educação de Marília e Bolsista do Projeto OBEDUC/CAPES; Marília/SP. Formada em Pedagogia pela Unesp/Marília, Mestre em Educação pela mesma universidade. Email: ferdourado2008@hotail.com 3 Graduanda em Pedagogia da Faculdade de Filosofia e Ciências/Unesp de Marília e Bolsista do Projeto OBEDUC/CAPES; Marília/SP. Email: isadora.garla@gmail.com Financiamento: OBEDUC/Capes.
Epstein-Barr Virus Large Tegument Protein BPLF1 Contributes to Innate Immune Evasion through Interference with Toll-Like Receptor Signaling

Viral infection triggers an early host response through activation of pattern recognition receptors, including Toll-like receptors (TLR). TLR signaling cascades induce production of type I interferons and proinflammatory cytokines involved in establishing an anti-viral state as well as in orchestrating ensuing adaptive immunity. To allow infection, replication, and persistence, (herpes)viruses employ ingenious strategies to evade host immunity. The human gamma-herpesvirus Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a large, enveloped DNA virus persistently carried by more than 90% of adults worldwide. It is the causative agent of infectious mononucleosis and is associated with several malignant tumors. EBV activates TLRs, including TLR2, TLR3, and TLR9. Interestingly, both the expression of and signaling by TLRs is attenuated during productive EBV infection. Ubiquitination plays an important role in regulating TLR signaling and is controlled by ubiquitin ligases and deubiquitinases (DUBs). The EBV genome encodes three proteins reported to exert in vitro deubiquitinase activity. Using active site-directed probes, we show that one of these putative DUBs, the conserved herpesvirus large tegument protein BPLF1, acts as a functional DUB in EBV-producing B cells. The BPLF1 enzyme is expressed during the late phase of lytic EBV infection and is incorporated into viral particles. The N-terminal part of the large BPLF1 protein contains the catalytic site for DUB activity and suppresses TLR-mediated activation of NF-κB at, or downstream of, the TRAF6 signaling intermediate. A catalytically inactive mutant of this EBV protein did not reduce NF-κB activation, indicating that DUB activity is essential for attenuating TLR signal transduction. Our combined results show that EBV employs deubiquitination of signaling intermediates in the TLR cascade as a mechanism to counteract innate anti-viral immunity of infected hosts.
Comparison of the Basal Ganglia and Cerebellum in Shifting Attention.

The basal ganglia and cerebellum have traditionally been associated with motor performance. Recently, there has been considerable interest regarding the contributions of these subcortical structures to aspecdts of cognition. In particular, both the basal ganglia and cerebellum have been hypothesized to be involved in the control of attentional set. To dat, no neuropsychological studies have directly compared the effects of basal ganglia and cerebellar dysfunction on the same attention shifting tasks. To this end, dwe employed and alternating attention task that has been used to demonstrate putative attentional control deficits in children with cerebellar pathology, either related to autism or neurological insult. When adult patients with either Parkinson's disease or cerebellar lesions were tested on this task, a similar pattern of deficits was observed for both groups. However, when the motor demands were reduced, cerebellar patients showed a significant improvement on the alternating attention task, whereas the Parkinson patients continued to exhibit an impairment. This dissociation suggests that attentional deficits reported previously as being due to cerebellar dysfunction may be, at least in part, secondary to problem related to coordinating successive responses. In contrast, attention-shifting deficits associated with basal ganglia impairment cannot be explained by recourse to the motor demands of the task.
Agricultural market integration: price transmission and policy intervention

