Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Extrapolating Psychological Insights from Facebook Profiles: A Study of Religion and Relationship Status

Online social network users may leave creative, subtle cues on their public profiles to communicate their motivations and interests to other network participants. This paper explores whether psychological predictions can be made about the motivations of social network users by identifying and analyzing these cues. Focusing on the domain of relationship seeking, we predicted that people using social networks for dating would reveal that they have a single relationship status as a method of eliciting contact from potential romantic others. Based on results from a pilot study (n = 20) supporting this hypothesis, we predicted that people attempting to attract users of the same religious background would report a religious affiliation along with a single relationship status. Using observational data from 150 Facebook profiles, results from a multivariate logistic regression suggest that people providing a religious affiliation were more likely to list themselves as single (a proxy for their interest in using the network to find romantic partners) than people who do not provide religious information. We discuss the implications for extracting psychological information from Facebook profiles. To our knowledge, this is the first study to suggest that information from publicly available online social networking profiles can be used to predict people's motivations for using social networks.
Systemic inflammation and alterations to cerebral blood flow in obstructive sleep apnea

Systemic inflammation and alterations to regional cerebral blood flow (CBF) have been reported previously in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This study utilized arterial spin labelling (ASL) perfusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to evaluate CBF in OSA patients and determine its relationship with systemic inflammation. Twenty male patients with moderate and severe OSA [apnea–hypopnea index (AHI) >15] and 16 healthy male volunteers (AHI <5) were recruited. Early‐ or late‐phase changes in leucocyte apoptosis and its subsets were determined by flow cytometry. Perfusion MRI data were acquired with a pulsed continuous ASL technique. The CBF maps were compared using voxel‐based statistics to determine differences between the OSA and control groups. The differences in CBF, clinical severity and leucocyte apoptosis were correlated. Exploratory groupwise comparison between the two groups revealed that the OSA patients exhibited low CBF values in the vulnerable regions. The lower regional CBF values were correlated with higher clinical disease severity and leucocyte apoptosis. OSA impairs cerebral perfusion in vulnerable regions, and this deficit is associated with increased disease severity. The apparent correlation between systemic inflammation and cerebral perfusion may be indicative of haemodynamic alterations and their consequences in OSA.
Convergent Validity and Sex Differences in Healthy Elderly Adults for Performance on 3D Virtual Reality Navigation Learning and 2D Hidden Maze Tasks

This study assessed the convergent validity of a virtual environment (VE) navigation learning task, the Groton Maze Learning Test (GMLT), and selected traditional neuropsychological tests performed in a group of healthy elderly adults (n = 24). The cohort was divided equally between males and females to explore performance variability due to sex differences, which were subsequently characterized and reported as part of the analysis. To facilitate performance comparisons, specific "efficiency" scores were created for both the VE navigation task and the GMLT. Men reached peak performance more rapidly than women during VE navigation and on the GMLT and significantly outperformed women on the first learning trial in the VE. Results suggest reasonable convergent validity across the VE task, GMLT, and selected neuropsychological tests for assessment of spatial memory.
Brain Training for Silver Gamers: Effects of Age and Game Form on Effectiveness, Efficiency, Self-Assessment, and Gameplay Experience

In recent years, an aging demographic majority in the Western world has come to the attention of the game industry. The recently released "brain-training" games target this population, and research investigating gameplay experience of the elderly using this game form is lacking. This study employs a 2 x 2 mixed factorial design (age group: young and old x game form: paper and Nintendo DS) to investigate effects of age and game form on usability, self-assessment, and gameplay experience in a supervised field study. Effectiveness was evaluated in task completion time, efficiency as error rate, together with self-assessment measures (arousal, pleasure, dominance) and game experience (challenge, flow, competence, tension, positive and negative affect). Results indicate players, regardless of age, are more effective and efficient using pen-and-paper than using a Nintendo DS console. However, the game is more arousing and induces a heightened sense of flow in digital form for gamers of all ages. Logic problem-solving challenges within digital games may be associated with positive feelings for the elderly but with negative feelings for the young. Thus, digital logic-training games may provide positive gameplay experience for an aging Western civilization.
Retention and transmission of active transcription memory from progenitor to progeny cells via ligand‐modulated transcription factors: elucidation of a concept by BIOPIT model

