Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Narcotic use for inflammatory bowel disease and risk factors during hospitalization

Background: Growing evidence demonstrates the adverse effects of narcotics in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We sought to study the relationship between narcotic use, objective measures of disease activity, and other associated factors in hospitalized patients with IBD. Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study of all adult IBD patients admitted to a general medical or surgical ward service at a United States tertiary care center over a 1‐year period. We collected demographic and disease‐specific information, inpatient narcotic use, and disease activity measurements from endoscopic and radiologic reports. Bivariate comparisons were made between characteristics and narcotic use. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the independent effects of characteristics on narcotic use. Results: A total of 117 IBD patients were included. Narcotics were given to 70.1% of hospitalized patients. Factors significantly associated with any inpatient narcotic use: Crohn's disease (CD); P ≤ 0.01, duration of IBD, P = 0.02, prior psychiatric diagnosis, P = 0.02, outpatient narcotic use, P ≤ 0.01, current smoking, P ≤ 0.01, prior IBD‐specific surgery, P < 0.02, and prior IBD / irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) diagnosis, P = 0.02. Narcotic use was not significantly associated with disease severity on computed tomography (CT) scan or endoscopy. On multivariate analysis, smoking (odds ratio [OR] 4.34, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.21–15.6) and prior outpatient narcotic use (OR 5.41, 95% CI 1.54–19.0) were independently associated with inpatient narcotic use. Conclusions: A majority of patients with IBD are prescribed narcotics during hospitalization in spite of data on increased complications. Risk factors for narcotic use include CD and associated factors (disease duration, surgeries), substance abuse (outpatient narcotics and smoking), psychiatric diagnoses, and IBD‐IBS. (Inflamm Bowel Dis 2011;)
A pipelined architecture for partitioned DWT based lossy image compression using FPGA's

Discrete wavelet transformations (DWT) followed by embedded zerotree encoding is a very efficient technique for image compression \cite{TenLectures, Shapiro, Spiht}. However, the algorithms proposed in literature assume random access to the whole image. This makes the algorithms unsuitable for hardware solutions because of extensive access to external memory. Here, we present an efficient architecture for computing DWT of images, which is based on a partitioned approach for lossy image compression~\cite{Ritter}. The architecture achieves its computational power by using pipelining and taking advantage of the flexible memory configurations available in FPGA's.
G-Protein–Coupled Receptor MrgD Is a Receptor for Angiotensin-(1–7) Involving Adenylyl Cyclase, cAMP, and Phosphokinase A

Angiotensin (Ang)-(1–7) has cardiovascular protective effects and is the opponent of the often detrimental Ang II within the renin–angiotensin system. Although it is well accepted that the G-protein–coupled receptor Mas is a receptor for the heptapeptide, the lack in knowing initial signaling molecules stimulated by Ang-(1–7) prevented definitive characterization of ligand/receptor pharmacology as well as identification of further hypothesized receptors for the heptapeptide. The study aimed to identify a second messenger stimulated by Ang-(1–7) allowing confirmation as well as discovery of the heptapeptide’s receptors. Ang-(1–7) elevates cAMP concentration in primary cells, such as endothelial or mesangial cells. Using cAMP as readout in receptor-transfected human embryonic kidney (HEK293) cells, we provided pharmacological proof that Mas is a functional receptor for Ang-(1–7). Moreover, we identified the G-protein–coupled receptor MrgD as a second receptor for Ang-(1–7). Consequently, the heptapeptide failed to increase cAMP concentration in primary mesangial cells with genetic deficiency in both Mas and MrgD. Mice deficient in MrgD showed an impaired hemodynamic response after Ang-(1–7) administration. Furthermore, we excluded the Ang II type 2 receptor as a receptor for the heptapeptide but discovered that the Ang II type 2 blocker PD123319 can also block Mas and MrgD receptors. Our results lead to an expansion and partial revision of the renin–angiotensin system, by identifying a second receptor for Ang-(1–7), by excluding Ang II type 2 as a receptor for the heptapeptide, and by enforcing the revisit of such publications which concluded Ang II type 2 function by only using PD123319.
Gender Differences in the Spillover Between Romantic Experiences, Work Experiences, and Individual Adjustment Across Emerging Adulthood

This study examines the interplay between negative romantic experiences, negative work experiences, and anxiety/depressive symptoms at three time points across ages 24–29 in a sample of 176 Israeli emerging adults. Males (n = 96) and females (n = 80) described different patterns of longitudinal spillover between work, romantic relationships, and well-being. For males, higher levels of negative romantic experiences predicted increases in negative work experiences, and higher levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms predicted increases in negative romantic experiences. For females, higher levels of negative work experiences predicted increases in later negative romantic experiences. For both males and females, higher levels of negative work experiences predicted later increases in anxiety and depressive symptoms. Findings of this study conducted on emerging adults align with existing research on work–family spillover and its effects on individual well-being.
Understanding intention to undergo colonoscopy among intermediate-risk siblings of colorectal cancer patients: a test of a mediational model.

