Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Separating "Rotators" From "Nonrotators" in the Mental Rotations Test: A Multigroup Latent Class Analysis

Items of mental rotation tests can not only be solved by mental rotation but also by other solution strategies. A multigroup latent class analysis of 24 items of the Mental Rotations Test (MRT) was conducted in a sample of 1,695 German pupils and students to find out how many solution strategies can be identified for the items of this test. The results showed that five subgroups (latent classes) can be distinguished. Although three of the subgroups differ mainly in the number of items reached, one class shows are very low performance. In another class, a special solution strategy is used. This strategy seems to involve analytic rather than mental rotation processes and is efficient only for a special MRT item type, indicating that not all MRT items require a mental rotation approach. In addition, the multigroup analysis revealed significant sex differences with respect to the class assignment, confirming prior findings that on average male participants perform mental rotation tasks faster and better than female participants. Females were also overrepresented in the analytic strategy class. The results are discussed with respect to psychometric and substantive implications, and suggestions for the optimization of the MRT items are provided.
Reproducibility of Regional Pulse Wave Velocity in Healthy Subjects

Background/Aims Despite the clinical importance and widespread use of pulse wave velocity (PWV), there are no standards for pulse sensors or for system requirements to ensure accurate pulse wave measurement. We assessed the reproducibility of PWV values using a newly developed PWV measurement system. Methods The system used in this study was the PP-1000, which simultaneously provides regional PWV values from arteries at four different sites (carotid, femoral, radial, and dorsalis pedis). Seventeen healthy male subjects without any cardiovascular disease participated in this study. Two observers performed two consecutive measurements in the same subject in random order. To evaluate the reproducibility of the system, two sets of analyses (within-observer and between-observer) were performed. Results The means±SD of PWV for the aorta, arm, and leg were 7.0±1.48, 8.43±1.14, and 8.09±0.98 m/s as measured by observer A and 6.76±1.00, 7.97±0.80, and 7.97±0.72 m/s by observer B, respectively. Between-observer differences for the aorta, arm, and leg were 0.14±0.62, 0.18±0.84, and 0.07±0.86 m/s, respectively, and the correlation coefficients were high, especially for aortic PWV (r=0.93). All the measurements showed significant correlation coefficients, ranging from 0.94 to 0.99. Conclusions The PWV measurement system used in this study provides accurate analysis results with high reproducibility. It is necessary to provide an accurate algorithm for the detection of additional features such as flow wave, reflection wave, and dicrotic notch from a pulse waveform.
Nonlinear control of variable speed wind turbines for power regulation

A nonlinear controller has been designed for variable speed wind turbines electric power regulation. The efficiency and reliability of wind power is shown to be depending on the applied control strategy of the wind turbine. Up to now, classical regulation is implemented only. However, under sudden wind profile variations, the wind turbine performance decrease which may cause troubles in the electrical network. For the limitation of mechanical loads and rotational speed variations, and to avoid the wind turbine stall above rated wind speeds while controlling the output power, a cascade structure asymptotic output tracking based approach has been applied. Simulations and validation have been performed using the wind turbine modelling and using wind turbine simulator as well. The wind turbine is torque generator controlled. The required performance is met for both
Stable generation of serum- and feeder-free embryonic stem cell-derived mice with full germline-competency by using a GSK3 specific inhibitor

C57BL/6 (B6)‐derived embryonic stem (ES) cells are not widely used to generate knockout mice despite the advantage of a well‐defined genetic background because of poor developmental potential. We newly established serum‐ and feeder‐free B6 ES cells with full developmental potential by using leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) and 6‐bromoindirubin‐3′‐oxime (BIO), a glycogen synthase kinase‐3 (GSK3) inhibitor. BIO treatment significantly increased the expression levels of 364 genes including pluripotency markers such as Nanog and Klf family. Unexpectedly, by aggregating or microinjecting those ES cells to each eight‐cell‐stage diploid embryo, we stably generated germline‐competent ES‐derived mice. Furthermore, founder mice completely derived from female XO, heterozygous, or homozygous mutant B6 ES cells were directly available for intercross breeding and phenotypic analysis. We hereby propose that serum‐ and feeder‐free B6 ES cells stimulated with LIF plus GSK3 inhibitor are valuable for generating mouse models on B6 background. genesis 47:414–422, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effect of Flow Diversion Treatment on Very Small Ruptured Aneurysms

