Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Verb Argument Structure in Parsing and Interpretation: Evidence from wh-Questions

The hypothesis that readers use verb argument structure information to generate and evaluate likely syntactic alternatives and assign provisional interpretations was evaluated using wh-questions. such as Which client did the salesman visit while in the city? Using a word by word, self-paced reading task with a "makes sense" judgment, we manipulated the plausibility of the wh-phrase with respect to the semantic role that it would play if it were the direct object. We also manipulated the preferred argument structure of the verb, using (1) transitive verbs that typically occur with only a direct object; (2) objective control verbs that typically are used with both a direct object and an infinitive complement; and (3) dative verbs that are typically used with both a direct object and an indirect object. The results showed clear and immediate effects of argument structure. Sentences with implausible wh-phrases were judged to stop making sense at the verb for simple transitive verbs. However, sentences with object control verbs and dative verbs were judged to make sense as long as the wh-phrase could be plausibly interpreted as one of the verb′s arguments. Thus, the bias to initially interpret a wh-phrase as the direct object of a verb was blocked when the filler was implausible in the direct object role if the verb provided another argument position. In addition, interpretation of the wh-phrase began at the verb, prior to the gap, even when the syntactic position of the gap was ambiguous. The results are taken as support for constraint-based lexicalist models of processing.
Qualitative research methodologies: ethnography

The previous articles (there were 2 before this 1) in this series discussed several methodological approaches commonly used by qualitative researchers in the health professions. This article focuses on another important qualitative methodology: ethnography. It provides background for those who will encounter this methodology in their reading rather than instructions for carrying out such research. Ethnography is the study of social interactions, behaviours, and perceptions that occur within groups, teams, organisations, and communities. Its roots can be traced back to anthropological studies of small, rural (and often remote) societies that were undertaken in the early 1900s, when researchers such as Bronislaw Malinowski and Alfred Radcliffe-Brown participated in these societies over long periods and documented their social arrangements and belief systems. This approach was later adopted by members of the Chicago School of Sociology (for example, Everett Hughes, Robert Park, Louis Wirth) and applied to a variety of urban settings in their studies of social life. The central aim of ethnography is to provide rich, holistic insights into people’s views and actions, as well as the nature (that is, sights, sounds) of the location they inhabit, through the collection of detailed observations and interviews. As Hammersley states, “The task [of ethnographers] is to document the culture, the perspectives and practices, of the people in these settings. The aim is to ‘get inside’ the way each group of people sees the world. ”1 Box 1 outlines the key features of ethnographic research. #### Box 1 Key features of ethnographic research2
Developing a health state classification system from NEWQOL for epilepsy using classical psychometric techniques and Rasch analysis: a technical report

Aims: Resource allocation amongst competing health care interventions is informed by evidence of both clinical- and cost-effectiveness. Cost-utility analysis is increasingly used to assess cost effectiveness through the use of Quality Adjusted Life Years (QALYs). This requires health state values. Generic measures of health related quality of life (HRQL) are usually used to produce these values, but there are concerns about their relevance and sensitivity in epilepsy. This study develops a health state classification system for epilepsy from the NEWQOL battery, a validated questionnaire measuring QoL in epilepsy. The classification system will be amenable to valuation for calculating QALYs. Methods: Factor and other psychometric analyses were undertaken to investigate the factor structure of the battery, and assess the validity and responsiveness of the items. These analyses were used alongside Rasch analysis to select the dimensions included in the classification system, and the items used to represent each domain. Analysis was carried out on a trial dataset of patients with epilepsy (n=1611). Rasch and factor analysis were performed on one half of the sample and validated on the remaining half. Dimensions and items were selected that performed well across all analyses. Results: The battery was found to demonstrate reliability and validity but responsiveness across time periods for many of the items was low. A six dimension classification system was developed: worry about seizures, depression, memory, cognition, stigmatism and control, each with four response levels. Conclusions: It is feasible to develop a health state classification system from a battery of instruments using a combination of classical psychometric, factor and Rasch analysis. This is the first condition-specific health state classification developed for epilepsy and the next stage will produce preference weights to enable the measure to be used in cost-utility analysis.
Antibiotic Resistance-Susceptibility Profiles of Streptococcus thermophilus Isolated from Raw Milk and Genome Analysis of the Genetic Basis of Acquired Resistances

