Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Research Section: Can the use of background music improve the behaviour and academic performance of children with emotional and behavioural difficulties?

Hall (1952), exploring the possible uses of music in schools, found that performance on reading comprehension tests was significantly improved when background music was playing; 58% of the 245 8th and 9th graders taking part in the study, showed an increase in scores on the Nelson Silent Reading Tests. There were also ‘settling do wn periods’ at the beginning of the morning and afternoon sessions and a mid-afternoon ‘f atigue period’ w hen music was of the greatest assistance. Her study also suggested that the major portion of the aid given by background music was an increase in accuracy, and that those students who were ‘belo w average in intelligence and achievement’ benefited more from the presence of background music than those ‘a bove average’, sug gesting that these students were more in need of an aid to concentr ation. In a smaller scale study of four hyperactive pupils, Scott (1970) found that the introduction of background music into the classroom had a calming influence. Comparison of performance on an arithmetic task across four conditions: the normal classroom environment; the
Decomposition Method for Studying Smooth Chua's equation with Application to hyperchaotic multiscroll attractors

This paper focuses on the numerical study of chaotic dynamics via the Adomian decomposition method. The approach, which provides series solutions of the system equations, is first applied to Chua's circuit and Chua's oscillator, both with cubic nonlinearity. Successively, the method is utilized for obtaining hyperchaotic multiscroll attractors in a ring of three Chua's circuits, where the smooth nonlinearities are Hermite interpolating polynomials. The reported examples show that the approach presents two main features, i.e. the system nonlinearity is preserved and the chaotic solution is provided in a closed form.
Autonomic control of heart rate during physical exercise and fractal dimension of heart rate variability.

The objectives of the present study were to investigate autonomic nervous system influence on heart rate during physical exercise and to examine the relationship between the fractal component in heart rate variability (HRV) and the system's response. Ten subjects performed incremental exercise on a cycle ergometer, consisting of a 5-min warm-up period followed by a ramp protocol, with work rate increasing at a rate of 2.0 W/min until exhaustion. During exercise, alveolar gas exchange, plasma norepinephrine (NE) and epinephrine (E) responses, and beat-to-beat HRV were monitored. HRV data were analyzed by "coarse-graining spectral analysis" (Y. Yamamoto and R. L. Hughson. J. Appl. Physiol. 71: 1143-1150, 1991) to break down their total power (Pt) into harmonic and nonharmonic (fractal) components. The harmonic component was further divided into low-frequency (0.0-0.15 Hz) and high-frequency (0.15-0.8 Hz) components, from which low-frequency and high-frequency power (Pl and Ph, respectively) were calculated. Parasympathetic (PNS) and sympathetic (SNS) nervous system activity indicators were evaluated by Ph/Pt and Pl/Ph, respectively. From the fractal component, the fractal dimension (DF) and the spectral exponent (beta) were calculated. The PNS indicator decreased significantly (P < 0.05) when exercise intensity exceeded 50% of peak oxygen uptake (VO2 peak). Conversely, the SNS indicator initially increased at 50-60% VO2peak (P < 0.05) and further increased significantly (P < 0.05) at > 60% VO2peak when there were also more pronounced increases in NE and E. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Microwave ablation energy delivery: influence of power pulsing on ablation results in an ex vivo and in vivo liver model.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to compare the impact of continuous and pulsed energy deliveries on microwave ablation growth and shape in unperfused and perfused liver models. METHODS A total of 15 kJ at 2.45 GHz was applied to ex vivo bovine liver using one of five delivery methods (n = 50 total, 10 per group): 25 W continuous for 10 min (25 W average), 50 W continuous for 5 min (50 W average), 100 W continuous for 2.5 min (100 W average), 100 W pulsed for 10 min (25 W average), and 100 W pulsed for 5 min (50 W average). A total of 30 kJ was applied to in vivo porcine livers (n = 35, 7 per group) using delivery methods similar to the ex vivo study, but with twice the total ablation time to offset heat loss to blood perfusion. Temperatures were monitored 5-20 mm from the ablation antenna, with values over 60 °C indicating acute cellular necrosis. Comparisons of ablation size and shape were made between experimental groups based on total energy delivery, average power applied, and peak power using ANOVA with post-hoc pairwise tests. RESULTS No significant differences were noted in ablation sizes or circularities between pulsed and continuous groups in ex vivo tissue. Temperature data demonstrated more rapid heating in pulsed ablations, suggesting that pulsing may overcome blood perfusion and coagulate tissues more rapidly in vivo. Differences in ablation size and shape were noted in vivo despite equivalent energy delivery among all groups. Overall, the largest ablation volume in vivo was produced with 100 W continuous for 5 min (265.7 ± 208.1 cm(3)). At 25 W average, pulsed-power ablation volumes were larger than continuous-power ablations (67.4 ± 34.5 cm(3) versus 23.6 ± 26.5 cm(3), P = 0.43). Similarly, pulsed ablations produced significantly greater length (P ≤ 0.01), with increase in diameter (P = 0.09) and a slight decrease in circularity (P = 0.97). When comparing 50 W average power groups, moderate differences in size were noted (P ≥ 0.06) and pulsed ablations were again slightly more circular. CONCLUSIONS Pulsed energy delivery created larger ablation zones at low average power compared to continuous energy delivery in the presence of blood perfusion. Shorter duty cycles appear to provide greater benefit when pulsing.
Triple-Sugar Iron Agar Medium for the Identification of the Intestinal Group of Bacteria

