Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Voice pitch modulation in human mate choice

Inter-individual differences in human fundamental frequency (F0, perceived as voice pitch) predict mate quality and reproductive success, and affect listeners' social attributions. Although humans can readily and volitionally manipulate their vocal apparatus and resultant voice pitch, for instance, in the production of speech sounds and singing, little is known about whether humans exploit this capacity to adjust the non-verbal dimensions of their voices during social (including sexual) interactions. Here, we recorded full-length conversations of 30 adult men and women taking part in real speed-dating events and tested whether their voice pitch (mean, range and variability) changed with their personal mate choice preferences and the overall desirability of each dating partner. Within-individual analyses indicated that men lowered the minimum pitch of their voices when interacting with women who were overall highly desired by other men. Men also lowered their mean voice pitch on dates with women they selected as potential mates, particularly those who indicated a mutual preference (matches). Interestingly, although women spoke with a higher and more variable voice pitch towards men they selected as potential mates, women lowered both voice pitch parameters towards men who were most desired by other women and whom they also personally preferred. Between-individual analyses indicated that men in turn preferred women with lower-pitched voices, wherein women's minimum voice pitch explained up to 55% of the variance in men's mate preferences. These results, derived in an ecologically valid setting, show that individual- and group-level mate preferences can interact to affect vocal behaviour, and support the hypothesis that human voice modulation functions in non-verbal communication to elicit favourable judgements and behaviours from others, including potential mates.
Effect of Sulfur Application on Growth, Photosynthetic Pigments, Antioxidant Activity and Arsenic Accumulation in Coriander (Coriandrum sativum) under Arsenic Stress

Soils polluted with toxic elements are one of the major environmental problems in human societies. Sulfur (S), an essential element for the growth and development plants, plays an important role in reducing the toxicity of toxic elements as arsenic. In this study, the role of Sulfur different regimes (0, 50, 100 and 150 mg per kg) in reducing arsenic (As) toxicity in coriander (Coriandrum sativum) was investigated. The obtained results indicated that Sulfur application increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes and photosynthetic pigments, but it’s decreased the arsenic induced oxidative stress. Reduction of shoot and root biomass occurred in presence of sulfur different regimes and As various concentrations. S supplement under high As concentration increased protein content of shoot. Different S regimes resulted in enhanced both shoot and root As accumulation. Meanwhile, different treatments of sulfur allowed high translocation of As quantities from root to shoot. It is well illustrated that phytoextraction is one of the best methods for toxic metals phytoremediation. Thus from present study it is evident that the phytoremediation ability of plants for accumulates toxic metals may be enhanced through exogenous sulfur application.
The relationship among plasma copeptin, carboxyhemoglobin, and lactate levels in carbon monoxide poisoning

Objective: The aim of our study is to determine whether there is a change in the plasma levels of copeptin and there is a relationship among the plasma levels of carboxyhemoglobin (COHb), lactate, and copeptin levels in patients presenting to the emergency department with carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. Methods: Fifty-seven patients admitted to the emergency department with CO poisoning were included in the study. The blood samples of the patients were collected on arrival 0th, 6th, and 12th hours for copeptin, lactate, and COHb levels. Data were analyzed using SPSS-17 statistical software. Results: Arrival serum copeptin levels of the patients were compared to copeptin levels of healthy individuals and a statistically significant difference was found between them (p = 0.008). There was a statistically significant difference between the arrival levels of copeptin and 6th-hour (p = 0.006) and 12th-hour (p = 0.001) levels of copeptin. There was no significant difference between 6th-hour and 12th-hour copeptin levels (p = 0.51). In terms of serum lactate levels, there was a significant difference between arrival and 6th h (p < 0.001), arrival and 12th h (p < 0.001), and 6th and 12th h (p < 0.001). Likewise, in terms of serum COHb levels, there was a significant difference between arrival and 6th h (p < 0.001), arrival and 12th h (p < 0.001), and 6th and 12th h (p < 0.001). There was a positive correlation between COHb and lactate levels on arrival (r = 0.52; p = 0.001). Conclusion: Copeptin as a stress hormone can be used in the diagnosis and monitoring of patients with CO poisoning. However, the copeptin level was not superior to COHb and lactate levels.
INTERVAL ESTIMATORS FOR A BINOMIAL PROPORTION : COMPARISON OF TWENTY METHODS

