Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Desired Number of Sexual Partners as a Function of Gender, Sexual Risks, and the Meaning of “Ideal”

Abstract The present research investigated gender differences in the ideally desired number of sex partners, examining several different kinds of “ideals. ” In two separate samples, participants were (a) first asked to report their ideal number of desired sex partners—identified as a nonspecific ideal; (b) next, they responded after considering some of the health and social risks, and the opportunity limitations, associated with sexual activity—a pragmatic ideal; and (c) finally, participants reported their ideal number of sex partners after imagining the removal of these risks and limitations—a hedonic ideal. For both samples, there were significant mean, but no median, gender differences for the nonspecific ideal, replicating what has been found in some previous research. However, when risks were explicitly identified (in the present pragmatic and hedonic ideal conditions), significant mean and median gender differences emerged: Typically, men desired multiple sex partners, whereas women were consistently interested in a single sex partner, regardless of the risks or opportunities involved.
Cocaine: evidence for NMDA-, beta-carboline- and dopaminergic-mediated seizures in mice.

The present study was undertaken to examine the role of the benzodiazepine/GABA and N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) systems in the convulsive effect of cocaine in mice. When cocaine (3.5 mg/ml) solution was infused into the tail vein at a rate of 0.3 ml/min, mice showed clonic and tonic convulsions. These seizures were not affected by low doses of bicuculline or picrotoxin, a GABAA receptor antagonist and a Cl ion channel blocker, respectively. Aminooxyacetic acid (AOAA), a GABA deaminase inhibitor, and phenobarbital, a Cl ion channel activator, and baclofen, a GABAB receptor agonist, also had no effect on these convulsions. Benzodiazepine inverse agonist beta-DMCM, at a dose which by itself had no convulsive effect lowered the convulsive threshold of cocaine. This lowered convulsive threshold was reversed by flumazenil, a benzodiazepine inverse antagonist, and diazepam, a benzodiazepine full agonist, which by themselves did not inhibit cocaine seizure. It is likely that cocaine seizure involves a benzodiazepine (beta-carboline) recognition site other than the benzodiazepine/GABAA receptor-Cl ionophore complex system. CPP and MK-801, competitive and noncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonists, respectively, inhibited cocaine seizures. The inhibitory effects of CPP on cocaine convulsion were reversed by a low dose of NMDA, which by itself did not induce seizure. A dopamine D1 receptor agonist SKF38393 enhanced both clonic and tonic convulsions, while a dopamine D2 receptor agonist bromocriptine inhibited these convulsions. These stimulatory and inhibitory effects were reversed by the D1 and D2 receptor antagonists, SCH23390 and haloperidol, respectively. These results suggest that the cocaine-induced convulsion may involve an activation of the NMDA-Ca ionophore complex system, which is mediated by the dopaminergic system, and a beta-carboline recognition site other than the benzodiazepine/GABAA receptor-Cl ionophore complex system.
Genetic correlates of medical comorbidity associated with schizophrenia and treatment with antipsychotics

Purpose of review High comorbidity rates for various medical conditions have been documented in schizophrenia, being explained by factors either inherent to the disease or associated with antipsychotic treatment. The aim of this study is to review the genetic factors contributing to medical comorbidity in schizophrenia. Recent findings Based on clinical genetic studies in schizophrenia, comorbid impaired glucose tolerance/type 2 diabetes mellitus, most autoimmune disorders and cardiac autonomic dysregulation have the strongest evidence for familial predisposition. Similarly, of antipsychotic-induced adverse drug reactions, tardive dyskinesia, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, and antipsychotic-induced weight gain have some evidence for familial clustering. On the molecular genetic level, schizophrenia seems to share specific genes with type 2 diabetes mellitus and with autoimmune disorders. Various genes have been proposed to account for the reduced incidence of rheumatoid arthritis and cancer in schizophrenic patients and their relatives. Many pharmacogenetic association studies have pinpointed numerous, though often contradictory or poorly replicated, genes of modest effect size for tardive dyskinesia, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, clozapine-induced agranulocytosis, hyperprolactinaemia, antipsychotic-induced weight gain, and antipsychotic-induced QT prolongation. Summary Unravelling the genetic underpinnings of medical comorbidity associated with schizophrenia and its treatment is expected to highlight new pathogenetic pathways in both schizophrenia and comorbid medical conditions, and introduce personalized treatment strategies for schizophrenia patients.
Suppression of growth factor expression and human vascular smooth muscle cell growth by small interfering RNA targeting EGR‐1

