Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ethics of Asking Trauma-Related Questions and Exposing Participants to Arousal-Inducing Stimuli

ABSTRACT This study examined ethical concerns related to exposing participants with childhood victimization histories to both trauma-specific and non-trauma-specific stimuli. We asked participants questions about childhood victimization experiences and exposed participants to a negatively-arousing experimental condition. Following each of these procedures and at a one-week follow-up session, participants completed a measure designed to asses their reactions to participation. The measure included several questions to assess reactions including questions about distress, benefit, and willingness to participate in the study again. Overall, participants reported low levels of distress and described their participation experience as interesting, enjoyable, and somewhat beneficial. Participants also indicated that they would be willing to participate in the study again with the knowledge of what participation was actually like. Participants with childhood trauma histories and PTSD symptoms reported more distress during the childhood maltreatment screening compared to other participants. However, the level of distress they experienced was mild and transitory. Our findings add to the emerging data indicating that individuals find their participation in trauma-related research to be a positive experience overall, rather than a harmful one.
How does Six Sigma influence creativity and corporate performance through exploration and exploitation?

While Six Sigma has been implemented increasingly in a wide range of industries, little empirical research has been conducted on its effects on individual creativity and project performance. Many managers still trust that Six Sigma provides structured methods, such as DMAIC (define, measure, analyse, improve, and control) and DFSS (design for Six Sigma), by which individuals can organise their creative ideas to improve project performance. Once project performance improves significantly, it is certain that corporate performance improves significantly as well. However, no empirical studies support this premise. Therefore, this study assessed a new research model in which the structured methods provided by the Six Sigma philosophy can help individuals organise their exploration and exploitation to support their creativity and improve project performance that leads ultimately to corporate performance. To confirm the research model proposed, survey questionnaire data were collected from 201 respondents (the majority of whom were qualified Champions, Master Black Belts, Black Belts, and Green Belts). Empirical results revealed that Six Sigma’s structured methods are very robust in stimulating both individuals’ exploration and exploitation to improve individual creativity and project performance.
Mathematical Simulation of Processes in ICP/RF Plasma Torch for Plasma Chemical Reactions

This paper presents the results of mathematical simulation of processes in argon–hydrogen inductively coupled plasma/radio frequency induction plasma torch for plasma chemical reactions. This first part starts a series of papers for simulation and study of plasma properties for a variety of gases and mixtures, which could be used for a number of prospective technologies. The results of mathematical simulation allow further research on the mechanisms of chemical reactions in argon–hydrogen plasma to increase effectiveness of obtaining the target product.
Serum levels of microRNAs in patients with heart failure

Diagnosis and risk stratification of patients with heart failure remain a challenge. The small non‐coding RNAs known as microRNAs regulate gene expression and seem to play an important role in the pathogenesis of heart failure. In the current study, we aim to characterize the levels of microRNAs in the sera of chronic systolic heart failure patients vs. controls and assess the possible correlation between elevation in the levels of specific microRNAs and clinical prognostic parameters in heart failure patients.
A focus on collaboration: Fostering Australian screen production students’ teamwork skills.

Recent research undertaken in Australia and abroad suggests that the development of effective collaboration skills is a significant factor affecting the successful employment of graduate screen practitioners. This article outlines the results of a study that examined student response to the explicit teaching of collaboration skills in an Australian screen production course. The authors report on an empirical research project undertaken in 2015 and 2016 in the Department of Screen Arts at Curtin University, Western Australia. This involved two cohorts of second year screen production students (83 in total), and aimed to foster students’ teamwork skills. The activities and resources shared with students encouraged an interrogation of contemporary models of filmmaking collaboration, the use of group contracts to identify shared values of teamwork and the implementation of activities designed to improve students’ awareness of various collaboration styles. Outcomes were measured by both qualitative and quantitative means through student surveys administered at both the beginning and end of the unit of study. The results of these surveys suggest a change in student attitudes towards collaboration, particularly in regards to the value of communication. The authors aim to disseminate these findings and to encourage further discussion and study in this area. The article builds a case for more attention being placed on the explicit teaching of teamwork and collaboration skills in University screen production courses.
Impact of Generation Membership on Job Satisfaction of Financial Aid Administrators

