Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Marriage in Russia. A Complex Phenomenon Poorly Understood

Avdeev Alexandre, Monnier Alain. - La nupcialidad en Rusia: una complejidad poco conocida En la primera parte de este articulo se presentan las caracteristicas principales de la nupcialidad en Rusia durante las tres ultimas decadas. Tradicionalmente, la nupcialidad rusa se ha caracterizado por una precocidad e intensidad que contrastan con las observadas en Occidente. Hasta finales de los anos ochenta, casarse al finalizar los estudios o el servicio militar constituia una etapa obligatoria de la transicion a la edad adulta. Pero el aumento del divorcio a lo largo del periodo analizado tambien sugiere que, en Rusia, el matrimonio es una institucion fragil. En la segunda parte del articulo, los datos de varias encuestas permiten examinar as- pectos menos conocidos de la formacion de uniones y de la familia en Rusia. La elevada frecuencia de concepciones pre-nupciales, de nacimientos fuera del matrimonio y de la co- habitacion muestran que la nupcialidad rusa es menos monolitica de lo que aparenta. Para finalizar, se analiza la disminucion reciente de la nupcialidad en el contexto de las transformaciones politicas, sociales y economicas en curso. Seria prematuro determinar si esta disminucion es unicamente coyuntural o si revela una transformacion profunda, pero, en cualquier caso, no queda compensada por un aumento de la cohabitacion.
The Impact of the Educhange and Research Foundation (ERF ) Self-Awareness Programme on Learners’ Reactions and Learning

The aim of the current study was to explore the impact of the Educhange and Research Foundation (ERF) self-awareness programme on the participants’ reactions, experiences, and changes in opinion regarding their knowledge of concepts of self-awareness. This study constitutes an evaluation of a workshop presented by the ERF which is a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) aimed at generating solutions toward a better education for all learners through the application of Kirkpatrick’s model of evaluating education and training programmes. Kirkpatrick’s model follows the goal-based evaluation approach and is based on four levels of evaluation. These four levels are widely known as reaction, learning, behaviour, and results. Due to the feasibility of the research, only the reaction and learning evaluation levels were researched. The population identified for the study comprised 15 grade 9 to 11 secondary school learners from Soweto in South Africa which were encouraged to volunteer to take part in the study at their convenience. The sample consisted of all the learners who attended the self-awareness workshop, in effect making this a purposive, convenience sampling. The ERF Board were responsible for the sample selection for their scholarship programme. One of the minimum criteria of selection to take part in the programme was that the learner must have obtained 70% and stem from poor backgrounds. The relatively small sample size possesses the potential to limit the generalisation of the findings. A mixed method approach was employed for this research. Positivist paradigm is the epistemological stance adopted due to the social reality investigated. The sources of data consisted of pre- and post-evaluation questionnaires on self-awareness. The results were thematically and statistically analysed. Thematic analysis included familiarisation with the data and first finding meaning, and then identifying patterns of recurring meaning by generating initial codes and lastly generating themes that run through these meanings.ii Statistical analysis was conducted through comparison of the data before and after the workshop using chi-square. Objective self-awareness theory and the self-regulation theory were the theoretical framework that informed the current research study. The main finding from this study was that the programme was perceived to have raised positive subjective opinions and feelings of most of the participants, although one participant raised negative subjective opinions about the programme and made suggestions for improvement. After the workshop, the participants felt that they had gained a better understanding of the key concepts of self-awareness, although most items were found to be statistically insignificant.
Follow the Herd? Group Opinions (Do Not) Matter for Collectivists

