Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Constraints on the Cosmic Structure Formation Models from Early Formation of Giant Galaxies

A recent observation of Steidel and coworkers indicates that a substantial fraction of giant galaxies were formed at an epoch as early as redshift z > 3-3.5. We show that this early formation gives strong constraints on models of cosmic structure formation. Adopting the COBE normalization for the density perturbation spectrum, we argue that the following models do not have large enough power on galactic scales to yield the observed abundance: (1) standard cold dark matter (CDM) models (where mass density Ω0 = 1 and power index n = 1) with the Hubble constant h ≲ 0.35; (2) tilted CDM models with h = 0.5 and n ≲ 0.75; (3) open CDM models with h ≲ 0.8 and Ω0 ≲ 0.3; and (4) mixed dark matter models with h = 0.5 and Ων ≳ 0.2. Flat CDM models with a cosmological constant λ0 ~ 0.7 are consistent with the observation, provided that h ≳ 0.6. Combined with constraints from large-scale structure formation, these results imply that the flat CDM model with a low Ω0 is the one fully consistent with observations. We predict that these high-redshift galaxies are more strongly clustered today than normal galaxies.
Application of an Interdependent Group Contingency Mediated by an Automated Feedback Device: An Intervention Across Three High School Classrooms

Contemporary roles of school psychology include the provision of ongoing support for teachers to prevent and remediate problematic behaviors within the instructional setting. Early research on the use of automated feedback devices to influence classroom behavior yielded promising results. The present study examined the effect of an interdependent group contingency as mediated by the Digital Scoreboard in three high school inclusion classrooms. The scoreboard provided ongoing positive feedback to students using an automated digital countdown timer and a digital delivery system of digital tokens. Teachers interrupted the positive feedback when students engaged in disruptive behaviors. The intervention effectively reduced the rate of disruptive behavior and teacher corrections for disruption, increased rates of active engagement and uninterrupted instructional time, and corresponded with high levels of teacher acceptability. Implications, limitations, and future directions for research are discussed.
Activation and Recruitment of Regulatory T Cells via Chemokine Receptor Activation in Trichinella spiralis-Infected Mice

As most infections by the helminth parasite elicit the recruitment of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ T (Treg) cells, many scientists have suggested that these cells could be used for the treatment of immune-mediated inflammation and associated diseases. In order to investigate the distribution and alteration of activated Treg cells, we compared the expression levels of Treg cell activation markers in the ileum and gastrocnemius tissues 1, 2, and 4 weeks after infection. The number of Treg cells was monitored using GFP-coded Foxp3 transgenic mice. In mice at 1 week after Trichinella spiralis infection, the number of activated Treg cells was higher than in the control group. In mice at 2 weeks after infection, there was a significant increase in the number of cells expressing Foxp3 and CTLA-4 when compared to the control group and mice at 1 week after infection. At 4 weeks after infection, T. spiralis was easily identifiable in nurse cells in mouse muscles. In the intestine, the expression of Gzmb and Klrg1 decreased over time and that of Capg remained unchanged for the first and second week, then decreased in the 4th week. However, in the muscles, the expression of most chemokine genes was increased due to T. spiralis infection, in particular the expression levels of Gzmb, OX40, and CTLA-4 increased until week 4. In addition, increased gene expression of all chemokine receptors in muscle, CXCR3, CCR4, CCR5, CCR9, and CCR10, was observed up until the 4th week. In conclusion, various chemokine receptors showed increased expressions combined with recruitment of Treg cells in the muscle tissue.
Auditory Advantages of Young Learners Over Adults

The purpose of this study is to scientifically investigate the superior auditory advantage of children over adults. Experts in language teaching and acquisition have contended diverse rationales for these perceived advantages of children in acquiring pronunciation of a second language. Some delineate that infants discriminate certain contrasts better than adults from the same language community. However, only few of their arguments have scientifically proven children’s superiority, especially their auditory capability, which is the foundation of perception. To extend this line of scientific inquiry, the researcher examined the auditory abilities of two groups of Korean students (kindergarten and university) for their auditory capability, using ultrasonic ringtones that play at a higher frequency than normal tones from the internet (http://www.ultrasonicringtones.com). In a medical context, ultrasonic sounds are commonly used for checking human auditory capabilities with precision (Kim, 2009). This experiment results show that the auditory ability of kindergarten children is significantly better than that of college students. Among many factors, these results suggest that young learners’ advantage in acquiring second language pronunciation may be auditory, since good auditory and listening ability works as a blueprint for speaking, especially pronunciation.
Do Australian Children Have More Problems Today Than Twenty Years Ago

