Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Neural and behavioral correlates of auditory representation, perception, and categorization in humans

Auditory perceptual representations (i.e., “sounds”) reflect the brain’s ability to group or segregate acoustic features based on detected regularities in the acoustic environment. These perceptual representations provide information on the putative sound sources in the environment, which are combined with knowledge of auditory categories to both imbue sounds with meaning and inform appropriate behavioral actions. Critical aspects regarding the cortical mechanisms responsible for regularity representation and perception as well as how prior knowledge of auditory categories influences perceptual judgments remain unanswered. This dissertation had two main goals: (1) to test how neural activity encodes regularity representation and perception; and (2) to test how a listener uses prior category knowledge to inform categorical judgments when a stimulus’ category membership is ambiguous. To achieve these goals, I employed a combination of neurophysiological, behavioral, and computational analyses in humans. I found that the phase of populationlevel neural activity is a more reliable indicator of regularity than power and that a variety of brain regions exhibited reliable modulations that distinguished stimulus and behavioral differences related to regularity violation. Additionally, I found that human listeners learn approximations of auditory categories and are varied in their ability to use prior category information to inform categorical judgments. Finally, I found that categorization behavior was consistent with an ideal decision strategy that includes trial-by-trial variability in a listener’s estimates of the prior probability of each category. These findings build upon previous work on the mechanisms underlying regularity processing in auditory perception and that future research should focus on a variety of brain regions beyond the classical auditory pathways in cortex. Additionally, the categorization findings are the first to extend previous work in visual categorization into the auditory domain and reformulates the issue of categorization in a manner that can help to interpret the results of previous research within a generative framework. Degree Type Dissertation Degree Name Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Graduate Group Neuroscience First Advisor Yale E. Cohen
Lecture Delivered at Symposium "neural Control of Breathing" Held in Warszawa, August 1971 Role of Muscle Receptors Connected to Nonmedullated Fibres in Reflex Hyperventilation

Experiments using electrical stimulation of different groups of muscle afferent nerve fibres have shown that most of the known medullated fibres in muscle nerves are involved in reflexly stimulatihg ventilation (Bessou et al. 1959, Koizumi et al. 1961, Senapati 1966). Investigations using natural stimulation of muscle receptors and pmsive limb movements (Kao et al. 1963, Senapati 1966, Kalia et al. 1972) have confirmed these results. From available histological evidence it is (known that one-third of the total number of fibres in m w l e afferent nerves are non-medullated fibres (Ranson and Davenport 1931). The role of this component of muscle nerves in the reflex hyperventilation of muscular exercise remains to be established. Accordingly, an attempt was made to study the reflex ventilatory effects of stimulating the receptors connected to non-medullated fibres when the activity in the endings of all medullated fibres had been blocked by repetitive antidrornic stimulation (Paintal 1959, 1961). These experiments were carried out on dogs anaesthetized with sodium pentobarbitone (30-35 mgkg, intraperitoneally). The experimental arrangements for recording ventilation (v ~) , stimulating the lateral gastrocnemius nerve, preparing the muscle for natural <stimulation and fixing the limbs were similar to those described earlier (Senapati 1966, Kalia et al. 1972). The sensory muscle receptors were blocked by stimulating electrically 'the fibres d the lateral gastrocnemius nerve repetitively as described by
Unique Characteristics of the Pyrrolysine System in the 7th Order of Methanogens: Implications for the Evolution of a Genetic Code Expansion Cassette

