Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Generalizing the Encounter--Norm--Crowding Relationship

Theory predicts that when encounters exceed a visitor's norm for seeing others, crowding will increase. This article examines this relationship using data from 13 different studies ( n = 10,697) that included both high- and low-density study sites, and 12 different activities. Measures of recreation encounters asked respondents to indicate the number of people they remembered seeing in different contexts. Crowding was measured using a 9-point Likert scale. An indicator of the individual's tolerance norm was obtained by asking respondents to specify the highest number of encounters they would tolerate for a given situation. As hypothesized, perceived crowding was significantly higher for individuals indicating more encounters than their norm ( t = 12.70, p < .001). Overall, when the number of encounters was less than the norm, crowding scores averaged 2.02 (i.e., Not at all crowded). When encounters exceeded the norm, respondents felt "Slightly" to "Moderately" crowded with an average score of 4.01. Measures of effect size indicated that the strength of this relationship could be characterized as medium ( r > .3 to r < .5, n = 35 correlations) to large ( r S .5, n = 29 correlations). This pattern of findings was also observed for three predictor variables: type of resource (backcountry versus frontcountry); type of activity (e.g., canoers, hikers, hunters, anglers); and type of encounter (conflict versus no conflict). By contrasting identical measures of the same concepts across a number of activities, resources, and evaluation contexts, the generalizability of the hypothesized relationship is more readily apparent.
A 0.8-V 250-MSample/s Double-Sampled Inverse-Flip-Around Sample-and-Hold Circuit Based on Switched-Opamp Architecture

SUMMARY This paper proposes a low-voltage high-speed sampleand-hold (S/H) structure with excellent power efficiency. Based on the switched-opamp technique, an inverse-flip-around architecture which maximizes the feedback factor is employed in the proposed S/H. A skew-insensitive double-sampling mechanism is presented to increase the throughput by a factor of two while eliminating the timing mismatch associated with double-sampling circuits. Furthermore, a dual-input dual-output opamp is proposed to incorporate double-sampling into the switched-opamp based S/H. This opamp also removes the memory effect in double-sampling circuitry and features fast turn-on time to improve the speed performance in switched-opamp circuits. Simulation results using a 0.13-μm CMOS process model demonstrates the proposed S/H circuit has a total-harmonic-distortion of −67.3 dB up to 250 MSample/ sa nd a0 . 8VPP input range at 0.8 V supply. The power consumption is 3.5 mW and the figure-of-merit is only 7.4 fJ/step.
Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene Detection of Microsporidia in Local Hiv-positive Population in Malaysia

The HIV-positive population, due to their immuno-compromised nature, is considered more susceptible to parasitic infections than other populations. However despite the reports of other opportunistic pathogens such as Cryptosporidium and tuberculosis reported in vulnerable communities, microsporidia have not been highlighted in the local HIV-positive population in Malaysia. This study aimed to provide preliminary information on the prevalence of microsporidia in the local HIV-population. Microsporidia were detected in 21/247 (8.5%) stool samples from the HIV-infected individuals, a significantly higher (P-value <0.05) prevalence than in the control group, in which 5/173 (2.9%) were positive. HIV patients were 3x more at risk for acquiring microspordium (OR: 3.12; 95% CI 1.15–8.44). Spores were ellipsoid in shape with outlines that stained dark pink with the interior a lighter shade. Approximately 21% of the positive specimens were from individuals in the 40–49 years age group. Ten individuals who were positive for microsporidia were also positive for other enteric parasites such as Blastocystis hominis and Giardia lamblia. We detected Encephalitozoon intestinalis DNA following nested PCR from three of 10 samples analysed , as demonstrated by an amplicon of 370 bp. From the findings reported, it appears that microsporidial infection in humans may actually be more common than reported. We strongly advocate greater emphasis on personal hygiene through public education on personal hygiene and the consumption of boiled or filtered water.
Review of tutor feedback during undergraduate dissertations: A case study

