Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Attentional bias towards supraliminal and subliminal smoking cues in smokers : effects of cognitive load on attentional bias

This study attempted to replicate findings of an attentional bias towards supraliminal and subliminal smoking cues in the dot-probe task for smokers. Food-related cues were used as a control due to its natural reward properties. Further, the effects of cognitive load during the dot-probe task on attentional bias was explored. Smokers (n=43) and non-smokers (n=41) completed two versions (load and no load) of a dot-probe task containing smokingand foodrelated cues, as well as subliminal smoking cues (16.7 ms presentation-time). In the smokers, attentional bias towards smoking cues was significant under cognitive load and approaching significance with no load. The bias in smokers was larger than that of non-smokers, significantly so in the load condition. Bias towards smoking cues was also larger than bias towards food cues, suggesting the attention-grabbing properties of smoking cues are stronger than that of a natural reward cue. Smokers’ attentional bias towards subliminal smoking cues was negative, providing no evidence of attentional bias effects in subliminal conditions, however the size of the bias correlated significantly with self-reported urge to smoke. The limitations of methods using subliminally presented cues, the nature of non-conscious associations and individual differences in how cognitive load affected participants are discussed in relation to future research.
Pre-Emptive Traffic Management for a Cluster-Based TDMA System in Vehicular Communications

The IEEE 802.11p is a standard in a vehicular communication system, known as Wireless Access in Vehicular Environment (WAVE). An implementation of that standard as the MAC Protocol in a high-density of nodes in Vehicular Ad-Hoc Networks (VANETs) may create a performance drawback, in particular for packet loss and delay whenever collisions happen. Introducing Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) schemes can improve the performance. However, TDMA scheduling is difficult to manage the case of high-density of traffic, the high mobility of vehicles, and dynamic network topology. This journal proposes a clustered-based TDMA by traffic priority in VANETs. The clustered traffic is defined as high and low traffic priority and embedded in TDMA MAC Header. The evaluation result obtained through NS3 Simulator shows that the proposed approach performed better in a high-density of nodes.
The accuracy of oral predictive and infrared emission detection tympanic thermometers in an emergency department setting.

OBJECTIVE To assess the accuracy of an oral predictive thermometer and an infrared emission detection (IRED) tympanic thermometer in detecting fever in an adult emergency department (ED) population, using an oral glass mercury thermometer as the criterion standard. METHODS This was a single-center, nonrandomized trial performed in the ED of a metropolitan tertiary referral hospital with a convenience sample of 500 subjects. The temperature of each subject was taken by an oral predictive thermometer, an IRED tympanic thermometer set to "oral" equivalent, and an oral glass mercury thermometer (used as the criterion standard). A fever was defined as a temperature of 37.8 degrees C or higher. The subject's age, sex, triage category, and diagnostic group were also recorded. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratios, positive and negative predictive values, and corresponding 95% confidence intervals were calculated. Logistic regression was used to identify predictors of fever. RESULTS The sensitivities and specificities for detection of fever of the predictive and the IRED tympanic thermometers were similar (sensitivity 85.7%/88.1% and specificity 98.7%/95.8%, respectively). The predictive thermometer had a better positive predictive value (85.7%) compared with the IRED tympanic thermometer (66.1%). The positive and negative likelihood ratios for the predictive oral thermometer were 65 and 0.14, respectively, and for the IRED tympanic thermometer 21 and 0.12, respectively, indicating that the predictive thermometer will "miss" 1 in about 7 fevers and the IRED tympanic thermometer will "miss" 1 in about 8 fevers. CONCLUSIONS Although quick and convenient, oral predictive and IRED tympanic thermometers give readings that cannot always be relied on in the detection of fever. If we are to continue using electronic thermometers in the ED setting, we need to recognize their limitations and maintain the importance of our clinical judgment.
New insights in the acute toxic/genotoxic effects of CuO nanoparticles in the in vivo Drosophila model

