Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Social Adjustment and Curiosity of Fifth-Grade Children

Summary On the basis of Freud's characterization of curiosity as a social coping mechanism, it was hypothesized that children considered to be high in curiosity would likewise show higher levels of social adjustment and maturity than would low-curiosity children. Teachers and peers, using a prior developed definition of curiosity, identified 60 high- and 49 lowcuriosity boys and 50 high- and 41 low-curiosity girls attending the fifth grade in suburban Delaware schools. Eighteen measures of social adjustment, competence, and maturity were administered. The hypothesis was sustained with 15 of the measures significant at the . 05 level or better. The findings clearly indicated that the more favorable social characteristics were related to high curiosity. Whether this relationship is a causal one or whether both social adjustment and curiosity are due to other underlying factors remains to be seen.
PK-PD modelling of norfloxacin after oral administration in rabbits.

Norfloxacin posses a wide spectrum of activity, excellent tissue penetration and is rapidly bactericidal at low concentrations and hence an attempt was made to integrate reported pharmacodynamic data with pharmacokinetic data of norfloxacin after oral administration in rabbits to determine its effectiveness against common bacterial pathogens infecting rabbits. Pharmacokinetic data were obtained after a single per oral administration of norfloxacin @ 100mg per kg. Plasma drug concentrations were determined using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). From PK-PD integration, it is observed that norfloxacin is highly effective against gram negative infections caused by Pasteurella multocida (AUC/MIC and Cmax/MIC ratio of 133.5 and 111.5 respectively), its efficacy against Salmonella spp. , E. Coli, Shigella spp. and Haemophilus influenza is moderate. However, per-oral administration of norfloxacin is not suitable to contain tested gram positive bacterial pathogens infecting rabbits.
A Bayesian Hierarchical Model for Classification with Selection of Functional Predictors

Summary In functional data classification, functional observations are often contaminated by various systematic effects, such as random batch effects caused by device artifacts, or fixed effects caused by sample‐related factors. These effects may lead to classification bias and thus should not be neglected. Another issue of concern is the selection of functions when predictors consist of multiple functions, some of which may be redundant. The above issues arise in a real data application where we use fluorescence spectroscopy to detect cervical precancer. In this article, we propose a Bayesian hierarchical model that takes into account random batch effects and selects effective functions among multiple functional predictors. Fixed effects or predictors in nonfunctional form are also included in the model. The dimension of the functional data is reduced through orthonormal basis expansion or functional principal components. For posterior sampling, we use a hybrid Metropolis–Hastings/Gibbs sampler, which suffers slow mixing. An evolutionary Monte Carlo algorithm is applied to improve the mixing. Simulation and real data application show that the proposed model provides accurate selection of functional predictors as well as good classification.
Proteinases in normal bovine milk and their action on caseins

Summary Native proteolytic enzymes in good quality normal bovine milk readily hydrolyscd the caseins during incubation or storage, producing the γ-caseins, proteosc-peptone components 5 (PP5) and 8-fast (PP8F) and a considerable number of other unidentified fragments, many of which were also subsequently found in the proteose-pcptone fraction. The rate of casein hydrolysis was greater in pasteurized than in raw milk, with β-casein being slightly more susceptible to attack than αs1-easein. Measurements of γ-cascin and proteose-peptone formation have been made and it was found that PP5 was an intermediate product that was subject to further proteolysis while PP8F was a stable end-product. With the exception of component 3 (PP3), virtually all constituents of the proteose-peptone fraction increased during storage and appeared to be products of the action of proteolytic enzymes. Further evidence was obtained from the effects of various inhibitors that the principal proteinase of normal milk is plasmin, but slight differences were apparent between the protein breakdown patterns induced by storage and by added plasmin, which was consistent with the presence of more than one proteinase. Incubations in the presence of soya bean trypsin inhibitor to prevent plasmin action clearly revealed that another enzyme(s) was also involved.
A Visualization of Internet AS Topology with Valley-free Rules

