Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
‘Are you allowed to say that?’ using video materials to provide accessible information about psychology services

Summary The White Paper ‘Valuing People’ [Department of Health (DoH) (2001)Valuing people: a new strategy for learning disability for the 21st century, London, HMSO] indicates that people with a learning disability need to become more actively involved in the decisions that affect their lives. This includes being offered active choices in access to health services. Psychologists, therefore, need to think about how to give people with learning disabilities enough relevant information in an accessible way to promote informed consent to treatment. This study investigates how much information adults with mild and moderate learning disabilities understand about psychology services, before and after watching a video designed to explain what seeing a psychologist entails. The video was shown to 19 participants at a local Social Education Centre. Participants’ knowledge increased significantly after watching the video. They were able to answer questions about its content better when asked after short sections of the video when presented, rather than after an uninterrupted presentation.
Changes in children's social skills performance as a function of preassessment experiences

The present investigation examined the extent to which the assessment of children's social skills could be influenced by a positive affect induction experience. Thirty‐two psychiatric inpatient children, ages 6 to 12, completed behavioral and self‐report measures of social skills on two separate occasions. Prior to the second assessment, half of the children engaged in a laboratory task, unrelated to social skills, that provided a success experience designed to induce positive affect. The other half of the children were tested under standard assessment conditions without the positive‐induction experience. Children who received the positive‐induction experience showed significantly higher levels of social skills, as reflected in concrete responses (e.g., number of words spoken, motor movements) and molar behaviors (e.g., making requests, responding to provocation) and self‐reported confidence in their social behavior. The results suggest that social skills performance can be readily altered as a function o.
EXPERIMENTAL INQUIRY OF PAIRED ANNOTATION AND ONE STAY TWO STRAY IN READING COMPREHENSION OF NARRATIVE TEXT AT GRADE X SMAN 1 KAMPAR

Penelitian ini menjelaskan dan menyimpulkan bahwa eksistensi pengajaran membaca teks naratif bagi siswa SMA dengan menggunakan strategi yang bervariasi telah menyentuh area substantif. Paired Annotation dan One Tray Two Stray, dua strategi pembelajaraan kooperatif telah merekonstruksi pengajaran individual yang selama ini diaplikasikan di sekolah-sekolah. Menurut beberapa ahli, belajar secara berpasangan (Paired Annotation) dan berkelompok (One Stay Two Stray) juga menawarkan outcome yang berbeda ditilik dari kemampuan awal yang dimiliki siswa.
Tuberous sclerosis complex and astrocytoma. Report of a case with successful removal of the neoplasm.

THE DEVELOPMENT of malignant gliomata in patients with tuberous sclerosis is an occasional feature of this hereditary disease. 1 Recently 2 patients in the same family who had tuberous sclerosis and intraventricular astrocytomas were reported. 2 Ependymoma 3 and spongioneuroblastomas 4 also have been found in patients with this disease. However, those patients with tuberous sclerosis who have symptoms of intracranial neoplasm usually develop these symptoms because of critically situated cortical and subependymal nodules characteristic of this disorder. 5 Pulmonary, 6 renal, 7 and osseous manifestations 8,9 of tuberous sclerosis have been described in addition to the classical triad of epilepsy, mental retardation, and adenoma sebaceum. Knowledge of the wide-spread involvement and of the various clinical syndromes due to tuberous sclerosis has made it possible to diagnose this disease correctly and more frequently. Blindness secondary to retinal gliomatous tumors known as phacomas has been observed. 10 Also blindness might be
Building the Capacity for School Improvement

Effective school improvement involves building the capacity for change and development. This necessitates pressure and support from both external and internal sources. The need for 'change agentry' is well established in the literature however relatively little has been written about the role of the LEA as an external agent of change. This paper focuses upon the role of the LEA in building capacity for school improvement. It focuses upon a highly successful school improvement project and draws upon related empirical evidence to explore the LEA's role as an agent of change. The article concludes by suggesting that the current responsibilities placed upon the LEA are not conducive to ways of working with schools that will build the capacity for improvement.
Social Relationships of Students with Exceptionalities in Mainstream Classrooms: Social Networks and Homophily

