Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sins of the Father: An Investigation into Judgments and Processes Involved in Within-family Tainting

OF THE DISSERTATION Sins of the Father: An Investigation into Judgments and Processes Involved in Within-family Tainting by Stephanie Allison Peak Doctor of Philosophy in Psychological and Brain Sciences Washington University in St. Louis, 2017 Professor Alan J. Lambert, Chairperson The present research focused on a real-world event (i.e., the 2015 Paris terrorist attacks) as a basis for gaining insight about the spread of negativity (i.e., “tainting”) from a guilty father to an innocent son. The nature of the relationship between the son and the father was varied experimentally, a manipulation that allowed for investigation into the subjective importance of genetic versus social relationships. Across three experiments, I examined two types of judgments about the son, including responsibility and general evaluation of the target. Responsibility ratings were, on the average, extremely low. Indeed, many participants explicitly attributed no responsibility to the son. However, analyses of the general evaluation index also revealed significant evidence of tainting of the son, relative to a similarly-described person with no connections to the terrorist. Importantly, such evidence emerged even among participants who explicitly denied any responsibility on the part of the son. Moreover, the magnitude of tainting seemed to be determined most strongly by “nurture” (i.e., whether the terrorist father raised the son or not) rather than “nature” (i.e., the presence/absence of a genetic link). Generalizability considerations for extending the present paradigm to related domains are discussed. iv
Genetic diversity of an endangered species, Fokienia hodginsii (Cupressaceae)

Fokienia hodginsii (Cupressaceae) is distributed in montane evergreen forests in North and Central Vietnam and extends to southeastern China at 900 m above sea level. The species has been threatened in its area of distribution in recent years because of habitat destruction and over-exploitation. The genetic variation of F. hodginsii in Vietnam was investigated on the basis of eight ISSR markers. Three hundred and twenty-two sampled trees from eight populations in six provinces of Lao Cai, Ha Giang, Son La, Hoa Binh, Thanh Hoa and Nghe An, were used as material for the study. The ISSR data showed low genetic variability at both population and species level, with an average of 0.0701 and 0.1145, respectively. Genetic differentiation among populations was high (Gst = 0.2771), indicating limited gene flow (Nm = 1.3046). However, the implication of the results from this study which is to conserve genetic resources of this species was discussed. Key words: Fokienia hodginsii, ISSR markers, genetic diversity, species conservation.
Development of transdermal drug delivery system of diltiazem hydrochloride for the treatment of hypertension

Development of transdermal system mainly focused on formulation and characterization of monolithic matrix type transdermal drug delivery system of diltiazem hydrochloride for the treatment of mild to moderate hypertension. In this study, seven formulations were prepared in different ratio of film forming polymers. Formulations TDDS1 to TDDS7 were composed of carboxy methyl cellulose, polyvinyl pyrrolidone and carbopol 934, 5% w/v in different ratio. Formulations also contained 5% (w/w) of diltiazem hydrochloride, 1% (v/w) of Polyethylene glycol 400 and 1% (w/w) of tween 60 (based on total polymer weight). Developed transdermal drug delivery system were characterized for various physicochemical properties such as thickness, moisture content, water vapor transmission, folding endurance, drug content and in vitro release study. Formulation TDDS7 was found to be better as compared to other formulations and it was selected as the developed formulation.
Evaluation of Gamma Interferon Release Assays Using Mycobacterium tuberculosis Antigens for Diagnosis of Latent and Active Tuberculosis in Mycobacterium bovis BCG-Vaccinated Populations

ABSTRACT T-cell-based gamma interferon (IFN-γ) release assays (IGRAs) using Mycobacterium tuberculosis-specific antigens have shown higher sensitivity and specificity than the routine tuberculin skin test (TST). However, the effects of Mycobacterium bovis BCG vaccination and anti-tuberculosis (TB) treatment on dynamic T-cell responses to M. tuberculosis-specific antigens in active TB cases have rarely been investigated in regions where TB is endemic. Eighty-nine patients with active pulmonary TB (ATB) and 57 healthy controls (HC) from China were recruited and tested by sputum smear and culture, TSTs, and IGRAs with M. tuberculosis-specific antigens ESAT-6 and CFP-10 (T-SPOT.TB) as well as purified protein derivative (PPD) stimulation. All 146 participants were screened by the T-SPOT.TB assay at recruitment. T-SPOT.TB-positive rates in ATB and HC groups were 87.6% (78/89) and 21.1% (12/57), respectively. Of 38 ATB patients who were both TST and T-SPOT.TB tested, the positive rates were 73.7% (28/38) and 94.7% (36/38), respectively (P = 0.0215), and those in the HC group were 62.3% (33/53) and 18.9% (10/53), respectively (P < 0.0001). The T-SPOT.TB-positive rates declined during TB treatment and were 94.4% (51/54), 86.4% (19/22), and 61.5% (8/13) for ATB patients receiving 0- to 1-month, 1- to 3-month, and 3- to 6-month anti-TB treatment, respectively. The IGRA is a most promising test for both active TB and latent TB infection (LTBI) diagnosis due to the improvement of its specificity and convenience, especially in the Mycobacterium bovis BCG-vaccinated population. Furthermore, the T-SPOT.TB assay using ESAT-6 and CFP-10 in ATB patients during anti-TB treatment could serve as a potential predictor of therapeutic efficacy.
A Comparison of Relationship Behaviors

