Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Neuroticism in adolescence and psychotic symptoms in adulthood

Background. The aims of this research were to examine the associations between the personality trait of neuroticism in adolescence and later psychotic symptoms, taking into account potential confounding factors. Method. Data were gathered over the course of a longitudinal study of a birth cohort of New Zealand born young people (N=1265). Over the course of the study, data were gathered on: (a) neuroticism at age 14; (b) psychotic symptoms predominantly subclinical, assessed on the Symptom Checklist (SCL-90), at ages 18 and 21; (c) a range of potential confounding factors including measures of childhood adversity and co-morbid mental disorders. Results. Young people in the highest quartile of neuroticism at age 14 had rates of psychotic symptoms that were two to three times higher than those in the lowest quartile. After statistical adjustment for confounding factors, including childhood adversity and co-morbid mental disorders, the association between neuroticism and later psychotic symptoms reduced but remained statistically significant (P<0·05). After adjustment for confounding, young people with high levels of neuroticism had rates of psychotic symptoms that were between 1·5 to 1·8 times higher than those with low levels of neuroticism. Conclusions. Early neuroticism may be a precursor to the onset of psychotic symptoms. The mechanisms underlying this association are unclear, but may relate to overlapping features between prodromal phases of psychosis and items that measure neuroticism.
Exploring the Self-Regulatory Beliefs and Actions of Adult Undergraduate Students Learning in Online Credit Courses in a Land-Grant University.

ABD RAHIM, NUR AIRA BINTI. Exploring the Self-Regulatory Beliefs and Actions of Adult Undergraduate Students Learning in Online Credit Courses in a Land-Grant University. (Under the direction of Dr. Carol E. Kasworm). The aim of this qualitative research study was to uncover in-depth understandings of the self-regulatory beliefs and actions of adult undergraduate students learning in online credit courses. A social cognitive model of SRL by Zimmerman was used as the theoretical framework for this study. This study was guided by three research questions: (1) What key beliefs do adult students hold about themselves as online learners? (2) How do adult students describe their engagement in the online learning process? (3) What strategies do adult students use to support their online learning? Eleven NC State undergraduates who were identified as adult students volunteered to participate in this study in fall 2014 semester. All participants met the requirements of 25 years of age or above, had a self-supporting job and/or key family commitments; and were completing their courses in fall 2014 in online distance education format. Data were primarily gathered using semi-structured interviews to solicit participants’ experiences and critical incidents in online learning that led and informed their self-regulatory process. The study findings suggested that there were specific beliefs and actions that emerged as interwoven elements of the adult students’ online SRL process. These interwoven elements broadly suggested the complexity of the adults’ SRL process based in their personal beliefs, learning actions, their online course settings, as well as their broader life influences as adults. The study delineated three specific conclusions based on the findings. First, the study concluded that adult students’ desire to self-regulate while learning online was motivated by key personal beliefs related to their goal commitments, perceived abilities to learn online, and perceived abilities to be a responsible learner. Secondly, the study found that adult students’ online self-regulatory process was adaptive in nature. Third, this study identified adult students’ use of a variety of key SRL strategies to meet the expectations of their online courses, their individual learning needs, as well as their multiple role demands. Following the conclusions, implications for theory, practice, and research were offered to impart the study’s contributions to the literature.
Fusing Local and Global Features for High-Resolution Scene Classification

In this paper, a fused global saliency-based multiscale multiresolution multistructure local binary pattern (salM 3LBP) feature and local codebookless model (CLM) feature is proposed for high-resolution image scene classification. First, two different but complementary types of descriptors (pixel intensities and differences) are developed to extract global features, characterizing the dominant spatial features in multiple scale, multiple resolution, and multiple structure manner. The micro/macrostructure information and rotation invariance are guaranteed in the global feature extraction process. For dense local feature extraction, CLM is utilized to model local enrichment scale invariant feature transform descriptor and dimension reduction is conducted via joint low-rank learning with support vector machine. Finally, a fused feature representation between salM3LBP and CLM as the scene descriptor to train a kernel-based extreme learning machine for scene classification is presented. The proposed approach is extensively evaluated on three challenging benchmark scene datasets (the 21-class land-use scene, 19-class satellite scene, and a newly available 30-class aerial scene), and the experimental results show that the proposed approach leads to superior classification performance compared with the state-of-the-art classification methods.
PENGARUH KESADARAN, PENGETAHUAN DAN PEMAHAMAN PERPAJAKAN, KUALITAS PELAYANAN DAN SANKSI PERPAJAKAN TERHADAP KEPATUHAN WAJIB PAJAK

