Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cultural Differences and Similarities in Responses to the Silver Drawing Test in the USA, Brazil, Russia, Estonia, Thailand, and Australia

This paper summarizes cross-cultural studies of cognitive skills, emotions, and self-images found in responses to drawing tasks by children, adolescents, and adults. Its aim is to find out whether cultural differences and similarities in scores on the Silver Drawing Test (SDT) can illuminate cultural preferences and contribute to cultural practices. In Brazil, Russia, Estonia, and the USA, investigators used the SDT to develop norms and assess age and gender differences. In Thailand, an investigator used the assessment with delinquent adolescents to determine the effectiveness of an art therapy program. In Australia, an investigator used it to assess cognitive skills and gender differences and to develop course methodology. After summarizing the studies, this paper suggests implications of their findings for therapeutic and educational practices.
Lentiviral Transduction of CD34+ Cells Induces Genome-Wide Epigenetic Modifications

Epigenetic modifications may occur during in vitro manipulations of stem cells but these effects have remained unexplored in the context of cell and gene therapy protocols. In an experimental model of ex vivo gene modification for hematopoietic gene therapy, human CD34+ cells were cultured shortly in the presence of cytokines then with a gene transfer lentiviral vector (LV) expected to transduce cells but to have otherwise limited biological effects on the cells. At the end of the culture, the population of cells remained largely similar at the phenotypic level but some epigenetic changes were evident. Exposure of CD34+ cells to cytokines increased nuclear expression of epigenetic regulators SIRT1 or DNMT1 and caused genome-wide DNA methylation changes. Surprisingly, the LV caused additional and distinct effects. Large-scale genomic DNA methylation analysis showed that balanced methylation changes occurred in about 200 genes following culture of CD34+ cells in the presence of cytokines but 900 genes were modified following addition of the LV, predominantly increasing CpG methylation. Epigenetic effects resulting from ex vivo culture and from the use of LV may constitute previously unsuspected sources of biological effects in stem cells and may provide new biomarkers to rationally optimize gene and cell therapy protocols.
Changes in membrane potential during the progression of MCF‐7 human mammary tumor cells through the cell cycle

We previously reported that MCF‐7 cells were arrested in the G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle by agents known to block the activity of ATP‐sensitive potassium channels (Woodfork et al., 1995, J. Cell Physiol. 162:163–171). The goal of our current study was to determine if MCF‐7 cells undergo changes in membrane potential during the cell cycle that might be linked to changes in K permeability. The resting membrane potentials of unsynchronized MCF‐7 cells during exponential growth phase were measured using sharp glass microelectrodes, and they ranged from −58.6 mV to −2.7 mV. The distribution of membrane potentials was best fitted by the sum of four Gaussian distributions with means of −9.0 mV, −17.4 mV, −24.6 mV, and −40.4 mV. These membrane potential groups were designated D (depolarized), ID (intermediate depolarized), IH (intermediate hyperpolarized), and H (hyperpolarized), respectively. The membrane potential was sensitive to the substitution of external K and Na but not Cl. The K:Na permeability ratio increased in proportion to the negativity of the membrane potential. MCF‐7 cells pharmacologically arrested in G0/G1 phase were depolarized compared to control, with cells shifted from the H and IH groups to the D group. Tamoxifen‐arrested cells chased from G0/G1 into S phase by the addition of mitogenic concentrations of 17β‐estradiol were not depolarized, and these cells were shifted from the D group back to the IH and H groups. We conclude that MCF‐7 cells hyperpolarize during passage through G0/G1 and into S phase, and this hyperpolarization probably results from an increase in the relative permeability of the plasma membrane to K. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss Inc.
Evaluating a Day Treatment Program for Children with Serious Emotional Disorders