The popular view that today's Australian children are faring worse than those of yesteryear can be investigated by comparing similar studies from now and from 20 years ago. Growing Up in Australia, the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC) follows two cohorts - infants, born 2003-2004, and preschool children, born 1999-2000. The Australian Temperament Project (ATP), still running today, began in 1983 with a cohort of Victorian infants, born 1982-1983. These two studies feature parallel data on temperament and behaviour, collected by teachers and parents. The findings indicate that the majority of both sets of children are developing well. Some differences between the two cohorts were found as reported by parents and teachers. The authors discuss the results and methodological differences, which could reflect awareness or tolerance of behaviour problems by parents and teachers, and changes in school and home environments.
Community-Based Service Use by Elders With Dementia and Their Caregivers: A Latent Class Analysis

Background: With the increase in the number of older adults with dementia, research efforts have focused on increasing community-based support service (CBSS) use to improve older adult and caregiver outcomes. However, the research on factors that may explain CBSS use has been focused on individual characteristics, and how the care recipient and caregiver as a pair influence CBSS use has not been accounted for. Objective: To classify care recipients with dementia and their caregivers who shared similar patterns of CBSS use and to identify predictors of class membership. Methods: Participants were 1,813 elders with dementia and their caregivers from the National Longitudinal Caregiver Study, a cross-sectional dataset from 1998. A latent class analysis was used to identify classes of CBSS users by examining use of caregiver support group, home aide, home health, adult day care, and respite care. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was used to examine relationships between predisposing, enabling, and need variables and class membership. Results: Three classes, that is, Low Users, Adult Day Users, and Home-Based Users, comprised 80%, 10%, and 10% of the sample, respectively. Adult Day Users reported significantly more enabling resources and greater service need. Predictors of home-based use included care recipient age, activities of daily living limitations, number of skilled nursing facilities in the local county, and the extent of caregiver physical limitations from comorbid conditions. Discussion: Using latent class analysis allows identification of specific subtypes of CBSS users, prevalence of user subtype, and risk factors for underutilization. Determining the long-term outcomes of class membership may identify specific groups at risk, which could inform the design of interventions to improve assessment for and delivery of CBSS.
Genetic Architecture of Carotid Artery Intima-Media Thickness in Mexican Americans

Background—Intima-media thickness (IMT) of the common and internal carotid arteries is an established surrogate for atherosclerosis and predicts risk of stroke and myocardial infarction. Often IMT is measured as the average of these 2 arteries; yet, they are believed to result from separate biological mechanisms. The aim of this study was to conduct a family-based genome-wide association study (GWAS) for IMT to identify polymorphisms influencing IMT and to determine if distinct carotid artery segments are influenced by different genetic components. Methods and Results—IMT for the common and internal carotid arteries was determined through B-mode ultrasound in 772 Mexican Americans from the San Antonio Family Heart Study. A GWAS using 931219 single-nucleotide polymorphisms was undertaken with 6 internal and common carotid artery IMT phenotypes using an additive measured genotype model. The most robust association detected was for 2 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (rs16983261, rs6113474; P=1.60e−7) in complete linkage disequilibrium on chromosome 20p11 for the internal carotid artery near wall, next to the gene PAX1. We also replicated previously reported GWAS regions on chromosomes 19q13 and 7q22. We found no overlapping associations between internal and common carotid artery phenotypes at P<5.0e−6. The genetic correlation between the 2 carotid IMT arterial segments was 0.51. Conclusions—This study represents the first large-scale GWAS of carotid IMT in a non–European population and identified several novel loci. We do not detect any shared GWAS signals between common and internal carotid arterial segments, but the moderate genetic correlation implies both common and unique genetic components.
Targeting Glia with N-Acetylcysteine Modulates Brain Glutamate and Behaviors Relevant to Neurodevelopmental Disorders in C57BL/6J Mice

An imbalance between excitatory (E) glutamate and inhibitory (I) GABA transmission may underlie neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and schizophrenia. This may be direct, through alterations in synaptic genes, but there is increasing evidence for the importance of indirect modulation of E/I balance through glial mechanisms. Here, we used C57BL/6J mice to test the hypothesis that striatal glutamate levels can be shifted by N-acetylcysteine (NAC), which acts at the cystine-glutamate antiporter of glial cells. Striatal glutamate was quantified in vivo using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The effect of NAC on behaviors relevant to ASD was examined in a separate cohort. NAC induced a time-dependent decrease in striatal glutamate, which recapitulated findings of lower striatal glutamate reported in ASD. NAC-treated animals were significantly less active and more anxious in the open field test; and NAC-treated females had significantly impaired prepulse inhibition of startle response. This at least partly mimics greater anxiety and impaired sensorimotor gating reported in neurodevelopmental disorders. Thus glial mechanisms regulate glutamate acutely and have functional consequences even in adulthood. Glial cells may be a potential drug target for the development of new therapies for neurodevelopmental disorders across the life-span.
Increased accuracy in heparin and protamine administration decreases bleeding: a pilot study.