purposes of attempted purification it has been grown in a heart infusion medium containing glucose, tryptic digest of casein, and an excess of reduced iron. The crude toxins obtained from this medium contain 200,000 to 800,000 mouse M.L. D. per ml (ca. 5 X 104 mg N2 per M.L.D.). Several lots of the crude toxin have been purified by precipitation with cadmium chloride according to Eaton and Gronau, by precipitation with 0.5 saturated ammonium sulfate followed by dialysis at 0 to 5 C against 0.9 per cent NaCl, or by precipitation with cadmium chloride and reprecipitation with ammonium sulfate. The best preparation (table 1, toxin no. 4) contained 0.023 X 10mg N2 per M.L. D. The relatively constant ratio, Lf/M.L. D. , indicated that losses during purification did not result from inactivation of toxin; rather, losses resulted largely from incomplete elution from the cadmium precipitate. Although the N2/M.L. D. ratio represents a toxin of a hundredfold greater purity than any previously obtained, we have as yet no evidence that a limit of purification has been reached. Further, these data do not yet exclude the possibility that the toxic entity is nonprotein and that it is carried through the purification procedures by adsorption on inactive protein. Indirect evidence, however, argues against this assumption: 80 per cent of the total nitrogen of the purified preparations is precipitated by 5 per cent trichloroacetic acid and 70 per cent by 1 per cent metaphosphoric acid; and the total nitrogen, calculated as protein, constitutes . 100±2 per cent of the dry weight in the purified preparations.
Distinct activation of the sympathetic adreno-medullar system and hypothalamus pituitary adrenal axis following the caloric vestibular test in healthy subjects

Introduction The vestibular acute stress induces reversible alert-like reactions that involve the sympathetic adrenal-medullar system and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis responses. The present study aimed to evaluate salivary α-amylase and salivary cortisol production in relation with cardiovascular reactivity induced by acute stress in healthy subjects. Material and methods Forty-eight young healthy male volunteers were examined under basal conditions and at various times after reaching the maximal nystagmic reaction following air caloric vestibular test. Heart rate, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and mean arterial pressure were recorded at the same time as measurement of the salivary α-amylase and salivary cortisol. At the end of the caloric vestibular test session, perceived stress scale questionnaires were administered to measure the self-perceived stress impact induced by the task, and individual scores were compared with those measured on the enrollment day. Results Following caloric vestibular test-evoked vertigo, salivary α-amylase and cortisol showed distinct trends in their production after acute stress: Student’s t-test was used to compare the α-amylase vs cortisol slopes of the respective interpolated regression lines, and the difference was significant (t = -3.283; p<0.001); an increase in salivary cortisol production corresponded with a decrease in the salivary α-amylase concentration. In addition, salivary biomarker modifications were associated with consistent changes in the heart rate, systolic blood pressure and mean arterial pressure. Conclusions Using the air caloric vestibular test task as a stressor, the present study demonstrated a connection between the acute hormonal stress response to vestibular stimulation and cardiovascular output. However, further research is needed before we can define the potential importance of the consistent cardiovascular activity changes evoked by vestibular stimulation and the possible functional consequences for cardiovascular regulation and orthostatic tolerance in humans.
EEG Power Spectra of Dysphonetic and Nondysphonetic Poor Readers

