Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Galectin-3 Marks Activated Macrophages in Failure-Prone Hypertrophied Hearts and Contributes to Cardiac Dysfunction

Background—Inflammatory mechanisms have been proposed to be important in heart failure (HF), and cytokines have been implicated to add to the progression of HF. However, it is unclear whether such mechanisms are already activated when hypertrophied hearts still appear well-compensated and whether such early mechanisms contribute to the development of HF. Methods and Results—In a comprehensive microarray study, galectin-3 emerged as the most robustly overexpressed gene in failing versus functionally compensated hearts from homozygous transgenic TGRmRen2-27 (Ren-2) rats. Myocardial biopsies obtained at an early stage of hypertrophy before apparent HF showed that expression of galectin-3 was increased specifically in the rats that later rapidly developed HF. Galectin-3 colocalized with activated myocardial macrophages. We found galectin-3–binding sites in rat cardiac fibroblasts and the extracellular matrix. Recombinant galectin-3 induced cardiac fibroblast proliferation, collagen production, and cyclin D1 expression. A 4-week continuous infusion of low-dose galectin-3 into the pericardial sac of healthy Sprague-Dawley rats led to left ventricular dysfunction, with a 3-fold differential increase of collagen I over collagen III. Myocardial galectin-3 expression was increased in aortic stenosis patients with depressed ejection fraction. Conclusions—This study shows that an early increase in galectin-3 expression identifies failure-prone hypertrophied hearts. Galectin-3, a macrophage-derived mediator, induces cardiac fibroblast proliferation, collagen deposition, and ventricular dysfunction. This implies that HF therapy aimed at inflammatory responses may need to be targeted at the early stages of HF and probably needs to antagonize multiple inflammatory mediators, including galectin-3.
When task demands induce “asyntactic” comprehension: A study of sentence interpretation in aphasia

Abstract We investigated sentence processing in two aphasic patients who appeared to have asyntactic comprehension when tested using sentence-picture matching. It was found that neither patient could handle the nonlinguistic cognitive demands of the original task: Specifically, processing two semantically incongruous inputs (sentence plus reverse-role picture) overloaded working memory. Their ability to deal with semantic conflict in the absence of multiple inputs was examined in an interleaved meaning-classification/actor-identification task. The patients rarely accepted misordered sentences like The cheese ate the muse as plausible, but performed poorly when asked to identify the “actors” in such sentences, often selecting the more likely alternative (the mouse). We concluded from this dissociation between tasks that semantic conflict only overtaxed their limited processing capacity when the conflicting options were explicitly available and directly relevant to the decision process. There was, therefore.
Examining the issues surrounding violating the assumption of independent observations in reliability generalization studies: A simulation study

viii Chapter One: Introduction . 1 Methodological Issues in RG Studies . 2 Purpose of the Study . 4 Research Questions.5 Hypotheses.6 Limitations of the Study.8 Definitions of Terms . 9 Importance of the Study.12 Chapter Two: Literature Review . 13 Meta-Analysis . 13 The Reliability of Measures.18 RG Studies . 21 Issues in the Debate on Reliability Generalization . 34 Independence . 39 Summary . 45 Chapter Three: Method.48 Purpose.48 Research Questions.49 Sample.49 Method . 52 Simulation of the data. 53 Simulation of intra-class correlation.55 Conduct of RG analyses.58 Evaluation of the results.59 Chapter Four: Results . 62 How the Results were Evaluated . 62 Box Plots.64 Summary of Box Plot Results.68 η Analysis . 69 Bias . 71 ii Root Mean Squared Error . 75 Band Coverage.80 Band Width . 89 A Deeper Look at Band Coverage . 96 Summary of Results.102 Chapter Five: Conclusions.108 Summary of the Study . 108 Research Questions.111 Summary of Study Results.112 Limitations of the Study.118 Implications.119 Importance of the Study.119 Importance in Regards to Future RG Studies. 119 Suggestions for Future Research . 121 References.126 Appendices:. 143 Appendix A: SAS Code for Monte Carlo Simulation . 144 About the Author . End Page
Are attitudes and beliefs about symptoms more important than symptom severity in recovery from psychosis?

