Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Personality resemblances in adoptive families when the children are late-adolescent or adult.

Members of 220 families who had adopted one or more children from a Texas home for unwed mothers at least 14 years ago completed the California Psychological Inventory and the Thurstone Temperament Schedule. Consistent with other recent adoption studies in Minnesota and Texas, there was very little resemblance between parents and adopted children or between adoptive siblings (average correlations about .05). The presence of a biological relationship raised correlations a little, but only a little, to about . 15, suggesting that much of the explanation for personality variation must lie in within-family environmental variation or nonadditive genetic effects. In an earlier study, young adopted children appeared to be better adjusted, on the average, than biological children in the same families. This was no longer true for the late-adolescents and young adults of the present study.
Predicting the impact of new pneumococcal conjugate vaccines: serotype composition is not enough

Streptococcus pneumoniae is a major cause of childhood morbidity and mortality worldwide. A heptavalent polysaccharide-protein conjugate vaccine (PCV) has proven highly effective in preventing pneumococcal disease in industrialized countries. Two higher-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccines are now widely available, even in the poorest countries. These differ from each other in the number of serotypes and carrier proteins used for their conjugation. Some have assumed that the only meaningful clinical difference between PCV formulations is a function of the number of serotypes each contains. A careful review of recent clinical data with these and several unlicensed PCV formulations points to important similarities but also that some key properties of each vaccine likely differ from one another.
Power Spectral Density and Functional Connectivity Changes due to a Sensorimotor Neurofeedback Training: A Preliminary Study

Neurofeedback is a form of neuromodulation based on learning to modify some aspects of cortical activity. Sensorimotor rhythm (SMR) oscillation is one of the most used frequency bands in neurofeedback. Several studies have shown that subjects can learn to modulate SMR power to control output devices, but little is known about possible related changes in brain networks. The aim of this study was to investigate the enhanced performance and changes in EEG power spectral density at somatosensory cerebral areas due to a bidirectional modulation-based SMR neurofeedback training. Furthermore, we also analyzed the functional changes in somatosensory areas during resting state induced by the training as exploratory procedure. A six-session neurofeedback protocol based on learning to synchronize and desynchronize (modulate) the SMR was implemented. Moreover, half of the participants were enrolled in two functional magnetic resonance imaging resting-state sessions (before and after the training). At the end of the training, participants showed a successful performance enhancement, an increase in SMR power specific to somatosensory locations, and higher functional connectivity between areas associated with somatosensory activity in resting state. Our research increases the better understanding of the relation between EEG neuromodulation and functional changes and the use of SMR training in clinical practice.
Pathological characteristics of thyroid microcarcinoma. A review of 402 biopsies

Background: Thyroid microcarcinoma is a tumor of 10 mm or less, that should have a low risk of mortality. However, a subgroup of these carcinomas is as aggressive as bigger tumors. Aim: To describe the pathological presentation of these tumors, and compare them with larger tumors. Material and methods: All pathological samples of thyroid carcinoma that were obtained between 1992 and 2003, were studied. In all biopsies, the pathological type, tumor size, the focal or multifocal character, the presence of lymph node involvement and the presence of lymphocytic thyroiditis or thyroid hyperplasia, were recorded. Results: One hundred eighteen microcarcinomas and 284 larger tumors were studied. The mean age of patients with microcarcinoma and larger tumors was 42.7±14 and 49.3±16 years respectively (p <0,001) and 83% were female, without gender differences between tumor types. Mean size of microcarcinomas was 8.6 mm and 116 (98%) were papillary carcinomas. Of these, 109 (94%) were well differentiated and seven (6%) were moderately differentiated. Thirty six (31%) were multifocal and in 10 (8,6%), there was lymph node involvement. The mean size of larger tumors was 23.8 mm and 241 (85%) were papillary carcinomas. Of these, 200 (83%) were well differentiated, and 41 (17%) were moderately differentiated. Eighty five (35%) were multifocal and in 44 (18%) there was lymph node involvement. The prevalence of thyroiditis and hyperplasia was significantly higher among microcarcinomas than in larger tumors (15 and 2.5%, respectively, p <0.001, for the former; 32.4 and 1.7%, respectively, p <0.001, for the latter). Conclusions: In this series, one third of microcarcinomas were multifocal and 10% had lymph node involvement. Therefore, the aggressiveness of these tumors is higher than what is reported in the literature and they should be treated with total thyroidectomy (Rev Med Chile 2005; 133: 1305-10). (Key Words: Neoplasms, glandular and epithelial; Thyroid neoplasms; Thyroidectomy)
Granulocyte-Colony–Stimulating Factor Mobilizes Bone Marrow Stem Cells in Patients With Subacute Ischemic Stroke: The Stem Cell Trial of Recovery EnhanceMent After Stroke (STEMS) Pilot Randomized, Controlled Trial (ISRCTN 16784092)