An individual’s self-orientation in terms of individualism or collectivism influences his or her judgments and evaluations. In particular, collectivists likely follow the group opinion, thus exhibiting a heuristic processing bias in persuasion by using consensus information as a heuristic cue. Two studies test this hypothesis. As expected, individualists processed the persuasive message systematically regardless of consensus. Meanwhile, collectivists processed it heuristically when there was consensus, but systematically when there was no consensus, against the expected hypothesis. Possible explanations are offered, along with a discussion of avenues for future research and implications for marketing practice.
Gestational trophoblastic disease metastatic to the central nervous system.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate characteristics of patients with central nervous system (CNS) lesions of gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) and determine prognostic and therapeutic implications applicable to management. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed the records of 454 patients treated at the Southeastern Regional Trophoblastic Disease Center between 1966 and 1992 with at least 2 years of follow-up, and identified 42 (9.3%) with CNS metastases. Sixteen patients presented for primary therapy and 27 patients had received significant therapy prior to presentation. Three heavily treated moribund patients died before their first cycle of chemotherapy and were excluded from analysis. Brain metastases were documented by physical exam and radionuclide imaging (before 1976), computed tomography scan (after 1976), or magnetic resonance imaging (after 1986). Patients received multiagent chemotherapy with methotrexate, actinomycin D, and chlorambucil (MAC)- or etoposide-based regimens. All patients received radiation therapy. No intrathecal chemotherapy was given. Craniotomy was employed in seven cases. Remission was defined as three weekly hCG levels below assay sensitivity (< 5 mIU/ml). RESULTS Overall survival was 44%. Twelve of 16 patients (75%) who presented with CNS metastases with no prior therapy (Group A), 5 of 13 (38%) patients who had prior treatment (Group B), and none of 10 patients who developed CNS metastases during therapy (Group C) survived (P < 0.05). Two of four patients who failed in the CNS after treatment for CNS lesions were salvaged. Demographic characteristics of Groups A and B were similar. No significant differences with respect to WHO score, interval from pregnancy to onset of disease, or age among these groups were found. Group B patients had a four-fold higher incidence of liver metastases. Survival of Group A patients was not related to conventional clinical prognostic factors. Inverse (nonsignificant) correlations were found for Group B patients between survival and WHO score, hCG level, size and number of metastatic lesions, but not type of prior therapy. Survival was higher in those with prior molar pregnancies (56%) as contrasted with aborted (50%) or term (27%) gestations. Selective use of craniotomy helped alleviate intracranial pressure and resect refractory foci. CONCLUSIONS Chemotherapy combined with radiation therapy in GTD patients with CNS metastases yields survival rates comparable to those reported for intrathecal methotrexate regimens. Tumor burden as indicated by hCG level and size/number of metastases in previously treated patients may correlate with survival. Patients who develop CNS metastases during active therapy have a very poor outcome.
Seasonal and interannual changes in particulate organic carbon export and deposition in the Chukchi Sea

[1] Particulate organic carbon (POC) export fluxes were estimated in the shelf-slope region of the Chukchi Sea using measurements of 234Th−238U disequilibria and the POC/234Th ratio in large (>53-μm) particles. These export fluxes were used in conjunction with rates of primary productivity and benthic carbon respiration to construct a POC budget for this shelf-slope region. Samples were collected along a series of shelf-basin transects in the spring (May–June) and summer (July–August) of 2004. These stations were previously occupied during the ice covered (spring) and open water (summer) seasons of 2002, allowing for an interannual comparison of export flux. In contrast to 2002, when open water POC fluxes were significantly higher than in the ice-covered period, POC export fluxes in 2004 were similar during the spring (average = 19.7 ± 24.8 mmol C m−2 d−1) and summer (average = 20.0 ± 14.5 mmol C m−2 d−1). The high POC fluxes measured during the spring are attributed to a plankton bloom, as evidenced by exceptionally high rates of primary productivity (average = 124.4 ± 88.1 mmol C m−2 d−1). The shelf-slope budget of particulate organic carbon indicates that 10–20% of primary productivity was exported below 50 m but was not consumed during benthic carbon respiration or burial and oxidation in underlying sediments. Furthermore, a water column−sediment budget of 234Th indicates that particulate material is retained in shelf sediments on a seasonal basis.
Bedside functional imaging of the premature infant brain during passive motor activation

Abstract Background: Changes in regional brain blood flow and hemoglobin oxygen saturation occur in the human cortex in response to neural activation. Traditional functional radiologic methods cannot provide continuous, portable measurements. Imaging methods, which use near-infrared light allow for non-invasive measurements by taking advantage of the fact that hemoglobin is a strong absorber at these wavelengths. Aims: To test the feasibility of a new optical functional imaging system in premature infants, and to obtain preliminary brain imaging of passive motor activation in this population. Methods: A new optical imaging system, the Diffuse Optical Tomography System (DOTS), was used to provide real-time, bedside assessments. Custom-made soft flexible fiberoptic probes were placed on two extremely ill, mechanically ventilated 24 week premature infants, and three healthier 32 week premature infants. Passive motor stimulation protocols were used during imaging. Results: Specific movement of the arm resulted in reproducible focal, contralateral changes in cerebral absorption. The data suggest an overall increase in blood volume to the imaged area, as well as an increase in deoxyhemoglobin concentration. These findings in premature infants differ from those expected in adults. Conclusions: In the intensive care setting, continuous non-invasive optical functional imaging could be critically important and, with further study, may provide a bedside monitoring tool for prospectively identifying patients at high risk for brain injury.
Rethinking Military Gaming

