Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Does Change in Risk Matter

Research Summary The Post Conviction Risk Assessment (PCRA) is a correctional assessment tool used by federal probation officers that identifies offenders most likely to commit new crimes and the criminogenic characteristics that, if changed, could reduce the likelihood of recidivism. We explored how changes in offender risk influence the likelihood of recidivism by tracking a population of 64,716 offenders placed on federal supervision with multiple PCRA assessments. In general, offenders scoring in the high-, moderate-, and low/moderate-risk categories at their initial assessment and experiencing decreases in their risk classifications were less likely to recidivate compared with their counterparts whose risk levels remained unchanged or increased. Conversely, increases in offender risk were associated with higher rates of reoffending behavior. Notably, we saw no recidivism reduction for offenders in the lowest risk category if they received decreases in their overall PCRA scores. Policy Implications This analysis provides officers with crucial information about how changes in offender risk can influence the likelihood of arrest. Probation officers should consider adjusting downward the amount of time and resources devoted to offenders with decreasing risk levels once those decreases have stabilized. Alternatively, probation officers should pay particular attention and allocate more resources to those offenders reclassified into higher risk categories. Finally, probation officers should be cautious about providing resources to low-risk offenders who do not seem to benefit from efforts aimed at reducing their criminal risk factors.
Antioxidant and Anti‐α‐glucosidase Compounds from the Rhizome of Peltiphyllum peltatum (Torr.) Engl

The antioxidant, anti‐α‐glucosidase and anticholinesterase effects of the alcohol extract of fresh underground rhizomes of Peltiphyllum peltatum were studied. A potent antioxidant activity accompanied by a selective α‐glucosidase effect was observed for the crude extract. Further activity‐guided fractionation (petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, n‐butanol and water) resulted in the identification of the ethyl acetate fraction with the highest antioxidant effect. Gallic acid, methyl‐3‐O‐methyl gallate, catechin, gallocatechin, bergenin and 11‐O‐galloylbergenin were isolated from the ethyl acetate fraction. While all the isolated compounds did show a variable degree of radical scavenging effect, 11‐O‐galloylbergenin was identified as the selective α‐glucosidase inhibitor. The isolation, structural elucidation and biological effects of these compounds are discussed. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An empirical investigation of mood regulation: description, structure and mood correlates

This study sought to advance understanding of the construct of mood regulation. There were four principal goals: to describe the strategies and activities that individuals engage in to self-regulate mood; to investigate individual differences, according to gender, age and Neuroticism, in strategy use; to test whether mood regulation strategies were predictive of state mood; and to examine whether there were latent dimensions underlying mood regulation strategy usage. The sample comprised 204 participants, including 76 males and 128 females, who ranged in age from 19 to 63 (M = 37.74, SD = 11.60). Participants completed a self-report questionnaire that assessed use of a wide variety of strategies, level of Neuroticism and state mood. Results indicated that cognitive and social strategies were most frequently used for regulating mood. The strategies were significantly related to mood overall, and more specifically, as predicted, exercise and distraction were beneficial for mood, whereas emotion-focused activities were detrimental for mood. Three broad dimensions of mood regulation were identified. The importance of the findings are discussed in relation to the treatment and prevention of mood disorders and related psychopathology.
Intracisternal Application of Endotoxin Enhances the Susceptibility to Subsequent Hypoxic-Ischemic Brain Damage in Neonatal Rats