Observations made in live cells have clearly demonstrated that agonist‐activated steroid/nuclear receptors reorganize in the nucleoplasm into hundreds of discrete speckled structures commonly referred to as nuclear foci. Subsequent studies have shown that nuclear foci are formed only with agonist‐ and not with pure antagonist‐bound receptors. Also, the other accessory components of transcriptional machinery co‐localize in nuclear foci with the activated receptors, suggesting these to be active gene transcription sites. Recently, it has been observed that during mitosis nuclear foci present in interphase of progenitor cells co‐migrate with condensing chromatin and are inherited into the progeny cells. Ensuing events imply that as memory, the cells inherit only a biomolecular blueprint of transcription status over to next generations to express and sustain their characteristic proteome. Thus, cells achieve self‐renewal via mitosis but not without ensuring that the characteristic proteome and traits are distinctively preserved during this transcription phase. This mechanism, although somewhat analogous to epigenetic marking, differs in Nature since transcription factors themselves execute this transmission. To uphold the mechanistic distinctions the phenomenon has been termed BIOPIT (biomolecular imprints offered to progeny for inheritance of traits). The BIOPIT model proposed herein attempts to explain how the disruption of BIOPIT markings by therapeutic anti‐hormones or endocrine disruptors over prolonged periods may lead to eradication of cellular transcription memory with deleterious cellular consequences. It is anticipated that our model has the potential to explain the concerted actions and consequences of ligand—receptor interactions with the chromatin in the perspective of normal and aberrant physiological situations.
HERNIA OF THE STOMACH THROUGH THE ESOPHAGEAL ORIFICE OF THE DIAPHRAGM

An "esophageal orifice hernia," as the term is used throughout this article, is a protrusion of a portion of the fundus of the stomach through the esophageal opening of the diaphragm into the thorax. This condition was formerly considered very rare and of but slight clinical significance. Thus, in 1911, Eppinger1summarized the literature on diaphragmatic hernia and reported that of 635 cases of herniation through various portions of the diaphragm, only eleven involved the esophageal hiatus. Quenu in 19202found only one esophageal orifice hernia in a series of 116 cases which had come to operation. Breitner3stated that, of the large number of diaphragmatic hernias reported up to 1921, only forty-four had been diagnosed during the life of the patient, and in only six of these was the diagnosis made without the aid of the x-rays. These studies were carried out before the roentgen examination
Interchromatin granule clusters of the scorpionfly oocytes contain poly(A)+ RNA, heterogeneous ribonucleoproteins A/B and mRNA export factor NXF1

IGCs (interchromatin granule clusters), or nuclear speckles, are one of the most universal subnuclear organelles of eukaryotic cells. We have used insect oocytes to study the possible association of poly(A)+ RNA and some factors involved in mRNA export with IGCs. Oogenesis of the mecopteran, Panorpa communis, used as a model object, is characterized by a strict cessation of oocyte genome transcription activity towards the end of oocyte growth. Our previous studies on P. communis oocyte nuclei have shown that oocyte IGC counterparts in this species are very unusual, both in morphology and molecular composition, compared with the typical IGCs of mammalian somatic cells traditionally used as a model system. We have now used microinjections of 2′‐O‐Me(U)22 probes conjugated with the fluorochrome TAMRA to localize poly(A)+ RNA in IGCs. RNA export proteins were also detected by immunofluorescent/confocal and immunogold labelling electron microscopy. We found that poly(A)+ RNA, hnRNPs A/B and NXF1 mRNA export factors are located in IGCs regardless of the transcriptional status of the nucleus. Our data support the idea of IGCs as universal and conserved nuclear domains that serve not only as splicing factor reservoirs, but also take part in mRNA retention and export.
Risk of venous thrombosis in patients with major illnesses: results from the MEGA study

Summary. Background: The risk of venous thrombosis associated with major illnesses is not well known, and neither is the risk associated with the combined effect of immobilization and thrombophilia. The aim of this study was to assess the effect on the development of venous thrombosis of several major illnesses in combination with immobilization, body mass index, and thrombophilia, to identify high‐risk groups that may provide a basis for personalized prevention.Methods: This study included 4311 consecutive patients with a first episode of venous thrombosis, and 5768 controls from a case–control study (MEGA study). We calculated odds ratios (ORs) for venous thrombosis for patients with a self‐reported history of major illnesses.Results: Venous thrombosis risk was increased for all investigated major illnesses: liver disease, OR 1.7 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.0–2.9); kidney disease, OR 3.7 (95% CI 2.3–5.9); rheumatoid arthritis, OR 1.5 (95% CI 1.2–1.9); multiple sclerosis, OR 2.4 (95% CI 1.3–4.3); heart failure, OR 1.7 (95% CI 1.2–2.3); hemorrhagic stroke, OR 4.9 (95% CI 2.4–9.9); arterial thrombosis, OR 1.5 (95% CI 1.2–1.8); and the presence of any of the above major illnesses, OR 1.7 (95% CI 1.5–1.9). Combinations of major illnesses with immobilization and increased factor VIII (OR 79.9; 95% CI 33.2–192.2), increased FIX (OR 35.3; 95% CI 14.2–87.8), increased von Willebrand factor (OR 88.0; 95% CI 33.9–228.3), FV Leiden (OR 84.2; 95% CI 19.5–363.6), and blood group non‐O (OR 53.1; 95% CI 30.9–91.4) were associated with increased venous thrombosis risks.Conclusions: All of the major illnesses reported here were associated with an increased risk of venous thrombosis. These risks were most pronounced at the time of immobilization or in the presence of thrombophilia.
Platelet‐based coagulation: different populations, different functions

