Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Implicit memory for rhythmic tone sequence : A pilot study on perceptual priming for short temporal pattern

The aim of this study was to investigate the implicit memory for short rhythmic tone sequences from the viewpoint of cognitive psychology. The nature of memory representation for rhythmic tone sequences was researched by using priming and recognition tasks. At first, participants were asked to rate “coherence" of a rhythmic tone sequence. Then, half of the participants performed the priming task: studied and nonstudied tone sequences, both of which were of the same intensity, were presented in succession at intervals of 2 s, and participants were asked to judge which of the two tone sequences sounded “louder. " The rest of the participants performed a yes/no recognition test. The following results were obtained: 1) studied tone sequences were judged to be louder than non-studied ones in both pitch-changed and not changed conditions, 2) the priming effect decreased as the pitch changed, 3) the direction of pitch change did not influence the priming, 4) priming and recognition performance were independent of one another. These results lead to the conclusion that an implicit memory for musical rhythm exists, and pitch information is coded into the representation underlying perceptual priming of rhythmic tone sequences.
Firm Wage Premia, Industrial Relations, and Rent Sharing in Germany

The authors use three distinct methods to investigate the influence of industrial relations on firm wage premia in Germany. First, ordinary least squares (OLS) regressions for the firm effects from a two-way fixed-effects decomposition of workers’ wages reveal that average premia are larger in firms bound by collective agreements and in firms with a works council, holding constant firm performance. Next, recentered influence function (RIF) regressions show that premia are less dispersed among covered firms but more dispersed among firms with a works council. Finally, in an Oaxaca–Blinder decomposition, the authors find that decreasing bargaining coverage is the only factor they consider that contributes to the marked rise in premia dispersion over time.
Exercise, Flourishing, and the Positivity Ratio in Seventh-Day Adventists: A Prospective Study

Purpose: Flourishing and mental health in the prediction of health behaviors such as exercise has been understudied. Positive emotions may promote, and negative emotions hinder protective health behaviors; however, the direction of these associations is unclear. The objective here was to investigate possible associations prospectively. Design: Longitudinal cohort study. Setting: National Sample: The Biopsychosocial Religion and Health Study of Seventh-day Adventists provided longitudinal data from 2006 to 2007 and 2010 to 2011 (n = 5789). Measures: Flourishing was based on 6 measures of social functioning (positive social exchanges, negative social exchanges, religious emotional support given, received, and anticipated, and negative interactions) and 4 measures of psychological functioning (mastery, self-esteem, spiritual meaning, and perceived stress). The positivity ratio was the ratio of positive to negative emotions assessed with the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule. Analysis: Linear multiple regression and mediation. Results: Flourishing worked indirectly through the positivity ratio to predict a later increase in exercise over the course of 3 to 5 years. Tests of mediation suggest that the association of flourishing with later exercise was indirect through an increased ratio of positive to negative affect. Initial exercise frequency was also associated with later improved flourishing and positivity ratio scores over the same period. Conclusion: The association of mental health and exercise is likely bidirectional. Exercise improves mental health, and those that have better psychosocial functioning have better mood and are more likely to increase exercise behaviors over time. Exercise is likely integral to mental health in mid to late life.
Crowding in with Impure Altruism: Theory and Evidence from Volunteerism in National Parks

This paper makes three contributions to the literature on private provision of public goods. First, we identify limitations of the frequently used specification test that distinguishes between the standard models of pure and impure altruism based on the extent of crowding out. While the literature takes as given the result that crowding out should be less with impure altruism compared with pure altruism, we show that, in general, it can be either more or less. Second, we propose a more general test based on the presence of crowding in, rather than the extent of crowding out. Third, we provide empirical evidence. Using a unique panel data set on volunteerism in U.S. National Parks, we estimate the causal effect of changes in public funding within parks on the amount of within-park volunteerism. The overall finding is that each additional dollar of public expenditure crowds in 27 cents worth of volunteerism on average. We show how the estimates of crowding in, along with heterogeneity based on park and volunteer hour types, are theoretically consistent with the mainstay model of impure altruism.
Recommendations for Dental Care during COVID-19 Pandemic

