Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Analytic and Holistic Thinkers: Differences in the Dynamics of Heart Rate Complexity When Solving a Cognitive Task in Field-Dependent and Field-Independent Conditions

Analytic and holistic thinking styles are known to be associated with individual differences in various aspects of behavior and brain activity. In this study, we tested a hypothesis that differences in thinking styles may also be manifested at the level of neuro-visceral coordination. Heart rate variability (HRV) was compared between analytic and holistic thinkers at rest, during a simple motor choice reaction time task and when solving cognitive choice reaction time tasks in conditions with varying instructions contrasting the role of the field when evaluating objects. Participants (N = 52) with analytic and holistic thinking styles were equally successful at solving the cognitive tasks but response times were longer in the analytic group, compared to the holistic group. Heart rate complexity, as measured by sample entropy, was higher in the analytic group during the cognitive tasks but did not differ from the holistic group at rest or during the simple motor task. Analytic participants had longer response times and higher heart rate complexity when evaluating objects in relation to the field than when evaluating objects irrespective to the field. No difference in response times or heart rate complexity between tasks was observed in the holistic group. Our findings demonstrate that differences in individual behavior, including those related to holistic and analytic thinking styles, can be reflected not only in brain activity, as shown previously using fMRI and EEG methods, but also at the level of neuro-visceral coordination, as manifested in heart rate complexity.
Factors associated with the serological prevalence of Salmonella enterica in Greek finishing swineherds

Blood samples were taken from 50 finishing pigs at 90–105 kg in each of 59 randomly selected farrow-to-finish herds. The sera were tested for antibodies to Salmonella enterica by the Danish mix-ELISA. Samples with an optical density of >10% were considered to be positive. Associations between the odds of seropositivity of pigs and possible risk factors were evaluated in multivariable logistic regression models. The results of the analysis indicated that pigs fed non-pelleted dry or wet ration had 11 (P=0·0004) or 9 (P=0·02) times, respectively, lower odds of seropositivity than those fed pelleted ration. The risk of seropositivity was 4 (P=0·0006) times higher in pigs fed a combination of chlortetracycline, procaine penicillin and sulphamethazine during fattening than in those fed an approved growth promotor or a probiotic.
Perceived Causes of Academic Failure among the Students at the Faculty of Education at Buca.

This study, conducted at the Buca Faculty of Education, Dokuz Eylul University (Turkey), sought to identify factors associated with academic failure of college students. Data were collected through a survey questionnaire titled "Perceived Causes of Academic Failure Inventory" that identified 10 subgroups of factors: teachers' behavior; teaching methods; lack of commitment to study; problems with learning environment; problems with subject content and examinations; psychological problems of student; unsatisfactory relationship with family; future concerns related to chosen field of study; and problems of time management. Data were used to develop a predictive model that would allow researchers and teachers to explore students' perception of factors that affected learning or nonlearning. A total of 1196 volunteer students, in 3 random samples, participated in the study. Findings indicated that "failure" and "success" student groups differed significantly in their perceptions of causes of academic failure. The failure group perceived the following factors as most significant: teacher behavior, teaching methods, subject content and examinations, lack of commitment to study, and psychological problems. Students from different academic departments also tended to differ in how they rated factors. Six tables summarize the statistical data. A list of the 83 factors and factor loadings used in the study is provided in the appendix. (CH) *********************************************************************** Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. *********************************************************************** PERCEIVED CAUSES OF ACADEMIC FAILURE AMONG THE STUDENTS AT THE FACULTY OF EDUCATION AT BUCA Dr. Ferda Aysan, Assoc. Prof., Dr. GUInur Tannagen, Assist. Prof., Dr. Abdurrahman Tanridgen, Assoc. Prof. Buca Faculty of Education Dokuz Eyliil University, Izmir-TURKEY
Epiretinal Membrane and Cystoid Macular Edema after Retinal Detachment Repair with Small-Gauge Pars Plana Vitrectomy