Objective. Both beliefs about mental health experiences (“illness perceptions”) and psychological adjustment (“recovery style”) have been found to predict outcome in psychosis. This study tested the hypothesis that recovery style mediates the relationship of such beliefs with outcome. Methods. Fifty people experiencing psychosis were assessed on measures of illness perceptions, recovery style, symptom severity, engagement, impairment, and quality of life at two time points two years apart. Results. Recovery style did not appear to mediate the relationship between beliefs about mental health problems and outcome. However, expectations of more negative consequences and lower ability to make sense of symptoms were associated with poorer quality of life. Conclusions. Interventions that support recovery by reducing expectations of negative impact of psychosis and helping clients to build a more coherent sense of their difficulties, via exploration of the personal life meanings of a person’s “illness” or psychotic experience, may be at least as important as interventions that aim to reduce symptom levels.
Generation of lipooligosaccharide mutants of Haemophilus influenzae type b

We previously reported the analysis of recombinant plasmids from Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) that lead to modifications of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (Y. Abu Kwaik, R. E. McLaughlin, M. A. Apicella, and S. M. Spinola, Mol. Microbiol. 5:2475-2480, 1991). The modified LPS species are recognized by monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) 6E4 and 3F11. MAb 6E4 binds to a stable 2-keto-3-deoxyoctulosonic acid epitope, while MAb 3F11 binds to a Gal beta 1-4GlcNac epitope that phase varies in Hib at a frequency of 2 to 5%. The internal EcoRI fragment containing most of the DNA required for LPS modification in E. coli was used as the target for transposon mutagenesis. Plasmids containing minitransposon m-Tn3(Cm) randomly inserted into the target fragment were transformed into the isogenic Hib strain, and transposon integration into the Hib chromosome was verified by colony hybridization. The lipooligosaccharides of 36 transformants were phenotypically and antigenically characterized by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and reactivity with a variety of MAbs that recognize both stable and phase-varying lipooligosaccharide epitopes. The majority of the mutants had altered reactivity with MAb 6E4. With one exception, these mutants retained the ability to express phase-varying epitopes. Analysis of the transformants suggested that the 6E4 epitope was contained on an oligosaccharide chain separate from that of phase-varying epitopes and appeared to be assembled in at least three separate steps.
Voluntary Eye Blink Detection using Electrooculogram

This paper describes the voluntary eye blink detection method using electrooculogram (EOG). There are still challenge problems to put brain-computer interfa ce (BCI) systems to real-life applications. In general BCI sys tems, there is a possibility of incorrect and unintentional input because input is automatically selected even if the requirements are accidentally met. This study aims to propose the voluntary eye blink detection method and apply it to the trigger switch of BCI systems. In the proposed method, normal blink, double blink, and wink can be detected from vertical and horizontal EOG signals. We employed the positive peak of vertical and horizontal amplitude and maximum cross correlation coe fficient between vertical EOG and template signal of double blink in feature extraction. Eye blinks were classified by support vector machine. As the result of simulations, an average accuracy of 97.28% was obtained using our method. In addition, the best accuracy for voluntary eye blinks was obtained for wink with accuracy of 97.69 %. This paper proof wink is suitable for trigger switch of BCI system, and online method for voluntary eye blink detection.
Study of the Origin of Bending Induced by Bimetallic Effect on Microcantilever

An analytical model for predicting the deflection and force of a bimaterial cantilever is presented. We introduce the clamping effect characterised by an axial load upon temperature changes. This new approach predicts a non linear thermal dependence of cantilever strain. A profilometry technique was used to measure the thermal strain. Comparison with experimental results is used to verify the model. The concordance of the analytical model presented with experimental measurements is better than 10%.
Teaching and Learning with Clickers in Higher Education.

Interactive technologies make classroom experience more engaging and enjoyable. Students get much more involved in class discussions in the presence of such technologies and tend to learn more through student-student and student-instructor interactions. The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether student response systems (i.e., clickers) influence student learning and performance. Overall, our findings show that students were satisfied with the use of clickers especially in increasing their participation and engagement in class. A regression analysis is employed to estimate the magnitude of clickers’ impact in two different disciplines. The regression results show that the use of clickers had positive and significant impact on student final course grades. In particular, students who used clickers as part of their course instruction received 4.7% higher course grades on average compared to the students in the non-clicker class when controlling for student abilities and characteristics. The outcome of this study suggests that clickers are useful tools in enhancing student learning and performance. Technology is becoming a vital component of the modern classroom and twenty-first-century learners need twenty-first-century tools to enhance their learning. Student response systems, also known as personal response systems and “clickers,” cater exactly to this need, and represent some of the best and newest educational technologies available today. These innovative assessment tools are easy to master, lead to increased classroom engagement and motivation, and can be used at any grade level. Research on the benefits of clickers has shown that
Blockade of the positive inotropic actions of epinephrine and theophylline by acetylcholine.

