Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
To Focus or Not to Focus: Is Attention on the Core Components of Action Beneficial for Cycling Performance?

We conducted a counterbalanced repeated measure trial to investigate the effect of different internal and external associative strategies on endurance performance. Seventeen college-aged students were randomly assigned to three experimental conditions to test the notion that different attention-performance types (optimal Type 1, functional Type 2, and dysfunctional Type 3) would influence endurance time on a cycling task. Specifically, Type 1 represented an effortless and automatic, “flow-feeling” attentional mode. Type 2 referred to an associative focus directed at core components of the task. Type 3 represented an attentional focus directed at irrelevant components of the task. Participants completed three time-to-exhaustion-tests while reporting their perceived exertion and affective states (arousal and hedonic tone). Results revealed that Type 1 and Type 2 attentional strategies, compared with Type 3 strategy, exerted functional effects on performance, whereas a Type 3 strategy was linked to lower per.
Growth curve analyses in selected duck lines

1. Growth patterns of male ducks from 4 lines (lines A, B, C and D) selected for market weight were analysed and compared to growth patterns of ducks in the respective line 7 generations earlier. Growth curves were analysed using procedures derived from the Weibull sigmoidal function and the linear-linear relative growth rate model and simple allometry. 2. The ducks were fed ad libitum under 24-h lighting throughout the experiment. At weekly intervals from the time of hatch through 70 d of age, 16 ducks from each line were killed to determine body, carcase, breast-muscle, leg and thigh-muscle, and abdominal fat weights. 3. Line A was the heaviest line, followed by line B, line C and line D. However, body weight, carcase weight and breast-muscle weight at 49 d of age were not significantly different between lines A and B. After 7 generations of selection, the breast-muscle yield was increased to >19% and the abdominal fat percent was reduced to <1.4% in all lines. 4. The Weibull growth curve analysis of body weight showed an increase in the asymptotes during selection, while the age of the inflection point remained constant in all lines (21.3 to 26.0 d). For breast-muscle growth, ducks reached the inflection point 12.8 to 14.3 d later than for body weight. Between line A and line B, asymptotes for body weight, asymptotes for breast-muscle weight and allometric growth coefficients of breast muscle and leg and thigh muscles from 14 to 49 d were not significantly different. 5. The relative growth rate model discriminated body and breast-muscle growth patterns of line A and line B. The initial decline in the relative body growth rate was less and the time to reach the transition was longer in line A than line B. On the other hand, the initial decline in the relative breast-muscle growth rate was greater in line A than line B.
Structural and Functional Brain Remodeling during Pregnancy with Diffusion Tensor MRI and Resting-State Functional MRI

Although pregnancy-induced hormonal changes have been shown to alter the brain at the neuronal level, the exact effects of pregnancy on brain at the tissue level remain unclear. In this study, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and resting-state functional MRI (rsfMRI) were employed to investigate and document the effects of pregnancy on the structure and function of the brain tissues. Fifteen Sprague-Dawley female rats were longitudinally studied at three days before mating (baseline) and seventeen days after mating (G17). G17 is equivalent to the early stage of the third trimester in humans. Seven age-matched nulliparous female rats served as non-pregnant controls and were scanned at the same time-points. For DTI, diffusivity was found to generally increase in the whole brain during pregnancy, indicating structural changes at microscopic levels that facilitated water molecular movement. Regionally, mean diffusivity increased more pronouncedly in the dorsal hippocampus while fractional anisotropy in the dorsal dentate gyrus increased significantly during pregnancy. For rsfMRI, bilateral functional connectivity in the hippocampus increased significantly during pregnancy. Moreover, fractional anisotropy increase in the dentate gyrus appeared to correlate with the bilateral functional connectivity increase in the hippocampus. These findings revealed tissue structural modifications in the whole brain during pregnancy, and that the hippocampus was structurally and functionally remodeled in a more marked manner.
Changes in body build of awf students 1967–2008. Can a secular trend be observed?