Purpose To evaluate the incidence rates of cystoid macular edema (CME) and epiretinal membrane (ERM) formation after uncomplicated primary 23-G and 25-G retinal detachment (RD) repair and to identify risk factors associated with postoperative CME and ERM formation. Methods This was a consecutive interventional case series of 587 eyes that underwent one RD repair with 23-G or 25-G pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with scleral buckling. Epiretinal membrane and CME were confirmed by optical coherence tomography (OCT) and fluorescein angiography (FA). Results A total of 587 eyes with a mean follow-up of 404 days had incidence rates of 35.1% for ERM and 15.2% for CME. The incidence of ERM after combined PPV and scleral buckling (48.4%) (n = 61) was greater (p<0.0001) compared to that after PPV alone (31.2%) (n = 144). Conclusions Epiretinal membrane and CME develop frequently after small-gauge RD repair. Pars plana vitrectomy combined with scleral buckling is associated with a higher incidence of ERM. Patients might benefit from increased use of OCT and FA to help rule out CME/ERM.
Erythropoietin Blood Level Is Increased in Sudden Infant Death

Erythropoietin (EPO) is the main red cell growth factor and its release into the blood stream is stimulated by anemia and also by various kinds of hypoxia. We studied the blood EPO concentration in a population of 96 infants who died suddenly and compared their mean EPO levels to control infants. The normal values were low at birth and progressively increased during the first 2 years. In the sudden infant death (SID) group the EPO level was significantly higher (p = 0.001) for the entire population and particularly in the youngest group (0–2 months): 14.7 ± 2.4 IU/l (mean ± SEM) in SID group vs. 3.6 ± 0.4 IU/l in control group (p < 0.001). Although we could not analyze the blood hemoglobin concentration after death, the anemia hypothesis was refuted by an assay of the percentage of fetal hemoglobin which was normal for age in the control and SID groups. Moreover, there was no significant difference in EPO levels between explained and unexplained deaths. We also observed an increase in the stress hormones, cortisol and β-endorphin, in the entire SID group. These SID results suggest a profound and long-lasting hypoxia at least during terminal agony.
The frequency of occurrence of atypical lymphocytes in peripheral blood smears of natalizumab‐treated patients with multiple sclerosis

Aside from the extensive published data on immunophenotypic lymphocyte subsets in natalizumab‐treated patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), an impact of natalizumab on lymphocyte morphology has rarely been studied. As patients treated with immunomodulating or immunosuppressive drugs are at risk for infectious disorders such as viral infections, knowledge of drug‐derived changes in lymphocyte morphology may be beneficial in the diagnostic work‐up in such clinical situations. This study aimed to determine the frequency of occurrence of atypical lymphocytes and defined subtypes of variant lymphocytes in natalizumab‐treated patients with MS.
Bayesian Analysis of Big Data in Insurance Predictive Modeling Using Distributed Computing

While Bayesian methods have attracted considerable interest in actuarial science, they are yet to be embraced in large-scaled insurance predictive modeling applications, due to inefficiencies of Bayesian estimation procedures. The paper presents an efficient method that parallelizes Bayesian computation using distributed computing on Apache Spark across a cluster of computers. The distributed algorithm dramatically boosts the speed of Bayesian computation and expands the scope of applicability of Bayesian methods in insurance modeling. The empirical analysis applies a Bayesian hierarchical Tweedie model to a big data of 13 million insurance claim records. The distributed algorithm achieves as much as 65 times performance gain over the non-parallel method in this application. The analysis demonstrates that Bayesian methods can be of great value to large-scaled insurance predictive modeling.
Glomerular crescent-related biomarkers in a murine model of chronic graft versus host disease.