Acetylcholine effectively blocked the positive inotropic action of epinephrine without altering the response to calcium in electrically stimulated isolated perfused turtle and rabbit ventricles. This blocking action of acetylcholine was readily antagonized by atropine. Acetylcholine also blocked the positive inotropic response to theophylline in the turtle ventricle. This action of acetylcholine was also inhibited by atropine. Our results indirectly support the hypothesis of Sutherland et at . (1965), that the positive inotropic response to epinephrine is triggered by an increase in the intracellular concentration of cyclic adenosine 3’ ,5’-phosphate, a substance whose concentration is known to be affected by acetylcholine, epinephrine and theophylline.
Bullying and Peer Victimization at School: Perceptual Differences Between Students and School Staff

Although bullying and other forms of peer victimization at school are a growing concern, there has been little research examining the potential differences between student and staff perceptions of the frequency of bullying, most common location and forms of bullying, severity of the problem, social norms related to bullying, and responses to witnessing bullying. The data for this study came from a district-wide survey of student (n = 15,185) and staff (n = 1,547) perceptions of and experiences with bullying conducted in 75 elementary, 20 middle, and 14 high schools. Results indicated that staff at all school levels (elementary, middle, and high) underestimated the number of students involved in frequent bullying. Both middle school students and staff tended to report the greatest exposure to and concern about bullying. Staff with greater efficacy for handling bullying situations were more likely to intervene and less likely to make the bullying situation worse. Staff members’ own experiences with bullying were predictive of their attitudes toward bullying and perceived efficacy for handling a bullying situation. Implications for prevention and intervention by school psychologists are provided.
Marr’s Computational Level and Delineating Phenomena

A key component of scientific inquiry, especially inquiry devoted to developing mechanistic explanations, is delineating the phenomenon to be explained. The task of delineating phenomena, however, has not been sufficiently analyzed, even by the new mechanistic philosophers of science. We contend that Marr’s characterization of what he called the computational level (CL) provides a valuable resource for understanding what is involved in delineating phenomena. Unfortunately, the distinctive feature of Marr’s computational level, his dual emphasis on both what is computed and why it is computed, has not been appreciated in philosophical discussions of Marr. Accordingly we offer a distinctive account of CL. This then allows us to develop two important points about delineating phenomena. First, the accounts of phenomena that figure in explanatory practice are typically not qualitative but precise, formal or mathematical, representations. Second, delineating phenomena requires consideration of the demands the environment places on the mechanism—identifying, as Marr put it, the basis of the computed function in the world. As valuable as Marr’s account of CL is in characterizing phenomena, we contend that ultimately he did not go far enough. Determining the relevant demands of the environment on the mechanism often requires detailed empirical investigation. Moreover, often phenomena are reconstituted in the course of inquiry on the mechanism itself.
Improving Kernel Methods through Complex Data Mapping

This paper introduces a simple yet powerful data transformation strategy for kernel machines. Instead of adapting the parameters of the kernel function w.r. t. the given data (as in conventional methods), we adjust both the kernel hyper-parameters and the given data itself. Using this approach, the input data is transformed to be more representative of the assumptions encoded in the kernel function. A novel complex mapping is proposed to nonlinearly adjust the data. Optimization of the data transformation parameters is performed in two different manners. Firstly, the complex data mapping parameters and kernel hyper-parameters are selected separately, with the former guided by frequency metrics and the latter under the Bayesian framework. Next, the complex data mapping parameters and kernel hyper-parameters are optimized simultaneously in a Bayesian formulation by creating a new category of "integrated kernel" with the complex data mapping embedded. Experiments using Gaussian Process learning have shown that both methods improve the learning accuracy in either classification or regression tasks, with the complex mapping embedded kernel approach outperforming the separate complex mapping one.
Real-time Background Modeling/Subtraction using Two-Layer Codebook Model

In this paper, a real-time method for foreground-background segmentation is proposed. This method extracts structure of background and models it in layered codebook. Layered codebook is a simple data structure containing two codebooks that is defined per pixel. The first layer is main codebook, other is cache codebook, and both contain some codewords relative to a pixel. Main codebook models the current background images and cache codebook is used to model new background images during input sequence. Initially main and cache codebooks are empty. Main codebook is constructed during train sequence. During input sequence, foreground-background is segmented and two-layered codebook is updated. Proposed algorithm can model moving backgrounds, multi backgrounds and illumination changes and this is efficient in both memory and computational complexity.
Glossing is sometimes a distraction: Comments on Cheng and Good (2009)

I really enjoyed reading the study by Cheng and Good (2009). The results of their study seem especially interesting from the point of view of reading comprehension. Indeed, their results mirror to some degree Joyce’s (1997) study, in which glossing actually had a somewhat negative effect on third semester second language (L2) readers’ reading comprehension, especially when compared to first and second semester readers. Glosses have the potential of getting in the way of reading comprehension because of the important relationship between learner level and text level. As Cheng and Good (2009) suggest, if a text is difficult enough, the glosses become more relevant. If the text is not difficult, glosses become less helpful. Of course, there are other variables that can influence L2 reading comprehension. For example, amount or frequency of glossing can be a key variable. More glosses available proportionate to the number of words in a text (e.g., Jacobs, 1994; Taylor, 2002) or more frequent L1 glossing of the same lexical items (Rott, 2007) may result in better L2 reading comprehension.
Self Perceptions of Standards Acquisition during the Principal Internship, 12(5)