Pyrrolysine (Pyl), the 22nd proteogenic amino acid, was restricted until recently to few organisms. Its translational use necessitates the presence of enzymes for synthesizing it from lysine, a dedicated amber stop codon suppressor tRNA, and a specific amino-acyl tRNA synthetase. The three genomes of the recently proposed Thermoplasmata-related 7th order of methanogens contain the complete genetic set for Pyl synthesis and its translational use. Here, we have analyzed the genomic features of the Pyl-coding system in these three genomes with those previously known from Bacteria and Archaea and analyzed the phylogeny of each component. This shows unique peculiarities, notably an amber tRNAPyl with an imperfect anticodon stem and a shortened tRNAPyl synthetase. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that a Pyl-coding system was present in the ancestor of the seventh order of methanogens and appears more closely related to Bacteria than to Methanosarcinaceae, suggesting the involvement of lateral gene transfer in the spreading of pyrrolysine between the two prokaryotic domains. We propose that the Pyl-coding system likely emerged once in Archaea, in a hydrogenotrophic and methanol-H2-dependent methylotrophic methanogen. The close relationship between methanogenesis and the Pyl system provides a possible example of expansion of a still evolving genetic code, shaped by metabolic requirements.
Survey of Slaughtered Pigs for Occurrence of Ochratoxin A and Porcine Nephropathy in Serbia

Samples of blood, kidney and liver were randomly selected from slaughtered pigs (n=90) and analyzed for ochratoxin A by HPLC. In addition, in order to obtain information on the occurrence of nephropathy, histological examinations were carried out. Of the 90 liver samples, 26.6% contained OTA in the range of 0.22–14.5 ng/g. The incidence of OTA in serum and kidney were very similar (31%, 33.3%), with a maximum concentration of 220.8 ng/mL, and 52.5 ng/g, respectively. Histopathological examination of kidneys confirmed tubulopathies with edema and cell vacuolization. In addition, hemorrhages and necrosis of proximal kidney tubules’ cells were found.
A Knowledge Management Success Model: Theoretical Development and Empirical Validation

We examine a knowledge management (KM) success model that incorporates the quality of available knowledge and KM systems built to share and reuse knowledge such as determinants of users' perception of usefulness and user satisfaction with an organization's KM practices. Perceived usefulness and user satisfaction, in turn, affect knowledge use, which in our model is a measure of how well knowledge sharing and reuse activities are internalized by an organization. Our model includes organizational support structure as a contributing factor to the success of KM system implementation. Data collected from 150 knowledge workers from a variety of organizations confirmed 10 of 13 hypothesized relationships. Notably, the organizational support factors of leadership commitment, supervisor and coworker support, as well as incentives, directly or indirectly supported shared knowledge quality and knowledge use. In line with the proposed model, the study lends support to the argument that, in addition to KM systems quality, firms must pay careful attention to championing and goal setting as well as designing adequate reward systems for the ultimate success of these efforts. This is one of the first studies that encompasses both the supply (knowledge contribution) and demand (knowledge reuse) sides of KM in the same model. It provides more than anecdotal evidence of factors that determine successful KM system implementations. Unlike earlier studies that only deal with knowledge-sharing incentives or quality of shared knowledge, we present and empirically validate an integrated model that includes knowledge sharing and knowledge quality and their links to the desired outcome—namely, knowledge reuse.
The Effects of Motivation and Other Factors on Second Language Acquisition: A Case Study on Achieving Advanced Oral Proficiency in English

This paper is based on a case study of Raya, a Palestinian Arab undergraduate student, at the University of Jordan, who has achieved level B1 according to The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) in listening and reading comprehension (‘accomplished’) and CEFR level B2 (‘superior’) in language form and meaning in English according to the TOEFL Junior Exam. Based on multiple data sources (i.e. interviews, observation, questionnaires and document analysis), the study aims to highlight how Raya's multiple identities as a language learner, avid film watcher, YouTube user and online gamer, and a (non) member of a target language community have contributed to her oral proficiency in English. The study also aims to emphasize some personal attributes that Raya has as a language learner in order to uncover the factors which have assisted or hampered her acquisition of English. The main finding of the case study is that Raya's English language proficiency has been enriched because of two overriding factors: firstly, integrative motivation (i.e. her love of English) highlighted through her immersion in the target language by her online identity, films and social interaction; and, secondly, instrumental motivation (i.e. using the language as a means to academic and professional advancement) in the sense she realized English was a way of helping her to achieve her goal of leaving her hometown and studying abroad. It is hoped that this study will inspire and inform both language learners and educators alike, as to some of the steps to success in acquiring proficiency in English or any other language.
From combat to classroom: An examination of combat trauma's effects on military veteran's relationships and adjustment to college