Background and Purpose— Loss of motor function is common after stroke and leads to significant chronic disability. Stem cells are capable of self-renewal and of differentiating into multiple cell types, including neurones, glia, and vascular cells. We assessed the safety of granulocyte-colony–stimulating factor (G-CSF) after stroke and its effect on circulating CD34+ stem cells. Methods— We performed a 2-center, dose-escalation, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled pilot trial (ISRCTN 16784092) of G-CSF (6 blocks of 1 to 10 &mgr;g/kg SC, 1 or 5 daily doses) in 36 patients with recent ischemic stroke. Circulating CD34+ stem cells were measured by flow cytometry; blood counts and measures of safety and functional outcome were also monitored. All measures were made blinded to treatment. Results— Thirty-six patients, whose mean±SD age was 76±8 years and of whom 50% were male, were recruited. G-CSF (5 days of 10 &mgr;g/kg) increased CD34+ count in a dose-dependent manner, from 2.5 to 37.7 at day 5 (area under curve, P=0.005). A dose-dependent rise in white cell count (P<0.001) was also seen. There was no difference between treatment groups in the number of patients with serious adverse events: G-CSF, 7/24 (29%) versus placebo 3/12 (25%), or in their dependence (modified Rankin Scale, median 4, interquartile range, 3 to 5) at 90 days. Conclusions— G-CSF is effective at mobilizing bone marrow CD34+ stem cells in patients with recent ischemic stroke. Administration is feasible and appears to be safe and well tolerated. The fate of mobilized cells and their effect on functional outcome remain to be determined.
The Role of Meetings in the Strategy Process - Towards an Integrative Framework

During the last three decades, scholars from communication studies, political science, sociology, cultural anthropology and management science have studied the characteristics and dynamics of meetings from different perspectives. This has resulted in a large, though very fragmented, body of knowledge about meetings and their different functions in the organization. So far, however, this knowledge has not been systematically related to the strategy process. The purpose of this review is to organize the different literatures by identifying the meeting functions (coordination, cognitive, political, symbolic and social) as well as the meeting practices (initiation, conduct and termination practices) and by outlining the impact of meetings on the strategy process. This results in an integrative framework which synthesizes the literature and which serves as a guide for future research.
DETECTING CORRELATION BETWEEN CHARACTERS IN A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS WITH UNCERTAIN PHYLOGENY

Abstract The importance of accommodating the phylogenetic history of a group when performing a comparative analysis is now widely recognized. The typical approaches either assume the tree is known without error, or they base inferences on a collection of well-supported trees or on a collection of trees generated under a stochastic model of cladogenesis. However, these approaches do not adequately account for the uncertainty of phylogenetic trees in a comparative analysis, especially when data relevant to the phylogeny of a group are available. Here, we develop a method for performing comparative analyses that is based on an extension of Felsenstein's independent contrasts method. Uncertainties in the phylogeny, branch lengths, and other parameters are accommodated by averaging over all possible trees, weighting each by the probability that the tree is correct. We do this in a Bayesian framework and use Markov chain Monte Carlo to perform the high-dimensional summations and integrations required by the analysis. We illustrate the method using comparative characters sampled from Anolis lizards.
Migration and HIV‐1 seroprevalence in a rural Ugandan population

Objective: To study the association between change of residence and HIV‐1 serostatus in a rural Ugandan population. Design: A longitudinal cohort study. Methods: As part of the annual surveillance of a population cohort of approximately 10000 individuals in a rural subcounty of southwest Uganda, information has been collected for all adults on change of residence over a 3‐year period and its association with HIV 1 serostatus. Sera were collected by a medical team during home visits. Antibody testing was performed at the Uganda Virus Research Institute using two independent enzyme immunoassay systems and Western blot when appropriate. Results: At the fourth survey‐round, age and sex‐standardized seroprevalence rates were 7.9% overall; the rate was 5.5% for 2129 adults who had not changed address since the first survey, 8.2% for 336 who moved within the village, 12.4% for 1 28 who moved to a neighbouring village, 11.5% for 1130 who had left the area and 16.3% for 541 who had joined the study area during the previous 3 years (P<< 0.001, 4 degrees of freedom). We also observed an inverse relationship between years lived at the present house at the time of the first survey and both seroprevalence and subsequent seroincidence rates. The reported numbers of lifetime sexual partners were higher in those who changed residence. Conclusion: Change of residence is strongly associated with an increased risk of HIV‐1 infection in this rural population and is likely to be the result of more risky sexual behaviour among those who move. These findings have important implications for the design of AIDS control programmes and intervention studies. AIDS 1995, 9:503‐506
EFFECT OF SOCIAL FACTORS IN STOCHASTIC FRONTIER PROFIT OF ORGANIC RICE FARMING IN BOYOLALI