Perinatal brain damage is associated not only with hypoxic-ischemic insults but also with intrauterine inflammation. A combination of antenatal inflammation and asphyxia increases the risk of cerebral palsy >70 times. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of intracisternal (i.c.) administration of endotoxin [lipopolysaccharides (LPS)] on subsequent hypoxic-ischemic brain damage in neonatal rats. Seven-day-old Wistar rats were subjected to i.c. application of NaCl or LPS (5 μg/pup). One hour later, the left common carotid artery was exposed through a midline neck incision and ligated with 6-0 surgical silk. After another hour of recovery, the pups were subjected to a hypoxic gas mixture (8% oxygen/92% nitrogen) for 60 min. The animals were randomized to four experimental groups:1) sham control group, left common carotid artery exposed but not ligated (n = 5);2) LPS group, subjected to i.c. application of LPS (n = 7);3) hypoxic-ischemic study group, i.c. injection of NaCl and exposure to hypoxia after ligation of the left carotid artery (n = 17); or 4) hypoxic-ischemic/LPS study group, i.c. injection of LPS and exposure to hypoxia after ligation of the left carotid artery (n = 19). Seven days later, neonatal brains were assessed for neuronal cell damage. In a second set of experiments, rat pups received an i.c. injection of LPS (5 μg/pup) and were evaluated for tumor necrosis factor-α expression by immunohistochemistry. Neuronal cell damage could not be observed in the sham control or in the LPS group. In the hypoxic-ischemic/LPS group, neuronal injury in the cerebral cortex was significantly higher than in animals that were subjected to hypoxia/ischemia after i.c. application of NaCl. Injecting LPS intracisternally caused a marked expression of tumor necrosis factor-α in the leptomeninges. Applying LPS intracisternally sensitizes the immature rat brain to a subsequent hypoxic-ischemic insult.
The relationship between mindfulness and obsessive compulsive symptoms in a community sample

Background Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a complex, heterogeneous condition which can result in many psychological, behavioural and emotional difficulties, negatively impacting on quality of life. Current recommended treatments are not well tolerated and/or have limited success, for some service users. Therefore, other therapeutic options have been explored. Although the burgeoning experimental and clinical research has demonstrated promising outcomes for mindfulness-based interventions, a relationship between mindfulness and obsessive-compulsive symptoms, has yet to be established. Method The relationship between mindfulness and obsessive-compulsive (OC) symptoms was investigated in a community sample (N = 164) using an internet-based survey containing self-report measures of mindfulness and OCD. Participants were recruited through word of mouth, web-site research pages, and snowball sampling. The potential roles of age, prior mindfulness experience, anxiety and depression were also investigated. Results A significant negative relationship was found between mindfulness and OC symptoms. Anxiety and depression were positively and significantly associated with OC symptoms, and were found to mediate the relationship between mindfulness and OC symptoms. A significant negative relationship was found between age and OC symptoms. Age was found to be significantly positively associated with mindfulness. A non-judging approach to inner experiences demonstrated the greatest negative association with OC symptoms, compared with other facets of mindfulness. The mindfulness facet of observing made a small positive predictive contribution towards OC scores, in a mindfulness multi-facet – OC symptom regression model. Conclusions The results from this study offer support for mindfulness-based interventions for OCD. Although most mindfulness facets were associated with reduced OC symptoms, observing was associated with increased OC symptom level. Clinicians using mindfulness-based OCD treatments should therefore be aware of, and review the suitability of the specific mindfulness components contained within any mindfulness-based intervention programme.
Contributions of Sport Psychology to the Competitive Gaming: An Experience Report with a Professional Team of League of Legends

With the growth of competitive electronic gaming in Brazil, cyberathlete teams must find new ways to stand out in this environment. This research aims to investigate how cognitive tasks affect the performance of cyberathletes, and evaluate the impacts that developing a routine, which includes physical activity and mental training, have on the results of cognitive performance. Furthermore, it seeks to verify if the use of current methods of Sport Psychology might be useful to achieve better results in electronic sports. The research was conducted on 5 cyberathletes of a professional team of the game "League of Legends". In order to analyze the cognitive tasks, a Computerized Neuropsychological Monitoring System - ProA was used, and a questionnaire designed to investigate if the participants noticed any difference in individual and/or team performance after starting the proposed activities. The results demonstrate that in the months that the participants followed the proposed activities, they produced higher results in ProA, indicating an improvement in selective attention, memory, visuospatial and math abilities, while diminishing anxiety during competition. However, during the months the participants were not participating in the proposed activities, the results showed decreases in the same cognitive abilities. The participants also indicated that the activities influenced a higher level of group cohesiveness and a more objective communication during game play. Considering the above, it is expected that this research will contribute both to the body of research about electronic sports, and for Sports Psychology studies, thus emphasizing the importance of dialogue between these two areas.
Inter- and Intratumoral Variability in Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Pleomorphic Adenoma: An Attempt To Interpret the Variable Magnetic Resonance Findings

