Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impact of Early-Life Stress and Resilience on Patients with Major Depressive Disorder

Purpose Early-life stress (ELS) has a long-lasting effect on affective function and may entail an increased risk for major depressive disorder (MDD). However, resilience can play a protective role against developing psychopathology. In this study, we investigated the relationships of depressive symptoms with ELS and resilience in MDD. Materials and Methods Twenty-six patients with MDD as well as age- and gender-matched healthy controls were included in this study. Each subject was assessed concerning ELS, resilience, and depressive symptom severity with self-report questionnaires. Independent samples t-test and Mann-Whitney test were performed to compare ELS and resilience between the patient and control groups. Spearman correlation analyses and linear regression analysis were conducted to investigate significant ELS and resilience factors associated with depressive symptoms. Results In the MDD patient group, subjects reported greater exposure to inter-parental violence, and five factor scores on the resilience scale were significantly lower in comparison to the control group. In linear regression analysis, in regards to resilience, depressive symptom score was significantly associated with self-confidence and self-control factors; however, ELS demonstrated no significant association with depressive symptoms. Conclusion Among resilience factors, self-confidence and self-control may ameliorate depressive symptoms in MDD. ELS, including inter-parental violence, physical abuse and emotional abuse, might be a risk factor for developing depression. Assessment of early-life stress and intervention programs for increasing resilience capacity would be helpful in treating MDD.
Practical Design and Implementation Considerations of a Computer Adaptive Foreign Language Test

While the psychometric and statistical models underlying the design of computer adaptive tests (CAT) are well understood, relatively few working models exist for the purpose of foreign language assessment. Likewise, little has been published concerning the practical considerations affecting the implementation of such tests. in the process of constructing the Monash/Melbourne French CAT, we discovered much about putting testing theory into practice. The present paper reports this experience in three parts. In a preliminary section, we describe the academic context in which the French CAT was created and trialed. This is followed by a detailed consideration of the test presentation platform and operating algorithms. Lastly, we give an evaluation of the first administration of the French CAT, accompanied by a discussion of the test's reliability and validity as a placement instrument for first year Australian university students.
One reputation or many?: Comparing stakeholders' perceptions of corporate reputation

Purpose – The firm's reputation is one of its most valued intangible assets. Scientific and managerial interest in corporate reputation grows steadily. Reputation management – one of the cornerstones of corporate communications – seeks to align communication with stakeholder groups as to prevent a fragmented reputation. As yet, little is known about the perception of corporate reputation amongst the different stakeholders of a firm. Comparative empirical evidence has remained scarce. The aim of this paper is therefore to raise fundamental questions about reputation: how it may or may not differ between stakeholder groups and how firms can take these differences into account when measuring and managing corporate reputation.Design/methodology/approach – A single‐case, but very substantial, quantitative empirical study among German consumers, employees, and private investors of a consumer goods producer. Methods of data analysis include cluster analysis, ANOVA, and structural equation modelling using partial.
Production of Nanoemulsions from Palm-Based Tocotrienol Rich Fraction by Microfluidization

In the present study, tocotrienol rich fraction (TRF) nanoemulsions were produced as an alternative approach to improve solubility and absorption of tocotrienols. In the present study, droplet size obtained after 10 cycles of homogenization with increasing pressure was found to decrease from 120 to 65.1 nm. Nanoemulsions stabilized with Tween series alone or emulsifier blend Brij 35:Span 80 (0.6:0.4 w/w) homogenized at 25,000 psi and 10 cycles, produced droplet size less than 100 nm and a narrow size distribution with a polydispersity index (PDI) value lower than 0.2. However blend of Tween series with Span 80 produced nanoemulsions with droplet size larger than 200 nm. This work has also demonstrated the amount of tocols losses in TRF nanoemulsion stabilized Tweens alone or emulsifier blend Brij 35:Span 80 (0.6:0.4 w/w) ranged between 3%–25%. This can be attributed to the interfacial film formed surrounding the droplets exhibited different level of oxidative stability against heat and free radicals created during high pressure emulsification.
Prevalence and Risk Factors of Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Domestic Cats from the Tropics of Mexico Using Serological and Molecular Tests