This research aimed to determine the effect of taxpayer awareness, knowledge and understanding of regulations, taxation, quality of service and tax penalties on tax compliance on the Tax Office (KPP) Pratama East Denpasar. The theory used in this study are attribution theory (atribution theory), contingency theory and the theory of perceived behavior (TPB). The population in this study include individual taxpayers registered at the Tax Office Pratama East Denpasar number 100.703 taxpayers. The samples used in this study were 100 respondents with incidental sampling technique sampling method. The data collection was conducted by questionnaire. Data analysis technique used is multiple linear regression. The results showed that the taxpayer awareness, knowledge and understanding of regulations, taxation, quality of service and tax penalties positive effect on tax compliance.
Teenage pregnancies and abortions in Finland in the 1990s

Aims: This study analyses trends and regional variation in teenage pregnancy, abortion, and fertility rates in Finland in the 1990s, by single-year age group. Methods: Individual-level data from Finnish abortion and birth registers maintained by the National Research and Development Centre for Welfare and Health (STAKES) were used to calculate the rates and the abortion ratio. The abortion ratio was also calculated using conception as the time reference. Results: Teenage pregnancy rates and abortion rates reverted from decrease to increase in the mid-1990s. This was accompanied by an increase in the share of teenage pregnancies that ended in an abortion. The increase in abortions started first among older teenagers, and spread gradually to younger girls. Regional variation in the rates remained the same throughout the study period. Conclusions: The observed trends refl ect a change towards less effective use of contraceptive methods among teenagers. There is also evidence of the earlier start of teenage sexual activity at the end of the 1990s. The possible explanations for less effective contraceptive use include cutbacks in healthcare and family planning services in the first half of the 1990s and the reduction of sex education in schools.
Antigenic properties and diagnostic potential of recombinant Dobrava virus nucleocapsid protein

Dobrava hantavirus (DOBV) causes severe hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome in the Balkan region and has been detected recently also in Russia, Estonia, and Germany. DOBV nucleocapsid protein (N) was produced in insect cells, using the baculovirus expression system (bac‐DOBV‐N), and in E. coli as a truncated (aa 1–165) glutathione‐S transferase fusion protein (DOBV‐dN‐GST). The antigenic properties of bac‐DOBV‐N were found identical to native DOBV‐N when examined by a panel of hantavirus‐specific monoclonal antibodies. Enzyme immunoassays for detection of IgM and IgG antibodies were set up using DOBV recombinant N proteins and compared with those based on recombinant Hantaan and Puumala virus N, using panels of sera collected from DOBV, Hantaan and Puumala virus‐infected patients. Full‐length N protein (bac‐DOBV‐N) was found to be a more sensitive antigen than DOBV‐dN‐GST. The sensitivity values for sera from DOBV‐infected patients were 100% for bac‐DOBV‐N and 86% for DOBV‐dN‐GST by IgM assays, and 98% for bac‐DOBV‐N and 88% for DOBV‐dN‐GST by IgG assays. The specificity values were 100% for bac‐DOBV‐N and 99% for DOBV‐dN‐GST by IgM assays, and 100% for both antigens by IgG assays. J. Med. Virol. 61:266–274, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Management characteristics and corporate investment efficiency*

Abstract This paper investigates the relation between characteristics of top management teams (TMTs) and corporate investment efficiency. After controlling for corporate governance and several firms characteristics, we find that firms with better and more reputable TMTs (measured by larger team size, higher percentage of members with an MBA, higher percentage of members with prior executive experience, and higher number of members serving on boards of other companies) are negatively related to investment inefficiency caused by over- and underinvestment. Furthermore, we find that TMT characteristics complement the positive effect of financial reporting quality on investment efficiency. Our findings suggest that better TMT characteristics can mitigate investment distortions caused by over- and underinvestment.
The Effect of Intra-Neural Local Anaesthetic Infusion on Pain Following Major Lower Limb Amputation.