EVALUATING A DAY TREATMENT PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN WITH SERIOUS EMOTIONAL DISORDER by Nicole Lynn Lee, MSW A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Virginia Commonwealth University. Virginia Commonwealth University, 2004 Director: Marilyn A. Biggerstaff, D.S. W. , Professor, School of Social Work The current study used a longitudinal design to evaluate a day treatment program for children with serious emotional disorder located in Richmond, Virginia (N = 101). Child and Adolescent Functional Assessment Scale (Hodges, 1984, 1999) results were analyzed from children who had attended the program for at least six months. Repeated Measures Analysis of Variance tests indicated that children attending YDT for nine months improved their overall functioning F(2, 217) = 26.23, p = . 01 as well as their functioning at school F(3,279)= 10.822, p =. 01, home F(3, 244) = 6.120, p = . 01, and in the community F(3, 238) = 4.158, p =. 01. In addition, children improved their thinking F(2, 232) = 5.595, p = . 01, behavior toward others F(3, 279)= 24.230, p = . 01 and decreased the amount of self-harm F(1, 121) = 7.546, p =. 01. Children began YDT with an average total CAFAS score of score of 85.90; however, after nine months of treatment, children dropped 20.40 points to an average CAFAS score of 65.50 points. Results indicate that
Audio-Based Objectionable Content Detection Using Discriminative Transforms of Time-Frequency Dynamics

In this paper, the problem of detecting objectionable sounds, such as sexual screaming or moaning, to classify and block objectionable multimedia content is addressed. Objectionable sounds show distinctive characteristics, such as large temporal variations and fast spectral transitions, which are different from general audio signals, such as speech and music. To represent these characteristics, segment-based two-dimensional Mel-frequency cepstral coefficients and histograms of gradient directions are used as a feature set to characterize the time-frequency dynamics within a long-range segment of the target signal. After extracting the features, they are transformed to features with lower dimensions while preserving discriminative information using linear discriminant analysis based on a combination of global and local Fisher criteria. A Gaussian mixture model is adopted to statistically represent objectionable and non-objectionable sounds, and test sounds are classified by using a likelihood ratio test. Evaluation of the proposed feature extraction method on a database of several hundred objectionable and non-objectionable sound clips yielded precision/recall breakeven point of 91.25%, which is a promising performance which shows that the system can be applied to help an image-based approach to block such multimedia content.
Numerical and experimental investigation of a continuous-wave and passively mode-locked Yb : YAG laser at a wavelength of 1 : 05 μ m

We present the results of a novel numerical and experimental investigation aimed at obtaining efficient 1:05 μm operation with a Yb:YAG laser. The model shows that the emitting wavelength of the Yb:YAG laser is affected by the combination of length and doping concentration of the gain medium. Efficient continuous-wave laser operation at the wavelength of 1050nm was experimentally obtained in good agreement with the model predictions. Based on continuous-wave operation, generation of 1:8ps laser pulses at the central wavelength of 1050nm, as well as 170 fs laser pulses at the central wavelength of 1053nm, were realized. © 2009 Optical Society of America OCIS codes: 140.3580, 140.3615, 140.4050, 140.7090.
The role of reactive oxygen species on Plasmodium melanotic encapsulation in Anopheles gambiae

Malaria transmission depends on the competence of some Anopheles mosquitoes to sustain Plasmodium development (susceptibility). A genetically selected refractory strain of Anopheles gambiae blocks Plasmodium development, melanizing, and encapsulating the parasite in a reaction that begins with tyrosine oxidation, and involves three quantitative trait loci. Morphological and microarray mRNA expression analysis suggest that the refractory and susceptible strains have broad physiological differences, which are related to the production and detoxification of reactive oxygen species. Physiological studies corroborate that the refractory strain is in a chronic state of oxidative stress, which is exacerbated by blood feeding, resulting in increased steady-state levels of reactive oxygen species, which favor melanization of parasites as well as Sephadex beads.
Anti-Inflammatory Effect of the Endocannabinoid Anandamide in Experimental Periodontitis and Stress in the Rat