Objectives: The purpose of our study was to describe the various magnetic resonance (MR) findings of pleomorphic adenoma and to interpret these findings. Methods: MR studies of 33 pleomorphic adenomas and 13 malignant tumors in the major salivary glands were reviewed. Results: High signal intensity on short-inversion-time inversion recovery (STIR) and T2-weighted (T2W) images, progressive enhancement on dynamic MR images, and high apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values on diffusion-weighted (DW) images reflected myxoid-dominant components in pleomorphic adenomas. Hypercellularity with less-myxoid stroma showed reduced signal intensity on STIR and T2W images and also reduced ADC values on DW images, and the peak of time versus signal intensity curves (TICs) was reached earlier on dynamic MR images. Conclusions: The MR images of hypercellularity components in pleomorphic adenoma overlap with those of malignant parotid tumors. Detecting myxoid components by STIR, T2W, DW, and dynamic MR images is useful for predicting whether salivary gland tumors are pleomorphic adenoma or not.
Differentiation of the dopaminergic phenotype in the olfactory system of neonatal and adult mice

Olfactory bulb (OB) interneurons are derived primarily postnatally from progenitors in the anterior subventricular zone (SVZa) and migrate to the OB in the rostral migratory stream (RMS). Progenitors differentiate into phenotypically diverse granule and periglomerular cells by as yet undefined mechanisms. To visualize spatiotemporal aspects of periglomerular dopamine (DA) neuron differentiation, two independently derived transgenic mouse lines were analyzed with a 9‐kb tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) promoter to drive either a LacZ or an enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) reporter gene. Both reporters showed similar neonatal expression that varied from low levels in RMS, to moderate in the superficial granule cell layer, to strong in relatively large cells, possibly external tufted cells, in the periglomerular region. TH mRNA and protein were not detected in the RMS but were colocalized with the transgenes in neonatal superficial granule and periglomerular cells. By comparison, TH protein in adults was further limited to periglomerular cells. To demonstrate that transcriptional regulation was the same for EGFP and TH, expression was shown to decline similarly in the OB ipsilateral to odor deprivation produced by adult unilateral naris closure. Of two genes previously hypothesized to regulate OB DA expression, only regulated expression of the orphan receptor Nurr1, but not the homeobox‐containing genes Dlx‐1 and ‐2, was consistent with a role in regulation of the DA phenotype. These data demonstrate for the first time that DA phenotypic differentiation in neonates begins with low‐level transcription in migrating progenitors in the RMS and culminates with activity‐dependent protein expression in periglomerular cells innervated by olfactory receptor cells. J. Comp. Neurol. 479:389–398, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Granular crystal sensor and actuator for orthopaedic implant stability assessment

We propose a new granular crystal sensor and actuator suite based on highly nonlinear solitary waves to offer a compact, inexpensive, and reliable diagnostic instrument for biomedical applications. A granular crystal sensor/actuator composed of tightly packed elastic particles is assembled to generate and retain self-reinforcing, nondispersive diagnostic solitary waves. Via direct contact, this device can nondestructively evaluate the mechanical integrity of biomedical structures, prosthesis in this study, based on the responsiveness of the solitary waves reflected from the interface between the granular crystal and inspection medium. Using a prototype of granular crystal sensor/actuator, we perform a pilot study to investigate the orthopaedic implant stability of artificial composite femurs in a noninvasive manner. For experimental tests we impose harsh mechanical loading to the artificial femoral implant samples using a femoral load simulator. Preliminary studies show promising results, demonstrating the proposed granular crystal sensor/actuator successfully detects fracture at the stem-bone interface of the composite femoral stem model. This study suggests the granular crystal sensor/actuator might be used as a novel diagnostic instrument for a nondestructive evaluation of mechanical integrity in biomedical implants through enhanced accessibility and reliability.
Activation of ATP-Sensitive Potassium Channels in Hypoxic Cardiac Failure Is not Mediated by Adenosine-1 Receptors in the Isolated Rat Heart

