Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reliability Concerns in the Repeated Computerized Assessment of Attention in Children

Assessment of attentional processes via computerized assessment is frequently used to quantify intra-individual cognitive improvement or decline in response to treatment. However, assessment of intra-individual change is highly dependent on sufficient test reliability. We examined the test–retest reliability of selected variables from one popular computerized continuous performance test (CPT)—i.e., the Conners’ CPT – Second Edition (CPT-II). Participants were 39 healthy children (20 girls) ages 6–18 without intellectual impairment (mean PPVT-III SS = 102.6), LD, or psychiatric disorders (DICA-IV). Test–retest reliability over the 3–8 month interval (mean = 6 months) was acceptable (Intraclass Correlations [ICC] =.82 to.92) on comparison measures (Beery Test of Visual Perception, WISC-IV Block Design, PPVT-III). In contrast, test–retest reliability was only modest for CPT-II raw scores (ICCs ranging from.62 to.82) and T-scores (ICCs ranging from.33 to.65) for variables of interest (Omissions, Commissions, Variability, Hit Reaction Time, and Attentiveness). Using test–retest reliability information published in the CPT-II manual, 90% confidence intervals based on reliable change index (RCI) methodology were constructed to examine the significance of test–retest difference/change scores. Of the participants in this sample of typically developing youth, 30% generated intra-individual changes in T-scores on the Omissions and Attentiveness variables that exceeded the 90% confidence intervals and qualified as “statistically rare” changes in score. These results suggest a considerable degree of normal variability in CPT-II test scores over extended test–retest intervals, and suggest a need for caution when interpreting test score changes in neurologically unstable clinical populations.
Integration of EEG Lead Placement Templates Into Traditional Technologist-Based Staffing Models Reduces Costs in Continuous Video-EEG Monitoring Service

Pupose: The purpose of this study was to determine the relative cost reductions within different staffing models for continuous video-electroencephalography (cvEEG) service by introducing a template system for 10/20 lead application. Methods: We compared six staffing models using decision tree modeling based on historical service line utilization data from the cvEEG service at our center. Templates were integrated into technologist-based service lines in six different ways. The six models studied were templates for all studies, templates for intensive care unit (ICU) studies, templates for on-call studies, templates for studies of ⩽24-hour duration, technologists for on-call studies, and technologists for all studies. Results: Cost was linearly related to the study volume for all models with the “templates for all” model incurring the lowest cost. The “technologists for all” model carried the greatest cost. Direct cost comparison shows that any introduction of templates results in cost savings, with the templates being used for patients located in the ICU being the second most cost efficient and the most practical of the combined models to implement. Cost difference between the highest and lowest cost models under the base case produced an annual estimated savings of $267,574. Implementation of the ICU template model at our institution under base case conditions would result in a $205,230 savings over our current “technologist for all” model. Conclusions: Any implementation of templates into a technologist-based cvEEG service line results in cost savings, with the most significant annual savings coming from using the templates for all studies, but the most practical implementation approach with the second highest cost reduction being the template used in the ICU. The lowered costs determined in this work suggest that a template-based cvEEG service could be supported at smaller centers with significantly reduced costs and could allow for broader use of cvEEG patient monitoring.
Genomic analysis of a region encompassing QRfs1 and QRfs2: genes that underlie soybean resistance to sudden death syndrome.

Candidate genes were identified for two loci, QRfs2 providing resistance to the leaf scorch called soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr. ) sudden death syndrome (SDS) and QRfs1 providing resistance to root infection by the causal pathogen Fusarium solani f.sp. glycines. The 7.5 +/- 0.5 cM region of chromosome 18 (linkage group G) was shown to encompass a cluster of resistance loci using recombination events from 4 near-isogenic line populations and 9 DNA markers. The DNA markers anchored 9 physical map contigs (7 are shown on the soybean Gbrowse, 2 are unpublished), 45 BAC end sequences (41 in Gbrowse), and contiguous DNA sequences of 315, 127, and 110 kbp. Gene density was high at 1 gene per 7 kbp only around the already sequenced regions. Three to 4 gene-rich islands were inferred to be distributed across the entire 7.5 cM or 3.5 Mbp showing that genes are clustered in the soybean genome. Candidate resistance genes were identified and a molecular basis for interactions among the disease resistance genes in the cluster inferred.
Applying an inductive method to a new, multidiciplinary, management of innovation & technology course: Evidence from the University of Nicosia

