Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Rural adolescents experiencing an urban transition.

OBJECTIVE To determine the distress levels of adolescents leaving rural Queensland towns for urban boarding schools. DESIGN A questionnaire study and focus groups were used to collect data from students who made the transition and those who did not. PARTICIPANTS Two hundred and fifty-five rural students completed the questionnaire and of these 36 left home to attend an urban boarding school. Twenty-eight students participated in one of five focus groups. MEASURES Self-report scales administered were Life Events Scale and the Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale. A semistructured set of prompts was used in the focus groups. RESULTS Both methodologies revealed adolescents reported coping well with the transition from rural and remote family homes and schools to boarding school in the city. Reported distress levels of those who moved were no higher than those who did not and homesickness, while common, was rarely high or enduring. Adolescents who moved offered useful insights in the focus groups into the best and worst aspects of the transition; how best to cope, and how families and schools can ease their path. CONCLUSIONS In general, adolescents who leave isolated homes and schools to board in the city manage the transition surprisingly well and regard the transition as having a number of advantages. Being prepared for the move emerged as important.
Chemically induced charge carrier production and transport in Pd/SiO2/n-Si(111) metal-oxide-semiconductor Schottky diodes

The energy transfer associated with reactions at metal surfaces produces energetic electrons and holes. Using ultrathin films of Pd on metal-semiconductor(MS) and metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) diode structures, we have investigated reaction-induced electrical phenomena associated with a variety of molecular and atomic interactions with the Pd surfaces. Distinct electronic signals are observable for species as diverse as atomic oxygen, xenon, and molecular hydrocarbons. Both MS and MOS devices allowed the detection of the chemically induced excitation of electron-hole pairs for highly exothermic chemisorption. Electronic signals from gas species with low adsorption energies were only observed in MOS devices with a thin oxide layer between the active metal film and the semiconductor. The density and distribution of interfacial states in the MOS devices have been found to be an important factor in understanding the origin and transport pathways of these “chemicurrents. ” A dynamic model is introduced to explain the displacement currents in the MOS devices during low-energy gas-surface interactions.
Gamification Solutions to Enhance Software User Engagement—A Systematic Review

ABSTRACT Gamification is the use of video-game mechanics and elements in nongame contexts to enhance user engagement and performance. The purpose of this study is to conduct a systematic review to have an in-depth investigation into the existing gamification solutions targeted at solving user engagement problems in different categories of software. We carried out this systematic review by proposing a framework of gamifying process, which is the basis for comparison of existing gamification solutions. In order to report the review, the primary studies are categorized according to the following: a) gamified software and their platforms; b) elements of the gamifying process; c) gamification solutions in each software type; d) gamification solutions for software user engagement problems; e) gamification solutions in general; and f) effects of gamification on software user engagement and performance. Based on the search procedure and criteria, a total of 78 primary studies were extracted. Most of the studies focused on educational and social software, which were developed for web or mobile platforms. We concluded that the number of studies on motivating users to use software content, solving problems in learning software, and using real identity is very limited. Furthermore, few studies have been carried out on gamifying the following software categories: productivity software, cloud storage, utility software, entertainment software, search engine software, tool software, fitness software, software engineering, information worker software, and health-care software. In addition, a large number of gamification solutions are relatively simple and require improvement. Thus, for future studies, researchers can work on the items discovered in this review; they can improve the quality of the current gamified systems by using a wide variety of game mechanics and interface elements, utilizing a combination of contextual types of rewards and giving users the ability to use received rewards “in-game” and “out-game. ”
Performance of steer progeny of sires differing in genetic potential for fatness and meat yield following post-weaning growth at different rates. 1. Growth and live-animal composition

