Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Age and Type of Onset of Offending

Sexual abuse research suggests that sexual offending is usually preceded by nonsexual offending, but little else is known or understood about the specific kinds of nonsexual crimes or patterns of crime that occur before serious sexual offending. The present study examined the official criminal histories of 751 men convicted of sexual offenses and referred to the Massachusetts Treatment Center for civil commitment. This relatively serious and chronic sample was arranged and compared with the type of their first officially recorded offense. Those whose first official charge was for a sexual offense (“sexual onset”) were compared with nonsexual “violent onset” and “property onset” offenders. Important differences were detected between groups. Those with a property onset experienced more criminological risk factors and reflected the characteristics typical of chronic offenders. These results indicate that a more dedicated understanding of the beginning of one’s criminal career is a beneficial direction for future study.
Functional Targeting of DNA Damage to a Nuclear Pore-Associated SUMO-Dependent Ubiquitin Ligase

Recent findings suggest important roles for nuclear organization in gene expression. In contrast, little is known about how nuclear organization contributes to genome stability. Epistasis analysis (E-MAP) using DNA repair factors in yeast indicated a functional relationship between a nuclear pore subcomplex and Slx5/Slx8, a small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO)–dependent ubiquitin ligase, which we show physically interact. Real-time imaging and chromatin immunoprecipitation confirmed stable recruitment of damaged DNA to nuclear pores. Relocation required the Nup84 complex and Mec1/Tel1 kinases. Spontaneous gene conversion can be enhanced in a Slx8- and Nup84-dependent manner by tethering donor sites at the nuclear periphery. This suggests that strand breaks are shunted to nuclear pores for a repair pathway controlled by a conserved SUMO-dependent E3 ligase.
An Evaluation of a Computer Simulation in the Assessment of Physician Competence

This study compares physician performance on the Computer-Aided Simulation of the Clinical Encounter (CASE) with peer ratings and performance on multiple choice questions (MCQs) and patient management problems (PMPs). CASEis a simulation of the clinical encounter where the computer plays the role of the patient and the physician elicits information by entering "natural language" questions into a computer terminal. Results indicate that all formats are equally valid, although MCQs are the most reliable methods of assessment per unit of testing time, followed by PMPs and CASE, in that order. All methods measure the same or very highly correlated aspects of competence.
Clusters of Hyperactive Neurons Near Amyloid Plaques in a Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease

The neurodegeneration observed in Alzheimer's disease has been associated with synaptic dismantling and progressive decrease in neuronal activity. We tested this hypothesis in vivo by using two-photon Ca2+ imaging in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. Although a decrease in neuronal activity was seen in 29% of layer 2/3 cortical neurons, 21% of neurons displayed an unexpected increase in the frequency of spontaneous Ca2+ transients. These “hyperactive” neurons were found exclusively near the plaques of amyloid β–depositing mice. The hyperactivity appeared to be due to a relative decrease in synaptic inhibition. Thus, we suggest that a redistribution of synaptic drive between silent and hyperactive neurons, rather than an overall decrease in synaptic activity, provides a mechanism for the disturbed cortical function in Alzheimer's disease.
Short-Term General Recidivism Risk of Juvenile Sex Offenders

It is important to examine whether general risk-assessment instruments developed for nonsex offenders can also be applied to sex offenders, because juvenile sex offenders are much more likely to reoffend with a nonsexual offense than a sexual offense. This study examined to what extent the Washington State Juvenile Court Prescreen Assessment (WSJCPA) can be used to assess the risk for general recidivism among different types of juvenile sex offenders. The predictive validity of the WSJCPA was examined separately for the following subgroups: boys convicted for a misdemeanor sexual offense against a peer (n = 381), boys convicted for a felony sexual offense against a peer (n = 282), boys convicted for a sexual offense against a younger child (n = 521), and girls convicted for a sexual offense (n = 71) and two comparison groups of male (n = 15,155) and female (n = 5,811) juvenile nonsex offenders. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve scores for general recidivism ranged between . 64 and . 73. The WSJCPA proved to be at least equally predictive of general offending among juvenile sex and nonsex offenders groups.
Perceived Stress, External Locus of Control, and Social Support as Predictors of Psychological Adjustment Among Female Inmates With or Without a History of Sexual Abuse