Summary. Platelets in a thrombus interact with (anti)coagulation factors and support blood coagulation. In the concept of cell‐based control of coagulation, three different roles of platelets can be distinguished: control of thrombin generation, support of fibrin formation, and regulation of fibrin clot retraction. Here, we postulate that different populations of platelets with distinct surface properties are involved in these coagulant functions. Platelets with elevated Ca2+ and exposed phosphatidylserine control thrombin and fibrin generation, while platelets with activated αIIbβ3 regulate clot retraction. We review how coagulation factor binding depends on the platelet activation state. Furthermore, we discuss the ligands, platelet receptors and downstream intracellular signaling pathways implicated in these coagulant functions. These insights lead to an adapted model of platelet‐based coagulation.
Do Violent Video Games Impair The Effectiveness of In-Game Advertisements? The Impact of Gaming Environment on Brand Recall, Brand Attitude, and Purchase Intention

The present study examined whether a violent video game impairs the effectiveness of in-game advertisements compared to a nonviolent video game. Participants recalled and evaluated in-game ads after navigating identical violent or nonviolent game scenarios. Participants' brand recall, recognition, and attitudes were comparatively lower after navigating the violent video game. Also, females in the violent game condition reported lower brand attitudes in comparison to males in the violent game condition, thus suggesting that the effects of gaming environment interacts with participants' gender. The findings supported the predictions of the limited capacity model of attention and cognitive priming effects. The results also extend previous studies on how violent media impair advertising effectiveness and provide practical implications for researchers and practitioners.
The co‐transduction of Nurr1 and Brn4 genes induces the differentiation of neural stem cells into dopaminergic neurons

Fetal brain tissue can be used in cell replacement therapy for PD (Parkinson's disease), but there is a poor donor supply of this tissue. NSCs (neural stem cells) may overcome this problem as they can be isolated and expanded in vitro. However, the usage of NSCs is limited because the differentiation of NSCs into specific dopaminergic neurons has proven difficult. In the present study, we investigated the effect of Nurr1 (nuclear receptor related factor 1), a transcription factor specific for the development and maintenance of the midbrain dopaminergic neurons on inducing the differentiation of NSCs into TH (tyrosine hydroxylase) immunoreactive dopaminergic neurons. Nonetheless, these cells exhibited an immature neuronal morphology with small cell bodies and short neurite processes, and they seldom expressed DAT (dopamine transporter), a late marker of mature dopaminergic neurons. However, forced co‐expression of Nurr1 with Brn4, a member of the POU domain family of transcription factors, caused immature Nurr1‐induced dopaminergic neurons to differentiate into morphologically and phenotypically more mature neurons. Thus the enriched generation of mature dopaminergic neurons by forced expression of Nurr1 with Brn4 may be of future importance in NSC‐based cell replacement therapy for PD.
Next‐generation sequencing study finds an excess of rare, coding single‐nucleotide variants of ADAMTS13 in patients with deep vein thrombosis

The considerable genetic predisposition to deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is only partially accounted for by known genetic risk variants. Rare single‐nucleotide variants (SNVs) of the coding areas of hemostatic genes may explain part of this missing heritability. The ADAMTS13 and VWF genes encode two interconnected proteins with fundamental hemostatic functions, the disruption of which may result in thrombosis.
High-throughput impedance spectroscopy biosensor array chip

Impedance spectroscopy is a powerful tool for characterizing materials that exhibit a frequency dependent behaviour to an applied electric field. This paper introduces a fully integrated multi-channel impedance extraction circuit that can both generate AC stimulus signals over a broad frequency range and also measure and digitize the real and imaginary components of the impedance response. The circuit was fabricated in a 0.5 μm complementary metal-oxide semiconductor. Tailored for cellular membrane interface characterization, the signal generator produces sinusoidal waves from 10 mHz to 10 kHz. To suit a variety of applications, the impedance extraction circuit provides a programmable current measurement range from 100 pA to 100 nA with a measured resolution of approximately 100 fA. Occupying only 0.045 mm2 per measurement channel, the circuit is compact enough to include nearly 200 channels in a 3×3 mm2 die area.
Evaluation of the fixed nitrogen-to-protein (N:P) conversion factor (6.25) versus ingredient specific N:P conversion factors in feedstuffs.

