Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assessment of Patients With Mild Concussion in the Emergency Department

Objectives(1) to test the validity of the Standardized Assessment of Concussion (SAC) in characterizing the early evolution of concussion-related symptoms and mental status changes in the emergency department (ED) setting and (2) to compare it to the Conner's Continuous Performance Test 2nd Edition (CPT-II). DesignProspective within-subject (repeated measures) design. ParticipantsSixty-two persons with concussion (Glasgow Coma Scale = 15) and negative head computed tomographic scan results were examined on arrival in the ED and 3 and 6 hours later. SettingA large urban, tertiary medical center ED. Main Outcome MeasuresSAC; CPT-II; Post-Concussion Symptom Scale–Revised (PCS-R). ResultsSAC and CPT-II scores improved significantly over the time course in the ED. Symptoms did not correlate with improvement, with many subjects complaining of headache or nausea after their scores improved. The average initial score on the SAC was 21 ± 5.4/30. Conclusion: The SAC appears sensitive to the acute changes following concussion. It may be a useful tool for clinicians in detecting mental status changes after a concussion, when Glasgow Coma Scale and radiologic findings are normal.
Psychological distress in mid-life: evidence from the 1958 and 1970 British birth cohorts

Background This paper addresses the levels of psychological distress experienced at age 42 years by men and women born in 1958 and 1970. Comparing these cohorts born 12 years apart, we ask whether psychological distress has increased, and, if so, whether this increase can be explained by differences in their childhood conditions. Method Data were utilized from two well-known population-based birth cohorts, the National Child Development Study and the 1970 British Cohort Study. Latent variable models and causal mediation methods were employed. Results After establishing the measurement equivalence of psychological distress in the two cohorts we found that men and women born in 1970 reported higher levels of psychological distress compared with those born in 1958. These differences were more pronounced in men (b = 0.314, 95% confidence interval 0.252–0.375), with the magnitude of the effect being twice as strong compared with women (b = 0.147, 95% confidence interval 0.076–0.218). The effect of all hypothesized early-life mediators in explaining these differences was modest. Conclusions Our findings have implications for public health policy, indicating a higher average level of psychological distress among a cohort born in 1970 compared with a generation born 12 years earlier. Due to increases in life expectancy, more recently born cohorts are expected to live longer, which implies – if such differences persist – that they are likely to spend more years with mental health-related morbidity compared with earlier-born cohorts.
Software Implementations of Elliptic Curve Cryptography

Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) is a promising alternative for public-key algorithms in resource-constrained systems because it provides a similar level of security with much shorter keys than conventional integer-based publickey algorithms. ECC over binary field is of special interest because the operations in binary field are thought more space and time efficient. However, the software implementations of ECC over binary field are still slow, especially on low-end processors used in small computing devices such as sensor nodes. In this paper, we studied software implementations of ECC. We first investigated whether some architectural parameters such as word size may affect the choice of algorithms when implementing ECC with software. We identified a set of algorithms for ECC implementation for low-end processors. We also examined several improvements to the instruction set architecture of an 8-bit processor and studied their impact on the performance of ECC.
Swallowing Screens After Acute Stroke: A Systematic Review

Background and Purpose— Swallowing screens after acute stroke identify those patients who do not need a formal swallowing evaluation and who can safely take food and medications by mouth. We conducted a systematic review to identify swallowing screening protocols that met basic requirements for reliability, validity, and feasibility. Methods— We searched MEDLINE and supplemented results with references identified through other databases, journal tables of contents, and bibliographies. All relevant references were reviewed and evaluated with specific criteria. Results— Of 35 protocols identified, 4 met basic quality criteria. These 4 had high sensitivities of ≥87% and high negative predictive values of ≥91% when a formal swallowing evaluation was used as the gold standard. Two protocols had greater sample sizes and more extensive reliability testing than the others. Conclusions— We identified only 4 swallowing screening protocols for patients with acute stroke that met basic criteria. Cost-effectiveness of screening, including costs associated with false-positive results and impact of screening on morbidity, mortality, and length of hospital stay, requires elucidation.
Phosphatidylinositol increases HDL-C levels in humans Published, JLR Papers in Press, December 1, 2004. DOI 10.1194/jlr.M400438-JLR200

