Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Overcoming Challenges of Teaching Earth History Classes for Teachers in a Rock-free, Urban Environment

Instructing university-level Earth history to future teachers is made all the more difficult when it is being done in an urban environment devoid of any local rock outcroppings. At the University of South Alabama, which is located along the rock-free central Gulf Coast, we have attempted to improve Earth history instruction to education majors by using a three-pronged approach: (1) designing a course specifically for students intending to become science teachers; (2) encouraging students to think “locally” when designing geological teaching activities and (3) offering future teachers relevant field excursions and directed research opportunities. Our main objective is to demonstrate to new science teachers that geology is all around them, regardless of their location. It is this philosophy that we wish them to communicate to their students in the public school system.
The Severity of Dependence Scale (SDS) as screening test for benzodiazepine dependence: SDS validation study.

AIMS To assess the validity of the Severity of Dependence Scale (SDS) as a screening test to detect benzodiazepine dependence in regular benzodiazepine users. METHOD One hundred regular benzodiazepine users, recruited from neurotic benzodiazepine users attending the Mental Health Outpatient Services of the Canary Islands Health Service, were administered the SDS and responses were compared with the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) diagnosis of benzodiazepine dependence. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to determine which cut-off score on SDS allowed the best trade-off between sensitivity and specificity. RESULTS SDS was shown to have high diagnostic utility, and a score higher than six on the scale appears to be an appropriate threshold for problematic benzodiazepine use. The SDS had a specificity of 94.2% and a sensitivity of 97.9%, and the area under the curve was of 0.991. CONCLUSION The SDS was found to be a valid brief self-report questionnaire for the assessment of benzodiazepine dependence in patients using benzodiazepines.
Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography for the accurate diagnosis of biliary complications after liver transplantation: comparison with endoscopic retrograde cholangiography and percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography – long‐term follow‐up

Katz LH, Benjaminov O, Belinki A, Geler A, Braun M, Knizhnik M, Aizner S, Shaharabani E, Sulkes J, Shabtai E, Pappo O, Atar E, Tur‐Kaspa R, Mor E, Ben‐Ari Z. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography for the accurate diagnosis of biliary complications after liver transplantation: comparison with endoscopic retrograde cholangiography and percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography – long‐term follow‐up. Clin Transplant 2010: 24: E163–E169. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S.
Diffuse photon propagation in multilayered geometries

Diffuse optical tomography (DOT) is an emerging functional medical imaging modality which aims to recover the optical properties of biological tissue. The forward problem of the light propagation of DOT can be modelled in the frequency domain as a diffusion equation with Robin boundary conditions. In the case of multilayered geometries with piecewise constant parameters, the forward problem is equivalent to a set of coupled Helmholtz equations. In this paper, we present solutions for the multilayered diffuse light propagation for a three-layer concentric sphere model using a series expansion method and for a general layered geometry using the boundary element method (BEM). Results are presented comparing these solutions to an independent Monte Carlo model, and for an example three layered head model.
Two Novel Proteins Activate Superoxide Generation by the NADPH Oxidase NOX1*

NOX1, an NADPH oxidase expressed predominantly in colon epithelium, shows a high degree of similarity to the phagocyte NADPH oxidase. However, superoxide generation by NOX1 has been difficult to demonstrate. Here we show that NOX1 generates superoxide when co-expressed with the p47 phox and p67 phox subunits of the phagocyte NADPH oxidase but not when expressed by itself. Since p47 phox and p67 phox are restricted mainly to myeloid cells, we searched for their homologues and identified two novel cDNAs. The mRNAs of both homologues were found predominantly in colon epithelium. Differences between the homologues and the phagocyte NADPH oxidase subunits included the lack of the autoinhibitory domain and the protein kinase C phosphorylation sites in the p47 phox homologue as well as the absence of the first Src homology 3 domain and the presence of a hydrophobic stretch in the p67 phox homologue. Co-expression of NOX1 with the two novel proteins led to stimulus-independent high level superoxide generation. Stimulus dependence of NOX1 was restored when p47 phox was used to replace its homologue. In conclusion, NOX1 is a superoxide-generating enzyme that is activated by two novel proteins, which we propose to name NOXO1 (NOX organizer 1) and NOXA1 (NOX activator 1).
Siblings, Parenting, Conflict, and Divorce