Managing Technological innovation is one of the most important aspects of business for management, business, management information systems (MIS), engineering and science students to learn. Academics and practitioners, who teach topics related to technology innovation to multidisciplinary classes, usually they do so deductively, that is the lecturer introduces the general principles and continues with applications of those principles. A common observation is that University students do not see any motivation knowing that someday they will need those knowledge and skills. A Student-centered teaching method on the other hand shifts the focus of activity from the lecturer to student including inductive teaching and learning. The new, elective “MGT370- Management of Innovation and Technology” course was to engage students from different specializations in a collaborative environment in which students have access to assignments based on real-world case studies and problems. After a group open-discussion a preliminary analysis of students' perceptions towards technology innovation content knowledge faced a significant contradiction. This paper presents a review of the unique features of the main inductive methods, describes the new elective Management of Innovation and Technology course, presents assessment outcomes, reports the learning outcomes after the employment of inductive learning strategies in the course and gives recommendations on how assessments are being used to deploy, manage and improve the course.
Cooperative navigation method of multiple autonomous underwater vehicles for wide seafloor survey — Sea experiment with two AUVs

In this paper, we report sea experiments using two AUVs on which the cooperative navigation method proposed in the previous report was implemented. The method divides vehicles into two groups: moving and landmark vehicles. A moving AUV estimates the states (horizontal positions and heading angle) from its ground velocity, horizontal angular velocity, and acoustical positioning relative to a landmark AUV remaining stationary on the seafloor. Each AUV can navigate over a wide area with small drift by alternating the landmark role. The proposed method is implemented on two actual AUVs (AUV Tri-Dog 1 and AUV Tri-TON). Both AUVs were evaluated in sea trials at Suruga Bay, Japan, in November 2013. The AUVs succeeded in a cooperative navigation, alternatively becoming the landmark. The performance of the method was verified through the sea experiments and post-processing simulation using the experimental results.
Association between Val108/158 met polymorphism of the COMT gene and schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a complex disorder with a multifactorial polygenic inheritance with several genes conferring susceptibility at many genetic locations, each with a small effect. An attractive candidate gene for schizophrenia is the catechol‐O‐methyltransferase (COMT) gene, which is a modulator of dorsolateral prefrontal cortical function. A missense G to A mutation in this gene that results in a substitution of Methionine (Met) for Valine (Val) at codon 108/158 (Val108/158 Met) has recently been identified in association to schizophrenia. We compared allele frequencies of the variant Val allele between 96 schizophrenia cases and 80 normal controls. We selected controls from a similar pool to cases in ethnicity and gender. The frequency of the Val allele was significantly higher in schizophrenia cases compared to controls (0.620 vs. 0.506; P = 0.043). Calculation of the population attributable risk suggests that the Val allele accounts for as much as 23% of schizophrenia in this population (range: 3–38%). These results provide support for a role of this variant in the etiopathophysiology of schizophrenia. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The Importance of Demographic Niches to Tree Diversity

Most ecological hypotheses about species coexistence hinge on species differences, but quantifying trait differences across species in diverse communities is often unfeasible. We examined the variation of demographic traits using a global tropical forest data set covering 4500 species in 10 large-scale tree inventories. With a hierarchical Bayesian approach, we quantified the distribution of mortality and growth rates of all tree species at each site. This allowed us to test the prediction that demographic differences facilitate species richness, as suggested by the theory that a tradeoff between high growth and high survival allows species to coexist. Contrary to the prediction, the most diverse forests had the least demographic variation. Although demographic differences may foster coexistence, they do not explain any of the 16-fold variation in tree species richness observed across the tropics.
A switch agent for wireless sensor nodes with dual interfaces: Implementation and evaluation