Purpose. Previous research on intergenerational changes in body build has focused on body height and mass. The aim of this study was to determine both the direction and sexual dimorphism of secular changes in body build by using a sample popula tion of students attending the University School of Physical Education (AWF) in Wroclaw, Poland. Methods. The anthropometric data used in this study were collected every year from 1967 to 2008 and included a sample size of 4688 males and 3922 females. The subjects were analyzed for changes in somatotype by use of Sheldon’s method, as modified by Heath and carter. basic statistical analysis for significance and post-hoc tests were used to analyze the data with Statistica 9.0 software. The data were then converted in Excel 2003 into chart form to analyze the direction of changes. Results. Analysis of the successive classes of male and female subjects during the 40-year period under study revealed a number of different directional changes in the mean values of body height, mass and the level of body build components. Trend lines, calculated by the mean values of five-year intervals, indicated an increasing tendency in both body height and mass in the two genders. Mesomorphy was found to be the largest factor of body build composition of females and males. Throughout the entire analyzed period, the endomorphy of males was significantly lower in comparison to females. In women, the level of fatness was similar to their level of musculature, but during the last several years the observed level of muscle in the students exceeded their fatness level. Ectomorphy happened to be the most stable component of both sexes. Conclusions. Analysis on the male and female sample population revealed a constant increase in body mass and height in successive generations. In female subjects, intergenera tional changes were found to be characterized by a decrease in endomorphy and an increase in ectomorphy, while the level of mesomorphy remained at a similar level. In men, a secular trend was visible with an increase in mesomorphy, while the levels of endomorphy and ectomorphy stayed constant.
Is Cerebellar Architecture Shaped by Sensory Ecology in the New Zealand Kiwi (Apteryx mantelli)?

Among some mammals and birds, the cerebellar architecture appears to be adapted to the animal's ecological niche, particularly their sensory ecology and behavior. This relationship is, however, not well understood. To explore this, we examined the expression of zebrin II (ZII) in the cerebellum of the kiwi (Apteryx mantelli), a fully nocturnal bird with auditory, tactile, and olfactory specializations and a reduced visual system. We predicted that the cerebellar architecture, particularly those regions receiving visual inputs and those that receive trigeminal afferents from their beak, would be modified in accordance with their unique way of life. The general stripe-and-transverse region architecture characteristic of birds is present in kiwi, with some differences. Folium IXcd was characterized by large ZII-positive stripes and all Purkinje cells in the flocculus were ZII positive, features that resemble those of small mammals and suggest a visual ecology unlike that of other birds. The central region in kiwi appeared reduced or modified, with folium IV containing ZII+/- stripes, unlike that of most birds, but similar to that of Chilean tinamous. It is possible that a reduced visual system has contributed to a small central region, although increased trigeminal input and flightlessness have undoubtedly played a role in shaping its architecture. Overall, like in mammals, the cerebellar architecture in kiwi and other birds may be substantially modified to serve a particular ecological niche, although we still require a larger comparative data set to fully understand this relationship.
Extreme Atmospheric Radiation Environments and Single Event Effects

Data from ground-level radiation monitors and cosmogenic nuclides are combined to give a probability distribution for severe radiation events related to the well quantified event of February 23, 1956. Particle fluxes, single event effects rates, and dose rates are calculated for ground level and aerospace systems. The event of February 1956 would provide a challenge to air safety while more extreme events seen in historical records would challenge safety-critical ground systems. A new space weather hazard scale based on this event could be used to give rapid assessment of the radiation hazard using high-latitude neutron monitor data.
Dominant-interfering forms of MEF2 generated by caspase cleavage contribute to NMDA-induced neuronal apoptosis

Myocyte enhancer factor-2 (MEF2) transcription factors are activated by p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase during neuronal and myogenic differentiation. Recent work has shown that stimulation of this pathway is antiapoptotic during development but proapoptotic in mature neurons exposed to excitotoxic or other stress. We now report that excitotoxic (N-methyl-D-aspartate) insults to mature cerebrocortical neurons activate caspase-3, -7, in turn cleaving MEF2A, C, and D isoforms. MEF2 cleavage fragments containing a truncated transactivation domain but preserved DNA-binding domain block MEF2 transcriptional activity via dominant interference. Transfection of constitutively active MEF2 (MEF2C-CA) rescues MEF2 transcriptional activity after N-methyl-D-aspartate insult and prevents neuronal apoptosis. Conversely, dominant-interfering MEF2 abrogates neuroprotection by MEF2C-CA. These results define a pathway to excitotoxic neuronal stress/apoptosis via caspase-catalyzed cleavage of MEF2. Additionally, we show that similar MEF2 cleavage fragments are generated in vivo during focal stroke damage. Hence, this pathway appears to have pathophysiological relevance in vivo.
MRI Features of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Related to Biologic Behavior

Imaging studies including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) play a crucial role in the diagnosis and staging of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Several recent studies reveal a large number of MRI features related to the prognosis of HCC. In this review, we discuss various MRI features of HCC and their implications for the diagnosis and prognosis as imaging biomarkers. As a whole, the favorable MRI findings of HCC are small size, encapsulation, intralesional fat, high apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value, and smooth margins or hyperintensity on the hepatobiliary phase of gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI. Unfavorable findings include large size, multifocality, low ADC value, non-smooth margins or hypointensity on hepatobiliary phase images. MRI findings are potential imaging biomarkers in patients with HCC.
Symbols and Meanings in Breast Cancer Awareness Campaigns