The intent of this study is to learn about principal intern perceptions of their grasp of the identified state principal standards for Colorado. A non-experimental comparative approach was used for this inquiry. Interns were trained to use an online journaling process called Journey Mapping. On a six point scale they rated themselves on their knowledge of the state standards. This was done throughout the academic year of the principal internship. Scores were analyzed initially, midway, and finally. Participants indicated an equal amount of learning for each of the intervals and showed significant growth. There was not a statistically significant difference between male and female participants or varying levels of years of experience.
Modeling Piecewise Under-and Overestimators for Bilinear Process Network Synthesis via Mixed-integer Linear Programming

Piecewise underand overestimators that rely on mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) have been recently proposed for the global optimization of bilinear program (BLP), which is essential for process network synthesis. Modeling is an important aspect for piecewise MILP underand overestimators. Here, we propose a novel class of models, called as hybrid models. We also extend the modeling approach from univariate partitioning to bivariate partitioning. A case study using a benchmark process network synthesis problem shows several interesting results.
DBLK: Deduplication for primary block storage

The deduplication block-device (DBLK) is a deduplication and compression system with a block device interface. It is used as a primary storage and block-wise deduplication is done inline. Since deduplication for primary storage requires low latency and detecting block-wise deduplication creates a large amount of metadata, it is necessary to efficiently use the memory of the system. We solved this problem by developing a multilayer Bloom filter (MBF) to reduce the size of the data structure in the memory for indexing duplicate data.
Spoofing and disguise variations in face recognition

Human recognition has become an important topic as the need and investments for security applications grow continuously. Numerous biometric systems exist which utilize various human characteristics. Among all biometrics traits, face recognition is advantageous in terms of accessibility and reliability. In the thesis, two challenges in face recognition are analyzed. The first one is face spoofing. Spoofing in face recognition is explained together with the countermeasure techniques that are proposed for the protection of face recognition systems against spoofing attacks. For this purpose, both 2D photograph and 3D mask attacks are analyzed. The second challenge explored in the thesis is disguise variations, which are due to facial alterations, facial makeup and facial accessories (occlusions). The impact of these disguise variations on face recognition is explored, separately. Then, techniques which are robust against disguise variations are proposed.
Neonatal systemic candidiasis

: Systemic candidiasis is notoriously difficult to diagnose in neonates; however, it is frequently described and has a high mortality and morbidity. It is particularly likely to occur in extremely low birthweight babies, especially those receiving long‐term parenteral nutrition and antibiotics. The clinical features are non‐specific. Thrombocytopenia occurs in almost all cases of systemic candidiasis, but also in about half the cases of bacterial sepsis. Empirical antifungal therapy should be considered more readily for high‐risk, clinically septic, thrombocytopenic babies.
Comparison of Extracted Teeth and Simulated Resin Blocks on Apical Canal Transportation

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to compare apical canal transportation of extracted teeth and two types of simulated resin blocks. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mesiobuccal root of extracted maxillary molars, high hardness simulated resin blocks (Knoop hardness=40) and low hardness simulated resin blocks (Knoop hardness=22) were prepared with K-files using step-back technique (n=15 canals in each group). Double exposure radiographic technique was used for extracted teeth. Simulated resin blocks were stabilized and scanned before and after preparation. Pre and post-preparation pictures were superimposed and apical transportation was measured. The data were analyzed statistically using ANOVA and Tukey HSD tests. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in apical canal transportation between extracted teeth and high hardness resin blocks (P>0.05). Low hardness resin blocks showed more apical transportation than the other groups (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Under the conditions of this study, apical canal transportation for extracted teeth and high hardness simulated resin blocks were similar.
El efecto Simon estudiado con potenciales cerebrales relacionados con el movimiento

Simon effect using movement related brain potentials. The present study was aimed to diagnosis the locus of interference in the Simon effect (before or during the response-preparation stage) using movement-related brain potentials (the lateralized readiness potential, LRP). Arrowheads pointing left or right, were presented at either side of fixation and subjects pressed a key to indicate the direction of the arrow. The RTs showed the typical Simon effect and the spatial S-R incompatibility produced an early motor activation of the incorrect response. These results are in agreement with models which posit an automatic activation of the ipsilateral response (e.g., Craft and Simon, 1970; Kornblum et al., 1990) and in contradiction with perceptual interference models such as Hasbroucq and Guiard (1991) or Chen-Hui and Proctor (1994). However, we doubt that the LRP between 100 and 200 ms poststimulus is indexing response preparation, at least in this experiment. The reason is that lateralized presentation of visual stimuli produces amplitude asymetries in the same temporal range (N100) at parietal and occipital sites, and we have gather preliminary evidence supporting that these interhemispheric amplitude differences might contaminated the ERPs recorded at central sites.