Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Self-Efficacy in African American Adolescent Males Living in Urban Public Housing

African American adolescent males are one of our nation's most vulnerable populations. They lag behind their female counterparts in education, labor market participation, and career development. Several studies have found self-efficacy (e.g., an individual's beliefs in their capabilities to produce a desired result) improves the life chances for this vulnerable population of youth. Using a sample of 213 African American adolescent males from urban public housing living in two large cities, this article assesses the role of individual, social, and community correlates in promoting or inhibiting self-efficacy in African American adolescent males. Univariate, bivariate, and sequential regression analyses were employed. The sample reported a mean age of 15.5 (SD = 2.5) years. Self-efficacy was positively correlated to attitudes toward deviance, maternal support, maternal supervision, paternal support, and social cohesion. The regression model explained 32% of the variance in self-efficacy. Parents' behavior explained most of the variants in self-efficacy. It should be noted, however, that increases in community cohesion was associated with the largest increase in self-efficacy. Implications for practice are discussed.
Department of Economics Working Paper Series What Is Known about Testing for Discrimination: Lessons Learned by Comparing across Different Markets

The paper provides a fairly comprehensive examination of recent empirical work on discrimination within economics. The three major analytical approaches considered are traditional regression analysis of outcomes, paired testing or audits , and finally analysis of performance where higher group performance suggests that a group has been treated disfavorably. The review covers research in the labor, credit, and consumption markets, as well as recent studies of discrimination within the legal system. The review suggests that the validity of interpreting observed racial differences as discrimination depends heavily on whether the analysis is based on a sample that is representative of a population of individuals or households or based on a sample of market transactions, as well as the analyst? s ability to control for heterogeneity within that sample. Heterogeneous firm behavior and differentiated products, such as those found in labor and housing markets, also can confound empirical analyses of discrimination by confusing the allocation of individuals across firms or products with disparate treatment or by ignoring disparate impacts that might arise based on that allocation.
Effects of propolis, royal jelly, honey and bee pollen on growth performance and immune system of Japanese quails

Effect of ethanolic extract of propolis, royal jelly, honey and bee pollen in comparison with virginiamycin (as growth promoter antibiotic) as regards the performance and immune system of Japanese quail were assessed. We used 256 mixed-sex quail chicks in a completely randomized design by eight treatments, including control, ethanolic extract of propolis 1000 (PE1) and 5000 (PE2) mg kg-1, pollen powder 1000 (PO1) and 5000 (PO2) mg kg-1, royal jelly 100 mg kg-1 (RJ), honey 22 g L-1 of drinking water (H) and virginiamycin 150 mg kg-1 (V), and four replicates of eight birds in each replication for 42 days. There was significant differences for weight gain (WG), feed intakes (FI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) between experimental groups. In addition, WG in V treatment (18.82%), H and PO2 treatments (16.87%) and RJ treatment (12.00%) were significantly higher than to control group (p < 0.01). Significantly higher values of FCR were recorded in control group while group PE2 exhibited a significant decrease for 1 to 42 day (p < 0.05). The results of effect of bee products on antibodies titer showed an increase in the Newcastle disease (ND) titer when compared with control and virginiamycin groups (p < 0.01). There was significant difference in antibody production against avian influenza (AI) and sheep red blood cells (p < 0.01). Significant differences were observed in heterophils to lymphocytes ratio among PE1, PE2, PO1 and PO2 with V and control groups (p < 0.01).
On the renormalized scalar density in quenched QCD

We present a non-perturbative determination of the renormalization factor ZS of the scalar density in quenched QCD with overlap fermions. Results are obtained at four values of the lattice spacing. By combining ZS with results for the low-energy constant ? we are able to compute the renormalization group invariant scalar condensate in the continuum limit with a total accuracy of 7%, excluding dynamical quark effects. Our result translates to ? (2 GeV) = (285? 9 MeV)3 if the scale is set by the kaon decay constant. We have also performed scaling studies of the pseudoscalar decay constant and the vector mass. Our results indicate that quantities computed using overlap quarks exhibit excellent scaling behaviour, with small residual lattice artifacts.
Evidence of photospheric vortex flows at supergranular junctions observed by FG/SOT (Hinode)

