Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Attitudes as temporary constructions

For the past several years we have investigated the effects of introspection on attitude change. We have found that when people are asked to think about why they feel the way they do about something, they often change their minds about how they feel. People who analyze their reasons have been found to change their attitudes toward such diverse things as political candidates (Wilson, Kraft, We have been struck by how easy it has been to get people to change their attitudes, in marked contrast to how unyielding people are in other kinds of social psychological studies. Our findings seem inconsistent with the vast literature on attitude change, which has found that you have to go to some length to change people's views. Consider research on persuasive communications. Only after listening to carefully crafted speeches that contain powerful arguments , or are delivered by attractive, expert sources, or both, do subjects change their attitudes (Eagly & Chaiken, 1984; Petty & Cacioppo, 1986). In our studies all we ask people to do is to think, privately and anonynlously , about why they feel the way they do-and they change their minds about how they feel. The ease with which people adopt new attitudes has caused us, along with some other recent theorists, to question the view that people hold stable attitudes. In this chapter we review evidence contrary to this tradition;^! viewpoint. 38 WILSON AND HODGES To preview, we suggest that people often have a large, conflicting "data base" relevant to their attitudes on any given topic, and the attitude they have at any given time depends on the subset of these data to which they attend. We review evidence showing that the data people use are influenced by both contextual factors and the kind of thought in which they engage. Finally, we argue that the attitude change resulting from these contextual and thought processes is sometimes detrimental, leading to nonoptimal preferences and decisions. Our characterization of attitudes as temporarily constructed judgments is quite consistent with the overall theme of this book concerning the construction of social judgment. It has become clear that many different kinds of judgments and impressions are influenced by the context in which they are formed. Most models of social construction, however, are concerned with situations in which people judge stimuli that are ambiguous or about which they know little (such as the priming literature, in which …
Performance of research ethics committees in Spain. A prospective study of 100 applications for clinical trial protocols on medicines.

OBJECTIVES: To review the characteristics and performance of research ethics committees in Spain in the evaluation of multicentre clinical trial drug protocols. DESIGN: A prospective study of 100 applications. SETTING: Forty-one committees reviewing clinical trial protocols, involving 50 hospitals in 25 cities. MAIN MEASURES: Protocol-related features, characteristics of research ethics committees and evaluation dynamics. RESULTS: The 100 applications involved 15 protocols (of which 12 were multinational) with 12 drugs. Committees met monthly (except one). They had a mean number of 12 members, requested a mean of six complete dossiers and nine additional copies of the protocol with a mean deadline of 14 days before the meeting. All applications were approved except three (two of the three were open-label long-term safety trials rejected by the same committee), which were approved by the other committees involved. The mean time from submission to approval was 64 days. The mean time from submission to arrival of the approval document at our offices was 85 days. Twenty-five committees raised queries for 38 of the 97 finally approved applications. Impact of evaluation fee, number of members, queries raised and experience of committees on timings were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Obtaining ethical approval is time-consuming. There is much diversity in the research ethics committees' performance. A remarkable delay (> 20 days) exists between the decision and the arrival of the written approval, suggesting administrative or organisational problems.
Safety, reactogenicity and immunogenicity of the live attenuated combined measles, mumps and rubella vaccine containing the RIT 4385 mumps strain in healthy Singaporean children.