Two subtypes of poor readers, dysphonetic and phonetic, were compared on EEG spectral values obtained as they viewed strings of letters and short words. Dysphonetic poor readers had significantly higher values than phonetics in the theta and delta bands. Both phonetic and dysphonetic poor readers had lower beta values than adequate reading children with Attention Deficit Disorder. This evidence indicates that poor readers, especially dysphonetics, were less actively engaged in the task.
Transcriptome analysis of the Aspergillus nidulans AtmA (ATM, Ataxia‐Telangiectasia mutated) null mutant

ATM is a phosphatidyl‐3‐kinase‐related protein kinase that functions as a central regulator of DNA damage response in eukaryotes. In humans, mutations in ATM cause the devastating neurodegenerative disease Ataxia‐Telangiectasia. Previously, we characterized the homologue of ATM (AtmA) in the filamentous fungus Aspergillus nidulans. In addition to its expected role in the DNA damage response, we found that AtmA is also required for polarized hyphal growth. Our results suggested that AtmA probably regulates the function and/or localization of landmark proteins required for the formation of a polarity axis. Here, we extended these studies by investigating which pathways are influenced by AtmA during proliferation and polar growth by comparatively determining the transcriptional profile of A. nidulans wild‐type and ΔatmA mutant strains in different growth conditions. Our results indicate an important role of the pentose phosphate pathway in the fungal proliferation during endogenous DNA damage and polar growth monitored by the AtmA kinase. Furthermore, we identified several genes that have decreased mRNA expression in the ΔatmA mutant that are involved in the formation of a polarized hyphae and control of polar growth; in the synthesis of phosphatidic acid (e.g. phospholipase D); in the ergosterol biosynthesis (plasma membrane microdomains, lipid rafts); and in intracellular trafficking.
Inhibition of luteinizing hormone secretion in ovariectomized ewes during the breeding season by gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is mediated by GABA-A receptors, but not GABA-B receptors.

We have investigated the effects of agonists and antagonists to gamma-aminobutyric acid-A (GABA-A) and GABA-B receptors microinjected (1 microliters) into the preoptic area (POA) on LH in ovariectomized (OVX) ewes with or without estrogen (E) treatment during the breeding season. Guide tubes were placed into the preoptic area of OVX ewes using lateral ventriculograms for localization of the target area. Doses of 10 micrograms of the GABA agonists muscimol (GABA-A) and baclofen (GABA-B) or the GABA antagonists bicuculline (GABA-A) and phaclofen (GABA-B) were injected into the POA of tame conscious animals. Jugular venous blood was collected at 10-min intervals for 3 h, the injection of GABA drug or vehicle was given, and samples were collected for a further 3 h. The plasma samples were assayed for LH. On completion of the experiments, the brains were sectioned to locate the site of injection. In the first year, 17 ewes were used, of which 16 had correct guide tube placement. In OVX sheep, both muscimol and bicuculline injections caused suppression of plasma LH concentrations, with a cessation of pulses in many instances. When OVX sheep were treated with 1.0-cm Silastic implants (sc) of E for at least 7 days, there was a decrease in LH interpulse interval. In these sheep, muscimol and bicuculline injections had effects on plasma LH concentrations similar to those in OVX sheep. In addition, bicuculline was injected into the POA of OVX ewes treated with 2.0-cm E implants. Despite E treatment resulting in reduced plasma LH levels, due to an increase in the interpulse interval, bicuculline injection further suppressed plasma LH levels. Neither baclofen nor phaclofen injection had any effect on plasma LH secretion in either OVX ewes or OVX ewes given 1.0-cm E implants. In the second year, eight sheep were used, all of which had correct guide tube placement. These sheep were treated with 2.0-cm E implants and injected with phaclofen. Phaclofen had no effect on LH secretion. These results suggest that GnRH secretion is regulated by GA-BAergic neurons at the level of the GnRH cell bodies in the POA and that during the breeding season, this is effected by GABA-A and not GABA-B receptors. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Activation of the CPP32 Apoptotic Protease by Distinct Signaling Pathways with Differential Sensitivity to Bcl-xL*