BACKGROUND We examined the alterations in gene expression associated with the development of crescentic glomerulonephritis in murine chronic graft-versus-host disease, a model for human systemic lupus erythematosus. METHODS The disease was induced in (C57BL/6 x DBA/2) F(1) hybrids by injection of DBA/2 lymphocytes leading to deposition of auto-antibodies in the glomeruli, and a lupus type of nephritis morphologically. After extensive crescent formation at week 9 of disease, cDNA microarray analysis was performed and highly expressed genes were evaluated as molecular markers by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry and immunoassay of urine proteins. RESULTS Six genes, secreted acidic cysteine-rich glycoprotein (Sparc), thymosin beta 10 (Tmsb10), S100 calcium-binding protein A6 (S100a6), annexin A2 (Anxa2), osteopontin (OPN) and lipocalin 2 (Lcn2), were quantified by real-time RT-PCR in laser microdissected glomeruli in a time course manner. Sparc was detected early before the onset of proteinuria and continued to increase throughout the course of the disease. The expression of Tmsb10, S100a6 and Anxa2 coincided with heavy proteinuria. By week 9, OPN and Lcn2 were highly expressed. The expression of proteins encoded by these genes was predominant in the glomerular crescent. The protein levels of Sparc, OPN and Lcn2 in urine were significantly elevated. CONCLUSIONS These findings implicate these six genes in the development of glomerular crescents. More importantly, detection of Sparc, OPN and Lcn2 in urine may mean that these molecules could serve as important biomarkers for non-invasive diagnosis of glomerular crescents.
Up-regulation of autophagy-related gene 5 (ATG5) protects dopaminergic neurons in a zebrafish model of Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is one of the most epidemic neurodegenerative diseases and is characterized by movement disorders arising from loss of midbrain dopaminergic (DA) neurons. Recently, the relationship between PD and autophagy has received considerable attention, but information about the mechanisms involved is lacking. Here, we report that autophagy-related gene 5 (ATG5) is potentially important in protecting dopaminergic neurons in a 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced PD model in zebrafish. Using analyses of zebrafish swimming behavior, in situ hybridization, immunofluorescence, and expressions of genes and proteins related to PD and autophagy, we found that the ATG5 expression level was decreased and autophagy flux was blocked in this model. The ATG5 down-regulation led to the upgrade of PD-associated proteins, such as β-synuclein, Parkin, and PINK1, aggravation of MPTP-induced PD-mimicking pathological locomotor behavior, DA neuron loss labeled by tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) or dopamine transporter (DAT), and blocked autophagy flux in the zebrafish model. ATG5 overexpression alleviated or reversed these PD pathological features, rescued DA neuron cells as indicated by elevated TH/DAT levels, and restored autophagy flux. The role of ATG5 in protecting DA neurons was confirmed by expression of the human atg5 gene in the zebrafish model. Our findings reveal that ATG5 has a role in neuroprotection, and up-regulation of ATG5 may serve as a goal in the development of drugs for PD prevention and management.
High frequency harmonics emission of modern power electronic AC-DC converters

Modern AC/DC converters with bidirectional power flow employing PWM boost topology generate harmonic distortions of input current in relatively high frequency range tightly related to modulation carrier frequency. These frequencies and its multiples in typical applications are usually located in frequency range from single up to several of kHz. Increased harmonic emission in this frequency range can easily and harmfully influence sensitive control and measurement systems what occurs more often nowadays in applications where high power AC/DC PWM boost converted are used. This paper presents a comparison of current harmonic emission of PWM boost rectifiers with relation to classic diode rectifiers. New class of electromagnetic compatibility problems arising in power system are underlined as a result of increased harmonic distortions emission in frequency range up to 9 kHz.
A Wide-Angle and Circularly Polarized Beam-Scanning Antenna Based on Microstrip Spoof Surface Plasmon Polariton Transmission Line