BACKGROUND The crude protein (CP) of feedstuffs is important as an indicator of essential and non-essential amino acids for livestock. The protein (P) level needs to be known accurately, to minimize the feeding of excess nitrogen (N) and to reduce N pollution. Laboratory methods for determining N content report N from amino acids, but also N from ammonia and from non-amino acid sources. The determined CP based on 6.25 × N level typically overestimates the true protein of feedstuffs. RESULTS Determined ingredient-specific N:P conversion factors k(A) , k(P) and k were not equal to the standard 6.25 factor. The k(A) had the highest value in all ingredients, which leads to the estimation of specific crude protein (SCP), which is closer to true protein (the summation of the total amino acid residues from amino acid analyses). The SCP(k(A) ) was lower than CP and true protein in all ingredients, demonstrating that CP might overestimate the actual protein in feedstuffs. CONCLUSION Based on data from 677 feedstuff samples from 2009, it is concluded that the mean k(A) should be 5.68 for corn, 5.64 for soybean meal, 5.74 for corn DDGS, 5.45 for poultry by-product meal and 5.37 for meat and bone meal.
Aging and Binaural Auditory Processing

Department of Communication Disorders and Speech Science, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado For many older adults, changes in peripheral hearing sensitivity are accompanied by subtle age-related alterations in central auditory processing. For years, researchers from a variety of disciplines have sought to explore and document these changes. Investigative techniques have included postmortem histopathological studies as well as behavioral and electrophysiological evaluation procedures. Despite a substantial accumulation of data, however, the complex relationships between aging and central auditory processing remain unclear. Several factors complicate the study of aging and central auditory processing. First, and indeed the most problematical, is distinguishing central from peripheral influences on auditory test performance. Since virtually all audiological measures of central auditory processing are in some way affected by pure tone hearing loss, investigators must attempt either to "correct" for peripheral effects or limit their experimental groups to elderly subjects having audiometrically normal hearing. Neither option is easily accomplished or fully satisfactory. Correction for peripheral factors requires comparison of young and old subjects having equivalent degrees of cochlear hearing loss. Such audiometric matching is, in itself, a formidable task. If, in addition, the investigator wishes to control for qualitative factors, such as speech discrimination ability, the task of subject matching is even more arduous. It is not surprising that few studies of hearing and aging have employed control groups well matched for peripheral hearing loss. Limiting experimental groups to audiometrically normal individuals also poses some problems. First, it is exceedingly difficult to obtain elderly subjects with audiometrically normal hearing, particularly if the oldest age groups are to be sampled. Furthermore, even if enough subjects are screened to permit such an experimental group, the resulting sample cannot be considered typical of elderly listeners in their respective age groups.
Emerging trends in vibration control of wind turbines: a focus on a dual control strategy

The paper discusses some of the recent developments in vibration control strategies for wind turbines, and in this context proposes a new dual control strategy based on the combination and modification of two recently proposed control schemes. Emerging trends in the vibration control of both onshore and offshore wind turbines are presented. Passive, active and semi-active structural vibration control algorithms have been reviewed. Of the existing controllers, two control schemes, active pitch control and active tendon control, have been discussed in detail. The proposed new control scheme is a merger of active tendon control with passive pitch control, and is designed using a Pareto-optimal problem formulation. This combination of controllers is the cornerstone of a dual strategy with the feature of decoupling vibration control from optimal power control as one of its main advantages, in addition to reducing the burden on the pitch demand. This dual control strategy will bring in major benefits to the design of modern wind turbines and is expected to play a significant role in the advancement of offshore wind turbine technologies.
Development of probiotic carriers using microbial transglutaminase-crosslinked soy protein isolate incorporated with agrowastes.

BACKGROUND Probiotics are live micro-organisms that exert beneficial effects on their host. A high survival rate during gastrointestinal transit and storage is often desirable. The main aim of this study was to develop protective carriers for probiotics via the use of enzymatically crosslinked soy protein isolate incorporated with agrowastes such as banana peel, banana pulp, cempedak rind and cocoa rind. RESULTS Addition of agrowastes significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the strength and pH and darkened the colour of the gel. Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis indicated that microbial transglutaminase induced crosslinking in the carrier network, while scanning electron microscopy showed that agrowaste addition resulted in a denser, finer and thinner protein network. Controlled release and swelling tests of the carriers in simulated gastric and intestinal fluids showed a low release under gastric conditions but a high release under intestinal conditions. The viability of Lactobacillus acidophilus FTDC 1331 incorporated in carriers containing agrowastes was more stable during storage at 4 °C for 28 days compared with the control (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION The results of this study showed that agrowastes could be utilised as new probiotic carriers for enhanced gastrointestinal transit and storage.