BACKGROUND There is a need for research to identify factors influencing intentions to undergo colorectal cancer (CRC) screening among family members at risk for CRC. This study tested a mediational model primarily guided by Ronis' elaboration of the Health Belief Model in predicting intention to have colorectal cancer screening among siblings of individuals diagnosed with colorectal cancer prior to age 56 years. METHODS Data were collected from 534 siblings of individuals diagnosed with CRC. A baseline survey was administered by telephone. Measures included perceived susceptibility, CRC severity, physician and family support for CRC screening, cancer-specific distress, the closeness of the relationship with the affected sibling, and future intention to have a colonoscopy. Participant age, gender, and number of prior colonoscopies, as well as the stage of the affected patient's cancer and time from the patient's diagnosis to the interview, were controlled for in the analyses. RESULTS The proposed model was not a good fit to the data. A respecified model was fit to the data. In this model, physician support, family support, and sibling closeness were significantly associated with both perceived benefits and barriers. Perceived severity was associated with barriers. Benefits and barriers, as well as cancer-specific distress, were directly associated with colonoscopy intentions. Results were consistent with a mediational role for benefits and barriers in the associations of sibling closeness and with a mediational role for barriers in the association between perceived severity and colonoscopy intentions. Family and physician support impacted intentions both directly and indirectly through effects on benefits and barriers. Perceived risk was not associated with benefits, barriers, or colonoscopy intentions. CONCLUSION Intervention efforts to increase colonoscopy intentions may benefit from targeting family influences, particularly the affected proband in the family, as well as physician influence, cancer-related distress, perceived CRC severity, and perceived benefits and barriers to colonoscopy.
Voluntary Peer Learning Groups: Do Students Utilise Increased Structure, and are There any Hard Gains?

A scheme of voluntary student support units which has been in existence since 1997 has elicited favourable responses from students who participate. However, hard measures of learning behaviours, attitudes and outcomes for group members have been lacking. This paper compares the development of learning behaviours and attitudes for group members and non-members over a year, and looks at the effect of membership on grades. In addition, we report on an attempt to offer students more structure for their group activities.
Client Experience in Psychotherapy: What Heals and What Harms?

The purpose of this paper is to examine what heals and harms the client in the psychotherapeutic encounter, from the client’s perspective. The experience of eight clients was explicated using a model based on Giorgi and Schweitzer. The counselling experienced as healing by clients has at its core a vibrantly warm and honest relationship where the client feels held in the safety of the good heart space of the counsellor. The counselor is experienced as providing an intense beingness for the client that embraces the client’s suffering and provides solid ground created out of the crucible of the counsellor’s own encounter with his or her shadow. The counsellor is emptied out of his/her own agenda and provides space for the client’s experience. The counsellor can evoke the higher resources of the client. The counselling is experienced as renewing and reconnecting the clients to his/her sense of self, of other and the lifeworld. The counselling relationship experienced as harming is described as being drained of human presence and transforming power. There is no alive human connection. The counsellor is experienced as insubstantial, and has no ability to hold traumatic experience. The counsellor’s cold reception to the client’s vulnerabilities has the power to shatter, fragment and splinter the client. The counsellor is full of self. This fullness may be ego that manifests as dry intellectualising or playing manipulative games as a substitute for human presence. This may lead the client to terror, sickness and anxiety. The counsellor may be full of their own fears and are experienced by the client as chaotic, avoidant and overwhelmed. Their unavailability leads clients to experience emotional depletion, exhaustion and frustration. The counsellor’s self-righteousness, judgement and critical disengagement are experienced by clients as being belittled, condemned and diminished. The therapeutic encounter results in a weakening of the human potential for recovery. Both client and counselor emerge as lesser human beings, with weakened relationships to self, others and the world.
Recursive Estimation and Identification of Time-Varying Long-Term Fading Channels

This paper is concerned with modeling of time-varying wireless long-term fading channels, parameter estimation, and identification from received signal strength data. Wireless channels are represented by stochastic differential equations, whose parameters and state variables are estimated using the expectation maximization algorithm and Kalman filtering, respectively. The latter are carried out solely from received signal strength data. These algorithms estimate the channel path loss and identify the channel parameters recursively. Numerical results showing the viability of the proposed channel estimation and identification algorithms are presented.
Exploring the role of meaningful experiences in users’ appreciation of “good movies”