• In applied statistics it is often necessary to obtain an interval estimate for an unknown proportion (p) based on binomial sampling. This topic is considered in almost every introductory course. However, the usual approximation is known to be poor when the true p is close to zero or to one. To identify alternative procedures with better properties twenty non-iterative methods for computing a (central) two-sided interval estimate for p were selected and compared in terms of coverage probability and expected length. From this study a clear classification of those methods has emerged. An important conclusion is that the interval based on asymptotic normality, but after the arcsine transformation and a continuity correction, and the Add 4 method of Agresti and Coull (1998) yield very reliable results, the choice between the two depending on the desired degree of conservativeness.
but Have Higher Baseline Craving Than Adults Curbing Craving : Behavioral and Brain Evidence That Children Regulate Craving When Instructed to Do

Although one third of children and adolescents are overweight or obese, developmental changes in food craving and the ability to regulate craving remain poorly understood. We addressed this knowledge gap by examining behavioral and neural responses to images of appetizing unhealthy foods in individuals ages 6 through 23 years. On close trials (assessing unregulated craving), participants focused on a pictured food’s appetitive features. On far trials (assessing effortful regulation), participants focused on a food’s visual features and imagined that it was farther away. Across conditions, older age predicted less craving, less striatal recruitment, greater prefrontal activity, and stronger frontostriatal coupling. When effortfully regulating their responses to the images, all participants reported less craving and exhibited greater recruitment of lateral prefrontal cortex and less recruitment of ventromedial prefrontal cortex. Greater body mass predicted less regulation-related prefrontal activity, particularly among children. These results suggest that children experience stronger craving than adults but can also effectively regulate craving. Moreover, the mechanisms underlying regulation may differ for heavy and lean children.
Development of a Standard-Based Instrument for AssessingPrincipal Leadership

The purpose of this study is to develop and validate a scale of instrument, the Principal Leadership Index (PLI), to assess principal leadership practices within the framework of ELCC (2011) standards adopted by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation. Items of the PLI were initially developed by the researcher followed by expert reviews in the field of school leadership and a pilot test. The instrument was used to collect the empirical data from 73 principals, which were investigated with exploratory factor analyses, reliability tests, and multilevel analyses. Results reveal four unique constructs for the leadership dimensions, showing robust psychometric properties with high levels of reliability and validity. The proposed scale can be used for both assessment and professional development to promote principal standard-based leadership behaviors.
Heterogeneous preferences, market structure and new goods in the Argentinean frozen fried potato industry

This article studies the preference structure of frozen fried potatoes consumers in Mar del Plata, Argentina, and the effect of changes in market structure and the addition of a new product on prices, market shares, and welfare. Heterogeneity in consumer preferences is found, driven by demographic characteristics. Consumer surplus would decrease with a merger between the two smaller firms of the market, and would increase if the market turned into a single-product firms industry. The results emphasize the importance of both agronomic issues and consumer preferences for the success of the introduction of a credence-attribute in a food industry.
Application of Meditation Techniques in Caregivers of Children and Adolescents with Chronic Kidney Disease on Hemodialysis Therapy

Over the past 40 years, practice of meditation has increased considerably in the West, and has been used as a complementary therapy for a variety of diseases. Today, it is the third most commonly used complementary alternative therapy in American children and adults. Several studies have shown its beneficial effect on conditions such as depression, anxiety, panic attacks, eating disorders, post-traumatic stress, hypertension and cardiovascular disease. Stress affects the quality of life, not only in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) on hemodialysis, but also on their caregivers. A growing number of CKD patients depend on non-professional health caregivers, such as family and friends. However, the needs of caregivers are often neglected and under-prioritized. Considering the heavy burden caregivers of patients with chronic disease need to carry and the lack of intervention studies, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the benefits of the practice of meditation on the level of anxiety and depression in caregivers of children with CKD undergoing hemodialysis.
Inhibition of Equilibrative Nucleoside Transporter 1 Characterization of the Adenosine Pharmacology of Ticagrelor Reveals Therapeutically Relevant