In this paper, we propose a new network drawing tool, which considers the direction of traffic on Autonomous System level (AS-level) networks. Almost all traditional network graph drawing tools consider only the connections between nodes and disregard the direction of traffic. Moreover, these tools tend to draw complicated pictures. The reasons for this are that AS-level network structures are very different to random graphs, and have a short diameter, effective connections, and several hubs. We also propose selection of information, and implement the spring algorithm to regulate the positions of nodes for better understanding and some ideas for AS-level network structures in graphic drawing tools. Information traffic is simulated in an AS-level network topology, with dynamic query scheduling to evaluate whether servers balance load well and are suitably located. Given the complexity of this topology, graphical drawing tools are necessary when depicting such networks. Our new network drawing tool draws simple pictures, and can not only express non-directed graphs, but also traffic with direction on AS-level networks, using valley-free rules proposed by Gao. These rules classify links into three policies which are expressed with different colors and shapes by our tool. Our tool clearly shows the differences between traffic routes with valley-free rules and shortest paths in non-directed graphs.
Mediation of adenylyl cyclase sensitization by PTX‐insensitive GαoA, Gαi1, Gαi2 or Gαi3

Chronic activation of mu‐opioid receptors, which couple to pertussis toxin‐sensitive Gαi/o proteins to inhibit adenylyl cyclase (AC), leads to a compensatory sensitization of AC. Pertussis toxin‐insensitive mutations of Gαi/o subtypes, in which the pertussis toxin‐sensitive cysteine is mutated to isoleucine (G), were used to determine whether each of the Gαi/o subtypes is able to mediate sensitization of AC. G, G, G or G were individually transiently transfected into C6 glioma cells stably expressing the mu‐opioid receptor, or transiently co‐expressed with the mu‐opioid receptor into human embryonic kidney (HEK)293T cells. Cells were treated with pertussis toxin to uncouple endogenous Gαi/o proteins, followed by acute or chronic treatment with the mu‐opioid agonist, [D‐Ala2,N‐Me‐Phe4,Gly5‐ol]enkephalin (DAMGO). Each Gαi/o subtype mediated acute DAMGO inhibition of AC and DAMGO‐induced sensitization of AC. The potency for DAMGO to stimulate sensitization was independent of the Gαi/o subtype, but the level of sensitization was increased in clones expressing higher levels of Gαi/o subunits. Sensitization of AC mediated by a component of fetal bovine serum, which was also dependent on the level of functional Gαi/o subunits in the cell, was observed. This serum‐mediated sensitization partially masked mu‐opioid‐mediated sensitization when expressed as percentage overshoot due to an apparent increase in AC activity.
Aspects of disturbed prosody in dysarthria

It is well known that disturbed prosody is a symptom which can be observed in all types of dysarthria. However, there is no standardized way of assessing disturbed prosody in dysarthria quantitatively. This makes it difficult or impossible to study the efficacy of treatment. In this study the following aspects of prosody were analysed in the spontaneous speech of 84 dysarthric patients and of 154 normal controls: length of tone units, fundamental frequency, and standard deviation of fundamental frequency. The results revealed significant differences between normal controls and dysarthric patients on the one hand, and between severely and mildly dysarthric patients on the other hand: severe dysarthrics have shorter tone units and higher mean fundamental frequencies than mild dysarthrics and normal controls. Patients with mild dysarthria have lower standard deviations of fundamental frequency than normal controls and severely disturbed patients, i.e. their speech is more ‘monotonous’. The variables analysed.
SLEEPNET: Automated Sleep Staging System via Deep Learning

Sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea, parasomnias, and hypersomnia, affect 50-70 million adults in the United States (Hillman et al., 2006). Overnight polysomnography (PSG), including brain monitoring using electroencephalography (EEG), is a central component of the diagnostic evaluation for sleep disorders. While PSG is conventionally performed by trained technologists, the recent rise of powerful neural network learning algorithms combined with large physiological datasets offers the possibility of automation, potentially making expert-level sleep analysis more widely available. We propose SLEEPNET (Sleep EEG neural network), a deployed annotation tool for sleep staging. SLEEPNET uses a deep recurrent neural network trained on the largest sleep physiology database assembled to date, consisting of PSGs from over 10,000 patients from the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Sleep Laboratory. SLEEPNET achieves human-level annotation performance on an independent test set of 1,000 EEGs, with an average accuracy of 85.76% and algorithm-expert inter-rater agreement (IRA) of kappa = 79.46%, comparable to expert-expert IRA.
Characterizing visual languages

A better understanding of the visual character of languages is important in developing one's ability to exploit the human visual system. The author briefly outlines Goodman's (1976) distinction between notational and analog languages, and describes its use in developing the notion of syntactic and semantic density as the defining characteristic of visual languages. Several languages are evaluated for their use of density. He concludes that practical languages are most visually effective when their layout is constrained by an important semantic domain. <<ETX>>
GenoShare: Supporting Privacy-Informed Decisions for Sharing Exact Genomic Data

The growing availability of genomic data is rev- olutionizing both genomic research and medical practice by enabling what is referred to as precision medicine. Yet, one major obstacle to the development of precision medicine to its full potential is the privacy concerns related to genomic- data sharing. Unfortunately, no solution that protects genomic privacy and, at the same time, preserves data utility has been developed so far. In this paper we introduce GENOSHARE, a comprehensive tool for systematically reasoninig about inference attacks on genomic data, and that enables privacy-aware sharing of such data, i.e., sharing that respects individuals’ privacy preferences. GENOSHARE considers the risk of disclosure of sensitive attributes via attacks based on genotype, membership, and kinship inference; by using novel genomic risk-oriented metrics, it raises an alarm when an individual’s privacy policy is at risk of being violated. GENOSHARE also protects individuals’ data from inferences that could be made from the denial of data requests by using avatar genomes, instead of the real genomes. We demonstrate that different inference attacks can benefit from each other and we show the effectiveness of GENOSHARE at detecting possible inferences related to genotypes on real data from the 1000 Genomes Project.
Nosological Reflections

Since the establishment of the symptoms-based categories in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), Third Edition, sociologists have raised concerns about the DSM’s failure to appreciate social, contextual factors when defining mental disorders. The author describes recent developments in psychiatric nosology—the DSM-5 revision process and the emergence of the Research Domain Criteria (RDoC)—and then considers their implications for decontextualization. Drawing on in-depth interviews with psychiatrists involved in the DSM-5 controversy and a content analysis of key documents, the author first recounts the ambitious DSM-5 revisions, illuminating the DSM-5 Task Force’s embrace of dimensionalization as a solution to the problem of validity and the ultimate rejection of this “paradigm shift” by psychiatrists. The Task Force’s failures prompted the National Institute of Mental Health to promote RDoC as an alternative nosological framework that eschews DSM categories altogether. Next, the author explores the ramifications of these events for decontextualization, which neither DSM-5 nor RDoC explicitly addresses, demonstrating how RDoC is poised to escalate decontextualization through its brain-centric conceptualization of mental disorders. To counteract these developments, sociologists should continue to promote ways of defining mental distress that underscore its social embeddedness.
Central influences on spinal afferent conduction.