BACKGROUNDRuptured aneurysms of < 2 mm are not amenable to endovascular coiling and therefore pose a significant treatment challenge. OBJECTIVETo test recently introduced flow diverters that allow endovascular reconstruction via another method and may represent a new treatment option for such lesions. PATIENTS AND METHODSThree female patients presented with acute subarachnoid hemorrhage. An aneurysm of < 2 mm was identified in all patients as the cause of bleeding. The aneurysms were located at the C2 segment of the internal carotid in 2 patients and on the basilar bifurcation in the other. All patients had failed early endovascular treatment attempts. Flow diversion with the SILK flow diverter was offered as an alternative in each patient. RESULTSSILK deployment successfully eliminated the aneurysms in all 3 instances. One of the aneurysms was excluded from contrast material visualization immediately after stent deployment. Transient thrombotic complication was observed in the case of the basilar artery aneurysm. It resolved with the administration of intraarterial tirofiban. There was no treatment-related morbidity, and none of the aneurysms reruptured after SILK implantation during a clinical follow-up of at least 4 months (range, 4–10 months). Imaging follow-up showed complete vessel remodeling in all cases. CONCLUSIONFlow diversion treatment prevented rebleeding during the follow-up period. Reverse remodeling of the concerned vascular segment with delayed disappearance of the aneurysm was observed in each case.
Randomized controlled trials on the therapeutic effects of adult progenitor cells for myocardial infarction: meta-analysis

Objective: We performed a systematic meta-analysis to assess the therapeutic effects of progenitor cell therapy after myocardial infarction (MI). Research design/methods: Randomized controlled trials of progenitor cell therapy for MI were extracted from MEDLINE. We performed a prospective comparison of progenitor cell therapy versus placebo after acute or chronic MI, with changes in left venticular ejection fraction (LVEF) as the primary endpoint. We conducted random-effects meta-analyses to pool these outcomes across the studies. Results: A total of 980 patients from 18 studies were analysed. Seventeen trials used bone marrow-derived cells (BMCs). Overall, BMCs significantly increased LVEF, left ventricular end systolic volume and left ventricular end diastolic volume within six months of treatment, and the effect was sustained one year later. Following BMC transplantation regional myocardial anatomy displayed statistically and clinically significant improvements compared with controls, albeit without functional changes. Similar results were observed in the subgroup of patients with impaired LVEF at the baseline. The subgroup analysis suggested a benefit of BMCs on LVEF in acute but not chronic MI. LVEF enhancement seemed to correlate positively with dose and inversely with the storage duration of the BMCs. Conclusions: BMC transplantation for MI was able to deliver benefits over regular therapy even at an 18-month follow-up, particularly when used to treat acute MI. CD34+ cell therapy holds promise for MI treatment in the future.
Modality in Spanish Sign Language (LSE) revisited: a functional account

Abstract This paper provides an analysis of modality in Spanish Sign Language (Lengua de Signos Española: LSE) from a functional perspective. Following FDG assumptions, scope will be the basic criterion in delineating modal subtypes. Four representational layers are taken into account: Propositional Content, Episode, State-of-Affairs, and Configurational Property. This study highlights that LSE offers an extensive sample of manual items (with a variable degree of grammaticalization) that enable the efficient expression of a wide range of modal contents: epistemic, deontic, volitive, and facultative. LSE is thus fully congruent with oral languages (OLs) in this domain.
Ants and agents: A process algebra approach to modelling ant colony behaviour

