Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Negative affectivity and repressive coping: pervasive influence on self‐reported mood, health, and coronary‐prone behavior.

&NA; Negative affectivity (NA) and repressive coping (REP) are coping styles characterized by a disposition to either experience or avoid distress. This study investigated the potential influence of NA and REP on self‐reported distress and coronary‐prone behavior among 178 male cardiac patients undergoing rehabilitation. Based on their STAI‐Trait and Marlowe‐Crowne Scale scores, subjects were categorized as high NA (N = 72), low NA (N = 44), or REP (N = 62) individuals. With respect to subjective distress, high‐NA individuals reported more negative mood states and health complaints than both low‐NA and REP individuals (p less than 0.0001). In contrast, no association was found between coping style and cardiovascular fitness as measured by exercise stress testing (p = 0.87). Hence, it seems that (a) high‐NA individuals overreacted to physical problems and (b) REP individuals warded off distress. These differences in coping style were stable over a period of 3 months. With respect to coronary‐prone behavior, the current findings were largely inconsistent with previous research. NA was associated with Type A interview‐rating (p less than 0.001), but not with Type A self‐rating. REP individuals, however, had a significantly lower score on the Jenkins Activity Survey and the Cook‐Medley Hostility Scale than both high‐NA and low‐NA individuals (p less than 0.0001). Supposed associations, therefore, between NA and self‐rated coronary‐prone behavior may in fact originate from the repressive coping style that characterizes some individuals low in NA. In summary, it may be stated that the findings of the current study suggest the use of NA and REP markers in research, so that the potential influence of these coping styles can be identified in the study of stress‐health relationships.
F-logic: a higher-order language for reasoning about objects, inheritance, and scheme

We propose a database logic which accounts in a clean declarative fashion for most of the “object-oriented” features such as object identity, complex objects, inheritance, methods, etc. Furthermore, database schema is part of the object language, which allows the user to browse schema and data using the same declarative formalism. The proposed logic has a formal semantics and a sound and complete resolution-based proof procedure, which makes it also computationally attractive.
The brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) val66met polymorphism differentially affects performance on subscales of the Wechsler Memory Scale – Third Edition (WMS-III)

Single nucleotide polymorphisms in the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene and the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene influence brain structure and function, as well as cognitive abilities. They are most influential in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex (PFC), respectively. Recall and recognition are forms of memory proposed to have different neural substrates, with recall having a greater dependence on the PFC and hippocampus. This study aimed to determine whether the BDNF val66met or COMT val158met polymorphisms differentially affect recall and recognition, and whether these polymorphisms interact. A sample of 100 healthy adults was assessed on recall and familiarity-based recognition using the Faces and Family Pictures subscales of the Wechsler Memory Scale – Third Edition (WMS-III). COMT genotype did not affect performance on either task. The BDNF polymorphism (i.e., met carriers relative to val homozygotes) was associated with poorer recall ability, while not influencing recognition. Combining subscale scores in memory tests such as the WMS might obscure gene effects. Our results demonstrate the importance of distinguishing between recall and familiarity-based recognition in neurogenetics research.
Bioelectrical impedance vector analysis in haemodialysis patients: relation between oedema and mortality

In this work, bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA) method is used in a sample of haemodialysis patients in stable (without oedema) and critical (hyperhydrated and malnutrition) states, in order to establish the relation between hyperhydration (oedema) and mortality. The measurements obtained were single frequency (50 kHz), tetrapolar (hand–foot) complex impedance measurements (vector components are: resistance R and reactance Xc). The impedance components were standardized by the height H of the subjects, (R/H and Xc/H) to obtain de impedance vector Z/H, that is represented in the RXc plot (abscise R/H, ordinate Xc/H). Measurements were performed on a sample of 74 patients (30 men and 44 women, 18–70 year, body mass index (BMI), 19–30 kg m−2) at the Saturnino Lora University Hospital in Santiago de Cuba. The 46 stable patients comprised 28 men and 18 women; the 28 critical patients 16 men and 12 women. The reference population consisted of 1196 healthy adult subjects living in Santiago de Cuba (689 men and 507 women, 18–70 year, BMI 19–30 kg m−2). We used the RXc plot with the BIVA method to characterize the reference population using the 50%, 75% and 95% tolerance ellipses. Student's t-test and Hotelling's T2-test were used to analyse the separation of groups obtained by means of clinical diagnosis and those obtained by BIVA. We obtained a significant difference (P < 0.05) in R/H, Xc/H and phase angle (PA) in men as in women between the location of Z/H vectors in the RXc graph and the separation made by the doctors between stable and critical patients. Critical (hyperhydrated) patients were located below the inferior pole of the 75% tolerance ellipse, whereas stable patients were within the tolerance ellipses. Some cases classified as stable by the clinic were classified as hyperhydrated by BIVA with 100% sensitivity and 48% specificity. In conclusion, the BIVA method could be used to classify patients by hydration state and to predict survival. Advantages of the method are its simplicity, objectivity and that it does not require the definition of patient dry weight.
A Study of Human Behavior in Online Voting

