Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Clinical Validation of Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery in a Norwegian Epilepsy Population

Introduction: Semi-automatic neuropsychological testing has gained a position both in clinical use and in research. Comparison studies with traditional neuropsychological tests are sparse and the role of such semi-automated testing is debated. To integrate semi-automated neuropsychological testing in the established clinical setting the tests must be validated in the patient groups addressed. The aim of this study was to validate Cambridge Neuropsychological Tests Automated Battery (CANTAB) in patients with epilepsy. Material and Methods: Patients scheduled for traditional neuropsychological testing with Category test (CT), Trail Making Test part B (TMT-B), WAIS-III and WMS-R were also asked to complete the CANTAB battery. Our hypothesis was that memory tests from CANTAB (DMS, PAL) would correlate with visual memory tests from WMS-R and that a test of executive functions from CANTAB (SOC) would correlate with functions tested with TMT-B, CT and WAIS-III. Results: Scores from DMS correlated strongly with Visual Paired Associations 1 from WMS-R. From SOC results correlated both with Visual Paired Association 1 & 2, General Memory Index and Full Scale IQ. Results from PAL correlated with several results from the traditional battery: Verbal, Visual and General Memory Index, Paired Associations, Visual Memory Span Backwards, TmtB and Visual IQ. Conclusion: Our results indicate that DMS primarily tests visual matching to sample. SOC tests executive functions and also depends on non-verbal IQ and memory. Numerous correlations between PAL and traditional tests illustrates that PAL is a complex task depending on several cognitive domains, but mainly memory.
HN Peg B: A Test of Models of the L to T Dwarf Transition

Luhman and collaborators recently discovered an early-T dwarf companion to the G0 dwarf star HN Peg, using Spitzer Infrared Array Camera (IRAC) images. Companionship was established on the basis of the common proper motion inferred from 1998 Two Micron All Sky Survey images and the 2004 IRAC images. In this paper we present new near-infrared imaging data which confirm the common proper motion of the system. We also present new 3-4 μm spectroscopy of HN Peg B, which provides tighter constraints on both the bolometric luminosity determination and the comparison to synthetic spectra. New adaptive optics imaging data are also presented, which show the T dwarf to be unresolved, providing limits on the multiplicity of the object. We use the age, distance, and luminosity of the solar-metallicity T dwarf to determine its effective temperature and gravity, and compare synthetic spectra with these values, and a range of grain properties and vertical mixing, to the observed 0.8-4.0 μm spectra and mid-infrared photometry. We find that models with temperature and gravity appropriate for the older end of the age range of the system (0.5 Gyr) can do a reasonable job of fitting the data, but only if the photospheric condensate cloud deck is thin, and if there is significant vertical mixing in the atmosphere. Dwarfs such as HN Peg B, with well-determined metallicity, radius, gravity, and temperature, will allow development of dynamical atmosphere models, leading to the solution of the puzzle of the L to T dwarf transition.
Non-Gaussianity in curvaton models with nearly quadratic potentials

We consider curvaton models with potentials that depart slightly from the quadratic form. We show that although such a small departure does not significantly modify the Gaussian part of the curvature perturbation, it can have a pronounced effect on the level of non-Gaussianity. We find that unlike in the quadratic case, the limit of small non-Gaussianity, , is quite possible even with small curvaton energy density . Furthermore, non-Gaussianity does not imply any strict bounds on r, but the bounds depend on the assumptions about the higher order terms in the curvaton potential.
A Modified Doherty Configuration for Broadband Amplification Using Symmetrical Devices