Introduction: Studies have shown that ticagrelor has a further adenosine-mediated mechanism of action in addition to its potent inhibition of the P2Y12 receptor, which may explain some of ticagrelor’s clinical characteristics. This study aimed to further characterize the adenosine pharmacology of ticagrelor, its major metabolites, and other P2Y12 receptor antagonists. Methods: Inhibition of nucleoside transporter-mediated [H]adenosine uptake by ticagrelor, its major metabolites, and alternative P2Y12 antagonists was examined in recombinant Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. The pharmacology of ticagrelor and its major metabolites at adenosine A1, A2A, A2B, and A3 receptor subtypes was examined using in vitro radioligand binding and functional assays and ex vivo C-fiber experiments in rat and guinea pig vagus nerves. Results: Ticagrelor (and less effectively its metabolites) and the main cangrelor metabolite inhibited [H]adenosine uptake in equilibrative nucleoside transporter (ENT) 1-expressing MDCK cells, whereas cangrelor and the active metabolites of prasugrel or clopidogrel had no effect. No significant inhibitory activity was observed in MDCK cells expressing ENT2 or concentrative nucleoside transporters 2/3. Ticagrelor demonstrated high affinity (inhibition constant [Ki] 1⁄4 41 nmol/L) for ENT1. In adenosine receptor-binding experiments, ticagrelor and its major circulating metabolite, AR-C124910XX, had low affinity (Ki > 6 mmol/L) for each of the adenosine A1, A2A, and A2B receptors, whereas ticagrelor had a submicromolar (Ki 1⁄4 190 nmol/L) affinity for the adenosine A3 receptor. However, in functional assays, at high concentrations (10 mmol/L) ticagrelor only partially inhibited 3 mmol/L adenosine-induced depolarizations in the guinea pig and rat vagus nerve preparations (by 35% and 49%, respectively). Conclusions: Ticagrelor inhibits cellular adenosine uptake selectively via ENT1 inhibition at concentrations of clinical relevance. However, the low-binding affinity and functional inhibition of adenosine receptors observed with ticagrelor or its metabolites indicate that they possess a negligible adenosine-like activity at clinically relevant concentrations.
The roles of mitogen-activated protein kinase ( MAPK ) pathway in axon regeneration

Axon regeneration has long been studied in vertebrate model organisms and neuronal cultures. Recent development of axon regeneration paradigms in genetic model organisms, such as Caenorhabditis elegans, Drosophila and zebrafish, has opened an exciting field for in vivo functional dissection of regeneration pathways. Studies in these organisms have discovered essential genes and pathways for axon regrowth. The conservation of these genes crossing animal phyla suggests mechanistic relevance to higher organisms. The power of genetic approaches in these organisms makes large-scale genetic and pharmacological screens feasible and can greatly accelerate the mechanistic understanding of axon regeneration.
Do the technical indicators reward chartists? A study on the stock markets of China, Hong Kong and Taiwan

This paper studies the profitability of applying technical analysis that signals the entry and exit from the stock market in three Chinese stock markets - the Shanghai, Hong Kong and Taiwan Stock Exchanges. The Simple Moving Average (MA) and its extensions, Exponential MA, Dual MA, Triple MA, MACD and TRIX for both long and short strategies are examined. Applying the trading signals generated by the MA family to the Greater China markets, significantly positive returns are generated, which outperform the buy-and-hold strategy. The cumulative wealth obtained also surpasses that of the buy-and-hold strategy regardless of transaction costs. In addition, we study the performance of the MA family before and after the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis and find that the MA family works well in both sub-periods and in different market conditions of bull runs, bear markets and mixed markets. That technical analysis can forecast the directions of these markets implies that the three China stock markets are not efficient.
Helmholtz theorem for stochastic Hamiltonian systems

