Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cognitive training with healthy older adults: Investigating the effectiveness of the Brain Age(TM) software for Nintendo

COGNITIVE TRAINING WITH HEALTHY OLDER ADULTS: INVESTIGATING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE BRAIN AGE TM SOFTWARE FOR NINTENDO Shaun M. English, M.S. Marquette University, 2012 An increasing number of empirical studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of cognitive training (CT) with healthy, cognitively intact older adults. Less is known regarding the effectiveness of commercially available “brain training” programs. The current study investigated the impact of daily CT presented via the Brain Age® software for Nintendo DS on neurocognitive abilities in a sample of healthy, community-dwelling older adults. Over the six-week study, participants in the CT group completed training activities and were compared to an active control group who played card games on the Nintendo DS. At pre-test and post-test, a wide range of empirically validated neuropsychological outcome measures was administered to examine the proximal and distal transfer effects of training. Although within normal range, the average MMSE score was significantly higher in the control group at pre-test; no other baseline differences in demographics or performance on primary neuropsychological outcome measures were observed. In the CT group, estimated “brain age” decreased and performance on daily training tasks significantly improved over the six-week study period. Importantly however, performance improved from pre-test to post-test on measures of everyday verbal memory, visual working memory, and math fluency in both the CT and active control groups. Participants in the CT group rated usage of the Brain Age software as significantly more mentally challenging and endorsed greater subjective memory improvement at post-test than participants in the control group. These findings demonstrate that both CT and cognitive stimulation protocols produced transfer effects in the current study. That is, Brain Age software use led to enhanced cognitive performance over time, but it did not do in a manner that exceeded the effects achieved by general cognitive stimulation. Enhanced working memory in the CT group and executive attention in the control group are discussed as possible explanation for improved performance on the outcome measures.
The Role of Fixation Position in Detecting Scene Changes Across Saccades

Target objects presented within color images of naturalistic scenes were deleted or rotated during a saccade to or from the target object or to a control region of the scene. Despite instructions to memorize the details of the scenes and to monitor for object changes, viewers frequently failed to notice the changes. However, the failure to detect change was mediated by three other important factors: First, accuracy generally increased as the distance between the changing region and the fixation immediately before or after the change decreased. Second, changes were sometimes initially missed, but subsequently noticed when the changed region was later refixated. Third, when an object disappeared from a scene, detection of that disappearance was greatly improved when the deletion occurred during the saccade toward that object. These results suggest that fixation position and saccade direction play an important role in determining whether changes will be detected. It appears that more information can be retained across views than has been suggested by previous studies.
Comparison of hemodynamic and sympathoneural responses to adenosine and lower body negative pressure in man.

Adenosine increases heart rate and sympathetic nerve activity reflexively in conscious humans through several mechanisms. The purpose of this study was to assess the relative contributions of arterial baroreceptor unloading, carotid chemoreceptor stimulation, and other adenosine-sensitive afferent nerves to these responses. In 12 healthy men, the effect on blood pressure, heart rate (HR), and muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA; peroneal nerve) of lower body negative pressure (LBNP; -15 mmHg (1 mmHg = 133.3 Pa)) was compared with the effect of intravenous adenosine (35, 70, and l40 micrograms.kg-1.min-1). In eight subjects, the highest dose was reinfused during 100% oxygen to suppress arterial chemoreceptors. Blood pressure reductions during LBNP and adenosine (140 micrograms.kg-1.min-1) were similar. HR did not change significantly during LBNP (+2 +/- 2 beats/min; mean +/- SE) but increased at the highest adenosine dose (+25 +/- 3 beats/min; p < 0.05). MSNA increased significantly (p < 0.05) during both interventions (+255 +/- 82 and +247 +/- 58 units/100 beats for adenosine and LBNP, respectively), and there was no difference in the MSNA response to these two stimuli (p > 0.1). Oxygen inhibited adenosine-induced increases in HR and MSNA (from +305 +/- 99 to +198 +/- 75 units/100 beats and from +26 +/- 4 to +18 +/- 3 beats/min; p < 0.05 for both comparisons). The MSNA response to these combined stimuli was similar to that observed during LBNP. In contrast, the residual HR response (+18 +/- 3 beats/min) was significantly greter than the response to LBNP (+2 +/- 2 beats/min; p < 0.05). These data indicate that arterial baroreceptor unloading cannot account for the marked adenosine-induced increase in HR, but may be sufficient to explain its effect on MSNA. The effect of 100% oxygen confirms that stimulation of carotid chemoreceptors accounts for approximately one-third of the HR and MSNA response to adenosine. However, other mechanisms, such as stimulation of adenosine-sensitive afferent nerves in other vascular beds, are involved in the HR and possibly the MSNA response.
Stabilization of Glucocerebrosidase by Active Site Occupancy