Abstract This study investigated the relations among divorce, parenting quality, parental differential treatment (PDT), perceived unfairness of PDT, direct and differential exposure to interparental conflict, and adjustment in a sample of 368 young adults from intact and divorced families. Participants completed online questionnaires regarding their own and their sibling's family experiences in middle adolescence and their present adjustment. Participants from divorced families differed from those from intact families on their reports of parenting quality, amount and unfairness of PDT, and direct and differential exposure to conflict. Results of regression analyses revealed that lower levels of parental affection, greater amounts of differential maternal affection and control, perceptions of receiving relatively less affection from parents than one's sibling, more perceived unfairness of PDT, and more frequent exposure to conflict predicted poorer adjustment in young adulthood. Limitations of the present study, directions for future research, and implications of the findings for clinical practice are discussed.
Power and Sample Size for Testing Homogeneity of Relative Risks in Prospective Studies

Summary. Power and sample‐size formulas for testing the homogeneity of relative risks using the score method are presented. The homogeneity score test (Gart, 1985, Biometrika72, 673–677) is formally equivalent to the Pearson chi‐square test, although they look different. Results of this paper may be useful in assessing the validity of the model of a common relative risk before combining several 2 × 2 tables or in designing a prospective study for detecting heterogeneity of relative risks.
From CVaR to Uncertainty Set: Implications in Joint Chance-Constrained Optimization

We review and develop different tractable approximations to individual chance-constrained problems in robust optimization on a variety of uncertainty sets and show their interesting connections with bounds on the conditional-value-at-risk (CVaR) measure. We extend the idea to joint chance-constrained problems and provide a new formulation that improves upon the standard approach. Our approach builds on a classical worst-case bound for order statistics problems and is applicable even if the constraints are correlated. We provide an application of the model on a network resource allocation problem with uncertain demand.
Perfect matchings in o(n log n) time in regular bipartite graphs

In this paper we consider the well-studied problem of finding a perfect matching in a d-regular bipartite graph on 2n nodes with m=nd edges. The best-known algorithm for general bipartite graphs (due to Hopcroft and Karp) takes time O(m√n). In regular bipartite graphs, however, a matching is known to be computable in O(m) time (due to Cole, Ost, and Schirra). In a recent line of work by Goel, Kapralov, and Khanna the O(m) time bound was improved first to ~ O(min m, n2.5/d) and then to ~O(min {m, n2/d\}). In this paper, we give a randomized algorithm that finds a perfect matching in a d-regular graph and runs in O(n log n) time (both in expectation and with high probability). The algorithm performs an appropriately truncated alternating random walk to successively find augmenting paths. Our algorithm may be viewed as using adaptive uniform sampling, and is thus able to bypass the limitations of (non-adaptive) uniform sampling established in earlier work. Our techniques also give an algorithm that successively finds a matching in the support of a doubly stochastic matrix in expected time O(n log2 n), with O(m) pre-processing time; this gives a simple O(m+mn log2 n) time algorithm for finding the Birkhoff-von Neumann decomposition of a doubly stochastic matrix. We show that randomization is crucial for obtaining o(nd) time algorithms by establishing an Ω(nd) lower bound for deterministic algorithms. We also show that there does not exist a randomized algorithm that finds a matching in a regular bipartite multigraph and takes o(n log n) time with high probability.
Restoring Faith in Government: Transparency Reform in the United States and the European Union