The food chain is thought to play an important role in the transmission of antibiotic resistances from commensal and beneficial bacteria to pathogens. Streptococcus thermophilus is a lactic acid bacterium of major importance as a starter for the dairy industry. This study reports the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 16 representative antimicrobial agents to 41 isolates of S. thermophilus derived from raw milk. Strains showing resistance to tetracycline (seven), erythromycin and clindamycin (two), and streptomycin and neomycin (one) were found. PCR amplification identified tet(S) in all the tetracycline-resistant strains, and ermB in the two erythromycin/clindamycin-resistant strains. Hybridisation experiments suggested each resistance gene to be located in the chromosome with a similar genetic organization. Five antibiotic-resistant strains -two resistant to tetracycline (St-2 and St-9), two resistant to erythromycin/clindamycin (St-5 and St-6), and one resistant to streptomycin/neomycin (St-10)- were subjected to genome sequencing and analysis. The tet(S) gene was identified in small contigs of 3.2 and 3.7 kbp in St-2 and St-9, respectively, flanked by truncated copies of insertion sequence (IS) elements. Similarly, ermB in St-6 and St-5 was found in contigs of 1.6 and 28.1 kbp, respectively. Sequence analysis and comparison of the largest contig showed it to contain three segments (21.9, 3.7, and 1.4 kbp long) highly homologous to non-collinear sequences of pRE25 from Enterococcus faecalis. These segments contained the ermB gene, a transference module with an origin of transfer (oriT) plus 15 open reading frames encoding proteins involved in conjugation, and modules for plasmid replication and segregation. Homologous stretches were separated by short, IS-related sequences, resembling the genetic organization of the integrative and conjugative elements (ICEs) found in Streptococcus species. No gene known to provide aminoglycoside resistance was seen in St-10. Four strain-specific amino acid substitutions in the RsmG methyltransferase were scored in this strain; these might be associated to its streptomycin/neomycin resistance. Under yogurt manufacturing and storage conditions, no transfer of either tet(S) or ermB from S. thermophilus to L. delbrueckii was detected. The present results contribute toward characterisation of the antibiotic resistance profiles in S. thermophilus, provide evidence for the genetic basis of acquired resistances and deepen on their transference capability.
A Chinese Herbal Decoction, Dang Gui Bu Xue Tang, Prepared from Radix Astragali and Radix Angelicae sinensis, Ameliorates Insulin Resistance Induced by A High-Fructose Diet in Rats

Dang Gui Bu Xue Tang (DBT), a Chinese medicinal decoction contains Radix Angelicae sinensis (Danggui) and Radix Astragali (Huangqi) at a ratio of 1 : 5, is used commonly for treating women's ailments. This study was conducted to explore the effects of this preparation on insulin resistance in rats fed with 6-week diet containing 60% fructose. Similar to the action of rosiglitazone (4 mg kg−1 per day by an oral administration), repeated oral administration of DBT (2.5 g kg−1 per day) for 14 days was found to significantly alleviate the hyperglycemia but made no influence on plasma lipid profiles nor weight gain in fructose chow-fed rats. Also, the higher degree of insulin resistance as measured by homeostasis model assessment of basal insulin resistance in fructose chow-fed rats was significantly decreased by repeated DBT treatment. DBT displays the characteristic of rosiglitazone by increasing the whole-body insulin sensitivity in fructose chow-fed rats after 2-week treatment, as evidenced by the marked elevation of composite whole-body insulin sensitivity index during the oral glucose tolerance test. DBT improves insulin sensitivity through increased post-receptor insulin signaling mediated by enhancements in insulin receptor substrate-1-associated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase step and glucose transporter subtype 4 translocation in soleus muscles of animals exhibiting insulin resistance. DBT is therefore proposed as potentially useful adjuvant therapy for patients with insulin resistance and/or the patients who wish to increase insulin sensitivity.
Comparison of heart rate variability between resting state and external-cuff-inflation-and-deflation state: a pilot study

Heart rate variability (HRV) has been widely used in clinical research to provide an insight into the autonomic control of the cardiovascular system. Measurement of HRV is generally performed under a relaxed resting state. The effects of other conditions on HRV measurement, such as running, mountaineering, head-up tilt, etc, have also been investigated. This study aimed to explore whether an inflation-and-deflation process applied to a unilateral upper arm cuff would influence the HRV measurement. Fifty healthy young volunteers aged between 21 and 30 were enrolled in this study. Electrocardiogram (ECG) signals were recorded for each subject over a five minute resting state followed by a five minute external-cuff-inflation-and-deflation state (ECID state). A one minute gap was scheduled between the two measurements. Consecutive RR intervals in the ECG were extracted automatically to form the HRV data for each of the two states. Time domain (SDNN, RMSSD and PNN50), frequency domain (LFn, HFn and LF/HF) and nonlinear (VLI, VAI and SampEn) HRV indices were analyzed and compared between the two states. In addition, the effects of mean artery pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) on the aforementioned HRV indices were assessed for the two states, respectively, by Pearson correlation analysis. The results showed no significant difference in all aforementioned HRV indices between the resting and the ECID states (all p > 0.05). The corresponding HRV indices had significant positive correlation (all p < 0.01) between the two states. None of the indices showed MAP-related change (all p > 0.05) for either state. Besides, none of the indices showed HR-related change (all p > 0.05) for either state except the index of VLI in the resting state. To conclude, this pilot study suggested that the applied ECID process hardly influenced those commonly used HRV indices. It would thus be applicable to simultaneously measure both blood pressure and HRV indices in clinical practice.
CloudVS: Enabling version control for virtual machines in an open-source cloud under commodity settings