IT HAS BEEN SHOWN that in mammals the small efferent gamma fibers of the ventral root are capable of influencing the activity of muscle spindle More recently, Granit and Kaada (8) demonstrated that the efferent gamma system is tonically activated from central regions and that stimulation of various central nervous structures influences the afferent discharge from the muscle spindles. These results indicate the existence of descending nervous pathways, the specific task of which is to regulate and modify the character and intensity of afferent messages. The question arose as to whether such sensory regulating pathways are unique for muscle spindle afferents or whether they are more widespread and common in the nervous system. As far as the gamma system is concerned, it is the initiation of afferent impulses from the highly specialized end-organ itself that is regulated. It seemed reasonable to assume, however, that not only the initiation but also the synaptic transmission of afferent messages in the central nervous system might be under the influence of specific regulating mechanisms. This possibility has earlier been suggested (5, 9, 18, 27), but the problem undoubtedly deserves further experimental study. it i The present experiments were undertaken in order s feasible to influence a conducted afferent volley to in determine whether the spinal cord by repetitive stimulation of various structures in the brain. This, indeed, proved to be possible. Furthermore, the results indicate that spinal afferent pathways can be tonically influenced from higher levels of the nervous system. METHODS Animal preparation. Twenty-five cats were used and most of them were curarized and maintained with artificial respiration. Operative work was performed under ether. The spinal cord was exposed from sacrum to the middle of the thoracic region. The dorsal and ventral roots, Ls-Sl, were cut and the central stump of the right dorsal root Lr was routinely dissected free for stimulation. In the middle thoracic region, a few roots were cut to enable slight rotation of the cord and make the ventral columns accessible to the recording electrode. Before discontinuing the ether anesthesia, necessary craniotomies were performed and all exposure margins were infiltrated with procaine. During the experiment
The politics of facts: local environmental conflicts and expertise

The relationship between expertise and politics has traditionally been described in terms of science speaking truth to power. Science strengthens governmental effectiveness and depersonalises power, linking legitimacy to the credibility of observation. The environment is a case in point: what we know about it is largely associated with science. Today, however, expertise is both increasingly sought and thrown onto the terrain of conflict. The politicisation of expertise breaks with the alleged alternative between democratic and technocratic policymaking. The concept of expertise and its politicisation in the context of contentious politics is elaborated. Three case studies show that expertise affects the discursive opportunity structure of controversies, that the ‘politics of facts’ intermingles in subtle ways with the politics of interests and values, and that there is no linear sequence between politicisation and depoliticisation.
Cultural Antecedents of Behavioural Differences Between American and Egyptian Managers

Numerous researchers have studied behavioural characteristics typically common to American managers. However, few studies have considered how cultural differences impact behavioural management practice in developing Middle‐Eastern countries. This study reports the results of a top executive survey comparing and contrasting American and Egyptian management styles, providing strong support for the argument that management behaviour is deeply embedded in culture. Results also suggest that management behaviours seen positively in one culture are not always viewed as such in another.
PLGA micro and nanoparticles in delivery of peptides and proteins; problems and approaches

Abstract During the last decades, many of the poorly controlled diseases were treated using newly developed peptide and proteins. Although the majority of such therapeutic moieties have undesirable pharmacokinetic properties and there is still need for administration in relatively short intervals, new formulation strategies allow us to select appropriate carriers in the development of these compounds. Polyesters such as polylactide-co-glycolide were used to stabilize and control the release rate of peptide and proteins. Besides many appropriate characteristics, these polymers, however, have some limitations and drawbacks which limit their extensive use in formulation. In this review, the factors affecting the loading, release behavior, particle size distribution and burst effect were evaluated and appropriate suggestions to optimize the formulation with these polymers were proposed.
Cannabinergic Pain Medicine: A Concise Clinical Primer and Survey of Randomized-controlled Trial Results

