Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genetics of attention and executive functioning

Variation in human behavior may be caused by differences in genotype and by non-genetic differences (“environment”) between individuals. The relative contributions of genotype (G) and environment (E) to phenotypic variation can be assessed with the classical twin design. We illustrate this approach with longitudinal data collected in 5 and 2-year-old Dutch twins. At age 5 data on cognitive abilities as assessed with a standard intelligence test (IQ), working memory, selective and sustained attention, and attention problems were collected in 237 twin pairs. Seven years later, 72 twin pairs participated again when they were 2 years old and underwent a similar protocol. Results showed that variation in all phenotypes was influenced by genetic factors. For IQ the heritability estimates increased from 30% at age 5, to 80% at age 2. For executive functioning performance genetic factors accounted for around 50% of the variance at both ages. Attention problems showed high heritabilities (above 60%) at both ages, for maternal and teacher ratings. Longitudinal analyses revealed that executive functioning during childhood was weakly correlated with IQ scores at age 2. Attention problems during childhood, as rated by the mother and the teacher were stronger predictors (r = -0.28 and -0.36, respectively). This association could be attributed to a partly overlapping set of genes influencing attention problems at age 5 and IQ at age 2. IQ performance at age 5 was the best predictor of IQ at age 2. IQ at both ages was influenced by the same genes, whose influence was amplified during development.
What are the complications and emerging strategies for preventing depression following traumatic brain injury?

ABSTRACT Introduction: Depression is a common and disabling complication of traumatic brain injury (TBI). The high rates of post-TBI depression (PTBID) make this condition an important candidate for selective preventive interventions. Areas covered: The authors recently reported on the efficacy of sertraline, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), for the prevention of new cases of depression in the first six months after TBI. The authors review this and other studies on preventive strategies in PTBID as ascertained from a PubMed and citation search. The potential complications and barriers to the implementation of pharmacological prevention in patients with TBI are also discussed. Expert commentary: The prevention of depression in patients with TBI has received little attention relative to other medical conditions. Future studies are needed to confirm the benefit of SSRIs and investigate other pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions, including in special groups of patients at greater risk of developing PTBID.
Efficiency of Outphasing RF Power-Amplifier Systems

The outphasing technique (LINC) combines two nonlinear RF power amplifiers into a linear RF power-amplifier (PA) system. The two PA's are driven with signals of different phases, and the phases are controlled so that the addition of the PA outputs produces a system output of the desired amplitude. However, the resultant time-varying impedances presented to the PA's alter their dc power consumption and efficiency. Power and efficiency characteristics are derived for both simple (transformer-coupler) and Chireix (transmission-line-coupler with shunt reactance) outphasing systems using saturated class-B PA's. Simple outphasing systems have the efficiency characteristic of a linear class-B PA. Through proper selection of the shunt reactance, the efficiency of a Chireix outphasing system can be maximized at a specific output amplitude. The average efficiency with various amplitude-modulated signals is determined as a function of shunt reactance. Selecting the shunt reactance to fit the signal can improve efficiency by as much as a factor of 2.
Estimating and simulating multiple related functional connectivity networks via the MNS Package

In many neuroimaging studies functional connectivity measurements are collected across a cohort of multiple subjects. Given such data, a fundamental problem corresponds to accurately quantifying variability across subjects. In this vignette we provide a brief illustration of the recently proposed Mixed Neighborhood Selection (MNS) algorithm which is able to simultaneously estimate connectivity networks at the population and subject level as well as quantify inter-subject variability. The MNS package includes parallel implementations the MNS algorithm as well as cross-validation functions; thereby providing computationally efficient methods through which to select regularization parameters and perform model estimation. Moreover, this vignette also introduces an algorithm from which to simulate functional connectivity networks for a cohort of related individuals. It is well documented that functional connectivity displays reproducible activation patterns across subjects while simultaneously exhibiting high inter-subject variability. To our surprise, we found there to be limited algorithms through which to simulate connectivity networks for a cohort of subjects which display these widely accepted properties. To address this, we present a simple and efficient method through which to simulate functional connectivity networks for multiple subjects.
La maximización del valor para el accionista versus la responsabilidad social corporativa. ¿Compatibilidad?