On the surface, the transparency reform movements in the United States and the European Union appear to have much in common: both the US and the EU have embraced transparency as a means of bolstering public confidence in governance, and the EU's recently issued access regulation shares many features with the US Freedom of Information Act. The similarities end there, however. The goals of the EU reform movement are far more ambitious than those of the US. US reformers hoped that sunlight would put an end to the corruption and abuse of power that plagued the executive branch in the late 1960s and early 1970s, but they did not seek to change the decision-making process itself. In contrast, the EU has latched onto transparency reform as a means of democratizing and legitimizing EU governance. Unfortunately, reformers in the EU have yet to link transparency reforms with democratization of the legislative process. Although transparency is an invaluable tool with which the public can monitor EU governance, transparency alone, without concomitant increases in public opportunities to influence EU decision-making, cannot ameliorate the EU's infamous `democratic deficit'. Increased transparency must be coupled with public participation rights before reformers can accomplish their ambitious goal of bringing EU decision-making closer to Europeans.
Modeling , Analysis and Simulation of Flash Crowds on the Internet Technical Report UCSC-CRL-0315

A flash crowdis a surge in traffic to a particular web site that causes the si te to be virtually unreachable. We present a model of flash crowd events and evaluate the perform ance of various multi-level caching techniques suitable for managing these events. Our results show that si gnificant reductions in client response times and server and network loads can be achieved during flash crowds u sing basic caching techniques, and even more savings can be realized with judicious choice of replacemen t algorithms and placement of proxies.
Arabidopsis DELLA and Two HD-ZIP Transcription Factors Regulate GA Signaling in the Epidermis through the L1 Box cis-Element[C][W]

This work analyzes gene regulatory networks involved in GA responses by focusing on a lipase gene (LIP1) expressed in the epidermis during germination. The results support a model in which GA mediates the activation of downstream target genes containing L1 box sequences in their promoters by releasing two HD-ZIP TFs (ATML1 and PDF2) from their inhibitory interaction with DELLA proteins. Gibberellins (GAs) are plant hormones that affect plant growth and regulate gene expression differentially across tissues. To study the molecular mechanisms underlying GA signaling in Arabidopsis thaliana, we focused on a GDSL lipase gene (LIP1) induced by GA and repressed by DELLA proteins. LIP1 contains an L1 box promoter sequence, conserved in the promoters of epidermis-specific genes, that is bound by ATML1, an HD-ZIP transcription factor required for epidermis specification. In this study, we demonstrate that LIP1 is specifically expressed in the epidermis and that its L1 box sequence mediates GA-induced transcription. We show that this sequence is overrepresented in the upstream regulatory regions of GA-induced and DELLA-repressed transcriptomes and that blocking GA signaling in the epidermis represses the expression of L1 box–containing genes and negatively affects seed germination. We show that DELLA proteins interact directly with ATML1 and its paralogue PDF2 and that silencing of both HD-ZIP transcription factors inhibits epidermal gene expression and delays germination. Our results indicate that, upon seed imbibition, increased GA levels reduce DELLA protein abundance and release ATML1/PDF2 to activate L1 box gene expression, thus enhancing germination potential.
The method of expected number of deaths, 1786-1886-1986.

"The method of expected number of deaths is an integral part of standardization of vital rates, which is one of the oldest statistical techniques. The expected number of deaths was calculated in 18th century actuarial mathematics.but the method seems to have been forgotten, and was reinvented in connection with 19th century studies of geographical and occupational variations of mortality. It is noted that standardization of rates is intimately connected to the study of relative mortality, and a short description of very recent developments in the methodology of that area is included. " (SUMMARY IN FRE)
OPENNESS TO EXPERIENCE AND WORK OUTCOMES: EXPLORING THE MODERATING EFFECTS OF CONSCIENTIOUSNESS AND JOB COMPLEXITY