The purpose of this study was to test a model of veterans' college adjustment that demonstrated how combat exposure can lead to psychological distress and a lack of empathy and trust, how those variables interact and affect social support and classroom interactions, and how all the variables effect college adjustment self-efficacy. The study quantified the prevalence of PTSD, anxiety, depression, and stress in the student veteran population, finding that rates were lower than in a previous study on student veterans and on par with the active duty military. Although the proposed SEM model did not fit the data, subsequent stepwise regressions found that combat exposure was significantly inversely associated with trust and empathy, and directly correlated with psychological distress. Psychological distress was found to inversely affect trust, empathy, social support, alienation in the classroom, and feeling connected to other students and faculty. Trust and empathy scores were found to affect social support, and combat exposure and psychological distress were found to affect social support through their influence on trust and empathy. Social support was found to have the largest influence on college self-efficacy adjustment scores. In addition, the study found that gender affected the outcomes of the model. Implications of these results were discussed, along with limitations to the study and possible future research.
Totally Laparoscopic Distal Gastrectomy after Learning Curve Completion: Comparison with Laparoscopy-Assisted Distal Gastrectomy

Purpose The aims are to: (i) display the multidimensional learning curve of totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy, and (ii) verify the feasibility of totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy after learning curve completion by comparing it with laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy. Materials and Methods From January 2005 to June 2012, 247 patients who underwent laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy (n=136) and totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (n=111) for early gastric cancer were enrolled. Their clinicopathological characteristics and early surgical outcomes were analyzed. Analysis of the totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy learning curve was conducted using the moving average method and the cumulative sum method on 180 patients who underwent totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy. Results Our study indicated that experience with 40 and 20 totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy cases, is required in order to achieve optimum proficiency by two surgeons. There were no remarkable differences in the clinicopathological characteristics between laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy and totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy groups. The two groups were comparable in terms of open conversion, combined resection, morbidities, reoperation rate, hospital stay and time to first flatus (P>0.05). However, totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy had a significantly shorter mean operation time than laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy (P<0.01). We also found that intra-abdominal abscess and overall complication rates were significantly higher before the learning curve than after the learning curve (P<0.05). Conclusions Experience with 20~40 cases of totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy is required to complete the learning curve. The use of totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy after learning curve completion is a feasible and timesaving method compared to laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy.
ZD1839 (Iressa): an orally active inhibitor of epidermal growth factor signaling with potential for cancer therapy.

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a promising target for anticancer therapy because of its role in tumor growth, metastasis and angiogenesis, and tumor resistance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. We have developed a low-molecular-weight EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI), ZD1839 (Iressa(2) ). ZD1839, a substituted anilinoquinazoline, is a potent EGFR-TKI (IC(50) = 0.033 micro M) that selectively inhibits EGF-stimulated tumor cell growth (IC(50) = 0.054 micro M) and that blocks EGF-stimulated EGFR autophosphorylation in tumor cells. In studies with mice bearing a range of human tumor-derived xenografts, ZD1839 given p.o. once a day inhibited tumor growth in a dose-dependent manner. The level of expression of EGFR did not determine xenograft tumor sensitivity to ZD1839. Long-term ZD1839 (>3 months) treatment of mice bearing A431 xenografts was well tolerated, and ZD1839 completely inhibited tumor growth and induced regression of established tumors. No drug-resistant tumors appeared during ZD1839 treatment, but some tumors regrew after drug withdrawal. These studies indicate the potential utility of ZD1839 in the treatment of many human tumors and indicate that continuous once-a-day p.o. dosing might be a suitable therapeutic regimen.
Memorable tourism experiences: antecedents and outcomes