Pro-relationship behaviors—commitment, accommodation, sacrifice, and forgiveness—differ across relationships with parents, friends, and romantic partners. In order to test the extent to which the type of relationship plays a role in how willing a person is to accommodate, forgive, or sacrifice, participants were administered a series of questionnaires. The associations of these pro-relationship behaviors with commitment were compared across relationships. Although the tendency to accommodate, sacrifice, and forgive in one relationship was significantly correlated with the tendency to behave similarly in other relationships, there were significant differences from one relationship to another. For example, participants were significantly less likely to sacrifice for a friend than for a parent or a romantic partner. Conversely, participants were found to be significantly less accommodating for a parent than they were for a friend or for a romantic partner. Also, participants were significantly more likely to forgive friends than they were to forgive a romantic partner. All relationship behaviors were significantly correlated with commitment across all three relationship types, but the strength of these correlations was not consistent. This inconsistency is probably due to the differences in expectations that people have for different relationships. The friendships of college students are usually temporary, as friends graduate and move on, whereas relationships with parents last until death. Although there were inconsistencies, there were many significant correlations that showed that behavior in one relationship did predict behavior in other relationships. Just as behavior towards one’s parents was related to behavior towards one’s friends, it was also predictive of behavior towards romantic partners. Whether this applies to adolescents from other cultures, and whether it applies to non-university students, remains to be determined.
Modeling the velocity saturation region of graphene nanoribbon transistor

A semi-analytical model for impact ionisation coefficient of graphene nanoribbon (GNR) is presented. The model is derived by calculating the probability of electrons reaching ionisation threshold energy Et and the distance travelled by electron gaining Et. In addition, ionisation threshold energy is semi-analytically modeled for GNR. We justify our assumptions using analytical modeling and comparison with simulation results. Gaussian simulator together with analytical modeling is used in order to calculate ionisation threshold energy and Kinetic Monte Carlo is employed to calculate ionisation coefficient and verify the analytical results. Finally, the ionization profile is presented using the proposed models and simulation is carried out. The results are compared with that of silicon.
Transformation of chicken myelomonocytic cells by a retrovirus expressing the v-myb oncogene from the long terminal repeats of avian myeloblastosis virus but not Rous sarcoma virus

To test the effect of long terminal repeat (LTR) regulatory sequences on the transforming capability of the v-myb oncogene from avian myeloblastosis virus (AMV), we have constructed replication-competent avian retroviral vectors with nearly identical structural genes that express v-myb from either AMV or Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) LTRs. After transfection into chicken embryo fibroblasts, virus-containing cell supernatants were used to infect chicken myelomonocytic target cells from preparations of 16-day-old embryonic spleen cells. Both wild-type AMV and the virus expressing v-myb from AMV LTRs (RCAMV-v-myb) were able to transform the splenocyte cultures into a population of immature myelomonocytic cells. The transformed cells expressed the p48v-Myb oncoprotein and formed compact foci when grown in soft agar. In contrast, the virus expressing v-myb from RSV LTRs (RCAS-v-myb) was repeatedly unable to transform the same splenocyte cells, despite being able to infect fibroblasts with high efficiency. This difference in the transforming activities of v-myb-expressing viruses with different LTRs most likely results from the presence of a factor (or factors) within the appropriate myelomonocytic target cell that promotes specific expression from the AMV but not from the RSV LTR.
Thin dielectric resonators in microwaves

With a purpose of microwave equipment frequency range enlargement, and in order to improve quality factor of frequency-selective devices, thin dielectric resonators (DR) are investigated. The principles of microwave filters and phase shifters designs, based on thin dielectric resonators, are presented. Some new constructions of such devices are elaborated. Results of theoretical and experimental studies of thin DRs are described.
Découverte et agrégation de topologies de réseaux: application au contrôle d'admission