In this letter, a wide-angle beam-scanning antenna with circular polarization (CP) characteristic is proposed. The antenna consists of two layers. Microstrip spoof surface plasmon polariton (SPP) is introduced on the bottom layer as a slow-wave feeding line. A series of circular patches are placed on the top layer as radiating elements. Simulated and measured results indicate that beam-scanning angle of the proposed antenna is improved and CP beam-scanning ability is obtained by introducing perturbation on the radiating elements. In the operating band of 11–15 GHz, measured scanning angle of the fabricated antenna is from –32° to +34°. The antenna axial ratio (AR) is below 3 dB at the corresponding beam direction, and gain is above 12.8 dBi over the whole band. It has potential applications in radar and wireless communication systems for simple structure, low-cost fabrication, wide beam-steering, and CP properties.
Efficient Error-Resilient Multicasting for Multi-View 3D Videos in Wireless Network

With the emergence of 3D mobile and VR devices, mobile 3D video services are becoming increasingly important for video service providers, such as Youtube and Netflix, while multi-view 3D videos have the potential to inspire a variety of innovative applications. However, enabling multi- view 3D video services may overwhelm WiFi networks when every view of a video are multicasted. In this paper, therefore, we propose to leverage depth-image-based rendering (DIBR) in multi-view 3D, which allows each mobile client to synthesize the desired view from nearby left and right views, in order to effectively reduce the bandwidth consumption. Moreover, when each client suffers from packet losses, retransmissions incur additional bandwidth consumption and excess delay, which in turn undermines the quality of experience in video applications. To address the above issue, we first discover the merit of view protection via DIBR for multi-view video multicast using a mathematical analysis and then design a new protocol, named Multi-View Group Management Protocol (MVGMP), to support the dynamic join and leave of users and the change of desired views. The simulation results demonstrate that our protocol effectively reduces bandwidth consumption and increases the probability for each client to successfully playback the desired views in a multi-view 3D video.
Effects of short‐chain fatty acids on growth and differentiation of the human colon‐cancer cell line HT29

Short‐chain fatty acids (SCFAs), namely butyrate, acetate and propionate, originate from the bacterial fermentation of dietaiy fibers and are the predominant anions present in the large bowel. Our study was carried out to investigate the effects of SCFAs on growth of the human adenocarcinoma cell line, HT29. The results show that, under our culture conditions, both propionate and butyrate inhibit growth of HT29 cells, whereas acetate has no significant effect. The antiproliferative effect of propionate or butyrate is associated with an inhibition of FCS‐induced activation of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), a key enzyme of polyamine metabolism. Inhibition of growth induced by either propionate or butyrate is not reversed by the addition of putrescine, which reveals that these SCFAs are not acting solely on the ODC/polyamine system. Our data show that propionate and butyrate, unlike acetate, induce an increase in alkaline phosphatase activity, which reflects a more differentiated phenotype than that of untreated control cells. Taken together, our results suggest that propionate, like butyrate, may play an important role in the physiology of the colon and could partially account for the protective effect of dietary fibers with respect to colon carcinogenesis. © 1992 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Merosin-negative congenital muscular dystrophy: Report of five cases

Context: Congenital muscular dystrophy type 1A (MDC1A) is caused by mutations in the laminin α-2 gene encoding laminin-a2. Aims: The purpose of this study is to determine clinical and genetic results in five Turkish patients with MDC1A. Setting and Designs: Five children with MDC1A were retrospectively analyzed. Results: Three (60%) were boys, and 2 (40%) were girls. Parental consanguinity was found in all the families. In all the patients, hypotonia, weakness, delayed motor milestones, markedly elevated creatine phosphokinase (CPK) concentration, and brain white matter abnormalities on magnetic resonance imaging were detected. Mutation analysis was performed in all the patients, and 3 different mutations were detected. However, a mutation in patient 1 and 2 has not been previously described in the literature. Conclusions: When a patient presents with severe congenital hypotonia, muscle weakness, high serum CPK levels, and white matter abnormalities, should be suspected as MDC1A.
Disseminated Kaposi sarcoma in immunosuppressed patients.