INTRODUCTION Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) are viral infections causing significant mortality and morbidity for which effective and safe vaccines are available. The safety, reactogenicity and immunogenicity of a combined MMR vaccine when administered to healthy Singaporean children were evaluated in this study. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 150 children aged 12 to 18 months were vaccinated in this open, single-group, single-centre study [209762/147]. Solicited local and general symptoms reported within 4 days of vaccination and fever, parotid/salivary gland swelling and signs of meningism in the 43 days following vaccination were recorded using diary cards. Serious adverse events occurring during the study period were monitored. Immunogenicity was assessed at 42 days post-vaccination. RESULTS Redness (8.7%) and pain (7.2%) at injection site were the most commonly reported solicited local symptoms during the 4-day follow-up period after vaccination. Percentage of subjects reporting drowsiness, irritability and loss of appetite during the 4-day follow-up after vaccination was 7.2%, 8% and 7.2%, respectively. None of the solicited symptoms reported during the 4-day follow-up period was of grade "3" intensity. Fever (42.8%) was the most commonly reported solicited general symptom, with 5.1% of the children reporting fever >39.0 degrees C (axillary). No serious adverse events considered to be related to vaccination were reported. Seroconversion rates were 100% for measles and rubella antibodies and 98.1% for mumps antibodies. CONCLUSIONS GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals' MMR vaccine was shown to be well tolerated and highly immunogenic when used in Singaporean children 12 to 18 months of age.
The role of conceptual knowledge in understanding synaesthesia: Evaluating contemporary findings from a “hub-and-spokes” perspective

Synesthesia is a phenomenon in which stimulation in one sensory modality triggers involuntary experiences typically not associated with that stimulation. Inducing stimuli (inducers) and synesthetic experiences (concurrents) may occur within the same modality (e.g., seeing colors while reading achromatic text) or span across different modalities (e.g., tasting flavors while listening to music). Although there has been considerable progress over the last decade in understanding the cognitive and neural mechanisms of synesthesia, the focus of current neurocognitive models of synesthesia does not encompass many crucial psychophysical characteristics documented in behavioral research. Prominent theories of the neurophysiological basis of synesthesia construe it as a perceptual phenomenon and hence focus primarily on the modality-specific brain regions for perception. Many behavioral studies, however, suggest an essential role for conceptual-level information in synesthesia. For example, there is evidence that synesthetic experience arises subsequent to identification of an inducing stimulus, differs substantially from real perceptual events, can be akin to perceptual memory, and is susceptible to lexical/semantic contexts. These data suggest that neural mechanisms lying beyond the realm of the perceptual cortex (especially the visual system), such as regions subserving conceptual knowledge, may play pivotal roles in the neural architecture of synesthesia. Here we discuss the significance of non-perceptual mechanisms that call for a re-evaluation of the emphasis on synesthesia as a perceptual phenomenon. We also review recent studies which hint that some aspects of synesthesia resemble our general conceptual knowledge for object attributes, at both psychophysical and neural levels. We then present a conceptual-mediation model of synesthesia in which the inducer and concurrent are linked within a conceptual-level representation. This “inducer-to-concurrent” nexus is maintained within a supramodal “hub,” while the subjective (bodily) experience of its resultant concurrent (e.g., a color) may then require activation of “spokes” in the perception-related cortices. This hypothesized “hub-and-spoke” structure would engage a distributed network of cortical regions and may account for the full breadth of this intriguing phenomenon.
Quercetin enhances apoptotic effect of tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) in ovarian cancer cells through reactive oxygen species (ROS) mediated CCAAT enhancer-binding protein homologous protein (CHOP)-death receptor 5 pathway

Although tumor necrosis factor‐related apoptosis‐inducing ligand (TRAIL) has shown efficacy in a phase 2 clinical trial, development of resistance to TRAIL by tumor cells is a major roadblock. We investigated whether quercetin, a flavonoid, can sensitize human ovarian cancer cells to TRAIL. Results indicate that quercetin sensitized cancer cells to TRAIL. The quercetin induced expression of death receptor DR5 but did not affect expression of DR4 in cancer cells. The induction of DR5 was mediated through activation of JNK and through upregulation of a transcription factor CCAAT enhancer‐binding protein homologous protein (CHOP); as silencing of these signaling molecules abrogated the effect of quercetin. Upregulation of DR5 was mediated through the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), as ROS scavengers reduced the effect of quercetin on JNK activation, CHOP upregulation, DR induction, TRAIL sensitization, downregulated the expression of cell survival proteins and upregulated the proapoptotic proteins. Furthermore, quercetin enhances TRAIL mediated inhibition of tumor growth of human SKOV‐3 xenograft was associated with induction of apoptosis, activation of caspase‐3, CHOP and DR5. Overall, our data suggest that quercetin enhances apoptotic death of ovarian cancer cells to TRAIL through upregulation of CHOP‐induced DR5 expression following ROS mediated endoplasmic reticulum‐stress.
Negative feedback influences auditory recognition: behavioral and event-related potential evidence