Objective: Periodontitis is an infectious disease leading to inflammation and destruction of tissue surrounding and supporting the tooth. The progress of the inflammatory response depends on the host’s immune system and risk factors such as stress. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of the endocannabinoid anandamide (AEA) in experimental periodontitis with restraint stress, since the endocannabinoid system is known to modulate the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis as well as immune functions and has been found in human gingival tissues. Methods: Experimental periodontitis was induced by ligature around first inferior molars and immobilization stress for 2 h twice daily for 7 days in a rat model. Results: Corticosterone plasma levels, locomotor activity, adrenal gland weight and bone loss were increased in periodontitis and stress groups, and there was also less weight gain. The inflammatory parameters such as prostaglandin E2 (radioimmunoassay), nitric oxide (radioconversion of 14C-arginine), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α (ELISA) and interleukin (IL)-1β (Western blot) measured in the gingival tissue were significantly increased in the periodontitis groups compared to the control group. Local injection of AEA (10–8M, 30 µl) decreased corticosterone plasma levels and the content of the cytokines TNF-α and IL-1β in gingival tissue in periodontitis-stress groups. These AEA-induced inhibitions were mediated by CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors since the injection of both antagonists together, AM251 (10–6M) and AM630 (10–6M) in 30 µl, prevented these effects. Conclusion: The endocannabinoid AEA diminishes the inflammatory response in periodontitis even during a stressful situation.
The CoSMOS L-band experiment in Southeast Australia

The CoSMOS (Campaign for validating the Operation of the Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity mission) campaign was conducted during November of 2005 in the Goulburn River Catchment, in SE Australia. The main objective of CoSMOS was to obtain a series of L-band measurements from the air in order to validate the L-band emission model that will be used by the SMOS (Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity) ground segment processor. In addition, the campaign was designed to investigate open questions including the Sun-glint effect over land, the application of polarimetric measurements over land, and to clarify the importance of dew and interception for soil moisture retrievals. This paper summarises the campaign activities, and presents progress on the analysis of the CoSMOS data set.
DOSPERT+M: A survey of medical risk attitudes in the United States

The Domain-Specific Risk Taking scale (DOSPERT) has been recommended as a tool for measuring risk attitudes in medical studies, but does not contain items specific to health care. Butler, et al. (2012) developed a medical risk domain subscale for DOSPERT.To characterize medical risk attitudes in a nationally-representative U.S. sample using the full DOSPERT scale with the medical risk domain add-on (DOSPERT+M), and examine associations with other risk domains.Members of a nationally-representative online panel (KnowledgePanel®) were randomized to complete pairs of DOSPERT+M tasks (risk attitude, risk perception, expected benefits). We explored relationships among domains through correlational and factor analysis; we tested the hypothesis that the medical risk domain and DOSPERT’s health/safety domains were not highly correlated.Three hundred forty-four panelists.The medical risk domain subscale had low inter-item reliability in the risk-taking task and moderate inter-item reliability in the other tasks. Medical risk domain scores were poorly correlated with the DOSPERT health/safety domain. Exploratory factor analysis largely recovered the expected DOSPERT domain structure.Attitudes toward risky medical activities may constitute a distinct domain from those measured by the standard DOSPERT items. Additional work is required to develop a medical risk subscale with higher inter-item reliability.
Psychosocial Functioning and School Achievement of Children With Mild Intellectual Disability in Polish Special, Integrative, and Mainstream Schools

The authors sought to assess the effectiveness of integrative and inclusive education in Poland as well as to determine the relations between the psychosocial functioning and school achievement of pupils with mild intellectual disability attending special, integrative, and mainstream schools. Nearly 900 (n = 859) grade four pupils rated their social and emotional integration within their school and took a school achievement test. Pupils from integrative and mainstream schools achieved significantly higher scores in the school achievement test than pupils from special schools, whereas students from special schools were significantly better inte- grated emotionally and socially than integrative and mainstream school students. Additionally, emotional integration was a positive predictor for school achievement of pupils attending special schools. Among pupils attending integrative and mainstream schools, the relationship between emotional and social integration and school achievement was more complex and curvilinear: The highest results were achieved by the best and the worst integrated pupils. These findings are discussed in the context of inclusive education theory.
The Use of Anecdotal Information in a Hypothetical Lung Cancer Treatment Decision