This study explored the social affiliations of students in three mainstream classrooms containing students receiving general education services, students characterized as academically gifted, students with learning disabilities, and students with emotional and behavioral disorders. The study provided an in-depth description of the classrooms' social networks, focusing on the social and demographic characteristics that distinguished clusters of students. Findings showed that students formed distinct peer clusters around shared characteristics; particular social characteristics were associated with a student's level of centrality in the classroom; and students with exceptionalities were well integrated into the classroom's social structure. Affiliations of students with exceptionalities suggest topics for future research.
The Fragmented Welfare State: Explaining Local Variations in Services for Older People

Abstract Much research focusing on the welfare state is based on the assumption that welfare regimes are homogenous entities. This idea is supported by studies analysing cash benefits. In the area of welfare services, however, local governments in most countries have some autonomy regarding policy formation as well as the design and implementation of policies. In practice, substantial local differences exist with regard to the provision of welfare services, which in turn challenge our conception of nation-wide homogenous welfare state regimes. This paper examines the factors causing marked differences in local government spending in the provision of care for older people in Denmark. The conclusion is that the wealth of the municipality, local demographics and privatisation can explain about 48 per cent of the differences in local government spending. Political factors such as the ‘colour’ of local government have no explanatory power, while a high percentage of women in municipal councils appears to have a slightly negative effect on spending.
Let’s Dance the “Robot Hokey-Pokey!”

Abstract Young learners today generate, express, and interact with sophisticated ideas using a range of digital tools to explore interactive stories, animations, computer games, and robotics. In recent years, new developmentally appropriate robotics kits have been entering early childhood classrooms. This paper presents a retrospective analysis of one study within a design-based robotics research program. We examine how patterns of cognition throughout early childhood relate to programming approaches and achievement in a robotics context. The findings lay a foundation for applying cognitive developmental theory to early technology education and inform the evaluation of the study’s programming and robotics technologies and curriculum.
Determination of bone volume by osteocyte population

During development and growth, biological tissues and organisms can control their size and mass by regulating cell number (Raff, 1992 ; Conlon and Raff, 1999 ). Later in life both cell number and organ mass decrease (Buetow, 1985 ). We demonstrate that the number density of bone cells buried in the calcified matrix (osteocyte lacunar density) predicts extracellular matrix volume for both cancellous and cortical bone in a broad cross‐section of the population (males and females, age range 23–91 years, r2 = 0.98). Our hypothesis is that bone mass is determined by the control of osteocyte number, and that this is a particular instance of the control of organ size through the social controls on cell survival and death (Raff, 1992 ; Conlon and Raff, 1999 ). Anat Rec 267:292–295, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Does Trustworthy Social Networking Sites Draw User's Persistency Behaviors? Examining Role of Trust in Social Networking Sites Continuance Usage

While many researchers pointed out the importance of trust on Information Systems (IS) usage, this study explored the role of trust on usage of CMC media in the context of social networking sites (SNS). Social exchange theory (SET) and the expectation confirmation model of IS continuance (ECM-IS) were employed in the research model. The research model investigated SNS users’ continuous usage behaviors under antecedents from supporting theories and the impact of trust on all those antecedents simultaneously. The empirical research findings, using a Web survey in the context of Facebook, which is the most popular SNS, revealed that users trust in SNS impacts on overall perceptions of SNS and their usage. Discussions and limitation of research is addressed.
Management of Primary Knee Osteoarthritis and Indications for Total Knee Arthroplasty for General Practitioners

Abstract Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee, one of the most common causes of disability, continues to increase in prevalence as the older adult and obese populations grow. Often, the general practitioner is the first to evaluate a patient with a painful knee that has arthritis. Evidence-based evaluation and treatment guidelines recommend the use of nonoperative treatments before surgical treatment options such as total knee arthroplasty (TKA) are considered. Understanding available nonoperative treatment options is critical for physicians who first encounter patients with OA of the knee. The authors provide an overview of nonoperative treatment options for patients with OA, including weight loss, aerobic exercise, osteopathic manipulative treatment, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and corticosteroid injections. The authors also discuss operative treatment options to be considered before TKA and review indications for TKA when other treatment options have been exhausted.
[Clinical features of vitreous hemorrhage after photodynamic therapy for age-related macular degeneration].