Abstract Metal oxide nanoparticles are highly reactive from the biological point of view and, for this reason, it exists important reservations in regard human health impact. We used Drosophila as a promising in vivo model to diagnose the biological effects of copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO-NPs). Due to the potential role of ions release the effects of CuO-NPs were compared with those induced by copper sulfate, CuSO4. A wide battery of approaches has been used including toxicity, cell and body internalization, induction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) as well as changes in gene expression, related to both general stress and alterations in the intestinal barrier, and genotoxicity. The obtained results show that CuO-NPs have the ability to be distributed inside midgut cells and translocate to the general body compartment (internal hemolymph) interacting with hemocytes. Its exposure leads to reduced larval growth, decreased flies viability, delaying their emergency periods, especially at higher doses (2 and 10 mM). Moreover, deregulation of stress genes including antioxidant genes, and genes involved in wound healing were also observed. In this point it should be emphasized the novelty of using genes such as Duox, Upd3, PPO2, and Hml to determine injury on the intestinal barrier. On the other hand, CuO-NPs had non-genotoxic potential, in agreement with their inability to increase ROS production. In general dissolved copper produced higher toxic/genotoxic effects than those induced by CuO-NPs which would indicate that copper ions alone are more important in inducing harmful effects than copper nanoparticles itself.
Socio-economic factors determining the ROPO trend in the travel industry

This article investigates the research online, purchase offline (ROPO) behaviour patterns of holiday packages buyers during the planning and buying process and identifies the socio-economic factors (gender, age, education, number of people, including minors, in a household, place of residence or financial status, etc.) determining its occurrence. The research purpose was achieved based on the research results covering the behaviour of the holiday packages buyers (N = 989). To analyse the factors determining the ROPO behaviour, the methods of multidimensional statistical analysis – classification and regression tree – were used and confirmed the existing correlation between age, educational level and residence of tourist services buyers and the occurrence of their ROPO behaviour. Interestingly, the conducted research did not show the correlation between economic factors and the occurrence of ROPO behaviour of holiday packages buyers.
Explicit Time‐Dependent Multi‐Hazard Cost Analysis Based on Parameterized Demand Models for the Optimum Design of Bridge Structures

This article presents an explicit cost analysis framework built upon the unified reliability method that introduces time‐dependent variables and multiple hazards as well as parameterized demand models into one cost‐based limit state function. In this approach, reliability‐based design of deteriorating structures subjected to natural hazards is performed using a cost limit state function, as opposed to traditional structural limit state in structural reliability methods. The flexibility of cost‐based limit state functions addresses the criticism of focusing on minimization of the total expected cost typically used in some available life‐cycle cost analysis methods. Furthermore, the framework has the capability to include deterioration models that are functions of time as well as recently developed parameterized structural capacity and demand models for various hazards. The application of the proposed framework is illustrated in a bridge design optimization problem where the column reinforcement bar diameter and concrete cover are considered as design parameters. Two locations in the New Madrid and San Francisco Bay Area seismic zones are assumed for the bridge and the optimum combination of concrete cover and bar diameter is obtained for each location.
blaCTX-M-32 on an IncN Plasmid in Escherichia coli from Beef Cattle in the United States

CTX-M-type enzymes are the most extensively distributed extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) conferring resistance to advanced-generation cephalosporins in Enterobacteriaceae worldwide ([1][1]). While these enzymes have also become the most common ESBLs detected in U.S. human infections ([2][2
Glucose Metabolism in Rat Skeletal Muscle at Rest: Effect of Starvation, Diabetes, Ketone Bodies and Free Fatty Acids

