Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Good Place to Do Time? Detailing the Construction of Symbolic Social Boundaries in Correctional Boot Camps

Drawing on qualitative interviews with 51 incarcerated adult men and nine correctional officers in a Western Canadian prison system, we ask why some incarcerated people find it appealing to be placed on correctional boot camp units and what such appeals tell us about broader conditions of incarceration. Participants on three boot camp units drew on narratives relating to (a) extrinsic benefits, (b) discipline and structure, (c) teamwork and positive relationships, and (d) an opportunity for self-improvement to construct symbolic boundaries between “normal” units and boot camps, as well as their former self and their transformed current self. By drawing symbolic boundaries between the past and present and between other units and their boot camp unit, our participants create narratives that allow them to partially mitigate some pains of imprisonment.
A Comparative Study of Genetic Diversity and Multiplicity of Infection in Uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum Infections in Selected Regions of Pre-Elimination and High Transmission Settings Using MSP1 and MSP2 Genes

Background: Understanding the genetic structure of P. falciparum population in different regions is pivotal to malaria elimination. Genetic diversity and the multiplicity of infection are indicators used for measuring malaria endemicity across different transmission settings. Therefore, this study characterized P. falciparum infections from selected areas constituting pre-elimination and high transmission settings in South Africa and Nigeria, respectively. Methods: Parasite genomic DNA was extracted from 129 participants with uncomplicated P. falciparum infections. Isolates were collected from 78 participants in South Africa (southern Africa) and 51 in Nigeria (western Africa). Allelic typing of the msp1 and msp2 genes was carried out using nested PCR. Results: In msp1, the K1 allele (39.7%) was the most common allele among the South African isolates, while the RO33 allele (90.2%) was the most common allele among the Nigerian isolates. In the msp2 gene, FC27 and IC3D7 showed almost the same percentage distribution (44.9% and 43.6%) in the South African isolates, whereas FC27 had the highest percentage distribution (60.8%) in the Nigerian isolates. The msp2 gene showed highly distinctive genotypes, indicating high genetic diversity in the South African isolates, whereas msp1 showed high genetic diversity in the Nigerian isolates. The RO33 allelic family displayed an inverse relationship with participants’ age in the Nigerian isolates. The overall multiplicity of infection (MOI) was significantly higher in Nigeria (2.87) than in South Africa (2.44) (p < 0.000 *). In addition, heterozygosity was moderately higher in South Africa (1.46) than in Nigeria (1.13). Conclusions: The high genetic diversity and MOI in P. falciparum that were observed in this study could provide surveillance data, on the basis of which appropriate control strategies should be adopted.
18F-FDG PET/CT imaging in pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma

Background Pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma (PSC) is a rare highly aggressive and poorly differentiated non-small cell carcinoma, and little is known about the information on the usefulness of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT). We investigated the clinical and 18F-FDG PET/CT features of PSC. Methods We retrospectively analyzed 25 consecutive PSC patients who had undergone 18F-FDG PET/CT. Demographic data, PET/CT findings before treatment, pathological features, and prognosis in these patients were investigated to define correlates between maximal standard uptake value (SUVmax) and clinicopathological parameters. Results From March 2017 to January 2023, twenty-five eligible patients with PSC were identified. There were 23 (92%) men, aged 68.5 ± 8.5 (range 56-90) years. Eighteen (72%) patients had a frequent smoking history. The mean size of PSCs was 59.3 ± 18.6 (range 29-97) mm, and 23 (92%) PSCs were Stage IV tumors. 20 (80%) lesions were located in the upper lung and 19 (76%) cases belonged to the peripheral type. Necrotic foci appeared in 21(84%) tumors. 11 (44%) PSCs invaded the pleura. All PSCs were FDG avid, and the mean of SUVmax was 11.8 ± 5.3 (range 4.8-25.5). Metastases were found on PET/CT in 24(96%) patients. The SUVmax of the lesions ≥ 5cm was higher than that of the lesions < 5cm (p=0.004), and the SUVmax of lesions with TTF-1 expression was higher than those of lesions without TTF-1 expression (p=0.009). All of the 25 primary lesions were considered malignant and confirmative, probable, and possible diagnosis of PSC was made in 2 (8%), 4 (16%), and 5(20%) patients, respectively on PET/CT. PSC was not considered in 14 (56%) patients, in PET/CT. The survival of patients with surgery didn’t demonstrate a significantly good prognosis as compared with those without surgery (p=0.675). Conclusion All PSCs had obvious FDG avidity. Although imaging diagnosis is still difficult, combined clinical and imaging features more than 40% of primary lesions were considered for the possibility of PSC in our group. Early histopathological diagnosis is necessary to help develop a reasonable regimen.
Effect of nitrogen fertilization and fungicide protection on winter triticale wholesomeness

