Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of performance on process- and product-oriented assessments of fundamental motor skills across childhood

ABSTRACT Process-oriented motor competence (MC) assessments evaluate how a movement is performed. Product-oriented assessments evaluate the outcome of a movement. Determining the concurrent validity of process and product assessments is important to address the predictive utility of motor competence for health. The current study aimed to: (1) compare process and product assessments of the standing long jump, hop and throw across age groups and (2) determine the capacity of process assessments to classify levels of MC. Participants included 170 children classified into three age groups: 4–5, 7–8 and 10–11 years old. Participants’ skills were examined concurrently using three process assessments ((Test of Gross Motor Development-2nd edition [TGMD-2]), Get Skilled; Get Active, and developmental sequences) and one product measure (throw speed, jump and hop distance). Results indicate moderate to strong correlations between (1) process assessments across skills and age groups (r range = .37–70) and (2) process and product assessments across skills and age groups (r range = .26–.88). In general, sensitivity to detect advanced skill level is lowest for TGMD-2 and highest for developmental sequences for all three skills. The use of process and product assessments is suggested to comprehensively capture levels of MC in human movement.
Loss of T cell receptor-induced Bmi-1 in the KLRG1+ senescent CD8+ T lymphocyte

Clones of CD8+ T cells specific for viral antigens must avoid replicative senescence to maintain continuous production of new effector cells during chronic viral infections. In the present study, we have determined whether this capability may be related to Bmi-1, a transcriptional repressor that is required for the maintenance of hematopoietic stem cells and certain neural stem cells and that mediates its antisenescence function by inhibiting transcription of the Ink4a/Arf tumor suppressor locus. Ligation of the T cell receptor increased the levels of Bmi-1 mRNA and protein in primary CD8+ T cells. The increased expression was reversible upon removal of antigen but could be maintained by using stimulation with the IL-2 receptor. Specific suppression of Bmi-1 by using a lentivirally encoded short hairpin RNA inhibited the proliferation of IL-2-stimulated CTLL-2 cytotoxic T cells and primary CD8+ T cells. Ectopically expressed Bmi-1 enhanced the expansion of primary CD8+ T cells stimulated by IL-2 and IL-7 in vitro and by homeostatic signals in vivo. Taken together, these findings indicate that Bmi-1 is required for CD8+ T cell clonal expansion and is positively regulated by receptors that mediate this response. Therefore, the observation that the ability of the T cell receptor to induce Bmi-1 is maintained in the subset of replication-competent, antigen-experienced CD8+ T cells that do not express the killer cell lectin-like receptor G1 (KLRG1) but is developmentally switched off in the senescent, KLRG1+ subset suggests that Bmi-1 is a molecular determinant of the capacity of a CD8+ T cell clone to persist during chronic viral infections.
Involvement of neurotrophin‐4/5 in regeneration of the periodontal Ruffini endings at the early stage

Little is known about the role of neurotrophin‐4/5 (NT‐4/5) in the regeneration of mechanoreceptors. Therefore, the present study examined the regeneration process of Ruffini endings in the periodontal ligament in nt‐4/5‐deficient and wildtype mice following transection of the inferior alveolar nerve by immunohistochemistry for protein gene product 9.5 (PGP 9.5), a general neuronal marker, and by computer‐assisted quantitative image analysis. Furthermore, rescue experiments by a continuous administration of recombinant NT‐4/5 were performed and analyzed quantitatively. At postoperative day 3 (PO 3d), almost all PGP 9.5‐positive neural elements had disappeared; they began to appear in both types of animals at PO 7d. At PO 10d, almost all nerve fibers showed a beaded appearance, with fewer ramifications in both types of mice. Although the regeneration proceeded in the wildtype, a major population of the periodontal Ruffini endings continued to display smooth outlines at PO 28d in the nt‐4/5 homozygous mice. The reduction ratio of neural density reached a maximum at PO 3d, decreased at PO 10d, and later showed a plateau. In a rescue experiment, an administration of NT‐4/5 showed an acceleration of nerve regeneration in the homozygous mice. These findings indicate that the nt‐4/5‐depletion causes a delay in the regeneration of the periodontal Ruffini endings, but the delay is shortened by an exogenous administration of NT‐4/5. Combined with our previous findings of bdnf‐deficient mice (Harada et al. [ 2003 ] Arch Histol Cytol 66:183–194), these morphological and numerical data suggest that multiple neurotrophins such as NT‐4/5 and brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) play roles in their regeneration in a stage‐specific manner. J. Comp. Neurol. 501:400–412, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Brain magnetic resonance angiography in splenectomized adults with β‐thalassemia intermedia