La maximizacion del valor para los accionistas mantiene su papel prioritario como objetivo de la empresa. Sin embargo, en paralelo, han surgido voces que defienden la importancia de la responsabilidad social corporativa de la empresa como forma de dar respuesta a las exigencias de otros grupos de interes. Pues bien, en este trabajo se defiende que ambas opciones son perfectamente compatibles, ya que cuando una empresa es socialmente responsable puede encontrar nuevas formas de crear riqueza y con ello beneficiar tambien a sus accionistas junto con el resto de stakeholders. Ante la dificultad de incluir objetivos multiples en la toma de decisiones, de contar e incorporar objetivos medibles para cada stakeholder, se acepta el objetivo preciso de los accionistas como objetivo considerando los de los restantes grupos como medios o restricciones del proceso decisor.
Cervical spine trauma

Cervical spine trauma is a common problem with a wide range of severity from minor ligamentous injury to frank osteo-ligamentous instability with spinal cord injury. The emergent evaluation of patients at risk relies on standardized clinical and radiographic protocols to identify injuries; elucidate associated pathology; classify injuries; and predict instability, treatment and outcomes. The unique anatomy of each region of the cervical spine demands a review of each segment individually. This article examines both upper cervical spine injuries, as well as subaxial spine trauma. The purpose of this article is to provide a review of the broad topic of cervical spine trauma with reference to the classic literature, as well as to summarize all recently available literature on each topic. Identification of References for Inclusion: A Pubmed and Ovid search was performed for each topic in the review to identify recently published articles relevant to the review. In addition prior reviews and classic references were evaluated individually for inclusion of classic papers, classifications and previously unidentified references.
Transcriptional Regulation of Aluminum-Tolerance Genes in Higher Plants: Clarifying the Underlying Molecular Mechanisms

Aluminum (Al) rhizotoxicity is one of the major environmental stresses that decrease global food production. Clarifying the molecular mechanisms underlying Al tolerance may contribute to the breeding of Al-tolerant crops. Recent studies identified various Al-tolerance genes. The expression of these genes is inducible by Al. Studies of the major Arabidopsis thaliana Al-tolerance gene, ARABIDOPSIS THALIANA ALUMINUM-ACTIVATED MALATE TRANSPORTER 1 (AtALMT1), which encodes an Al-activated malate transporter, revealed that the Al-inducible expression is regulated by a SENSITIVE TO PROTON RHIXOTOXICITY 1 (STOP1) zinc-finger transcription factor. This system, which involves STOP1 and organic acid transporters, is conserved in diverse plant species. The expression of AtALMT1 is also upregulated by several phytohormones and hydrogen peroxide, suggesting there is crosstalk among the signals involved in the transcriptional regulation of AtALMT1. Additionally, phytohormones and reactive oxygen species (ROS) activate various transcriptional responses, including the expression of genes related to increased Al tolerance or the suppression of root growth under Al stress conditions. For example, Al suppressed root growth due to abnormal accumulation of auxin and cytokinin. It activates transcription of TRYPTOPHAN AMINOTRANSFERASE OF ARABIDOPSIS 1 and other phytohormone responsive genes in distal transition zone, which causes suppression of root elongation. On the other hand, overexpression of Al inducible genes for ROS-detoxifying enzymes such as GLUTATHIONE–S-TRANSFERASE, PEROXIDASE, SUPEROXIDE DISMUTASE enhances Al resistance in several plant species. We herein summarize the complex transcriptional regulation of an Al-inducible genes affected by STOP1, phytohormones, and ROS.
EEG neurofeedback treatments in children with ADHD: an updated meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Objective: We undertook a meta-analysis of published Randomized Controlled Trials (RCT) with semi-active control and sham-NF groups to determine whether Electroencephalogram-neurofeedback (EEG-NF) significantly improves the overall symptoms, inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity dimensions for probably unblinded assessment (parent assessment) and probably blinded assessment (teacher assessment) in children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Data sources: A systematic review identified independent studies that were eligible for inclusion in a random effects meta-analysis. Data extraction: Effect sizes for ADHD symptoms were expressed as standardized mean differences (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals. Results: Five identified studies met eligibility criteria, 263 patients with ADHD were included, 146 patients were trained with EEG-NF. On parent assessment (probably unblinded assessment), the overall ADHD score (SMD = −0.49 [−0.74, −0.24]), the inattention score (SMD = −0.46 [−0.76, −0.15]) and the hyperactivity/impulsivity score (SMD = −0.34 [−0.59, −0.09]) were significantly improved in patients receiving EEG-NF compared to controls. On teacher assessment (probably blinded assessment), only the inattention score was significantly improved in patients receiving EEG-NF compared to controls (SMD = −0.30 [−0.58, −0.03]). Conclusions: This meta-analysis of EEG-NF in children with ADHD highlights improvement in the inattention dimension of ADHD symptoms. Future investigations should pay greater attention to adequately blinded studies and EEG-NF protocols that carefully control the implementation and embedding of training.
The Biodiversity Offsetting Dilemma: Between Economic Rationales and Ecological Dynamics

