Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Attention in Educational Contexts: The Role of the Learning Task in Guiding Attention

Attention is crucial for effective learning. There is an emerging research trend that suggests attention can be improved by changing the structure of the learning task, leading to increased learning. This chapter reviews and reanalyzes studies of attention in educational settings with respect to the structure of the learning task. This analysis is then integrated with theoretical accounts of mind wandering, sequential action, and monitoring. The resulting elaborated theory of mind wandering explains how a learning task structure can enhance a student’s level of attention within the learning task. Furthermore, it motivates a new hypothesis which could be used to suggest ways of changing task structure to optimize learning performance via improved attention. 1 Historical context Attention is crucial for effective learning. Unfortunately, students do not always pay attention. Over the past century, educators and researchers have tried to maximize the time students pay attention, in various ways, in order to optimize learning (see Berliner, 1990 for a review). These efforts have largely focused on the construct level of attention. The level of a student’s attention, sometimes referred
Pleasure junkies all around! Why it matters and why ‘the arts’ might be the answer: a biopsychological perspective

Today's society is pleasure seeking. We expect to obtain pleasurable experiences fast and easily. We are used to hyper-palatable foods and drinks, and we can get pornography, games and gadgets whenever we want them. The problem: with this type of pleasure-maximizing choice behaviour we may be turning ourselves into mindless pleasure junkies, handing over our free will for the next dopamine shoot. Pleasure-only activities are fun. In excess, however, such activities might have negative effects on our biopsychological health: they provoke a change in the neural mechanisms underlying choice behaviour. Choice behaviour becomes biased towards short-term pleasure-maximizing goals, just as in the addicted brain (modulated by the amygdala, posterior ventromedial prefrontal cortex' (VMPFC), striatum, nucleus accumbens; ‘A-system’) and away from long-term prosperity and general well-being maximizing objectives (normally ensured by the insula, anterior VMPFC, hippocampus, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), anterior cingulate cortex (ACC); ‘I-system‘). This paper outlines, first, what ‘pleasure’ is and what ‘pleasure-only’ activities are (e.g. social media engagement, hyper-palatable eating). Second, an account is given of the type of action that might aid to maintain the neural systems underlying choice behaviour balanced. Finally, it is proposed that engagement with the arts might be an activity with the potential to foster healthy choice behaviour—and not be just for pleasure. The evidence in this rather new field of research is still piecemeal and inconclusive. This review aims to motivate targeted research in this domain.
Tinnitus and cognitive interference: a stroop paradigm study.

The aim of this study was to investigate cognitive interference caused by tinnitus by means of a modified version of the Stroop color-word test. In a mixed-design study, the performances of tinnitus patients (n = 23) and healthy controls with normal hearing (n = 23) were compared on three versions of the Stroop test: the original version, a modified version including physical-threat words, and a tinnitus version for which tinnitus words (descriptors of tinnitus; e.g., peep) were derived empirically. Matched control conditions (words) were included for all three versions, yielding a total of six screens that were presented on a computer. Participants in the control group were matched with the patients for age and gender. Main dependent measures were performance on the Stroop tests in terms of total time for completing each test. Also included were the Tinnitus Questionnaire (TQ), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the state version of the Spielberger Trait State Anxiety Inventory (STAI-S), and a subtest from the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale measuring verbal ability. Results showed that tinnitus patients performed significantly slower on all six test conditions. The classical Stroop color-word interference was replicated in both groups. Also, an effect for physical-threat words was found for both groups. Our expected tinnitus word interference could not be established. Patients scored significantly higher than controls on the BDI and the STAI, but these measures did not correlate with the Stroop results. In conclusion, the results indicate that tinnitus patients have impaired cognitive performance overall, as measured by these variations of the Stroop paradigm, but hearing impairment cannot be excluded as a possible confounder.
Altered reproduction in fish exposed to pulp and paper mill effluents: Roles of individual compounds and mill operating conditions