Context. Twisting motions of different sorts are observed in several layers of the solar atmosphere. Chromospheric sunspot whorls and rotation of sunspots or even higher up in the lower corona sigmoids are examples of the large-scale twisted topology of many solar features. Nevertheless, their occurrence on a large scale in the quiet photosphere has not been investigated yet. Aims. The present study reveals the existence of vortex flows located at the supergranular junctions of the quiet Sun. Methods. We used a 1-h and a 5-h time series of the granulation in blue continuum and G-band images from FG/SOT to derive the photospheric flows. A feature-tracking technique called balltracking was performed to track the granules and reveal the underlying flow fields. Results. In both time series, we identify long lasting vortex flow located at supergranular junctions. The first vortex flow lasts at least 1ha nd is∼20 �� wide (∼15.5 Mm). The second vortex flow lasts more than 2 h and is ∼27 �� wide (∼21 Mm).
Low-Threshold Calcium Currents in Central Nervous System Neurons

The low-threshold calcium cumnt, or T cumnt, has recently been demonstrated with voltageclamp recordings in a variety of central nervous system (CNS) neurons. It is especially prominent in the soma and dendrites of neurons with robust calcium-dependent burst fiing behaviors such as thalamic relay neurons and cerebellar Purkinje cells. Singlechannel and macroscopic current behavior have been carefully investigated and kinetic schemes devised to completely describe the activation and inactivation processes. The kinetic properties of T current lead to activation of low-threshold spikes subsequent to transient membrane hyperpolarizations. Putative functional roles for T current include generation of low-threshold spikes that lead to burst firing, promotion of intrinsic oscillatory behavior, boosting of calcium entry, and synaptic potentiation. INTRODUCTION AND HISTORY In an elegant series of in vitro intracellular studies in cat thalamus, Eccles and collaborators (3) discovered that some central neurons displayed a form of paradoxical excitation. In contrast to the typical responses in most cells where depolarized membrane potentials are normally associated with enhanced excitability, hyperpolarizations such as those produced by inhibitory synaptic potentials resulted in increased responsiveness. This period of enhanced excitability following membrane hyperpolarizations was termed post-anodal exaltation. Llinis and colleagues carefully examined this property using intracellular recordings with in vitro slice preparations of inferior olive (65, 66) and thalamus (55, 56, 64). They noted that intracellular current injections, which hyperpolarized the membrane to levels more negative than rest (around
The Ternary Complex Factor Net Is Downregulated by Hypoxia and Regulates Hypoxia-Responsive Genes

ABSTRACT Hypoxia and the Net ternary complex factor (TCF) regulate similar processes (angiogenesis, wound healing, and cellular migration) and genes (PAI-1, c-fos, erg-1, NOS-2, HO-1, and vascular endothelial growth factor genes), suggesting that they are involved in related pathways. We show here that hypoxia regulates Net differently from the other TCFs and that Net plays a role in the hypoxic response in vivo in mice and in cells. Hypoxia induces Net depletion from target promoters, nuclear export, ubiquitylation, and proteasomal degradation. Key mediators of the hypoxic response, the prolyl-4-hydroxylases containing domain proteins (PHDs), regulate Net. PHD downregulation in normoxia leads to Net degradation, and PHD overexpression delays Net downregulation by hypoxia. Net inhibition by RNA interference or mutation leads to altered regulation by hypoxia of the Net targets PAI-1, c-fos, and egr-1. We propose that hypoxia stimulates transcription of target promoters through removal of the repressor function of Net. Interestingly, the hematocrit response to a chemical inducer of hypoxia-like responses (cobalt chloride) is strongly altered in Net mutant mice. Our results show that the Net TCF is part of the biological response to hypoxia, adding a new component to an important pathological and physiological process.
[Clinical analysis of 57 patients with poorly differentiated carcinomas of the supraglottic larynx].

