Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Looking represents choosing in toddlers: Exploring the equivalence between multimodal measures in forced-choice tasks.

In the two-alternative forced-choice (2AFC) paradigm, manual responses such as pointing have been widely used as measures to estimate cognitive abilities. While pointing measurements can be easily collected, coded, analyzed, and interpreted, absent responses are often observed particularly when adopting these measures for toddler studies, which leads to an increase of missing data. Although looking responses such as preferential looking can be available as alternative measures in such cases, it is unknown how well looking measurements can be interpreted as equivalent to manual ones. This study aimed to answer this question by investigating how accurately pointing responses (i.e., left or right) could be predicted from concurrent preferential looking. Using pre-existing videos of toddlers aged 18-23 months engaged in an intermodal word comprehension task, we developed models predicting manual from looking responses. Results showed substantial prediction accuracy for both the Simple Majority Vote and Machine Learning-Based classifiers, which indicates that looking responses would be reasonable alternative measures of manual ones. However, the further exploratory analysis revealed that when applying the created models for data of toddlers who did not produce clear pointing responses, the estimation agreement of missing pointing between the models and the human coders slightly dropped. This indicates that looking responses without pointing were qualitatively different from those with pointing. Bridging two measurements in forced-choice tasks would help researchers avoid wasting collected data due to the absence of manual responses and interpret results from different modalities comprehensively.
Differences in Proprioception Between Young and Middle-Aged Adults With and Without Chronic Low Back Pain

Introduction: While young adults with chronic low back pain (CLBP) exhibit impaired lumbar proprioception, it remains unclear if the same phenomenon is observed in middle-aged adults with CLBP. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate whether young or middle-aged adults with CLBP displayed different proprioception ability as compared to age-matched asymptomatic controls. Methods: Sixty-four young adults with [median age:34 [interquartile range (IQR): 29–37] years] and without [median age:29 (IQR; 23–34) years] CLBP, and 87 middle-aged adults with [median age:53 (IQR: 49–58) years] and without [median age: 54 (IQR: 45–64) years] CLBP underwent postural sway tests on a force-plate with (unstable surface) and without a foam (stable surface), while bilateral L5/S1 multifidi and triceps-surae were vibrated separately. An individual's proprioception reweighting ability was estimated by relative proprioceptive reweighting (RPW). Higher RPW values indicate less reliance on lumbar multifidus proprioceptive signals for balance. Participants also underwent lumbar repositioning tests in sitting to determine repositioning errors in reproducing target lumbar flexion/extension positions. Results: Young adults with CLBP demonstrated significantly higher median RPW values than age-matched asymptomatic controls for maintaining standing balance [stable surface: CLBP: 0.9 (IQR: 0.7–0.9), asymptomatic: 0.7 (IQR: 0.6–0.8), p < 0.05; unstable surface: CLBP: 0.6 (IQR: 0.4–0.8), asymptomatic: 0.5 (IQR: 0.3–0.7), p < 0.05]. No significant differences in repositioning error were noted between young or middle-aged adults with and without CLBP (p > 0.05). RPW values were unrelated to repositioning errors in all groups (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Young adults with CLBP, and middle-aged adults with and without CLBP had inferior proprioceptive reweighting capability. This finding may indicate potential age-related deterioration in central and peripheral processing of lumbar proprioceptive signals. Future studies should use advanced imaging and/or electroencephalogram to determine mechanisms underlying changes in proprioceptive reweighting in middle-aged adults.
Formation of Long-Lived Silver Clusters in Aqueous Solution by Anodic Dispersion

It was found that long-lived, subnanometer-sized silver clusters can be prepared by anodic dispersion of a silver electrode in aqueous NaOH solutions (pH 10.5−12), free of stabilizing polymers. The method, described by Nouhuys in 1938, is based upon the application of a dc voltage (10−65 V) between two silver electrodes and yields a range of different clusters, colloids, and oxides. The large colloids and oxides can be removed by centrifugation leaving small colloids and clusters in the sols as revealed by the strong absorption of light at wavelengths between 210 and 400 nm. Absorption spectra of the sols remain fairly unchanged for weeks, implying the stabilization of the clusters by hydroxyl ions. Significant formation of the clusters is only observed between pH ∼10.5 and 12 and is explained by Joule heat generated in the Ag2O surface layer at the anode. At pH above 12, a passivating AgO layer forms, preventing the dispersion of clusters while no significant amounts of clusters form either at pH below 1.
Alcohol responsive 2D coordination network of 3-(4-pyridyl)benzoate and Zinc(II)