A new Doherty amplifier configuration with an intrinsically broadband characteristic is presented based on the synthesis of key ideas derived from the analyses of the load modulation concept and the conventional Doherty amplifier. Important building blocks to implement the proposed Doherty amplifier structure are outlined, which include the quasi-lumped quarter-wave transmission line, as well as the Klopfenstein taper for broadband impedance matching. A 90-W GaN broadband Doherty amplifier was designed and fabricated and achieved an average peak output power of 49.9 dBm, an average gain of 15.3 dB, and average peak and 6-dB back-off efficiencies of 67.3% and 60.6%, respectively, from 700 to 1000 MHz (35.3% bandwidth). The amplifier is shown to be highly linearizable when driven with 20-MHz WCDMA and long-term evolution signals, achieving adjacent channel power ratio of better than -48 dBc after digital predistortion.
Photothrombosis-Induced Infarction of the Mouse Cerebral Cortex Is Not Affected by the Nrf2-Activator Sulforaphane

Sulforaphane-induced activation of the transcription factor NF-E2 related factor 2 (Nrf2 or the gene Nfe2l2) and subsequent induction of the phase II antioxidant system has previously been shown to exert neuroprotective action in a transient model of focal cerebral ischemia. However, its ability to attenuate functional and cellular deficits after permanent focal cerebral ischemia is not clear. We assessed the neuroprotective effects of sulforaphane in the photothrombotic model of permanent focal cerebral ischemia. Sulforaphane was administered (5 or 50 mg/kg, i.p.) after ischemic onset either as a single dose or as daily doses for 3 days. Sulforaphane increased transcription of Nrf2, Hmox1, GCLC and GSTA4 mRNA in the brain confirming activation of the Nrf2 system. Single or repeated administration of sulforaphane had no effect on the infarct volume, nor did it reduce the number of activated glial cells or proliferating cells when analyzed 24 and 72 h after stroke. Motor-function as assessed by beam-walking, cylinder-test, and adhesive test, did not improve after sulforaphane treatment. The results show that sulforaphane treatment initiated after photothrombosis-induced permanent cerebral ischemia does not interfere with key cellular mechanisms underlying tissue damage.
THE INFLUENCE OF SALMONELLA IN PIGS PRE-HARVEST ON SALMONELLA HUMAN HEALTH COSTS AND RISK FROM PORK

Salmonellosis in people is a costly disease, much of it occurring because of food associated exposure. We develop a farm-to-fork model which estimates the pork associated Salmonella risk and human health costs. This analysis focuses on the components of the pork production chain up to the point of producing a chilled pork carcass. Sensitivity and scenario analysis show that changes that occur in Salmonella status during processing are substantially more important for human health risk and have a higher benefit/cost ratio for application of strategies that control Salmonella compared with on-farm strategies.
Optical Quantum Computing

In 2001, all-optical quantum computing became feasible with the discovery that scalable quantum computing is possible using only single-photon sources, linear optical elements, and single-photon detectors. Although it was in principle scalable, the massive resource overhead made the scheme practically daunting. However, several simplifications were followed by proof-of-principle demonstrations, and recent approaches based on cluster states or error encoding have dramatically reduced this worrying resource overhead, making an all-optical architecture a serious contender for the ultimate goal of a large-scale quantum computer. Key challenges will be the realization of high-efficiency sources of indistinguishable single photons, low-loss, scalable optical circuits, high-efficiency single-photon detectors, and low-loss interfacing of these components.
Functional significance of a highly conserved glutamate residue of the human noradrenaline transporter

The aim of the study was to investigate the role of glutamate residue 113 in transmembrane domain 2 of the human noradrenaline transporter in determining cell surface expression and functional activity. This residue is absolutely conserved in all members of the Na+‐ and Cl–‐dependent transporter family. Mutations to alanine (hE113A), aspartate (hE113D) and glutamine (hE113Q) were achieved by site‐directed mutagenesis and the mutants were expressed in transfected COS‐7 or HEK‐293 cells. Cell surface expression of hE113A and hE113D, but not hE113Q, was markedly reduced compared with wild type, and functional noradrenaline uptake was detected only for the hE113Q mutant. The pharmacological properties of the hE113Q mutant showed very little change compared with wild type, except for a decrease in Vmax values for noradrenaline and dopamine uptake of 2–3‐fold. However, the hE113D mutant showed very marked changes in its properties, compared with wild type, with 82–260‐fold decreases in the affinities of the substrates, noradrenaline, dopamine and MPP+, and increased Na+ affinity for stimulation of nisoxetine binding. The results of the study show that the size and not the charge of the 113 glutamate residue of the noradrenaline transporter seems to be the most critical factor for maintenance of transporter function and surface expression.
PROFESSIONAL SATISFACTION, OCCUPATIONAL STRESS AND EMOTIONAL PSYCHOLOGICAL EXHAUSTION SYNDROME OF TEACHERS IN PRESCHOOL AND PRIMARY EDUCATION