This study investigated the moderating effects of job complexity and conscientiousness on the relationship between openness to experience and work outcomeson a sample of 150 executives in a medical transcription company. Work outcomes were measured through job performance and job progression. It was found that openness to experience showed a positive relationship with performance in high complexity jobs and a negative relationship with performance in low complexity jobs. It was also seen that openness showed a negative relationship with progression when the individual was high on conscientiousness and a positive relationship with progression when the individual was low on conscientiousness.
Spatial-Temporal Current Source Correlations and Cortical Connectivity

The purpose of this study was to explore spatial-temporal correlations between 3-dimensional current density estimates using Low Resolution Electromagnetic Tomography (LORETA). The electroencephalogram (EEG) was recorded from 19 scalp locations from 97 subjects. LORETA current density was computed for 2,394 gray matter pixels. The gray matter pixels were grouped into 33 left hemisphere and 33 right hemisphere regions of interest (ROIs) based on groupings of Brodmann areas. The average source current density in a given region of interest (ROI) was computed for each 2 second epoch of EEG and then a Pearson product correlation coefficient was computed over the time series of successive 2 second epochs of current density between all pairwise combinations of ROIs during the resting eyes-closed EEG session. Rhythmic changes in source correlation as a function of distance were present in all regions of interest. Also, maximum correlations at certain frequencies were present independent of distance. The occipital regions exhibited the highest short distance correlations and the frontal regions exhibited the highest long distance correlations. In general, the right hemisphere exhibited higher intra-hemispheric source correlations than the left hemisphere especially in the temporal, parietal and occipital cortex. The strongest left vs. right hemisphere differences were In the alpha frequency band (8–12 Hz) and in the gamma frequency band (37–40 Hz). The pattern of spatial frequencies in different cortical lobules is consistent with differences in neural packing density and the operation of ‘U’ shaped fiber systems. The general conclusions were: 1− the higher the packing density then the greater the intra-cortical connection contribution to LORETA source correlations, 2- spatial frequencies are primarily due to intra-cortical ’U” shaped fiber connections and long distance fiber connections, 3− posterior and temporal cortical intra-hemispheric coupling is generally stronger in the right hemisphere than in the left hemisphere.
The pharmacology of 1-(1-phenylcyclohexyl) piperidine-HCl.

1-(1-Phenylcyclohexyl)piperidine · HCl (PCP) acts principally on the central nervous system either by stimulation or by depression. Signs and symptoms vary considerably according to species of animals and dosage. Hyperactivity is more prominently observed in rats and mice; a certain degree of central depression, as manifested by the loss of muscle coordination of the limbs, may be detected also in these animals at all dose levels. In pigeons, guinea pigs, hamsters, rabbits, cats, dogs and monkeys, PCP produces a quieting or calming effect at low doses and a cataleptoid response to general anesthesia at higher levels. Convulsive seizures occur in pigeons, guinea pigs, dogs and monkeys receiving PCP at doses higher than those for general anesthesia. On the other hand, convulsion or excitement is not clearly noticed in rabbits, cats, hamsters, frogs or fish with this compound at a very wide range of doses. PCP is very effective in abolishing the electrically-or pentylenetetrazol-induced tonic-extensor seizures in mice, is slightly effective in suppressing caffeine-induced seizures but ineffective against those induced by strychnine. PCP is not an analgesic agent at noncataleptoid or nonanesthetic dose levels. It possesses a local anesthetic activity approximitely one-half that of cocaine or twice that of procaine. It is devoid of an adrenergic blocking, a ganglionic blocking, an anticholinergic, an antihistaminic, or a depressant action on skeletal muscles. Respiration and blood pressure are not markedly suppressed by PCP at anesthetic dosages; in fact the blood pressure is slightly elevated by the drug. At highly toxic dose levels, it will cause a suppression of respiration, hypotension and bradycardia. Such effects are transitory. Neither the gastrointestinal motility nor the response of the nonpgregnant or the pregnant cat uteri to epinephrine are affected by PCP at neurotoxic dosages. Some possible sites of action of PCP on the central nervous system are discussed from the standpoint of the pharmacological results presented.
Shift of Graft-Versus-Host-Disease Target Organ Tropism by Dietary Vitamin A