Given the growing number of women who are incarcerated across the United States, the current study investigated the relationships among female inmates’ perceptions of their own stress, external locus of control (LOC), social support adequacy, and various aspects of psychological functioning. Generally, female inmates with a self-reported history of childhood sexual abuse did not differ from their nonabused counterparts on the variables of interest. Results suggested that female inmates’ perceptions of higher stress, a higher degree of external LOC, and inadequate social support correlated with greater symptoms of depression and hopelessness as well as lower self-esteem. In regression analyses, stress and social support were significant predictors for depression and anxiety. In contrast, stress was the only significant predictor of hopelessness and self-esteem. Finally, none of the predictors examined here was significant in the prediction of traumatic stress. Overall, findings suggested the importance of stress and social support in the prediction of female inmates’ adjustment, specifically their symptoms of depression and anxiety.
The Role of Electroretinography in Assessing the Progression of Diabetic Retinopathy

Purpose: To investigate the clinical significance of electroretinographic (ERG) responses, including the photopic negative response parameter, in assessing the progression of diabetic retinopathy. Methods: Standard flash ERG was tested on 28 normal controls and 143 patients who were diagnosed with diabetes mellitus. Of those, 97 patients had diabetic retinopathy in different stages. Electroretinography was performed according to the International Society for Clinical Electrophysiology of Vision (ISCEV) standards. Amplitudes and implicit times of ERG responses, including the photopic negative response (PhNR), were compared at different stages of diabetic retinopathy. Results: Amplitudes of oscillatory potentials were significantly reduced in mild NPDR. Cone b-wave amplitude, 30--Hz flicker response, and PhNR were significantly reduced in moderate NPDR. Conclusions: These results suggest that oscillatory potentials are good indicators of retinal function change in the early stage of diabetic retinopathy, and the appropriate results of the cone b-wave, 30-Hz flicker response and PhNR tests are good indicators of moderate NPDR.
Identifying Risk Factors for Victimization Among Male Prisoners in Taiwan

This study identified risk factors for prison victimization in Taiwan with an application of Western literature and assessed the extent of its applicability in an Eastern context. The sample was drawn from four male prisons located in Northern, Central, Southern, and Eastern Taiwan; a total of 1,181 valid surveys were collected. The results generally support the major findings of the extant Western studies. Crowding, however, was not significantly associated with the risk of victimization in any of the statistical models, which might be related to the different experiences and living conditions in the free community between Taiwanese and American inmates. This study generated clear policy implications, which may reduce prison victimization and engender a greater sense of well-being in the prison environment.
An exact SER analysis of ZF-DFE for M-QAM on fast fading channels

An exact form of symbol error rate (SER) is derived for zero-forcing decision feedback equalization (ZF-DFE) on fast fading channels. We present an error propagation framework in ZF-DFE, which is dependent on the length of multipath and the size of M-ary quadrature amplitude modulation (M-QAM). By applying the concepts of “error event” and “state” on this framework, we can evaluate the error probability considering the error propagation. Compared with the previously obtained results, our approach gives an accurate SER expression for Gray-mapped M-QAM on L-tap multipath fading channels. The simulation results are provided to verify the accuracy of the new error rate expression.
The challenge to UK drug policy

Drug policy within the UK has been challenged to a greater degree in the last twelve months than at any time over the last ten years. That challenge consists of reports from the Royal Society of Arts and the UK Drug Policy Commission as well as empirical research on the classification of drugs within the Misuse of Drugs Act. These documents identify major weaknesses in the content, direction and delivery of UK drug policy and propose a new direction of policy and new elements of drug policy. In the case of the RSA report and the report from the UK Drug Policy Commission the principal recommendation is for drug policy to shift from its current tri-partite focus on treatment, prevention and education to focus first and foremost on reducing drug-related harm. This paper critically considers the assessment of drug policy set out within these reports and looks at the possible impact of a drug policy that prioritized harm reduction over prevention and enforcement.
Examining Ethnic Differences in Self-Reported Psychopathic Traits Among Portuguese Male Juvenile Offenders