This article examines symbols and meanings in breast cancer awareness campaigns, and the ways in which multifarious actors draw attention to the disease. We discuss what the various campaigns and initiatives can indicate, above and beyond creating breast cancer awareness. Our data stem from sources such as printed material, the Internet, and events. From these sources we have singled out and explored objects, text, and visual expressions, looking in particular for metaphors and symbolic aspects. In this article we present six “images” indicating the underlying patterns that we found. We have called the images Re-enchantment of femininity, Infantilization, Corporate profit-making, Objectification, Transgression of boundaries, and Exhibition of deviation. These are further discussed in the light of perspectives drawn from the social sciences and feminist theories. One of the article's key arguments is that breast cancer campaigns, to a great extent, build upon and reinforce traditional, stereotypical gender roles.
Analytical results on pseudo-polynomial functional-link neural units for blind density shaping

We deal with the problem of approximating the cumulative distribution of a quasi-stationary signal by means of a parametric function. We present an algorithm based on a quasi-polynomial adaptive transformation, and briefly recall an existing closely related technique, the 'mixture of densities' technique. Then through numerical simulations both on synthetic and real-world data we compare their performances in terms of convergence speed and computational complexity.
Why emotional intelligence is an invalid concept

In this paper I argue that the concept of emotional intelligence (EI) is invalid both because it is not a form of intelligence and because it is defined so broadly and inclusively that it has no intelligible meaning. I distinguish the so-called concept of EI from actual intelligence and from rationality. I identify the actual relation between reason and emotion. I reveal the fundamental inadequacy of the concept of EI when applied to leadership. Finally, I suggest some alternatives to the EI concept. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Phenobarbital Therapy in Neonatal Seizures and the Prognostic Value of the EEG1

High plasma levels of phenobarbital are known to produce profound effects on the EEG background activity. Phenobarbital therapy frequently is administered to the neonate with seizures prior to the first EEG recording. Therefore, it is questionable whether in these neonates alterations of the EEG background activity are related to anticonvulsive therapy. A total of 26 neonates with seizures had an EEG while on phenobarbital therapy. In five cases an EEG was available prior to this treatment. Suppression of the background activity in the EEG was seen in 17 neonates of whom two had an inactive tracing and three a burst-suppression pattern. Moderate suppression occurred in five infants, mild suppression is seven infants. The suppression of the background activity correlated with the clinical outcome. The phenobarbital plasma levels in the group with severe or moderate suppression, mild suppression and normal background activity did not show statistically significant differences. Thus, the suppression of the EEG background activity in neonates with phenobarbital plasma levels of 1.3 to 5.9 mg/dl are secondary to brain pathology rather than medication.
Network Controlled Cell Breathing in Multi-Service Heterogeneous CDMA/TDMA Scenarios

This paper proposes a new radio access technology (RAT) selection algorithm for multi-service scenarios which allows increasing the capacity of heterogeneous CDMA/TDMA systems by controlling the effective cell radius of the CDMA- based system (i.e. a network-controlled cell-breathing), so that the interference level is reduced. The strategy is evaluated in a scenario including voice and interactive traffic and combined with service-based RAT selection strategies.
Casting a Critical 'I' Over Caffrey's Irish Ale: Soft Words, Strongly Spoken

By employing a research approach, known as subjective personal introspection - the critical "I" - four co-researchers wrote extensive autobiographical essays on their responses to an advertisement for Caffrey's Irish Ale. By delving in the shamelessly subjective this paper draws out the main themes by comparing, contrasting and critiquing the introspective insights of these four critical "I's". In doing so, it demonstrates that there can be no grounded interpretations of an advertising text, that the critical "I" can yield uniquely illuminating insights, and that its chief power, as a research method, lies in its capacity for creativity, imagination and discovery.
‘I like the people I work with. Maybe I’ll get to meet them in person one day’: teaching and learning practice development with transnational teaching teams

Significant changes have occurred in the international education landscape driven by the need for access to higher education in developing countries. One response to this situation has been the provision of higher education in the developing country via partnership arrangements with overseas institutions. Rapid growth in transnational programmes has resulted in many opportunities for nations seeking to build their capacity, for institutions and for staff and student learning, as well as significant challenges. This research contributes to addressing some of these challenges by focusing attention on teaching and learning practice development with transnational teaching teams. This paper is grounded empirically in an international collaboration between three Australian, one Malaysian and one Vietnamese university. Employing a practice-based approach using multi-site participatory action research, the researchers investigated the professional development needs of transnational teaching teams and their experience working in transnational programmes. The study suggests that for professional development to be effective in transnational education it needs to be collaboratively designed and negotiated, context-sensitive and specific, practice-based and involve teams engaging and learning together in their daily work contexts. Such an approach harnesses the diversity of transnational teaching teams and enhances dialogue and relationships amongst team members.
Cobalt chromium stent with antiproliferative for restenosis trial in India (COSTAR I).