Studies have shown that phosphatidylinositol (PI) can stimulate reverse cholesterol transport by enhancing the flux of cholesterol into HDL and by promoting the transport of high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) to the liver and bile. The goal of this study was to determine the safety and therapeutic value of PI after oral administration to normolipidemic human subjects. We performed a randomized 2 week study in 16 normolipidemic subjects. Subjects received either 2.8 or 5.6 g of PI, with or without food. PI was well tolerated by all subjects. PI significantly affected the levels of HDL-C and triglyceride in the plasma of subjects receiving PI with food. The lower dose showed a 13% increase in HDL-C, whereas the high dose showed an increase of 18% over the 2 week period. Both low- and high-dose groups showed significant increases in plasma apolipoprotein A-I. The high dose of PI also decreased plasma triglycerides by 36% in the fed subjects. These data suggest that after only 2 weeks, PI may have a comparable therapeutic value to niacin, with negligible side effects.
The Relationship between Anger Expression and Its Indices and Oral Lichen Planus

Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a common inflammatory disease with unknown etiology. Depression, stress and anxiety are psychological factors that their influence on the expression of lichen planus by affecting the immune system's function has been confirmed. There is a probable relationship between anger and OLP expression. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the association of "anger" and OLP. In this descriptive study 95 subjects were included in 3 groups. A: patients with oral lichen planus, B: positive control, C: negative control. Anger and its indices were assessed by the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory-2 (STAXI-2) questionnaire, and pain was measured via the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). The collected data were analyzed statistically using SPSS 18 software. The lichen planus and positive control groups bore higher total anger index (AX index) values compared with the negative control. Comparing anger expression-in (AXI) among the lichen planus and negative control groups revealed higher grades in lichen planus group. Evaluating the pain severity index (VAS) data and anger indices in lichen planus group, Spearman's Rank Correlation Test revealed a significant correlation between TAngR (reactional anger traits) and pain severity. The findings of this study indicated that there was a significant correlation between anger control and suppression of lichen planus development. On the other hand, the patients with more severe pain mostly expressed their anger physically. Based on the findings, we can make the claim that anger suppression and its control-in (gathering tension) may play a role in the development of lichen planus as a known psychosomatic disorders.
Acute effects of progressive muscle relaxation on state anxiety and subjective well-being in chronic Bulgarian patients with schizophrenia.

BACKGROUND Recently, there has been an interest in the relative effectiveness of progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) within the multidisciplinary treatment of patients with schizophrenia.The present study is aimed at providing evidence on the efficacy of PMR as means of alleviating the state anxiety and psychological distress and a way to increase subjective well-being in chronic patients with schizophrenia. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Sixty four schizophrenia patients underwent 2 sessions of PMR. On the third session they were randomly allocated to either the PMR or the reading control condition. The State Anxiety Inventory (SAI) was used to assess state anxiety and the Subjective Exercise Experience Scale (SEES) to assess psychological distress and subjective well-being before and after the third session for both groups. RESULTS Our data show a significant time by group interaction for the SAI and SEES (Wilks λ=0.58, p<0.001). Effect sizes for PMR were -0.22 (95%CI=-0.73 to 0.19) for state anxiety, -0.96 (95%CI=-0.41 to -1.43) for psychological stress, and +1.01 (95%CI=0.45 to 1.54) for subjective well-being. CONCLUSION The present study provides scientific evidence for the utility of PMR in the chronic psychiatric settings for patients with schizophrenia.
THE STATIC AND FATIGUE STRENGTH OF REINFORCED CONCRETE BEAMS AFFECTED BY ALKALI-SILICA REACTION