Smooth muscle cell (SMC) proliferation and migration are key processes that occur in the reparative response to injury after percutaneous coronary intervention and in failed bypass grafts for the treatment of atherosclerosis. In the present study, we generated novel synthetic small interfering RNA (siRNA) molecules targeting the coding region of human early growth response‐1 (EGR‐1) mRNA that attenuate the expression of EGR‐1 and that of fibroblast growth factor‐2 (FGF‐2) and granulocyte‐colony stimulating factor (G‐CSF). These agents suppressed SMC proliferation in a dose‐dependent and non‐toxic manner and blocked SMC regrowth from the wound edge following mechanical injury in vitro. In contrast, the scrambled counterpart did not inhibit SMC proliferation, EGR‐1 protein expression or SMC regrowth after injury. These findings demonstrate that EGR‐1 siRNA can serve as inhibitors of SMC proliferation and wound repair suggesting that these agents may potentially be useful in the control of vascular proliferative disorders. J. Cell. Biochem. 100: 1526–1535, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Historical and Variance Decomposition for Oil Price, Oil Consumption, OPEC and Non-OPEC Oil Production

Abstract In this paper, the behavior of the real oil price and OPEC and non-OPEC oil production during 1973-2013 are modelled. Interactions among OPEC, non-OPEC oil production, global oil consumption, and the real price of crude oil are estimated using a Structural VAR model (SVAR). After providing evidence for the structural breaks in oil price in 1996, the results indicate that, according to variance decomposition analysis, during the two periods of 1996-1973 and 2013-1997, OPEC oil production responded significantly to positive shocks of global oil consumption and non-OPEC oil production responded significantly to shocks of OPEC oil production. During the OPEC era (1973-1996), real oil price responded significantly to positive shocks of OPEC oil production and during the new industrial age (1997-2013) responded significantly to positive shocks of global oil consumption. According to historical decomposition, the cumulative effects of structural shocks of non-OPEC oil production and price on OPEC oil production are greater than the cumulative effects of structural shocks of OPEC oil production and real oil price on non-OPEC oil production . Also, cumulative effects of structural shocks of OPEC oil production on real oil price are greater than cumulative effect of structural shocks of non-OPEC oil production on real oil price.
Assessing therapeutic change in patients with severe dissociative disorders: the progress in treatment questionnaire, therapist and patient measures

ABSTRACT Background: Treatment research for dissociative identity disorder (DID) and closely related severe dissociative disorders (DD) is rare, and has been made more difficult by the lack of a reliable, valid measure for assessing treatment progress in these populations. Objective: This paper presents psychometric data for therapist and patient report measures developed to evaluate therapeutic progress and outcomes for individuals with DID and other DD: the Progress in Treatment Questionnaire – Therapist (PITQ-t; a therapist report measure) and the Progress in Treatment Questionnaire – Patient (PITQ-p; a patient self-report measure). Method: We examined the data of 177 patient–therapist pairs (total N = 354) participating in the TOP DD Network Study, an online psychoeducation programme aimed at helping patients with DD establish safety, regulate emotions, and manage dissociative and posttraumatic symptoms. Results: The PITQ-t and PITQ-p demonstrated good internal consistency and evidence of moderate convergent validity in relation to established measures of emotional dysregulation, dissociation, posttraumatic stress disorder, and psychological quality of life, which are characteristic difficulties for DD patients. The measures also demonstrated significant relationships in the hypothesized directions with positive emotions, social relations, and self-harm and dangerous behaviours. The patient-completed PITQ-p, which may be used as an ongoing assessment measure to guide treatment planning, demonstrated evidence of stronger relationships with established symptom measures than the PITQ-t. Conclusions: The PITQ-t and PITQ-p merit use, additional research, and refinement in relation to the assessment of therapeutic progress with patients with DD.
NAT2 gene polymorphism as a possible marker for susceptibility to bladder cancer in Japanese

