Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Open research practices: unintended consequences and suggestions for averting them. (Commentary on the Peer Reviewers' Openness Initiative)

The Peer Reviewers' Openness Initiative (PROI) is a move to enlist reviewers in the promotion of data-sharing. In this commentary, I discuss objections that can be raised, first to the specific proposals in the PROI, and second to data-sharing in general. I argue that although many objections have strong counter-arguments, others merit more serious consideration. Regarding the PROI, I suggest that it could backfire if editors and authors feel coerced into data-sharing and so may not be the most pragmatic way of encouraging greater openness. More generally, while promoting data-sharing, we need to be sensitive to cases where sharing of data from human participants could create ethical problems. Furthermore, those interested in promoting reproducible science need to defend against an increased risk of data-dredging when large, multivariable datasets are shared. I end with some suggestions to avoid these unintended consequences.
Combined Controllers that Follow Imperfect Input Motions for Humanoid Robots

Humanoid robots have the potential to become a part of everyday life as their hardware and software challenges are being solved. In this paper we present a system that gets as input a motion trajectory in the form of motion capture data, and produces a controller that controls a humanoid robot in real-time to achieve a motion trajectory that is similar to the input motion data. The controller expects the input motion data not to be dynamically feasible for the robot and employs a combined controller with corrective components to keep the robot balanced while following the motion. Since the system can run in real-time, it can be thought of a candidate for teleoperation of humanoid robots using motion capture hardware. Type of Report: Other Department of Computer Science & Engineering Washington University in St. Louis Campus Box 1045 St. Louis, MO 63130 ph: (314) 935-6160 Combined Controllers that Follow Imperfect Input Motions for Humanoid Robots Gazihan Alankus, O. Burchan Bayazit Washington University in St. Louis {gazihan, bayazit}@cse.wustl. edu Abstract— Humanoid robots have the potential to become a part of everyday life as their hardware and software challenges are being solved. In this paper we present a system that gets as input a motion trajectory in the form of motion capture data, and produces a controller that controls a humanoid robot in real-time to achieve a motion trajectory that is similar to the input motion data. The controller expects the input motion data not to be dynamically feasible for the robot and employs a combined controller with corrective components to keep the robot balanced while following the motion. Since the system can run in real-time, it can be thought of a candidate for teleoperation of humanoid robots using motion capture hardware. Humanoid robots have the potential to become a part of everyday life as their hardware and software challenges are being solved. In this paper we present a system that gets as input a motion trajectory in the form of motion capture data, and produces a controller that controls a humanoid robot in real-time to achieve a motion trajectory that is similar to the input motion data. The controller expects the input motion data not to be dynamically feasible for the robot and employs a combined controller with corrective components to keep the robot balanced while following the motion. Since the system can run in real-time, it can be thought of a candidate for teleoperation of humanoid robots using motion capture hardware.
Establishment of Distinct MyoD, E2A, and Twist DNA Binding Specificities by Different Basic Region-DNA Conformations

ABSTRACT Basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) proteins perform a wide variety of biological functions. Most bHLH proteins recognize the consensus DNA sequence CAN NTG (the E-box consensus sequence is underlined) but acquire further functional specificity by preferring distinct internal and flanking bases. In addition, induction of myogenesis by MyoD-related bHLH proteins depends on myogenic basic region (BR) and BR-HLH junction residues that are not essential for binding to a muscle-specific site, implying that their BRs may be involved in other critical interactions. We have investigated whether the myogenic residues influence DNA sequence recognition and how MyoD, Twist, and their E2A partner proteins prefer distinct CAN NTG sites. In MyoD, the myogenic BR residues establish specificity for particular CAN NTG sites indirectly, by influencing the conformation through which the BR helix binds DNA. An analysis of DNA binding by BR and junction mutants suggests that an appropriate BR-DNA conformation is necessary but not sufficient for myogenesis, supporting the model that additional interactions with this region are important. The sequence specificities of E2A and Twist proteins require the corresponding BR residues. In addition, mechanisms that position the BR allow E2A to prefer distinct half-sites as a heterodimer with MyoD or Twist, indicating that the E2A BR can be directed toward different targets by dimerization with different partners. Our findings indicate that E2A and its partner bHLH proteins bind to CAN NTG sites by adopting particular preferred BR-DNA conformations, from which they derive differences in sequence recognition that can be important for functional specificity.
A distributed fault-tolerant MPEG-7 retrieval scheme based on small world theory