ABSTRACT This mixed-methods study examined variables associated with use of experience-based (i.e., anecdotal) decisional strategies among 85 undergraduate students presented with 2 hypothetical lung cancer scenarios. Participants were asked to think aloud while they made their treatment choice. Eleven decisional strategies were identified and grouped into either data or experience-based strategies. Approximately, 25% of participants used experience-based strategies. Use of experience-based strategies was more likely if the participant reported involvement in the life of someone going through cancer treatment, and if they rated print-based media sources as less important. Use of experience-based strategies was associated with choosing surgery instead of radiation for lung cancer treatment.
A Survey of GPU-Based Large-Scale Volume Visualization

This survey gives an overview of the current state of the art in GPU techniques for interactive large-scale volume visualization. Modern techniques in this ﬁeld have brought about a sea change in how interactive visualization and analysis of giga-, tera-, and petabytes of volume data can be enabled on GPUs. In addition to combining the parallel processing power of GPUs with out-of-core methods and data streaming, a major enabler for interactivity is making both the computational and the visualization effort proportional to the amount and resolution of data that is actually visible on screen, i.e., “output-sensitive” algorithms and system designs. This leads to recent output-sensitive approaches that are “ray-guided,” “visualization-driven,” or “display-aware. ” In this survey, we focus on these characteristics and propose a new categorization of GPU-based large-scale volume visualization techniques based on the notions of actual output-resolution visibility and the current working set of volume bricks—the current subset of data that is minimally required to produce an output image of the desired display resolution. For our purposes here, we view parallel (distributed) visualization using clusters as an orthogonal set of techniques that we do not discuss in detail but that can be used in conjunction with what we discuss in this survey.
Chronic viral hepatitis and chronic kidney disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has become a major public health problem worldwide over the past few decades because of the increasing prevalence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and elderly individuals in most countries. Chronic viral hepatitis (due to hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV)) also poses significant morbidity and mortality globally. Both these viruses can cause CKD and these infections can occur as a consequence of CKD management. CKD patients acquiring HBV or HCV infection have higher morbidity and mortality rates, and the management of these infections among CKD patients with antiviral agents is associated with high rates of adverse effects. The optimal management of CKD associated with HBV and HCV is not well defined because of insufficient data from clinical trials. This review discusses the pathogenesis, clinical characteristics and management issues related to chronic viral hepatitis and CKD.
Life Cycle Complexity Influences Intraguild Predation and Cannibalism in Pond Communities