OBJECTIVE To investigate the clinical characteristics, treatment and prognosis for poorly differentiated supraglottic carcinomas. METHODS A retrospective study was conducted in 57 cases of poorly differentiated supraglottic carcinomas treated in our hospital from 1980 to 1998. The distribution of the patients according to UICC in 1997 was as follows: stage I 4, stage II 15, stage III 18, stage IV 30. Of the 57 patients, 25 were treated with surgery alone, 9 with irradiation alone, 14 with surgery following preoperative radiation, 7 with postoperative radiation following surgery and 2 with surgery following preoperative chemotherapy. Total laryngectomy was performed on 23 patients and partial laryngectomy on 25 patients. The concurrent neck dissections were undergone for 31 cases (17 unilateral side, 14 bilateral side) and the upper neck dissections for 12 cases. RESULTS The overall 5-year survival rate, accumulated cervical metastasis rate, metastasis rate of bilateral side of neck, distant metastasis rate, cervical recurrent rate and locally recurrent rate were 47.4% (27/57), 63.2% (36/57), 24.6% (14/57), 21.1% (12/57), 28.1% (16/57) and 10.5% (6/57), respectively. In addition, the local recurrent rate for partial laryngectomy was 12% (3/25). 5-year survival rate for each TNM staging decreases gradually. The difference in 5-year survival rate between T1 + T2 and T3 + T4 and the difference between N0 + N1 and N2 + N3 were statistically significant (chi2 = 4.942, P = 0.026; chi2 = 4.306, P = 0.038). No evidence in our analysis was found about the difference in 5-year survival rate between surgery alone and surgery combined with radiotherapy. The effect of surgery combined with radiotherapy on patients at N2 and N3 was relatively superior to that of surgery alone. CONCLUSIONS Poorly differentiated carcinomas of the supraglottic larynx had characteristics of the advanced stage in terms of earlier lymph node metastasis and a relatively high rate of cervical and distant metastasis. Surgery was still the primary treatment for this disease and it was feasible to perform partial laryngectomy on certain patients. For patients with T3 who need partial laryngectomy and patients with advanced N stage, the combination of surgery with radiotherapy was supposed to be a priority.
The development and validation of a tool to measure self-confidence and anxiety in nursing students while making clinical decisions

Clinical decision making (CDM) is a cornerstone skill for nurses. Self-confidence and anxiety are two affective influences that impact the learning and adeptness of CDM. Currently, no instruments exist that measure perceived self-confidence and anxiety level of undergraduate nursing students related to CDM. The purpose of this research was to develop, test, and establish psychometric properties for a quantitative instrument that measures the levels of self-confidence and anxiety experienced by undergraduate nursing students while making clinical decisions. The new tool is entitled the Nursing Anxiety and Self-Confidence with Clinical Decision Making (NASC-CDM) scale. The tool is a self-report, Likert-type instrument with two subscales measuring levels of self-confidence and anxiety. Bandura's social cognitive theory, regarding self-efficacy and anxiety arousal framed the study along with two embedded nursing models which explain the relationship between self-confidence, anxiety, and CDM. Content validity and face validity were established through critique by a panel of internationally known experts in the area of CDM and by a panel of undergraduate student nurses and registered nurses. Two samples of pre-licensure associate and baccalaureate nursing students participated in either the pilot- (fall 2010, n = 303) or main-testing (spring 2011, n = 242) phase of the study to test the scale. Exploratory factor analysis was used to examine the scale's construct validity. Items were reduced from the scale based on EFA results from each sample. Similar factor structures were found between the two samples, indicating a stable three dimensional scale. The self-confidence and anxiety subscales of the NASC-CDM scale were correlated with two psychometrically sound instruments to examine convergent validity. Pearson r correlation coefficients examined the relationship between the self-confidence subscale and the General Self-Efficacy (GSE) scale. Results were positive, moderate and significant at . 54 and . 62 for the fall and spring samples respectively. Pearson r correlation coefficients examined the relationship between the anxiety subscale and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) scale. Results were positive, low to moderate and significant at . 52 and . 38 for the fall and spring samples respectively. Internal consistency reliability was assessed using Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficient. Alpha coefficients for the final version were: self-confidence subscale, α = . 97 and anxiety subscale, α = . 96. Results of the study provided initial evidentiary support for the NASC-CDM scale as a content valid, construct valid, convergent valid and reliable measurement tool. Findings of the study have important implications for nursing education. Nurse educators may be able to utilize the NASC-CDM scale in numerous situations, around real-life or simulated clinical experiences. If nurse educators are aware of how affective states, such as levels of self-confidence and anxiety, influence nursing…
Long term effects of Gamma knife Radiosurgery for treatment of cerebral arteriovenous malformations