IMPACT OF GENERATION MEMBERSHIP ON JOB SATISFACTION OF FINANCIAL AID ADMINISTRATORS Joseph Martin Dobrota Old Dominion University 2016 Director: Dr. Dennis E. Gregory The United States workforce is experiencing a shift in age composition due to the aging and retirement of the baby boomer generation. The work of this study will examine the impact generational membership has on the job satisfaction of financial aid staff at American colleges and universities. Through use of the Job Descriptive Index an examination of job satisfaction of staff members of the Rocky Mountain Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (RMASFAA) and Southern Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (SASFAA) is conducted. Using the concept of generation theory popularized by research team Strauss and Howe (1991), the study examined the generational differences between the baby boomer generation, generation X and millennial generations exist. Baby boomer and Generation X staff exhibited greater levels of job satisfaction than Millennial generation staff. All generations expressed a dissatisfaction with promotion opportunities and Millennial generation staff reported dissatisfaction with pay levels.
Prevalence and risk factors of epiretinal membrane in a cohort with cardiovascular disease risk, compared with the Blue Mountains Eye Study

Aims To describe the prevalence of idiopathic and secondary epiretinal membranes (ERM) in a clinical cohort (Australian Heart Eye Study, AHES) and compare to the Blue Mountains Eye Study, and to determine whether associations exist between idiopathic ERM and the extent and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods The AHES is an observational study that surveyed 1680 participants who presented to a tertiary referral hospital for the evaluation of potential CAD by coronary angiography. Severity and extent of CAD was assessed using three scoring systems: (1) segment/vessel scores, (2) Gensini and (3) extent scores. Two types of ERM were identified: a more severe form, termed ‘preretinal macular fibrosis’ (PMF) in which retinal folds were identified; and a less severe form termed ‘cellophane macular reflex’ (CMR), without visible retinal folds. Results Overall prevalence of ERM was 7.0% (n=115), with CMR and PMF each 3.5%. 72.7% of ERM cases were idiopathic (no secondary cause identified). Prevalence of PMF, but not CMR, was significantly higher than the corresponding age-standardised prevalence in the baseline Blue Mountains Eye Study (p<0.001). There was no significant association between extent and severity of CAD and idiopathic ERM. Conclusions This study suggests that cardiovascular disease (specifically severity and extent of CAD) is not associated with ERM. However, there may be a greater prevalence of severe ERM (PMF) in a high cardiovascular risk cohort relative to a population-based cohort.
Magnetic handling of droplet in micro chemical analysis system utilizing surface tension and wettability

We propose a droplet handling mechanism for micro-chemical analysis systems. We enabled reliable magnetic droplet handling without sample beads sticking to the glass surface by using different liquids' wettability and surface tension. We also developed a separation- and fusion-mechanism of droplets containing beads, and confirmed that our device can effectively condense and rinse the beads by combining the proposed separation and fusion units. The volume of separated droplets containing beads was 30 nl, and we were able to rinse the beads in a series of separation and fusion operations by freshly rinsing droplets 1600 times using the fusion of fresh droplet. The primary advantage of the system is that it doesn't need mechanical devices such as a pump, a valve, and a filter, for handling the solution.
Nonomuraea rhodomycinica sp. nov., isolated from peat swamp forest soil.