Sudrajat, I. S. , E. S. Rahayu, Kusnandar and Supriyadi, 2017. Effect of social factors in stochastic frontier profi t of organic rice farming in Boyolali. Bulg. J. Agric. Sci., 23 (4): 551–559 This research explored about the profi t of organic rice farming system that infl uenced by social factors with stochastic frontier Cobb-Douglas profi t function and MLE (Maximum Likelihood Estimation). The observation was made at farmer groups namely Pangudi Raharjo and Pangudi Boga in Dlingo Village, Mojosongo, Boyolali, Central Java, Indonesia. Stochastic frontier method is equation model to estimate the parameters of the factors that will affect the level of profi t effi ciency in order to be close to the maximum (frontier). In this model, the factors that affecting the profi tability and the factors causing the profi t ineffi ciency of organic rice farming can be seen. This model was called composed error model because the error term consists of two components, namely the external factor/ errors caused by factors that can’t be controlled by the farmers (V1) and internal/ errors caused by factor that can be controlled by the farmers (U1). Error due to internal factors (U1) is composed of economic and social factors. This study elaborated the effects of social factors on ineffi ciency in the profi t of organic rice farming system. As the result, the most dominant social factor was management which followed by frequency of participation in training, the role of institutions/ associations, frequency of participation in counseling, and the age of the farmers.
Dispelling ageing myths in technology design

We present a review of literature from the fields of gerontology, gerontechnology, HCI and government policy that deals with social and technical solutions for the ageing population. We highlight common assumptions about ageing people, which we argue are still embedded in much of the research related to the domain of ageing. This paper challenges six common assumptions across four broad themes that we identified in the literature. It aims to provide a reminder and resource for designers to eschew assumptions during designing technology for 'older' users.
Lateral asymmetry in the freely occurring behaviour of budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus) and its relation to cognitive performance

ABSTRACT Hemispheric laterality and its provision of potential fitness advantages to aves is a widespread topic of research in budgerigars and other parrot species [e.g., Magat, M. & Brown, C. (2009). Laterality enhances cognition in Australian parrots. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 276, 4155–4162]. In the current study, lateral preferences were tracked for 11 captive-reared budgerigars that subsequently underwent 2 cognitive problem-solving tests: a tool-use problem and a dig-discrimination task. Two significant individual-level lateral preferences (a leftward unipedal support preference and a rightward preening side preference) and 1 significant population-level preference (a right-side preening preference) were obtained. Lateral preening side preference indices for individual subjects correlated with various measures of performance on the dig task, such that right-side preening preferences and stronger lateral preferences irrespective of direction were associated with enhanced dig task performance. The data generally support the idea that laterality in aves serves as a good predictor of increased cognitive capability, while also offering new evidence for population-level lateral preferences in the species.
Is the Sharpe Ratio Useful in Asset Allocation

Investors often consider Sharpe ratios when making asset allocation decisions and comparing portfolios. Given sampling error in estimated means and variances of returns, promoting Sharpe ratios as useful to help choose between asset allocations or portfolios may be misleading. Estimators of the Sharpe ratio have less helpful distributions than estimators of mean and variance. The error in the estimate of the Sharpe ratio can be simply too large to make useful conclusions. Investors are often overly swayed by historical performance in making investment decisions: why make matters worse by obscuring what information we have by combining past performance characteristics in an unhelpful ratio?
Pros and Cons While Looking Through an Asian Window on the Rome IV Criteria for Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Pros

A decade after Rome III, in 2016, Rome IV criteria were published. There are major differences between Rome IV and the earlier iteration, some of which are in line with Asian viewpoints. The clinical applicability of the Rome IV criteria of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in Asian perspective is reviewed here. Instead of considering functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) to be largely psychogenic, Rome IV suggested the importance of the gut over brain (“disorders of gut-brain interaction” not “brain-gut interaction”). The word “functional” is underplayed. Multi-dimensional clinical profile attempts to recognize micro-organic nature, like slow colon transit and fecal evacuation disorders in constipation and dietary intolerance including that of lactose and fructose, bile acid malabsorption, non-celiac wheat sensitivity, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, and gastrointestinal infection in diarrhea. Overlap between different FGIDs has been recognized as Rome IV suggests these to be a spectrum rather than discrete disorders. Bloating, common in Asia, received attention, though less. Sub-typing of IBS may be more clinician-friendly now as the patient-reported stool form may be used than a diary. However, a few issues, peculiar to Asia, need consideration; Rome IV, like Rome III, suggests that Bristol type I–II stool to denote constipation though Asian experts include type III as well. Work-up for physiological factors should be given greater importance. Language issue is important. Bloating, common in IBS, should be listed in the criteria. Threshold values for symptoms in Rome IV criteria are based on Western data. Post-infectious malabsorption (tropical sprue) should be excluded to diagnose post-infectious IBS, particularly in Asia.
Schwann cell spectrins modulate peripheral nerve myelination