ABSTRACT The present study examines the specific dimensions of Kim, Ritchie, and McCormick’s [(2012). Development of a scale to measure memorable tourism experiences. Journal of Travel Research, 51(12), 12–25. doi:10.1177/0047287510385467] memorable tourism experience (MTE) scale that affects tourists’ subjective well-being to a single destination. A web-based post-holiday survey was conducted among tourists to Rovaniemi, Finland, and a valid sample of 202 tourists was used for data analysis. Structural equation modeling was applied to investigate the relationships between MTE dimensions and subjective well-being. Although the measurement appears to be highly destination specific, the results show that tourists’ subjective well-being is influenced by hedonism and meaningfulness. The moderating variables of gender, age and nationality have a significant effect on the link between most antecedent factors of MTE and subjective well-being. Managerial implications, limitations and future research directions are discussed.
Overdependence on For-Profit Pharmacies: A Descriptive Survey of User Evaluation of Medicines Availability in Public Hospitals in Selected Nigerian States

Objective Lower availability of medicines in Nigerian public health facilities—the most affordable option for the masses—undermines global health reforms to improve access to health for all, especially the chronically ill and poor. Thus, a sizeable proportion of healthcare users, irrespective of purchasing power, buy medicines at higher costs from for-profit pharmacies. We examined user evaluation of medicine availability in public facilities and how this influences their choice of where to buy medicines in selected states—Cross River, Enugu and Oyo—in Nigeria. Methods We approached and interviewed 1711 healthcare users using a semi-structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire as they exited for-profit pharmacies after purchasing medicines. This ensured that both clients who had presented at health facilities (private/public) and those who did not were included. Information was collected on why respondents could not buy medicines at the hospitals they attended, their views of medicine availability and whether their choice of where to buy medicines is influenced by non-availability. Principal Findings Respondents’ mean age was 37.7±14.4 years; 52% were males, 59% were married, 82% earned ≥NGN18, 000 (US$57.19) per month, and 72% were not insured. Majority (66%) had prescriptions; of this, 70% were from public facilities. Eighteen percent of all respondents indicated that all their medicines were usually available at the public facilities, most (29%), some (44%) and not always available (10%). Reasons for using for-profit pharmacies included: health workers attitudes (43%), referral by providers (43%); inadequate money to purchase all prescribed drugs (42%) and cumbersome processes for obtaining medicines. Conclusions Lower availability of medicines has serious implications for healthcare behavior, especially because of poverty. It is crucial for government to fulfill its mandate of equitable access to care for all by making medicines available and cheap through reviving and sustaining the drug revolving fund scheme and encouraging the prescription of generic drugs in all public health facilities.
Tumor-Derived Factors and Reduced p53 Promote Endothelial Cell Centrosome Over-Duplication

Approximately 30% of tumor endothelial cells have over-duplicated (>2) centrosomes, which may contribute to abnormal vessel function and drug resistance. Elevated levels of vascular endothelial growth factor A induce excess centrosomes in endothelial cells, but how other features of the tumor environment affect centrosome over-duplication is not known. To test this, we treated endothelial cells with tumor-derived factors, hypoxia, or reduced p53, and assessed centrosome numbers. We found that hypoxia and elevated levels of bone morphogenetic protein 2, 6 and 7 induced excess centrosomes in endothelial cells through BMPR1A and likely via SMAD signaling. In contrast, inflammatory mediators IL-8 and lipopolysaccharide did not induce excess centrosomes. Finally, down-regulation in endothelial cells of p53, a critical regulator of DNA damage and proliferation, caused centrosome over-duplication. Our findings suggest that some tumor-derived factors and genetic changes in endothelial cells contribute to excess centrosomes in tumor endothelial cells.
Accretion Flows: The Role of the Outer Boundary Condition