Background : N‐acetyltransferase (NAT) is known to metabolize the carcinogen arylamine. The polymorphism of the NAT2 gene is an important determinant of individual susceptibility to bladder cancer. There are significant interethnic differences in NAT2 allele frequencies. The relationship between NAT2 genotypes and bladder cancer in a Japanese population was investigated.
The effect of β-alanine supplementation on cycling time trials of different length

Abstract The varying results reported in response to β-alanine supplementation may be related to the duration and nature of the exercise protocol employed. We investigated the effects of β-alanine supplementation on a wide range of cycling performance tests in order to produce a clear concise set of criteria for its efficacy. Fourteen trained cyclists (Age = 24.8 ± 6.7 years; VO2max = 65.4 ± 10.2 mL·kg·min−1) participated in this placebo-controlled, double-blind study. Prior to supplementation, subjects completed two (familiarization and baseline) supramaximal cycling bouts until exhaustion (120% pre-supplementation VO2max) and two 1-, 4- and 10-km cycling time trial (TT). Subjects then supplemented orally for 4 weeks with 6.4 g/d placebo or β-alanine and repeated the battery of performance tests. Blood lactate was measured pre-exercise, post-exercise and 5 min post-exercise. β-alanine supplementation elicited significant increases in time to exhaustion (TTE) (17.6 ± 11.5 s; p = 0.013, effect compared with placebo) and was likely to be beneficial to 4-km TT performance time (−7.8 ± 8.1 s; 94% likelihood), despite not being statistically different (p = 0.060). Performance times in the 1- and 10-km TT were not affected by treatment. For the highly trained cyclists in the current study, β-alanine supplementation significantly extended supramaximal cycling TTE and may have provided a worthwhile improvement to 4-km TT performance. However, 1- and 10-km cycling TT performance appears to be unaffected by β-alanine supplementation.
Breastfeeding among Women Exposed to Antidepressants during Pregnancy

This prospective cohort study compares the breastfeeding outcomes of women exposed to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants at the time of delivery, those who discontinued use prior to delivery, and those not exposed. Participants include 466 pregnant women who enrolled in the California Teratogen Information Service Clinical Research Program (CTIS) over 10 years. In bivariate analyses, breastfeeding rates were significantly different across SSRI exposure groups, with unexposed women having the highest rates. We used logistic regression to examine the relationship between SSRI exposure and breastfeeding outcomes. After adjustment for potential confounders, those exposed to an SSRI both prior to delivery (odds ratio [OR], 0.43; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.20-0.94) and at the time of delivery (OR, 0.34; 95% CI, 0.16-0.72) were significantly less likely to initiate breastfeeding as compared to unexposed women. Women exposed to an SSRI during pregnancy appear to be at risk for poorer breastfeeding outcomes and may benefit from additional education and support.
Heterogeneity in composition of mouse uterine natural killer cell granules