Background Critical lower limb ischaemia has an annual incidence of 500 — 1000 per million and around a quarter will undergo a major lower limb amputation. Post operative pain and phantom pain are recognised complications. Aim The aim of this study was to assess the role of postoperative intraneural infusion of local anaesthetic in patients under-going major lower limb amputation. Methods Between May 1998 and July 2001, following amputation patients either had standard post-operative analgesia or had an intra-neural infusion of 0.5% bupivicaine via an infant feeding catheter connected to a standard syringe pump (Alaris®). This was a retrospective review and clinical notes of these patients were analysed to assess their post operative course, analgesic requirements and to ascertain phantom limb pain/sensation rates. All the data collected was from standard drug charts, case note entries and out-patient letters. Results During this time period 64 patients had a major lower limb amputation (31 patients treated routinely and 33 patients had an intra-neural anaesthetic (INA) catheter placed). In the INA group median post-operative opioid analgesia requirement was 10mg versus 74mg (p=0.0002, Mann-Whitney U) and post-operative prescription of amitriptyline for phantom pain was less common (4 patients versus 11 patients; p=0.0281, Mann-Whitney U). There was no obvious increase in complications or significant adverse events. Conclusions Postoperative intra-neural local anaesthetic infusion is a safe and effective technique. It reduces post-operative opioid analgesia requirement and seems to reduce phantom pain development.
Magnesium in Disease: a Review with Special Emphasis on the Serum Ionized Magnesium

Abstract This review deals with the six main clinical situations related to magnesium or one of its fractions, including ionized magnesium: renal disease, hypertension, preeclampsia, diabetes mellitus, cardiac disease, and the administration of therapeutic drugs. Issues addressed are the physiological role of magnesium, eventual changes in its levels, and how these best can be monitored. In renal disease mostly moderate hypermagnesemia is seen; measuring ionized magnesium offers minimal advantage. In hypertension magnesium might be lowered but its measurement does not seem relevant. In the prediction of severe pre-eclampsia, elevated ionized magnesium concentration may play a role, but no unequivocal picture emerges. Low magnesium in blood may be cause for, or consequence of, diabetes mellitus. No special fraction clearly indicates magnesium deficiency leading to insulin resistance. Cardiac diseases are related to diminished magnesium levels. During myocardial infarction, serum magnesium drops. Total magnesium concentration in cardiac cells can be predicted from levels in sublingual or skeletal muscle cells. Most therapeutic drugs (diuretics, chemotherapeutics, immunosuppressive agents, antibiotics) cause hypomagnesemia due to increased urinary loss. It is concluded that most of the clinical situations studied show hypomagnesemia due to renal loss, with exception of renal disease. Keeping in mind that only 1% of the total body magnesium pool is extracellular, no simple measurement of the real intracellular situation has emerged; measuring ionized magnesium in serum has little added value at present.
Pathogen resistance as the origin of kin altruism.