Dental clinics were suspected to be a hotspot for nosocomial transmission of coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19), yet there has been no clear recommendation about emergency dental care and appropriate personal protective equipment during pandemics. In this paper, we aim to summarize recommendations for (i) patient risk assessment, (ii) patient triage, and (iii) measures to prevent infection of health professionals and nosocomial transmission in dental clinics. The available evidence was collected by performing searches on PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases. We reviewed papers on COVID-19, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), influenza, and related respiratory viral diseases. Legal and ethical frameworks, as well as international (e.g., World Health Organization (WHO)) and national (e.g., public health institutes, dental associations) guidelines were screened to summarize recommendations related to dental emergency care. To assess the patient risk, a questionnaire was developed to classify patients at unknown, high, and very high risk. Patient triage recommendations were summarized in a flow chart that graded the emergency level of treatments (i.e., urgent, as soon as possible, and postpone). Measures to prevent disease transmission based on current evidence were grouped for dental health professionals, dental clinics, and patients. The present recommendations may support health professionals implement preventative measures during the pandemic.
Analysis of Residual Flexural Stiffness of Steel Fiber-Reinforced Concrete Beams with Steel Reinforcement

This paper investigates the ability of steel fibers to enhance the short-term behavior and flexural performance of realistic steel fiber-reinforced concrete (SFRC) structural members with steel reinforcing bars and stirrups using nonlinear 3D finite element (FE) analysis. Test results of 17 large-scale beam specimens tested under monotonic flexural four-point loading from the literature are used as an experimental database to validate the developed nonlinear 3D FE analysis and to study the contributions of steel fibers on the initial stiffness, strength, deformation capacity, cracking behavior, and residual stress. The examined SFRC beams include various ratios of longitudinal reinforcement (0.3%, 0.6%, and 1.0%) and steel fiber volume fractions (from 0.3 to 1.5%). The proposed FE analysis employs the nonlinearities of the materials with new and established constitutive relationships for the SFRC under compression and tension based on experimental data. Especially for the tensional response of SFRC, an efficient smeared crack approach is proposed that utilizes the fracture properties of the material utilizing special stress versus crack width relations with tension softening for the post-cracking SFRC tensile response instead of stress–strain laws. The post-cracking tensile behavior of the SFRC near the reinforcing bars is modeled by a tension stiffening model that considers the SFRC fracture properties, the steel fiber interaction in cracked concrete, and the bond behavior of steel bars. The model validation is carried out comparing the computed key overall and local responses and responses measured in the tests. Extensive comparisons between numerical and experimental results reveal that a reliable and computationally-efficient model captures well the key aspects of the response, such as the SFRC tension softening, the tension stiffening effect, the bending moment–curvature envelope, and the favorable contribution of the steel fibers on the residual response. The results of this study reveal the favorable influence of steel fibers on the flexural behavior, the cracking performance, and the post-cracking residual stress.
Outcomes and Factors Associated With Prehospital Treatment of Pediatric Anaphylaxis