Until recently, triticale was considered to be a species of low disease susceptibility. Research results indicate, however, that it is more and more frequently infected by stem-base, leaf, and spike diseases, and the loses caused by disease occurrence may reach 1/3 of yield. The aim of the study was the determination of leaf and spike disease occurrence in winter triticale protected with fungicides, in the conditions of diversified nitrogen fertilization doses. Study material was winter triticale plants cultivar Gniewko, obtained from a three-year-long (2009-2011) filed experiment at the Production and Experimental Station in Ba ł cyny near Ostróda. First factor was nitrogen fertilization: 30, 60, 90, 120, and 150 kg·ha -1 . Second factor was the level of protection against fungal diseases: seed dressing, seed dressing and one on-leaf treatment, and seed dressing and two on-leaf treatments. Weather conditions in the study years significantly differentiated the intensity of disease symptoms. Nitrogen fertilization significantly affected winter triticale wholesomeness and caused a decrease in flag leaf infection by Rhynchosporium secalis only in the second research year. However, in the case of chaff septoriosis, an increase in infection was noted under the effect of increasing nitrogen doses. The applied fungicides effectively inhibited the development of flag and sub-flag leaves (leaf septoriosis, brown rust, powdery mildew) and spikes (chaff septoriosis and powdery mildew). Significant inhibition in fungal disease intensity was noted only after the application of two on-leaf treatments.
Advances in Pharmacological Approaches for Managing Hypercholesterolemia: A Comprehensive Overview of Novel Treatments

Hypercholesterolemia plays a crucial role in the formation of lipid plaques, particularly with elevated low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) levels, which are linked to increased risks of cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, and peripheral arterial disease. Controlling blood cholesterol values, specifically reducing LDL-C, is widely recognized as a key modifiable risk factor for decreasing the morbidity and mortality associated with cardiovascular diseases. Historically, statins, by inhibiting the enzyme β-hydroxy β-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG)-CoA reductase, have been among the most effective drugs. However, newer non-statin agents have since been introduced into hypercholesterolemia therapy, providing a viable alternative with a favorable cost–benefit ratio. This paper aims to delve into the latest therapies, shedding light on their mechanisms of action and therapeutic benefits.
The many roads to Problem-Based Learning: A Cross-Disciplinary Overview of PBL in Asian Institutions

Since the late 1970s, Asia has been adapting pedagogical breakthroughs to the unique context of its higher education institutions. In the late 1990s and 2000s, an explosion of interest in Problem-Based Learning swept the continent: hundreds of schools across dozens of fields put forward their versions of PBL. While the traditional ties with Western institutions continue to serve as an inspiration, many Asian institutions are now claiming a lead role in a new, very Asian way of carrying out the methods and philosophy of PBL – and in so doing, inspiring other Asian institutions to follow suit. This paper retraces the footsteps of PBL in Asia before offering a typology of the trends in PBL in Asia through selected examples, across cultures and disciplines.
Improvement of the Symmetry and Linearity of Synaptic Weight Update by Combining the InGaZnO Synaptic Transistor and Memristor