The present experiment, ‘Regional Combinations’, examined growth, and carcass- and meat-quality traits in the progeny of sires genetically diverse for fatness and meat yield when grown at different rates from weaning to feedlot entry. The present paper is the first of several papers describing results from the New South Wales site, one of four in the project. It reports the effects on growth and body composition of steers during backgrounding and feedlot finishing phases. A total of 43 sires within three carcass-class categories, defined as high potential for meat yield, for marbling or for both traits, was used, based on estimated breeding values for retail beef yield and intramuscular fat. Sires were drawn from Angus, Charolais, Limousin, Black Wagyu and Red Wagyu breeds, providing a range of carcass sire types across the three carcass classes. Matings were by artificial insemination to Hereford dams from a single herd. Steer progeny were grown at conventional (slow: ~0.5 kg/day) or accelerated (fast: ~0.7 kg/day) rates from weaning to feedlot entry weight, targeting group means of 400 kg. Accelerated and conventionally grown groups from successive calvings entered the feedlot at similar entry liveweights at the same time, then having identical management during the 100-day finishing phase before slaughter. Within finishing cohorts, fast backgrounding growth resulted in increased subcutaneous fatness at feedlot entry in steers of all carcass types. Slow growth during backgrounding resulted in faster (compensatory) growth in the feedlot in all classes and sire types. This increased the deposition of fat in slow-backgrounded steers compared with that in fast-backgrounded steers during feedlotting, and thus reduced the difference between the groups in P8 and rib fat at feedlot exit. However, there did appear to be an advantage in the level of compensation in the feedlot in favour of those sire types with a genetic propensity for faster growth. Backgrounding growth rate affected body composition and the rate of weight gain during finishing. Faster growth produced more subcutaneous fat during both backgrounding and finishing. Steer progeny groups clearly showed the expected responses in growth and body composition, on the basis of the genetic potential of their sires.
Properties of end-expiratory breath hold responses measured with near-infrared spectroscopy

Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) can be used to assess the cerebrovascular response to breath hold. We measured eight healthy subjects during voluntary end-expiratory breath hold to study inter- and intraindividual variability of the deoxy- (HbR) and oxyhemoglobin (HbO2) response curves for the scalp and cerebral cortex. Although cortical [HbO2] behaves qualitatively similarly in all subjects, there is large inter- and intraindividual variability, and in the case of [HbR] also qualitative variability. However, the linearity of [HbO2] increase during the breath hold has encouraging measurement repeatability, and it may even indicate an individual's CO2 tolerance. This result may help understand why breath hold duration varies between subjects more than the total [HbO2] increase during breath hold.
The relationship between magnetic resonance diffusion imaging and autoradiographic markers of cerebral blood flow and hypoxia in an animal stroke model

This study examined the relationship between magnetic resonance diffusion imaging and autoradiographic markers of cerebral blood flow (99mTc‐hexamethylpropylene amine oxime) and cerebral hypoxia (125I‐iodoazomycin arabinoside) in a rat model of stroke. Middle cerebral artery occlusion in the rat was performed using an intraluminal suture approach. Diffusion, hypoxia, and blood flow maps were acquired 2 hr following occlusion, and were compared with T2 images and histology at 7 hr. Two hours following middle cerebral artery occlusion the lesion distributions from the diffusion maps and hypoxic autoradiographs were similar. The blood flow threshold for increased uptake of the hypoxic marker was approximately 34 ± 7% of the normal flow. The combination of diffusion or hypoxic images with perfusion maps allowed differentiation between four regions: 1) normal tissue; 2) a region of decreased perfusion but normal diffusion and normal uptake of hypoxic marker; 3) a region of decreased perfusion, decreased diffusion and increased uptake of hypoxic marker; 4) a region of decreased perfusion, decreased diffusion and low uptake of hypoxic marker. The areas for increased uptake of hypoxic marker and decreased diffusion are equivalent, indicating similar blood flow thresholds. Regions of oligaemic misery perfusion, ischaemic misery perfusion and lesion core may be delineated with the combination of diffusion or hypoxic images and perfusion maps. Magn Reson Med 41:706–714, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
k-ras Mutation May Be an Early Event in Mucinous Ovarian Tumorigenesis