For the last 20 years, studies conducted in North America, Scandinavia, and New Zealand have shown that pulp and paper mill effluents affect fish reproduction. Despite the level of effort applied, few leads are available regarding the factors responsible. Effluents affect reproduction in multiple fish species, as evidenced by decreased gonad size, decreased circulating and gonadal production of reproductive steroids, altered expression of secondary sex characteristics, and decreased egg production. Several studies also have shown that effluent constituents are capable of accumulating in fish and binding to sex steroid receptors/binding proteins. Studies aimed at isolating biologically active substances within the pulping and papermaking process have provided clues about their source, and work has progressed in identifying opportunities for in‐mill treatment technologies. Following comparisons of manufacturing processes and fish responses before and after process changes, it can be concluded that effluent from all types of mill processes are capable of affecting fish reproduction and that any improvements could not be attributed to a specific process modification (because mills normally performed multiple modifications simultaneously). Improved reproductive performance in fish generally was associated with reduced use of molecular chlorine, improved condensate handling, and liquor spill control. Effluent biotreatment has been effective in reducing some effects, but biotreated effluents also have shown no difference or an exacerbation of effects. The role of biotreatment in relation to effects on fish reproduction remains unclear and needs to be resolved.
Surface recording of the H‐reflex of the flexor carpi radialis

Although the H‐reflex of the triceps surae is used routinely in nerve conduction studies of the lower extremities, doubt still exists concerning the H‐reflex in the upper extremities. The H‐reflex of the flexor carpi radialis is easily obtainable and can be recorded by a simple nerve conduction technique detailed in this communication.
Family Functioning, Substance Use and Related Problem Behaviors

Abstract Runaway youths represent a neglected clinical group, and few studies have examined ethnicity differences within this population. Substance use, family functioning and related problem behaviors were examined in a sample of Hispanic and Anglo runaway youths with substance abuse diagnoses (N = 145). Youths, aged 12-17, were recruited from two urban, southwestern runaway shelters. Within single-parent families, Anglo youths reported more marijuana use, and, regardless of family constitution, reported more tobacco use than did Hispanic youths. Overall, Anglo youths reported more externalizing problems and more conflict tactics used in resolving disagreements with their primary caretaker while Hispanic youths reported higher depression and familism scores. Given the differences found between Hispanic and Anglo youths, the findings argue that culturally sensitive interventions for runaway youths and families are warranted.
A molecular rheostat: Co-operative rev binding to stem I of the rev-response element modulates human immunodeficiency virus type-1 late gene expression

The complete biologically active human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) rev-response element (RRE) RNA is 351 nucleotides (nt) in length, and includes an extra 58 nt on the 5′ end and 59 nt on the 3′ end beyond the sites proposed in the original models for the RRE secondary structure. The extra sequences are able to form a duplex structure which extends Stem I. The presence of an elongated Stem I structure in the RRE RNA was confirmed by nuclease mapping experiments. Nuclease protection experiments have shown that rev binds to restricted regions of the RRE, including the high affinity site located at the base of Stem IIb and along the length of the Stem I region. The three large stem-loop structures which protrude from Stem I and Stem IIb (Stems IIc, III+IV + and V) remain accessible to nucleases even in the presence of a large excess of protein. Gel-retardation experiments show that the truncations of Stem I reduced the total number of rev molecules that can bind co-operatively and with high affinity to the RRE RNA. To test whether the elongated Stem I structure is required for maximal rev activity, a series of truncations which progressively reduced the length of Stem I was introduced into an HIV-1 derived reporter plasmid. In the presence of rev and a functional RRE, there is an increase in the levels of gag and env mRNA in the cytoplasm and a decrease in levels of tat and rev mRNAs. Each of the truncations in Stem I reduced the rev responses, with the longest truncations producing the greatest losses of activity. The data suggest that the RRE acts as "molecular rheostat" designed to detect rev levels during the early stages of the HIV growth cycle.
Medium-chain fatty acid nanoliposomes suppress body fat accumulation in mice

Medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA) are widely used in diets for patients with obesity. To develop a delivery system for suppressing dietary fat accumulation into adipose tissue, MCFA were encapsulated in nanoliposomes (NL), which can overcome the drawbacks of MCFA and keep their properties unchanged. In the present study, crude liposomes were first produced by the thin-layer dispersion method, and then dynamic high-pressure microfluidisation (DHPM) and DHPM combined with freeze–thawing methods were used to prepare MCFA NL (NL-1 and NL-2, respectively). NL-1 exhibited smaller average size (77·6 (sd 4·3) nm), higher zeta potential ( − 40·8 (sd 1·7) mV) and entrapment efficiency (73·3 (sd 16·1) %) and better stability, while NL-2 showed narrower distribution (polydispersion index 0·193 (sd 0·016)). The body fat reduction property of NL-1 and NL-2 were evaluated by short-term (2 weeks) and long-term (6 weeks) experiments of mice. In contrast to the MCFA group, the NL groups had overcome the poor palatability of MCFA because the normal diet of mice was maintained. The body fat and total cholesterol (TCH) of NL-1 (1·54 (sd 0·30) g, P = 0·039 and 2·33 (sd 0·44) mmol/l, P = 0·021, respectively) and NL-2 (1·58 (sd 0·69) g, P = 0·041 and 2·29 (sd 0·38) mmol/l, P = 0·015, respectively) significantly decreased when compared with the control group (2·11 (sd 0·82) g and 2·99 (sd 0·48) mmol/l, respectively). The TAG concentration of the NL-1 group (0·55 (sd 0·14) mmol/l) was remarkably lower (P = 0·045) than the control group (0·94 (sd 0·37) mmol/l). No significant difference in weight and fat gain, TCH and TAG was detected between the MCFA NL and MCFA groups. Therefore, MCFA NL could be potential nutritional candidates for obesity to suppress body fat accumulation.
Clinical Factors That Predict Cognitive Function in Patients with Major Depression

Objectives: To compare the performance of depressed patients to healthy control subjects on discrete cognitive domains derived from factor analysis and to examine the factors that may influence the performance of depressed patients on cognitive domains in a large sample. Methods: We compared the cognitive performance of 149 patients with major depression to 104 healthy control subjects using multivariate ANCOVA. We used principal component factor analysis to group the cognitive variables into cognitive domains. Finally, we conducted regression analysis to examine the contribution of predictor factors to the cognitive domains that were impaired in the depressed group. Results: Verbal memory and speed of processing were impaired in depressed patients, compared with healthy control subjects. Patient IQ, duration of depressive illness, and number of hospitalizations significantly contributed to the performance of patients on verbal memory and speed of processing. The severity of mood symptoms did not correlate with performance on any cognitive domain. Conclusions: Understanding the factors that predict cognitive performance of patients with depression may provide an insight into the processes by which depression leads to cognitive dysfunction. Our study showed that premorbid IQ and factors related to burden of illness are strong independent predictors of cognitive dysfunction in patients with major depression.
Review Paper: Burn Coverage Technologies: Current Concepts and Future Directions

Skin serves as a protective barrier against the environment. Loss of integrity of the skin through burn injuries can lead to major disability and even death [1]. The accomplishments of the past decade have placed us in the midst of an exciting paradigm shift from what used to be of primary concern (i.e., mortality) to areas that focus on improving the quality of life of burn survivors. Impaired healing and excessive scarring are a major source of morbidity for many burn survivors [2]. The primary goal of treatment of burn wounds are the rapid wound closure and a functional and aesthetically satisfactory scar [2]. Anatomically and functionally the skin has two layers; a superficial layer – the epidermis that provides a barrier against infection and moisture loss; and a deeper dermal layer that is responsible for the elasticity and mechanical integrity of the skin. The epidermal layer is a stratified layer mainly composed of keratinocytes, with proliferating basal cells at the innermost layer and the keratinized, relatively
Effective saturated hydraulic conductivity of two‐dimensional random multifractal fields