It is suggested that pathogen and parasite avoidance act as a driving force for kin selection. Preferential association with relatives decreases the probability of infection with unfamiliar pathogens. Altruistic behavior towards kin will further decrease the danger of infection by increasing the representation of relatives in a group. Such a behavioral strategy could evolve if pathogen resistance were heritable. Highly polymorphic major histocompatibility (MHC) genes largely determine heritable resistance to particular pathogens. The degree of relatedness within a group correlates with the degree of similarity in MHCs. It has been shown that detection of MHC type by mice guides preferential kin association. Pathogen avoidance appears to be the simplest explanation for the existence of a direct link between detecting the heritable component of the immune system and kin altruism. Detection of MHC also serves kin avoidance in mating. Periodic introduction of new genes including MHCs through mating provides resistance to the unavoidable appearance of foreign virulent pathogens (Hamilton et al., 1990, Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 87, 3566-3573). It is suggested that kin preference favoring homogeneity punctuated by introduction of new genes through mating provides an optimal strategy for pathogen avoidance. Aggression might also serve to decrease infection by isolating or eliminating individuals with unrelated MHCs.
Fluid and Diet Patterns Associated with Weight Cycling and Changes in Body Composition Assessed by Continuous Monitoring Throughout a College Wrestling Season

Lingor, RJ and Olson, A. Fluid and diet patterns associated with weight cycling and changes in body composition assessed by continuous monitoring throughout a college wrestling season. J Strength Cond Res 24(7): 1763-1772, 2010-This study examined the methods used to meet certification weight for wrestling and to measure the changes in body composition during 1 season for Division III college wrestlers. Nine college wrestlers completed this study. Body composition was analyzed by underwater weighing (UWW) and multifrequency bioelectrical impedance before and throughout the competitive season. Hydration status was measured by urine osmolality (Uosm) and urine specific gravity (Usg). Nutritional intake was measured for 2 1-week periods, once at the beginning and again near the end of the season. Subjects' fat-free mass (FFM) increased an average of 1.8 kg, whereas fat mass (FM) decreased 2.2 kg as indicated by UWW from the beginning to the end of the season. Wrestlers on average cycled their weight 3.4 kg (4.7% of body weight) per week. The majority of wrestlers cut weight by reducing calories and restricting fluids starting 2 days before the competition. Uosm and body weights on Friday suggested that for wrestlers to achieve the necessary weight loss by dehydration to “make weight” for a Saturday meet, wrestlers would approach a 5% level of dehydration. No loss of FFM because of weight cycling (WC) was evident to achieve competitive weight. Most wrestlers significantly restricted fluids and caloric intake in the 48 hours before weigh-in.
A prospective comparison of telemedicine versus in-person delivery of an interprofessional education program for adults with inflammatory arthritis

Introduction We evaluated two modes of delivery of an inflammatory arthritis education program (“Prescription for Education” (RxEd)) in improving arthritis self-efficacy and other secondary outcomes. Methods We used a non-randomized, pre-post design to compare videoconferencing (R, remote using telemedicine) versus local (I, in-person) delivery of the program. Data were collected at baseline (T1), immediately following RxEd (T2), and at six months (T3). Self-report questionnaires served as the data collection tool. Measures included demographics, disorder-related, Arthritis Self-Efficacy Scale (SE), previous knowledge (Arthritis Community Research and Evaluation Unit (ACREU) rheumatoid arthritis knowledge questionnaire), coping efficacy, Illness Intrusiveness, and Effective Consumer Scale. Analysis included: baseline comparisons and longitudinal trends (R vs I groups); direct between-group comparisons; and Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) analysis. Results A total of 123 persons attended the program (I: n = 36; R: n = 87) and 111 completed the baseline questionnaire (T1), with follow-up completed by 95% (n = 117) at T2 and 62% (n = 76) at T3. No significant baseline differences were found across patient characteristics and outcome measures. Both groups (R and I) showed immediate effect (improved arthritis SE, mean change (95% confidence interval (CI)): R 1.07 (0.67, 1.48); I 1.48 (0.74, 2.23)) after the program that diminished over six months (mean change (95% CI): R 0.45 (−0.1, 0.1); I 0.73 (−0.25, 1.7)). For each of the secondary outcomes, both groups showed similar trends for improvement (mean change scores (95% CI)) over time. GEE analysis did not show any meaningful differences between groups (R vs I) over time. Discussion Improvements in arthritis self-efficacy and secondary outcomes displayed similar trends for I and R participant groups.
In vitro modulation of natural killer activity of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells against prostate tumor cell line