UNLABELLED Tumour incidence was examined in kidney-transplanted patients receiving immunosuppressive therapy. Eight hundred and fifty immunosuppressed patients (mean age: 34.5 years; mean follow-up time: 67 months; men/women = 3/2), were followed up. Two cases of disseminated visceral kaposi sarcoma (K.S.) are reported in detail. RESULTS long-term immunosuppression significantly raises the risk of tumour development (30/850); one must reckon with the appearance of visceral K.S. (2/850), which is exceptionally rare in the general population. CONCLUSION the classical lower extremity cutaneous manifestation is fairly benign, it appears later and responds to radiotherapy well. The visceral form appears early (in 3-6 months), it is aggressive, progressing quickly. Only early diagnosis followed by immediate reduction or discontinuation of immunosuppression, helps successful oncological treatment.
The Age of Vacuum Tubes: Early Devices and the Rise of Radio Communications [Historical]

Vacuum tubes exploit the thermionic emission of electrons, which was first observed in 1880 by Thomas Alva Edison (18471931) and his engineers while testing incandescent light bulbs with carbon filaments. After installing the first commercial power stations and distribution systems, Edison went back and detected the current emitted by the hot filament that was received at a plate electrode. Edison registered a patent for this in 1884 (one of the 1,093 patents he registered) so that the leading Welsh engineer William Preece (18341913) described the phenomenon as the Edison effect in 1885. However, Edison, dubbed the “Wizard of Menlo Park,” neither understood the phenomenon, presuming it to be a current of charged carbon particles, nor pursued its technical and commercial exploitations. If he had recognized that the current in the vacuum between the hot filament and plate was due to negatively charged particles far smaller than atoms, he might have also been known as the father of electronics. Instead, more than 20 years went by before practical developments were made.
Gaussian Quadrature Method for Pricing American and Exotic Options in a Jump-Diffusion Process

In this paper we propose a Gaussian quadrature method to study American and exotic option pricing under the jump-diffusion model of Merton (1976). Our numerical experiments show that the Gaussian quadrature method, compared to several existing methods in the literature, including the fast Gauss transform method (Broadie and Yamamoto, 2003), the bivariate tree approach (Hilliard and Schwartz, 2005), and the extrapolation approach (Feng and Linetsky, 2008), is accurate for valuing American options. In addition to American options, we also show that the Gaussian quadrature method performs well for the valuation of exotic options under the jump-diffusion model. Overall, the Gaussian quadrature method is highly accurate and suitable for the valuation of price options with early exercise features under a jump-diffusion process.
Human discs large and scrib are localized at the same regions in colon mucosa and changes in their expression patterns are correlated with loss of tissue architecture during malignant progression

Loss of cell polarity is one of the hallmarks of malignant carcinomas. Most of the understanding about the link between cell polarity and proliferation control comes from studies on the Drosophila tumor suppressors discs large (Dlg), scribble (Scrib) and lethal giant larvae (lgl). Mammalian homologues of these proteins have been described and are conserved in sequence and function. Human Dlg (hDlg) and Scrib were independently shown to be down‐regulated during malignant progression. This, and other lines of evidence, points toward the participation of both hDlg and hScrib in a common pathway involved in polarity control and tumor suppression. We investigated the correlation between the expression of both proteins in tissues and their relative contributions to the maintenance of tissue architecture during colon cancer development. We analyzed the levels and distribution of hDlg and hScrib by immunohistochemistry, using serial sections of the same sample. We used normal and neoplastic colon mucosa, since it offers a good model for analyzing these features in progressive dysplastic stages. The results demonstrate that both proteins localize at the same regions in polarized colon epithelia, and that in normal samples the proteins' distribution varies as cells differentiate at the surface mucosa. In neoplasia, alterations in the expression pattern of hDlg and of hScrib increase during tumor progression; down‐regulation of both proteins being associated with lack of epithelial cell polarity and disorganized tissue architecture. The results, therefore, demonstrate that there is an inverse relationship between the levels of hDlg and hScrib expression and the loss of cell polarity and tissue architecture in the colon. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.