A means of upscaling the effective saturated hydraulic conductivity, 〈K〉, based on spatial variation in the saturated hydraulic conductivity (K) field is essential for the application of flow and transport models to practical problems. Multifractals are inherently scaling and thus may offer solutions to this dilemma. Random two‐dimensional geometrical multifractal fields (multifractal Sierpinski carpets with a scale factor b = 3) were constructed for iterations i = 1 through 5 using different generator probability values (p). The resulting average mass fractions were normalized and assumed to be directly proportional to K. The objectives were to explore how the frequency distribution of K changes as a function of p and i, how 〈K〉 varies with i for different p values, and how 〈K〉 is related to the generalized dimensions of the multifractal field. Numerical simulations of flow were performed in the multifractal fields, with 〈K〉 computed using Darcy's law. The results showed that 〈K〉 increases with increasing i level and increasing p value. The scaling of 〈K〉 with resolution, 1/bi, followed a power law relationship, similar to that observed for a variety of natural porous media. At the highest resolution (i = 5), ln 〈K〉 was best predicted by the correlation dimension (D2); ln 〈K〉 increased as D2 increased (R2 = 0.991, p < 0.0001). This relationship indicates that 〈K〉 decreases with increasing long‐range spatial correlation among the K values in the field. Furthermore, as 〈K〉 decreases it becomes increasingly dominated by flow channeling. This is because high values of K become more and more clustered as p decreases. This approach may prove useful for the prediction of 〈K〉 from generalized dimensions estimated by multifractal analysis of field measurements of K. The results may also be applicable to the design of sampling strategies for multiple small‐scale slug tests at a given resolution.
Determinants of Under-Five Mortality in Bangladesh

This paper examines determinants of under-five mortality in Bangladesh. The study utilizes the data extracted from the 2007 Bangladesh demographic and health survey. Chi-square test for independence and multivariate proportional hazard analysis reflects that father’s education, place of residence, region of residence, number of children under five years of age, previous death of sibling, mother’s age and breastfeeding have significant influence on under-five mortality. The proximate determinants are found to have stronger influence on under-five mortality than the socioeconomic factors considered in the study do.
[Activity of selected cytokines in bipolar patients during manic and depressive episodes].

AIM The aim of the study was to examine the activity of selected cytokines in bipolar patients during manic and depressive episodes and in remission. METHOD The cytokine status was assessed in 76 bipolar patients, 35 with mania- and 41 with depression. For cytokine measurements blood samples were drawn from each patient twice-- while in an acute episode and in remission. 78 healthy individuals were examined once. Serum samples were tested for concentrations of: IL-6, IL-10, IL-1beta, TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma using the cytometric method. The patients' mental status was assessed with Young Mania Rating Scale and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. RESULTS Concentration of IL-6 was higher during the manic state as compared to control group. Additionally, IL-6 level was higher in mania than in remission. Concentration of IL-10 was higher in patients in remission after manic episodes than in healthy controls. In manic patients raising of IFN-gamma level was accompanied by more severe symptoms evaluated with YMRS. In remission after mania there was a correlation between IL-6 concentration and the intensity of the manic state. IFN-gamma level was higher in depressed patients comparing to remission, as well as manic patients and subjects from control group. IFN-gamma in remission after depression was still higher than in the healthy controls. Concentration of IL-1beta was higher in depressed patients comparing to healthy subjects. CONCLUSION The results obtained in this study show disturbances of the immune system in bipolar patients. These disturbances have features of either decrease or pathological increase of the immune response. Cytokines' profiles were different for mania and depression. Clinical improvement seems to be connected with immunomodulation process that results in changes of cytokine levels in bipolar patients in remission.
Induction of albumin gene transcription in hepatocytes by extracellular matrix proteins