Process algebras are widely used in the analysis of distributed computer systems. They allow formal reasoning about how the various components of a system contribute to its overall behaviour. In this paper we show how process algebras can be usefully applied to understanding social insect biology, in particular to studying the relationship between algorithmic behaviour of individual insects and the dynamical behaviour of their colony. We argue that process algebras provide a useful formalism for understanding this relationship, since they combine computer simulation, Markov chain analysis and mean-field methods of analysis. Indeed, process algebras can provide a framework for relating these three methods of analysis to each other and to experiments. We illustrate our approach with a series of graded examples of modelling activity in ant colonies.
A novel coding scheme for symmetric multiple description coding

We propose a novel coding scheme for multiple description coding with K descriptions, with symmetric rate and symmetric distortion constraints. In this new coding scheme, channel codes are introduced on top of some carefully chosen source coding component. The channel coding component for k = 3 is akin to the network coding idea. We first show that for the quadratic Gaussian source, adding a simple channel coding component is able to achieve rate- distortion point outside the achievable region based on (n, k) source-channel erasure codes (SCEC), previously proposed by Puri et al, when Gaussian codebook is assumed to be optimal for that scheme. The channel coding component and (n, k) SCEC can be strategically combined, and for the special case of quadratic Gaussian three description case where any two of them are rate-distortion optimal jointly, the resulting scheme can achieve performance better than a direct time sharing between the new operating point and the (n, k) SCEC-based scheme. Moreover, this combination can be generalized naturally, which leads to a new coding scheme for the general if-description problem.
Do instrumental and symbolic factors interact in influencing employer attractiveness and job pursuit intention?

Purpose The changing demographics of talent market calls for a better understanding of the expectations of diverse job seekers. However, there is limited research on employer attractiveness (EA) factors which cover the expectations of new generation job seekers. The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of career growth opportunities (CGO), work–life benefits (WLB) and corporate social responsibility (CSR) reputation on the perceived attractiveness of an organization as an employer and the job pursuit intention (JPI) of job seekers. Design/methodology/approach A 2 (CGO: many vs limited)×2 (WLB: many vs limited)×2 (CSR reputation: high vs low) between-subjects experimental design was used for this study. A total of 240 respondents participated in the study. Findings The results showed that provision of CGO had the highest effect on both EA and JPI. This effect was strong enough to compensate for limited WLB and a low CSR reputation. A significant interaction effect between CGO and CSR reputation revealed that the effect of CSR reputation on EA depends on the availability of many or limited CGO. Originality/value The study contributes and expands literature on attributes relevant in job choice decisions by providing useful insights regarding how job seekers weigh these attributes while making an employment choice. Also, the study offers suggestions for designing organizations’ recruitment strategy for attracting talent.
Human resource management with ‘Asian’ characteristics: a hybrid people-management system in East Asia

The central theme of this article is to illustrate the similarity and difference of people-management system among the key economies in East Asia. The article not only identifies what elements do exist in East Asian people-management system, but also examines other new elements being adopted into the existing system with the influences from the US and Europe. The authors analyse the information on the changes of people-management system, factors causing the changes and time. The common phenomenon is that when there is a crisis, then that may provide some opportunities for drastic changes. The authors conclude the article by pointing out that HRM is in a reforming process towards hybrid people-management system in East Asia. However, this reforming process is not one-way only. A triangle-influence between East Asia, Europe and the US is the reality. In addition, multi-factors are shaping the outcome of reforming people-management system in East Asia, identified as foreign influence, the State's influence, the stage of social and economic development, and national and organizational historical path. Other economies, no matter in East Asia or other parts of the world, may draw some lessons from this study.
The Enhancer-Blocking Activity of the Fab-7 Boundary From the Drosophila Bithorax Complex Requires GAGA-Factor-Binding Sites

In the work reported here we have analyzed the role of the GAGA factor [encoded by the Trithorax-like (Trl) gene] in the enhancer-blocking activity of Frontabdominal-7 (Fab-7), a domain boundary element from the Drosophila melanogaster bithorax complex (BX-C). One of the three nuclease hypersensitive sites in the Fab-7 boundary, HS1, contains multiple consensus-binding sequences for the GAGA factor, a protein known to be involved in the formation and/or maintenance of nucleosome-free regions of chromatin. GAGA protein has been shown to localize to the Fab-7 boundary in vivo, and we show that it recognizes sequences from HS1 in vitro. Using two different transgene assays we demonstrate that GAGA-factor-binding sites are necessary but not sufficient for full Fab-7 enhancer-blocking activity. We show that distinct GAGA sites are required for different enhancer-blocking activities at different stages of development. We also show that the enhancer-blocking activity of the endogenous Fab-7 boundary is sensitive to mutations in the gene encoding the GAGA factor Trithorax-like.
Do doctoral training programmes actively promote a culture of self-care among clinical and counselling psychology trainees?