The taxonomic position of an actinomycete, strain NR4-ASC07T, isolated from a soil sample collected from Sirindhorn peat swamp forest, Narathiwat Province, Thailand, was clarified using a polyphasic approach. On the basis of morphological and chemotaxonomic characteristics, it was classified among the members of the genus Nonomuraea. It produced tightly closed spiral spore chains on aerial mycelium as well as forming a pseudosporangium. Whole-cell hydrolysates contained meso-diaminopimelic acid, glucose, ribose, madurose and mannose. The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, hydroxyphosphatidylethanolamine, lyso-phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylinositol mannosides, unknown ninhydrin-positive phosphoglycolipids and unknown glycolipid. Menaquiones were MK-9(H4), MK-9(H0), MK-9(H2), MK-10(H4) and MK-9(H6). Predominant cellular fatty acids were iso-C16 : 0, C17 : 0 10-methyl, C16 : 0, C17 : 1ω8c, C16 : 0 2-OH and iso-C15 : 0. The phylogenetic tree reconstructed on the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the strain fell within the clade containing Nonomuraea muscovyensis FMN03T, Nonomuraea roseoviolacea subsp. roseoviolaceaNBRC 14098T and Nonomuraea roseoviolacea subsp. carminataNBRC 15903T. The DNA-DNA relatedness and phenotypic data supported that strain NR4-ASC07T was clearly distinguished from the closely related species and represents a novel species of the genus Nonomuraea for which the name Nonomuraea rhodomycinica sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NR4-ASC07T (=NBRC 112327T=TISTR 2465T).
Influence of phosphate and pH on myofibrillar ATPase activity and force in skinned cardiac trabeculae from rat.

1. The effects of inorganic phosphate (Pi) and pH on maximal calcium‐activated isometric force and MgATPase activity were studied in chemically skinned cardiac trabeculae from rat. ATP hydrolysis was coupled enzymatically to the breakdown of NADH, and its concentration was determined photometrically. Measurements were performed at 2.1 microns sarcomere length and 20 degrees C. ATPase activity and force were also determined when square‐wave‐shaped length changes were applied, with a frequency of 23 Hz and an amplitude of 2.5%. 2. At pH 7.0 without added Pi, the average isometric force (+/‐ S.E.M.) was 51 +/‐ 3 kN m‐2 (n = 23). The average isometric ATPase activity was 0.43 +/‐ 0.02 mM s‐1 (n = 23). During the changes in length ATPase activity increased to 152 +/‐ 3% of the isometric value, while the average force level decreased to 48 +/‐ 2%. 3. Isometric force gradually decreased to 31 +/‐ 2% of the control value when the Pi concentration was increased to 30 mM. Isometric ATPase activity, however, remained constant for Pi concentrations up to 5 mM and decreased to 87 +/‐ 3% at 30 mM Pi. When Pi accumulation inside the preparation due to ATP hydrolysis was taken into account, a linear relationship was found between isometric force and log [Pi]. The decrease in relative force was found to be 44 +/‐ 4% per decade. 4. During the length changes, ATPase activity and average force showed, apart from the increase in ATPase activity and decrease in average force, the same dependence on Pi as the isometric values. Stiffness, estimated from the amplitude of the force responses during the length changes, decreased in proportion to isometric force when the Pi concentration was increased. The changes in the shape of the force responses due to the repetitive changes in length as a function of the Pi concentration were relatively small. These results suggest that the effect of Pi on the transitions which influence ATP turnover is rather insensitive to changes in cross‐bridge strain. 5. Isometric force, normalized to the control value at pH 7.0, increased gradually from 54 +/‐ 1% at pH 6.2 to 143 +/‐ 10% at pH 7.5. ATPase activity remained practically constant for pH values from 6.8 to 7.2 but decreased to 80 +/‐ 1% at pH 6.2 and to 83 +/‐ 5% at pH 7.5. ATPase activity during the length changes was reduced more than the isometric ATPase activity when pH was lowered. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Lexical semantic memory in amnestic mild cognitive impairment and mild Alzheimer's disease.

OBJECTIVE To study lexical semantic memory in patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI), mild Alzheimer's disease (AD) and normal controls. METHOD Fifteen mild AD, 15 aMCI, and 15 normal control subjects were included. Diagnosis of AD was based on DSM-IV and NINCDS-ADRDA criteria, and that of aMCI, on the criteria of the International Working Group on Mild Cognitive Impairment, using CDR 0.5 for aMCI and CDR 1 for mild AD. All subjects underwent semantic memory tests (Boston Naming-BNT, CAMCOG Similarities item), Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT), Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE), neuropsychological tests (counterproofs), and Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia. Data analysis used Mann-Whitney test for intergroup comparisons and Pearson's coefficient for correlations between memory tests and counterproofs (statistical significance level was p<0.05). RESULTS aMCI patients were similar to controls on BNT and Similarities, but worse on MMSE and RAVLT. Mild AD patients scored significantly worse than aMCI and controls on all tests. CONCLUSION aMCI impairs episodic memory but tends to spare lexical semantic system, which can be affected in the early phase of AD.
Capacitor peak current control for MPPT photovoltaic applications