Data generation in wireless sensor networks could be bursty as it is dictated by the presence or absence of events of interest that generate these data. While conventional sensor nodes possessed only one radio interface, next generation sensor nodes are expected to have two (possibly more) radio interfaces, each with different range, capacity, and power consumption. Equipping sensor nodes with dual radios has its own benefits and can be quite useful in handling bursty traffic while at the same time satisfying the application's delivery requirements. In this paper, we propose an adaptive interface switch agent that intelligently selects the interface to be used for data transmission at a sensor node based on the data burst length while taking into consideration power consumption, throughput, and endto- end delay. The proposed work generalizes earlier works in this area to enable both the source nodes and intermediate data forwarding nodes to initiate the activation of high power radios so that they can be utilized to a higher degree for convergecast communication. We have performed extensive simulations with sensor nodes containing both IEEE 802.15. 4 and IEEE 802.11 compatible radios. Our simulation results indicate that: (i) the end-to-end delay and throughput achieved by the proposed interface switch agent are comparable to those achieved in a network of sensor nodes equipped only with IEEE 802.11 radios, (ii) the energy consumed in the network using our interface switch agent is a fraction of that consumed in a network of the IEEE 802.11 sensor nodes and is comparable to that of sensors using only IEEE 802.15. 4 radios.
Moral Reasoning, Interpersonal Skills, and Cognition of Rapists, Child Molesters, and Incest Offenders

54 inmates were subdivided into four groups and classified according to their index offense. The groups included Rapists (n = 14), Incest Offenders (n = 9), Child Molesters (n = 11), General Offenders (n = 20). Nonoffenders (n = 20) were included as a control group. Psychometric tests including the Test of Nonverbal Intelligence, the Defining Issues Test, Survey of Interpersonal Values, Porteus Maze, and Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory were administered to all inmate and control groups. Analysis showed the rapists and child molesters scored higher on moral reasoning on the Defining Issues Test; also rapists' scores were more elevated on the Psychopathic Deviate and Paranoia scales of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory than those of other offender and control groups. These results imply that rapists and child molesters have the ability to understand moral issues; however, given their personality orientation, they ignore these interpersonal social values.
Histochemical Changes in the Multifidus Muscle in Patients With Lumbar Intervertebral Disc Herniation

Study Design. The histochemical changes in the multifidus muscle in 29 patients with L4–L5 lumbar intervertebral disc herniation were studied. Objectives. To clarify how nerve root impairment affects the histochemical properties of the lumbar multifidus muscle in patients with lumbar intervertebral disk herniation. Summary of Background Data. There have been several studies on histochemical changes in lumbar muscles in patients with nerve root impairment, but the findings concerning changes in muscle fiber sizes vary among investigators. Methods. Biopsy specimens were obtained intraoperatively from the L4 and L5 bands of the multifidus muscle on the affected and nonaffected sides. The specimens were stained with ATPase to evaluate the size of the fibers and structural changes. Results. In the L5 muscle band, the mean sizes of Type 1 and Type 2 fibers on the affected side were significantly smaller than those on the nonaffected side (Type 1:P < 0.01, Type 2:P < 0.001). The decrease in size was 6.4% for Type 1 and 9.8% for Type 2. Increased percentages of Type 1 fibers and a high incidence of small angular fibers and fiber type grouping were also shown on the affected side. In contrast, in the L4 muscle band, no side-to-side differences in the histologic findings were observed. There was no significant level-to-level difference in the mean size of Type 1 or Type 2 fibers on either the affected or the nonaffected side. Conclusions. These results suggest that nerve root impairment leads to atrophy of Type 1 and Type 2 fibers, with structural changes in the multifidus muscle only at the involved level.
Tumor necrosis factor prevents alendronate-induced osteoclast apoptosis in vivo by stimulating Bcl-xL expression through Ets-2.