Background: Hypercoagulability and venous thromboembolism are common in patients with β‐thalassemia intermedia (TI), especially in the splenectomized adult. Although arterial involvement is not commonly reported, we have recently observed a high prevalence (60%) of silent brain infarction on brain MRI in 30 splenectomized adults with TI. The pathophysiology of these white matter lesions remains unknown. Methods: In this prospective work, we evaluated magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) scans of the same cohort of 30 patients. Data collected were the presence or absence of vascular lesions, their locations, and severity. Correlations between MRA abnormality and patients/disease characteristics were evaluated. Comparisons between MRA and previous MRI findings were made. Results: Of 29 evaluable patients, 8 (27.6%) had evidence of arterial stenosis on MRA. The majority of lesions had mild narrowing and mostly involved the internal carotid artery. Five patients (17.2%) had evidence of aneurysms. Low total hemoglobin and high non‐transferrin‐bound iron levels independently characterized patients with evidence of stenosis on MRA. Among the 18 patients with silent brain infarction on MRI, three had evidence of stenosis on MRA with only one patient having lesions that could explain the silent infarcts. Conclusions: Cerebral vasculopathy is common in splenectomized adults with TI. However, large‐vessel disease does not explain the occurrence of silent brain infarction. The combined use of MRA and MRI better identifies splenectomized TI adults with neuroimaging abnormalities.
Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor expression in rat dorsal root ganglion neurons

Dorsal root ganglia (DRG) contain neurons whose axons convey somatosensory information, including pain, from the periphery to the central nervous system (CNS). These neurons are known to express a variety of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR), including those that are being investigated as therapeutic targets for the treatment of chronic and neuropathic pain syndromes. Previous reports indicate that rat DRG neurons express nAChRs consistent with an α3β4*-, α4β2*-, and α7-like composition (*, denotes the possible presence of additional subunits). However, transcripts for other nAChR subunits including α6, α9, and α10 have also been reported. Therefore, additional nAChR subtypes with these subunits were hypothesized to also be expressed. In this dissertation, reverse-transcription polymerase chain-reaction (RT-PCR) was used to identify transcripts for the nAChR subunits present in dissociated lumbar DRG neurons from rat. Pharmacological characterization of acetylcholine-gated currents (IACh) was performed using whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiology. Individual nAChR subtypes were identified using novel subtype-selective α-conotoxins (α-Ctxs). The results of these experiments demonstrate for the first time the presence of α6β4* nAChRs in neurons outside the CNS and, in particular, in DRG neurons. No evidence was found for IACh mediated by nAChRs containing the α9 subunit. Chapter 1 begins with an overview of nAChRs and a review of the current literature concerning the expression of nAChRs by DRG neurons. The experimental results of this investigation are reported in Chapter 2.
Consequences of the Long-Term Removal of Neuromodulatory Input from Rhythmic Circuits

The crustacean stomatogastric ganglion (STG) receives descending neuromodulatory inputs from three anterior ganglia: the paired commissural ganglia (CoGs), and the single esophageal ganglion (OG). In this paper, we provide the first detailed and quantitative analyses of the shortand long-term effects of removal of these descending inputs (decentralization) on the pyloric rhythm of the STG. Thirty minutes after decentralization, the mean frequency of the pyloric rhythm dropped from 1.20 Hz in control to 0.52 Hz. Whereas the relative phase of pyloric neuron activity was approximately constant across frequency in the controls, after decentralization this changed markedly. Nine control preparations kept for 5–6 d in vitro maintained pyloric rhythm frequencies close to their initial values. Nineteen decentralized preparations kept for 5–6 d dropped slightly in frequency from those seen at 30 min following decentralization, but then displayed stable activity over 6 d. Bouts of higher frequency activity were intermittently seen in both control and decentralized preparations, but the bouts began earlier and were more frequent in the decentralized preparations. Although the bouts may indicate that the removal of the modulatory inputs triggered changes in neuronal excitability, these changes did not produce obvious long-lasting changes in the frequency of the decentralized preparations.
Image and Video Abstraction by Anisotropic Kuwahara Filtering