Abstract The solvothermal reaction of 3-(4-pyridyl)benzoic acid and zinc nitrate yielded a 2D network with an sql topology. Both elemental analysis and single crystal X-ray diffraction studies confirmed the formula of the compound as {[Zn(34pba)2] · (0.5 DMF) · (0.5 H2O)}n (1). At room temperature, the desolvated phase of 1, 1d, absorbs methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol and 1-butanol but not water vapour.
A quinone-based oligomeric lithium salt for superior Li–organic batteries

Organic electrode materials are promising alternatives to transition-metal based intercalation compounds for the next generation of high-performance and sustainable batteries. Herein, a novel quinone-based organic, lithium salt of poly(2,5-dihydroxy-p-benzoquinonyl sulfide) (Li2PDHBQS), was successfully synthesized through a simple one-step polycondensation reaction, and applied as a cathode for Li–organic batteries. As an oligomeric lithium salt with average polymerization degree of 7, Li2PDHBQS combines the advantages of the O⋯Li⋯O coordination bond and increased molecular weight, thus solves absolutely the dissolution problem of active material in non-aqueous electrolytes, which has seriously hindered development of organic electrode materials. Benefiting from the high theoretical capacity, intrinsic insolubility, fast reaction kinetics of the quinone group, accelerated Li-ion transport and uniform blending with conductive carbon, as well as the stable amorphous structure, Li2PDHBQS shows superior comprehensive electrochemical performance including high reversible capacity (268 mA h g−1), high cycling stability (1500 cycles, 90%), high rate capability (5000 mA g−1, 83%) and high Coulombic efficiency (99.9–100.1%). Investigation of the structure–property relationship of Li2PDHBQS and its analogues also gives new insights into developing novel quinone-based organic electrode materials, for building better Li–organic or Na–organic batteries beyond traditional Li-ion batteries.
A Research Related to the Factors Affecting Competitive Strategies of SMEs Operating in Turkey

In the last quarter of 20th century, accelerating globalization changed everything in the balance of the World Trade. As the degree of globalization increases, global competition gives the opportunity of opening to international markets to SMEs from Developing Countries, both as a supplier and a competitor of giant multinationals. This situation compelled local SMEs to reconstruct new strategies, in order to compete more effectively with global firms in local and global markets. According to related literature, SMEs develop their strategies as a result of global competitive pressure levels in their industries, level and transferability of their competitive assets and their existing and potential collaborative activities. In this survey, it was aimed to model the strategic choices of SMEs operating in Turkey (as an example to Developing Economies) regarding the factors affecting this process and to analyze the differences between recommended and existing strategies and reasons of differences.
Assessment of Liver Enzymes, Creatine Phosphokinase and Electrolytes in Patients with Hyperthyroidism Visiting Tertiary Center