Stress induced by negative feedback is known to impair recognition memory, although little is known about its neural correlates. Immediately before an auditory recognition test, a negative- and positive-feedback group received different, faked scores about their performance in a Tower-of-Hanoi task. Negative feedback increased reaction times for correct rejections of new sounds. Although the positive-feedback group showed frontally and parietally more positive-going event-related potentials for correctly recognized old items than correct rejections (OLD/NEW effect) between 400 and 700 ms, suggesting the presence of familiarity and recollection-related recognition processes, the negative-feedback group showed late (>1100 ms) sustained right-frontal OLD/NEW effects possibly reflecting postmemory monitoring. Hence, negative feedback might change recognition memory by disabling recollection in favor of postmemory monitoring processes.
Strain-dependent induction of epithelial cell oncosis by Campylobacter jejuni is correlated with invasion ability and is independent of cytolethal distending toxin

Induction of host cell death is thought to play an important role in bacterial pathogenesis. Campylobacter jejuni is a prevalent cause of bacterial enteritis; however, its effects on enterocytes remain unclear. The present study indicates for the first time that C. jejuni induces oncotic, rather than apoptotic death of T84 enterocytes. C. jejuni-treated enterocytes exhibited extensive cytoplasmic vacuolation, rapid (3–6 h) loss of plasma membrane integrity (‘cytotoxicity’), loss of mitochondrial transmembrane potential, and ATP depletion. Enterocytes also exhibited increased oligonucleosomal DNA fragmentation, a feature characteristic of apoptosis. However, consistent with a non-apoptotic process, DNA fragmentation and cytotoxicity were not caspase dependent. During apoptosis, caspases mediate cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase; however, cleavage was not observed in C. jejuni-treated monolayers. Cytotoxicity, ATP depletion and DNA fragmentation were not prevented by the deletion of the cytolethal distending toxin (CDT) gene, indicating that C. jejuni causes enterocyte oncosis via a mechanism that is CDT independent. The ability to cause oncosis was significantly decreased in a FlaAFlaB mutant (CDT+) that was defective in the ability to adhere and invade enterocytes. Analysis of clinical isolates revealed that oncosis was strain dependent and correlated with increased invasive ability. These observations offer new insights into the pathogenesis of C. jejuni infection.
High Plasma Brain Natriuretic Polypeptide Level as a Marker of Risk for Thromboembolism in Patients With Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation

Background and Purpose— Assessment of left atrial appendage (LAA) function with transesophageal echocardiography is useful for detecting patients at high risk for thromboembolism as a result of atrial fibrillation (AF). A recent study reported that the atrium is the main source of brain natriuretic polypeptide (BNP) in AF patients without overt heart failure. The purpose of this study was to assess a possible relationship between LAA function and plasma BNP levels in nonvalvular AF. Methods— Thirty-four consecutive patients with chronic nonvalvular AF (age, 69±9 years) underwent transesophageal echocardiography and plasma BNP measurement. Thirteen patients with a history of thromboembolism or echocardiographic evidence of thrombus (E + group) were compared with 21 AF patients without complications (E− group). Results— The E+ group patients demonstrated greater impairment of LAA velocity and higher plasma BNP levels than the E− group patients (LAA velocity: 12±6 versus 31±17 cm/s, P <0.05; plasma BNP: 126±53 versus 86±45 ng/L, P <0.05). Overall analysis of the continuous variables with multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that BNP was a significant predictor of thromboembolism. There was a weak but significant negative correlation between plasma BNP levels and LAA flow velocity (r =0.38, P <0.05). No intergroup difference in plasma atrial natriuretic polypeptide levels was found. Conclusions— The present data suggest the usefulness of measuring plasma BNP levels, which may reflect augmented atrial secretion of BNP from the impaired atrial myocardium, in detecting patients at high risk for thromboembolic complications in nonvalvular AF.
Developing Countries and Electronic Commerce the Case of SMEs