In the absence of growth factors, many types of mammalian cells undergo apoptosis. We and others have shown recently that growth factors promote cell survival by activating phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase) in several cell types. In the present study, we have compared downstream elements of the apoptotic pathways induced by PI 3-kinase inhibitors and other stimuli. In U937 cells, both PI 3-kinase inhibitors (wortmannin and LY294002) and etoposide activated the CPP32 apoptotic protease by cleavage to active p17 subunits. In contrast, treatment with tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) resulted in the accumulation of a distinct active CPP32 subunit, p20. Furthermore, overexpression of Bcl-xL blocked DNA fragmentation, CPP32 activation and cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase in U937 cells treated with both PI 3-kinase inhibitors and etoposide, but not in cells treated with TNFα. Distinct patterns of CPP32 activation and differential sensitivities to Bcl-xL thus distinguish the cell death pathways activated by PI 3-kinase inhibition and DNA damage from that activated by TNFα.
The Efficacy of Contingency Management for Adolescent Cannabis Use Disorder: A Controlled Study

Background This study was performed to investigate the efficacy of a voucher-based reinforcement therapy (VBRT) rewarding drug-free urine for adolescents with cannabis use disorder. Methods A controlled 10-week study where 59 adolescents aged 14–18 years were assigned by cohorts into groups of either an integrated cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and VBRT or CBT with attendance-based reward program. Substance use was monitored by twice-weekly urinalysis. Other measures were collected at pre- and posttreatment and at 3-month follow-up. Results There was no significant difference in the linear change between conditions for cannabis use either from Sessions 1 to 10 or between end-of-treatment to 3-month follow-up. Also, self-efficacy and coping response did not show improvement during treatment. Conclusions In this study, the addition of contingency management (CM) to CBT in youth was not found to be more efficacious than similar compensation rewarding attendance only. Continued examination of the efficacy of CM and its interaction with the associated mechanisms of behavior change of CBT in youth is necessary. Examination of the effect of the magnitude of the reward as well as considering the emotional and cognitive developmental differences from adults is warranted.
[Value of urinary kidney injury molecule-1 protein in early diagnosis of radiocontrast- induced nephropathy in rats].