Background: Thyroid hormones regulate the metabolisms of all cells. Hyperthyroidism is one of the most common endocrine disorders characterized by increased secretion of thyroid hormones T3 and/or T4. Since majority of metabolic activities occur in liver; kidney and muscle in body, so biochemical markers reflecting function of these organs are altered in hyperthyroid state. The present study is designed to compare the level of enzymes like Serum Glutamate Pyruvate Transferase (SGPT), Serum Glutamate Oxaloacetate Transferase (SGOT), Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) and Creatine Phosphokinase (CPK) along with electrolytes (Sodium, Potassium) in clinically hyperthyroid patients with age and sex matched control subjects. Materials and Methods: The Study was conducted in patients visiting to Endocrinology OPD in the Institute of Medicine, Nepal during the interval of 3 February 2017 to 3 May 2017. Total of fiftyone patients diagnosed as hyperthyroidism in age group 20-70 were included in the study. Patients with TSH values less than0.01 mIU/L were taken as cases. Total fifty-two individuals were taken as control in whom age and sex was matched. Results: In hyperthyroid cases, the mean fT3 and fT4 values were 18.24 ± 9.33 pmol/L and 52.95 ± 20.81 pmol/L which were higher than that of controls. Similarly, mean TSH level in hyperthyroid patients was 0.03 ± 0.05 mIU/ml which was lower than that of control. The mean values of SGPT, SGOT, sodium and potassium in hyperthyroid cases were high compared to the mean values obtained from control. The mean value of ALP was significantly increased in cases whereas CPK was decreased compared to control. Conclusion: It can be concluded from this study that increased value of SGPT, SGOT, ALP, sodium and potassium are seen in association with hyperthyroidism and conversely lower values of CPK are seen in association with hyperthyroidism. These altered parameters are seen in absence of underlying disease in individuals and are to be expected when analyzing serum sample of patients with hyperthyroidism.
Compromised weaponry enhances crayfish tailflipping

As a defense strategy, many crustaceans perform one of two well described stereotyped single fast tailflips (~6 ms in adult crayfish), which are triggered by a neural circuit that includes medial giant interneurons (MG) and lateral giant interneurons (LG). Tailflips can also occur without these giant interneurons firing, however; these non-giant tailflips are variable, repetitive, and significantly longer (~100 ms). Previous work showed that crayfish exposed to natural stimulus respond with a nonLouisiana red swamp crayfish, Procambarus clarkii (Girard, 1852). giant tailflip significantly faster than when presented with an artificial stimulus and that complete removal of claws lowered tailflipping threshold. We tested whether compromising weapons and vision would influence tailflipping. Claws were deafferented by cutting the leg nerve between the coxa-basis joint. Crayfish were presented with artificial tactile stimuli, and their tailflipping behavior was video recorded in three conditions: intact, deafferentation of one claw, and deafferentation of both claws. Crayfish with either one or both claws deafferented tailflipped greater distances than intact animals when tapped. Charcoal was used as blindfolds to compromise the vision of the crayfish. Crayfish were then presented with artificial tactile stimuli, and video recorded in two conditions: not blindfolded and blindfolded. Blindfolding effects the probability that crayfish will tailflip at all, but if they do tailflip they won’t necessarily tailflip further. The orientation that crayfish assumed after tailflipping was not significantly different with claw deafferentation. We plan to conduct similar experiments in species that have no claws and use alternate weapons (e.g., antennae).
X-ray reflectivity study of anionic amphiphilic carbosilane block copolymer monolayers on a water surface

Anionic amphiphilic diblock copolymers, poly(1,1-diethylsilacyclobutane)-block-poly(methacrylic acid) (poly(Et2SB-b-MAA)) and poly(α-methylstyrene)-block-poly(methacrylic acid) (poly(MeSt-b-MAA)), were synthesized, and the nanostructure of their spread monolayer on the water surface was investigated by direct in situ X-ray reflectivity (XR) measurement. XR profiles for the poly(Et2SB-b-MAA) monolayer showed many Kiessig fringes even though on a water surface, indicating the very smooth and flat surface and interfaces in the monolayer. On the other hand, the poly(MeSt-b-MAA) monolayer was suggested to have a larger surface roughness since no Kiessig fringe was observed in the XR profile. The XR profiles for the poly(Et2SB-b-MAA) monolayer clearly indicated that the polymers form monolayers consisting of two layers: a hydrophobic Et2SB upper layer and the hydrophilic MAA lower layer in the water subphase. The Kiessig fringe due to the overall layer including the MAA brush in the subphase was also observed .
Profiting with Values: A Qualitative Approach to SMEs in the Informal Economy of Uganda’s Central Region