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with Toxoplasma gondii infection in domestic cats using an indirect-ELISA (IgM and IgG) and PCR. Samples collected from 220 cats from Merida, Yucatan, Mexico, were analyzed. Cases were reported as acute or chronic. Cases when positive to IgM and IgG and PCR were considered as reactivated chronic infection. Risk factors (sex, age, body condition, diet access to hunting, and number of cats in home) were assessed with a multivariate analysis, 75.5% (166/220) of the cats were IgM and 91.8% (202/220) IgG-seropositive and 79% were PCR-positive (173/220). Number of cats per household and low body condition score were associated with reactivated chronic infection (P < 0.05). It is concluded that T. gondii is scattered in the studied population with several periods of reinfection, and therefore an environmental contamination with infecting oocysts exists and there are intrinsic associated factors in cats that increase the risk of becoming infected.
A survey on operator splitting and decomposition of convex programs

Many structured convex minimization problems can be modeled by the search of a zero of the sum of two monotone operators. Operator splitting methods have been designed to decompose and regularize at the same time these kind of models. We review here these models and the classical splitting methods. We focus on the numerical sensitivity of these algorithms with respect to the scaling parameters that drive the regularizing terms, in order to accelerate convergence rates for different classes of models.
A Fast and Robust Sparse Approach for Hyperspectral Data Classification Using a Few Labeled Samples

The classification of high-dimensional data with too few labeled samples is a major challenge which is difficult to meet unless some special characteristics of the data can be exploited. In remote sensing, the problem is particularly serious because of the difficulty and cost factors involved in assignment of labels to high-dimensional samples. In this paper, we exploit certain special properties of hyperspectral data and propose an l1-minimization -based sparse representation classification approach to overcome this difficulty in hyperspectral data classification. We assume that the data within each hyperspectral data class lies in a very low-dimensional subspace. Unlike traditional supervised methods, the proposed method does not have separate training and testing phases and, therefore, does not need a training procedure for model creation. Further, to prove the sparsity of hyperspectral data and handle the computational intensiveness and time demand of general-purpose linear programming (LP) solvers, we propose a Homotopy-based sparse classification approach, which works efficiently when data is highly sparse. The approach is not only time efficient, but it also produces results, which are comparable to the traditional methods. The proposed approaches are tested for our difficult classification problem of hyperspectral data with few labeled samples. Extensive experiments on four real hyperspectral data sets prove that hyperspectral data is highly sparse in nature, and the proposed approaches are robust across different databases, offer more classification accuracy, and are more efficient than state-of-the-art methods.
Efficient Fault-Tolerant Routing in Multihop Optical WDM Networks

This paper addresses the problem of efficient routing in unreliable multihop optical networks supported by Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM). We first define a new cost model for routing in (optical) WDM networks that is more general than the existing models. Our model takes into consideration not only the cost of wavelength access and conversion but also the delay for queuing signals arriving at different input channels that share the same output channel at the same node. We then propose a set of efficient algorithms in a reliable WDM network on the new cost model for each of the three most important communication patterns-multiple point-to-point routing, multicast, and multiple multicast. Finally, we show how to obtain a set of efficient algorithms in an unreliable WDM network with up to f faulty optical channels and wavelength conversion gates. Our strategy is to first enhance the physical paths constructed by the algorithms for reliable networks to ensure success of fault-tolerant routing, and then to route among the enhanced paths to establish a set of fault-free physical routes to complete the corresponding routing request for each of the communication patterns.
Adult Education and the “ New Work Order : ” An Examination of Learning and the Management of Knowledge in the Workplace

This project examines the connection between new ways of organizing work, Human Resource Development, and the production of knowledge. Theoretically, the project is grounded within critical theory, critical feminist thought, and theories of power. Using an insider/outsider and participant/observation case study approach, and informed by critical ethnography, the study is an analysis of the impact of the "new work order" in four workplaces. The project details the ways that new management techniques shape and control workers. Suggestions for challenging management control of learning are presented.
Distinct Patterns of Tryptophan Maintenance in Tissues during Kynurenine Pathway Activation in Simian Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Macaques