Background: The Gamma Knife Radiosurgery (GKR) is an established management option for Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformations (AVMS). Therapeutic benefits of radiosurgery for arteriovenous malformations are complete obliteration of nidus with minimal neurological deficit. Methods: Radiosurgery was performed between February 2003 and April 2010 at Kamraniye day clinic, Tehran, Iran, using the Leksell gamma knife model B (Elektra Instruments AB, Stockholm, Sweden) on 82 consecutive patients with AVMs. The male-to-female ratio was 1.4:1(48M, 34F). The age of the patients ranged from 9 to 70 years (mean, 28.5±12 years). The marginal dose to the AVM nidus was 45 to 85% (median, 60%) isodose and ranged from 14 to 30 Gy (mean, 20.57±13Gy). The maximum dose ranged between 20 to 60 Gy (mean, 37.5 Gy ± 10.17Gy ). Follow up of patients for complete AVM obliteration and in the case of complications MRI were performed. Results: Complete obliteration of AVM was achieved in 56 cases (68.29%). It was marked in average 3.62 [SD=3.19] years (from 1 to 5 years) after GKR. Partial obliteration (≥50% reduction of the nidus volume) was marked in 24 cases(31%), and less than 50% reduction of the nidus volume was marked in 2 cases(2.4%) with a follow-up of 5 years. Complete obliteration of AVM had statistically significant associations with smaller score of Spetzler-Martin arteriovenous malformation grading system for AVMs. (p< 0.05) Conclusion: The Gamma Knife Radiosurgery can offer total and partial obliteration to acceptable percent of treated AVM with a low risk of morbidity. Higher success observed in patients with Spetzler-Martin Grade I and II AVMs, which was attributed to smaller volume of AVMs in this group.
Reducing aggressive intergroup action tendencies: effects of intergroup contact via perceived intergroup threat.

Two studies tested the prediction that more positive intergroup contact would be associated with reduced aggressive intergroup action tendencies, an effect predicted to occur indirectly via reduced intergroup threat perceptions, and over and above well-established effects of contact on intergroup attitudes. Study 1, using data based on a cross-section of the general population of eight European countries (France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, and the UK; N = 7,042), examined this hypothesis in the context of aggressive action tendencies towards immigrants. Study 2, using longitudinal data obtained from a general population sample in Northern Ireland, considered effects on aggressive action tendencies between ethno-religious groups in conflict. Both studies confirmed our predictions, showing that while perceived threat was associated with greater intergroup aggressive tendencies, positive intergroup contact was indirectly associated with reduced aggressive action tendencies, via reduced intergroup threat. Findings are discussed in terms of the theoretical contributions of this research for understanding the relationship between intergroup contact and intergroup aggression.
Internal Wave Interaction with Broad Topography in the Presence of a Near-Bottom Stratification