During peripheral nerve development, Schwann cells ensheathe axons and form myelin to enable rapid and efficient action potential propagation. Although myelination requires profound changes in Schwann cell shape, how neuron–glia interactions converge on the Schwann cell cytoskeleton to induce these changes is unknown. Here, we demonstrate that the submembranous cytoskeletal proteins αII and βII spectrin are polarized in Schwann cells and colocalize with signaling molecules known to modulate myelination in vitro. Silencing expression of these spectrins inhibited myelination in vitro, and remyelination in vivo. Furthermore, myelination was disrupted in motor nerves of zebrafish lacking αII spectrin. Finally, we demonstrate that loss of spectrin significantly reduces both F-actin in the Schwann cell cytoskeleton and the Nectin-like protein, Necl4, at the contact site between Schwann cells and axons. Therefore, we propose αII and βII spectrin in Schwann cells integrate the neuron–glia interactions mediated by membrane proteins into the actin-dependent cytoskeletal rearrangements necessary for myelination.
Provincial Public Expenditure in China: A Tale of Profligacy

This paper examines the cyclicality of provincial expenditure in China during the period 1978-2013. We assess whether provincial expenditure has been pro-cyclical using panel data for our analysis. Profligacy is found to be a regular feature of provincial fiscal policy. This profligacy occurs both in good and bad times and has markedly increased since 1994 with the increased autonomy of provinces. We further find that the profligacy bias is mitigated when financial constraints are relaxed, the remaining political life of the governor is long, government efficiency is strong, corruption incidence is low, and governments are large.
Role of Consumer Knowledge in Developing Purchase Intentions and Driving Services Efficiency across Marketing Channels in Mexico

This study is carried out in Mexico with an objective to analyze empirically the role of education in a transforming services marketing strategies of the firms. The study is carried on in Mexico through pragmatic investigation among the consumers subscribing to the communication and entertainment services. The analysis of primary data is developed around the theory of action that demonstrates the skills and confidence of individuals or groups toward making decisions in acquiring or hiring services to improve their quality of life. The results of the study reveal that knowledge acquired on the services and value perceived by the consumers play a key role in determining the intentions to purchases services. This study meticulously explores several arguments on how consumers with high levels of education scrutinize the benefits offered by the firms marketing their communication and entertainment services, and build their value propositions on the services bought or contracted.
TransparentHMD: revealing the HMD user's face to bystanders

While the eyes are very important in human communication, once a user puts on a head mounted display (HMD), the face is obscured from the outside world's perspective. This leads to communication problems when bystanders approach or collaborate with an HMD user. We introduce transparentHMD, which employs a head-coupled perspective technique to produce an illusion of a transparent HMD to bystanders. We created a self contained system, based on a mobile device mounted on the HMD with the screen facing bystanders. By tracking the relative position of the bystander using the smartphone's camera, we render an adapting perspective view in realtime that creates the illusion of a transparent HMD. By revealing the user's face to bystanders, our easy to implement system allows for opportunities to investigate a plethora of research questions particularly related to collaborative VR systems.
Synchronous interval observer design for switched LPV systems using multiple quadratic ISS-Lyapunov functions

This paper deals with the problem of robust state estimation for switched LPV continuous-time systems with measurable and unmeasurable scheduling parameters. The switching law is assumed to be uncontrollable but online available, while the unmeasurable varying parameters are assumed to be bounded with a priori known bounds. The proposed approach is based on switched interval observers which provide guaranteed lower and upper bounds allowing to evaluate the set of admissible values of the real state vector. The stability and positivity conditions of the switched interval error are expressed in terms of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs), which have been established using multiple quadratic ISS-Lyapunov functions (MQLF) and average dwell-time concept. In order to enhance estimation accuracy and robustness an explicit bound of the interval error is guaranteed. The proposed approach is applied to robust estimation of vehicle lateral dynamics. Tests are conducted on experimental data in order to prove the effectiveness of the proposed switched interval observer.