A small world search agent employing peer-to-peer (P2P) concepts borrowed from sociology is employed for performing image retrievals in a small world distributed media index. The Small World Indexing Method (SWIM) allows for a highly networked architecture where index information does not exist as a separate entity on a specific server, but rather is stored within the actual media objects themselves. Since each media object is only responsible for a small portion of the overall index, the loss of portions of the overall network (data objects) accounts for only a small degradation in the overall retrieval performance. Building upon previous work, the graceful degradation which is provided by the SWIM system is addressed here for retrievals which are performed using small world user agents on a large set of MPEG-7 described images.
Climate Change Impacts on Global Food Security

Climate change could potentially interrupt progress toward a world without hunger. A robust and coherent global pattern is discernible of the impacts of climate change on crop productivity that could have consequences for food availability. The stability of whole food systems may be at risk under climate change because of short-term variability in supply. However, the potential impact is less clear at regional scales, but it is likely that climate variability and change will exacerbate food insecurity in areas currently vulnerable to hunger and undernutrition. Likewise, it can be anticipated that food access and utilization will be affected indirectly via collateral effects on household and individual incomes, and food utilization could be impaired by loss of access to drinking water and damage to health. The evidence supports the need for considerable investment in adaptation and mitigation actions toward a “climate-smart food system” that is more resilient to climate change influences on food security.
Facebook in the University Workplace

Access to social network sites (SNS) in the workplace has been much debated. While some consider SNS a distraction, others consider them a tool for professional socialisation and that recreational access positively impacts satisfaction. This exploratory study reports results from an online survey of employees from one faculty of an Australian university, exploring how they used Facebook at work and how they would react to a hypothetical Facebook ban. Three-quarters of respondents used Facebook at work, primarily for personal socialisation during breaks. Many self-imposed a strict personal/professional separation, but opposed a hypothetical SNS ban, perceiving it as an infringement on their workplace autonomy. It is argued that university employees – academic and professional – can be trusted to self-regulate access.
Elevated Serum-Soluble Fas in Preeclampsia: Correlation with Clinical, Laboratory, and Doppler Parameters

Objectives. (i) To compare the levels of soluble Fas (sFas) in the sera of patients with variable degrees of preeclampsia and in healthy gravidas; and (ii) to correlate sFas with clinical, laboratory, and Doppler parameters in preeclampsia. Methods. Fifty patients with mild preeclampsia, 50 patients with severe preeclampsia, and 50 healthy normotensive pregnant women (control group) were selected from those admitted to the delivery unit. All were nearly of the same maternal and gestational ages. Patients and controls were subjected to (i) history taking; (ii) general, abdominal, and pelvic examination; (iii) laboratory investigations including serum sFas, total bilirubin, aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, creatinine, uric acid, hematocrit value, platelet count, and 24 urinary proteins; (iv) obstetric ultrasound and biophysical profile; (v) Doppler cerebroplacental ratio; and (vi) neonatal assessment after delivery. Results. Serum sFas was significantly higher (p < 0.001) in patients with mild and severe preeclampsia than in normal controls, and in patients with severe preeclampsia than in those with mild disease. In preeclampsia group, sFas correlated positively with systolic (r = 0.386; p < 0.001) and diastolic (r = 0.347; p = 0.001) blood pressures, serum uric acid (r = 0.452; p < 0.001), and urinary protein (r = 0.416; p < 0.001); and correlated negatively with biophysical profile (r = −0.371; p < 0.001), cerebroplacental ratio (r = −0.527; p < 0.001), and birth weight (r = −0.458; p < 0.001). Conclusion. Serum sFas is significantly elevated in preeclampsia and is correlated with some important clinical, laboratory, and Doppler parameters. Further longitudinal studies are recommended to investigate the possible value of sFas as an early predictor of preeclampsia and its severity.
Batrachotoxin-modified sodium channels in planar lipid bilayers. Ion permeation and block