La these se situe dans le domaine de la conception des architectures capables de garantir la QoS dans des reseaux multi-domaines et multi-technologies. Elle porte plus particulierement sur les problemes lies a l'acquisition de topologie pour alimenter les fonctions de controle d'admission d'appel. En effet, il faut que l'entite responsable de la fonction de CAC (Call Admission Control) detienne une cartographie reelle et synchrone du domaine qu'elle gere. Si dans certains cas d'utilisation, la topologie peut etre renseignee et geree manuellement, il est impossible d'accomplir une telle tâche sur de grandes topologies. Differentes solutions existent. Bien que ces techniques soient efficaces dans certains cas d'utilisation, elles sont en fait soit incompletes soit inadaptees a nos besoins. Pour repondre a cette problematique nous avons d'abord implemente notre propre modele d'acquisition integree des donnees topologiques des couches 2 et 3. Il s'agit du protocole STAMP (Simple Topology Annoucement and Management Protocol), un protocole de signalisation permettant la diffusion des informations de topologie et de qualite de service dans un reseau quelque soit sa taille. Pour generaliser et optimiser notre modele, nous avons ensuite developpe et propose des nouvelles methodes d'agregation des topologies reseau, en particulier appliquees aux topologies precedemment obtenues, afin de reduire, en conservant les parametres de QoS, la volumetrie de la base de donnees et ameliorer les performances de la CAC.
Digital Encoder for RF Transmit Waveform Synthesizer

We are designing an encoder for conversion of a Nyquist-rate N-bit digital word into a high frequency stream of single-bit data, to enable a novel architecture for a digital waveform synthesizer. The multi-bit to single-bit data conversion is performed by a new encoding scheme called the ldquostaggered thermometer code.rdquo Similar to the delta-sigma code, the staggered thermometer code also pushes most of the quantization noise to higher frequencies which can be easily filtered out with a low-pass filter. This encoder, built with elementary RSFQ cells, relies only on the merger of periodic pulse streams of different frequencies, and therefore, is much simpler to implement than a delta-sigma modulator which requires an accumulator and a multi-bit feedback loop. To avoid the permanent energy loss associated with low-pass filtering of high frequency components of the single-bit data stream, we also implement a novel digital circuit that acts as an amplifier by converting the pulse density modulated data stream into a pulse width modulated data stream. This digital amplifier changes the frequency spectrum by concentrating the energy in the fundamental while reducing higher harmonics. We have designed and fabricated a 4-bit and a 7-bit encoder circuit with integrated digital amplifier, and have demonstrated its operation up to a clock speed of 12.8 GHz.
Cultural Influences on Emotional Responding

Ethnographic descriptions suggest that compared to European Americans, Chinese Americans place a greater emphasis on emotional moderation. To assess whether such cultural differences influence actual emotional responding, we compared the physiological responses and reported affect of 22 Chinese American and 20 European American college-age dating couples in an interpersonal context, that is, during conversations about areas of conflict in their relationship. Although some of our findings were consistent with ethnographic notions of greater emotional moderation in Chinese culture (Chinese Americans demonstrated less variable and less positive reported affect and less variable cardiac interbeat intervals than European Americans), other findings were not (Chinese Americans and European Americans did not differ in most measures of physiological responding and in reported negative affect).
The ADDRESS Project: An architecture and markets to enable active demand

The ADDRESS European Project (Active Distribution networks with full integration of Demand and distributed energy RESourceS) aims to deliver a comprehensive commercial and technical framework for the development of “Active Demand” in the smart grids of the future. It works towards enabling the active participation of domestic and small commercial consumers in power system markets and in the provision of services to the different power system participants. After a brief overview of the project scope, objectives and methodology, this paper focuses on initial results regarding the ADDRESS conceptual architecture including a description of the participants and their expected roles, the signals exchanged between them, the underlying markets and market interactions and the overall expected functional behavior of the system. Since the concept of a “demand aggregator” is somewhat new and central to the project, we provide it with special attention. First analyses of the concept are treated in detail.
Power oscillation reduction contribution by PV in deloaded mode

When the renewable sources has penetrated much into the system, it has raised certain concerns with regard to the system stability due to their intermittent nature. When the penetration of renewable sources is high, it is appreciable if these sources participate in some way or other to the improvement of system stability. This paper investigates the power oscillation reduction due to the proposed controller in a hybrid system. The controller is for the photovoltaic (PV) system which is an integral part of the system consisting of conventional generators. The simulated system consists of twelve PV which are not working at their maximum power point of operation but under deloaded modes. Power oscillation reduction achieved is due to the power flexibility provided by PV which modulates its output based on the difference in frequency between the two areas. The system is simulated in power factory platform.
Expression of Antimicrobial Peptide Genes Encoding Enbocin and Gloverin Isoforms in the Silkworm, Bombyx mori