Background: Hypoxic cardiac failure is accompanied by action potential shortening, which in part might be a consequence of opening of cardiac ATP-sensitive potassium channels (KMp channels). Coupling of the adenosine-1 receptor (A-1 receptor) to these channels has been described; however, the interaction of A-I-receptors and KMP channels in different models of ischemia is still under debate. The hypothesis as to whether A-1 receptors are involved in hypoxic K,, channel-activation in the saline-perfused rat heart was tested. Methods and Results: Pharmacologic modulation of the KTP channel by Glibenclamide (inhibitor) and Rimalkalim (activator) and of the A-1 receptor by R(-)-N6-(1-methyl-2-phenylethyl)-adenosine (R(-)-PIA, agonist) and 1,3-diethyl-3,7-dihydro-8-phenyl-purine-2,6-dione (DPX, antagonist) at different oxygen tensions (95% 02 and 20% 02) was performed in isolated Langendorff-rat hearts. Peak systolic pressure (PSP, intraventricular balloon), duration of monophasic action potential (epicardial suction electrode, time to 67% of repolarization: MAP67%), coronary flow, and heart rate (HR) were registered. Hypoxic perfusion resulted in a significant reduction of PSP (from 106 ±1 to 56 ± mmHg, P < 0.005) and shortening of MAP67% (from 37 ± to 25 ± ms, P < 0.005). With application of 1 pM Glibenclamide, MAP67% returned to normoxic values and PSP increased to 78 ± mmHg (P < 0.005 vs hypoxia). In normoxia, 2 pM Rimalkalin resulted in reduction of MAP67%/ and PSP, which was reversed by Glibenclamide. Application of 0.1 pM R(-)-PIA in normoxia resulted in a decrease of HR (from 235 ±6/min to 75 +41/min, P < 0.005), which was accompanied by an increase of PSP from 96 ± to 126 ± mmHg (P < 0.05) without changes in MAP67%. These effects were reversible by 1 MM DPX and remained unaffected by application of 1 PM Glibenclamide. Application of 1 pM DPX in hypoxia had no effect on the measured parameters. Conclusion: In isolated rat hearts, the K,p channel-system is activated in hypoxic cardiac failure and contributes to action potential shortening and reduced contractile performance. These effects seem to be independent of the A- I receptor in this model.
Pattern of infection with the porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus on swine farms in Belgium.

On four closed breeding-fattening farms, 17 sows and their litters were examined for porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) antibodies in the blocking enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). On each farm, the pigs were born within the same week and remained together for 12 weeks. The pigs were followed serologically to determine the antibody profile with the purpose of establishing the infection pattern of PRRSV. A total of 13 sows had antibodies and a positive correlation existed between their titre and the maternal antibody titre of their litters at 2 weeks of age. The maternal antibodies were detectable until 4-10 weeks of age. On two farms, no infection occurred during the time of the experiment as no seroconversion was observed in the eight litters. On the two other farms, infection was observed in eight of the nine litters between 4 and 12 weeks of age while one litter became infected during the fattening period. In some litters, a few pigs seroconverted between 6 and 8 weeks, others between 8 and 10 weeks and still others between 10 and 12 weeks. This observation indicated a rather slow spreading pattern of PRRSV. At the time of entry on four commercial fattening farms, which is 10-11 weeks of age, 15%, 50%, 75% and 60%, respectively, of the pigs had antibodies to PRRSV. Based on the rate of decline of maternal antibodies as determined by the studies on the closed breeding-fattening farms, it was indicated that these positive pigs had already been infected on the farm of origin. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The Effects of Region and Gender on Students' Attitudes towards Environment Cinsiyet ve Kirsal - Kentsel Kesim Farkliliklarin Öğrencilerinin Çevreye Yönelik Tutumlarina Etkisi