The teaching profession is considered one of the most demanding and exhausting profession. Freud calls it an almost impossible job, along with being a parent and a psychoanalyst. The objective of this research is to identify and analyze the relationship between professional stress, burnout, professional satisfaction and individual aspects of preschool teachers and primary teachers.The research was carried out on a lot of 62 preschool and primary school teachers. 4 questionnaires were used: Maslasch Burn-Out Inventory, Professional Stress Scale -adapted Mental Health Professionals Stress Scale, MINICRI-Teacher's Assessment of Professional Satisfaction Assessment, Catell Anxiety Questionnaire. After processing the data, it was found that preschool teachers and primary teachers are living similar levels of professional satisfaction and stress. From the perspective of Burnout Syndrome manifestations, we did not notice significant differences between the two professions. Early teachers are more vulnerable to fatigue and psycho-emotional exhaustion than experienced teachers.
Orexinergic Input to Dopaminergic Neurons of the Human Ventral Tegmental Area

The mesolimbic reward pathway arising from dopaminergic (DA) neurons of the ventral tegmental area (VTA) has been strongly implicated in reward processing and drug abuse. In rodents, behaviors associated with this projection are profoundly influenced by an orexinergic input from the lateral hypothalamus to the VTA. Because the existence and significance of an analogous orexigenic regulatory mechanism acting in the human VTA have been elusive, here we addressed the possibility that orexinergic neurons provide direct input to DA neurons of the human VTA. Dual-label immunohistochemistry was used and orexinergic projections to the VTA and to DA neurons of the neighboring substantia nigra (SN) were analyzed comparatively in adult male humans and rats. Orexin B-immunoreactive (IR) axons apposed to tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-IR DA and to non-DA neurons were scarce in the VTA and SN of both species. In the VTA, 15.0±2.8% of TH-IR perikarya in humans and 3.2±0.3% in rats received orexin B-IR afferent contacts. On average, 0.24±0.05 and 0.05±0.005 orexinergic appositions per TH-IR perikaryon were detected in humans and rats, respectively. The majority (86–88%) of randomly encountered orexinergic contacts targeted the dendritic compartment of DA neurons. Finally, DA neurons of the SN also received orexinergic innervation in both species. Based on the observation of five times heavier orexinergic input to TH-IR neurons of the human, compared with the rat, VTA, we propose that orexinergic mechanism acting in the VTA may play just as important roles in reward processing and drug abuse in humans, as already established well in rodents.
Brain water diffusion in normal and creatine‐supplemented rats during transient global ischemia

Brain water diffusion in response to transient global ischemia (12 min), reperfusion (60 min), and cardiac arrest was monitored by localized proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The trace of the apparent diffusion coefficient tensor (ADCAv) was determined at high temporal resolution (10 sec) to assess the putative neuroprotective potential of oral creatine (Cr) in rats that received 2.2 g Cr‐monohydrate per kg body weight per day for 10 days (n = 8) relative to controls (n = 9). Cr‐fed rats revealed a statistically significant increase of the cerebral concentration ratio of Cr to choline‐containing compounds (20%). The decrease of the ADCAv value during acute ischemia showed a three‐phasic behavior in line with energy depletion, cytotoxic edema, and brain cooling. In Cr‐fed rats, slightly less severe and mildly delayed diffusion changes during ischemia and similar beneficial trends during early reperfusion did not reach statistical significance. Magn Reson Med 42:798–802, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Dietary effects on the microbiological safety of food