Transcriptional activity of the albumin gene was induced in primary cultures of hepatocytes by adding dilute concentrations of basement membrane-like proteins derived from the EHS mouse sarcoma tumor to established type I collagen cultures. By immunofluorescence microscopy with antialbumin antibody, the population of cells responded uniformly to dilute EHS. Of the three major components of EHS, purified laminin was as effective as unfractionated EHS at inducing an increase in albumin mRNA levels and albumin secretion; type IV collagen and heparan sulfate proteoglycan were ineffective.
Spatial, Temporal, and Interspecies Patterns in Fine Particulate Matter in Texas

Abstract The Big Bend Regional Aerosol and Visibility Observational (BRAVO) field study was conducted from July to October 1999 and was followed by several years of modeling and data analyses to examine the causes of haze at Big Bend National Park TX (BBNP). During BRAVO, daily speciated fine (diameter <2.5 µm) particulate concentrations were measured at 37 sites throughout Texas. At the primary receptor site, K-Bar Ranch, there were many additional measurements including a “high-sensitivity” version of the 24-hr fine particulate elemental data. The spatial, temporal, and interspecies patterns in these data are examined here to qualitatively investigate source regions and source types influencing the fine particulate concentrations in Texas with an emphasis on sources of sulfates, the largest contributor to fine mass and light extinction. Peak values of particulate sulfur (S) varied spatially and seasonally. Maximum S was in Northeast Texas during the summer, whereas peak S at BBNP was in the fall. Sulfate acidity at BBNP also varied by month. Sources of Se were evident in Northeast Texas and from the Carbón I and II plants. High S episodes at BBNP during BRAVO had several different trace element characteristics. Carbon concentrations at BBNP during BRAVO were probably mostly urban‐related, with arrival from the Houston area likely. The Houston artificial tracer released during the second half of BRAVO was highly correlated with some carbon fractions. There was evidence of the influence of African dust at sites throughout Texas during the summer. Patterns in several trace elements were also examined. Vanadium was associated with air masses from Mexico. Lead concentrations in southern Texas have dropped dramatically over the past several years.
Are Inaccuracies in Self-Reported Weight Motivated Distortions?

The accuracy of self-reported weight and the motivation of distorted reporting were studied among 169 female and 101 male college students. Although subjects were moderately accurate in their weight estimates, errors reflected women's underreporting, men's overreporting, and heavier persons' underreporting. With body mass controlled, most motivational variables had little explanatory value.
Design of a novel high-performance pre-discharge flip-flop (PDFF)

Flip-flop is a vital component for high-performance and reliable deep-pipelined systems in digital microprocessors. In this paper, a new pre-discharge flip-flop (PDFF) is proposed. The performance advantage of PDFF comes from the fact that its critical path is reduced significantly to only three transistors in the worst case. A detailed comparison is carried out between the proposed PDFF and previous published single-ended and pure differential flip-flops. Simulation results in the 65nm CMOS technology have shown that PDFF is able to achieve at least 15% performance improvement and 24% PDP reduction when compared to the previous proposed flip-flops.
Multidisciplinary design optimisation of a recurve bow based on applications of the autogenetic design theory and distributed computing

The focus of this paper is to present a method of multidisciplinary design optimisation based on the autogenetic design theory (ADT) that provides methods, which are partially implemented in the optimisation software described here. The main thesis of the ADT is that biological evolution and the process of developing products are mainly similar, i.e. procedures from biological evolution can be transferred into product development. In order to fulfil requirements and boundary conditions of any kind (that may change at any time), both biological evolution and product development look for appropriate solution possibilities in a certain area, and try to optimise those that are actually promising by varying parameters and combinations of these solutions. As the time necessary for multidisciplinary design optimisations is a critical aspect in product development, ways to distribute the optimisation process with the effective use of unused calculating capacity, can reduce the optimisation time drastically. Finally, a practical example shows how ADT methods and distributed optimising are applied to improve a product.