Plurality voting is perhaps the most commonly used way to aggregate the preferences of multiple voters. The purpose of this paper is to provide a comprehensive study of people's voting behaviour in various online settings under the Plurality rule. Our empirical methodology consisted of a voting game in which participants vote for a single candidate out of a given set. We implemented voting games that replicate two common real-world voting scenarios: In the first, a single voter votes once after seeing a large pre-election poll. In the second game, several voters play simultaneously, and change their vote as the game progresses, as in small committees. The winning candidate in each game (and hence the subject's payment) is determined using the plurality rule. For each of these settings we generated hundreds of game instances, varying conditions such as the number of voters and their preferences. We show that people can be classified into at least three groups, two of which are not engaged in any strategic behavior. The third and largest group tends to select the natural "default" action when there is no clear strategic alternative. When an active strategic decision can be made that improves their immediate payoff, people usually choose that strategic alternative. Our study has insight for multi-agent system designers in uncovering patterns that provide reasonable predictions of voters' behaviors, which may facilitate the design of agents that support people or act autonomously in voting systems.
The Objectivity Measurement of Frequent Patterns

—Frequent pattern mining is a basic problem in data mining and knowledge discovery. The discovered patterns can be used as the input for analyzing association rules, mining sequential patterns, recognizing clusters, and so on. However, there is a posed question that how is objectivity measurement of frequent patterns? Specifically, in market basket analysis problem to find out association rules, whether or not the frequent patterns discovered represent exactly the needs of all customers. Or, these frequent patterns were only created by a few customers with too many purchases. In this paper, a mathematical space will be introduced with some new related concepts and propositions to design a new algorithm answering the above questions.
AVSS 2011 demo session: Construction site monitoring from highly-overlapping MAV images

Summary form only given. We report on a disruption in organizational dynamics arising from the introduction of model-driven development tools in General Motors. The introduction altered the balance of collaboration deeply, and the organization is still negotiating with its aftermath. Our report illustrates one consequence of tool adoption in groups, and that these consequences should be understood to facilitate technical change.
Two Human MYD88 Variants, S34Y and R98C, Interfere with MyD88-IRAK4-Myddosome Assembly

Innate immune receptors detect microbial pathogens and subsequently activate adaptive immune responses to combat pathogen invasion. MyD88 is a key adaptor molecule in both Toll-like receptor (TLR) and IL-1 receptor superfamily signaling pathways. This is illustrated by the fact that human individuals carrying rare, naturally occurring MYD88 point mutations suffer from reoccurring life-threatening infections. Here we analyzed the functional properties of six reported non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms of MYD88 in an in vitro cellular system. Two variants found in the MyD88 death domain, S34Y and R98C, showed severely reduced NF-κB activation due to reduced homo-oligomerization and IRAK4 interaction. Structural modeling highlights Ser-34 and Arg-98 as residues important for the assembly of the Myddosome, a death domain (DD) post-receptor complex involving the DD of MyD88, IRAK4, and IRAK2 or IRAK1. Using S34Y and R98C as functional probes, our data show that MyD88 homo-oligomerization and IRAK4 interaction is modulated by the MyD88 TIR and IRAK4 kinase domain, demonstrating the functional importance of non-DD regions not observed in a recent Myddosome crystal structure. The differential interference of S34Y and R98C with some (IL-1 receptor, TLR2, TLR4, TLR5, and TLR7) but not all (TLR9) MyD88-dependent signaling pathways also suggests that receptor specificities exist at the level of the Myddosome. Given their detrimental effect on signaling, it is not surprising that our epidemiological analysis in several case-control studies confirms that S34Y and R98C are rare variants that may drastically contribute to susceptibility to infection in only few individuals.
Flexible temperature sensors based on charge modulated organic thin film transistors

In this work, we introduce a novel approach for the fabrication of temperature sensors. The devices are based on the integration of an Organic Charge Modulated Field Effect Transistor (OCMFET) with a pyroelectric polymeric element. Thanks to the optimization of the gate dielectric structure the fabricated sensors can be operated at very low voltages, and moreover, are fabricated on highly flexible plastic substrates. The results demonstrate that the sensors are able to detect in a very reproducible way, temperature variations from 20 °C up to 50 °C. This architecture represents a simple and innovative solution for the realization of conformable sensing systems for applications in tactile sensing as well as in wearable electronics.
iSTART: Paraphrase Recognition