We derive the Helmholtz theorem for stochastic Hamiltonian systems. Precisely, we give a theorem characterizing Stratonovich stochastic differential equations, admitting a Hamiltonian formulation. Moreover, in the affirmative case, we give the associated Hamiltonian. This result show coherence with the approach of \cite{milstein} where the authors answered to this problem through the preservation of the symplectic form but without providing the Hamiltonian associated.
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Title Detecting Network Vulnerabilities Through Graph Theoretical Methods

Identifying vulnerabilities in power networks is an important problem, as even a small number of vulnerable connections can cause billions of dollars in damage to a network. In this paper, we investigate a graph theoretical formulation for identifying vulnerabilities of a network. We first try to find the most critical components in a network by finding an optimal solution for each possible cutsize constraint for the relaxed version of the inhibiting bisection problem, which aims to find loosely coupled subgraphs with significant demand/supply mismatch. Then we investigate finding critical components by finding a flow assignment that minimizes the maximum among flow assignments on all edges. We also report experiments on IEEE 30, IEEE 118, and WSCC 179 benchmark power networks.
Active Management and Portfolio Constraints

This article attempts to simulate and measure the impacts/effects on active management of various constraints, such as limit on the number of issues held in a portfolio, restriction of short-sales, or upper/lower limits of holding weights. The simulation results indicate that it is effective to hold many issues, as in enhanced index (EI) funds, in order to increase the efficiency of portfolio/fund operations. Constraints on holding weights, such as the upper/lower limits of weights, have a greater possibility to improve the efficiency of portfolio operations rather than lowering the information ratio, because they alleviate the negative impact on performance of extreme estimated returns. Furthermore, in some cases, such as existing active funds, the high efficiency of fund operations cannot be maintained when the number of holdings is limited, unless greater risks are taken. Active Management and Portfolio Constraints
Brightness Reversion of Mechanical Pulps Part XIII: Photoinduced Degradation of Lignin on Cellulose Matrix

Abstract An acidic dioxane extraction procedure was employed to isolate lignin from softwood bleached chemithermomechanical pulp (BCTMP). The isolated lignin was characterized spectroscopically and applied on cellulose test sheets. The treated cellulose test sheets were shown to exhibit photoyellowing properties comparable to those of BCTMP. The photolyzed lignin was re-isolated and characterized using spectroscopic techniques. UV-VIS and FT-IR studies implied elimination of the guaiacyl structure of lignin and the formation of carboxyl and/or unconjugated carbonyl groups during the photoyellowing process. The steady-state emission intensity of the excited states of guaiacyl structures decreased with increasing photolysis time, suggesting the formation of quinones during photolysis. NMR spectroscopic analysis of the photolyzed lignin indicated that the formyl, methoxyl, and uncondensed phenolics decreased in concentration as the irradiation proceeds. In contrast, condensed lignin and carboxylic acids incr.
Stability of the monoclinic phase in the ferroelectric perovskite PbZr1-xTixO3

Recent structural studies of ferroelectric ${\mathrm{PbZr}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}{\mathrm{Ti}}_{x}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ (PZT) with $x=0.48,$ have revealed a monoclinic phase in the vicinity of the morphotropic phase boundary (MPB), previously regarded as the boundary separating the rhombohedral and tetragonal regions of the PZT phase diagram. In the present paper, the stability region of all three phases has been established from high-resolution synchrotron x-ray powder-diffraction measurements on a series of highly homogeneous samples with $0.42l~xl~0.52. $ At 20 K, the monoclinic phase is stable in the range $0.46l~xl~0.51,$ and this range narrows as the temperature is increased. A first-order phase transition from tetragonal to rhombohedral symmetry is observed only for $x=0.45. $ The MPB, therefore, corresponds not to the tetragonal-rhombohedral phase boundary, but instead to the boundary between the tetragonal and monoclinic phases for $0.46l~xl~0.51. $ This result provides important insight into the close relationship between the monoclinic phase and the striking piezoelectric properties of PZT; in particular, investigations of poled samples have shown that the monoclinic distortion is the origin of the unusually high piezoelectric response of PZT.
Title Goal Navigation , Approach-Oriented Coping , and Adjustment in Young Men with Testicular Cancer Permalink