Batrachotoxin-modified, voltage-dependent sodium channels from canine forebrain were incorporated into planar lipid bilayers. Single-channel conductances were studied for [Na+] ranging between 0.02 and 3.5 M. Typically, the single-channel currents exhibited a simple two-state behavior, with transitions between closed and fully open states. Two other conductance states were observed: a subconductance state, usually seen at [NaCl] greater than or equal to 0.5 M, and a flickery state, usually seen at [NaCl] less than or equal to 0.5 M. The flickery state became more frequent as [NaCl] was decreased below 0.5 M. The K+/Na+ permeability ratio was approximately 0.16 in 0.5 and 2.5 M salt, independent of the Na+ mole fraction, which indicates that there are no interactions among permeant ions in the channels. Impermeant and permeant blocking ions (tetraethylammonium, Ca++, Zn++, and K+) have different effects when added to the extracellular and intracellular solutions, which indicates that the channel is asymmetrical and has at least two cation-binding sites. The conductance vs. [Na+] relation saturated at high concentrations, but could not be described by a Langmuir isotherm, as the conductance at low [NaCl] is higher than predicted from the data at [NaCl] greater than or equal to 1.0 M. At low [NaCl] (less than or equal to 0.1 M), increasing the ionic strength by additions of impermeant monovalent and divalent cations reduced the conductance, as if the magnitude of negative electrostatic potentials at the channel entrances were reduced. The conductances were comparable for channels in bilayers that carry a net negative charge and bilayers that carry no net charge. Together, these results lead to the conclusion that negative charges on the channel protein near the channel entrances increase the conductance, while lipid surface charges are less important.
Is there equity in oral healthcare utilization: experience after achieving Universal Coverage.

OBJECTIVES To assess the socioeconomic-related (in)equality and horizontal (in)equity in oral healthcare utilization among Thai adults after Universal Coverage (UC) policy implemented nationwide, and to decompose the source of inequality in utilization. Further, to identify the determinants that effect to out-of-pocket payments for oral healthcare. METHODS Using the data of 32748, Thai adults aged 15 years and over from nationally representative Health and Welfare Survey and Socio-Economic Survey in 2006. This study employs concentration index (CI) and horizontal inequity index (HI) to measure the socioeconomic-related inequality and horizontal inequity in oral healthcare utilization, respectively. Further, employing decomposition method to identify the sources of inequality comprising of a contribution of income, need determinants (i.e. self-assessed oral health, demographic characteristics), non-need determinants (i.e.working status, educational level attainment, type of insurance entitlement, geographic characteristics and marital status) and residual term. Two-part model is used to determine the factors effect to out-of-pocket payments for oral healthcare. RESULTS There are the pro-rich inequality and inequity in oral healthcare utilization among Thais as indicated by significantly positive values of CI (=0.199) and HI (=0.206). The poor are more likely to access and utilize services at subsidized public facility particularly community hospital, as opposed to the better-off who tend to utilize services at private facility. Income and non-need determinants principally contribute to the pro-poor in public sector utilization, unlike pro-rich in private sector utilization. Need factors account for most of the pro-poor utilization. Type of treatment obtained and insurance used in the last visit are the substantial determinants effect to incurring out-of-pocket payments for oral healthcare. CONCLUSION Notwithstanding the UC policy implementation made impressive strides toward improving of welfare coverage and an increase in accessibility of health services among Thais, inequality and inequity in oral healthcare utilization persist even when the country achieved universal coverage. Decomposition analyses demonstrate the association of each determinant to inequality in utilization which provides information for policy amendment to achieve the goal of equity in healthcare system.
Less rather than more internationalization? Unintended effects of the Bologna Process