This thesis considers the impact of internal waves on the transport of suspended matter across the bottom boundary layer. High resolution twoand three-dimensional direct numerical simulations of fully nonlinear, laboratory-scale internal solitary waves propagating over broad topography with a near-bottom stratified layer are presented. A near-bottom stratification is used to represent a nepheloid layer, or a layer of previously suspended material found near the bottom. The three-dimensional, mapped coordinate, spectral allocation method employed in the simulations allows for accurate modelling of the near-boundary dynamics. Noise of two amplitudes are used to initialize the three-dimensional simulations, as the natural world has a broad range of naturally occurring “noise”. Both waves of depression and elevation are considered and the formation of the two distinct types of instabilities that result is discussed. The prograde jet at the back of the wave of depression rolls up at the hill crest, with subsequent vortex production. When a near-bottom stratification is present, the resulting vortex structures are smaller, less energetic and more confined to the hill when compared to an unstratified bottom. However, the instabilities still provide a means for transport across the bottom boundary layer in a significant geographical area. In the case of a wave of elevation, a novel type of gravity current forms in the near-bottom region as the wave moves over the topography. There is intense mixing of fluid in the leading edge of the current that moves along with the wave and also provides a means for transport across the bottom boundary layer. The effects of the two noise amplitudes are considered for each type of wave. Finally, a very brief extension of the results to the field-scale is presented.
Trends in Utilization of Management Strategies for Newly Diagnosed Atrial Fibrillation Patients in the United States

Objective: To describe the trend in atrial fibrillation (AF) treatment strategies in newly diagnosed AF patients between 1999 and 2008. Methods: The study was a retrospective cohort study of commercial health plans claims data. Newly diagnosed adult AF patients with ≥1 claim for an AF-related intervention within 12 months of diagnosis were identified. Based on initial treatment, patients were classified into pharmacotherapy or nonpharmacotherapy groups. Pharmacotherapy group was subcategorized into rate-control or rhythm-control groups. Linear regression to assess linear trend and multinomial logistic regression to evaluate factors associated with treatment choice were conducted. Results: Three thousand ninety-four newly diagnosed AF patients were identified. Eighty percent of these patients were initiated on pharmacotherapy with the majority (84%) receiving rate-control medications only. Relative distribution of the 3 treatment groups remained similar over the study period. However, within the rate-control group, the use of beta blockers increased significantly (P < .001). Treatment with nonpharmacotherapy over rate-control medications was higher in males but lower in patients aged ≥80 (relative risk ratio [RRR]: 1.67, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.27-2.20 and RRR: 0.48, 95% CI: 0.30-0.77, respectively). Having stroke and congestive heart failure significantly affected the treatment choice between nonpharmacotherapy and rate-control medications. Conclusion: Medication therapy, especially rate-control strategies, remains the preferred initial therapy of choice.
Imagining Other People’s Experiences in a Person with Impaired Episodic Memory: The Role of Personal Familiarity

Difficulties remembering one’s own experiences via episodic memory may affect the ability to imagine other people’s experiences during theory of mind (ToM). Previous work shows that the same set of brain regions recruited during tests of episodic memory and future imagining are also engaged during standard laboratory tests of ToM. However, hippocampal amnesic patients who show deficits in past and future thinking, show intact performance on ToM tests, which involve unknown people or fictional characters. Here we present data from a developmental amnesic person (H.C.) and a group of demographically matched controls, who were tested on a naturalistic test of ToM that involved describing other people’s experiences in response to photos of personally familiar others (“pToM” condition) and unfamiliar others (“ToM” condition). We also included a condition that involved recollecting past experiences in response to personal photos (“EM” condition). Narratives were scored using an adapted Autobiographical Interview scoring procedure. Due to the visually rich stimuli, internal details were further classified as either descriptive (i.e., details that describe the visual content of the photo) or elaborative (i.e., details that go beyond what is visually depicted in the photo). Relative to controls, H.C. generated significantly fewer elaborative details in response to the pToM and EM photos and an equivalent number of elaborative details in response to the ToM photos. These data converge with previous neuroimaging results showing that the brain regions underlying pToM and episodic memory overlap to a greater extent than those supporting ToM. Taken together, these results suggest that detailed episodic representations supported by the hippocampus may be pivotal for imagining the experiences of personally familiar, but not unfamiliar, others.