Objective: Natural killer (NK) cells have long been known to be involved in the recognition and lysis of tumor cells but the mechanisms contributing to deficient NK activity in patients with cancer remains unclear. Manipulation of them is likely essential to the success of cancer immunotherapy protocols although optimal stimulation and maintenance of NK activity remains elusive. Here we studied the stimulatory effects of PHA and K562, on NK activity of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Materials and methods: The NK activity of PBMCs against DU-145 was determined with 51Cr-release assay. The PBMCs were stimulated with PHA, either on one occasion or repetitively on three occasions (1-PHA-PBMC or 3-PHA-PBMC, respectively), and were incubated with irradiated K562 (iK562). The expression of CD56, NKG2D and MICA/B were detected on PBMCs and cell lines with flow cytometry. Results: PHA stimulation increased the proportion of CD56+ cells and upregulated NKG2D expression on 1-PHA-PBMC and 3-PHA-PBMC, but co-incubation with iK562 decreased NKG2D expression on 1-PHA-PBMC without change of NKG2D expression on the 3-PHA-PBMC. NK activity of 1-PHA-PBMC appeared to decrease with co-incubation with iK562 compared to a significant increase in activity of 3-PHA-PBMC. A similar increase in interferon-γ (IFN-γ) secretion from 3-PHA-PBMC was demonstrated compared to 1-PHA-PBMC. Discussion and conclusion: Our results demonstrated that varying the mitogen exposure to PBMCs affect the influence of iK562 on NK activity. This effect appeared to be unrelated to the subsequent expression of NKG2D or IFN-γ secretion. These results may be beneficial in the development of future cancer immunotherapy protocols.
Multiple sclerosis and glutamate excitotoxicity

Abstract The previous understanding of multiple sclerosis was solely related to neuroinflammation and its harmful effects; however, countless data indicate the importance of some inflammation-independent, neurodegenerative mechanisms associated with mitochondria malfunction, iron deposition and oxidative stress. Recently, it has been postulated that glutamate excitotoxicity, a phenomenon that takes place when an excessive amount of glutamate overactivates its cellular receptors and induces cell death, could be a missing link between inflammatory and neurodegenerative processes evident in multiple sclerosis. Glutamate is the major excitatory neurotransmitter of the central nervous system, which has been proven to have a central role in a complex communication network established between all residential brain cells, including neurons, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes and microglia. Thus, the disturbance of glutamate homeostasis could affect practically all physiological functions and interactions of brain cells, leading to heterogeneity of pathological events. The understanding of glutamate excitotoxicity as a valid mechanism of central nervous system damage in multiple sclerosis, requires the revision of the current knowledge about a source of elevated extracellular glutamate, glutamate receptor alterations, alterations of glutamate transporters and metabolizing enzymes, as well as molecular mechanism of excitotoxic damage.
CLINICAL COURSE, MORPHOLOGY, AND TREATMENT OF CHRONICALLY REJECTING SMALL BOWEL ALLOGRAFTS

As acute rejection episodes are most frequently prevented or controlled in clinical organ transplantation, chronic rejection processes have become the major reason for late dysfunction and eventual loss of the allo-graft. The recent reports on successful clinical intestinal transplantation prompted us to investigate chronic rejection processes that may arise after the initial control of acute rejection. Using the strongly histoincompatible ACI→LEW rat strain combination and serial graft biopsies after limited initial immunosuppressive therapy with cyclosporine, we defined the clinical and pathomorphologic course of chronic rejection of orthotopic small bowel allografts. Differing from acute rejection, the bowel wall (especially the mucosa and submucosa) was not the primary target of chronic rejection. We observed progressive destruction of the Peyer's patches and the mesenteric lymph nodes of the graft—a process which began during the 4-week course of CsA—and infiltration and destruction of graft mesenteric vessels. Testing the immunosuppressive drugs FK506 and CsA for their efficacy to ameliorate ongoing chronic rejection, we found that a short course (5 days) of FK506 was more effective than a second 4-week course of CsA.