We present a non‐photorealistic rendering technique to transform color images and videos into painterly abstractions. It is based on a generalization of the Kuwahara filter that is adapted to the local shape of features, derived from the smoothed structure tensor. Contrary to conventional edge‐preserving filters, our filter generates a painting‐like flattening effect along the local feature directions while preserving shape boundaries. As opposed to conventional painting algorithms, it produces temporally coherent video abstraction without extra processing. The GPU implementation of our method processes video in real‐time. The results have the clearness of cartoon illustrations but also exhibit directional information as found in oil paintings.
Nature and Nurture in Personality

An interaction between individual and contextual factors is the central theme in development of personality. Molecular genetics offers the most valuable opportunity for increasing our understanding of the joint effect of nature and nurture. Sensitivity to environmental adversities and benefits may be conditional on genetic background, and the nature-nurture interactions may be of greater importance than direct gene-trait associations. In our recent series of studies, we have shown that different variants of serotonergic and dopaminergic genes may moderate the influence of environmental conditions on a range of psychological outcomes, at least on temperament, depression, and hostility. These studies suggest that, depending on their genotype, people may be differentially sensitive to the environmental conditions they encounter. In light of these results, it seems highly plausible that the effects of genes may become evident only when studied in the context of environmental factors.
From Social Contact to Social Cohesion—The 7 Cs

This article briefly reviews social functions of music. When playing music in a group, individuals have contact with other individuals, engage in social cognition, participate in co-pathy (the social function of empathy), communicate, coordinate their actions, and cooperate with each other, leading to increased social cohesion. Music making is special in that it can engage all of these social functions effortlessly and simultaneously. Engagement in these functions fulfills basic human needs and is of vital importance for the individual. The ability of music to increase social cohesion and strengthen interindividual attachments was probably an important function of music in human evolution.
Myocardial bioenergetics during acute hibernation.

During moderate reductions of blood flow, the myocardium downregulates contractile function and ATP utilization to result in reduced but stable ATP levels, recovery or stability of (reduced) creatine phosphate (CP), and preservation of myocyte viability. The intent of this study was to determine the influence of the level of ischemic blood flow and the major determinants of myocardial O2 consumption (MVO2) (heart rate and systolic blood pressure) on recovery of CP during prolonged moderate myocardial hypoperfusion. 31P-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to measure CP, ATP, and Pi in the subepicardium (Epi) and subendocardium (Endo) of 13 open-chest dogs. Wall thickening was measured with sonomicrometry. A coronary stenosis reduced mean myocardial blood flow (microspheres) from 1.10 +/- 0.07 to 0.71 +/- 0.06 ml.g-1.min-1 (P < 0.01) and the Endo-to-Epi blood flow ratio from 1.12 +/- 0.07 to 0.59 +/- 0.06 (P < 0.01), and dyskinesis developed. Coronary blood flow and systolic wall thickening did not change significantly during 4 h of hypoperfusion. Epi CP and ATP fell to 80 +/- 4% (P < 0.05) and 93 +/- 3% of control, respectively, at 30 min. Epi CP then recovered to 87 +/- 5% while ATP decreased further to 83 +/- 5% of baseline by the end of the 240-min ischemic period. Endo CP and ATP fell to 53 +/- 4 and 77 +/- 5% of control, respectively, at 30 min; then Endo CP recovered to 85 +/- 6% while ATP decreased further to 68 +/- 6% of baseline at 240 min of hypoperfusion. ADP levels were significantly increased at 30 min but recovered to baseline by 240 min of hypoperfusion. delta Pi/CP increased significantly (Endo > Epi) at the onset of ischemia and then progressively decreased. At 30 min, mild myocardial acidosis was observed in some hearts with variable pH recovery during continuing hypoperfusion. The data demonstrate that variations in blood flow cannot account for the magnitude of the initial fall in CP or for the final extent of recovery. However, the rate at which CP recovered was significantly correlated with the level of blood flow. Variations in the determinants of MVO2 did not account for differences in CP recovery.
Compensation, esteem valence and job performance: an empirical assessment of Alderfer's ERG theory

Improving the job performance of employees has been the focus of many motivation theories, especially the need theories. These theories have however been questioned because of a lack of research on the causal relationship between need satisfaction and job performance. Research on the link between the need satisfaction-job performance relationship and individual personality differences among people has also been neglected. This study addresses these research gaps as far as the intervening influence of personality variables on the need satisfaction-job performance relationship is concerned. The present study investigates the influence of need satisfaction (as suggested by the Alderfer theory) on self-esteem (the personality trait) and the influence of self-esteem on performance intention (the surrogate measure for job performance) of top managers and frontline employees. The empirical results show that esteem as a personality variable exerts a significant influence on the job performance of both top managers and frontline employees. These and other findings provide important guidelines for managers on how to address the motivational needs of top managers and frontline employees in order to improve their job performance.
Juvenile Gun Ownership in the USA: Current Knowledge and Future Directions