The aim of the present study was to analyze differences regarding psychopathic traits and related constructs in male youths of diverse ethnic backgrounds. The participants were 216 male youths from the Juvenile Detention Centers of the Portuguese Ministry of Justice (White Europeans group: n = 108; ethnic minorities group: n = 108). Psychopathy was measured by the Antisocial Process Screening Device and the Child and Adolescent Taxon Scale. The results showed that no differences were found between ethnic groups regarding psychopathic traits and psychopathy taxon. Independent of ethnic group membership, psychopathic trait scores were significantly associated with behavioral problems, conduct disorder, self-reported delinquency, seriousness of criminal activity, age of criminal activity onset, and age at first trouble with the law. The present study adds support to the literature regarding youth psychopathic traits and supports the psychopathy construct as universally and interculturally consistent.
Intervening to Prevent Repeat Offending Among Moderate- to High-Risk Domestic Violence Offenders

Clear directions about best strategies to reduce recidivism among domestic violence offenders have remained elusive. The current study offers an initial evaluation of an RNR (Risk, Needs, and Responsivity)-focused second-responder program for men accused of assaulting their intimate partners and who were judged as being at moderate to high risk for re-offending. A quasi-experimental design was used to compare police outcomes for 40 men attending a second-responder intervention program to 40 men with equivalent levels of risk for re-offense who did not attend intervention (comparison group). Results showed that there were significant, substantial, and lasting differences across groups in all outcome domains. In terms of recidivism, rates of subsequent domestic-violence-related changes were more than double for men in the comparison group as compared with the intervention group in both 1-year (65.9% vs. 29.3%) and 2-year (41.5% vs. 12.2%) follow-up. Changes in the rates of arrest were consistent with reductions in men’s general involvement with police, with men in the intervention group receiving fewer charges for violent offenses, administrative offenses, and property offenses over the 2 years following intervention than men in the comparison group. Not surprisingly, these differences result in a much lower estimated amount of police time with intervention men than for comparison men. Results are discussed with reference to the possible impact of sharing information with men about their assessed risk for re-offending within a therapeutic justice context.
Hemodynamic Response Following Resistance Exercise in Young and Older Adult Women

PURPOSE: This investigation examined the effects of age, exercise and test condition on hemodynamic variables, autonomic and vascular function in relation to resistance exercise (RE). The associations among these variables were also examined. METHODS: Sixteen young (21.4+1.4 yrs) and 16 older (69.7+3.9 yrs) women performed 5and 15repetition maximal (RM) of knee extension RE. Continuous blood pressure (BP) and electrocardiography (ECG) data were recorded. The dependent variables are reported at pre-exercise, peak exercise and recovery period. Heart rate variability data were derived from 5and 10-min segments before and after exercise. Resting and after arterial occlusion forearm vascular function indices and preand post-exercise resting forearm blood flow and forearm vascular resistance (FVR) were measured using plethysmography technique. ANOVA with repeated measures was used for statistical analysis. LSD was used where post hoc comparison required. Pearson correlation and linear regression were used to examine associations between autonomic and vascular function indices and hemodynamic parameters; α=0.05. RESULTS: Resistance exercise resulted in increased BP (↑SBP=36.6+2.2; ↑DBP=27.4+1.6 mmHg) and HR (↑37.8+1.6 beat/min). This was followed by a drop in BP below pre-exercise level throughout the recovery period up to 60 minutes. The 15-RM condition resulted in higher SBP at peak exercise (15-RM: 155.7+3.7 vs. 5-RM: 142.3+3.7 mmHg) and in the early phase of recovery (local min: 15-RM=127.0+2.7 vs. 5-RM=120.4+2.6 mmHg); however, the 5-RM condition resulted in greater 1’ and 3’ post-exercise SBP recovery ratios (15-RM: 1’=0.78+0.01; 3’=0.76+0.01 vs. 5-RM: 1’=0.84+0.01; 3’=0.82+0.01). Older women had higher SBP throughout the testing period, and higher 1’ and 3’ recovery ratios (Young: 1’=0.80+0.01;
The Pains of Permanent Imprisonment