This paper presents results from an experimental investigation in which the shear capacity of eight reinforced concrete beams affected by alkali silica reaction (ASR) were investigated under static and cyclic loading. The results of the ASR beams were compared with another identical eight reinforced concrete beams that were not affected by alkali-silica reaction. Two concrete mixes were used; one mix allowed the alkali-silica reaction to develop and is referred to as Mix A. The second mix did not allow the ASR reaction to take place and is referred to as the control or sound Mix C. The results show that the ASR enhanced the shear capacity of reinforced concrete beams and ultimately led to increases in their lifetimes.
Naturally Acquired Immune Responses to Plasmodium falciparum Sexual Stage Antigens Pfs48/45 and Pfs230 in an Area of Seasonal Transmission

ABSTRACT Acquisition of immunity to Plasmodium falciparum sexual stages is a key determinant for reducing human-mosquito transmission by preventing the fertilization and the development of the parasite in the mosquito midgut. Naturally acquired immunity against sexual stages may therefore form the basis for the development of transmission-blocking vaccines, but studies conducted to date offer little in the way of consistent findings. Here, we describe the acquisition of antigametocyte immune responses in malaria-exposed individuals in Burkina Faso. A total of 719 blood samples were collected in a series of three cross-sectional surveys at the start, peak, and end of the wet season. The seroprevalence of antibodies with specificity for the sexual stage antigens Pfs48/45 and Pfs230 was 2-fold lower (22 to 28%) than that for an asexual blood stage antigen glutamate-rich protein (GLURP) (65%) or for the preerythrocytic stage antigen circumsporozoite protein (CSP) (54%). The youngest children responded at frequencies similar to those for all four antigens but, in contrast with the immune responses to GLURP and CSP that increased with age independently of season and area of residence, there was no evidence for a clear age dependence of responses to Pfs48/45 and Pfs230. Anti-Pfs230 antibodies were most prevalent at the peak of the wet season (P < 0.001). Our findings suggest that naturally acquired immunity against Pfs48/45 and Pfs230 is a function of recent exposure rather than of cumulative exposure to gametocytes.
Mothers' Emotion Dynamics and Their Relations With Harsh and Lax Discipline: Microsocial Time Series Analyses

Hypotheses were tested about how moment-by-moment variation in mothers' negative emotion predicts harsh and lax discipline. Mother-toddler dyads interacted in a task designed to elicit challenging child behavior. Mothers viewed videotapes of their interactions and continuously rated their experienced emotion. Harsh discipline was associated with mothers' greater negative emotion intensity, greater dependence of mothers' emotion on toddlers' negative affect, and lower serial predictability of mothers' emotion. Laxness was also associated with greater emotion dependence on negative toddler affect and lower serial predictability but not with negative emotion intensity. The dependence of mothers' emotion on toddlers' rule violations was not associated with discipline. Dynamic emotion variables were not redundant with emotion intensity and therefore enhance our understanding of the role of emotion in discipline.
Relationship between hyperhomocysteinemia and atherosclerosis in chronic hemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND Hyperhomocysteinemia is an independent risk factor of coronary artery heart disease (CAHD) and atherosclerosis in a normal population. However, it is still controversial in end-stage kidney disease patients who underwent long-term dialysis. Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) is the standard non-invasive measurement of atherosclerosis. The aims of the present study were to determine the homocysteine (Hcy) level, and to evaluate its role as a risk factor of atherosclerosis in hemodialysis (HD) patients. MATERIAL AND METHOD Clinical data and blood chemistries were assayed in 62 HD patients. Atherosclerosis was defined by clinical presentations of CAHD, cerebrovascular or peripheral vascular diseases, or carotid plaque by ultrasound. IMT was also measured by ultrasound RESULTS Plasma Hcy level in HD patients was significantly higher in HD patients than normal controls (28.3 +/- 8.3 vs 9.7 +/- 2.9 micromol/l, p < 0.001). Older age (p < 0.001), male sex (p = 0.05), longer duration of HD (p = 0.05), and higher plasma Hcy level (p = 0.01) correlated with atherosclerosis by univariate analysis, but plasma Hcy did not show significant correlation by multivariable analysis. There was also correlation between IMT and atherosclerosis in HD patients (p < 0.001) but no correlation was observed between plasma Hcy level and lMT. CONCLUSION Hyperhomocysteinemia is not an independent factor in the genesis of atherosclerosis in HD patients. Advanced age plays a major role of hyperhomocysteinemia and IMT is a useful marker of atherosclerosis in these patients.
Expression Profile of NOTCH3 in Mouse Spermatogonia