This article extends current theorizing in media psychology on audience responses to cinema by examining individuals’ perceptions of meaningfulness. Specifically, it presents the results of a study designed to expand upon research on psychological and subjective well-being to experiences and memories of films that are perceived as particularly meaningful by viewers. Characteristics and themes of such films are examined and identified, as well as the specific emotional responses that accompany perceptions of meaningful cinema.
Anthropology and consumer research: qualitative insights into green consumer behavior

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to introduce a new qualitative method that is theoretically underpinned by cognitive anthropology. This research strategy is introduced to further advance the understanding of complex green consumer behavior – in this case life‐cycle analysis.Design/methodology/approach – This paper examines the contextual aspects of problem‐solving behavior of green, environmentally concerned consumers. Cognitive anthropology develops a different, yet complementary, understanding of consumer cognition to a psychological approach. Through the concepts of practical thinking and bricolage, cognition and behavior are conceptualized on a contextual basis. Such an approach encourages a reassessment of how consumer research has traditionally conceptualized problem framing, information search, information processing and related concepts. The paper draws upon in‐depth, qualitative interviews with a wide range of green consumers from both the UK and Germany.Findings – The findings provide som.
Quality Outcomes of Hospital Supplemental Nurse Staffing

Use of supplemental RNs (SRNs) is common practice among US hospitals to fill gaps in nurse staffing. The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between use of SRNs and patient outcomes. Multilevel modeling was performed to analyze hospital administrative data from 19 hospital units in a large tertiary medical center for the years 2003 to 2006. Patient outcomes included in-hospital mortality, medication errors, falls, pressure ulcers, and patient satisfaction with nurses. Use of SRNs ranged from 0% to 30.4% of total RN hours per unit quarter. Among 188 of the 304 unit quarters in which SRNs were used, the average SRN use was 9.8% in non-ICUs and 6.4% in ICUs. All observed effects of SRN use on patient outcomes were nonsignificant. Use of SRNs was substantial and varied widely by unit. No evidence was found that links SRN use to either adverse or positive patient outcomes.
Shared emotions in music

In this thesis I show that groups can share token emotional states by performing music together. First I argue that emotions are perceptions, representing the self's dynamic relation with the world. This representation is achieved by patterns of bodily changes, functioning independently of conscious feeling. Moreover, emotional expressions should be included in this analysis because they contribute to the pattern of bodily changes. This entails that we can 'think through' our emotions by manipulating our behavioural expressions. I then argue that empathy relies on our tendency to neurally mirror the expressive behaviours of other people, resulting in a simulation of emotional arousal. Turning to music, I argue that music hijacks our simulative capacities and thus that recognising emotions in music is like recognising emotions in people. The fact that the brain processes patterns of sound, vision and touch intermodally as patterns of movement underlines this claim. All this allows me to argue that musicians can use music to physically extend the cognition of their emotions. Here the music may not just influence their bodily changes, but may be processed alongside those changes as an elaboration of the overall pattern. On some occasions, the music may even take the dominant role in this respect. Thus emotional representations are best described more neutrally, though bodily patterns remain the central case of emotions. I then analyse joint listening to music, arguing that our perceptual activities may be interdependently structured, mutually fixing the character of the object, as well as encouraging similar emotional responses. In order to show that the intrinsic content of mental states can be shared, I then look at the theory of collective intentions. This provides a model for embodying the content of a mental state in the agreement between individuals. I apply this model to ensemble musical performance. To listen to the music submitted with this thesis, go to; http://www.su. nottingham.ac. uk/~patterns/thesis/
Rapidly Measuring the Speed of Unconscious Learning: Amnesics Learn Quickly and Happy People Slowly

Background We introduce a method for quickly determining the rate of implicit learning. Methodology/Principal Findings The task involves making a binary prediction for a probabilistic sequence over 10 minutes; from this it is possible to determine the influence of events of a different number of trials in the past on the current decision. This profile directly reflects the learning rate parameter of a large class of learning algorithms including the delta and Rescorla-Wagner rules. To illustrate the use of the method, we compare a person with amnesia with normal controls and we compare people with induced happy and sad moods. Conclusions/Significance Learning on the task is likely both associative and implicit. We argue theoretically and demonstrate empirically that both amnesia and also transient negative moods can be associated with an especially large learning rate: People with amnesia can learn quickly and happy people slowly.
Metacognitive Performance, the Tip-of-Tongue Experience, Is Not Disrupted in Parkinsonian Patients