Paraphrase recognition is used in a number of applications such as tutoring systems, question answering systems, and information retrieval systems. The context of our research is the iSTART reading strategy trainer for science texts, which needs to understand and recognize the trainee's input and respond appropriately. This paper describes the motivation for paraphrase recognition and develops a definition of the strategy as well as a recognition model for paraphrasing. Lastly, we discuss our preliminary implementation and research plan.
Native Hawaiian preferences for counselor characteristics : an application of the Bradley-Terry-Luce model for paired comparison data

The purpose of this study is to analyze the preferences of Native Hawaiian college students for an ethnically matched counselor, i.e., a counselor who is also Native Hawaiian. This study investigated whether or not Native Hawaiian students prefer to be: (1) matched with a Native Hawaiian counselor (i.e., by ethnicity) and/ or (2) matched by attitudes and values (i.e., worldview); and/or (3) matched with other counselor characteristics, such as age, sex, socio-economic background, or personality when participating in counseling to solve personal and academic problems. The instrument used in this study (Native Hawaiian Counselor Preference Survey (NHCPS) was adapted from an instrument used by Atkinson, Wampold, Lowe, Matthews and Ahn (1998). The instrument employs a paired comparison statistical procedure originally proposed by Bradley and Terry (1952). The original questionnaire used by Atkinson, et al. was adapted in the following ways: (1) new demographic data was collected (first generation in college, college major, college location); (2) previous experiences with seeing different types of counselors were queried (religious, spiritual and cultural counseling); (3) types of problems for seeing a counselor were exchanged and separated (personal and academic for personal and career); (4) Likert scale measurements of the willingness of Native Hawaiians to see a counselor for problem types were included; (5) simplified Likert scale measurements of ethnic and cultural identity were developed; and (6) new open-ended data (written problem statements, other reasons for seeing a counselor) were solicited. Results of this study indicated, that as a categorical variable, "similar attitudes and values" is preferred for both personal and academic problems. Preferences for counselor
Perceptual Effects of Nasal Cue Modification

Acoustic or perceptual cues used for speech perception can be very helpful in almost all areas of speech signal processing. A new methodology 3-Dimensional-Deep Search and a new visualized intelligible time-frequency computerbased model AI-gram have been developed and are being researched since the last several years (Human Speech Recognition (HSR) research group at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign) for isolation of stable perceptual cues of consonants. The perceptual cues of nasal consonants [1] have been successfully found considering these techniques [1]. The previous work is extended by assessing the changes in nasal sound perception and cue region is modified by using digital signal processing method. The amplitude of the perceptual cue region is amplified, attenuated or ignored completely and then the perception score is measured. A high correlation between the amplitude of the cue region and the perception score is found. The intelligibility of the entire token is increased or decreased approximately in a similar fashion as the cue region modified amplitude which is measured by the MMSE shift of the perceptual score curve. This validates that the regions identified are perceptual cue regions for nasal consonants. The digital signal processing method proposed can be used as a new approach for enhancing speech signal in noisy conditions.
The disparity change score: a new methodology to examine health disparities in New Mexico.

OBJECTIVES One overarching goal of Healthy People 2010 is to eliminate health disparities. Reducing disparities improves the overall health status of a population but is a lengthy process. The disparity change score (DCS) is a method for tracking health disparities over time. METHODS Rates, rate ratios, and DCSs were calculated to track disparities during two time periods by sex, race/ethnicity, education, and income for key health indicators. Time periods were 10 years apart for all death indicators; length between time periods varied for other indicators depending on data collection systems. RESULTS Sex-, race/ethnicity-, education-, and income-based disparities and disparity changes for New Mexico were identified. In general, males, American Indians, and those with the lowest income and education experienced the greatest health disparities. Five disparities that are worsening were identified for targeted interventions, mainly for males (firearm-related death and suicide) and American Indians (diabetes death and influenza/pneumonia death), but also for white non-Hispanics (drug-related death). CONCLUSIONS Examining disparities at one point in time discounts disparity change over time. The DCS can help identify large disparities that are worsening and toward which resources for targeted interventions can be redirected. New Mexico should consider interventions for the five key disparities identified in this study.
Academic Delay of Gratification Scale. A New Measurement for Delay of Gratification.