In this paper a double loop control technique aimed at improving the maximum power point tracking performances in photovoltaic applications is proposed. The main novelty is in the application of the peak current control to the current flowing in the small capacitance usually put in parallel with the photovoltaic source: this results into a fast dynamic response and a high noise rejection. The proposed approach also simplifies the control design and improves the system robustness. The dynamical analysis and the simulations proposed in this paper demonstrate the advantages of the proposed technique.
MAP Kinase PrMPK9-1 Contributes to the Self-Incompatibility Response1[CC-BY]

A TDY-class MAPK is functionally involved in mediating self-incompatibility in Papaver. Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) form important signaling modules for a variety of cellular responses in eukaryotic cells. In plants, MAPKs play key roles in growth and development as well as in immunity/stress responses. Pollen-pistil interactions are critical early events regulating pollination and fertilization and involve many signaling events. Self-incompatibility (SI) is an important mechanism to prevent self-fertilization and inbreeding in higher plants and also is known to utilize signaling to achieve incompatible pollen rejection. Although several pollen-expressed MAPKs exist, very little is known about their function. We previously identified a pollen-expressed MAPK (p56) from Papaver rhoeas that was rapidly activated during SI; several studies implicated its role in signaling to SI-induced programmed cell death involving a DEVDase. However, to date, the identity of the MAPK involved has been unknown. Here, we have identified and cloned a pollen-expressed P. rhoeas threonine-aspartate-tyrosine (TDY) MAPK, PrMPK9-1. Rather few data relating to the function of TDY MAPKs in plants currently exist. We provide evidence that PrMPK9-1 has a cell type-specific function, with a distinct role from AtMPK9. To our knowledge, this is the first study implicating a function for a TDY MAPK in pollen. We show that PrMPK9-1 corresponds to p56 and demonstrate that it is functionally involved in mediating SI in P. rhoeas pollen: PrMPK9-1 is a key regulator for SI in pollen and acts upstream of programmed cell death involving actin and activation of a DEVDase. Our study provides an important advance in elucidating functional roles for this class of MAPKs.
Lipopolysaccharide amplifies eosinophilic inflammation after segmental challenge with house dust mite in asthmatics

House dust contains mite allergens as well as bacterial products such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Asthma exacerbations are associated with the level of exposure to allergens and LPS. LPS can potentiate allergen effects in steroid‐naïve patients. Long‐acting β2‐agonists (LABA) were shown to inhibit LPS‐induced bronchial inflammation in healthy volunteers. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of LPS on the allergen‐induced eosinophilic inflammation [primary endpoints: eosinophil counts and eosinophil cationic protein (ECP)] induced by bronchial instillation of house dust mite (HDM) in patients with asthma on maintenance treatment with inhaled corticosteroids (ICS).
Parenting as a Reaction Evoked by Children’s Genotype

Parenting has been extensively studied but mostly as a causal factor influencing child outcomes. The aim of the current article is to examine the child’s side of the relationship by meta-analyzing studies which used quantitative genetic methods that provide leverage in understanding causality. A meta-analysis of 32 children-as-twins studies of parenting revealed a heritability estimate of 23%, thus indicating that genetically influenced behaviors of the child affect and shape parental behavior. The shared- and nonshared-environmental estimates, which amounted to 43% and 34%, respectively, indicate not only substantial consistency in parental behavior but also differential treatment within the family. Assessment method, age, and parenting dimension were found to be significant moderators of these influences. Our findings stress the importance of accounting for genotype-environment correlations in child-development studies and call into question previous research that interpreted correlational results in unidirectional terms with parenting as the sole causal factor.
catena-Poly[[tetrakis(hexamethylphosphoramide-κO)bis(nitrato-κ2 O,O′)dysprosium(III)] [molybdenum(VI)-di-μ-sulfido-silver(I)-di-μ-sulfido]]