Glucocerebrosidase (GBA) is a lysosomal β-glucosidase that degrades glucosylceramide. Its deficiency results in Gaucher disease (GD). We examined the effects of active site occupancy of GBA on its structural stability. For this, we made use of cyclophellitol-derived activity-based probes (ABPs) that bind irreversibly to the catalytic nucleophile (E340), and for comparison, we used the potent reversible inhibitor isofagomine. We demonstrate that cyclophellitol ABPs improve the stability of GBA in vitro, as revealed by thermodynamic measurements (Tm increase by 21 °C), and introduce resistance to tryptic digestion. The stabilizing effect of cell-permeable cyclophellitol ABPs is also observed in intact cultured cells containing wild-type GBA, N370S GBA (labile in lysosomes), and L444P GBA (exhibits impaired ER folding): all show marked increases in lysosomal forms of GBA molecules upon exposure to ABPs. The same stabilization effect is observed for endogenous GBA in the liver of wild-type mice injected with cyclophellitol ABPs. Stabilization effects similar to those observed with ABPs were also noted at high concentrations of the reversible inhibitor isofagomine. In conclusion, we provide evidence that the increase in cellular levels of GBA by ABPs and by the reversible inhibitor is in part caused by their ability to stabilize GBA folding, which increases the resistance of GBA against breakdown by lysosomal proteases. These effects are more pronounced in the case of the amphiphilic ABPs, presumably due to their high lipophilic potential, which may promote further structural compactness of GBA through hydrophobic interactions. Our study provides further rationale for the design of chaperones for GBA to ameliorate Gaucher disease.
Patients' views on quality of care and attitudes towards re-visiting providers.

PURPOSE The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between patients' service quality perceptions and their attitudes towards visiting the same healthcare provider again. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH All patients visiting one of 121 (public) primary healthcare centres in a Swedish region between January and March 2005, who were 16 years or older and capable of communicating, were invited to participate. Responses were obtained from 22,170 patients (75 per cent response rate). Patients evaluated service quality using the "Quality from the Patient's Perspective" (QPP; modified short version) questionnaire. Potentially confounding variables such as age, sex, educational level, illness and self-reported health condition were also assessed. Data were analysed through generalised linear mixed effects model analysis and multiple regression analysis respectively, using both individual- and organisational-level (primary healthcare centre) data. FINDINGS Approximately 10 per cent hesitated about continuing to visit the same care provider. Favourable service quality evaluations made a statistically significant contribution to the odds of reporting no hesitation about re-visiting the same primary healthcare centre. ORIGINALITY/VALUE Patients' care experiences appear to have an effect on post-care-episode attitudes (and possibly behaviours). It is suggested that effects on care-proximal aspects, such as hesitation about visiting the same provider again, could be an important link to more distal phenomena such as general health status.
Éxito académico de la segunda generación de inmigrantes en E.E.U.U.

Los alumnos de minorias etnicas entran en la escuela desde diversos origenes, con diferentes experiencias de la inmigracion y recursos segun las familias de las que proceden. Este articulo trata de responder a dos cuestiones: (1) ? Por que algunos estudiantes tienen exito mientras otros luchan academicamente y no logran conseguirlo? , (2) ? Hasta que punto ayuda o desfavorece la consecucion del exito academico el mantenimiento de la cultura de origen? Educadores, investigadores y politicos, con frecuencia, han creido que los ninos y ninas inmigrantes tienen mayor exito en la escuela si ellos y sus familias se asimilan culturalmente y asumen las caracteristicas prevalentes en la sociedad mayoritaria. Por lo tanto, se piensa a menudo en la retencion etnica (como por ejemplo, mantener sus valores etnicos y practicas) como un factor importante para no tener exito academico. Sin embargo, basado en evidencias empiricas, la asimilacion segmentada es en la actualidad un predictor de mayores logros academicos en los hijos de familias inmigrantes. Este articulo examina los diferentes aspectos del proceso de adaptacion a las escuelas de la segunda generacion de inmigrantes y las distintas hipotesis alternativas en estos procesos y sus determinantes. Children of ethnic minorities come from diverse backgrounds and enter school with different family migration experiences and resources.This paper addresses two basic questions:(1) Why some students do wellatschool while othersstrive to obtain it and do notsucceed? ,(2) To whatextent the maintenance oftheir original culture help or make more difficult their academic achievement? Educators, researchers and policymakers often believe that immigrant children perform better in school if they and their families culturally assimilate and assume the characteristics prevalent in the dominant mainstream society. Therefore, ethnic retention (i.e., immigrant families embracing their own ethnic values and practices) is frequently thought to bea major factor leading to academic under achievement. However, based on empirical evidence, segmented assimilation is actually predictive of higher academic achievement among children from immigrant families. In this article, the author examines different aspects ofthe second-generation adaptation process to school and tests alternative hypotheses on the forms of the process and its determinants.
Astrocytic Orosomucoid-2 Modulates Microglial Activation and Neuroinflammation