The use of the Internet along with a range of other information and communications technologies (ICT) is transforming how business is done locally and globally. The effects are sometimes dramatic in developed countries. There are even a growing number of examples of the use of ICT for electronic commerce (E-Commerce) in developing countries. The effects to date, though, are small compared to what is expected to occur in the next decades. Forecasters all agree that how business is done will be profoundly affected by ICT; they do not agree on what the exact effects will be. Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SME's) in developing countries need to be able to figure out how, when, if and where to use electronic commerce techniques to reap these gains. They face obstacles and constraints specific to the developing countries in which they operate such as higher costs to access the Internet and language barriers. For SMEs in developing countries E- Commerce poses the advantages of reduced information search costs and transactions cost. This research is meant to answer and study the following questions in regard to exceptional cases and for different situations, financial management, rules and regulations and some of problems and special cases:
Effect of DNA gyrase inhibitors pefloxacin, five other quinolones, novobiocin, and clorobiocin on Escherichia coli topoisomerase I

Two coumarins, inhibitors of the B subunit of DNA gyrase, and six quinolones, inhibitors of the A subunit, were tested against Escherichia coli topoisomerase I-catalyzed DNA relaxation. Coumarins had no effect, whereas quinolones were inhibitors of the enzyme. This inhibition was compared with that of DNA gyrase and calf thymus topoisomerase I. The 50% inhibitory concentrations for E. coli topoisomerase I were about one order of magnitude higher than the corresponding values for E. coli DNA gyrase but were far lower than the known values for calf thymus topoisomerase I. There was a good relationship between inhibition of the two prokaryotic topoisomerases and MICs for E. coli, and the quinolones could be ranked in the same order in the three cases.
Risk Factors for Hepatocellular Carcinoma in a Japanese Population: A Nested Case-Control Study

Background: Epidemiologic studies have shown effects of lifestyle-related factors on risk for hepatocellular carcinoma. However, few cohort studies have incorporated, in a strict and in-depth manner, hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections or investigated synergism between such factors. Methods: We conducted a nested case-control study using sera stored before hepatocellular carcinoma diagnosis in the longitudinal cohort of atomic bomb survivors. The study included 224 hepatocellular carcinoma cases and 644 controls that were matched to the cases on gender, age, city, time of serum storage, and method of serum storage, and countermatched on radiation dose. Results: Univariate analysis showed that HBV and HCV infections, alcohol consumption, smoking habit, body mass index (BMI), and diabetes mellitus were associated with increased hepatocellular carcinoma risk, whereas coffee drinking was associated with decreased hepatocellular carcinoma risk. Multivariate relative risks of hepatocellular carcinoma (95% confidence interval) were 45.8 (15.2-138), 101 (38.7-263), 70.7 (8.3-601), 4.36 (1.48-13.0), and 4.57 (1.85-11.3), for HBV infection alone, HCV infection alone, both HBV and HCV infections, alcohol consumption of ≥40 g of ethanol per day, and BMI of >25.0 kg/m2 10 years before diagnosis, respectively. HBV and HCV infection and BMI of >25.0 kg/m2 remained independent risk factors even after adjusting for severity of liver fibrosis. Among HCV-infected individuals, the relative risk of hepatocellular carcinoma for a 1 kg/m2 increase in BMI was 1.39 (P = 0.003). Conclusions: To limit the risk for hepatocellular carcinoma, control of excess weight may be crucial for individuals with chronic liver disease, especially those with chronic hepatitis C. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2008;17(4):846–54)
PROPELLER MRI visualizezs detailed pathology of hippocampal sclerosis