Although many countries have included biodiversity offsetting (BO) requirements in their environmental regulations over the past four decades, this mechanism has recently been the object of renewed political interest. Incorporated into the mitigation hierarchy in three steps aimed at avoiding, reducing and offsetting residual impacts on biodiversity arising from development projects, BO is promoted as the way to achieve the political goal of No Net Loss of biodiversity (NNL). The recent success of BO is mainly based on its ability to provide economic incentives for biodiversity conservation. However, the diversity of BO mechanisms (direct offsets, banking mechanism and offsetting funds) and the various institutional frameworks within which they are applied generate substantial confusion about their economic and ecological implications. In this article, we first analyze the rationale for the BO approach from the welfare and ecological economics. We show that both these frameworks support the use of BO to address environmental externalities, but that they differ in how they consider the substitutability issue and levels of sustainability with regard to natural and manufactured capital, and in how they address ecological concerns. We then examine the economic and ecological performance criteria of BO from conceptual and empirical perspectives. We highlight that the three BO mechanisms involve different economic and ecological logics and inherent benefits, but also potential risks in meeting biodiversity conservation targets. We lastly investigate the ecological constraints with respect to the BO practice, and economic and organizational limitations of the BO system that may impede achievement of NNL goals. We then reveal the existence of a tension between the economic and ecological rationales in conducting BO that requires making choices about the NNL policy objectives. Finally, this article questions the place of BO in conservation policies and discusses the trade-off between political will and ecological opportunities involved in the BO approach.
Can first-year students program yet?: a study revisited

The McCracken et al. working group paper is often cited for the proposition that students can't program. In that study, students from four different institutions were each assigned to implement one of three versions of a calculator. More than half of the students failed to produce a program that compiled and executed in the time assigned. Lost in this discussion, however, is the fact that the original paper had the goal of evaluating its instrument, as well as the students. We examine and adjust their instrument, and present the results of the revised study. With a modifed instrument, we have obtained significantly improved results.
The relaxation effects of ginseng saponin in rabbit corporal smooth muscle: is it a nitric oxide donor?

OBJECTIVE To determine whether crude extracts of ginseng saponin (GCS), containing the active ingredients from Panax ginseng and used as an aphrodisiac in oriental countries, relax corpus cavernosal smooth muscle in the rabbit. MATERIALS AND METHODS Corpus cavernosal strips were prepared from rabbit penises. Isometric tension changes, recorded with a pressure transducer, in response to various drugs and electrical stimulation were assessed in an organ chamber, after active muscle tone had been induced by 10 micromol/L phenylephrine. RESULTS GCS (0.2-8.0 mg) relaxed the smooth muscle of rabbit corpus cavernosum (SMRCC) pre-contracted with phenylephrine in a dose-dependent manner. GCS at 0.75 mg significantly enhanced the relaxation of SMRCC induced by electrical field stimulation. The relaxation induced by 0.2-8.0 mg GCS was significantly attenuated by atropine (1 micromol/L), methylene blue (100 micromol/L) and N-omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 10 micromol/L). However, there was no significant difference in the attenuation of GCS-induced relaxation of SMRCC by adding vasoactive intestinal peptide antagonists or indomethacin. In addition, the decreasing rate of GCS-induced relaxation of SMRCC by methylene blue and L-NAME was greater than that by atropine. L-arginine (10 mmol/L) reversed the inhibitory effect induced by L-NAME (1 mmol/L) on the attenuation of GCS-induced relaxation. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that GCS, as a nitric oxide donor, induces the relaxation of SMRCC through the L-arginine/nitric oxide pathway. For the clinical application of ginseng saponin, further studies are required to clarify the active subfraction(s) of GCS.
A scalable computing and memory architecture for variable block size motion estimation on Field-Programmable Gate Arrays

In this paper, we investigate the use of field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) in the design of a highly scalable variable block size motion estimation architecture for the H.264/AVC video encoding standard. The scalability of the architecture allows one to incorporate the system into low cost single FPGA solutions for low-resolution video encoding applications as well as into high performance multi-FPGA solutions targeting high-resolution applications. To overcome the performance gap between FPGAs and application specific integrated circuits, our algorithm intelligently increases its parallelism as the design scales while minimizing the use of memory bandwidth. The core computing unit of the architecture is implemented on FPGAs and its performance is reported. It is shown that the computing unit is able to achieve 28 frames per second (fps) performance for 640x480 resolution VGA video while incurring only 4% device utilization on a Xilinx XC5VLX330 FPGA. With 8 computing units at 37% device utilization, the architecture is able to achieve 31 fps performance for encoding full 1920x1088 progressive HDTV video.
More than Words: Promoting Health Literacy in Older Adults