OBJECTIVE To assess the value of determination of urine kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) protein content in the early diagnosis of radiocontrast-induced nephropathy (RCIN) in rats. METHODS Seventy-two adult male SD rats were randomly divided into groups A, B, C (n=8) and D group (which was subdivided into 2, 6, 12, 24, 48 h and 7 days groups, n=8). Group A was subject to injections via the tail vein of PBS and normal saline (NS), group B received injections of PBS, NS, and contrast medium (CM), group C with indomethacin (INDO), nitric oxide synthase inhibitor (L-NAME), and NS, and group D with INDO, L-NAME and CM. Each injection was given at the interval of 15 min. RESULTS In group D, serum creatinine (Scr) and urea nitrogen (BUN) were significantly increased at 6 h after the injections (P<0.001), peaked at 24 h and recovered normal levels at 48 h. Histological examination revealed significant pathological changes in the kidneys at 6 h, showing diffuse tubulointerstitial hyperemia and hemorrhage, marked tubular necrosis and tubular structure destruction; at 12 h, significant tubular necrosis was still present with tubular structure destruction, but the tubulointerstitial hemorrhage was alleviated; at 24 h, tubular regeneration occurred in the renal medulla, but even till 7 days the tubular structures failed to show full recovery. In group D, urine KIM-1 level began to increase at 2 h, reached the peak level at 24 h, and lasted till 7 days (P<0.001); urine N-acetly-β-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) value began to increase at 6 h and became normal at 48 h. Urine MMP-9 level underwent no significant changes in group D over the time points of observation. CONCLUSION The results show that urinary KIM-1 levels can be used as an indicator for early diagnosis of RCIN.
Influence of traumatic grief on suicidal ideation among young adults.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of traumatic grief on suicidal ideation. METHOD The Beck-Kovacs Scale for Suicidal Ideation was administered to 76 young adult friends of suicide victims. RESULTS Traumatic grief was associated with a 5.08 times greater likelihood of suicidal ideation, after control for depression. Comorbid traumatic grief and depression were not associated with a greater likelihood of suicidal ideation. CONCLUSIONS Syndromal traumatic grief heightens vulnerability to suicidal ideation.
Application of in vitro digestibility methods in aquaculture: constraints and perspectives

In vitro assays simulating the digestion process have been extensively used in the evaluation of the nutritional quality of foods and feeds for humans and terrestrial animals. Such techniques have been comparatively less used in nutrition of aquacultured species, although in recent years the interest in developing alternatives to the conventional in vivo digestibility assays has increased. Using 65 published papers as a reference, this review summarizes the different approaches and configurations used to date in the simulation of the digestion of food by aquatic animals, as well as the main limitations detected in the different methods and the potential advantages derived from their application. Some recommendations are suggested to develop suitable in vitro assays oriented either to the nutritional evaluation of feed ingredients or to get a more detailed knowledge on the interactions among digestive enzymes and feed components.
Geographical patterns of formality variation in written Standard California English

Formality variation in the written use of lexical words in the relational sphere in California English is analyzed on a geographical level for the first time in this article. Linguistic data for word alternations including a formal and an informal term for a specific concept are gathered from newspapers Web sites written in English through site-restricted Web searches across California (Asnaghi, An Analysis of Regional Lexical Variation in California English Using Site-Restricted Web Searches. Joint Ph.D. Dissertation, Universita `; Cattolica del Sacro Cuore and University of Leuven, Milan, Italy and Leuven, Belgium, 2013) and analyzed with a series of spatial statistical analyses (Grieve et al. A statistical method for the identification and aggregation of regional linguistic variation. Language Variation and Change, 23: 193-221, 2011). Urban versus rural and north versus south tendencies are detected in the language choices of California journalists. These tendencies are rooted in the history of the Golden State as well as in its socio- economical structure (Starr and Procter. Americans and the California dream, 1850-1915. History: Reviews of New Books, 1(9): 201-201, 1973; Hayes, Historical Atlas of California: With Original Maps. Berkeley/Los Angeles/London: University of California Press, 2007).
Therapeutic vaccination for the treatment of mucosotropic human papillomavirus-associated disease

There is a high prevalence of diseases caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Unfortunately, current treatments are inadequate. However, because there is evidence to support a role for the immune system in host defence against this virus, an immunotherapeutic approach is warranted. The existing immunotherapies are not completely effective, nor are they durable. In addition, natural history studies associated with spontaneous regression have provided little guidance to the design of successful interventions. This state of knowledge has encouraged efforts towards the development of novel immunotherapeutic strategies. Successful preclinical studies of therapeutic vaccine candidates have led to clinical studies for a variety of HPV-associated indications, such as anogenital warts and cervical and anal intraepithelial neoplasia. Immunisation approaches such as adjuvanted peptides, virus-like particles and fusion constructs are discussed. Specifically, chimaeric molecules comprised of mycobacterial heat-shock proteins (Hsps) and HPV16 E7 appear promising.