We explored the possible pathogenetic pathway for mucinous ovarian tumorigenesis by examining the k-ras mutational patterns in ovarian mucinous tumors (OMTs) with benign, borderline, and invasive epithelium in which the different types of mucinous epithelium are in close proximity. Sixteen patients with ovarian mucinous borderline tumors (OMBTs) and 4 patients with grade 1 ovarian mucinous adenocarcinomas (OMCs) were selected for the presence of a single histologic section which contained a clear “transition” zone from benign mucinous epithelium to borderline mucinous epithelium, and in four cases, to invasive epithelium. A PixCell II Laser Capture Microscope was used to microdissect and retrieve benign, borderline, and invasive epithelium separately from the 20 OMTs. Normal ovarian stroma from the same histologic section in each case was also microdissected and retrieved for use as a control. k-ras mutations were detected in these samples by PCR-SSCP analysis followed by direct PCR cycle sequencing. k-ras mutations were found in 8/16 (50%) of the OMBTs and 2/4 (50%) of the grade 1 OMCs. In 6 of these 10 cases (4 in OMBTs, 2 in grade 1 OMCs), the same k-ras mutation was found in both the benign and borderline (and invasive) regions. In 3 cases in which k-ras mutations were identified, the mutation was found in either the benign or borderline tissue samples alone, and in one case, two distinct mutations were found. No k-ras mutations were identified in the normal ovarian stroma. The presence of a k-ras mutation in adjacent benign and borderline regions of a single OMT may suggest a progression in the development of OMTs from benign to borderline and grade 1 OMCs. k-ras mutations, when they occur, are likely early genetic changes but may not alone be sufficient for malignant transformation of ovarian epithelium.
Comparision of rocuronium bromide with suxamethonium chloride for tracheal intubation

Background: Endotracheal intubation is of paramount importance in general anaesthesia requires relaxation of laryngeal musculature leading to total inactivity of vocal cords. Suxamethonium chloride, a depolarizing muscle relaxant due to its quick onset of action and excellent intubating conditions has remained a muscle relaxant of choice. Rocuronium was proved to be safe alternative to suxamethonium for endotracheal intubation. Aims & Objective: To find out the utility of Inj. Rocuronium Bromide a non-depolarizing muscle relaxant (NDMR) as an alternative to Suxamethonium chloride, a depolarizing muscle relaxant (DMR) for the purpose of intubation of trachea with emphasis on onset of time for muscle relaxation, duration of action, hemodynamic changes and complications if any. Materials and Methods: This is a randomized clinical study carried out at tertiary care center. 90 patients were randomly divided into three groups. Group S60 (n=30) - Inj. Suxamethonium 1.5 mg/kg IV given I.V, Group R60 (n=30) - Inj. Rocuronium 0.6 mg/kg IV given I.V and Group R90 (n=30) - Inj. Rocuronium 0.6 mg/kg IV given I.V. The intubating conditions were judged clinically at fixed time interval i.e. either at 60 seconds or 90 seconds as per the group of patient, after the injection of study drug with the help of four point scale. The observed results were compiled and analyzed statistically by using chi-square test for qualitative data and students “t” test for quantitative data, the analysing system being that of EPI INFO. Results: The mean age was 29.2 ± 12.60, 28.83 ± 8.50 & 30.1 ± 10.47 years, respectively in S60, R60 and R90 group. Intubating conditions were excellent (score 8-9) in all the 30 patients (100%) in Group S60, in 23 patients (76.66%) of Group R60 and in 28 patients (93.33%) of Group R90. The mean onset time in our study were 46.66±5.46 seconds in Group S60, 76.33 ± 10.33 seconds in Group R60 and 78.33 ± 9.4 in R90. The duration of action in our study was 5.93 ± 1.25 minutes in Group S60 compared to 29.83±5.49minutes in Group R60 and 27.83 ± 3.13 minutes in R90. Conclusion: Rocuronium can serve as a good alternative to Suxamethonium for tracheal intubation in conditions where Suxamethonium is contraindicated or where its use is hazardous.
Delay Model of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Dynamics: Asymptotic Stability and Stability Switch