Supplemental digital content is available in the text. Objective Anaphylaxis is a potentially life-threatening reaction requiring prompt treatment with intramuscular epinephrine (EPI). We sought to describe presenting features of pediatric anaphylaxis and compare patient characteristics and outcomes of children treated with prehospital EPI with those untreated. Methods We abstracted data from emergency department (ED) records for children meeting the National Institute of Allergy & Infectious Disease criteria for anaphylaxis (2015–2017) in one tertiary care children's hospital. We analyzed associations between patient characteristics and outcomes and receipt of prehospital EPI using descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression. Results Of 414 children presenting with anaphylaxis, 39.4% received IM EPI and 62.1% received antihistamines before hospital arrival. Children with Medicaid received pre–emergency department EPI less frequently than did children with private insurance (24.5% vs 43.8%, P = 0.001). Factors positively associated with prehospital EPI administration were history of food allergy (odds ratio [OR], 4.4 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 2.4–8.2]) or arrival by emergency medical services (OR, 8.0 [95% CI, 4.2–15.0]). Medicaid insurance was associated with decreased odds of prehospital EPI (OR, 0.33 [95% CI, 0.16–0.66]) and prehospital H1-antihistamine use (OR, 0.30 [95% CI, 0.17–0.56]). Prehospital EPI treatment was also associated with decreased rates of observation (37% vs 63%), inpatient admission (38% vs 62%), and intensive care unit admission (20% vs 80%) compared with no pretreatment (P = 0.03). Conclusions Prehospital treatment with EPI remains low, and barriers to optimal treatment are more pronounced in children with public insurance. Prehospital treatment with EPI was associated with decreased morbidity including hospitalization and intensive care unit admission.
Orientation, location, and velocity of Saturn's bow shock: Initial results from the Cassini spacecraft

[1] The Cassini spacecraft commenced its tour of the planet Saturn on 1 July 2004 (GMT). During the insertion orbit, the Cassini magnetometer (MAG), radio/plasma wave experiment (RPWS), and plasma spectrometer (CAPS) obtained in situ measurements of the magnetic field and plasma conditions associated with Saturn's environment. Analysis of the magnetic field data indicate that Cassini repeatedly crossed a mainly quasi-perpendicular bow shock boundary on both the inbound (post-dawn) and outbound (predawn) legs. Modeling of the bow shock and magnetopause crossing positions shows evidence for a magnetospheric compression during Cassini's immersion in the magnetosphere. The magnetic signatures of the bow shock crossings show the clearly defined “overshoot” and “foot” regions associated with the quasi-perpendicular geometry. The duration of the shock foot, considered in combination with the RPWS and CAPS solar wind electron parameters upstream of the bow shock crossings, indicates that the length scale for the bow shock ramp at Saturn is about an ion inertial length. This is consistent with multispacecraft observations of the spatial scale of the Earth's shock foot region. The data are generally consistent with Saturn bow shock velocities up to ∼400 km s−1 and shock structures governed by ion dynamics.
Probing the Interactions of Ochratoxin B, Ochratoxin C, Patulin, Deoxynivalenol, and T-2 Toxin with Human Serum Albumin

Ochratoxins, patulin, deoxynivalenol, and T-2 toxin are mycotoxins, and common contaminants in food and drinks. Human serum albumin (HSA) forms complexes with certain mycotoxins. Since HSA can affect the toxicokinetics of bound ligand molecules, the potential interactions of ochratoxin B (OTB), ochratoxin C (OTC), patulin, deoxynivalenol, and T-2 toxin with HSA were examined, employing spectroscopic (fluorescence, UV, and circular dichroism) and ultrafiltration techniques. Furthermore, the influence of albumin on the cytotoxicity of these xenobiotics was also evaluated in cell experiments. Fluorescence studies showed the formation of highly stable OTB–HSA and OTC–HSA complexes. Furthermore, fluorescence quenching and circular dichroism measurements suggest weak or no interaction of patulin, deoxynivalenol, and T-2 toxin with HSA. In ultrafiltration studies, OTB and OTC strongly displaced the Sudlow’s site I ligand warfarin, while other mycotoxins tested did not affect either the albumin binding of warfarin or naproxen. The presence of HSA significantly decreased or even abolished the OTB- and OTC-induced cytotoxicity in cell experiments; however, the toxic impacts of patulin, deoxynivalenol, and T-2 toxin were not affected by HSA. In summary, the complex formation of OTB and OTC with albumin is relevant, whereas the interactions of patulin, deoxynivalenol, and T-2 toxin with HSA may have low toxicological importance.
Long-Term Effects in Bone Mineral Density after Different Bariatric Procedures in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: Outcomes of a Randomized Clinical Trial