With the extensive use of military force by the U.S. government over the past decade, more scholarly attention has been directed at how mass culture is mobilized to support military objectives. Video games designed by the military or by civilians collaborating with military advisers are one of the major causes for concern, as these may provide ways of training players for military service or of building support for wars. This essay organizes prominent critiques of military gaming into structural/institutional, instrumental, and ideological perspectives and examines some of the most common arguments made from each. It argues that while critics of America’s Army and other military games are right to be cautious about military influence on gaming, critics tend to judge military games more harshly than the evidence warrants.
Topical vitamin K1 promotes repair of full thickness wound in rat

Objectives: Application of vitamin K to the skin has been used for suppression of pigmentation and resolution of bruising. However, in rats, no study was reported on its effect regarding wound healing. Thus, the present study was designed to examine the healing effects of creams prepared from vitamin K1 on full-thickness wound in rats. Materials and Methods: For inducing full-thickness wound in rats, the excisional wound model was used. Five groups consisting of 8 rats each were used. Vitamin K cream (1% and 2%, w/w) was prepared in eucerin base and applied on the wound once a day until complete healing had occurred. Healing was defined by decreased wound margin (wound contraction), re-epithelialization, tensile strength and hydroxyproline content. Histopathological examination was also done. Results: The effects produced by the topical vitamin K showed significant (P < 0.01) healing when compared with control group in parameters such as wound contraction, epithelialization period, hydroxyproline content and tensile strength. Histopathological studies also showed improvement with vitamin K. Conclusions: Topical vitamin K demonstrates wound healing potential in full-thickness wound model.
A Mixed Method Study of Diagnostic and Adaptive Functioning Challenges in African American Preschool-Aged Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

A Mixed Method Study of Diagnostic and Adaptive Functioning Challenges in African American Preschool-Aged Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders by Douglene Jackson MOT, Nova Southeastern University, 2002 BHS, University of Florida, 1998 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy
Do Stacked Species Distribution Models Reflect Altitudinal Diversity Patterns?

The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of stacked species distribution models in predicting the alpha and gamma species diversity patterns of two important plant clades along elevation in the Andes. We modelled the distribution of the species in the Anthurium genus (53 species) and the Bromeliaceae family (89 species) using six modelling techniques. We combined all of the predictions for the same species in ensemble models based on two different criteria: the average of the rescaled predictions by all techniques and the average of the best techniques. The rescaled predictions were then reclassified into binary predictions (presence/absence). By stacking either the original predictions or binary predictions for both ensemble procedures, we obtained four different species richness models per taxa. The gamma and alpha diversity per elevation band (500 m) was also computed. To evaluate the prediction abilities for the four predictions of species richness and gamma diversity, the models were compared with the real data along an elevation gradient that was independently compiled by specialists. Finally, we also tested whether our richness models performed better than a null model of altitudinal changes of diversity based on the literature. Stacking of the ensemble prediction of the individual species models generated richness models that proved to be well correlated with the observed alpha diversity richness patterns along elevation and with the gamma diversity derived from the literature. Overall, these models tend to overpredict species richness. The use of the ensemble predictions from the species models built with different techniques seems very promising for modelling of species assemblages. Stacking of the binary models reduced the over-prediction, although more research is needed. The randomisation test proved to be a promising method for testing the performance of the stacked models, but other implementations may still be developed.
fMet-Leu-Phe Stimulates Proinflammatory Cytokine Gene Expression in Human Peripheral Blood Monocytes: The Role of Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase1

The fMLP-stimulated release of proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-1 by human peripheral blood monocytes is an important component of the inflammatory process. The signaling mechanisms used by fMLP to stimulate the release of cytokines are still incompletely understood. We previously demonstrated that fMLP-stimulated NF-κB activation in PBMC and now we present evidence that the lipid products of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase) are required for fMLP-stimulated activation of NF-κB. Pretreatment with the PI 3-kinase inhibitors, wortmannin and LY294002, effectively blocked fMLP-induced IL-1β gene expression as well as NF-κB activation. Transient transfection of THP1 cells with a dominant-negative mutant of the PI 3-kinase p85 subunit also abrogated fMLP-induced κB activity. These results suggest a potential role of fMLP in the transcription of proinflammatory cytokines and provide the first evidence that such regulation may occur through PI 3-kinase activity.
Protection From Risk