A nonlinear system of two delay differential equations is proposed to model hematopoietic stem cell dynamics. Each equation describes the evolution of a sub-population, either proliferating or nonproliferating. The nonlinearity accounting for introduction of nonproliferating cells in the proliferating phase is assumed to depend upon the total number of cells. Existence and stability of steady states are investigated. A Lyapunov functional is built to obtain the global asymptotic stability of the trivial steady state. The study of eigenvalues of a second degree exponential polynomial characteristic equation allows to conclude to the existence of stability switches for the unique positive steady state. A numerical analysis of the role of each parameter on the appearance of stability switches completes this analysis.
The hypothalamic arcuate nucleus of rat—A quantitative golgi analysis

The hypothalamic arcuate nuclei of several hundred rats were studied with several types of Golgi impregnations in young and adult animals. In addition to qualitative observations, a computer‐assisted quantitative analysis of dendritic arbors and axonal trajectories in coronal and horizontal sections was performed on 1,702 neurons in young rats. With data on large numbers of neurons, and using a product‐moment analysis of dendritic trees, we found statistically reliable differences in the mean size, shape, center of mass, skewness, and orientation of dendritic trees of neurons in different parts of the arcuate nucleus. Despite differences within the nucleus, neurons of the arcuate nucleus characterized as a group were different from neurons of the hypothalamic ventromedial nucleus.
Checking Opacity of Vulnerable Critical Systems On-The-Fly

Opacity is a security property capturing a system's ability to keep a subset of its behavior hidden from passive, but knowledgeable, observers. In this paper we use the formal definitions of opacity in three of its forms simple opacity, -step weak opacity and -step strong opacity, basing on finite Labeled Transition Systems as a model. Then we present efficient algorithms for verifying opacity in all these forms within the context of a hybrid, on-the-fly approach. This approach is based on the construction of a Symbolic Observation Graph SOG that allows not only the abstraction of the systems behavior but also the preservation of the structure necessary for conducting opacity checking. Our preliminary experimental results are promising and demonstrate effectiveness facing the state-explosion problem which represents the main drawback of existing model checking techniques.
Regulation of envelope protein composition during adaptation to osmotic stress in Escherichia coli

Adaptation to osmotic stress alters the amounts of several specific proteins in the Escherichia coli K-12 envelope. The most striking feature of the response to elevated osmolarity was the strong induction of a periplasmic protein with an Mr of 31,000. This protein was absent in mutants with lambda plac Mu insertions in an osmotically inducible locus mapping near 58 min. The insertions are likely to be in proU, a locus encoding a transport activity for the osmoprotectants glycine betaine and proline. Factors affecting the extent of proU induction were identified by direct examination of periplasmic proteins on sodium dodecyl sulfate gels and by measuring beta-galactosidase activity from proU-lac fusions. Expression was stimulated by increasing additions of salt or sucrose to minimal medium, up to a maximum at 0.5 M NaCl. Exogenous glycine betaine acted as an osmoregulatory signal; its addition to the high-osmolarity medium substantially repressed the expression of the 31,000-dalton periplasmic protein and the proU-lac+ fusions. Elevated osmolarity also caused the appearance of a second periplasmic protein (Mr = 16,000), and severe reduction in the amounts of two others. In the outer membrane, the well-characterized repression of OmpF by high osmolarity was observed and was reversed by glycine betaine. Additional changes in membrane composition were also responsive to glycine betaine regulation.
The health economic impact of upper gastrointestinal symptoms in the general population: results from the Domestic/International Gastroenterology Surveillance Study (DIGEST).