Orosomucoid (ORM) is an acute-phase protein that belongs to the immunocalin subfamily, a group of small-molecule-binding proteins with immunomodulatory functions. Little is known about the role of ORM proteins in the CNS. The aim of the present study was to investigate the brain expression of ORM and its role in neuroinflammation. Expression of Orm2, but not Orm1 or Orm3, was highly induced in the mouse brain after systemic injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Plasma levels of ORM2 were also significantly higher in patients with cognitive impairment than in normal subjects. RT-PCR, Western blot, and immunofluorescence analyses revealed that astrocytes are the major cellular sources of ORM2 in the inflamed mouse brain. Recombinant ORM2 protein treatment decreased microglial production of proinflammatory mediators and reduced microglia-mediated neurotoxicity in vitro. LPS-induced microglial activation, proinflammatory cytokines in hippocampus, and neuroinflammation-associated cognitive deficits also decreased as a result of intracerebroventricular injection of recombinant ORM2 protein in vivo. Moreover, lentiviral shRNA-mediated Orm2 knockdown enhanced LPS-induced proinflammatory cytokine gene expression and microglial activation in the hippocampus. Mechanistically, ORM2 inhibited C-C chemokine ligand 4 (CCL4)-induced microglial migration and activation by blocking the interaction of CCL4 with C-C chemokine receptor type 5. Together, the results from our cultured glial cells, mouse neuroinflammation model, and patient studies suggest that ORM2 is a novel mediator of astrocyte–microglial interaction. We also report that ORM2 exerts anti-inflammatory effects by modulating microglial activation and migration during brain inflammation. ORM2 can be exploited therapeutically for the treatment of neuroinflammatory diseases. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Neural cell interactions are important for brain physiology and pathology. Particularly, the interaction between non-neuronal cells plays a central role in regulating brain inflammation, which is closely linked to many brain disorders. Here, we newly identified orosomucoid-2 (ORM2) as an endogenous protein that mediates such non-neuronal glial cell interactions. Based on the critical role of astrocyte-derived ORM2 in modulating microglia-mediated neuroinflammation, ORM2 can be exploited for the diagnosis, prevention, or treatment of devastating brain disorders that have a strong neuroinflammatory component, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and multiple sclerosis.
Race Trouble: Race, Identity and Inequality in Post-Apartheid South Africa

Race Trouble provides an analysis of the racial situation in post-apartheid South Africa and makes an argument for a shift in focus in the social sciences, from racism to race trouble.Transformation is reshaping the socio-economic and social psychological dimensions of life in South Africa, which continues to be racialised in profoundly troubling ways. Durrheim, Mtose and Brown, leading authors in their field, develop a theory of the production of racially troubled identities by way of an analysis of discourse, spaces and routines for perpetuating segregation and inequality. They argue that these practices and identities are better analysed in terms of their architecture and choreography than glossed as racism. Instead of making judgements of racism, this innovative and accessible book confronts the ways that we do race in our everyday interactions.
Please, Not Another Push to Get Tough on Student Retention.

Standardized academic testing, under-performing schools, demands for high standards in America’s schools and current levels of student dropouts have resulted in renewed calls for “getting tough on student retention. ” The push for student retention is demanded by school boards and others in spite of the overwhelming research evidence that student retention in-grade does not support the improvement of student academic performance or personal behavioral qualities. Social promotion whereby students move to the next grade level even though they have not mastered the academic requirements of a particular grade also is being questioned due to its unsatisfactory academic results. At this time in history, education researchers and practitioners do not have “best answers” to the on-going problem of student promotion. This article briefly discusses relevant research on student promotion and then gives primary attention to alternatives to student retention and social promotion. Emphasis is placed on the paramount importance of early identification of unsatisfactory learning performance and the continuous monitoring of student performance for each individual student. School organizational considerations such as new and/or expanded student learning strategies are presented. Re-engagement of students in the learning process, the need for teacher and administrator student advocacy, and efforts for preventing student failure are discussed. Strengthening parental involvement and recommendations for programs of professional development are considered from the perspective of fostering greater links to student achievement.
Adhesion of enteroaggregative Escherichia coli to pediatric intestinal mucosa in vitro