We investigate the influences of the outer boundary conditions on the structure of an optically thin accretion flow. We find that the outer boundary condition plays an important role in determining the topological structure and the profiles of the density and temperature of the solutions. Therefore, it should be regarded as a new parameter in the accretion model.
Huffman Redundancy for Large Alphabet Sources

The performance of optimal prefix-free encoding for memoryless sources with a large alphabet size is studied. It is shown that the redundancy of the Huffman code for almost all sources with a large alphabet size n is very close to that of the average distribution of the monotone sources with n symbols. This value lies between 0.02873 and 0.02877 bit for sufficiently large n.
Reliability of Life Satisfaction Measures in Middle School Students

A total of 248 students from one Southeastern U.S. middle school responded to measures of global and domain-based life satisfaction on three occasions, reflecting 5-month, 7-month, and 1-year time intervals. Alpha coefficients were all above . 80 for each global and domain-based score on each occasion. The test–retest coefficients were variable, underscoring the importance of contextual factors in life satisfaction reports. Nevertheless, with the exception of the Friends domain, the retest coefficients for the global and domain-based scores all exceeded . 50 across all three intervals, suggesting a moderate degree of stability yet potential sensitivity to changing life circumstances.
Comparison between Vegetation and Rainfall of Bioclimatic Ecoregions in Central Africa

This paper investigates the relationship between the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and extracted rainfall in the Global Precipitation Climatology Project (GPCP) in Central Africa between latitudes 15°S and 20°N and longitudes 0°E and 31°E. Monthly NDVI and GPCP datasets for the period 1982–2000 have been used. The Index of Segmentation of Fourier Components (ISFC) has been applied on the NDVI dataset to segment Central Africa into four bioclimatic ecoregions (BCERs). In order to compare the differential response of vegetation growth to rainfall, an analysis of the inter-annual, intra-annual and seasonal variability for each BCER has been carried out, and the correlations between NDVI and rainfall have been assessed. The plot of the annual cycles of both variables revealed a coherent onset, peak and decay, with a time lag of 1 month for almost all the zones, except the zones, semi-desert and steppe, where a season of short and intense rainfall was observed. The correlation coefficients computed between the two variables are relatively high, especially in brush-grass savannah, where they reach up to 0.90 at a time lag of 1 month. The phenological transition points and phases show that the range between the +1 and -1 time lags corresponds to the duration of the maturity of vegetation. Overall, there is a strong similarity between temporal patterns of NDVI and rainfall, showing that the NDVI can be considered a sensitive indicator of the interannual variability of rainfall.
Functional specialization and differential regulation of short-chain carboxylic acid transporters in the pathogen Candida albicans

The major fungal pathogen Candida albicans has the metabolic flexibility to assimilate a wide range of nutrients in its human host. Previous studies have suggested that C. albicans can encounter glucose‐poor microenvironments during infection and that the ability to use alternative non‐fermentable carbon sources contributes to its virulence. JEN1 encodes a monocarboxylate transporter in C. albicans and we show that its paralogue, JEN2, encodes a novel dicarboxylate plasma membrane transporter, subjected to glucose repression. A strain deleted in both genes lost the ability to transport lactic, malic and succinic acids by a mediated mechanism and it displayed a growth defect on these substrates. Although no significant morphogenetic or virulence defects were found in the double mutant strain, both JEN1 and JEN2 were strongly induced during infection. Jen1‐GFP (green fluorescent protein) and Jen2‐GFP were upregulated following the phagocytosis of C. albicans cells by neutrophils and macrophages, displaying similar behaviour to an Icl1‐GFP fusion. In the murine model of systemic candidiasis approximately 20–25% of C. albicans cells infecting the kidney expressed Jen1‐GFP and Jen2‐GFP. Our data suggest that Jen1 and Jen2 are expressed in glucose‐poor niches within the host, and that these short‐chain carboxylic acid transporters may be important in the early stages of infection.