Stable and sustainable spermatogenesis is supported by the strict regulation of self-renewal and differentiation of spermatogonial stem cells (SSC), which are a rare population of undifferentiated spermatogonia. It has been revealed that some signaling factors regulate the self-renewal of SSC; however, the molecular mechanism of SSC maintenance is still not completely understood. Notch signaling is an evolutionarily conserved juxtacrine signaling that plays important roles in the cell fate determination of various tissue stem cells. Recently, analyses of loss- and gain-of-function suggested that Notch signaling was necessary for normal spermatogenesis. However, the expression of Notch signal components in spermatogonia is still unclear. Here, we analyzed the distribution of NOTCH3-expressing spermatogonia and the target genes. Double immunostaining with differentiation markers revealed that NOTCH3 was expressed in some undifferentiated and differentiated spermatogonia in mouse testes. To define the target gene of Notch3 signaling in spermatogonia, we analyzed the mRNA expression pattern of Hes and Hey family genes during testis development. Hes1 abundance was decreased during testis development, suggesting that spermatogonia may express Hes1. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that HES1 was expressed in prepubertal spermatogonia, whereas it was expressed predominantly in adult Sertoli cells and weakly in adult spermatogonia. Furthermore, NOTCH3-HES1 double-positive spermatogonia were in pup and adult testes. These results suggest that Notch3 signaling in spermatogonia could promote Hes1 expression.
FAST ROTATION AND TRAILING FRAGMENTS OF THE ACTIVE ASTEROID P/2012 F5 (GIBBS)

While having a comet-like appearance, P/2012 F5 (Gibbs) has an orbit native to the Main Asteroid Belt, and physically is a km-sized asteroid which recently (mid 2011) experienced an impulsive mass ejection event. Here we report new observations of this object obtained with the Keck II telescope on UT 2014 August 26. The data show previously undetected 200 m scale fragments of the main nucleus, and reveal a rapid nucleus spin with a rotation period of 3.24 ± 0.01 hr. The existence of large fragments and the fast nucleus spin are both consistent with rotational instability and partial disruption of the object. To date, many fast rotators have been identified among the minor bodies, which, however, do not eject detectable fragments at the present-day epoch, and also fragmentation events have been observed, but with no rotation period measured. P/2012 F5 is unique in that for the first time we detected fragments and quantified the rotation rate of one and the same object. The rapid spin rate of P/2012 F5 is very close to the spin rates of two other active asteroids in the Main Belt, 133P/Elst-Pizarro and (62412), confirming the existence of a population of fast rotators among these objects. But while P/2012 F5 shows impulsive ejection of dust and fragments, the mass loss from 133P is prolonged and recurrent. We believe that these two types of activity observed in the rapidly rotating active asteroids have a common origin in the rotational instability of the nucleus.
Thermoelasticity of Fe2+‐bearing bridgmanite

We present local density approximation augmented by the Hubbard‐type correction calculations of high‐temperature elastic properties of bridgmanite with composition (Mg(1−x)Fex2+)SiO3 for 0≤×≤0.125. Results of elastic moduli and acoustic velocities for the Mg end‐member (x=0) agree very well with the latest high‐pressure and high‐temperature experimental measurements. In the iron‐bearing system, we focus particularly on the change in thermoelastic parameters across the state change that occurs in ferrous iron above ∼30 GPa, often attributed to a high‐spin (HS) to intermediate‐spin (IS) crossover but explained by first‐principles calculations as a lateral displacement of substitutional iron in the perovskite cage. We show that the measured effect of this change on the equation of state of this system can be explained by the lateral displacement of substitutional iron and not by the HS to IS crossover. The calculated elastic properties of (Mg0.875Fe0.1252+)SiO3 along an adiabatic mantle geotherm somewhat overestimate longitudinal velocities but produce densities and shear velocities quite consistent with the Preliminary Reference Earth Model data throughout most of the lower mantle.
Electrical impedance tomography reconstruction through Simulated Annealing with incomplete evaluation of the objective function