The high mortality rate associated with human infections caused by Escherichia coli strains of the serotype O157:H7 has brought to public attention the importance of ruminants as reservoirs of food-borne pathogens. In addition to established examples such as salmonella, campylobacter and listeria, recent evidence is emerging of the role of food in the transmission of Helicobacter pylori and Mycobacterium paratuberculosis. Food-borne pathogens harboured by ruminants are spread through shedding in the faeces and subsequent faecal contamination of raw food. Ruminant shedding appears to be affected by diet and, of particular concern, may be increased during fasting regimens imposed during transport to the slaughterhouse. The survival of food-borne pathogens in the ruminant gut is affected by many factors including microbe–microbe interactions, interactions involving plant metabolites and the presence of inhibitory end-product metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids. The potential importance of digesta flow and bacterial detachment in shedding of food-borne pathogens is discussed. Experimental procedures with dangerous pathogens have constraints, particularly in animal experimentation. This situation may be overcome by the use of rumen-simulating fermentors. One such system which, like the natural rumen, has a different turnover rate for solid and liquid digesta, was found to maintain rumen-like variables over an 11 d period. This system may prove useful for the study of dietary effects on food-borne pathogens.
The assessment of stressors and resilience in secondary school physical education

PE lessons are a unique context to address the declining levels of physical activity in the UK, offering the opportunity for students to achieve age appropriate physical activity recommendations. Therefore, it is imperative that researchers and practitioners understand variables that underpin students motivational processes in PE lessons. Psychological resilience refers to the idea that some individuals are able to positively adapt to the stressors they encounter. Conceptual theorisers of resilience propose that the concept comprises three constructs: stressors, positive adaptation, and protective factors. The purpose of the thesis is to focus on the first construct of stressors: which may be major life events, or the minor and cumulative demands of everyday life. Specifically, the current thesis aims to develop a measure of stressors in the context of PE lessons within the wider framework of resilience. The thesis is split into five chapters. The first chapter overviews the importance of facilitating motivation and engagement in PE lessons, and introduces the concept of resilience to stressors. Chapter two is split into three parts and comprises three reviews: the first provides an overview of the definitions, concepts, and theoretical models of academic resilience; the second is a systematic review of the approaches to measuring academic resilience and; the third presents a narrative review of daily stressors experienced by adolescents. Chapter three presents the first two studies of this programme of research. Study one is a qualitative exploration of the common stressors experienced by secondary school students during their PE lessons. Underpinned by the concept of resilience, study two explores the protective factors students utilise to facilitate their positive adaptation to these everyday stressors. Drawing on the reviews presented in chapter two, and the qualitative exploration of stressors in PE, chapter four presents a series of studies describing the development of the PE Experiences Questionnaire (PEEQ). Specifically, study three explores the content validity of a pool of items designed to reflect common stressors in PE lessons. Study four examines the factorial structure of the PEEQ using exploratory factor analysis, and study five tests the factorial structure of the PEEQ using confirmatory factor analysis. Study six tests the factorial structure on an independent sample, examines whether it is invariant across gender, and tests the relationship between the PEEQ and related educational constructs. Overall, the current programme of research has advanced the field of educational psychology by providing greater understanding of the potential stressors experienced during PE lessons, and the dynamic processes by which students respond.
“Save the Pacific Northwest tree octopus”: a hoax revisited. Or

This paper aims to propose a new literacies approach to get insight into young people’s capability to detect fake news. ,This study is a replication of a US empirical study in The Netherlands to examine whether schoolchildren were able to identify the spoof website “Save The Pacific Northwest Tree Octopus” as fake. ,In The Netherlands, only 2 out of 27 school children (7 per cent) recognized the website as being a hoax; results that are worse, even, than those of the 2007 US study, where the website was recognized as being unreliable by slightly more than 6 out of 53 school children (11 per cent). ,A similar but large-scale quantitative empirical study should be conducted in several countries to see if the trends in the US and The Netherlands are indeed significant. ,It is important to start teaching children at an early age how to critically evaluate online information. ,The perceived reliability of digital information is a hot issue, given the frequency with which fake news is circulated. Being able to critically evaluate digital information will help to have access to trustworthy information. ,Instead of using technological fact checking by Google, Facebook and Twitter, this paper suggests the adoption of a new literacies approach, focusing on young people’s capability to detect fake news.
Uncorrelated universe: Statistical anisotropy and the vanishing angular correlation function in WMAP years 1 3