BACKGROUND The Domestic/International Gastroenterology Surveillance Study (DIGEST) is the first large, multinational, population-based survey to assess the 3-month prevalence and economic/quality-of-life impact of upper gastrointestinal symptoms (UGIS). METHODS A total of 5581 subjects were interviewed in 10 countries (grouped into seven regions). Respondents were classified as having relevant or non-relevant upper gastrointestinal symptoms, and questioned about consumption of healthcare resources in terms of doctor consultations, prescribed and non-prescribed medications, hospital stays and investigations for both gastrointestinal and other health problems. The impact of symptoms in terms of time lost and reduced effectiveness at work or social activities was also recorded. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS Twenty-eight percent of the total sample was defined as having clinically relevant UGIS (UGIS of at least moderate severity and with a frequency of at least once per week in the previous 3 months). During the period studied, 20% of these subjects had consulted a family practitioner (16.2%) and/ or a specialist (6.3%), primarily for UGIS. Of those with clinically relevant UGIS, 49% had taken over-the-counter medication, and 27% prescription medication for gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. Two percent reported a hospital stay and 27% reported days of reduced or no work, school or domestic productivity due to UGIS. Four percent of all study subjects underwent investigations for UGIS during this period. Variations between countries in these parameters may be due to differences in healthcare systems and cultural attitudes towards UGIS, influencing both the healthcare-seeking behaviour of subjects with UGIS and their management.
Disentangled Person Image Generation

Generating novel, yet realistic, images of persons is a challenging task due to the complex interplay between the different image factors, such as the foreground, background and pose information. In this work, we aim at generating such images based on a novel, two-stage reconstruction pipeline that learns a disentangled representation of the aforementioned image factors and generates novel person images at the same time. First, a multi-branched reconstruction network is proposed to disentangle and encode the three factors into embedding features, which are then combined to re-compose the input image itself. Second, three corresponding mapping functions are learned in an adversarial manner in order to map Gaussian noise to the learned embedding feature space, for each factor, respectively. Using the proposed framework, we can manipulate the foreground, background and pose of the input image, and also sample new embedding features to generate such targeted manipulations, that provide more control over the generation process. Experiments on the Market-1501 and Deepfashion datasets show that our model does not only generate realistic person images with new foregrounds, backgrounds and poses, but also manipulates the generated factors and interpolates the in-between states. Another set of experiments on Market-1501 shows that our model can also be beneficial for the person re-identification task1.
Avoidance orientation moderates the effect of threatening messages

This study investigated the influence of individual differences in people’s dispositional avoidance orientation on the persuasive effects of low- and high-threat messages promoting moderate drinking. First, participents (N = 99) individual differences in avoidance orientation were assessed, after which they were provided with either high- or low-threat messages about the consequences of drinking too much alcohol. The primary outcome measures were information acceptance, attitude and intention. Results showed that participants low in avoidance orientation were more likely to be persuaded by the low-threat message, whereas participants high in avoidance orientation were more likely to be persuaded by the high-threat message.
Irrigation and elevated carbon dioxide effects on whole canopy photosynthesis and water use efficiency in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

Abstract The study compared the effects of water stress under ambient (350 μmol mol−1) and elevated (700 μmol mol−1) carbon dioxide concentrations on canopy carbon assimilation rates, soil water use, and water use efficiency (WUE) of cotton plants on a daily basis. This research was carried out in four sun-lit SPAR (Soil Plant Atmosphere Research) units with soil bins located at Beltsville, Maryland, USA. Whole canopy net photosynthetic rates were recorded at 5-min intervals, and soil water content was measured hourly using time-domain reflectometry. Pre-dawn and mid-day leaf water potentials were measured during the water stress and the recovery periods. The soil water use rates of plants grown under elevated CO2 were significantly lower than those grown under ambient levels for both water-stressed and well-watered plants. The WUE of the ambient treatment did not begin to increase until most of the available water was depleted from the soil. The elevated CO2 non-irrigated treatment was able to maintain carbon assimilation rates similar to that of the well-watered treatment while decreasing water uptake during the first 10 days of the drying period. Both water use and carbon assimilation rates decreased in the ambient non-irrigated treatment, shortly after withholding water. Plants grown at 350 μmol mol−1 CO2 concentration depleted more water from the deepest part of the profile (0.35–0.85 m) than did the plants from the elevated CO2 treatment.