Induction of the kynurenine pathway (KP) of tryptophan (TRP) catabolism has been proposed to contribute to T cell dysfunction during human/simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection via depletion of local TRP levels and production of immunomodulatory KP metabolites. However, while changes in TRP and KP metabolites have been observed in plasma, their levels in lymphoid tissues and levels of enzymes downstream of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO1) have been relatively unexplored. We used our SIV-infected pigtailed macaque model to analyze longitudinal changes in KP metabolites and enzymes by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and NanoString nCounter gene expression analysis, respectively, in spleen and blood compared to changes previously established in brain and CSF. We found that TRP levels were remarkably stable in tissue sites despite robust depletion in the circulating plasma and CSF. We also demonstrated that intracellular TRP reserves were maintained in cultured cells even in the presence of depleted extracellular TRP levels. Kynurenine (KYN), 3-hydroxykynurenine, quinolinic acid, and the KP enzymes all displayed highly divergent patterns in the sites examined, though IDO1 expression always correlated with local KYN/TRP ratios. Finally, we demonstrated by fluorescence-activated cell sorting that myeloid dendritic cells and cells of monocytic lineage were the highest producers of IDO1 in chronically infected spleens. Overall, our study reveals insights into the tissue-specific regulation of KP enzymes and metabolites and, in particular, highlights the multiple mechanisms by which cells and tissues seek to prevent TRP starvation during inflammation.
FACE RECOGNITION TECHNIQUES AND APPROACHES: A SURVEY

Face recognition is a necessity of the modern age as the need for identification of individual has increased with the globalization of the world. Personal authentication through face has been under research since last two decades. The performance of the face recognition system has been enhanced using various algorithms. A generic facial authentication method contains three major steps i.e. face detection, facial features segmentation and face recognition. There are many commonly used algorithms used for this purpose. This paper provides an overview of different face recognition approaches. These approaches are categorized into four classes in this paper. These are holistic based approach, model based approach, hybrid based approach and feature based approach. Various techniques introduced in each of these categories are discussed.
On the anomalous X-ray afterglows of GRB 970508 and 970828

Recently, BeppoSAX and ASCA have observed an unusual resurgence of soft X-ray emission during the afterglows of GRB 970508 and 970828, together with marginal evidence for the existence of Fe lines in both objects. We consider the implications of the existence of a torus of iron-rich material surrounding the sites of gamma-ray bursts, as would be expected in the supra-nova model; in particular, we show that the fireball will quickly hit this torus, and bring it to a temperature of ≈3×107 K. Bremsstrahlung emission from the heated-up torus will cause a resurgence of the soft X-ray emission with all expected characteristics (flux level, duration and spectral hardening with time) identical to those observed during the re-burst. Also, thermal emission from the torus will account for the observed iron line flux. These events are also observable, for instance by new missions such as SWIFT, when beaming away from our line of sight makes us miss the main burst, as fast (soft) X-ray transients, with durations of ≈103 s and fluences of ≈10−7–10−4 erg cm−2. This model provides evidence in favour of the supra-nova model for gamma-ray bursts.
Quality of Life and Migraine Disability among Female Migraine Patients in a Tertiary Hospital in Malaysia

Background. Disability caused by migraine may be one of the main causes of burden contributing to poor quality of life (QOL) among migraine patients. Thus, this study aimed to measure QOL among migraine sufferers in comparison with healthy controls. Methods. Female diagnosed migraine patients (n= 100) and healthy controls (n=100) completed the Malay version of the World Health Organization QOL Brief (WHOQOL-BREF) questionnaire. Only migraine patients completed the Malay version of the Migraine Disability Assessment questionnaire. Results. Females with migraines had significantly lower total WHOQOL-BREF scores (84.3) than did healthy controls (91.9, P<0.001). Similarly, physical health (23.4 versus 27.7, P<0.001) and psychological health scores (21.7 versus 23.2, P< 0.001) were significantly lower than those for healthy controls. Seventy-three percent of patients experienced severe disability, with significantly higher number of days with headaches (13.8 days/3 months, P< 0.001) and pain scores (7.4, P< 0.013). Furthermore, migraine patients with lower total QOL scores had 1.2 times higher odds of having disability than patients with higher total QOL scores. Conclusions. The present study showed that migraine sufferers experienced significantly lower QOL than the control group from a similar population. Disability was severe and frequent and was associated with lower QOL among the migraine patients.
Iliopsoas tendon insertion footprint with surgical implications in lesser trochanterplasty for treating ischiofemoral impingement: an anatomic study