Hexamethylphosphoramide (hmp), tetrathiomolybdate, silver sulfide and dysprosium nitrate were self-assembled to form an anionic [AgMoS4]n n− chain in the title complex, {[Dy(NO3)2(C6H18N3OP)4][AgMoS4]}n. The central Dy atom in the cation is coordinated by eight O atoms from two nitrate and four hmp ligands, resulting in a distorted square-antiprismatic environment. Together with the two nitrate ligands, the cation is monovalent, which leads to the anionic chain having an [AgMoS4] repeat unit. The polymeric anionic chain, with Mo—Ag—Mo and Ag—Mo—Ag angles of 161.911 (13) and 154.014 (13)°, respectively, presents a distorted linear configuration. The title complex is isostructural with the W analogue.
Agitated depression in bipolar I disorder: prevalence, phenomenology, and outcome.

OBJECTIVE The study aimed to explore how prevalent agitated depression is in bipolar I disorder, whether it represents a mixed state, and whether it differs from nonagitated depression with respect to course and outcome. METHOD From 313 bipolar I patients with an index episode of major depression, the authors selected those fulfilling Research Diagnostic Criteria for agitated depression. These 61 patients were compared to 61 randomly recruited bipolar I patients with an index episode of nonagitated depression and 61 randomly recruited bipolar I patients with an index episode of mania regarding demographic, historical, and clinical features. The two depressive groups were also compared regarding time to recovery from the index episode, treatment received for that episode, percentage of time spent in an affective episode during a prospective observation period, and 5-year outcome. RESULTS Patients with agitated depression were consistently not elated or grandiose, but one-fourth had the cluster of symptoms with racing thoughts, pressured speech, and increased motor activity, and one-fourth had the paranoia-aggression-irritability cluster. Compared to patients with nonagitated depression, they had a longer time to 50% probability of recovery from the index episode, were more likely to receive standard antipsychotic drugs during that episode, and spent more time in an affective episode during the observation period. CONCLUSIONS The occurrence of agitated depression in bipolar I disorder is not rare and has significant prognostic and therapeutic implications. Whether the co-occurrence of a major depressive syndrome with one or two of these symptomatic clusters makes up a "mixed state" remains unclear.
CM-based channel estimators for space-time block-coded M-PSK and M-QAM systems

A constant modulus (CM)-based channel estimation scheme for space-time block-coded M-PSK and M-QAM transmission systems is derived. Exploiting the orthogonal structure of the space-time block coded transmission model, the analytical solutions to minimize the CM cost function are given for 2/sup k/ PSK (k>2) and 2/sup 2k/-QAM schemes, and used to derive the expressions for the CM-based channel estimators. Illustrative results on the performance are presented.
Specification of the C. elegans MS blastomere by the T-box factor TBX-35

In C. elegans, many mesodermal cell types are made by descendants of the progenitor MS, born at the seven-cell stage of embryonic development. Descendants of MS contribute to body wall muscle and to the posterior half of the pharynx. We have previously shown that MS is specified by the activity of the divergent MED-1,2 GATA factors. We report that the MED-1,2 target gene tbx-35, which encodes a T-box transcription factor, specifies the MS fate. Embryos homozygous for a putative tbx-35-null mutation fail to generate MS-derived pharynx and body muscle, and instead generate ectopic PAL-1-dependent muscle and hypodermis, tissues normally made by the C blastomere. Conversely, overexpression of tbx-35 results in the generation of ectopic pharynx and muscle tissue. The MS and E sister cells are made different by transduction of a Wnt/MAPK/Src pathway signal through the nuclear effector TCF/POP-1. We show that in E, tbx-35 is repressed in a Wnt-dependent manner that does not require activity of TCF/POP-1, suggesting that an additional nuclear Wnt effector functions in E to repress MS development. Genes of the T-box family are known to function in protostomes and deuterostomes in the specification of mesodermal fates. Our results show that this role has been evolutionarily conserved in the early C. elegans embryo, and that a progenitor of multiple tissue types can be specified by a surprisingly simple gene cascade.