Three to 5 percent of the patients undergoing cardiac surgery are reoperated because of bleeding. When a surgical cause can be excluded, heparin/protamine mismatch may be considered. Insufficient reversal of heparin and overdosing of protamine may cause postoperative bleeding. The purpose of the study was to evaluate whether a heparin-protamine titration system, Hemochron RxDx, could reduce postoperative bleeding and blood transfusion. Fifty-three patients were included prospectively over a 6-month period. The test group (RxDx group; 28 patients) received heparin and protamine doses calculated using the Hemochron RxDx system, which performs a baseline activated clotting time (ACT) value together with a heparin response test. An accurate heparin dose was calculated based on the Bull dose/response curve. Protamine doses were calculated by the same method. In the control group (25 patients), heparin was administered based on weight (3.5 mg/kg) and monitored by ACT. Heparin was reversed with protamine (1 mg/l mg of total heparin). Postoperative bleeding was significantly lower in the RxDx group (375 mL; range, 125-700 mL) compared with the control group (600 mL; range, 250-1920 mL; p = .018). A reduced number of patients needed blood transfusions in the RxDx group, although this was not statistically significant (19% vs. 38%, respectively; p = .13). Initial heparin dose was significantly reduced in the RxDx group (250 mg; range, 100-375 mg) compared with the control group (300 mg; range, 200-350 mg; p = .04). The additional heparin during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) was significantly lower as well 62 (range, 0-185) vs. 100 mg (range, 0-350 mg); p = . 04. Initial protamine dose was reduced in the RxDx group 200 (range, 75-340) vs. 350 mg (range, 200-500 mg); p = . 0001. Satisfactory end ACT values were obtained in both groups. Using the Hemochron RxDx, we observed a significant reduction in postoperative blood loss, as well as the amount of heparin and initial doses of protamine used during CPB. Individual patient managed anticoagulation during cardiac surgery using dose/response curve techniques based on in vitro analysis of heparin and protamine seems to reduce bleeding.
Cryptanalysis on an E-voting Scheme over Computer Network

An electronic voting system makes it possible for the voters to cast their ballots over the computer network. Hence, voters can participate in elections without having to go to the polling places, which is more convenient and efficient. To design a practical voting scheme, Mu and Varadharajan proposed an anonymous secure electronic voting scheme to be applied over the network in 1998. However, Linet al. showed that Mu and Varadharajan's scheme has a weakness. That is, voters can successfully vote more than once without being detected. To avoid this weakness, Lin et al. proposed a modified scheme. But, Recently, Hwang et al. showed that the Lin et al.'s modification allows the Authentication Server to identify the voters of published tickets so that voters will lose their privacy. Furthermore, they proposed an improved scheme to solve this problem and enhance the security. Unfortunately, this paper shows that Hwanget al.'s scheme has same weakness with Lin et al.'s scheme, that is, the Authentication Server can identify the voters of published tickets.
Developing and Implementing Quality Inclusive Education in Hong Kong: Implications for Teacher Education.

The government in Hong Kong has mandated that all schools should start to accept children with special educational needs by employing a whole school approach. This is not a simple move for teachers as inclusive education is complex, involving a range of issues including developing appropriate government and school policy; providing relevant support; enabling academic and social inclusion; changes to curriculum, pedagogy and assessment; preparing new teachers and improving existing teachers' skills in adapting instruction; modifying curriculum and classroom management; and developing functional multi-agency collaboration to support all students. This paper provides an historical perspective to the development of special education and the transition towards inclusion in Hong Kong, and explores how this move has been both supported and hindered by education reform. A number of issues that have emerged as challenging for the movement towards inclusion and the type of teacher education that is necessary to support this transition are discussed.
İlköğretim İkinci Kademe Öğrencilerinin Sosyal Bilgiler Dersine Yönelik Tutumları

The aim of this study is to examine the attitude of the students who are studyng 6 th and 7 th grade to Social Studies and to define what should be done in order to improve the attitude in a positive way. With the aim, 245 students studying 6 th and 7 th grade in elementary school were given Social Studies Attitude test. The results revealed that the students have positive attitude to social studies. Key Words : Elemantary school students, social studies, attitude
Father Involvement with Their Nonmarital Children