Academic delay of gratification refers to students' willingness to postpone immediately available opportunities to satisfy impulses in favor of academic goals that are temporally remote but ostensibly more valuable. The purpose of the present investigation was to develop and validate the Academic Delay of Gratification Scale (ADOGS) as a new instrument to assess college students' academic delay of gratification. In Study 1 (N=180) and Study 2 (N=194), ADOGS was developed and its psychometric properties were examined. Study 3 (N=389) tested the hypotheses that academic delay of gratification would be related to students' motivational tendencies and use of learning strategies. Results indicate that greater preference for academic delay of gratification correlates positively with students' motivation for learning, the utilization of resource management, and with cognitive and metacognitive learning strategies. The implications of this study for learners and educators are discussed. The instrument is attached. (Contains eight references.) (Author/SLD) ******************************************************************************** * Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made * * from the original document. * ***********************************4,******************************************** Academic Delay of Gratification Scale A New Measurement for Delay of Gratification U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Office at Educational Research and Improvement EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) This document has been reproduced as received from the person or organization originating it. Minor changes have been made to improve reproduction quality. Points of view or opinions stated in this document do not necessarily represent official OERI position or policy. tiger Bembenutty & Stuart A. Karabenick Department of Psychology Eastern Michigan University PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE AND DISSEMINATE THIS MATERIAL HAS BEEN GNTED BY 15einbez.rTO THE EDUCATIONALRESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) Presented at the Annual Meeting of the Eastern Psychological Association March, 1996, Philadelphia. Correspondence should be addressed to Hafer Bembenutty or Stuart A. Karabenick, Department of Psychology, Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI 48197 E-mail addresses: bembenut@ and psy_kasabeni @online.emich. edu
Optimizing enhanced hybrid medical imaging through dual-mode contrast agents

Only recently, dual-mode agents able to combine ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging have been proposed. In this paper, two types of innovative dual-mode contrast agents are investigated and compared in terms of imaging performance. Existing ultrasound contrast agents composed of gas-filled microbubbles covered by a polymeric shell were modified to obtain dual-mode contrast agents. Different densities of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles were anchored to the external bubble surface or physically embedded into the bubble shell. The goal of this paper is to individuate the setup parameters and imaging techniques able to optimize the microbubble detection with both imaging modalities. Moreover, the type of dual-mode agent and nanoparticle density that offer the best balance between magnetic resonance and ultrasound contrast enhancement is identified. In vitro imaging experiments were carried out by applying low magnetic field (0.25 T), low acoustic pressures (<; 300 kPa) and low concentrations of dual-mode contrast agents. Modified microbubbles with nanoparticles loaded on the external shell surface were found to provide the best contrast both in ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging.
Antibacterial Activity and Mechanism of Action of a Novel Anilinouracil-Fluoroquinolone Hybrid Compound

ABSTRACT The anilinouracils (AUs) such as 6-(3-ethyl-4-methylanilino)uracil (EMAU) are a novel class of gram-positive, selective, bactericidal antibacterials which inhibit pol IIIC, the gram-positive-specific replicative DNA polymerase. We have linked various fluoroquinolones (FQs) to the N-3 position of EMAU to generate a variety of AU-FQ “hybrids” offering the potential for targeting two distinct steps in DNA replication. In this study, the properties of a hybrid, “251D,” were compared with those of representative AUs and FQs in a variety of in vitro assays, including pol IIIC and topoisomerase/gyrase enzyme assays, antibacterial, bactericidal, and mammalian cytotoxicity assays. Compound 251D potently inhibited pol IIIC and topoisomerase/gyrase, displayed gram-positive antibacterial potency at least 15 times that of the corresponding AU compound, and as expected, acted selectively on bacterial DNA synthesis. Compound 251D was active against a broad panel of antibiotic-resistant gram-positive pathogens as well as several gram-negative organisms and was also active against both AU- and FQ-resistant gram-positive organisms, demonstrating its capacity for attacking both of its potential targets in the bacterium. 251D also was bactericidal for gram-positive organisms and lacked toxicity in vitro. Although we obtained strains of Staphylococcus aureus resistant to the individual parent compounds, spontaneous resistance to 251D was not observed. We obtained 251D resistance in multiple-passage experiments, but resistance developed at a pace comparable to those for the parent compounds. This class of AU-FQ hybrids provides a promising new pharmacophore with an unusual dual mechanism of action and potent activity against antibiotic-sensitive and -resistant gram-positive pathogens.
Affine-Invariant Photometric Heat Kernel Signatures

In this paper, we explore the use of the diffusion geometry framework for the fusion of geometric and photometric information in local shape descriptors. Our construction is based on the definition of a modified metric, which combines geometric and photometric information, and then the diffusion process on the shape manifold is simulated. Experimental results show that such data fusion is useful in coping with shape retrieval experiments, where pure geometric and pure photometric methods fail. Apart from retrieval task the proposed diffusion process may be employed in other applications.