The study sought to establish the core values which influence SME profitability in Uganda’s informal economy. By employing a qualitative approach, interviews from twenty-five respondents were conducted. Data were analyzed by coding and networks with the help of the Atlas.ti 8 tool. The study findings indicate that: whereas the accounting profession defines profitability to be return on assets (ROA), return on investment (ROI), and return on equity (ROE), entrepreneurs in Uganda’s informal economy do not understand these traditional profit measurement criteria. Instead, they understand sales and expenses. Besides, fairness, respect, responsibility, and cleanliness were established as core values that catalyze SME sales. It is important for the government through the private-sector foundation and traders’ association to continuously train these entrepreneurs about financial matters. Also, the accounting professionals through the regulatory body may establish a wing that can help these informal traders in financial matters, the way the Uganda law society is approaching to help out vulnerable people who cannot afford the services of expensive lawyers.
Rules vs. Discretion in Market Surveillance of `Overvalued' stocks: Evidence From India

The recent episode of unusually high trading activity in stocks with weak fundamentals, such as those of GameStop Corp and AMC Entertainment, has re-focused the spotlight on stocks whose returns are not commensurate with the financial health of the firm. Regulators and stock exchanges have experimented with various surveillance tools to identify such stocks and alert investors of the risks of trading in them. In 2017, the Indian stock exchanges, in collaboration with the securities market regulator, enacted a new surveillance measure designed to identify `overvalued' stocks on the basis of a pre-specified criteria. Such stocks are then subjected to trading restrictions of varying intensity. Using a hand compiled data-set of all the securities that were placed under this surveillance action, we examine the manner of implementation of the mechanism, and its impact on the returns and liquidity of the stocks. We find that nearly a third of such securities did not satisfy the pre-specified criteria. There is considerable ambiguity in the implementation of the measure which raises critical questions about its effectiveness. Using a matched sample approach and difference-in-differences framework, we find that securities subjected to the surveillance measure, experience a decline in stock prices and liquidity. The paper contributes to a growing line of literature on the discretion applied by exchanges in surveillance practices and the quality of enforcement of rules. <br>
The Effect of Perceived Racial Discrimination on Aggression

Racial discrimination is back as a hot topic. Although studies documented that racial inequality negatively influences racial minorities , the relationship between perceived racial discrimination and aggression is unclear. Therefore, this study aims to explore the impact of perceived racial discrimination on aggression in Malaysia. A total of 136 adults responded to an online survey consisting of the Brief Perceived Ethnic Discrimination Questionnaire-Community Version (Brief PEDQ-CV) and Aggression Questionnaire 12 (AQ-12). Correlation analysis found positive relationships between subscales of perceived racial discrimination (Exclusion, Workplace Discrimination/Discrimination at school, Stigmatisation, Threat and Harassment, & Police) as well as aggression (Physical Aggression, Verbal Aggression, Anger, & Hostility). The Police subscale, however, was only associated with Physical Aggression. Gender differences were found in Physical Aggression, with males scoring higher than females. Multiple regression analyses showed that Exclusion has impact on both Anger and Hostility. The findings of this study contribute to relevant literature by showing that people become angry and hostile when they are being racially excluded. The results also highlight the importance of racial equality in individual well-beings in addition to creating awareness of racial discrimination in Malaysia.
Occupational Performance Coaching as an Ultimate Facilitator

The importance of parental involvement in intervention with children has long been recognized (Foster et al., 2013). Current trends in pediatric occupational therapy service delivery have been directed toward occupation-based and family-centered care, with a principal component of this approach being caregiver– therapist collaboration in planning and evaluating intervention addressing occupational performance deficits (Foster et al., 2013; King et al., 2017). At the same time, it is a well-substantiated fact that widely used traditional caregiver education methods often do not produce the desired results and do not promote generalization and transfer of the intervention gains to the home and community environments (Bagby et al., 2012; Bulkeley et al., 2016). In these cases the caregivers frequently do not feel empowered and lose site of the therapeutic value of occupational therapy interventions (Foster et al., 2013). The aim of this article is to describe occupational performance coaching (OPC) as an alternative approach to intervention congruent with occupationand family-centered practice. OPC is occupation-centered intervention for working with caregivers to achieve occupational performance goals for their children and themselves. OPC is appropriate when children’s performance depends on the context, and caregivers have goals relating to their own performance in terms of improving family life and supporting their children’s occupational mastery and participation in their life contexts (Graham et al., 2009; Graham et al., 2015). This article provides realistic, useful techniques to implement OPC in daily practice as an occupation-centered intervention approach that helps parents recognize and implement social and physical environmental changes that support more successful occupational performance for themselves and their children. LEARNING OBJECTIVES After reading this article, you should be able to: 1. Discuss the major principles of OPC 2. Identify the theoretical basis for OPC 3. Distinguish major differences between traditional caregiver education methods and OPC 4. Describe domains, session format, and techniques used during the OPC implementation process 5. Incorporate OPC techniques into the occupational therapy intervention process
Canal de Desvanecimento Sombreado Duplamente Correlacionado: Novos Resultados