The aim of this study was to establish and evaluate a method of recording tutor feedback given to students during the undergraduate dissertation tutorial process. The areas under review included both the tutorials themselves and written comments provided on draft work. Attention was paid to how effective these mechanisms were in supporting students through the dissertation process. Twelve sports education undergraduate students were asked to complete a dissertation feedback evaluation proforma after tutorials they attended between September 2006 and April 2007. The form covered key aspects of the student-tutor relationship, with specific reference being made to the strengths and weaknesses of tutorial feedback and support. The findings of the evaluation identified key issues for practice within the dissertation supervisory relationship. Furthermore, it was suggested by the students that this was an exercise with inherent merits for them: encouraging reflection on the learning process and helping them identify their responsibilities as independent learners. As a result, some students engaged more with the tutorial system and gained more from the experience.
Volume Kinetic Analysis of the Distribution of 0.9% Saline in Conscious versus Isoflurane-anesthetized Sheep

Background The distribution and elimination of 0.9% saline given by intravenous infusion has not been compared between the conscious state and during inhalational anesthesia. Methods Six adult sheep received an intravenous infusion of 25 ml/kg of 0.9% saline over 20 min in the conscious state and also during isoflurane anesthesia and mechanical ventilation. The distribution and elimination of infused fluid were studied by volume kinetics based on serial analysis of hemoglobin dilution in arterial blood and by mass balance that incorporated volume calculations derived from volume kinetic analysis and measurements of urinary volumes. Results The mass balance calculations indicated only minor differences in the time course of plasma volume expansion between the conscious and anesthetized states. However, isoflurane anesthesia markedly reduced urinary volume (median, 9 vs. 863 ml;P < 0.03). In conscious sheep, the central and peripheral volume expansion predicted by volume kinetics agreed well with the calculations based on mass balance. However, during isoflurane anesthesia and mechanical ventilation, calculation using volume kinetic analysis of the variable kr, an elimination factor that, in conscious humans and sheep, is closely related to urinary excretion, represented both urinary excretion and peripheral accumulation of fluid. This suggests that the previous assumption that kr approximates urinary excretion of infused fluid requires modification, i.e., kr simply reflects net fluid movement out of plasma. Conclusions In both conscious and anesthetized, mechanically ventilated sheep, infusion of 0.9% saline resulted in minimal expansion of plasma volume over a 3-h interval. In conscious sheep, infused 0.9% saline was rapidly eliminated from the plasma volume by urinary excretion; in contrast, the combination of isoflurane anesthesia and mechanical ventilation reduced urinary excretion and promoted peripheral accumulation of fluid.
Betrayal in Mateships, Friendships, and Coalitions

Over evolutionary history, different benefits have been gained and lost from long-term mateships, friendships, and coalitions. Humans have evolved psychological mechanisms that are sensitive to cues to possible diversion of benefits to people outside the relationship. Mateships, friendships, and coalitions are predicted to share some of the same benefits but also to differ in some of the resources conferred. Accordingly, the psychological mechanisms sensitive to betrayal are predicted to operate in the same manner in those domains in which benefits are common across relationships and to operate differently in those domains in which benefits are unique to relationship type. Three interpersonal domains are investigated with regard to perceived betrayal: extra relationship intimate involvement, intrarelationship reciprocity, and relationship commitment. Eight hypotheses are tested across the three relationship domains via perceived betrayal judgments. Results support a model of betrayal entailing some degree of domain specificity but also some generality across domains.
The Feeling of Risk: New Perspectives on Risk Perception

'To understand how people deal with risk, you have to begin with the psychology of risk. To understand the psychology of risk, you have to begin with the work of Paul Slovic. This book is fundamental: Anyone concerned with risk in any of its various and shifting forms absolutely must read it. '-Dan Gardner, author of Risk: The Science and Politics of Fear
Growing Interest in Meditation in the United States