PURPOSE To study the clinical features of vitreous hemorrhage (VH) after photodynamic therapy (PDT) for age-related macular degeneration(AMD). MATERIALS AND METHODS Twelve patients (12 eyes: 1.7% of the 718 eyes on which PDT was performed) who had vitrectomy due to massive VH after PDT for AMD were studied. Their medical records were reviewed and courses and characteristics were studied. RESULTS Eight eyes (67%) were diagnosed as polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy and 7 eyes showed multiple clusters of grape-like lesions. Average greatest linear dimension (GLD) was 4533 microm, larger than common AMD. After vitrectomy, some cases retained choroidal neovascularization. Five eyes had another PDT and 3 eyes had a second vitrectomy due to recurrent vitreous hemorrhage. CONCLUSIONS Both PCV and a large GLD are risk factors for a massive vitreous hemorrhage after PDT therapy for AMD. As many cases retain choroidal neovascularization many patients require additional treatment. Continued observation after vitrectomy is essential.
A better estimate of the internal consistency reliability of frontal EEG asymmetry scores.

Frontal alpha asymmetry is typically computed using alpha power averaged across many overlapping epochs. Previous reports have estimated the internal consistency reliability of asymmetry by dividing resting EEG sessions into segments of equal duration (e.g., 1 min) and treating asymmetry scores for each segment as "items" to estimate internal consistency reliability using Cronbach's alpha. Cronbach's alpha partly depends on the number of items, such that this approach may underestimate reliability by using less than the number of distinct items available. Reliability estimates for resting EEG data in the present study (204 subjects, 8 sessions) were obtained using mean split-half correlations with epoch alpha power as treated as separate items. Estimates at all scalp sites and reference schemes approached . 90 with as few as 100 epochs, suggesting the internal consistency of frontal asymmetry is greater than that previously reported.
Minority Stress, Depression and HIV-Progression Biomarkers: An Exploratory Study on a Sample of Italian HIV-Positive Gay and Bisexual Men

Gay and bisexual men may experience stress due to their social minority status, which is caused by the manifestations of sexual stigma. Stress, in turn, promotes depression and physical health impairments, two major issues in the context of HIV infection. Thus, the relationships between the manifestations of sexual orientation stigma (enacted sexual stigma, the expectations of discrimination from one's family, and internalized homophobia) with depression and HIV-progression biomarkers (CD4+ cell counts and viral load) have been tested. The participants (N = 120) were gay and bisexual HIV-positive Italian men recruited via the Internet. The results of our analyses confirmed that enacted sexual stigma (e.g., homophobic physical aggression) correlated with depression and viral load. Internalized homophobia was associated with a greater level of depression and lower CD4+ cell counts, whereas the expectations of discrimination indirectly corresponded to lower CD4+ cell counts through internalized homophobia. In conclusion, the manifestations of sexual stigma are linked to poorer mental and physical health in HIV-positive gay and bisexual men. Minority stress, then, is an important concept that needs to be further addressed in the contexts of HIV care.
Regulation of TMEM16A Chloride Channel Properties by Alternative Splicing*