uNK cells differ from cNK cells, as they produce angiogenic molecules critical for normal implantation site development. We evaluated heterogeneity among DBA+uNK cells for Prf, Gzma, and Vegfa. Ctsd and Srgn expression was used to assign intracellular sorting of these molecules on gd7, ‐9, and ‐14. Vegfa was present in small, granule‐free DBA+uNK cells at gd7 and in large, granule‐rich DBA+uNK cells at gd9 and ‐14. Prf and Gzma were only found in granulated DBA+uNK cells (gd9 and ‐14). All granule‐rich Prf+DBA+uNK cells appeared to coexpress Vegfa. Thus, all DBA+uNK cells were Vegfa‐producing cells. PC analysis and immunogold ultrastructure confirmed colocalization of Prf/Ctsd in secretory‐lysosome granules (PC>0.5). Surprisingly, Gzma and Prf+Ctsd+ were not colocalized (PC<0.5). Rather, Gzma colocalized with Srgn (PC>0.5) in small granules in cells with Vegfa expression (PC<0.5). NK1.1+sNK cells and DBA+uNK cells expressed genes regulating vesicular traffic (rab11, rab27a, snap23, vamp7), but uNK cells also expressed rab34 and vamp8, molecules associated with constitutive secretion. SEE activated the regulated secretory pathway of DBA+uNK cells in vivo, mobilizing Prf and Gzma but not Vegfa. Thus, DBA+uNK cells display constitutive and regulated secretion. Further, these results demonstrate that granule‐free DBA+uNK cells are not quiescent immature cells, but they are cells with potentially significant angiogenic roles before and in addition to their initiation of spiral arterial remodeling.
Active Sensing for Search and Tracking: A Review

Active Position Estimation (APE) is the task of localizing one or more targets using one or more sensing platforms. APE is a key task for search and rescue missions, wildlife monitoring, source term estimation, and collaborative mobile robotics. Success in APE depends on the level of cooperation of the sensing platforms, their number, their degrees of freedom and the quality of the information gathered. APE control laws enable active sensing by satisfying either pure-exploitative or pure-explorative criteria. The former minimizes the uncertainty on position estimation; whereas the latter drives the platform closer to its task completion. In this paper, we define the main elements of APE to systematically classify and critically discuss the state of the art in this domain. We also propose a reference framework as a formalism to classify APE-related solutions. Overall, this survey explores the principal challenges and envisages the main research directions in the field of autonomous perception systems for localization tasks. It is also beneficial to promote the development of robust active sensing methods for search and tracking applications.
Non-linear Growth-Determinants Nexus: the Role of Sovereign Debt

We expand the new growth model as a panel smooth transition regression specification to measure the effects of determinants on growth and the role of debt ratio in the growth-determinants nexus. In the model, we consider new determinants (FDI, export and tourism) and use a two-period lagged debt- GDP ratio as the transition variable. The effects of determinants on growth vary across countries and with time, depending on the value of the transition variable. The threshold of the debt-GDP ratio (73.019%) is a referenced index to set the ceiling of debt-GDP ratio for the fiscal stability. For countries with high debt ratios, the policies to accumulate human capital and promote tourism are more effective in boosting growth than to stimulate domestic physical investment and export. For countries with low debt ratios, the conclusion is opposite. Thus, lowering debt ratio is not always favorable for the contri-butions of individual determinants to growth.
Establishing Construct Validity of a Stages-of-Change Algorithm for Physical Activity

Purpose. Examine the construct validity of a modified stages-of-change (SOC) scale among adults with physical disabilities by investigating the relations among the transtheoretical model (TTM) constructs, physical activity (PA), and SOC. Additionally, the SOC algorithm was compared with previously recommended SOC scales. Design/Setting. Cross-sectional online survey. Subjects. 271 adults with physical disabilities (x̄age = 49.25; 73.4% females). Measures. Standardized questionnaires for the TTM constructs and PA. Analyses/Results. Based on the multivariate analysis of variance, the hypothesized relations between the SOC and the TTM constructs were supported. According to the analysis of variance, PA levels increased almost linearly across the SOC. Precontemplators (x̄ = 8.53 metabolic equivalent [MET]-h/d) had lower PA scores than contemplators (x̄ = 14.27 MET-h/d) and preparators (x̄ = 17.64 MET-h/d), who in turn had lower scores than those in action (x̄ = 23.03 MET-h/d). Based on the direct discriminant function analysis, all TTM constructs were important predictors of the SOC (e.g., r = .85 for behavioral processes; r = .69 for self-efficacy; and r = .58 for cognitive processes). The most accurately predicted SOC were action (76.9%), precontemplation (70.6%), contemplation (44.6%), and preparation (14.9%), with an overall classification accuracy of 56.8%. The study participants were more evenly distributed across the SOC algorithm compared with previous studies. Conclusion. The construct validity of the SOC scale was supported. The scale differentiated almost linearly the levels of PA and most TTM constructs, and participants were well-represented across SOC. Health promoters should feel confident in using the proposed SOC scale and the TTM to implement stage-matched PA motivational programs.
Second language international postgraduate students' perceptions of assessment feedback : an analysis