ABSTRACT Despite frequent calls for the importance of self-care among both novice and practicing psychologists, evidence suggests that training institutions have done little to actively promote a culture of self-care among trainees. The current study examined self-care-related policies and practices in all the clinical and counselling psychology graduate programmes currently accredited by the British Psychological Society. Training handbooks and related programme material were evaluated for a mention of search terms related to self-care. Of the 46 programmes sampled, material was available online for 43 (93.5%) of them. “Personal development” was the most frequently occurring search term. Most of the programme material was well-developed and detailed, providing comprehensive information relating to self-care. Program material are evaluated and their strengths highlighted.
Ginger and Cinnamon: Can This Household Remedy Treat Giardiasis? Parasitological and Histopathological Studies

Background Giardia lamblia is one of the most common protozoal infections in human especially children. Metronidazol (MTZ) is the drug of choice for treatment of giardiasis; its chemical composition possesses major threats and is becoming less sensitive. This study aimed to search for natural extracts alternative to MTZ. Methods In-vivo effects of dichloromethane extracts of ginger and cinnamon in doses of 10 and 20 mg/kg/day separately were studied on 30 experimentally infected albino rats divided into 6 groups (5 rats each). Plant extracts were started on the 6th day post infection for 7 successive days. The study was evaluated by fecal cyst and intestinal trophozoite counts, histopathology, scanning and transmission electron microscopic examinations of the small intestinal mucosa. Results Ginger and cinnamon caused reduction of fecal cyst and trophozoites counts. Histopathology, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) after exposure to each extract revealed evident improvement of intestinal mucosal damage produced by G. lamblia infection and direct structural injury to the trophozoites. However, these results were more obvious after exposure to cinnamon extracts. Conclusion We confirmed the potential therapeutic effects of ginger and cinnamon extracts on G. lamblia infection in albino rats as a promising alternative therapy to the commonly used antigiardial drugs.
Isoform-Specific Ras Activation and Oncogene Dependence during MYC- and Wnt-Induced Mammary Tumorigenesis

ABSTRACT We have previously shown that c-MYC-induced mammary tumorigenesis in mice proceeds via a preferred secondary pathway involving spontaneous activating mutations in Kras2 (C. M. D'Cruz, E. J. Gunther, R. B. Boxer, J. L. Hartman, L. Sintasath, S. E. Moody, J. D. Cox, S. I. Ha, G. K. Belka, A. Golant, R. D. Cardiff, and L. A. Chodosh, Nat. Med. 7:235-239, 2001). In contrast, we now demonstrate that Wnt1-induced mammary tumorigenesis proceeds via a pathway that preferentially activates Hras1. In addition, we find that expression of oncogenic forms of Kras2 and Hras1 from their endogenous promoters has markedly different consequences for the progression of tumors to oncogene independence. Spontaneous activating Kras2 mutations occurring in either MYC- or Wnt1-induced tumors were strongly associated with oncogene-independent tumor growth following MYC or Wnt1 downregulation. In contrast, Hras1-mutant Wnt1-induced tumors consistently remained oncogene dependent. Additionally, Kras2-mutant tumors exhibited substantially higher levels of ras-GTP, phospho-Erk1/2, and phospho-Mek1/2 compared to Hras1-mutant tumors, suggesting the involvement of the ras/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway in the acquisition of oncogene independence. Consistent with this, by use of carcinogen-induced ras mutations as well as knock-in mice harboring a latent activated Kras2 allele, we demonstrate that Kras2 activation strongly synergizes with both c-MYC and Wnt1 in mammary tumorigenesis and promotes the progression of tumors to oncogene independence. Together, our findings support a model for tumorigenesis in which c-MYC and Wnt1 select for the outgrowth of cells harboring mutations in specific ras isoforms and that these secondary mutations, in turn, determine the extent of ras/MAPK pathway activation and the potential for oncogene-independent growth.
Liver: Structure and Function