Open-source cloud platforms provide a feasible alternative of deploying cloud computing in low-cost commodity hardware and operating systems. To enhance the reliability of an open-source cloud, we propose CloudVS, an add-on system that enables version control for virtual machines (VMs). CloudVS targets a commodity cloud platform that has limited available resources. It exploits content similarities across different VM versions using redundancy elimination (RE), such that only non-redundant data chunks of a VM version are transmitted over the network and kept in persistent storage. Using RE as a building block, we propose a suite of performance adaptation mechanisms that make CloudVS amenable to different commodity settings. Specifically, we propose a tunable mechanism to balance the storage and disk seek overheads, as well as various I/O optimization techniques to minimize the interferences to other coresident processes. Using a 3-month span of real VM snapshots, we experiment CloudVS in an open-source cloud testbed built on Eucalyptus. We demonstrate how CloudVS leverages RE to save the storage cost and the VM operation time than simply keeping full VM images. More importantly, we show how CloudVS can be parameterized to balance the performance trade-offs between version control and normal VM operations.
Determinants of relapse after acceptance and commitment therapy

This study analyzes which determinants from the Relapse Prevention Model are related to experiencing relapse in living to the fullest up to 2,5 years after following a class (Living to the Fullest (Bohlmeijer and Hulsbergen, 2009)) based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. One hundred and thirty one participants were included. The assessment included the Centre of Epidemiological Studies – Depression Scale (CES-D) (Radloff, 1977), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale – Anxiety (HADS-A) (Zigmond & Snaith, 1983), the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire II (AAQ-II) (Bond et. al., 2011), questions based on determinants from the Relapse Prevention Model (Marlatt & Gordon, 1985), evaluative questions and questions about a follow-up class. Results indicated that depressive symptoms increased after a period of no stimulation. Determinants related to behavioural relapse in living to the fullest were positive emotions, negative emotions and the Abstinence Violation Effect. Participants evaluated the course mostly positive, and they would appreciate a follow up course if professional guidance is guaranteed
Under Consideration for Publication in Theory and Practice of Logic Programming Fuzzy Answer Sets Approximations

Fuzzy answer set programming (FASP) is a recent formalism for knowledge representation that enriches the declarativity of answer set programming by allowing propositions to be graded. To now, no implementations of FASP solvers are available and all current proposals are based on compilations of logic programs into different paradigms, like mixed integer programs or bilevel programs. These approaches introduce many auxiliary variables which might affect the performance of a solver negatively. To limit this downside, operators for approximating fuzzy answer sets can be introduced: Given a FASP program, these operators compute lower and upper bounds for all atoms in the program such that all answer sets are between these bounds. This paper analyzes several operators of this kind which are based on linear programming, fuzzy unfounded sets and source pointers. Furthermore, the paper reports on a prototypical implementation, also describing strategies for avoiding computations of these operators when they are guaranteed to not improve current bounds. The operators and their implementation can be used to obtain more constrained mixed integer or bilevel programs, or even for providing a basis for implementing a native FASP solver. Interestingly, the semantics of relevant classes of programs with unique answer sets, like positive programs and programs with stratified negation, can be already computed by the prototype without the need for an external tool.
Smoking and risk of cholangiocarcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Previous studies evaluating the association between smoking and risk of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) have yielded controversial results. We conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the association based on available evidence. We searched the databases of Embase, PubMed and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from inception to April 11, 2017. Studies that investigated the association between smoking and risk of CCA were included. Pooled odds ratio (OR) estimates and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using either a random-effects or a fixed-effects model. A total of 22 studies involving 324,333 participants were identified. The summary OR of CCA was 1.31 (95% CI, 1.15 to 1.51) for smokers versus nonsmokers. The increased risk was independent of diabetes mellitus, bilious tract stone disease, and liver cirrhosis. Smokers also had increased risk of intrahepatic CCA (12 studies; OR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.06 to 1.63) and extrahepatic CCA (12 studies; OR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.10 to 1.59) compared with nonsmokers. The results of our meta-analysis support the hypothesis that there is a moderate association between cigarette smoking and risk of CCA.
Ethnic disproportionality in the identification of speech language and communication needs (SLCN) and autism spectrum disorders (ASD): 2005-2011

