Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Relationship between vocalizations and head nods as listener responses.

An earlier study showed that listeners in conversations insert brief responses ("mm-hmm," "I see," and the like) almost exclusively at the ends of rhythmical units in the talker's speech (Dittmann & Llewellyn, 1967). In this study these vocal responses were compared with a visible one, the head nod, and it was found that the 2 occurred together more often than chance would predict. Content analysis showed that these co-occurrences usually serve an interpersonal function: the wish of the listener to speak or the wish of the talker for feedback. When they did occur together, nods were found to precede the vocal response slightly. Apparently the listener must hold a vocal response politely until the speaker has finished a unit, but may nod before then.
Respiratory variation in the atrioventricular conduction time on dogs.

Respiratory variation in the intraatrial and atrioventricular conduction time and its mechanism were studied on 14 dogs under the following 3 conditions: (1) unanesthetized, (2) anesthetized with alpha-chloralose, and (3) anesthetized with pentobarbital sodium. Beautiful respiratory variation in the atrioventricular conduction time (shortening during inspiration and prolongation during expiration) was observed on both conditions (1) and (2), but nothing was observed in (3). No significant variation in the intra- and interatrial conduction time was observed under any condition. This "respiratory-conduction time response" (RCR) was almost in phase with the variation in the cardiac interval. Amplitude of the variation in RCR was 14.7±3.9msec. which corresponded to 3.8% of that of the variation in the cardiac interval. Augmentation of the RCR was observed on right atrial pacing with constant stimulus interval. It is concluded that RCR may result mainly from the waxing and waning of the efferent vagal activity to the atrioventricular node and in part from factor dependent upon heart rate change itself i.e. chronotropic dromotropism. It is supposed that the afferent pathway from the lung is not so important in the physiological state as the central origin in this phenomenon.
Cell volume control in phospholemman (PLM) knockout mice: do cardiac myocytes demonstrate a regulatory volume decrease and is this influenced by deletion of PLM?

In addition to modulatory actions on Na+–K+‐ATPase, phospholemman (PLM) has been proposed to play a role in cell volume regulation. Overexpression of PLM induces ionic conductances, with ‘PLM channels’ exhibiting selectivity for taurine. Osmotic challenge of host cells overexpressing PLM increases taurine efflux and augments the cellular regulatory volume decrease (RVD) response, though a link between PLM and cell volume regulation has not been studied in the heart. We recently reported a depressed cardiac contractile function in PLM knockout mice in vivo, which was exacerbated in crystalloid‐perfused isolated hearts, indicating that these hearts were osmotically challenged. To address this, the present study investigated the role of PLM in osmoregulation in the heart. Isolated PLM wild‐type and knockout hearts were perfused with a crystalloid buffer supplemented with mannitol in a bid to prevent perfusate‐induced cell swelling and maintain function. Accordingly, and in contrast to wild‐type control hearts, contractile function was improved in PLM knockout hearts with 30 mm mannitol. To investigate further, isolated PLM wild‐type and knockout cardiomyocytes were subjected to increasing hyposmotic challenges. Initial validation studies showed the IonOptix video edge‐detection system to be a simple and accurate ‘real‐time’ method for tracking cell width as a marker of cell size. Myocytes swelled equally in both genotypes, indicating that PLM, when expressed at physiological levels in cardiomyocytes, is not essential to limit water accumulation in response to a hyposmotic challenge. Interestingly, freshly isolated adult cardiomyocytes consistently failed to mount RVDs in response to cell swelling, adding to conflicting reports in the literature. A proposed perturbation of the RVD response as a result of the cell isolation process was not restored, however, with short‐term culture in either adult or neonatal cardiomyocytes.
Sensing and Mining Urban Qualities in Smart Cities