Obtaining symmetrical and highly linear synapse weight update characteristics of analog resistive switching devices is critical for attaining high performance and energy efficiency of the neural network system. In this work, based on the two-terminal one transistor-one memristor (1T1M) block, the improvement of the symmetry and linearity of synaptic weight update is demonstrated by combining the InGaZnO synaptic transistor and memristor. Due to the symmetric and linear weight update characteristic, a pattern recognition accuracy of 88% is achieved after 50 epochs in the on-chip learning simulation of the hand-written digit images (MNIST) data set. The proposed 1T1M device saves the hardware burden and additional power consumption required to implement non-identical programming pulses.
Exploring Holocene palaeogeography in the ‘white ribbon’: a Mesolithic case study from the Northumberland coast

Mesolithic settlement sites preserved on the north‐east coast of England and in south‐east Scotland drive questions about the relationship between early human settlement and the Holocene palaeogeography of ‘Doggerland’. Palaeogeographical reconstructions before 8000 years ago have been restricted by a lack of sea‐level index points and particularly by sparse nearshore geophysical and geological datasets required for such reconstructions. This paper presents new high‐resolution geophysical survey data from Northumberland's nearshore ‘white ribbon’ which provide a foundation for more accurate palaeogeographical reconstructions within which early prehistoric settlement sites can be more readily understood. High‐resolution bathymetry data collected in the nearshore adjacent to the Mesolithic house site at Howick are integrated with coastal LiDAR, seismic, geological and archaeological datasets to underpin palaeogeographical reconstructions. The reconstructions illustrate changing coastal landscapes during Early Holocene sea‐level rise. The data and interpretations provide a ‘source‐to‐sea’ context for understanding the archaeology at important sites such as Howick and Low Hauxley. Furthermore, they provide a basis for enhancing management of at‐risk coastal prehistoric archaeology and a framework to prospect for and protect further vulnerable nearshore archaeological heritage.
Inflammatory Patterns Associated with Legionella in HIV and Pneumonia Coinfections

Legionella infections have a propensity for occurring in HIV-infected individuals, with immunosuppressed individuals tending to present with more severe disease. However, understanding regarding the Legionella host response in immune compromised individuals is lacking. This study investigated the inflammatory profiles associated with Legionella infection in patients hospitalized with HIV and pneumonia in Medellín, Colombia from February 2007 to April 2014, and correlated these profiles with clinical outcomes. Sample aliquots from the Colombian cohort were shipped to Canada where Legionella infections and systemic cytokine profiles were determined using real-time PCR and bead-based technology, respectively. To determine the effect of Legionella coinfection on clinical outcome, a patient database was consulted, comparing laboratory results and outcomes between Legionella-positive and -negative individuals. Principal component analysis revealed higher plasma concentrations of eotaxin, IP-10 and MCP-1 (p = 0.0046) during Legionella infection. Individuals with this immune profile also had higher rates of intensive care unit admissions (adjusted relative risk 1.047 [95% confidence interval 1.027–1.066]). Results demonstrate that systemic markers of monocyte/macrophage activation and differentiation (eotaxin, MCP-1, and IP-10) are associated with Legionella infection and worse patient outcomes. Further investigations are warranted to determine how this cytokine profile may play a role in Legionella pneumonia pathogenesis or immunity.
Risk factors for immune-related adverse effects during CPI therapy in patients with head and neck malignancies – a single center study