Meditation is a self-regulatory, mind-body process used to help engage attention and awareness, and to produce a state of inner quiescence. It has been used as a self-transformative practice for millennia, most notably in the Far East. Interest in meditation was evident in the United States in the late 19th century, and began to flourish during the early 1960s as Transcendental Meditation, Zen, and other traditions grew significantly in popularity. Over the ensuing decades a large body of scientific literature has also emerged. One factor contributing to this growth in publications is an increasingly sophisticated ability to measure brain activity using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and advance EEG and MEG technologies. National surveys, including the National Health Interview Survey's (NHIS), also show clear evidence of growing consumer interest in meditation. The NHIS shows use of meditation to be in the top ten most commonly used complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies. Th.
Recherche « critique » en contrôle de gestion: exercer son discernement

During the last decades, research in the field of management control has been characterised by the emergence of a great variety of trends which claim their reject of structuro-functionnalism or of positivism and therefore are referred to as « critical ». A series of homological maps provides the scholar with tools which can help him to discriminate among the different approaches and to develop his epistemological consciousness. The map which summarises the result of the analysis shows that some perspectives, in spite of what they claim, tend to reinforce the naturalistic paradigm which combines materialism and structuralism. It also reveals the paucity of the reference to the symmetric paradigm, culturalism, which associates humanism with idealism and is the only one to insist on the primacy of the human being.
Incidental Microscopic Bile Duct Tumor Thrombi in Hepatocellular Carcinoma after Curative Hepatectomy

AbstractIn patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the presence of bile duct tumor thrombi (BDTT) in the major bile ducts indicates poor prognosis compared with that of HCC patients without BDTT. However, the prognostic significance of incidental microscopic BDTT in the peripheral bile ducts after curative liver resection is not known. We compared the outcomes of HCC patients with and without microscopic BDTT in the peripheral bile ducts who underwent hepatectomy.The electronic medical records of 31 patients with microscopic BDTT (BDTT group) were retrospectively reviewed. To compare the surgical outcomes, 62 patients (No BDTT group) were randomly chosen from the remaining HCC patients without BDTT based on age, sex, etiology of HCC, tumor size, tumor number, and modified Union for International Cancer Control T staging.The 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year disease-free survival rates and overall survival rates were 54.8%, 34.0%, 34.0% and 90.1%, 69.2%, 61.0% in the BDTT group and 66.8%, 59.2%, 42.3% and 86.4%, 84.4%, 84.4% in the No BDTT group (P = 0.089 and P = 0.014, respectively). The overall survival curve in the No BDTT group was higher than that in the BDTT group. Multivariate analysis revealed that predisposing factors for tumor recurrence after curative liver resection included increased levels of the protein induced by vitamin K antagonist-II (PIVKA-II), tumor grades 3 and 4, and the presence of BDTT.This study demonstrates that HCC prognosis is worse in patients with incidental microscopic BDTT in the peripheral bile ducts than it is in those without BDTT. The presence of BDTT should therefore be considered when evaluating a patient's HCC prognosis after curative hepatectomy.
Impact of Capsular Switch on Invasive Pneumococcal Disease Incidence in a Vaccinated Population