BACKGROUND The CoStar stent is a novel cobalt chromium stent designed specifically for drug delivery. The COSTAR I trial represents the first-in-man study of the CoStar Paclitaxel-Eluting Coronary Stent System evaluating three dose release formulations of paclitaxel in a bioresorbable polymer matrix in the treatment of de novo coronary lesions. METHODS The COSTAR I Trial was a prospective, multi-center registry enrolling 87 patients in four Indian centers for treatment of up to two de novo lesions = 25 mm in length in a reference vessel 2.5-3.5 mm in diameter. Three dose release formulations were studied: 30 microg eluted over 10 days bidirectionally (Group 1, n =10), 10 microg eluted over 30 days abluminally (Group 2, n=40) and 3 microg eluted over 30 days abluminally (Group 3, n = 37). RESULTS Demographics and lesion characteristics were similar between the groups and treatment in all three groups included small caliber vessels (RVD 2.45 +/- 0.30 - 2.57 +/- 0.36 mm). The primary endpoint of in-stent late loss at four months was lowest in Group 2 (0.43 +/- 0.43 mm) compared to Group 1 and Group 3 (0.51 +/- 7 mn; 0.74 mm and 1.07 +/- 0.65 mm respectively). In-segment late loss followed similar trends, being lowest in Group 2 (0.24 +/- 0.39 mm) compared to Groups 1 and 3 (0.52 +/- 0.66 mm and 0.76 +/- 0.57 mm respectively). Group 2 demonstrated better angiographic out-comes at 12 months with in-stent late loss of 0.55 +/- 0.38 mm when compared to Groups 1 and 3 (0.90 +/- 0.76 mm and 0.74 +/- 0.55 mm respectively). Cumulative binary restenosis rates at twelve months were 1.9%, 35.7% and 39.1% in Groups 2, 1 and 3 respectively. Clinical outcomes trended similarly with cumulative MACE rates at twelve months being lowest at 7.5% in Group 2 as compared to 20% in Group 1 and 21.6% in Group 3 respectively. CONCLUSIONS In this first-in-man feasibility trial, angiographic and clinical results seen with the extended release formulation at a higher dose (10 microg/30 days) demonstrate the feasibility of the CoStar stent platform in the treatment of native coronary lesions. It also demonstrates the importance of drug dose and release kinetics.
Low-Stakes Opportunism

In this research, the authors develop a theory addressing why people act opportunistically when the stakes (i.e., payoffs) are low. Transaction cost theory suggests that opportunistic behavior is more likely under high-stakes conditions. The authors identify rapport as an important moderator of this relationship. Through a series of three studies, they find that high-stakes opportunism appears to occur only when rapport is low. In contrast, when rapport is high, this relationship reverses, such that opportunism is actually more likely when the stakes are low than when they are high. The authors attribute these findings to differences in reasoning and find that when rapport is high and the stakes are low, people are better able to justify their actions by employing morally malleable reasoning. Thus, this research offers insights into an important form of opportunism that has been largely absent from transaction cost theory.
Quantitative real-time PCR for cancer detection: the lymphoma case

Advances in the biologic sciences and technology are providing molecular targets for diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Lymphoma is a group of cancers with diverse clinical courses. Gene profiling opens new possibilities to classify the disease into subtypes and guide a differentiated treatment. Real-time PCR is characterized by high sensitivity, excellent precision and large dynamic range, and has become the method of choice for quantitative gene expression measurements. For accurate gene expression profiling by real-time PCR, several parameters must be considered and carefully validated. These include the use of reference genes and compensation for PCR inhibition in data normalization. Quantification by real-time PCR may be performed as either absolute measurements using an external standard, or as relative measurements, comparing the expression of a reporter gene with that of a presumed constantly expressed reference gene. Sometimes it is possible to compare expression of reporter genes only, which improves the accuracy of prediction. The amount of biologic material required for real-time PCR analysis is much lower than that required for analysis by traditional methods due to the very high sensitivity of PCR. Fine-needle aspirates and even single cells contain enough material for accurate real-time PCR analysis.
Preparing the Host Country Workforce for Expatriate Managers: The Neglected Other Side of the Coin.

This paper extends the focus of past research on expatriate assignment to include the training and preparation of the host country workforce (HCW) to reduce uncertainties associated with the overall expatriate management assignment, and therefore to enhance the productivity of the expatriate operation. A conceptual basis is provided for including the training of the HCW in the total picture of preparation for the expatriate work assignment. Preliminary ideas and issues are considered for the design and implementation of HCW training based upon an instructional systems design approach, and important considerations for further research are examined.