Objectives:This article attempts to cover pragmatic clinical considerations involved in the use of cannabinergic medicines in pain practice, including geographical and historical considerations, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, adverse effects, drug interactions, indications, and contraindications. Topics include molecular considerations such as the 10-fold greater abundance of cannabinoid type 1 receptors compared to µ-opioid receptors in the central nervous system and anatomic distributions of cannabinoid receptors in pain circuits. Methods:The article uses a narrative review methodology drawing from authoritative textbooks and journals of cannabinoid medicine, Food and Drug Administration-approved cannabinoid drug labels, and current and historical pain medicine literature to address core clinical considerations. To survey the current evidence base for pain management with cannabinergic medicines, a targeted PubMed search was performed to survey the percentage of positive and negative published randomized-controlled trial (RCT) results with this class of pain medicines, using appropriate search limit parameters and the keyword search string “cannabinoid OR cannabis-based AND pain. ” Results:Of the 56 hits generated, 38 published RCTs met the survey criteria. Of these, 71% (27) concluded that cannabinoids had empirically demonstrable and statistically significant pain-relieving effects, whereas 29% (11) did not. Discussion:Cannabis and other cannabinergic medicines’ efficacies for relieving pain have been studied in RCTs, most of which have demonstrated a beneficial effect for this indication, although most trials are short-term. Adverse effects are generally nonserious and well tolerated. Incorporating cannabinergic medicine topics into pain medicine education seems warranted and continuing clinical research and empiric treatment trials are appropriate.
Spontaneous Reactivation in Chronic Hepatitis B: Patterns and Natural History

We identified spontaneous reactivation of hepatitis B virus (HBV) retrospectively by utilizing serum alanine aminotransferase and HBV DNA in 19 men (79% homosexual), with an estimated annual incidence of 7.3%. In 11 patients, spontaneous reactivation occurred as a single episode and in eight patients, reactivation was recurrent, with two to five episodes each. The mean serum alanine aminotransferase level was elevated over 10-fold at the peak of reactivation. Serum anti-HBc IgM was detected during 73% of the reactivation episodes. Actuarial analysis revealed that reactivation was long lasting with 45% and nearly 20% of episodes continued after 6 and 24 months, respectively. The course of 24 chronic HBV carriers with a negative serum HBV DNA test and normal alanine aminotransferase levels at initial appearance was unremarkable. We could not identify clinical features predictive of reactivation or its resolution. Severe reactivation hepatitis occurred in three patients (10%), with two deaths (6%). None of the patients lost HBsAg. Spontaneous reactivation in chronic hepatitis B can appear variably, persist long term, recur, and be fatal. Therefore, accurate classification of chronic HBV infection requires prolonged observation, and spontaneous reactivation should be considered a variable in therapeutic trials for chronic hepatitis B.
Design of low-complexity linear dispersion codes

We consider the design of space-time codes that offer low decoding complexity. It is well known that for codes based on orthogonal designs, maximum-likelihood (ML) decoding reduces to symbol-by-symbol decoding. However, this simplicity of decoding is achieved at the expense of symbol rate. It is natural to ask if the symbol rate can be increased if the code construction allows ML decoding to reduce to pairwise decoding of symbols. Our work attempts to answer this question by describing a method of designing pairwise decodable codes for any number of transmit antennas based on the linear dispersion (LD) code framework. We then show that for codes designed using this method, ML decoding can be reduced to pairwise decoding of symbols. For the case of M=3 and M=4 transmit antennas, we provide error-performance simulation results for these codes.
Effectiveness of an unmodified personal digital assistant as a compensatory strategy for prospective memory failures in adults with an ABI

Prospective memory (PM), persisting and disabling problem following acquired brain injury (ABI). It is widely accepted that compensatory strategies are the treatment of choice in the rehabilitation of PM deficits. The advent of new technologies has broadened the array of external memory aids to include potentially useful personal digital assistants (PDAs) in alleviating PM deficits. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of an unmodified off-the-shelf PDA (Palm IIIe®) in compensating for everyday PM problems. Five participants with ABI were trained to programme the PDA to prompt them with an audible cue and on-screen message at appropriate times. Seven personally relevant PM tasks were set up weekly to measure the usefulness of the PDA as compared to relying on memory alone. An A-B quasi-experimental design was employed which consisted of two phases: the A (memory only) baseline phase and the B (PDA strategy) intervention phase. Task performance was compared between phases A and B. All particip.