Background Despite the dramatic decline in the incidence of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) observed since the introduction of conjugate vaccination, it is feared that several factors may undermine the future effectiveness of the vaccines. In particular, pathogenic pneumococci may switch their capsular types and evade vaccine-conferred immunity. Methodology/Principal Findings Here, we first review the literature and summarize the available epidemiological data on capsular switch for S. pneumoniae. We estimate the weekly probability that a persistently carried strain may switch its capsule from four studies, totalling 516 children and 6 years of follow-up, at 1.5×10−3/week [4.6×10−5–4.8×10−3/week]. There is not enough power to assess an increase in this frequency in vaccinated individuals. Then, we use a mathematical model of pneumococcal transmission to quantify the impact of capsular switch on the incidence of IPD in a vaccinated population. In this model, we investigate a wide range of values for the frequency of vaccine-selected capsular switch. Predictions show that, with vaccine-independent switching only, IPD incidence in children should be down by 48% 5 years after the introduction of the vaccine with high coverage. Introducing vaccine-selected capsular switch at a frequency up to 0.01/week shows little effect on this decrease; yearly, at most 3 excess cases of IPD per 106 children might occur due to switched pneumococcal strains. Conclusions Based on all available data and model predictions, the existence of capsular switch by itself should not impact significantly the efficacy of pneumococcal conjugate vaccination on IPD incidence. This optimistic result should be tempered by the fact that the selective pressure induced by the vaccine is currently increasing along with vaccine coverage worldwide; continued surveillance of pneumococcal populations remains of the utmost importance, in particular during clinical trials of the new conjugate vaccines.
Short Circuits or Superconductors? Effects of Group Composition on High-Achieving Students’ Science Assessment Performance

Although many cooperative learning methods advocate grouping students heterogeneously in order to maximize the diversity of perspectives, skills, and backgrounds, past research shows that heterogeneous grouping generally ben-efits low-ability students but does not necessarily benefit high-ability students. This study investigates the effects of group ability composition (homogeneous versus heterogeneous) on group processes and outcomes for high-ability students completing science performance assessments. High-ability students working in homogeneous groups uniformly performed well, and high-ability students in some heterogeneous groups performed as well as high-ability students in homogeneous groups; but high-ability students in other heterogeneous groups did not perform as well. The quality of group functioning served as the strongest predictor of high-ability students’ performance and explained much of the effect of group composition.
Phoneme segmentation of speech

In most approaches to speech recognition, the speech signals are segmented using constant-time segmentation, for example into 25 ms blocks. Constant segmentation risks losing information about the phonemes. Different sounds may be merged into single blocks and individual phonemes lost completely. A more satisfactory approach is to attempt to segment the phoneme boundaries from the speech signals and use these boundaries to define blocks. The discrete wavelet transform (DWT) is interesting in the analysis of speech since it is easy to extract parameters which take into account the properties of the human hearing system. The analysis of the power in different frequency bands offers potential for distinguishing the start and end of phonemes. For many boundaries, there is no discernible drop in overall power, and at some frequencies, the power is broadly constant over the lifetime of the phoneme. However, many phonemes exhibit rapid changes in particular subbands which can be used to detect their start and endpoints. In this paper we apply the DWT to speech signals and analyse the resulting power spectrum and its derivatives to locate candidates for the boundaries of phonemes in continuous speech. We compare the results with hand segmentation and constant segmentation over a number of words. The method proves effective for finding most phoneme boundaries
Rapid Activation of ATR by Ionizing Radiation Requires ATM and Mre11*

The ataxia-telangiectasia-mutated (ATM) and ATM- and Rad3-related (ATR) protein kinases are crucial regulatory proteins in genotoxic stress response pathways that pause the cell cycle to permit DNA repair. Here we show that Chk1 phosphorylation in response to hydroxyurea and ultraviolet radiation is ATR-dependent and ATM- and Mre11-independent. In contrast, Chk1 phosphorylation in response to ionizing radiation (IR) is dependent on ATR, ATM, and Mre11. The ATR and ATM/Mre11 pathways are generally thought to be separate with ATM activation occurring early and ATR activation occurring as a late response to double strand breaks. However, we demonstrate that ATR is activated rapidly by IR, and ATM and Mre11 enhance ATR signaling. ATR-ATR-interacting protein recruitment to double strand breaks is less efficient in the absence of ATM and Mre11. Furthermore, IR-induced replication protein A foci formation is defective in ATM- and Mre11-deficient cells. Thus, ATM and Mre11 may stimulate the ATR signaling pathway by converting DNA damage generated by IR into structures that recruit and activate ATR.
Développement de la flexibilité catégorielle de 3 à 8 ans: Rôle des aspects conceptuels.