The Better Communication Research Programme (BCRP) was commissioned as part of the Better Communication Action Plan, the government’s response to the Bercow review of services for children and young people with speech, language and communication needs. There has been a long standing general concern about the progress and achievement of some minority ethnic groups in England and one element within the general concern has been the specific issue of disproportionate representation among pupils designated as having SEN. This study seeks to determine whether these patterns of disproportionate representation are still present in the most recent data, whether the patterns can be explained in terms of other factors associated both with SEN and ethnicity, such as poverty and socio-economic disadvantage, and to what extent disproportionate ethnic representation varies across local authorities.
Functional insights into modulation of BKCa channel activity to alter myometrial contractility

The large-conductance voltage- and Ca2+-activated K+ channel (BKCa) is an important regulator of membrane excitability in a wide variety of cells and tissues. In myometrial smooth muscle, activation of BKCa plays essential roles in buffering contractility to maintain uterine quiescence during pregnancy and in the transition to a more contractile state at the onset of labor. Multiple mechanisms of modulation have been described to alter BKCa channel activity, expression, and cellular localization. In the myometrium, BKCa is regulated by alternative splicing, protein targeting to the plasma membrane, compartmentation in membrane microdomains, and posttranslational modifications. In addition, interaction with auxiliary proteins (i.e., β1- and β2-subunits), association with G-protein coupled receptor signaling pathways, such as those activated by adrenergic and oxytocin receptors, and hormonal regulation provide further mechanisms of variable modulation of BKCa channel function in myometrial smooth muscle. Here, we provide an overview of these mechanisms of BKCa channel modulation and provide a context for them in relation to myometrial function.
Robotic Haptic Proxies for Collaborative Virtual Reality

We propose a new approach for interaction in Virtual Reality (VR) using mobile robots as proxies for haptic feedback. This approach allows VR users to have the experience of sharing and manipulating tangible physical objects with remote collaborators. Because participants do not directly observe the robotic proxies, the mapping between them and the virtual objects is not required to be direct. In this paper, we describe our implementation, various scenarios for interaction, and a preliminary user study.
Validation of a Norwegian Version of the Approaches and Study Skills Inventory for Students (ASSIST): Application of structural equation modelling

The Approaches and Study Skills Inventory for Students (ASSIST) were administered to 573 under-graduate students in order to analyse a Norwegian version of this inventory. To cross-validate the factor structure, the subjects were divided into two equal samples. Principal axis factor analysis of sample 1 reproduced the three main factors of deep, surface and strategic approaches to learning. However, two of the subscales failed to load appropriately on the 'strategic approach'. When omitting these subscales, the principle of simple structure was better supported by the results. A subsequent CFA with comparison of samples 1 and 2 supported the existence of the expected three-factor model. It is concluded that this Norwegian version of ASSIST is valuable as a research tool for the assessment of approaches to learning among Norwegian students, but that caution should be taken with respect to the interpretation of particular subscales and possible sample effects.
Effektiv mätning av livskvalitet - Brunnsviken Brief Quality of Life Inventory (BBQ) : en psykometrisk utvärdering

Malet med Brunnsviken Brief Quality of Life Inventory (BBQ) ar att skapa en kortfattad och lattadministrerad skattningsskala for sjalvupplevd livskvalitet med goda psykometriska egenskaper vilken a .
Interleukin-2 Increases Activity of Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Ca2+-ATPase, but Decreases Its Sensitivity to Calcium in Rat Cardiomyocytes

To further explore the role of interleukin-2 (IL-2) in cardiac function, we investigated its effects on the intracellular calcium transient and the activity of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+-ATPase in rat cardiomyocytes. IL-2 (200 U/ml) decreased the amplitude of electrically stimulated and caffeine-induced intracellular Ca2+ transients in ventricular myocytes, but increased the end-diastolic calcium level. IL-2 did not affect the sarcolemmal L-type Ca2+ channel activity. The activity of SR Ca2+-ATPase from IL-2-treated hearts increased in a dose-dependent manner, but the sarcolemmal Ca2+-ATPase activity did not change. After incubation of SR with ATP, the activity of SR Ca2+-ATPase from IL-2-treated hearts increased much more than that in the control group. The responsiveness of SR Ca2+-ATPase from IL-2-perfused hearts to the free calcium concentration was inhibited. The Ca2+ uptake and Ca2+ content were reduced in the SR vesicles prepared from IL-2-treated rat heart. Pretreatment with the κ-opioid receptor antagonist nor-binaltorphimine (10 nM) attenuated the effect of IL-2 on the SR Ca2+-ATPase activity, SR Ca2+ uptake, and Ca2+ content. The activity of Ca2+-ATPase in SR isolated from untreated hearts did not change when IL-2 and SR were coincubated. Thus, we conclude that the decreased calcium transient induced by IL-2 results from reduced SR calcium release, which is due to decreased SR Ca2+ uptake mediated by cardiac κ-opioid receptors, but not from reduced activity of the sarcolemmal L-type calcium channel.