The emergence of the Internet of Things in Smart Cities questions how the future citizens will perceive their predominant living and working environments and what quality of living they can experience within it, for instance the level of everyday stress. However, perception and experienced stress levels are challenging metrics to measure and are even more challenging to correlate with an underlying causal-effectual relationship in such stimulus abundant environments. The Internet of Things, enabled by several pervasive and ubiquitous devices such as smart phones and smart sensors, can provide real-time contextual information that can be used by advanced data science methodologies to generate new insights about urban qualities in Smart Cities and how they can be improved. The goal of this study is to show the predominant factors, which influence perceptual qualities of inhabitants in a Smart City equipped with sensing capabilities by the Internet of Things. To serve this goal, a novel data collection process for Smart Cities is introduced that involves (i) environmental data, such noise, dust, illuminance, temperature, relative humidity, (ii) location/mobility data, such as GNSS and citizens density detected via WiFi, and (iii) perceptual social data collected by citizens' responses in smart phones. These fine-grained real-time data can provide invaluable insights about the spatial correlations of the sensor measurements as well as the spatial and citizens' similarity illustrated. The data analysis illustrated reveals significant links between stress level and environmental changes observed.
Long-term seizure control outcomes after resection of gangliogliomas.

BACKGROUND Gangliogliomas are rare glioneuronal tumors that typically cause refractory seizures during the first 3 decades of life. OBJECTIVE To determine the prognosticators of seizure outcome after surgery for ganglioglioma. METHODS We reviewed the cases of 66 patients who underwent resection of gangliogliomas at the University of California, San Francisco. Demographic, seizure history, and operative data were examined for statistical association with postoperative seizure outcomes. RESULTS Of the 66 patients who underwent surgical resection of ganglioglioma, 49 patients (74%) presented with a history of seizures. Of those 49 patients, 50% presented with intractable epilepsy. Temporal lobe gangliogliomas were present in 76% of the patients who presented with a history of seizures. Electrocorticography was performed on 35% of the patients, and of those patients, 82% underwent extended lesionectomy to remove abnormally epileptogenic extralesional tissue. The median follow-up duration was 6.9 years, during which tumor progression occurred in 38% of patients who underwent subtotal resection and in 8% of patients who underwent gross total resection (P = .02). Overall, 85% of patients were seizure free (International League Against Epilepsy class I or II) 5 years after surgery. Subtotal resection was associated with poor seizure outcomes 1 year after resection (odds ratio = 14.6; 95% confidence interval = 2.4-87.7): rates of seizure freedom were 54% after subtotal resection, 96% after gross total resection, and 93% after gross total resection with intraoperative electrocorticography-guided extended lesionectomy. CONCLUSION We report excellent long-term seizure control outcomes after surgery for gangliogliomas. Intraoperative electrocorticography may be a useful adjunct for guiding extended resection in certain pharmacoresistant epilepsy patients with gangliogliomas. Subtotal resection is associated with higher rates of tumor progression and nonoptimal seizure outcomes.
Development of a Plant-Based Threshold for Tarnished Plant Bug (Hemiptera: Miridae) in Cotton

ABSTRACT The tarnished plant bug, Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois), is an important pest of cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L. , in the mid-southern United States. It is exclusively controlled with foliar insecticide applications, and sampling methods and thresholds need to be revisited. The current experiment was designed to establish a plant-based threshold during the flowering period of cotton development. Experiments were conducted in Mississippi in 2005 and 2006, Arkansas in 2005, and Louisiana in 2005 through 2008. Treatments consisted of various combinations of thresholds based on the percentage of dirty squares that were compared with the current threshold with a drop cloth or automatic weekly applications. Dirty squares were characterized as those with yellow staining on the developing bud resulting from tarnished plant bug excrement. Treatments consisted of 5, 10, 20, and 30% dirty squares. Each plot was sampled weekly, and insecticides were applied when the mean of all replications of a particular treatment reached the designated threshold. At the end of the season, plots were harvested and lint yields were recorded. Differences were observed in the number of applications and yields among the different treatments. The 10% dirty squares threshold resulted in a similar economic return compared with the drop cloth. A threshold of 10% dirty squares resulted in a similar number of insecticide applications, yields, and economic returns compared with that observed with the drop cloth. These results suggest that a threshold of 10% dirty squares could be used to trigger insecticide applications targeting tarnished plant bugs in flowering cotton.
Algorithmic Barriers from Phase Transitions