Purpose:Hippocampal sclerosis (HS) is the most common cause of refractory temporal lobe epilepsy. Histopathologically, HS is characterized by neuron loss and gliosis. HS can be identified on MRI by signal increase on T2‐weighted images and volume loss on T1‐weighted volume images. The Periodically Rotated Overlapping Parallel Lines with Enhanced Reconstruction (“PROPELLER”) sequence has excellent contrast between grey and white matter and compensates for subjects moving during the scan. The aim of the current report was to explore PROPELLER image quality of the hippocampus compared to routine sequences.
Can we define migraine patients with blood high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and galectin-3 levels in the emergency department?

Introduction Migraine, the most widespread cause of headache in young adults, is a frequent reason for presentation to emergency departments. The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic value of serum galectin-3 and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels in migraine patients. Material and methods Serum galectin-3 and hsCRP levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 70 migraine patients and 70 healthy control subjects. Results The mean values of hsCRP and galectin-3 levels were significantly higher in the migraine group than those in the control group (1.67 ±0.49, 1.12 ±0.38 mg/l, p < 0.001; and 3.76 ±1.45, 2.05 ±0.29 ng/ml, p < 0.001, respectively). When the diagnostic values of the biomarkers were assessed in the migraine attack and control groups, the sensitivity and specificity of the test for hsCRP at the cut-off point of 1.32 mg/l were 70% and 73% (AUC = 0.805, 95% CI: 0.74–0.88, p < 0.001), and for galectin-3 at the cut-off point of 2.4 ng/ml, 89% and 90% (AUC = 0.97, 95% CI: 0.95–0.99, p < 0.001), respectively. Conclusions This study showed the presence of a relation between high serum levels of hsCRP and galectin-3 in migraine patients. However, well-controlled, carefully executed longitudinal studies are required to confirm these findings.
Network Reconstruction Based on Evolutionary-Game Data via Compressive Sensing

Evolutionary games model a common type of interactions in a variety of complex, networked, natural systems and social systems. Given such a system, uncovering the interacting structure of the underlying network is key to understanding its collective dynamics. Based on compressive sensing, we develop an efficient approach to reconstructing complex networks under game-based interactions from small amounts of data. The method is validated by using a variety of model networks and by conducting an actual experiment to reconstruct a social network. While most existing methods in this area assume oscillator networks that generate continuous-time data, our work successfully demonstrates that the extremely challenging problem of reverse engineering of complex networks can also be addressed even when the underlying dynamical processes are governed by realistic, evolutionary-game type of interactions in discrete time. DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevX.1. 021021 Subject Areas: Complex Systems, Nonlinear Dynamics, Statistical Physics In many fields of science and engineering, one encounters the situation where the system of interest is composed of networked elements, called nodes, but the pattern of the node-to-node interaction or the network topology is totally unknown. It is desirable and of significant interest to uncover the network topology based on time series of certain observable quantities extracted from experiments or observations. Examples of potential applications abound: reconstruction of gene-regulatory networks based on expression data in systems biology [1‐4], extraction of various functional networks in the human brain from activation data in neuroscience [5‐8], and uncovering organizational networks based on discrete data or information in social science and homeland defense. In the past few years, the
Astrometric proof of companionship for the L dwarf companion candidate GJ1048B

Gizis et al. (2001, AJ, 121, 2185) reported a companion candidate of spectral type L1 near the K2 dwarf GJ1048 using the Two Micron All-Sky Survey (2MASS). At that time it was not possible to verify companionship astrometrically using the 2MASS data alone due to the small proper motion of GJ1048. We now show that both objects share the same proper motion by using data from the UK Schmidt Telescope Near-infrared (IVN) Southern Survey as the first epoch and data from 2MASS as the second epoch. Our technique of subtracting the PSF of the primary from the SuperCOSMOS I scans of the Southern Survey enables the astrometry of the companion candidate to be measured directly.