Previous research has found commonality in the pains of imprisonment reported by English and American long-term inmates. Using a triangulated research methodology, this study examined the hardships associated with permanent incarceration as reported by 18 older male inmates serving a sentence of life without the possibility of parole. Strong agreement existed between the present sample and previous samples as to the most and least difficult aspects of imprisonment. Consistent with the previous studies, outside problems were perceived as being more severe than inside problems. Overall, this study found agreement in the pains of long-term imprisonment, regardless of the exact length or type of sentence.
Peer drug education: the way forward?

The development of drug education for young people in the UK has been the subject of various policy statements in recent years. With the publication of the Government White Papers research has drawn attention to the potential benefits of peer education as a method of drug prevention due mainly to the credibility of young people with their peers. This credibility might be based on age alone, or may also involve credibility stemming from the young person’s own drug use, past or present. This paper discusses issues relating to the effectiveness of peer drug education with particular reference to two evaluations carried out recently in South West England; brings together the most recent literature on peer education; and considers the appropriateness of different approaches in schools and youth work settings. This paper contributes significantly to the debate on the use of peer education as a health education approach.
A Genetic Defect Caused by a Triplet Repeat Expansion in Arabidopsis thaliana

Variation in the length of simple DNA triplet repeats has been linked to phenotypic variability in microbes and to several human disorders. Population-level forces driving triplet repeat contraction and expansion in multicellular organisms are, however, not well understood. We have identified a triplet repeat–associated genetic defect in an Arabidopsis thaliana variety collected from the wild. The Bur-0 strain carries a dramatically expanded TTC/GAA repeat in the intron of the ISOPROPYL MALATE ISOMERASE LARGE SUB UNIT1 (IIL1; At4g13430) gene. The repeat expansion causes an environment-dependent reduction in IIL1 activity and severely impairs growth of this strain, whereas contraction of the expanded repeat can reverse the detrimental phenotype. The Bur-0 IIL1 defect thus presents a genetically tractable model for triplet repeat expansions and their variability in natural populations.
Narcissistic Symptoms in German School Shooters

School shooters are often described as narcissistic, but empirical evidence is scant. To provide more reliable and detailed information, we conducted an exploratory study, analyzing police investigation files on seven school shootings in Germany, looking for symptoms of narcissistic personality disorder as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed.; DSM-IV) in witnesses’ and offenders’ reports and expert psychological evaluations. Three out of four offenders who had been treated for mental disorders prior to the offenses displayed detached symptoms of narcissism, but none was diagnosed with narcissistic personality disorder. Of the other three, two displayed narcissistic traits. In one case, the number of symptoms would have justified a diagnosis of narcissistic personality disorder. Offenders showed low and high self-esteem and a range of other mental disorders. Thus, narcissism is not a common characteristic of school shooters, but possibly more frequent than in the general population. This should be considered in developing adequate preventive and intervention measures.
Validation of the Inventory of Callous-Unemotional Traits Among a Portuguese Sample of Detained Juvenile Offenders

The main aim of the present study was to examine the psychometric properties of the Inventory of Callous-Unemotional Traits (ICU) among a sample of incarcerated male Portuguese juvenile offenders (N = 221). Based on this sample, the Portuguese version of the ICU demonstrated promising psychometric properties, namely, in terms of factor structure, internal consistency, convergent validity, discriminant validity, and concurrent validity that generally justifies its use among this population. Statistically significant associations were found with conduct disorder, age of criminal onset, crime seriousness, physical violence use in committing crimes, alcohol use, cannabis use, and cocaine/heroin use.
Amplified Trace Gas Removal in the Troposphere