OBJECTIVE To investigate why bisphosphonates are less effective at preventing focal bone loss in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients than in those with generalized osteoporosis, and the mechanisms involved. METHODS The response of osteoclasts to alendronate (ALN) in tumor necrosis factor-transgenic (TNF-Tg) mice that develop erosive arthritis and in wild-type littermates was studied. TNF-Tg and wild-type mice were given ALN, and the osteoclast numbers in the inflamed joints and in the long bones were compared. The expression levels of Bcl-xL in the osteoclasts of TNF-Tg and wild-type mice were examined by immunostaining. The effect of overexpression of Bcl-xL and Ets-2 proteins on ALN-induced osteoclast apoptosis was determined using an in vitro osteoclast survival assay and retrovirus transfer approach. RESULTS ALN reduced osteoclast numbers in the metaphyses by 97%, but by only 46% in the adjacent inflamed joints. Bcl-xL expression was markedly higher in osteoclasts in the joints than in those in the metaphyses of TNF-Tg mice. Bcl-xL or Ets-2 overexpression protected osteoclasts from ALN-induced apoptosis, and TNF stimulated Bcl-xL and Ets-2 expression in osteoclasts. Overexpression of Ets-2 increased Bcl-xL messenger RNA in osteoclasts, while a dominant-negative form of the Ets-2 blocked the protective effect of Bcl-xL or TNF on ALN-induced apoptosis. CONCLUSION The reduced efficacy of bisphosphonates to stop bone erosion in the inflamed joints of RA patients may result from local high levels of TNF up-regulating Ets-2 expression in osteoclasts, which in turn stimulates Bcl-xL expression in them and reduces their susceptibility to bisphosphonate-induced apoptosis.
In cross-sectional observations, dietary quality is not associated with CVD risk in women; in men the positive association is accounted for by BMI

The role that BMI plays in the association between dietary quality and CVD risk is not known. We aimed to better understand this relationship using statistical methods which correct for sex-specific underreporting of dietary intake. Overall, dietary quality was assessed using the Healthy Eating Index (HEI) on data from 9797 non-pregnant adults (aged >20 years) who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2005 to 2010. CVD risk factors included blood pressure, fasting glucose and insulin, homeostatic models of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), HDL- and LDL-cholesterol (HDL-C and LDL-C), TAG and C-reactive protein (CRP). We controlled for demographic and lifestyle covariates, and we used the population ratio approach (which adjusts for the underreporting of intake) to compare mean HEI scores between the top and bottom quartiles of covariate-adjusted CVD risk factors. In women, the total HEI score was not associated with any CVD risk factors (all Q>0·11). In men, the total HEI score was associated with covariate-adjusted residuals for fasting insulin (Q< 0·001), HOMA-IR (Q< 0·001), HDL-C (Q= 0·01), TAG (Q= 0·03) and CRP (Q< 0·001). When we additionally adjusted for BMI, the association with total HEI score was not significant (all P>0·10). In the present analyses, dietary quality was associated with five CVD risk factors in a sex-specific manner. Moreover, the association of BMI with CVD risk attenuated the relationship between CVD risk and diet, which suggests that BMI is an important factor in heart disease prevention.
Evidence for Phagocytosis of Influenza Virus-Infected, Apoptotic Cells by Neutrophils and Macrophages in Mice1