The present study investigated whether a form of metamemory, the tip-of-tongue phenomenon (TOT), was affected in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). The PD patient (n = 22), age-matched elderly control (n = 22), and college student control (n = 46) groups were compared on a motor timing task and TOT measures. Motor timing was assessed using a cued hand-clapping task, whereas TOT was assessed using general knowledge questions. The results indicated that motor timing was significantly impaired in the PD group relative to both control groups. However, all of the TOT metacognitive measures: frequency, strength, and accuracy were statistically equivalent between the PD patients and elderly control groups, both of whom showed significantly better memory performance than college controls. These findings demonstrate that TOT metamemory is not compromised in PD patients, and that further insight into TOT mechanisms in PD may prove helpful in developing novel intervention strategies to enhance memory and general cognitive functions in these patients.
Toward Atheory of Automated Group Work

Recent developments in information systems technology have made it possible for individ- uals to work together anonymously using networked personal computers. Use of one such technology, the Group Decision Support System, is growing quickly. However, empirical GDSS research is only beginning to emerge, and, as of yet, this literature lacks a sound guiding theory. In this article we propose a theory of anonymous interaction. Grounded in social psychological research in deindividuation and sociallcognitive loafing, we explain anonymous GDSS interaction. Evidence is provided to suggest that anonymity has deindividuating effects on group process and can, therefore, influence group outcomes in several ways.
Scene Classification Combining Low-level and Semantic Modeling Strategies

Scene classification is an important issue in the field of computer vision. AltHough considerable progress has been made, it remains a challenging issue. Most of the current scene classification approaChes are based on either low-level or semantic modeLing strategies. This paper presents a novel scene classification approach based on combining low-level and semantic modeLing strategies. The experimental results show that the proposed approach performs competitively against previous methods across three pubLicly and commonly used data sets.
Student Perceptions of Communication, Connectedness, and Learning in a Merged Cohort Course

Abstract This article describes the findings of a constructivist qualitative research study focused on students’ perceptions of the learning experience and student communication in two cohorts of doctoral students. We also capture student perceptions of taking a merged course—that is, two previously closed cohorts taking a course together for the first time. The effect of this type of change in course structure is not discussed in the literature on cohort-based education. Findings indicate that the merged course challenged previously established cohort group norms. Students described a change in the nature of the learning environment that shaped student communication and trust within the classroom. The classroom environment was consistently less interactive than in prior semesters when the cohorts were instructed separately. This finding suggests strong, but rigid, elasticity of cohort student relationships.
Influence of Ketanserin on Regional Myocardial Blood Flow After Myocardial Infarction in Baboons

Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) mediates vasoconstriction and vasodilation in normal coronary circulation of various animal species. In the presence of coronary artery disease, serotonin may inhibit coronary collateral formation and stimulate predominantly vasoconstriction. We tested the effect of ketanserin, a selective 5-HT2 receptor antagonist and platelet aggregation inhibitor, on ischemic myocardium blood flow (BF) and collateral formation after coronary artery occlusion in primates. Fifteen baboons were subjected to left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) ligation and thrombus formation. Hemodynamics and regional myocardial blood flow (RMBF) (microsphere technique) were measured before and 45 min and 1 week after coronary artery occlusion. There was no significant difference in the hemodynamic measurements, gross infarct size, or infarct-ischemic zone MBF in the experimental group (ketanserin 1 mg/kg daily, n = 9) as compared with the control group (injectable water, n = 6). Both groups had a significant increase in BF ratio of infarct-ischemic/ normal myocardium at 1 week as compared with shortly after coronary occlusion. Thus, selective 5-HT2 receptor blockade has neither an adverse nor a protective effect on myocardial infarct resulting from acute thrombotic coronary occlusion in baboons.
Use of Denaturing High-Performance Liquid Chromatography To Identify Bacillus anthracis by Analysis of the 16S-23S rRNA Interspacer Region and gyrA Gene

ABSTRACT Denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC) was evaluated as a method for identifying Bacillus anthracis by analyzing two chromosomal targets, the 16S-23S intergenic spacer region (ISR) and the gyrA gene. The 16S-23S ISR was analyzed by this method with 42 strains of B. anthracis, 36 strains of Bacillus cereus, and 12 strains of Bacillus thuringiensis; the gyrA gene was analyzed by this method with 33 strains of B. anthracis, 27 strains of B. cereus, and 9 strains of B. thuringiensis. Two blind panels of 45 samples each were analyzed to evaluate the potential diagnostic capability of this method. Our results show that DHPLC is an efficient method for the identification of B. anthracis.
On Structuring Subjective Judgements: Originality, Significance and Rigour in RAE2008.

The 2008 United Kingdom Research Assessment Exercise will involve the evaluation of thousands of individual research outputs. The Funding Councils set three criteria for those evaluations – Originality, rigour and significance – and required each output to be placed into a fivefold categorisation of excellence, using absolute rather than relative judgements. The various panels and sub-panels convened to undertake those evaluations were asked to provide their own interpretations of both the criteria and the categories. This paper analyses those, and finds that they are no less subjective than the generic descriptions provided by the central organisation.