For many random constraint satisfaction problems, by now there exist asymptotically tight estimates of the largest constraint density for which solutions exist. At the same time, for many of these problems, all known polynomial-time algorithms stop finding solutions at much smaller densities. For example, it is well-known that it is easy to color a random graph using twice as many colors as its chromatic number. Indeed, some of the simplest possible coloring algorithms achieve this goal. Given the simplicity of those algorithms, one would expect room for improvement. Yet, to date, no algorithm is known that uses (2 - epsiv)chi colors, in spite of efforts by numerous researchers over the years. In view of the remarkable resilience of this factor of 2 against every algorithm hurled at it, we find it natural to inquire into its origin. We do so by analyzing the evolution of the set of k-colorings of a random graph, viewed as a subset of {1,. ,k}n, as edges are added. We prove that the factor of 2 corresponds in a precise mathematical sense to a phase transition in the geometry of this set. Roughly speaking, we prove that the set of k-colorings looks like a giant ball for k ges 2chi, but like an error-correcting code for k les (2 - epsiv)chi. We also prove that an analogous phase transition occurs both in random k-SAT and in random hypergraph 2-coloring. And that for each of these three problems, the location of the transition corresponds to the point where all known polynomial-time algorithms fail. To prove our results we develop a general technique that allows us to establish rigorously much of the celebrated 1-step replica-symmetry-breaking hypothesis of statistical physics for random CSPs.
Knowledge of oxygen administration, aerosol medicine, and chest physiotherapy among pediatric healthcare workers in Italy.

BACKGROUND Oxygen administration, aerosol devices and drugs, or the use of chest physiotherapy are common practices in pediatrics; however, little is known about the knowledge of pediatric healthcare workers concerning the right utilization of these tools. The aim of this study was to fill this gap as a preliminary step in the implementation of appropriate educational programs. METHODS This cross-sectional survey of a nationally representative sample of Italian pediatricians and nurses was carried out between September 1 and October 8, 2008. A self-administered, anonymous questionnaire concerning the approach to respiratory disease in infants and children was distributed to all of the participants at the Annual Congress of the Italian Society of Pediatrics, together with a stamped envelope addressed to the trained study researchers. RESULTS Of the 900 distributed questionnaires, 76.7% were completed and returned by 606 physicians (199 primary care pediatricians, 245 hospital pediatricians, and 162 pediatric residents) and 84 pediatric nurses. The vast majority of the respondents did not know the percentage of hemoglobin saturation indicating hypoxemia that requires oxygen administration. Most of the nurses admitted to overusing mucolytics and inhalatory corticosteroids, did not know the role of ipratropium bromide, were unable to indicate the first-line drug for respiratory distress, and did not know the correct dose of salbutamol. Only a minority of the respondents were able to specify the indications for chest physiotherapy. The nurses gave the fewest correct answers regardless of their age, gender, work setting, or the frequency with which they cared for children with respiratory distress in a year cared. CONCLUSIONS The knowledge of primary care pediatricians, hospital pediatricians, and pediatric nurses in Italy concerning the use of pulse oximetry, aerosol devices and drugs, and chest physiotherapy is far from satisfactory and should be improved. Educational programs are therefore required for both nurses and pediatricians.
Regulation of plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 expression in human osteoarthritic chondrocytes by fluid shear stress: role of protein kinase Calpha.