The influence of starvation, diabetic ketoacidosis, ketone bodies and free fatty acids on glucose metabolism in resting skeletal muscle was studied in the isolated perfused rat hindquarter perparation and in intact rats. In the hindquarter preparation, the provision of 1.3 mM oleate, 1 mM octanoate or 2 mM acetoacetate did not alter the uptake of glucose in the presence of insulin. In contrast, glucose uptake in the presence of insulin was significantly depressed in hindquarters of rats with diabetic ketosis. In fed, fasted and diabetic rats the distribution space of glucose in skeletal muscle in vivo ranged between 15 to 20 per cent (extracellular space, 18 to 20 per cent), indicating that transport into the cell and not phosphorylation was rate-limiting for glucose uptake. The administration of glucose and insulin did not increase the glucose distribution space in fed or fasted rats; however, it caused a marked increase in tissue lactate in the fasted group, suggesting inhibition of pyruvate oxidation. The concentrations of hexose monophosphates in skeletal muscle freeze-clamped in vivo were very similar in the three groups, indicating phosphofructokinase was not inhibited in the fasted or diabetic rats. There were also no major differences in the concentrations of citrate, glycerolphosphate, ATP, ADP and AMP: the concentration of acetyl CoA was increased in both forty-eight hour fasted and diabetic rats and free CoA was diminished in the diabetic rats. Tissue glycogen waslower in fasted and diabetic than in fed rats. The data suggest that in resting skeletal muscle there is no inhibition of glucose metabolism by exogenous fatty acids and ketone bodies anaiagous to that which occurs in heart and diaphragm. The rate limiting step in glucose uptake appears to be its transport into the cell which is inhibited in rats with diabetic ketosis. Glucose metabolism at the level of pyruvate dehydrogenase may be inhibited in skeletal muscle during fasting and diabetes as a result of changes in the concentrations of acetyl CoA and CoA.
An Extensive Repeat Structure Down‐Regulates Human Monoamine Oxidase A Promoter Activity Independent of an Initiator‐Like Sequence

Abstract: The 5′ flanking sequence of the human monoamine oxidase A (MAO A) gene consists of an extensive repeat structure. Two 90‐bp repeats (I and II) were found in the core promoter (the 0.24‐kb PvuII/DraII fragment), each containing two Sp1 binding sites. An additional six repeats were found, five of which (III–VII) were upstream and one (‐I) downstream of the core promoter. Using transient transfection assay with a human growth hormone reporter gene, we found that the upstream repeating units III–VII (in a 0.78‐kb BamHI/DraII fragment) down‐regulate core promoter activity to 13 ± 10% in a human glioma cell line (1242 MG) and 2 ± 1% in a cervical carcinoma cell line (HeLa), respectively. The 0.24‐kb core promoter activity was taken as 100%. Addition of the initiator (Inr)‐like sequence to this 0.78‐kb fragment (0.82‐kb BamHI/−17 fragment) still showed decreased promoter activity (10 ± 9% in 1242 MG cells and 8 ± 1% in HeLa cells). Thus, the upstream sequence down‐regulates promoter activity with or without the Inr‐like sequence. When the Inr‐like sequence was added to the core promoter (0.28‐kb PvuII/−17 fragment), the promoter activity decreases significantly in both 1242 MG (55 ± 6%) and HeLa (60 ± 10%) cells. These results suggest that although the Inr‐like sequence is present in the human MAO A promoter, it acts as a negative cis element instead of a transcription initiator.
NIAID-Sponsored 2010 Guidelines for Managing Food Allergy: Applications in the Pediatric Population

Data from many studies have suggested a rise in the prevalence of food allergies during the past 10 to 20 years. Currently, no curative treatments for food allergy exist, and there are no effective means of preventing the disease. Management of food allergy involves strict avoidance of the allergen in the patient's diet and treatment of symptoms as they arise. Because diagnosis and management of the disease can vary between clinical practice settings, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) sponsored development of clinical guidelines for the diagnosis and management of food allergy. The guidelines establish consensus and consistency in definitions, diagnostic criteria, and management practices. They also provide concise recommendations on how to diagnose and manage food allergy and treat acute food allergy reactions. The original guidelines encompass practices relevant to patients of all ages, but food allergy presents unique and specific concerns for infants, children, and teenagers. To focus on those concerns, we describe here the guidelines most pertinent to the pediatric population.
Advancing Scholarship for the Diversity Imperative in Higher Education: An Editorial