Influenza virus-infected cells undergo apoptosis and become susceptible to phagocytosis by macrophages in vitro, and this leads to the propagation of the virus being inhibited. We previously showed that inhibitors of phagocytosis increased the rate of mortality among influenza virus-infected mice. However, the mode of the phagocytosis of influenza virus-infected cells in vivo has not been investigated. We, in this study, assessed this issue by histochemically analyzing bronchoalveolar lavage cells and lung tissue obtained from C57BL/6 mice infected with influenza A/WSN (H1N1) virus. Both neutrophils and macrophages accumulated in the lung soon after the viral challenge, and either type of cell was capable of phagocytosing influenza virus-infected, apoptotic cells. Changes in the level of phagocytosis and the amount of virus in lung tissue roughly correlated with each other. Furthermore, alveolar macrophages prepared from influenza virus-infected mice showed greater phagocytic activity than those from uninfected mice. The phagocytic activity of macrophages was stimulated in vitro by a heat-labile substance(s) released from influenza virus-infected cells undergoing apoptosis. These results suggested that the level of phagocytosis is augmented both quantitatively and qualitatively in the lung of influenza virus-infected animals so that infected cells are effectively eliminated. Finally, lack of TLR4 caused an increase in the rate of mortality among influenza virus-challenged mice and a decrease in the level of phagocytosis of apoptotic cells in the lung. TLR4 could thus play an important role in the host defense against influenza by positively regulating the phagocytic elimination of infected cells.
The association between periodontal disease, physical activity and healthy diet among adults in Jordan.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Physical inactivity and an unhealthy diet have been implicated as risk factors for several chronic diseases that are known to be associated with periodontitis, such as cardiovascular diseases, obesity and diabetes. Studies investigating the relationship between periodontitis and physical activity and diet are limited. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the relationship between physical activity, healthy eating habits and periodontal health status. MATERIAL AND METHODS A systematic random sample of 340 persons, 18-70 years of age, was selected from persons accompanying their relative patients who attended the outpatient clinics in the medical center of Jordan University of Science and Technology in north of Jordan. Data collected included socio-demographic and clinical characteristics, anthropometric measurements, physical activity level and dietary assessment. RESULTS Individuals who were highly physically active had a significantly lower average plaque index, average gingival index, average clinical attachment loss (CAL) and percentage of sites with CAL ≥ 3 mm compared to individuals with a low level of physical activity and individuals with a moderate level of physical activity. Those who had a poor diet had a significantly higher average number of missing teeth and an average CAL compared with those who had a good diet. In the multivariate analysis, a low level of physical activity and a poor diet (diets with a healthy eating index score of < 50 points) were significantly associated with increased odds of periodontitis. CONCLUSIONS A low physical activity level and a poor diet were significantly associated with increased odds of periodontal disease. Further studies are needed to understand this relationship in greater detail.
An ultra-wideband CMOS LNA for 3.1 to 10.6 GHz wireless receivers

A UWB 3.1 to 10.6 GHz LNA employing an input three-section band-pass Chebyshev filter is reported. Fabricated in a 0.18 /spl mu/m CMOS process, -10 dB over the band, a NF of 4 dB, and an IIP3 of -6.7 dBm while consuming the IC achieves a power gain of 9.3 dB with an input match of 9 mW.
Individualized dosage of gentamicin: a programmed pocket calculator is useful only when applied properly.

Various methods of gentamicin dosing were compared in order to evaluate factors that prevent achievement of therapeutic peak and trough plasma concentrations in every patient. When standard doses of 3 x 80 mg of gentamicin/day (i.e., 3 x 170 mumol/day) were administered, only 26% of peak and 51% of trough plasma concentrations were within the desired range. This percentage increased for peak levels to 54% (p less than 0.001) when physicians were instructed in the use of a programmed pocket calculator (PPC) and to 70% (p less than 0.001) when in addition the nursing staff was trained. The best results were achieved when dosing and blood sampling were supervised by a single trained person, 76% of initial peak and 71% of initial trough levels being within the therapeutic range. In this group of patients, further dosage adjustments by the PPC achieved 92% of peak levels in the desired range, while no patient had elevated trough levels. Analysis of the factors that led to these results revealed that neither the laboratory nor the PPC are limiting factors for optimal results. The goal of therapeutic plasma concentrations can be achieved, but requires appropriate attention to the accuracy of blood sampling and dosing. For this purpose, a special program, i.e., more than ordinary attention to drug therapy, is needed.