Introduction Checkpoint inhibitors, such as PD1 inhibitors, represent an important pillar in the therapy of advanced malignancies of the head and neck region. The most relevant complications are immune-related adverse effects (irAEs), which represent an immense burden for patients. Currently, no sufficient stratification measures are available to identify patients at increased risk of irAEs. The aim of this retrospective study was to examine whether demographic, histopathological, clinical, or laboratory values at the start of CPI therapy represent a risk factor for the later occurrence of autoimmune complications. Material and methods Data from 35 patients between 2018 and 2021 who received therapy with nivolumab or pembrolizumab for head and neck malignancy were analyzed and assessed for any associations with the subsequent occurrence of irAEs. Results IrAE developed in 37% of patients, with pneumonitis being the most common form (14%). Pneumonitis was found in patients with an average significantly lower T-stage of primary tumors. An increase in basophilic leukocytes was found in patients with dermatitis later in the course. When thyroiditis developed later, the patients had a higher CPS score and lower monocyte levels. Discussion Even though individual laboratory values at the beginning of therapy might show a statistical association with the later occurrence of irAEs, neither demographic, histopathological, nor laboratory chemistry values seem to be able to generate a sound and reliable risk profile for this type of complication. Therefore, patients need to be educated and sensitized to irAEs, and regular screening for irAEs should be carried out.
Excavation of a cairn cemetery at Lundin Links, Fife, in 1965-6

Skeletons and long cists were exposed on the beach at Lundin Links, Fife, after a severe storm in the winter of 1965. An excavation mounted the following Easter to record and excavate these features revealed part of a cemetery, with round and square cairns and long cists. Radiocarbon dates suggest that it was in use for upwards of a century at some time between about AD 450 and AD 650. The cemetery may have been related to a long cist cemetery indicated by previous discoveries. Work in 1996 following discovery of a leg bone in the seaward sand-cliff did not add materially to understanding of either cemetery. A study of skeletal traits which can indicate family connections tentatively suggested that one burial group included people with closer connections to each other than to others buried in the cemetery. Burial customs from the late first millennium BC through the first millennium AD are discussed. Recent radiocarbon dates and publication are sponsored by Historic Scotland.
Proton- and Neutron-Induced SEU Cross-Section Modeling and Simulation: A Unified Analytical Approach

A new physics-based compact model, which makes it possible to simulate in a unified way the neutrons and protons of cosmic ray-induced SEU cross-sections, including the effects from nuclear reaction products and from direct ionization by low-energy protons, has been proposed and validated. The proposed approach is analytical and based on explicit analytical relationships and approximations with physics-based fitting parameters. GEANT4 or SRIM numerical calculations can be used as an aid to adjust or refine the phenomenological parameters or functions included in the model, taking into account real geometrical configurations and chemical compositions of the devices. In particular, explicit energy dependencies of the soft error cross-sections for protons and neutrons over a wide range of nucleon energies were obtained and validated. The main application areas of the developed model include space physics, accelerator studies high energy physics and nuclear experiments.
A political psychology of the link between populist beliefs and compliance with COVID-19 containment measures

This paper addresses the relationship between populist beliefs and compliance with COVID-19 containment measures. We argue that an understanding of this issue depends upon developing a social/political psychology which addresses the impact of social groups and social relations upon behavior. More specifically we propose that populist beliefs are based on the notion that elite authorities are opposed to the people and hence not to be trusted by them which in turn reduces compliance with what they propose. Furthermore, we draw distinctions between different domains of compliance (getting vaccinated, social distancing and complying with “track and trace”) and different forms of authority (politicians and scientists). We argue that, whereas loss of trust in politicians only undermines engagement with forms of compliance which involve direct engagement with political authority (i.e., track and trace) loss of trust in scientists undermines the very belief that there is a pandemic and hence reduces all forms of compliance. We use a survey of 321 English and Welsh respondents to address these arguments. The data provide weak support for the hypothesis that populism has an effect on compliance through trust in politicians but only in the case of participating in track and trace. The data provide stronger support for the hypothesis that populism has an effect on all forms of compliance through trust in scientists, but only when scientists are perceived as part of the elite. Over all these results demonstrate that the ability to understand the complex relationships between populist beliefs and compliance depends on developing a social/political psychology of COVID-19 which is able to explain how human behavior is shaped by social identities and social relationships which, in turn, are shaped by political ideologies.
Appalachian Delta Plain Paleoecology Of The Cretaceous Woodbine Formation At The Arlington Archosaur Site, North Texas