This research addresses the role of the level of conceptualization of categorical rules in the development of categorical flexibility in children. Experiment 1 and 2 compared categorical flexibility on three versions of a match-to-sample task differing in terms of a priori estimated levels of abstraction of the matching rules. Children aged between 3 and 8 were presented twice with a series of 4 picture sets (a target and 3 candidates for matching). Explicit instructions about the rule to be used before and after switching were given on each trial. It was found that age and conceptual difficulty of the rules both influence the extent of flexibility observed. Experiment 3 directly examined children’s conceptualization of the matching rules at hand and revealed a developmental hierarchy similar to the one obtained in the flexibility
Genetic Susceptibility to Tuberculosis

Abstract Tuberculosis, caused by the human pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis), affects an estimated 8 million people annually, resulting in approximately 2 million deaths. Human genetic variability is an important modulator of tuberculosis susceptibility. This review will discuss candidate susceptibility genes that have been implicated in tuberculosis susceptibility across various ethnic groups and epidemiological settings. Evaluating the genetic variants of tuberculosis susceptibility genes will provide us with a better understanding of the disease mechanisms in tuberculosis. Ultimately, such genetic studies may lead to the development of effective alternative treatments to cope with the growing problem of tuberculosis infections due to the AIDS pandemic, the emergence of multidrug resistant M. tuberculosis, and the limited efficacy of Mycobacterium bovis (BCG) vaccination.
Biogenic Mn-Oxides in Subseafloor Basalts

The deep biosphere of the subseafloor basalts is recognized as a major scientific frontier in disciplines like biology, geology, and oceanography. Recently, the presence of fungi in these environments has involved a change of view regarding diversity and ecology. Here, we describe fossilized fungal communities in vugs in subseafloor basalts from a depth of 936.65 metres below seafloor at the Detroit Seamount, Pacific Ocean. These fungal communities are closely associated with botryoidal Mn oxides composed of todorokite. Analyses of the Mn oxides by Electron Paramagnetic Resonance spectroscopy (EPR) indicate a biogenic signature. We suggest, based on mineralogical, morphological and EPR data, a biological origin of the botryoidal Mn oxides. Our results show that fungi are involved in Mn cycling at great depths in the seafloor and we introduce EPR as a means to easily identify biogenic Mn oxides in these environments.
Diversity, Activity, and Evolution of CRISPR Loci in Streptococcus thermophilus

ABSTRACT Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) are hypervariable loci widely distributed in prokaryotes that provide acquired immunity against foreign genetic elements. Here, we characterize a novel Streptococcus thermophilus locus, CRISPR3, and experimentally demonstrate its ability to integrate novel spacers in response to bacteriophage. Also, we analyze CRISPR diversity and activity across three distinct CRISPR loci in several S. thermophilus strains. We show that both CRISPR repeats and cas genes are locus specific and functionally coupled. A total of 124 strains were studied, and 109 unique spacer arrangements were observed across the three CRISPR loci. Overall, 3,626 spacers were analyzed, including 2,829 for CRISPR1 (782 unique), 173 for CRISPR2 (16 unique), and 624 for CRISPR3 (154 unique). Sequence analysis of the spacers revealed homology and identity to phage sequences (77%), plasmid sequences (16%), and S. thermophilus chromosomal sequences (7%). Polymorphisms were observed for the CRISPR repeats, CRISPR spacers, cas genes, CRISPR motif, locus architecture, and specific sequence content. Interestingly, CRISPR loci evolved both via polarized addition of novel spacers after exposure to foreign genetic elements and via internal deletion of spacers. We hypothesize that the level of diversity is correlated with relative CRISPR activity and propose that the activity is highest for CRISPR1, followed by CRISPR3, while CRISPR2 may be degenerate. Globally, the dynamic nature of CRISPR loci might prove valuable for typing and comparative analyses of strains and microbial populations. Also, CRISPRs provide critical insights into the relationships between prokaryotes and their environments, notably the coevolution of host and viral genomes.