This book is primarily devoted to a consideration of the structure and physiologic function of the liver in normal and abnormal states. In Part I a fair amount of pertinent biochemistry of the liver is included. Separate chapters are devoted to proteins, fats, some liver enzymes, micronutrients and bile pigments. The more prominent sections are devoted to the structure of the vascular and biliary systems. Part II deals mainly with the various pathologic states in liver disease as manifested by structural and functional alterations. Part III is mostly clinical in tone, with emphasis on technics for evaluating liver pathology including biochemical, radiologic and biopsy methods. Parts IV and V are concerned exclusively with a thorough presentation of diffuse and focal diseases of the liver.
Dynamics of lactate concentration and blood oxygen level‐dependent effect in the human visual cortex during repeated identical stimuli

In vivo 1H NMR spectroscopy at 7 T was utilized to measure the changes in lactate concentration upon repeated identical visual stimuli, each lasting for 2 min. The average amplitude of these increases was found to be reduced over time (P < 0.01), from 0.13 ± 0.02 μmol/g during the first half of the stimulation paradigm, to 0.06 ± 0.02 μmol/g during the second half of the stimulation paradigm. In contrast, the blood oxygen level‐dependent (BOLD) effect on the fMRI water signal and on the height of the total creatine signal at 3.03 ppm was persistent during the whole observation period. This finding may suggest a differential adaptation of cortical output that is not reflected at the level of the global excitation‐inhibition activity of the cortical canonical circuits. Alternative possibilities that could account for an adaptation of [Lac] changes are also discussed. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Identification of a novel NF-kappaB p50-related protein in B lymphocytes

In most cell types other than mature B lymphocytes and macrophages, the transcription factor NF-kappaB remains in an inactive form in the cytosol by being bound to the inhibitory proteins IkappaBalpha and IkappaBbeta. To investigate the regulation of constitutively active NF-kappaB in B lymphocytes, we have examined the composition of Rel protein complexes in different mouse B-cell lines. As reported previously, the constitutively active complex in mature B cells was predominantly p50:c-Rel. However, the kappaB binding complex in the plasmacytomas that were examined lacked c-Rel and instead contained only a p50-related protein. This p50-related protein (p55) cross-reacts with three different p50 antisera, exists in both the cytosol and the nucleus, and is the protein that binds to kappaB sites in plasma cells. Transfection of reporter constructs into plasma cells indicates that the p55 complex is also transcriptionally active. The p55 protein can be detected in splenocytes from mice lacking the p105/p50 gene, and therefore it appears to be the product of a distinct gene. The implications of the existence of a NF-kappaB p50-related protein in plasma cells that is capable of binding to kappaB sites and activating transcription are discussed.
A New Dilemma: Capital Controls and Monetary Policy in Sudden Stop Economies

The dangers of high capital flow volatility and sudden stops have led economists to promote the use of capital controls as an addition to monetary policy in emerging market economies. This paper studies the benefits of capital controls and monetary policy in an open economy with financial frictions, nominal rigidities, and sudden stops. We focus on a time-consistent policy equilibrium. We find that during a crisis, an optimal monetary policy should sharply diverge from price stability. Without commitment, policymakers will also tax capital inflows in a crisis. But this is not optimal from an ex-ante social welfare perspective. An outcome without capital inflow taxes, using optimal monetary policy alone to respond to crises, is superior in welfare terms, but not time-consistent. If policy commitment were in place, capital inflows would be subsidized during crises. We also show that an optimal policy will never involve macro-prudential capital inflow taxes, or a departure from price stability, as a precaution against the risk of future crises (whether or not commitment is available).