OBJECTIVE To test a fluid flow system for the investigation of the influence of shear stress on expression of plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) in human osteoarthritic (OA) articular chondrocytes (from lesional and nonlesional sites) and human SW-1353 chondrocytes. METHODS Human SW-1353 chondrocytes and OA and normal human articular chondrocytes were cultured on type II collagen-coated glass plates under static conditions or placed in a flow chamber to form a closed fluid-circulation system for exposure to different levels of shear stress (2-20 dyn/cm2). Real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to analyze PAI-1 gene expression, and protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors and small interfering RNA were used to investigate the mechanism of shear stress-induced signal transduction in SW-1353 and OA (lesional and nonlesional) articular chondrocytes. RESULTS There was a significant reduction in PAI-1 expression in OA chondrocytes obtained from lesional sites compared with those obtained from nonlesional sites. In SW-1353 chondrocytes subjected to 2 hours of shear flow, moderate shear stresses (5 and 10 dyn/cm2) generated significant PAI-1 expression, which was regulated through PKCalpha phosphorylation and Sp-1 activation. These levels of shear stress also increased PAI-1 expression in articular chondrocytes from nonlesional sites and from normal healthy cartilage through the activation of PKCalpha and Sp-1 signal transduction, but no effect of these levels of fluid shear stress was observed on OA chondrocytes from lesional sites. CONCLUSION OA chondrocytes from lesional sites and those from nonlesional sites of human cartilage have differential responses to shear stress with regard to PAI-1 gene expression, and therefore diverse functional consequences can be observed.
Theories of addiction: methamphetamine users' explanations for continuing drug use and relapse.

A variety of preclinical models have been constructed to emphasize unique aspects of addiction-like behavior. These include Negative Reinforcement ("Pain Avoidance"), Positive Reinforcement ("Pleasure Seeking"), Incentive Salience ("Craving"), Stimulus Response Learning ("Habits"), and Inhibitory Control Dysfunction ("Impulsivity"). We used a survey to better understand why methamphetamine-dependent research volunteers (N = 73) continue to use methamphetamine, or relapse to methamphetamine use after a period of cessation of use. All participants met DSM-IV criteria for methamphetamine abuse or dependence, and did not meet criteria for other current Axis I psychiatric disorders or dependence on other drugs of abuse, other than nicotine. The questionnaire consisted of a series of face-valid questions regarding drug use, which in this case referred to methamphetamine use. Examples of questions include: "Do you use drugs mostly to make bad feelings like boredom, loneliness, or apathy go away? ", "Do you use drugs mostly because you want to get high? ", "Do you use drugs mostly because of cravings? ", "Do you find yourself getting ready to take drugs without thinking about it? ", and "Do you impulsively take drugs? ". The scale was anchored at 1 (not at all) and 7 (very much). For each question, the numbers of participants rating each question negatively (1 or 2), neither negatively or affirmatively (3-5), and affirmatively (6 or 7) were tabulated. The greatest number of respondents (56%) affirmed that they used drugs due to "pleasure seeking. " The next highest categories selected were "impulsivity" (27%) and "habits"(25%). Surprisingly, many participants reported that "pain avoidance" (30%) and "craving" (30%) were not important for their drug use. Results from this study support the contention that methamphetamine users (and probably other drug users as well) are more heterogeneous than is often appreciated, and imply that treatment development might be more successful if treatments targeted subtypes of patients, though a range of limitations to the approach used are acknowledged.
HDL3 reduces the association and modulates the metabolism of oxidized LDL by osteoblastic cells: A protection against cell death