This research explores the ability of neighborhood-level factors to serve as either promotive or protective factors to reduce the risk of violent outcomes among adolescents. Unique contributions of this research include a novel definition of neighborhood constructed through a housing market study, the aggregation of individual-level survey responses to the newly defined neighborhoods, and the application ofhierarchical linear modeling to explore cross-level interaction (e.g., protective) effects. Using data from Waves 1–9 of the Rochester Youth Development Study, our analyses find little support for promotive effects at the neighborhood level. However, several of our constructs are revealed to provide protective effects across various domains of risk. In specific, we find that high-risk youths whose parents report high levels of social integration and neighborhood integration are less likely to experience violent outcomes than similar youth whose parents do not report high levels of integration. These findings were particularly strong in the domains of school and peer risk which may inherently reflect the “social” quality of risk in these realms.
Performance in Personal and Impersonal Moral Judgment According to Positive and Negative Subliminal Emotional Experiences

Introduction: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of subliminal emotional experiences in personal and impersonal moral judgment. Method: A total number of 35 students (20 females and 15 males) from Kharazmi University were selected using random sampling and were individually induced by subliminal neutral, positive, and negative emotional experiences. After each emotion induction stage, the subjects responded to two personal and impersonal moral stories. The data were analyzed using analysis of variance with repeated measures. Results: The results showed that the induction of subliminal positive and negative emotional experience lead to non-utilitarianism in personal moral judgment but have no effect on impersonal moral judgment.Conclusion: The results reflect the significant role of emotional experiences in moral judgment based cognitive processes.
Conceptual Tempo and Mother-Child Interaction: Results from a Longitudinal Intervention Program

The purpose of the present study was to assess the effects of the child's participation in longitudinal intervention upon his conceptual tempo and to assess the relation of maternal and child latencies to their structured teaching interaction. Results indicated some effects of treatment upon tempo, but ruled out the effect of mother/child matching or differing latencies upon patterns of interaction. Instead both maternal and child behaviors were affected by maternal latency. Mothers with short latencies and children of mothers with short latencies exhibited more positive interactions and fewer negative interactions. Findings were interpreted in terms of the general dimension of tempo.
DD Genotype of the Angiotensin‐Converting Enzyme Gene Is a Risk Factor for Left Ventricular Hypertrophy

BackgroundThe cardiac renin-angiotensin system has been suggested to be involved in the development of left ventricular hypertrophy. In humans, a strong correlation has been found between plasma angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) activity and the insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism of the ACE gene, which has been reported to be associated with myocardial infarction, ischemic and idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy, sudden death in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and restenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. In the present study, we examined the possibility that the genotype of the ACE gene might influence the development of left ventricular hypertrophy. Methods and ResultsThe study population consisted of 268 subjects randomly selected from our outpatient clinic. In 142 subjects, left ventricular mass (LVM) was determined by echocardiogram. The genotype of the ACE gene was determined by the polymerase chain reaction. ANCOVA revealed that the genotype of the ACE gene had no effect on blood pressure. The percentage of the explained variance of LVM with variables including diastolic blood pressure (DBP, P = .0001), body mass index (BMI, P = .0001), sex (P = .0009), and the genotype of the ACE gene (P = .0017) was 34.61%. Significant differences in the effects of the genotype of the ACE gene on LVM were observed between the II and DD (P = .0004) and between the ID and DD (P = .0077) genotypes. The percentage of the explained variance of the LVM/ht ratio with variables including sex (P = .134), age (P = .3655), the genotype of the ACE gene (P = .0014), BMI (P = .0001), and DBP (P = .0001) was 31.25%. Significant differences in the effects of the genotype of the ACE gene on LVM/ht were observed between the II and DD genotypes (P = .0003) and between the ID and DD genotypes (P = .0091). ConclusionsIn addition to BMI and DBP, the genotype of the ACE gene was a significant predictor of LVM and LVM/ht in our study population.
Determination of ocular torsion by means of automatic pattern recognition

A new, automatic method for determination of human ocular torsion (OT) was developed based on the tracking of iris patterns in digitized video images. Instead of quantifying OT by means of cross-correlation of circular iris samples, a procedure commonly applied, this new method automatically selects and recovers a set of 36 significant patterns in the iris by the technique of template matching as described by In den Haak et al. (1992). Each relocated landmark results in a single estimate of the torsion angle. A robust algorithm estimates OT from this total set of individually determined torsion angles, thereby largely correcting for errors which may arise due to misjudgement of the rotation center. The new method reproduced OT in a prepared set of images of an artificial eye with an accuracy of 0.1/spl deg/. In a sample of 256 images of human eyes, a practical reliability of 0.25/spl deg/ was achieved. To illustrate the method's usefulness, an experiment is described in which ocular torsion was measured during two dynamic conditions of whole-body roll, namely during sinusoidally pendular motion about either an Earth horizontal or Earth vertical aids (that is "with" and "without" otolith stimulation, respectively).