The increasing co-movements between world oil and food prices in the 2000s has prompted interest in the transmission mechanism among markets. This research investigates integration and price transmission of some important agricultural commodities traded in market area that includes United States and Italy for a period spanning from January 1999 to May 2012. The hypothesis of market integration is verified for crude oil and three agri-commodities wheat, corn and soybean in Italy and US. They are selected for their market relevance due to growingly demand diversified in food, feed and fuel; wheat for its higher accounting for much of the world food consumption. It is hypothesized that US and Italy agricultural markets are integrated by a consistent volume of trading and by the recognized role of the CBT price signals transmitted to the Italian agri-commodity markets. This study extends the knowledge about the oil–agricultural commodity price transmission dynamics from international (US) to domestic market (Italy). The time series analysis is used to test the structural breaks, the co-integration and price transmission and the causality. Results suggest: i)t for the US markets the evidence of market integration between crude oil and US agri-commodity prices with non linear causality direction going from oil to agri-commodity prices; ii) the integration between US and Italian agricultural markets, with no clear evidence of causality between oil and Italian agricommodities, while there is the evidence of linear causality going from US to Italian agricultural markets. The conclusion is a presence of causality going from Oil to US agri-markets and from US agri-markets to the Italian ones These information can be useful both for investors and policy makers interested in the knowledge about the nature of price movement in the international arena the close market integration and price transmissions with consequence for co-movement ,inherent dynamic market relationship, speed of adjustment, consequences of t price support policies. The agricultural policies in different countries may be organized to countervail the destabilizing effect of the oil price movement in disrupting the world market equilibrium by arbitraging the market condition to return to a situation of competitive pricing behaviour.
Distinguishing between major depressive disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder in children by measuring regional cortical thickness.

CONTEXT Cortical abnormalities have been noted in previous studies of major depressive disorder (MDD). OBJECTIVE To hypothesize differences in regional cortical thickness among children with MDD, children with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and healthy controls. DESIGN Cross-sectional study of groups. SETTING Children's Hospital of Michigan in Detroit. PARTICIPANTS A total of 24 psychotropic drug-naive pediatric patients with MDD (9 boys and 15 girls), 24 psychotropic drug-naive pediatric outpatients with OCD (8 boys and 16 girls), and 30 healthy controls (10 boys and 20 girls). INTERVENTION Magnetic resonance imaging. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Cortical thickness. RESULTS In the right hemisphere of the brain, the pericalcarine gyrus was thinner in patients with MDD than in outpatients with OCD (P = .002) or healthy controls (P = .04), the postcentral gyrus was thinner in patients with MDD than in outpatients with OCD (P = .002) or healthy controls (P = .02), and the superior parietal gyrus was thinner in patients with MDD than in outpatients with OCD (P = .008) or healthy controls (P = .03). The outpatients with OCD and the healthy controls did not differ in these regions of the brain. The temporal pole was thicker in patients with MDD than in outpatients with OCD (P < .001) or healthy controls (P = .01), both of which groups did not differ in temporal pole thickness. The cuneus was thinner in patients with MDD than in outpatients with OCD (P = .008), but it did not differ from that in healthy controls. In the left hemisphere, the supramarginal gyrus was thinner in both patients with MDD (P = .04) and outpatients with OCD (P = .01) than in healthy controls, and the temporal pole was thicker in patients with MDD than in both healthy controls and outpatients with OCD (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS To our knowledge, this is the first study to explore cortical thickness in pediatric patients with MDD. Although differences in some regions of the brain would be expected given neurobiological models of MDD, our study highlights some unexpected regions (ie, supramarginal and superior parietal gyri) that merit further investigation. These results underscore the need to expand exploration beyond the frontal-limbic circuit.
An Empirical Examination of a Well-Being Engine Model

AN EMPIRICAL EXAMINATION OF A WELL-BEING ENGINE MODEL Korey J. Connor, B.A., M.A. Marquette University, 2017 Humanity has struggled to define the good life from, at very least, the beginning of recorded history. The last three decades have seen a major uptick in the amount of scholarly activities in this vein, with contemporary iterations falling under the auspices of well-being studies. These studies in the field of psychology, while abundant, have tended to align closely with one of a select few schools of thought while eschewing alternative approaches. Studies are produced at a dizzying rate, but are often limited in scope and in need of greater conceptual clarification. A promising integrative theoretical model, called the engine of well-being, was proposed by Jayawickreme and colleagues (2012), but it has yet to be examined empirically. The present study begins with a thorough review of the literature of well-being in psychology, including philosophical roots. Path analysis was employed, utilizing data from the second round of the Mid-Life in the United States (MIDUS 2) study, to empirically examine the theoretical engine model. The path analyses gave particular focus to integration of components of the prominent approaches and known correlates thereto with the intention of empirically validating the engine model as a dynamic platform for the study of human well-being. The MIDUS 2 data were found to support the engine model across numerous iterations and suggest that it may provide a sufficiently nuanced platform for the study of well-being.