In this brief editorial the editor provides (a) a commentary on advancing the scholarship on diversity in higher education, (b) an acknowledgment of the outstanding work of the inaugural editor and editorial board, and (c) a vision for the growth and advancement of the Journal of Diversity in Higher Education (JDHE). An abbreviated content analysis of the first 4 volumes of JDHE is provided, along with suggested focal areas of future research on diversity in higher education.
Application of DES theory to verification of software components

Software model checking is typically applied to components of a large systems. The assumption generation is the problem of finding the least restrictive environment in which the components satisfies a given safety property. There is an algorithm for computing the environment for properties given as a regular language. In this paper, we propose a general scheme for computing the assumption even for non-regular properties. Dealing with non-regular languages may fall into undecidability. We show a class of non-regular properties for which the assumption is computable. This result relies on the proposing scheme.
A Longitudinal Study of Psychological and Achievement Test Performance in Severe Dyslexic Adults

Dyslexia in the present study is defined as a disorder in which the capacity to learn to read is impaired despite adequate intelligence, appropriate educational and socio-cultural opportunities, and basic intactness of those sensory functions associated with "normal" learning. The defect, which appears to reflect a basic disturbed pattern of neurological organization, is in the ability to deal with letters and words as symbols with resultant diminished ability to integrate the meaningfulness of written material. Difficulties are often experienced with other symbol systems, e.g., numbers and musical notation. Dyslexia may be viewed on a specific disorder continuum ranging from mild to severe with most all cases experiencing, to some extent, lifelong residual problems in reading and spelling. There have been few longitudinal or follow-up studies dealing with dyslexia, which to a great extent limits our understanding of the prognosis for reading proficiency and the general effects of the disability on individuals over a period of time. Studies that have followed dyslexic children into adulthood generally have not included psychological or learning skill assessment but only a general review of occupational and/or educational attainments. The effects of dyslexia and the specific limitations that may extend into adulthood must be investigated more extensively if we are to clarify our present understanding of this disability and improve our insight into educational management procedures and other treatments that may be beneficial. The purpose of the present study is to examine the psychological and educational test performance patterns in a group of adults diagnosed as dyslexic in childhood. Frauenheim (1978) studied forty of these children as adults (mean age 20 years). Psychological testing was not repeated at that time, but achievement levels were reported. Eleven adults from this original population comprise the subjects for the present study.
Minimum population search - Lessons from building a heuristic technique with two population members

Population-based heuristics can be effective at optimizing difficult multi-modal problems. However, population size has to be selected correctly to achieve the best results. Searching with a smaller population increases the chances of convergence and the efficient use of function evaluations, but it also induces the risk of premature convergence. Larger populations can reduce this risk but can cause poor efficiency. This paper presents a new method specifically designed to work with very small populations. Computational results show that this new heuristic can achieve the benefits of smaller populations and largely avoid the risk of premature convergence.
Out‐of‐equilibrium pH transients in the guinea‐pig ventricular myocyte