Predation risk is an important contributor to community structure that varies in response to abiotic and biotic factors. In aquatic habitats, predation risk is often linked to hydroperiod as the latter directly influences predator identity within these ecosystems. For pond-breeding salamanders, intraguild predation (IGP) and cannibalism are prevalent interactions in larval communities, but the frequency of each type of agonistic interaction, as well as changes in their pervasiveness along hydroperiod gradients are not well understood. Size-structured populations of aquatic life stages (paedomorphic adults and overwintered larvae) of mole salamanders (Ambystoma talpoideum) have the potential to be dominant IG predators and cannibals in permanent ponds because of large size advantages over successive cohorts, but the species exists as only a single larval cohort in temporary ponds with reduced predatory abilities on guild members. Thus, both the potential for and intensity of predation by this species is linked to hydroperiod; yet, the predatory abilities of aquatic life stages of mole salamanders have not been evaluated. This study examined the extent to which larger size classes (paedomorphs and overwintered larvae) of mole salamanders preyed upon conspecifics and a congeneric competitor, the spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum). Predation trials occurred in indoor microcosms and were executed under two habitat treatments that included pseudo-natural conditions containing alternate prey and refugia, as well as simplified environments (no alternative food or cover). Embryos or hatchlings of mole and spotted salamanders were exposed either separately or concurrently to paedomorphic and overwintered larval mole salamanders in each habitat treatment. Additionally, overwintered larvae were offered as prey to paedomorphic adults. No significant differences in mortality were observed between habitat treatments (complex versus simple) for either embryo or hatchling predation experiments. Mortality of mole and spotted embryos did not differ when they were offered separately or together, but paedomorphs caused significantly higher mortality among mole embryos compared to spotted embryos. Hatchlings of both species were heavily preyed upon (nearly 100% in all trials), but overwintered larvae exhibited 100% survival with paedomorph predators, indicating size-thresholds of predation risk that were not species specific. Paedomorphs and overwintered larvae therefore are most likely generalist predators that feed equally and effectively on hatchlings of co-occurring species, but are more likely to consume egg masses that do not incur significant handling costs. When present, paedomorphs or overwintered larvae have the potential to alter population dynamics of both guild members and conspecifics by being dominant predators on early life stages. As the prevalence of overwintering and paedomorphosis varies along hydroperiod gradients, predation risk from this species is likely to occur discontinuously and thereby may be an important, yet variable, structuring force.
Engineered heart tissue graft derived from somatic cell nuclear transferred embryonic stem cells improve myocardial performance in infarcted rat heart

The concept of regenerating diseased myocardium by implanting engineered heart tissue (EHT) is intriguing. Yet it was limited by immune rejection and difficulties to be generated at a size with contractile properties. Somatic cell nuclear transfer is proposed as a practical strategy for generating autologous histocompatible stem (nuclear transferred embryonic stem [NT‐ES]) cells to treat diseases. Nevertheless, it is controversial as NT‐ES cells may pose risks in their therapeutic application. EHT from NT‐ES cell‐derived cardiomyocytes was generated through a series of improved techniques in a self‐made mould to keep the EHTs from contraction and provide static stretch simultaneously. After 7 days of static and mechanical stretching, respectively, the EHTs were implanted to the infarcted rat heart. Four weeks after transplantation, the suitability of EHT in heart muscle repair after myocardial infarction was evaluated by histological examination, echocardiography and multielectrode array measurement. The results showed that large (thickness/diameter, 2–4 mm/10 mm) spontaneously contracting EHTs was generated successfully. The EHTs, which were derived from NT‐ES cells, inte grated and electrically coupled to host myocardium and exerted beneficial effects on the left ventricular function of infarcted rat heart. No teratoma formation was observed in the rat heart implanted with EHTs for 4 weeks. NT‐ES cells can be used as a source of seeding cells for cardiac tissue engineering. Large contractile EHT grafts can be constructed in vitro with the ability to survive after implantation and improve myocardial performance of infarcted rat hearts.
Crafting Internal Hybrids: Complementarities, Common Change Initiatives, and the Team-Based Organization

Hybrid governance forms that seek to meld the virtues of both market control and traditional hierarchical control are alluring. Comparatively little research, outside of the M-form literature, has examined internal hybrids - hierarchical forms infused with elements of market control. This paper contends that common change initiatives, such as TQM, re-engineering, autonomous work teams, and group-based rewards, are appropriately viewed as attempts to craft internal hybrids by selectively infusing elements of market control within hierarchy. However, these change initiatives are often implemented in isolation and, as a consequence, violate patterns of complementarity that sustain traditional hierarchy or support the stable infusion of market control.The paper argues that these violations of complementarity often spiral hierarchies toward fundamental transformation. The clear trajectory of these transformations is to quite radically disaggregated organizations structured around teams. The paper presents both theory and evidence supporting the existence of complementarities among these common change initiatives.