SUMMARY The expanding consensus about the advantages of two-parent families, together with the rising number of children growing up without the presence of both parents, has stimulated policy-makers to look for ways of increasing fathers' involvement. This paper examines two sets of questions relevant to these policy initiatives. The first concerns the patterns of involvement between fathers and children born outside of marriage. The paper defines father involvement as a continuum ranging from no visitation, to frequent visitation, to co-residence with the child, and to co-residence along with marrying the mother. We examine this involvement in specific years and over time. One key finding is that most fathers of nonmarital children in their late twenties and early thirties are highly involved with at least one of their nonmarital children. In addition, we find that cohabiting relationships and frequent visitation are often unstable, sometimes changing toward lower involvement, while in other cases changing toward higher degrees of involvement. A second question we address in this paper is whether father involvement leads to increased earnings. We find a positive relationship between increased involvement of fathers and their subsequent hours of work and earnings.
Allosteric interactions between agonists and antagonists within the adenosine A2A receptor-dopamine D2 receptor heterotetramer

Significance G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) constitute the largest plasma membrane protein family involved in cell signaling. GPCR homodimers are predominant species, and GPCR heteromers likely are constituted by heteromers of homodimers. The adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR)-dopamine D2 receptor (D2R) heteromer is a target for the nonselective adenosine receptor antagonist caffeine. This study uncovers allosteric modulations of A2AR antagonists that mimic those of A2AR agonists, challenging the traditional view of antagonists as inactive ligands. These allosteric modulations disappear when agonist and antagonist are coadministered, however. A model is proposed that considers A2AR-D2R heteromers as heterotetramers, constituted by A2AR and D2R homodimers. The model predicted that high concentrations of A2AR antagonists would behave as A2AR agonists and decrease D2R function in the brain. Adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR)-dopamine D2 receptor (D2R) heteromers are key modulators of striatal neuronal function. It has been suggested that the psychostimulant effects of caffeine depend on its ability to block an allosteric modulation within the A2AR-D2R heteromer, by which adenosine decreases the affinity and intrinsic efficacy of dopamine at the D2R. We describe novel unsuspected allosteric mechanisms within the heteromer by which not only A2AR agonists, but also A2AR antagonists, decrease the affinity and intrinsic efficacy of D2R agonists and the affinity of D2R antagonists. Strikingly, these allosteric modulations disappear on agonist and antagonist coadministration. This can be explained by a model that considers A2AR-D2R heteromers as heterotetramers, constituted by A2AR and D2R homodimers, as demonstrated by experiments with bioluminescence resonance energy transfer and bimolecular fluorescence and bioluminescence complementation. As predicted by the model, high concentrations of A2AR antagonists behaved as A2AR agonists and decreased D2R function in the brain.
A comparative study of the classroom treatment of male and female students of the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro.

Following the increasing evidence of differentials in the educational opportunities and attainments of male and female students, especially in the underdeveloped countries, this study sets out to uncover the extent of such gender differences in Nigeria. Purposely, the study aims to discover whether male and female students perceive their classroom treatment (by faculty) and experiences differently; and whether there is any correlation between such perception and their academic performance. Using the College Student Experience Questionnaire (CSEQ), Third Edition (Pace, 1990), it was found that male and female students do not have any significant difference in their perception about classroom treatment and that there was a negative relationship between males’ and females’ attitude toward education. However, it was recommended that faculty should employ gender-neutral practices that promote equal opportunities for both male and female students. Keywords: classroom treatment, gender opportunities and academic achievement
Title A Multi-Technique Reconfigurable Electrochemical Biosensor : Enabling Personal Health Monitoring in Mobile Devices

This paper describes the design, performance, and characterization of a reconfigurable, multi-technique electrochemical biosensor designed for direct integration into smartphone and wearable technologies to enable remote and accurate personal health monitoring. By repurposing components from one mode to the next, the biosensor’s potentiostat is able reconfigure itself into three different measurements modes to perform amperometric, potentiometric, and impedance spectroscopic tests all with minimal redundant devices. A 3.9×1.65 cm2 PCB prototype of the module was developed with discrete components and tested using Google's Project Ara modular smartphone. The amperometric mode has a ±1 nA to ±200 μA measurement range. When used to detect pH, the potentiometric mode can achieve a resolution of <0.08 pH units. In impedance measurement mode, the device can measure 50 Ω – 10 MΩ and has been shown to have <6° of phase error. This prototype was used to perform several point-of-care health tracking assays suitable for use with mobile devices: 1) Blood glucose tests were conducted and shown to cover the diagnostic range for Diabetes patients (~200 mg/dL). 2) Lactoferrin, a biomarker for urinary tract infections, was detected with a limit of detection of approximately 1 ng/mL. 3) pH tests of sweat were conducted to track dehydration during exercise. 4) EIS was used to determine the concentration of NeutrAvidin via a label-free assay.