The large-angle (low-l) correlations of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) as reported by the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) after their first year of observations exhibited statistically significant anomalies compared to the predictions of the standard inflationary big-bang model. We suggested then that these implied the presence of a solar system foreground, a systematic correlated with solar system geometry, or both. We reexamine these anomalies for the data from the first three years of WMAP's operation. We show that, despite the identification by the WMAP team of a systematic correlated with the equinoxes and the ecliptic, the anomalies in the first-year internal linear combination (ILC) map persist in the three-year ILC map, in all-but-one case at similar statistical significance. The three-year ILC quadrupole and octopole therefore remain inconsistent with statistical isotropy - they are correlated with each other (99.6% C.L.), and there are statistically significant correlations with local geometry, especially that of the solar system. The angular two-point correlation function at scales > 60 deg in the regions outside the (kp0) galactic cut, where it is most reliably determined, is approximately zero in all wavebands and is even more discrepant with the best-fit Lambda CDM inflationary model than in the first-year data - 99.97% C.L. for the new ILC map. The full-sky ILC map, on the other hand, has a nonvanishing angular two-point correlation function, apparently driven by the region inside the cut, but which does not agree better with Lambda CDM. The role of the newly-identified low-l systematics is more puzzling than reassuring.
The Evans function for nonlocal equations

In recent studies the master mode-locking equation, a model for solid-state cavity laser that includes nonlocal terms, bifurcations from stationary to seemingly time-periodic solitary waves have been observed. To decide whether the mechanism is a Hopf bifurcation of a bifurcattion from the essential spectrum, a general framework for the Evans function for equations with nonlocal terms is developed and applied to the master mode-locking model.
The first cortical circuits: Subplate neurons lead the way and shape cortical organization

Abstract The cerebral cortex is essential for our sensory experiences and conscious thought. Its neural connections, in particular sensory areas of the cerebral cortex, are shaped and sculpted by our early sensory experiences. Onset of these first sensory experiences of the world mark an important developmental event, enabling our worldy interactions to shape the makeup of our cerebral cortex. These long-lasting effects of early sensory experience are particularly striking in human communication, since early exposure to the mother’s language is required to detect all nuances in the underlying sounds. Early interactions with the world are mediated by a key set of neurons, subplate neurons, which remain part of the developing cerebral cortex until most of them disappear at later stages of development. They play a crucial role in the developing mammalian brain. Here I review the circuitry and functional roles of cortical subplate neurons, focusing on their purpose in the development of primary sensory cortices.
Financial literacy among high school students: Evidence from India

Financial literacy is an important but oft ignored skill that is vital for young people. This study measured financial literacy levels among high school students (N = 608) in India and found low levels of performance on standard measures of financial literacy. The percentage correct score on the basic financial literacy questions was 45% and on the sophisticated financial literacy questions the score was 44%. Financial literacy levels in India were found to be lower than those in developed countries. Gender differences were found, with females outperforming males, contrary to findings in developed countries. Students who pursued the commerce/economics stream of education were found to have higher levels of financial literacy than students pursuing the science stream. Results showed that students, despite having high levels of numeracy, were unable to transfer that knowledge to do financial computations. Parental involvement was also found to have a significant influence on financial literacy. Interviews with students highlighted the fact that understanding of societal and macroeconomic impacts of financial literacy was low. These findings lend support for high school financial education which involves parents and stresses practical hands-on application, societal and macroeconomic impact, as a means of improving financial literacy.