In this paper, published research and some existing data are analyzed to assess the current state of empirical knowledge on juvenile gun ownership and identify areas in need of future research. Limited research has been conducted on juvenile gun ownership, identifying only a few consistent correlates or predictors. Studies suggest that some owners are more criminally problematic than are others. The data analysis is largely consistent with past research in showing that 1) results of studies examining juvenile gun ownership will differ according to type of ownership, namely protective versus recreational (hunting and sport) or handgun/sawed off long gun versus regular rifle or shotgun 2) variables associated with violence and delinquency—self-protection motive, gun carrying by family members, and gun carrying by peers—are associated more with concealable than long gun ownership and 3) the threat of victimization does not appear to be a major force behind juvenile gun ownership.
Biomechanics and traditional use of Raphia matombe rachis in northern Angola

The huge rachis of Raphia matombe is intensely used by local people in Northern Angola for the construction of stools, chairs, shelfs, beds, or baskets. This is not only because it is a charming, fast-growing, renewable, and locally abundant material with a high aesthetic value but also due to its extremely light weight structure. Nevertheless, up to now the anatomical and mechanical features of rachises have hardly been studied, although monocotyledonous stem tissues have been the subject of numerous papers. This study presents an analysis of the rachis of Raphia matombe and its material gradients over its whole length and cross-sectional area. The modulus of elasticity increased from the inner towards the outer layers, whereas no clear axial gradient from the base to the apex was found. However, the specific modulus of elasticity increased from the base to the apex in relation to the density, reaching maximum values of 19.0 MPa/kgm-³. Still, the high anatomical and mechanical heterogeneity of the rachis impede quick and easy processing.
Isolation of mip (microtubule-interacting protein) mutations of Aspergillus nidulans

We identified four mutations in two previously undescribed loci involved in microtubule function in Aspergillus nidulans as extragenic suppressors of benA33, a heat-sensitive beta-tubulin mutation. Three of the four mutations map to a locus closely linked to riboB on linkage group VIII; we designated this locus mipA (for microtubule-interacting protein). We were not able to map the remaining suppressor because of chromosomal rearrangements. However, since it recombines with riboB at a significantly higher frequency than the mipA alleles, it is unlikely to be in mipA; thus, we designated it mipB1. The mip mutations are not allelic to the previously identified loci that encode alpha- and beta-tubulin, and it is likely that mipA and mipB encode previously unidentified nontubulin proteins involved in microtubule function. Each of the mip mutations suppresses the heat sensitivity conferred by benA33 and suppresses the blockage of nuclear division and movement conferred by this mutation at high temperatures. Interactions between mipA and benA are allele specific. All of the mipA mutations are cryptic in a wild-type benA background but cause cold sensitivity in combination with benA33. These mutations also confer cold sensitivity in combination with benA31 and benA32 and reduce the resistance conferred by these mutations to the antimicrotubule agent benomyl but do not suppress the heat sensitivity conferred by these alleles. Finally, the mipA alleles suppress the heat sensitivity conferred by benA11, benA17, and benA21 but do not confer cold sensitivity in combination with these alleles.
Measuring personalization of web search

Web search is an integral part of our daily lives. Recently, there has been a trend of personalization in Web search, where different users receive different results for the same search query. The increasing personalization is leading to concerns about Filter Bubble effects, where certain users are simply unable to access information that the search engines' algorithm decides is irrelevant. Despite these concerns, there has been little quantification of the extent of personalization in Web search today, or the user attributes that cause it. In light of this situation, we make three contributions. First, we develop a methodology for measuring personalization in Web search results. While conceptually simple, there are numerous details that our methodology must handle in order to accurately attribute differences in search results to personalization. Second, we apply our methodology to 200 users on Google Web Search; we find that, on average, 11.7% of results show differences due to personalization, but that this varies widely by search query and by result ranking. Third, we investigate the causes of personalization on Google Web Search. Surprisingly, we only find measurable personalization as a result of searching with a logged in account and the IP address of the searching user. Our results are a first step towards understanding the extent and effects of personalization on Web search engines today.