There is scant evidence of the long-term effects of bariatric surgery on bone mineral density (BMD). We compared BMD changes in patients with severe obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D) 5 years after randomization to metabolic gastric bypass (mRYGB), sleeve gastrectomy (SG) and greater curvature plication (GCP). We studied the influence of first year gastrointestinal hormone changes on final bone outcomes. Forty-five patients, averaging 49.4 (7.8) years old and body mass index (BMI) 39.4 (1.9) kg/m2, were included. BMD at lumbar spine (LS) was lower after mRYGB compared to SG and GCP: 0.89 [0.82;0.94] vs. 1.04 [0.91;1.16] vs. 0.99 [0.89;1.12], p = 0.020. A higher percentage of LS osteopenia was present after mRYGB 78.6% vs. 33.3% vs. 50.0%, respectively. BMD reduction was greater in T2D remitters vs. non-remitters. Weight at fifth year predicted BMD changes at the femoral neck (FN) (adjusted R2: 0.3218; p = 0.002), and type of surgery (mRYGB) and menopause predicted BMD changes at LS (adjusted R2: 0.2507; p < 0.015). In conclusion, mRYGB produces higher deleterious effects on bone at LS compared to SG and GCP in the long-term. Women in menopause undergoing mRYGB are at highest risk of bone deterioration. Gastrointestinal hormone changes after surgery do not play a major role in BMD outcomes.
Hexavalent chromium sequestration from electronic waste by biomass of Aspergillus carbonarius

ABSTRACT The idea of eliminating noxious metal ions from electronic waste contaminated water has led to the use of the metal adsorbing ability of biological matter. The principle of an ion exchanger of biological origin is the key in exhibiting this metal binding feature of microbial biomass. In this study, dead biomass of Aspergillus carbonarius was immobilized using sodium alginate and tested as a biosorbent for hexavalent chromium elimination from effluent. Size and functional groups were characterized for the immobilized bead containing biomass. Optimization of boundary variables like bead size, biosorbent dosage, contact time, pH, and temperature were performed. Maximum elimination of 92.43% hexavalent chromium was achieved at pH 2.0 for 12 h at 37°C, with 20 g/25 mL adsorbent dosage. On application of adsorption isotherms, the data were found to fit Freundlich isotherm and exhibited a high value of correlation coefficient proving the ability of A. carbonarius biomass to act as an effective quencher of hexavalent chromium from electronic waste contaminated water. Graphical Abstract
Inequality and the New Deal

There is a large body of literature analyzing the onset of the Great Depression or the factors influencing economic recovery in the 1930s, especially the New Deal. The role of income inequality before and during the Great Depression, however, has almost never been discussed thoroughly. This paper attempts to answer two questions. Firstly, was inequality perceived as a problem by the Roosevelt administration? Secondly, did the New Deal incorporate these concerns such that economic policy design did take seriously the problem of inequality? Using official documents such as transcripts of Roosevelt's inaugural speeches, fireside chats and press conferences, this paper finds that top-end inequality was not recognized as a major political topic. Restoring the purchasing power of workers and farmers, however, appears to have been a political goal of the administration. The impact of New Deal policies on top-end income inequality or the wage share, however, can only be considered as modest. Only World War II and the long-term legislation of the New Deal may be considered successful in reducing top income and wealth shares and raising the wage share.
Prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in a population of French firefighters

Abstract Firefighters’ activities increase the risk of sudden cardiac events. The main objective of this study was to describe the Loire firefighters’ cardiovascular risk factors according to their cardiovascular risk and to their professional status. A retrospective study of the entire population of firefighters of the Loire department was conducted. Risk factors derived from the data collected during the occupational health follow-up medical examinations were described and the cardiovascular risk was assessed for 417 firefighters. The most frequent cardiovascular risk factors were: overweight and obesity (62.1%), high blood pressure (27.8%) and active smoking (16,1%). There were no significant differences between career firefighters and volunteers. The prevalence of risk factors for cardiovascular diseases is less than in the general population. Obesity remains the most common risk factor, especially among firefighters with high cardiovascular risk.
Use of in vitro assays to identify antibiotics that are cytotoxic to normal equine chondrocytes and synovial cells.