Background Cancer can challenge important life goals for young adult survivors. Poor goal navigation skills might disrupt self-regulation and interfere with coping efforts, particularly approach-oriented attempts. Two studies are presented that investigated relationships among goal navigation processes, approach-oriented coping, and adjustment (i.e., social, emotional, and functional well-being) in separate samples of young adults with testicular cancer. Methods In study 1, in-depth interviews (N=21) were analyzed using thematic analysis to understand experiences of goal pursuit following cancer. In study 2, 171 men completed measures of goal navigation, coping, and adjustment to cancer. Results In study 1, three prominent themes emerged: goal clarification, goal engagement and disengagement, and responses to disrupted goals. Regression analyses in study 2 revealed that goal navigation skills were positively associated with emotional (B= .35, p< .001), social (B= .24, p< .01), and functional (B= .28, p< .001) well-being, as was approachoriented coping (B= .22, p< .01; B= .32, p< .001; B= .26, p< .001, respectively). Goal navigation moderated associations between approach-oriented coping and well-being, such that those with low goal navigation ability and low approachoriented coping reported lower well-being. Conclusions Goal navigation skills and approach-oriented coping have unique and interactive relationships with adjustment to testicular cancer. They likely represent important independent targets for intervention, and goal navigation skills might also buffer the negative consequences of low use of approach-oriented coping.
Studies on in vitro antioxidant potential of pod and seed parts of Bauhinia malabarica Roxb. (Caesalpiniaceae)

Aim: In Indian traditional medicine, importance of Bauhinia species is well evidenced from earlier literature. In the present investigation, the antioxidant and free radical scavenging efficiencies of 70% acetone and 50% methanol extracts of Bauhinia malabarica pod and seed were examined. Materials and Methods: The extracts were screened for different antioxidant assays such as reducing power, DPPH ▪ , nitric oxide, hydroxyl radical scavenging, metal chelating, ABTS ▪+ scavenging activity, lipid peroxidation preventive property and anti-haemolytic activities. Results: It contribute significantly to the total antioxidant activity of the test drug. In β - carotene-linoleic acid system all the extracts, exhibited good antioxidant activity and the values were comparably higher than the synthetic antioxidant, BHT and BHA. Among the samples analyzed acetone extract of B. malabarica seed determined significant ( p< 0.05) antioxidant activity in terms of reducing power, DPPH • , metal chelating and ABTS •+ activity. Conclusion: On the basis of the results obtained, seeds of B. malabarica were found to be a potent source of natural antioxidants due to their marked antioxidant activity. Overall, the acetone was found to be the best solvent for the extraction of antioxidant compounds. The results presented here implies that the consumption of such a legume food would not only improve the nutrient utilization but also provide the potential source of nutraceuticals for human health.
Persistency of dexamethasone induced hypertension in male wistar rat model

1 Mohammadjavad Nazarpour Kashani1, Abdollah Amirfarhangi2, Vahid Khani1, Nima Rahimi Petroudi1, Habib Ghaznavi3, Saeed Mehrzadi4 1School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Science, Tehran, 2Cardiology Department, Rasoul Akram Hospital, Iran University of Medical Science, Tehran, 3Zahedan University of Medical Science, Zahedan, 4Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran Rat hypertension Persistency of dexamethasone induced hypertension in male wistar rat model
rowdsourcing ideas : Involving ordinary users in the ideation phase f new product development

The different roles of users in new product development (NPD) have been extensively described. Currently online idea crowdsourcing, via long-term open idea calls, is increasingly being used by companies to collect new product ideas from ordinary users. Such open idea calls can result in thousands of suggested ideas and detecting the ones that a company wants to implement can be problematic. Empirical research in this area is lacking. We therefore investigate which ideator and idea-related characteristics determine whether an idea for NPD is implemented by a crowdsourcing company. To answer this question, we use a cross-sectional research design to analyse publicly available data from an open idea call, run