New results regarding the newly proposed doublecorrelated shadowed fading model are presented. Specifically, the following statistics are obtained: exact analytical expressions for 1) joint probability density function (PDF), 2) joint cumulative distribution function (CDF), and 3) outage probability (OP); and exact closed-form expressions for 4) asymptotic OP, 5) diversity gain, 6) joint moments, 7) power correlation coefficient, 8) marginal PDF, 9) marginal CDF and 10) marginal moment. Keywords— Bivariate Nakagami distribution, shadowed fading, outage probability.
LYME DISEASE AND RELAPSING FEVER SPIROCHETES

Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato causes Lyme borreliosis in a variety of animals and humans. These atypical bacterial pathogens are maintained in a complex enzootic life cycle that primarily involves a vertebrate host and Ixodes spp. ticks. In the Northeastern United States, I. scapularis is the main vector, while wild rodents serve as the mammalian reservoir host. As B. burgdorferi is transmitted only by I. scapularis and closely related ticks, the spirochete-tick interactions are thought to be highly specific. Various borrelial and arthropod proteins that directly or indirectly contribute to the natural cycle of B. burgdorferi infection have been identified. Discrete molecular interactions between spirochetes and tick components also have been discovered, which often play critical roles in pathogen persistence and transmission by the arthropod vector. This chapter will focus on the past discoveries and future challenges that are relevant to our understanding of the molecular interactions between B. burgdorferi and Ixodes ticks. This information will not only impact scientific advancements in the research of ticktransmitted infections but will also contribute to the development of novel preventive measures that interfere with the B. burgdorferi life cycle. Introduction Ixodes ticks transmit a wide range of infections, including Lyme disease, to animals and humans (Nadelman and Wormser, 1998; Radolf et al., 2012; Nelder et al., 2016; Steere et al., 2016; Stanek and Strle, 2018). Lyme disease is a prominent tick-borne illness (Benach et al., 1983) that features widespread distribution (Mead, 2015) and is caused by a group of spirochetes belonging to the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato complex (Burgdorfer et al., 1988). Recently, more virulent (albeit less prevalent) strains of Borrelia pathogens have been identified, including new clinical isolates of B. burgdorferi sensu lato, B. bissettii, B. mayonii, and B. miyamotoi, which are also transmitted by Ixodes ticks and are associated with severe human diseases (see chapter 24) (Krause et al., 2015; Pritt et al., 2016; Rudenko et al., 2016). Globally, the Borrelia species that are commonly associated with Lyme disease include B. burgdorferi sensu stricto, which is prevalent throughout the United States and Europe, and B. afzelii and B. garinii, which are distributed throughout Eurasia (Nadelman and Wormser, 1998; Piesman and Gern, 2004; Mead, 2015). In North America and Europe, Lyme disease spirochetes typically are maintained in nature through a complex tick-rodent infection cycle. Larval ticks acquire the pathogen while feeding on infected wild hosts, such as white-footed mice (Anderson et al., 1987; Anderson, 1989), and then transstadially maintain B. burgdorferi before transmitting the pathogen back to a naïve host during the subsequent blood meal (Steere, 2001; Steere et al., 2004). Humans and domesticated animals that develop Lyme disease are incidental hosts and do not play a role in the natural transmission cycle (Radolf et al., 2012). B. burgdorferi does not readily infect most tick species, suggesting that its interactions with I.