The EIT reconstruction problem is approached as an optimization problem where the difference between a simulated impedance domain and the observed one is minimized. This optimization problem is often solved by Simulated Annealing (SA), but at a large computational cost due to the expensive evaluation process of the objective function. We propose here, a variation of SA applied to EIT where the objective function is evaluated only partially, while ensuring upper boundaries on the deviation on the behavior of the modified SA. The reconstruction method is evaluated with simulated and experimental data.
Cells differentiating into neuroectoderm undergo apoptosis in the absence of functional retinoblastoma family proteins

The retinoblastoma (RB) protein is present at low levels in early mouse embryos and in pluripotent P19 embryonal carcinoma cells; however, the levels of RB rise dramatically in neuroectoderm formed both in embryos and in differentiating cultures of P19 cells. To investigate the effect of inactivating RB and related proteins p107 and p130, we transfected P19 cells with genes encoding mutated versions of the adenovirus E1A protein that bind RB and related proteins. When these E1A-expressing P19 cells were induced to differentiate into neuroectoderm, there was a striking rise in the expression of c-fos and extensive cell death. The ultrastructural and biochemical characteristics of the dying cells were indicative of apoptosis. The dying cells were those committed to the neural lineages because neurons and astrocytes were lost from differentiating cultures. Cell death was dependent on the ability of the E1A protein to bind RB and related proteins. Our results suggest that proteins of the RB family are essential for the development of the neural lineages and that the absence of functional RB activity triggers apoptosis of differentiating neuroectodermal cells.
Matrix Resin Effects in Composite Delamination: Mode I Fracture Aspects

A number of thermoset, toughened thermoset, and thermoplastic resin matrix systems were characterized for Mode I critical strain energy release rates, and their composites were tested for interlaminar critical strain energy release rates using the double cantilever beam method. A clear correlation is found between the two sets of data. With brittle resins, the interlaminar critical strain energy release rates are somewhat larger than the neat resin values due to a full transfer of the neat resin toughness to the composite and toughening mechanisms associated with crack growth. With tougher matrices, the higher critical strain energy release rates are only partially transferred to the composites, presumably because the fibers restrict the crack-tip deformation zones.
Do we need bone mineral density to estimate osteoporotic fracture risk? A 10-year prospective multicentre validation study

Objective Evaluate the performance of FRAX®, with and without bone mineral densitometry (BMD), in predicting the occurrence of fragility fractures over 10 years. Methods Participants aged ≥40 years at baseline, with a complete set of data and a minimum of 8.5 years of follow-up were identified from three cohorts (n=2626). Ten-year fracture risk at baseline were estimated with FRAX® and assessed by comparison with observed fractures and receiver operating characteristic analysis. Results During a mean (SD) follow-up of 9.12 (1.5) years, 178 participants suffered a major osteoporotic (MOP) fracture and 28 sustained a hip fracture. The predictive performance of FRAX® was superior to that of BMD alone for both MOP and hip fractures. The area under the curve (AUC) of FRAX® without BMD was 0.76 (95% CI 0.72 to 0.79) for MOP fractures and 0.78 (95% CI 0.69 to 0.86) for hip fractures. No significant improvements were found when BMD was added to clinical variables to predict either MOP (0.78, 95% CI 0.74 to 0.82, p=0.25) or hip fractures (0.79, 95% CI 0.69 to 0.89, p=0.72). AUCs for FRAX® (with and without BMD) were greater for men than for women. FRAX®, with and without BMD, tended to underestimate the number of MOP fractures and to overestimate the number of hip fractures in females. In men, the number of observed fractures were within the 95% CI of the number predicted, both with and without BMD. Conclusion FRAX® without BMD provided good fracture prediction. Adding BMD to FRAX® did not improve the performance of the tool in the general population.