Gut-homing of donor T cells is causative for the development of intestinal GvHD in recipients of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Expression of the gut-specific homing receptors integrin-α4β7 and chemokine receptor CCR9 on T cells is imprinted in gut-associated lymphoid tissues (GALT) under the influence of the vitamin A metabolite retinoic acid. Here we addressed the role of vitamin A deficiency in HSCT-recipients for donor T cell migration in the course of experimental GvHD. Vitamin A-deficient (VAD) mice were prepared by feeding them a vitamin A-depleted diet. Experiments were performed in a C57BL/6 into BALB/c model of acute GvHD. We found that expression of integrin-α4β7 and CCR9 in GALT was reduced in VAD recipients after HSCT. Competitive in vivo homing assays showed that allogeneic T cells primed in VAD mice did not home as efficiently to the intestine as T cells primed in mice fed with standard diet (STD). The course of GvHD was ameliorated in VAD HSCT-recipients and, consequently, their survival was prolonged compared to recipients receiving STD. However, VAD-recipients were not protected and died of clinical GvHD. We found reduced numbers of donor T cells in the intestine but increased cell counts and tissue damage in other organs of VAD-recipients. Furthermore, we observed high IFN-γ+CD4+ and low FoxP3+CD4+ frequencies of total donor CD4+ T cells in VAD as compared to STD recipients. Taken together, these results indicate that dietary vitamin A deficiency in HSCT-recipients changed target organ tropism in GvHD but also resulted in fatal inflammation after HSCT.
Self-Talk and Affective Problems in College Students: Valence of Thinking and Cognitive Content Specificity

The aim of this study was to develop a Self-Talk Inventory for young adults. This inventory consisted of two scales. The Negative Self-Talk Scale included three categories of selftalk (depressive, anxious, and angry thoughts) and the Positive Self-Talk Scale, three categories (minimization, positive orientation, and coping self-instructions). Participants were 982 undergraduate students (Mean age = 20.35 years, SD = 2.16). They completed the self-talk scales together with the following scales to measure symptoms of affective disorders: the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory (STAXI-T). Factor analyses confirmed the hypothesized structure for the Self-Talk Inventory. The relations between self-talk and symptoms of affective disorders (depression, anxiety, and anger) were also evaluated. In general, states-of-mind –SOM– ratios and negative cognitions showed a greater association with psychological symptoms than did positive cognitions. Results concerning the cognitive characteristics of depression, anxiety, and anger were mixed and partially supported the cognitive content specificity theory. El objetivo de este estudio fue el desarrollo de un inventario de autodiálogo para jóvenes adultos. Este inventario consistió en dos escalas. La Escala de Autodiálogo Negativo incluyó tres categorías de autodiálogo (pensamiento depresivo, ansioso, y relacionado con la ira) y la Escala de Autodiálogo Positivo otras tres (minimización, afecto positivo y autoinstrucciones de afrontamiento). Los participantes fueron 982 estudiantes (Edad Media = 20.35 años, DT = 2.16). Completaron las escalas de Autodiálogo junto con la Escala de Depresión del Centro para Estudios Epidemiológicos (CES-D), el Inventario Estado-Rasgo de Ansiedad (STAI) y el Inventario de Expresión de la Ira Estado-Rasgo (STAXI-T). Los análisis factoriales confirmaron la estructura hipotética del inventario de Autodiálogo. La relación entre autodiálogo y síntomas de trastornos afectivos (depresión, ansiedad e ira) también se evaluó. En general, la ratio de los Estados de la Mente – SOM – y las cogniciones negativas mostraron una mayor asociación con los síntomas psicológicos que las cogniciones positivas. Se obtuvieron resultados mixtos acerca de las características cognitivas de la depresión, ansiedad e ira y estos apoyaron parcialmente la teoría de la especificidad del contenido cognitivo.