APPALACHIAN DELTA PLAIN PALEOECOLOGY OF THE CRETACEOUS WOODBINE FORMATION AT THE ARLINGTON ARCHOSAUR SITE NORTH TEXAS Derek J. Main, PhD. The University of Texas at Arlington, 2013 Co-supervising Professors: Merlynd Nestell and Christopher R. Scotese The Arlington Archosaur Site (AAS) is a North Texas fossil locality that preserves a midCretaceous ecosystem along a low lying coastal plain. The site lies within the Cenomanian (94-96 Mya) rocks of the Woodbine Formation in North Arlington, Tarrant County, TX. The depositional environment of the AAS is a coastal delta plain, principally a peat bog. The vertebrates recovered from the AAS include dinosauria (ornithopod and theropod), crocodyliform, chelonian and dipnoan. A large, nearly complete crocodyliform was excavated in the summer of 2009, and proved to be a new taxon; Deltasuchus motherali. The name of the new taxon was based upon an adult crocodyliform skeleton that was recovered, along with the remains of numerous juveniles. Of the AAS dinosaurs, ornithopods are more common and theropod quite rare, represented only by scant isolated teeth
Love songs and serenades: a theoretical review of music and romantic relationships

In this theoretical review, we examine how the roles of music in mate choice and social bonding are expressed in romantic relationships. Darwin’s Descent of Man originally proposed the idea that musicality might have evolved as a sexually selected trait. This proposition, coupled with the portrayal of popular musicians as sex symbols and the prevalence of love-themed lyrics in music, suggests a possible link between music and attraction. However, recent scientific exploration of the evolutionary functions of music has predominantly focused on theories of social bonding and group signaling, with limited research addressing the sexual selection hypothesis. We identify two distinct types of music-making for these different functions: music for attraction, which would be virtuosic in nature to display physical and cognitive fitness to potential mates; and music for connection, which would facilitate synchrony between partners and likely engage the same reward mechanisms seen in the general synchrony-bonding effect, enhancing perceived interpersonal intimacy as a facet of love. Linking these two musical functions to social psychological theories of relationship development and the components of love, we present a model that outlines the potential roles of music in romantic relationships, from initial attraction to ongoing relationship maintenance. In addition to synthesizing the existing literature, our model serves as a roadmap for empirical research aimed at rigorously investigating the possible functions of music for romantic relationships.
Evaluating the Efficacy of Machine Performance Checks as an Alternative to Winston–Lutz Quality Assurance Testing in the TrueBeam Linear Accelerator with HyperArc

HyperArc is a preferred technique for treating brain metastases, employing a single isocenter for multiple lesions. Geometrical isocentricity in the TrueBeam linear accelerator with HyperArc is crucial. We evaluated machine performance checks (MPCs) as an alternative to the Winston–Lutz (WL) test to verify the treatment isocenter. Between January and July 2023, we assessed 53 data points using MPC and Winston–Lutz tests. The isocenter size obtained from the MPC and its sum, including the rotation-induced couch shift, were compared with the maximum total delta value from the Winston–Lutz test. The maximum total delta was 0.68 ± 0.10 mm, while the isocenter size was 0.28 ± 0.02 mm. The sum of the isocenter size and rotation-induced couch shift measured by MPC was 0.61 ± 0.03 mm. During the Winston–Lutz test (without couch rotation), the maximum total delta value was 0.56 ± 0.13 mm. A t-test analysis revealed a significant difference in the isocenter size averages between the Winston–Lutz and MPC outcomes, whereas the Pearson’s correlation coefficient yielded no correlation. Our study highlights the necessity for separate MPC and Winston–Lutz tests for isocenter verification. Therefore, the Winston–Lutz test should precede stereotactic radiosurgery for isocenter verification.