Expression of TMEM16A protein is associated with the activity of Ca2+-activated Cl− channels. TMEM16A primary transcript undergoes alternative splicing. thus resulting in the generation of multiple isoforms. We have determined the pattern of splicing and assessed the functional properties of the corresponding TMEM16A variants. We found three alternative exons, 6b, 13, and 15, coding for segments of 22, 4, and 26 amino acids, respectively, which are differently spliced in human organs. By patch clamp experiments on transfected cells, we found that skipping of exon 6b changes the Ca2+ sensitivity by nearly 4-fold, resulting in Cl− currents requiring lower Ca2+ concentrations to be activated. At the membrane potential of 80 mV, the apparent half-effective concentration decreases from 350 to 90 nm when the segment corresponding to exon 6b is excluded. Skipping of exon 13 instead strongly reduces the characteristic time-dependent activation observed for Ca2+-activated Cl− channels at positive membrane potentials. This effect was also obtained by deleting only the second pair of amino acids corresponding to exon 13. Alternative splicing appears as an important mechanism to regulate the voltage and Ca2+ dependence of the TMEM16A-dependent Cl− channels in a tissue-specific manner.
Present Migration Tendencies and Their Impacts in Madagascar's Spiny Forest Ecoregion

Resume Tendances actuelles de la migration et ses impacts clans la region ecologique des forets epineuses Cette recherche porte sur la meilleure connaissance des interrelations entre les migrants Tandroy/Mahafaly et les autochtones, systeme de production et systeme ecologique, afin d'ameliorer la comprehension de la dynamique, et des tendances recentes, dans les pratiques migratoires dans l'ecoregion des forets d'epineux. Cette comprehension et analyse s'averent tres necessaires pour le developpement des strategies a long terme pour des programmes de conservation a l'echelle regionale. La recherche repose sur une forte complementarite entre l'approche socio-anthropologique centree sur la migration, les problemes fonciers, l'analyse des pratiques paysannes et des systemes de production et l'Stude de la dynamique des systemes ecologiques soumis aux actions de l'homme. La recherche a pris en compte par ailleurs les echelles des espaces d'activites ou s'expriment les modes a consequently, their destruction may get worse from year to year. Many factors have been implicated in this deforestation. However, demographic growth is one of the most important, especially in developing countries. In Madagascar, in addition to the harvesting of various non-wood products (which has been going on for generations), hunting and gathering, the forest has become a popular area for not only pasturing cattle, but also slash and burn agriculture (both subsistence and commercial). The practice of slash and burn agriculture, known locally as hatsaky, results in the progressive destruction of the forest. This is very noticeable in the spiny forest ecoregion which since precolonial times has been divided into three sub-regions: the southern part, land of the Tandroy or Androy (between the western face of the Anosyennes Mountain chain to the east and the Menarandra river to the north); the central part inhabited by the Mahafaly (between the Menarandra and Onilahy rivers); and the northern or Masikoro area (between the Onilahy and Mangoky rivers). The northern part of the spiny forest ecoregion has a distinct character, at least where agriculture is concerned, because of the development of deforestation. …
Diversity of the Parachlamydiae in the Environment

Chlamydiae are obligate intracellular bacteria, parasites of a variety of eukaryotes ranging from amoebae to humans. Among them, the family Parachlamydiaceae comprises endosymbionts of amoebae, mainly Acanthamoeba, currently investigated as emerging pathogens of humans and other vertebrates. 16S rDNA-based PCR culture-independent studies in environmental samples have demonstrated the presence of Chlamydiales in various types of nonmedical habitats. Here we reviewed the biology of the Parachlamydiaceae, and more particularly those studies reporting molecular evidences for their presence in the environment, with a re-analysis of the 16S rDNA phylotypes.
Prolonged glucocorticoid exposure reduces hippocampal neuron number: implications for aging