1 Following an intracellular alkali load (imposed by acetate prepulsing in CO2/HCO3− buffer), intracellular pH (pHi) of the guinea‐pig ventricular myocyte (recorded from intracellular SNARF fluorescence) recovers to control levels. Recovery has two phases. An initial rapid phase (lasting up to 2 min) is followed by a later slow phase (several minutes). Inhibition of sarcolemmal acid‐loading carriers (by removal of extracellular Cl−) inhibits the later, slow phase but the initial rapid recovery phase persists. It also persists in the absence of extracellular Na+ and in the presence of the HCO3− transport inhibitor DIDS (4,4‐di‐isothiocyanatostilbene‐2,2‐disulphonic acid). 2 The rapid recovery phase is not evident if the alkali load has been induced by reducing PCO2 (from 10 to 5 %), and it is inhibited in the absence of CO2/HCO3− buffer (i.e. Hepes buffer). It is also slowed by the carbonic anhydrase (CA) inhibitor acetazolamide (ATZ). We conclude that it is caused by buffering of the alkali load through the hydration of intracellular CO2 (CO2‐dependent buffering). 3 The time course of rapid recovery is consistent with an intracellular CO2 hydration rate constant (k1) of 0.36 s−1 in the presence of CA activity, and 0.14 s−1 in the absence of CA activity. This latter k1 value matches the literature value for uncatalysed CO2 hydration in free solution. Natural CO2 hydration is accelerated 2.6‐fold in the ventricular myocyte by endogenous CA. 4 The rapid recovery phase represents a period when the intracellular CO2/HCO3− buffer is out of equilibrium (OOE). Modelling of the recovery phase using our k1 value, indicates that OOE conditions will normally extend for at least 2 min following a step rise in pHi (at constant PCO2). If CA is inactive, this period can be as long as 5 min. During normal pHi regulation, the recovery rate during these periods cannot be used as a measure of sarcolemmal acid loading since it is a mixture of slow CO2‐dependent buffering and transmembrane acid loading. The implication of this finding for quantification of pHi regulation during alkalosis is discussed.
Levels of realism: from virtual reality to real virtuality

Realism in real-time has long been a "holy grail" of the computer graphics community. While real-time performance is typically accepted as 25fps and above, the definition of realism remains less clear. If we were able to simulate the physics of the real world to minute detail then it would be possible for us to achieve images which were physically correct. However, the amount of computation required for such physical accuracy of complex scenes precludes any possibility of achieving such images in reasonable, let alone real-time, on a desktop computer for many years to come. Furthermore, there is no guarantee of realism as these images do not take into account how the human may perceive this information. Our perception of an environment is not only what we see, but may be significantly influenced by other sensory input, including sound, smell, touch, and even taste. If virtual environments are ever to be regularly used as a valuable tool to experiment in the virtual world with confidence that the results are the same as would be experienced in the real world, then we need to be able to compute these environments to be perceptually equivalent as if we were "there" in the real world; so called "there-reality" or real virtuality. This paper surveys promising efforts to date and identifies and discusses future research directions.
MRE 11 – RAD 50 – NBS 1 is a critical regulator of FANCD 2 stability and function during DNA double-strand break repair

Céline Roques, Yan Coulombe, Mathieu Delannoy, Julien Vignard, Simona Grossi, Isabelle Brodeur, Amélie Rodrigue, Jean Gautier, Alicja Z Stasiak, Andrzej Stasiak, Angelos Constantinou and Jean-Yves Masson* Genome Stability Laboratory, Laval University Cancer Research Center, Hôtel-Dieu de Québec, Québec, Canada, Department of Biochemistry, University of Lausanne, BIL Biomedical Research Center, Lausanne, Switzerland, Columbia University, Institute for Cancer Genetics, Irving Cancer Research Center, New York, NY, USA and Center for Integrative Genomics, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
Promoting and Building Resilience in Primary School Communities: Evidence from a Comprehensive ‘Health Promoting School’ Approach

This paper reports on the first phase of a multi-strategy health promotion project which uses a whole-school approach to promote resilience in children of primary school age in school, family and community settings in urban and rural/remote locations in Queensland, Australia. The study population comprised students from Years 3, 5, and 7 (ages 8, 10, 12 years), their parents/care-givers and staff in 20 primary schools. Evidence emerging from this phase of the project confirms that the school environment makes a major contribution to the development of psychological resilience in children. Schools in which students reported more positive adult and peer social networks and feelings of connectedness to adults and peers, and a strong sense of autonomy, were associated with higher self-ratings of resilience in the students. There was also high concurrence by parents and caregivers regarding perceptions of the school environment. These schools rated more highly on ‘health promoting school’ (HPS) attributes and principles. Characteristics of such schools included features like shared decision-making and planning, community participation, a supportive physical and social environment, good school-community relations, clearly articulated health policies and access to appropriate health services.