This study seeks to investigate the attitudes, beliefs and experiences of second language (L2) international students regarding tutor written feedback and its impact upon their learning in a UK university. The present study uses qualitative interpretive research paradigm that synthesizes the academic literacies (AL) approach and critical discourse analysis (CDA) to investigate students’ perceptions of feedback on their assessed work. The AL approach positions the students’ feedback experiences as socially situated phenomena enmeshed within the wider socio-cultural context of academia. The data for this study came from two main sources: (1) semi-structured in-depth interviews with 26 students of varying nationalities and departments (2) teachers’ feedback sheets. To collect appropriate qualitative data, the participants read aloud their tutor feedback comments, which were transcribed verbatim and analysed using CDA techniques. The data were divided into various themes such as functions of feedback, helpful and unhelpful feedback, feedback and its impact on self-esteem, motivation, confidence and the power-differentials of the student-teacher relationship. The findings of the study have shown that assessment feedback is a unique form of communication which takes place within the wider socio-cultural context of a UK university. The study highlights that the process of giving and receiving feedback involves a complex interplay of self-esteem, identity, motivation, emotion and the power relations. The study also highlights that the participants have had little or no experience of receiving such feedback in their countries of origin. Therefore, the move from one academic context to a UK university turned out to be challenging for L2 international students. The study sheds light on the question of how different linguistic, educational and cultural backgrounds of L2 international student presented them challenges while coming to terms with new assessment expectations, writing requirements and academic culture of a UK university. The CDA of tutor comments on students’ assignments revealed that the amount of feedback varied from tutor to tutor. Moreover, the tone of comments indicated a lack of balance between praise, criticism and suggestions. By looking at the student perspective, the study has offered deep insights into the reasons why international students show dissatisfaction with feedback, what problems they encounter while making meaning of the feedback discourse situated in new educational and socio-cultural environment. In brief, to better understand assessment feedback as a socially situated practice, this research has addressed the questions of how the interplay of issues such as discourse, identity, power, control and social relationships mediated students’ perceptions of feedback.
Application of photovoltaic cells with an intelligent control system for railway transport

Application area of solar panels is expanding every year. Modern solar panels are widely used in various industries, such as aerospace, aviation, electricity supply buildings, outdoor lighting, etc. This article focuses on the use of solar energy in various railway fields. The results of the study to achieve maximum efficiency of the photovoltaic module using the algorithm of maximum power point tracking (MPPT) are shown. Many maximum power point tracking techniques for photovoltaic systems have been developed to maximize the produced energy and a lot of these are well established in the literature. However, when irradiance and temperature are changing rapidly, not all methods can track MPP rapidly enough. This paper presents a MPPT method, based on artificial neural network (ANN). A fast and accurate system realizing that method is offered. Efficiency of an ANN with different input parameters is estimated. Modeling is carried out with the software package Matlab, considering different solar irradiance variations and temperature.
Two cases of congenital dyserythropoietic anaemia type I associated with unusual skeletal abnormalities of the limbs

This report describes the cases of two young female patients with congenital dyserythropoietic anaemia (CDA) type I who presented similar hand and foot skeletal abnormalities: lack of distal phalanges and nails, and syndactyly. Up to now, some morphological malformations have been described in association with CDA type I but there is no report of skeletal defects.