Organ cultures of small- and large-intestinal mucosa from children were used to examine the interactions of enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC) with human intestine. Mucosae from patients aged between 3 and 190 months were cultured with five EAEC strains isolated from infants with diarrhea in the United Kingdom and with two well-described prototype EAEC strains, 17-2 and 221. The prototype strains adhered to jejunal, ileal, and colonic mucosae. The wild-type strains also adhered to this tissue but showed a variable pattern of adhesion: two adhered to all intestinal levels, one adhered to jejunum and ileum, one adhered to ileum only, and one adhered to ileum and colon. Adherence was in an aggregative or stacked-brick pattern, resembling that seen on HEp-2 cells. Electron microscopy of infected small intestinal mucosa revealed bacteria in association with a thick mucus layer above an intact enterocyte brush border, which contained extruded cell fragments. This mucus layer was not present on controls. EAEC adherence to colonic mucosa was associated with cytotoxic effects including microvillous vesiculation (but without evidence of an attaching/effacing lesion), enlarged crypt openings, the presence of intercrypt crevices, and increased epithelial cell extrusion. These results demonstrate that in vitro organ culture of intestinal mucosa from children can be used to investigate EAEC pathogenesis in childhood directly. EAEC strains appear able to colonize many regions of the gastrointestinal tract, without overt changes to small intestinal mucosa but with cytotoxic effects on colonic mucosa.
Enzymatic surface hydrolysis of PET enhances bonding in PVC coating

The effect of polyesterase preparations from Thermomyces lanuginosus and Beauveria brongniartii on the hydrophilicity of PET materials was assessed. As a result of polyesterase treatment the hydrophilicity of PET fabrics was increased by up to 8 cm in terms of rising height with increases in surface tension from 6.2 mNm (heat-inactivated control samples) to above 8 mNm. Both enzymes were able to increase the amount of hydroxyl groups on PET from 90 to a maximum of 182 mmol kg−1, while only the B. brongniartii polyesterase released significant amounts of terephthalic acid from PET. Enzymatic surface hydrolysis of PET increased the bonding strength in PVC coating to 13.40 daN 5cm−1 using 0.5% adhesive compared to 11.5 daN 5cm−1 obtained without enzyme pretreatment and 6% of adhesive.
Validation of a training method for L2 continuous-speech segmentation

Recognising continuous speech in a second language is often unexpectedly difficult, as the operation of segmenting speech is so attuned to native-language structure. We report the initial steps in development of a novel training method for secondlanguage listening, focusing on speech segmentation and employing a task designed for studying this: word-spotting. Listeners detect real words in sequences consisting of a word plus a minimal context. The present validation study shows that learners from varying non-English backgrounds successfully perform a version of this task in English, and display appropriate sensitivity to structural factors that also affect segmentation by native English listeners. Index Terms: continuous speech, L2, segmentation, training
Effective Group Discussion

Provides a review of small group research along with practical guidelines and advice for helping students become better participants, leaders and observers of small group dynamics. This eighth edition details recent research on the effects of race, gender and culture on group communication and presents information on theory and leader-member exchange theory. A discussion of ethics highlights the relevancy of this topic in all aspects of small group communication.
Fishy fishes: the typicality of object stimuli used to assess children's language in the Reynell Development Language Scales--III.

BACKGROUND Numerous studies show clear evidence that children display typicality effects during early word learning. However, little is known of the typicality of stimuli used by standardized language tests to assess children's language development. AIMS To examine the typicality of stimuli used by the Reynell Developmental Language Scales-III (RDLS-III), a standardized language assessment that measures children's language abilities. METHODS & PROCEDURES Two sets of items were compared: RDLS-III items and a set of Matching items that had previously been judged to be highly typical exemplars. Experiment 1 asked adults to rate images of RDLS-III items and the set of Matching items for typicality; while Experiment 2 asked adults to choose the 'best exemplar' from these sets of items. Experiment 3 used Intermodal Preferential Looking (IPL) to examine 4-year-olds' looking behaviour towards both the RDLS-III items and Matching stimuli. In supplement of Experiment 3, Experiment 4 asked children to indicate the better exemplar using a forced-choice pointing method. OUTCOMES & RESULTS Both adults and children preferred the Matching, more typical items. CONCLUSIONS & IMPLICATIONS This is the first study to demonstrate that stimuli used for assessing early language development in the RDLS-III are not judged to be typical by children or adults. It highlights the differences in stimuli and discusses the potential consequences of stimulus choice in the assessment early language.
Resource allocation strategies based on the Signal-to-Leakage-plus-Noise Ratio in LTE-A CoMP systems

In this paper, we present two novel Resource Allocation (RA) strategies based on the Signal-to-Leakage-plus-Noise-Ratio (SLNR) for the downlink (DL) of Coordinated Multi Point (CoMP) transmission in LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) system. The proposed RA strategies select the UEs that can efficiently share the same Resource Block (RB) without degrading the overall throughput by using the SLNR metric. In addition, we compare the proposed strategies to the RA based on the more common Signal-to-Interference-plus-Noise-Ratio (SINR) strategy. The SLNR-based RA is shown to provide significant gains in the overall system throughout that reach up to 80% and is shown to have even less complexity than the typical SINR-based RA, which makes it a very attractive choice for the implementation of CoMP in practical cellular systems.