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of region (rural and urban) and gender on 6th Grade students’ attitudes toward the environment. A total of 135 students (n=65 girls; n=70 boys) participated in the study. A 45-item Likert type questionnaire consisting of four dimensions was used to measure students’ environmental attitude. These dimensions (awareness for environmental problems, general attitude about solutions, awareness of individual responsibility and awareness on the national environmental problems) constitute the dependent variables of the study. A two-way MANOVA was conducted for the specified purpose. Results showed that there was a significant effect of region on the collective dependent variables. Univariate ANOVAs indicated that students in the urban area had greater awareness for environmental problems, individual responsibility and national environmental problems. On the other hand, no statistically significant effect of gender was found.
Rapid communication: restriction fragment length polymorphism in amplification products of the porcine growth hormone-releasing hormone gene.

1The authors thank A. L. Archibald, M. F. Rothschild, and the EC PiGMaP group for distribution of DNA from the PiGMaP reference families, and D. Nicholson and G. J. Lee for provision of database services and linkage analyses. Published as paper no. 11840, Journal Series, Agric. Res. Dev. , Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln 68583-0908. 2To whom correspondence should be addressed. Phone: (402) 472-6416; fax: (402) 472-6362; E-mail: dpomp@unlinfo2.unl. edu. Received March 7, 1997. Accepted April 22, 1997. Figure 1. AluI restriction fragment length polymorphism in porcine GHRH PCR products electrophoresed in a 4% agarose gel stained with ethidium bromide. Lane 1: pGEM (Promega, Madison, WI) DNA molecular weight markers; Lane 2: uncut PCR product; Lane 3: AA genotype; Lane 4: AB genotype; Lane 5: BB genotype. Rapid Communication: Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism in Amplification Products of the Porcine Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone Gene1
Neural integration of multimodal events

Our actions produce physical events that give rise to perceptual information across multiple modalities. A trip to the beach can be identified through all five of our senses: seeing the waves roll in from the horizon, hearing the waves break on the sand, smelling the ocean life, feeling the cool sensation of the water on our skin, and tasting the salty water. Yet information from one perceptual modality is not experienced separately from information in another modality; instead, our perception of the ocean blends the modality-specific information from our senses into an integrated, coherent percept. In a series of three experiments, we address how such percepts come to be; that is, what cues in the signal are used to combine different sensory information and, concurrently, what are the neural processing mechanisms sensitive to these integration cues. Multimodal interactions have been found in behavioral and neural research. In both cases, multimodal stimuli generate responses that are not the simple summation of their unimodal counterparts. This finding led researchers to examine what stimulus properties enable the efficient integration of information across modalities, and this research has identified three integration cues – time, space, and semantics – that influence the process of integration. In addition, research with both animals and humans reveal a consistent network of brain regions in posterior, temporal, and frontal cortices recruited during multimodal processing. However, the functional role of the regions within the extended multimodal network is relatively unknown. Consequently, our studies independently manipulate temporal and semantic congruency using a novel stimulus set of environmental events. The studies ask whether the two integration cues share the same neural resources or recruit separable neural substrates. We also explore how these two integration cues interact with one another, and in particular, whether the timecourse of one cue differs from the other. That is, does a low-level cue like temporal synchrony that is carried in the perceptual signals themselves influence multimodal processing earlier than a higher-order cue like semantic congruency that relies on stored, experiential knowledge. In short, the series of three studies aim to unravel the neural basis of multimodal integration. Behavioral research has highlighted three major characteristics of multimodal interactions. First, the response times for detection or identification of a stimulus are faster for multimodal stimuli than for unimodal stimuli. Second, information from one modality can bias another modality, resulting in perceptual illusions that highlight the role of multimodal integration …