Antimicrobial peptides, Enbocin and Gloverin isoforms from the silkworm Bombyx mori, were analyzed for expression of these peptide genes. Tissue-specific expression of Enbocin and Bmgloverin isoform genes was observed mainly in the fat body upon injection of Escherichia coli. Peptidoglycan and lipopolysaccharide triggered expression of these genes in vivo. On the other hand, lipid A activated Bmgloverin isoform genes but not Enbocin isoform genes. These results illustrate the fact that expression of Enbocin and Bmgloverin isoform genes is inducible by bacteria and that the effects of bacterial cell wall components on the activation of these peptide genes are not necessarily the same. In addition, selective activation of the Enbocin2, Bmgloverin2, and Bmgloverin4 genes by BmRelB rather than BmRelA was observed, providing additional evidence for the occurrence of selective activation of antimicrobial peptide genes by a Rel protein. These results suggest complex regulatory mechanisms in insect antimicrobial peptide genes by bacterial cell wall components.
Hierarchical Climate Zone as a tool for spatial planning – Case study of Wuhan, China

The Koppen Climate Classification system is one of the examples dissecting global climate process into uniform zones. Due to the fractal structure of geographic phenomenon, the classification of climate zones may be applied at different scales to promote further understanding of climate system at the human-environment interface. This research presents a workflow of classifying climate zones by using meteorological sensitive indicators. The research recommends the zones should be in hierarchical manner such that planning and design at different levels can benefit from the framework. In the case study, the research begins by investigating the proper scale of study by choosing the appropriate pixel size. Then an illustration of the workflow is presented by using 6 meteorological sensitive indicators derived by using remotes sensing and geographic information tools. Instead of using empirical standards, the K-mean clustering is applied to leverage the intrinsic structure of the data. Both intensive and less built environment are classified to different urban and rural climate zones. The classification shows that the zones possess distinctive climate properties. Jiong Wang • Qingming Zhan (Corresponding author) • Yinghui Xiao School of Urban Design, Wuhan University, 8 Dong Hu Nan Lu, Wuhan 430072, China Email: jiongwang@whu.edu. cn Qingming Zhan. Email: qmzhan@whu.edu. cn Yinghui Xiao. Email: 344019209@qq.com CUPUM 2015 136-Paper
Real‐time rigid body motion correction and shimming using cloverleaf navigators

Subject motion during scanning can greatly reduce MRI image quality and is a major reason for discarding data in both clinical and research scanning. The quality of the high‐resolution structural data used for morphometric analysis is especially compromised by subject movement because high‐resolution scans are of longer duration. A method is presented that measures and corrects rigid body motion and associated first‐order shim changes in real time, using a pulse sequence with embedded cloverleaf navigators and a feedback control mechanism. The procedure requires a 12‐s preliminary mapping scan. A single‐path, 4.2‐ms cloverleaf navigator is inserted every repetition time (TR) after the readout of a 3D fast low‐angle shot (FLASH) sequence, requiring no additional RF pulses and minimally impacting scan duration. Every TR, a rigid body motion estimate is made and a correction is fed back to adjust the gradients and shim offsets. Images are corrected and reconstructed on the scanner computer for immediate access. Correction for between‐scan motion can be accomplished by using the same reference map for each scan repetition. Human and phantom tests demonstrated a consistent improvement in image quality if motion occurred during the acquisition. Magn Reson Med, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Motor, cognitive, and affective relationships among advantaged preschool children.

Abstract Motor-cognitive and motor-affective relationships were examined among 60 four-year-old nursery school children advantaged intellectually and socioeconomically. Both simple and complex motor measures were correlated with eight dimensions of intellectual functioning and a multidimensional scale of psychosocial adjustment. Several cognitive abilities were identified as having significant relations with motor ability. As well, twice as many significant correlations were found between intellectual measures and complex as compared with simple motor ability. Psychosocial adjustment appeared to be unrelated to either the cognitive or motor spheres.
Validation of acute physiologic and chronic health evaluation II scoring system software developed at The Aga Khan University, Pakistan

Objective: To assess the predictive performance of Acute Physiologic and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) software available on the hospital intranet and analyze interrater reliability of calculating the APACHE II score by the gold standard manual method or automatically using the software. Materials and Methods: An expert scorer not involved in the data collection had calculated APACHE II score of 213 patients admitted to surgical Intensive Care Unit using the gold standard manual method for a previous study performed in the department. The same data were entered into the computer software available on the hospital intranet (http://intranet/apacheii) to recalculate the APACHE II score automatically along with the predicted mortality. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC), Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit statistical test and Pearson′s correlation coefficient was computed. Results: The 213 patients had an average APACHE II score of 17.20 ± 8.24, the overall mortality rate was 32.8% and standardized mortality ratio was 1.00. The area under the ROC curve of 0.827 was significantly >0.5 (P < 0.01) and had confidence interval of 0.77-0.88. The goodness-of-fit test showed a good calibration (H = 5.46, P = 0.71). Interrater reliability using Pearson′s product moment correlations demonstrated a strong positive relationship between the computer and the manual expert scorer (r = 0.98, P = 0.0005). Conclusion: APACHE II software available on the hospital′s intranet has satisfactory calibration and discrimination and interrater reliability is good when compared with the gold standard manual method.