Este documento da inicio con unos comentarios generales que dan a conocer la situación de las universidades alemanas previo y durante la incorporación del Proceso de Bolonia, asimismo, explica tres efectos no ideados relacionados con el proceso de Bolonia y que tienen que ver con: acortar la duración de los estudios, disminuir la edad promedio de los graduados y reducir el alto índice de abandono de estudios. Inmerso en este contexto, las universidades alemanas dejaron de ser instituciones educativas autónomas para convertirse en unas totalmente centralizadas. Por otro lado, los nuevos cursos presentaron grandes diferencias en áreas esenciales en comparación con sus antecesores. Esos nuevos programas contemplan grupos más reducidos, por tanto, hay más cursos que impartir, menos tiempo para prepararlos, más materias que tomar, menos entusiasmo de los alumnos. De igual forma, y según las estadísticas, el número de estudiantes alemanes que se van a estudiar a universidades extranjeras es cada vez mayor. Más aún, los alumnos se enfrentan a obstáculos que tienen que ver con la movilidad y el pesimismo que enmarca el panorama laboral, lo cual indica la urgente y necesaria corrección. Muchos de los problemas reportados explican que el Proceso de Bolonia, debido tal vez a su corta edad, no está cumpliendo con las altas expectativas impuestas. Por tanto, parece inevitable una reforma de la reforma ya hecha.
The Importance of Student Perceptions In Language Teaching

Bu calisma ogretmen ve ogrencilerin Ingiliz Dili Egitimi ogretimi aktiviteleri hakkindaki algilamalarinin kiyaslanmasini amaclamaktadir Ozellikle ogrencilerin dinleme konusma okuma ve yazma ogretimi icin kullanilan aktiviteler hakkindaki dusunceleri uzerinde odaklanmaya calisildi Uc bayan ogretmenle 20 ogrenci bu calismaya katildi Barkhuizen tarafindan hazirlanan ENLEAS Q adli sormaca Cukurova Universitesi Ingiliz Dili Egitimi bolumunden 20 hazirlik ogrencisine uygulandi Ogretmen ve ogrenci algilamalari arasinda herhangi bir denklik olup olmadigi ogrencilerin aktiviteleri dil ogrenimlerine uygun bulup bulmadiklari ve yapilan aktivitelerin memnuniyet derecesi incelendi Sormacadan elde edilen veriler SPSS istatistik programi yardimi ile Karl Pearson chi square testi uygulanarak cozumlendi Anahtar sozcukler: Algilama Ogrenci merkezlilik Iletisimsel Dil Ogretimi Summary of the Study This study aims at comparing students’ and their teachers’ perceptions about English Language Teaching activities We try to focus on the thoughts of the students about the activities used for listening speaking reading and writing in their language classrooms Three female instructors and 20 university students participated in this study We used a questionnaire prepared by Barkhuizen ENLEAS Q with 20 participants from the preparatory classes of the English Language Teaching Department of Cukurova University We investigate: whether the perceptions of the students match with those of their teachers whether the students find the activities relevant to their language learning whether the activities result in enjoyment The data obtained from ENLEAS Q were entered into SPSS statistical program A Karl Pearson chi square test was used to test the significance Key Words: Perception Learner centeredness Communicative Language Teaching
Psychiatric in-patients’ experience of being secluded in a specific hospital in Lesotho

This qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual study was undertaken to explore and describe the experiences of psychiatric in-patients who are secluded in a specific hospital in Lesotho. Opsomming Hierdie kwalitatiewe, verkennende, beskrywende en kontekstuele studie is onderneem om die ervaring van psigiatriese binnepasiente in afsondering in ‘n spesifieke hospitaal in Lesotho te verken en te beskryf. *Please note: This is a reduced version of the abstract. Please refer to PDF for full text.
Sexual Desire Disorders in Women

Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder is defined as absent or diminished feelings of sexual interest or desire, absent sexual thoughts or fantasies and a lack of responsive desire. Motivations (here defined as reasons/incentives), for attempting to become sexually aroused are scarce or absent. The lack of interest is considered to be more than that due to a normative lessening with the life cycle and length of a relationship [1].
It’s more than just my body that got hurt: The psychophysiological consequences of sex trafficking

Those subjugated to sex trafficking endure psychological, physical, sexual, social, and spiritual abuse that results in physiological trauma. Therefore, survivors require access to integrative treatment options that address the consequences of multi-dimensional maltreatment and exploitation. The link between sex trafficking and the psychophysiological consequences of chronic stress and trauma implies the need to develop systems of care that intervene at many levels. This article describes general physiological reactions to stress and trauma, long-term health consequences associated with trauma, and reasons for variability in the effects of chronic stress. In conclusion, recommendations are made for ways in which multidisciplinary professionals can assist in reducing the effects of stress and trauma as well as increase protective factors among sex trafficking survivors.
Hepatitis C virus-replicating hepatocytes induce fibrogenic activation of hepatic stellate cells.

BACKGROUND & AIMS The mechanism by which hepatitis C virus induces liver fibrosis remains largely obscure. To characterize the profibrogenic potential of hepatitis C virus, we used the hepatitis C virus replicon cell line Huh-7 5-15, which stably expresses the nonstructural hepatitis C virus genes NS3 through NS5B, and hepatic stellate cells as fibrogenic effector cells. METHODS Rat and human hepatic stellate cells were incubated with conditioned media from replicon cells, and expression of fibrosis-related genes was quantified by using real-time polymerase chain reaction, protein, and functional assays. Transforming growth factor beta1 activity was determined by bioassay. RESULTS Hepatitis C virus replicon cells release factors that differentially modulate hepatic stellate cell expression of key genes involved in liver fibrosis in a clearly profibrogenic way, up-regulating procollagen alpha1(I) and procollagen alpha1(III) and down-regulating fibrolytic matrix metalloproteinases. Transforming growth factor beta1 expression and bioactivity were increased severalfold in hepatitis C virus-replicating vs mock-transfected hepatoma cells. However, transforming growth factor beta1 activity was responsible for only 50% of the profibrogenic activity. CONCLUSIONS Hepatitis C virus nonstructural genes induce an increased expression of transforming growth factor beta1 and other profibrogenic factors in infected hepatocytes. The direct induction of profibrogenic mediators by hepatitis C virus in infected hepatocytes explains the frequent observation of progressive liver fibrosis despite a low level of inflammation and suggests novel targets for antifibrotic therapies in chronic hepatitis C.
Climate change impacts on West Nile virus transmission in a global context

West Nile virus (WNV), the most widely distributed virus of the encephalitic flaviviruses, is a vector-borne pathogen of global importance. The transmission cycle exists in rural and urban areas where the virus infects birds, humans, horses and other mammals. Multiple factors impact the transmission and distribution of WNV, related to the dynamics and interactions between pathogen, vector, vertebrate hosts and environment. Hence, among other drivers, weather conditions have direct and indirect influences on vector competence (the ability to acquire, maintain and transmit the virus), on the vector population dynamic and on the virus replication rate within the mosquito, which are mostly weather dependent. The importance of climatic factors (temperature, precipitation, relative humidity and winds) as drivers in WNV epidemiology is increasing under conditions of climate change. Indeed, recent changes in climatic conditions, particularly increased ambient temperature and fluctuations in rainfall amounts, contributed to the maintenance (endemization process) of WNV in various locations in southern Europe, western Asia, the eastern Mediterranean, the Canadian Prairies, parts of the USA and Australia. As predictions show that the current trends are expected to continue, for better preparedness, any assessment of future transmission of WNV should take into consideration the impacts of climate change.