BACKGROUND Intra-articular (IA) antibiotic usage is prevalent in equine practice. However, recent emergence of antimicrobial resistance prompts re-evaluation of antibiotic selection, particularly when used prophylactically. Furthermore, many commonly used antibiotics exert direct cytotoxicity to equine cells, and appropriate IA doses have not been defined. OBJECTIVES To screen antibiotics in vitro as an initial assessment of cytotoxicity against normal equine joint cells in monolayer culture and explant tissues. STUDY DESIGN In vitro experimental study. METHODS Chondrocytes and synovial cells were harvested from 3 horses and plated on 24-well plates (100,000 cells/wells in triplicate) for 48 hours prior to addition of antibiotics. Joint cells were exposed to antibiotics (n=15) at various doses (25 to 0.39mg/ml in complete DMEM media) for 24h and viability was assessed by trypan blue dye exclusion. The half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) was determined for each antibiotic. Cartilage explants were obtained from 3 horses, minced and exposed to antibiotics (n=5) for 72h. Live/dead staining was performed, and fluorescence was visualised using Olympus IX83 spinning disk confocal microscope. Percentage of live versus dead cells was quantified. RESULTS Antibiotics from different antimicrobial classes expressed dose-dependent but variable cytotoxicity to equine joint cells in vitro. Aminoglycosides and doxycycline had the lowest IC50 (most toxic). Ampicillin sulbactam, imipenem, tobramycin, ceftiofur sodium and amoxicillin had IC50 >25mg/ml for at least one cell line, representing potentially less cytotoxic alternatives. MAIN LIMITATIONS Further studies are necessary to extrapolate these in vitro data results to the in vivo joint environment. CONCLUSIONS Targeted IA antibiotic therapy would involve selection of the safest antibiotics (highest IC50) with efficacy based on bacterial culture/sensitivity. Antimicrobial selection and evidence-based dosing may minimise damage to native articular cartilage and synovial cells and development of antimicrobial resistance when IA antibiotics are used in equine practice.
Asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 Infection and COVID-19 Mortality During an Outbreak Investigation in a Skilled Nursing Facility

Abstract Background Outbreaks of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been reported in nursing homes and assisted living facilities; however, the extent of asymptomatic and presymptomatic severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in this high-risk population remains unclear. Methods We conducted an investigation of the first known outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 at a skilled nursing facility (SNF) in Illinois on 15 March 2020 and followed residents for 30 days. We tested 126/127 residents for SARS-CoV-2 via reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and performed symptom assessments. We calculated the point prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 and assessed symptom onset over 30-day follow-up to determine: (1) the proportion of cases who were symptomatic, presymptomatic, and asymptomatic and (2) incidence of symptoms among those who tested negative. We used the Kaplan-Meier method to determine the 30-day probability of death for cases. Results Of 126 residents tested, 33 had confirmed SARS-CoV-2 on 15 March. Nineteen (58%) had symptoms at the time of testing, 1 (3%) developed symptoms over follow-up, and 13 (39%) remained asymptomatic. Thirty-five residents who tested negative on 15 March developed symptoms over follow-up; of these, 3 were re-tested and 2 were positive. The 30-day probability of death among cases was 29%. Conclusions SNFs are particularly vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2, and residents are at risk of severe outcomes. Attention must be paid to preventing outbreaks in these and other congregate care settings. Widespread testing and infection control are key to help prevent COVID-19 morbidity and mortality in these high-risk populations.