Going Faster The concentrations of most tropospheric pollutants and trace gases are kept in check by their reactions with hydroxyl radicals (OH). OH is a short-lived, highly reactive species that is produced in the atmosphere by photochemical processes, and regenerated in the chain of chemical reactions that follows the oxidative destruction of those molecules. These regeneration mechanisms were thought to be fairly well understood, but now Hofzumahaus et al. (p. 1702, published online 4 June) present evidence of a pathway not previously recognized. In a study of atmospheric composition in the Pearl River Delta, a highly polluted region of China, greatly elevated OH concentrations were observed without the correspondingly high levels of ozone expected from current models. Thus, OH concentrations may be augmented by a process that speeds the regeneration of OH without producing ozone. A yet undescribed pathway for hydroxyl radical production is needed to account for reaction rates of highly polluted air. The degradation of trace gases and pollutants in the troposphere is dominated by their reaction with hydroxyl radicals (OH). The importance of OH rests on its high reactivity, its ubiquitous photochemical production in the sunlit atmosphere, and most importantly on its regeneration in the oxidation chain of the trace gases. In the current understanding, the recycling of OH proceeds through HO2 reacting with NO, thereby forming ozone. A recent field campaign in the Pearl River Delta, China, quantified tropospheric OH and HO2 concentrations and turnover rates by direct measurements. We report that concentrations of OH were three to five times greater than expected, and we propose the existence of a pathway for the regeneration of OH independent of NO, which amplifies the degradation of pollutants without producing ozone.
Mesenchymal Stem Cells Induce Suppressive Macrophages Through Phagocytosis in a Mouse Model of Asthma

Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) immunosuppressive functions make them attractive candidates for anti‐inflammatory therapy in allergic asthma. However, the mechanisms by which they ensure therapeutic effects remain to be elucidated. In an acute mouse model of house dust mite (Der f)‐induced asthma, one i.v. MSC injection was sufficient to normalize and stabilize lung function in Der f‐sensitized mice as compared to control mice. MSC injection decreased in vivo airway responsiveness and decreased ex vivo carbachol‐induced bronchial contraction, maintaining bronchial expression of the inhibitory type 2 muscarinic receptor. To evaluate in vivo MSC survival, MSCs were labeled with PKH26 fluorescent marker prior to i.v. injection, and 1 to 10 days later total lungs were digested to obtain single‐cell suspensions. 91.5 ± 2.3% and 86.6 ± 6.3% of the recovered PKH26+ lung cells expressed specific macrophage markers in control and Der f mice, respectively, suggesting that macrophages had phagocyted in vivo the injected MSCs. Interestingly, only PKH26+ macrophages expressed M2 phenotype, while the innate PKH26− macrophages expressed M1 phenotype. Finally, the remaining 0.5% PKH26+ MSCs expressed 10‐ to 100‐fold more COX‐2 than before injection, suggesting in vivo MSC phenotype modification. Together, the results of this study indicate that MSCs attenuate asthma by being phagocyted by lung macrophages, which in turn acquire a M2 suppressive phenotype. Stem Cells 2016;34:1836–1845
Mispredicting Affective and Behavioral Responses to Racism

Contemporary race relations are marked by an apparent paradox: Overt prejudice is strongly condemned, yet acts of blatant racism still frequently occur. We propose that one reason for this inconsistency is that people misunderstand how they would feel and behave after witnessing racism. The present research demonstrates that although people predicted that they would be very upset by a racist act, when people actually experienced this event they showed relatively little emotional distress. Furthermore, people overestimated the degree to which a racist comment would provoke social rejection of the racist. These findings suggest that racism may persevere in part because people who anticipate feeling upset and believe that they will take action may actually respond with indifference when faced with an act of racism.