The hippocampus of the rat loses neurons with age, a loss which may eventuate in some of the functional impairments typical of senescence. Cumulative exposure to corticosterone (CORT) over the lifespan may be a cause of this neuronal loss, as it is prevented by adrenalectomy at mid- age. In this study, we demonstrate that prolonged exposure to CORT accelerates the process of cell loss. Rats were injected daily with sufficient CORT to produce prolonged elevations of circulating titers within the high physiological range. Animals treated for 3 months (chronic subjects) resembled aged rats in a number of ways. First, both groups had extensive and persistent depletions of CORT receptors in the hippocampus; in the case of chronic rats, no recovery of receptor concentrations occurred 4 months after the end of steroid treatment. Second, autoradiographic analysis revealed that the receptor depletion was due, in part, to a loss of CORT-concentrating cells, especially in the CA3 cell field. Remaining cells bound significantly less [3H]corticosterone than did those of control rats. Finally, analysis of size distributions of hippocampal cell bodies indicated that chronic subjects lost neurons of the same size as those lost in the aged hippocampus. Furthermore, chronic subjects also had increased numbers of small, darkly staining cells of CA3; these corresponded in size to the dark glia whose numbers increase in the aged hippocampus, and which are thought to infiltrate in response to neuronal damage or destruction. Thus, this study supports the hypothesis that cumulative exposure to CORT over the lifespan may contribute to age-related loss of neurons in the hippocampus, and that prolonged stress or exposure to CORT accelerates this process.
Generation of glucagon‐like peptide‐2‐expressing Saccharomyces cerevisiae and its improvement of the intestinal health of weaned rats

We aimed to assess the feasibility of enhancing the intestinal development of weaned rats using glucagon‐like peptide‐2 (GLP‐2)‐expressing Saccharomyces cerevisiae (S. cerevisiae). GLP‐2‐expressing S. cerevisiae (GLP2‐SC) was generated using a recombinant approach. The diet of weaned rats was supplemented with the GLP2‐SC strain. The average daily gain (ADG), the intestinal morphology and the activities of the digestive enzymes in the jejunum were tested to assess the influence of the GLP2‐SC strain on intestinal development. The proliferation of rat enterocytes was also assessed in vitro. The study revealed that the ADG of the weaned rats that received GLP2‐SC was significantly greater than that of the controls fed a basal diet (Control) and S. cerevisiae harbouring an empty vector (EV‐SC) (P < 0.05) but was equivalent to that of positive control rats fed recombinant human GLP‐2 (rh‐GLP2) (P > 0.05). Furthermore, GLP2‐SC significantly increased villous height (P < 0.01) and digestive enzyme activity (P < 0.05) in the jejunum. Immunohistochemistry analysis further affirmed that enterocyte proliferation was stimulated in rats fed the GLP2‐SC strain, as indicated by the greater number of enterocytes stained with proliferative cell nuclear antigen (P < 0.05). In vitro, the proliferation of rat enterocytes was also stimulated by GLP‐2 expressed by the GLP2‐SC strain (P < 0.01). Herein, the combination of the GLP‐2 approach and probiotic delivery constitute a possible dietary supplement for animals after weaning.
A Multiatlas Segmentation Using Graph Cuts with Applications to Liver Segmentation in CT Scans

An atlas-based segmentation approach is presented that combines low-level operations, an affine probabilistic atlas, and a multiatlas-based segmentation. The proposed combination provides highly accurate segmentation due to registrations and atlas selections based on the regions of interest (ROIs) and coarse segmentations. Our approach shares the following common elements between the probabilistic atlas and multiatlas segmentation: (a) the spatial normalisation and (b) the segmentation method, which is based on minimising a discrete energy function using graph cuts. The method is evaluated for the segmentation of the liver in computed tomography (CT) images. Low-level operations define a ROI around the liver from an abdominal CT. We generate a probabilistic atlas using an affine registration based on geometry moments from manually labelled data. Next, a coarse segmentation of the liver is obtained from the probabilistic atlas with low computational effort. Then, a multiatlas segmentation approach improves the accuracy of the segmentation. Both the atlas selections and the nonrigid registrations of the multiatlas approach use a binary mask defined by coarse segmentation. We experimentally demonstrate that this approach performs better than atlas selections and nonrigid registrations in the entire ROI. The segmentation results are comparable to those obtained by human experts and to other recently published results.