Oxidized low density lipoproteins (OxLDL) are known to promote atherosclerosis, but it is only recently that OxLDL have been associated with alterations of the functions of bone‐forming osteoblasts and osteoporosis. Although high density lipoproteins (HDL) are recognized for their anti‐atherogenic action, there is less information about their ability to protect against osteoporosis. Therefore, we investigated the capacity of HDL3 to prevent the cell death induced by OxLDL in human osteoblastic cells. Simultaneous exposure of the cells to HDL3 and OxLDL abolished the reduction of cell viability monitored by MTT activity measurement and the induction of apoptosis determined by annexin V staining indicating that HDL3 prevent the apoptosis of osteoblasts induced by OxLDL. This protection correlated with the displacement by HDL3 of OxLDL association to osteoblasts, signifying that OxLDL binding and/or internalization are/is necessary for their cytotoxic effects. We also found that exposition of osteoblastic cells to HDL3 prior to incubation with OxLDL reduced cell death and preserved the lysosomal integrity. This protection was correlated with an increase of SR‐BI expression, a modification of OxLDL metabolism with less global uptake of OxLDL and greater selective uptake of cholesterol from OxLDL. These results strongly suggest that, as for atherosclerosis, HDL may exert beneficial actions on bone metabolism. J. Cell. Biochem. 105: 1374–1385, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A Fatigue and Fracture Study on High Strength Cast Irons

Fatigue strength and fracture of high strength cast irons, gray iron grade 300 and CGI grade 450, used for producing lightweight cylinder blocks, were studied. The results show endurance ratios of 0.27-0.28 and 0.38 for gray irons and CGI, respectively. The fracture surfaces in cast irons in general show the predominance of graphite and graphite/matrix interface; however, in CGI there is a larger proportion of fractured pearlitic matrix than in gray iron. This fact, and the differences in the morphology of the graphite/matrix interface, flat in gray iron, rough in CGI, explain the higher results of fatigue strength in CGI compared to gray iron. The results of fatigue strength are compared with the literature and with previous works.
Single-Metal Deposition for Fingermark Detection - A Simpler and More Efficient Protocol

This publication presents the latest optimization of the single-metal deposition technique (SMD II) and its comparison with the previous version (SMD I). In this study, endeavors were made to simplify and strengthen both the reagents and the detection procedure to obtain a technique that can be implemented in a standard operational laboratory. As a result, the proposed technique is simpler and faster because the monitoring of both temperature and pH is no longer required. Most importantly, the technique is (1) more efficient, with at least ca. 50% more marks detected with SMD II in comparison with SMD I (% obtained by using split marks) and (2) more robust regarding the processing of porous samples.
Vitamin A and iron supplementation of Indonesian pregnant women benefits vitamin A status of their infants

Many Indonesian infants have an inadequate nutritional status, which may be due in part to inadequate maternal nutrition during pregnancy. This study was designed to investigate whether infant nutritional status could be improved by maternal vitamin A and Fe supplementation during gestation. Mothers of these infants from five villages had been randomly assigned on an individual basis, supervised and double-blind, to receive supplementation once weekly from approximately 18 weeks of pregnancy until delivery. Supplementation comprised 120 mg Fe and 500 μg folic acid with or without 4800 retinol equivalent vitamin A. Mothers of infants from four other villages who participated in the national Fe and folic acid supplementation programme were also recruited; intake of tablets was not supervised. Anthropometric and biochemical parameters of infants and their mothers were assessed approximately 4 months after delivery. Infants of mothers supplemented with vitamin A plus Fe had higher serum retinol concentrations than infants of mothers supplemented with Fe alone. However, the proportion of infants with serum retinol concentrations <0·70 μmol/l was >70 % in all groups. Maternal and infant serum retinol concentrations were correlated. Fe status, weight and length of infants were similar in all groups. Fe status of girls was better than that of boys, but boys were heavier and longer. We conclude that supplementation with vitamin A in conjunction with Fe supplementation of women during pregnancy benefits vitamin A status of their infants. However, considering the large proportion of infants with marginal serum retinol concentrations, it may still be necessary to increase their vitamin A intake.
Colonic Microbiota Signatures across Five Northern European Countries

ABSTRACT The composition of the colonic microbiota of 91 northern Europeans was characterized by fluorescent in situ hybridization using 18 phylogenetic probes. On average 75% of the bacteria were identified, and large interindividual variations were observed. Clostridium coccoides and Clostridium leptum were the dominant groups (28.0% and 25.2%), followed by the Bacteroides (8.5%). According to principal component analysis, no significant grouping with respect to geographic origin, age, or gender was observed.