Inadequate health literacy disproportionately affects older adults in the United States. The complexities associated with managing chronic disease and the cognitive and sensory changes associated with aging compound the challenges of teaching this highly vulnerable group. In order to enhance comprehension and bring about positive health behavior changes, the nurse must use more than words when teaching an older adult. Multiple teaching strategies that are tailored to accommodate the cognitive, physical, and psychological changes associated with aging, such as clear communication that is purposeful and individualized and a patient-centered approach that demonstrates acceptance and respect, are actions that the nurse must take to promote health literacy in the older adult. This article describes the effect of age-related changes on health literacy, addresses the challenges inherent in communicating with and teaching older adults, and suggests age-appropriate teaching strategies that the nurse can implement to improve the health literacy of an aging patient. Suggestions for evaluating comprehension are also provided.
Evaluating Xen for Router Virtualization

In this paper, we evaluate the performance of a software IP router forwarding plane inside the Xen virtual machine monitor environment with a view to identifying (some) design issues in Virtual Routers. To this end, we evaluate and compare the forwarding performance of two identical Linux software router configurations, run either above the Xen hypervisor or within vanilla Linux. Even with minimal sized packets, we show that the Xen DomO privileged domain offers near native forwarding performance at the condition that the sollicitation to unpriviledged domains stay minimal, whereas Xen unprivileged domains offer very poor performance in every cases. This shows that an important design principle for virtual router platforms must be to handle all forwarding, for all virtual routers, onto the same forwarding engine, in order to avoid much detrimental per-packet context switching.
Efficient human recognition system using ear and profile face

This paper proposes an efficient human authentication system which makes use of ear and profile face data. SURF has been used to extract features from enhanced images and fusion has been performed at feature level and score level. The evaluation has been done on three data sets viz. IITK Data Set 1 acquired at Indian Institute of Technology Kan-pur, collection E (UND-E) and collection J2 (UND-J2) acquired at University of Notre Dame. It has been observed that the fusion of ear and profile face improves the recognition performance considerably as compared to one when ear or face are individually used. For the fusion strategy, it is observed that the score level fusion performs better than the feature level fusion and has achieved verification accuracies of 98.02% and 96.02% with EER of 2.83% and 4.4% on UND-E and UND-J2 data sets respectively and that of 99.36% with EER of 0.85% on IITK Data Set 1.
Risk and Protective Factors for Drug Use among Latino Boys and Girls.

Risk and protective factor indices were developed to examine vulnerability to drug use among Latino high school students. Survey data was collected from 516 Latino 9th and 10th grade youth in the Los. Angeles (California) area. Frequency and quantity of use data were collected for a range of drugs including inhalants, cocaine, and other hard drugs. Seventeen variables were examined for inclusion in a risk factor index (RFI) or protective factor index (PFI). The RFI consisted of low educational aspirations, perceived lack of opportunities, deviant acts, perceived community tolerance of drugs, perceived adult and peer drug use, perceived drug availability, and history of at least one suicide attempt. The PFI consisted of high emotional support, law abidance, religiosity, low emotional distress, self-acceptance, perceived parent and family support, perceived drug harmfulness, and negative history of sexual or physical abuse. Bivariate, multivariate, and structural equation models were used in the analyses. All of the variables except one were uniquely risk-inducing for these Latino youth. However, as a group, the PFI predicted several types of drug use for boys and girls. The epidemiological model is useful in beginning to understand the effects of multiple factors on drug use among Latino youth. (Contains 8 tables and 43 references.) (Author/SLD) *********************************************************************** Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. *********************************************************************** Risk and protective Factors for Drug Use Among Latino Boys and Girls. CZ) Maria Felix-Ortiz and Michael D. Newcomb U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Office of Educational Research and Improvement EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) received document has been reproduced as from the person or organization originating it. Minor changes have been made to improve reproduction quality. Points of view or opinions stated in this document do not necessarily represent official OERI position or policy. PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE AND DISSEMINATE THIS MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY Marco Fclix ihZ vs6 Psyciote yr TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC)
Conductometric Soot Sensor for Automotive Exhausts: Initial Studies

In order to reduce the tailpipe particulate matter emissions of Diesel engines, Diesel particulate filters (DPFs) are commonly used. Initial studies using a conductometric soot sensor to monitor their filtering efficiency, i.e., to detect a malfunction of the DPF, are presented. The sensors consist of a planar substrate equipped with electrodes on one side and with a heater on the other. It is shown that at constant speed-load points, the time until soot percolation occurs or the resistance itself are reproducible means that can be well correlated with the filtering efficiency of a DPF. It is suggested to use such a sensor setup for the detection of a DPF malfunction.