The objective of this study was to describe the footprint location of the iliopsoas tendon on the lesser trochanter to clarify the surgical implications of the lesser trochanterplasty for treating ischiofemoral impingement. Ten non-matched, fresh-frozen, cadaveric hemipelvis specimens (average age, 62.4 years; range, 48–84 years; 7 male and 3 female) were included. Registered measures included bony parameters of the lesser trochanter (lesser trochanteric area, distances from the tip to the base in a coordinate system, height and area) and tendinous iliopsoas footprint descriptions (areas and detailed location). The mean height of the lesser trochanter was 13.1 (SD ± 1.8) mm, with female having a smaller lesser trochanter on average (11.3, SD ± 2.0). A double tendinous footprint was found in 7 (70%) specimens. The average area of the single- and double-footprint was 211.2 mm2 and 187.9 mm2, respectively. An anterior cortical area with no tendinous insertion on the anterior aspect of lesser trochanter was present in all specimens and measured 4.9 mm (SD ± 0.6) on average. The mean ratio between the bald anterior wall and the lesser trochanter height was 38% (SD ± 0.05). The iliopsoas tendon footprint is double (psoas and iliacus) in most cases and is located on the anteromedial tip of the lesser trochanter. A bald anterior wall on the bottom of the lesser trochanter indicates that a partial or total lesser trochanterplasty for increasing the ischiofemoral space without detaching partially or entirely the iliopsoas tendon is improbable.
Ethyl Acetate Extract of Artemisia anomala S. Moore Displays Potent Anti-Inflammatory Effect

Artemisia anomala S. Moore has been widely used in China to treat inflammatory diseases for hundreds of years. However, mechanisms associated with its anti-inflammatory effect are not clear. In this study, we prepared ethyl acetate, petroleum ether, n-BuOH, and aqueous extracts from ethanol extract of Artemisia anomala S. Moore. Comparing anti-inflammatory effects of these extracts, we found that ethyl acetate extract of this herb (EAFA) exhibited the strongest inhibitory effect on nitric oxide (NO) production in LPS/IFNγ-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. EAFA suppressed the production of NO in a time- and dose-dependent manner without eliciting cytotoxicity to RAW264.7 cells. To understand the molecular mechanism underlying EAFA's anti-inflammatory effect, we showed that EAFA increased total cellular anti-oxidant capacity while reducing the amount of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in stimulated RAW264.7 cells. EAFA also suppressed the expression of IL-1β and IL-6, whereas it elevates the level of heme oxygenase-1. These EAFA-induced events were apparently associated with NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways because the DNA binding activity of p50/p65 was impaired and the activities of both ERK and JNK were decreased in EFEA-treated cells comparing to untreated cells. Our findings suggest that EAFA exerts its anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting the expression of iNOS.
Compensating the Poor Out of Traditional Healing in Cameroon: A Nested Logit Analysis

The current paper sought to (i) identify the determinants of the choice of health care providers in Cameroon, and (ii) determine the compensation to the poor to get them away from traditional/self healing. The core is a nested Logit model, accounting for the poor’s decision in terms of a Spline function of consumption. Overall, the majority of the determinants had the expected sign with a significant effect. The compensation to the poor is at least 46.20% of the lower poverty line, while the intermediate group receives a compensation of at least 14.47% of the upper poverty line.
Face detection and identification using a hierarchical feed-forward recognition architecture

We apply a hierarchical feed-forward neural architecture to the problem of face recognition. The network is similar to the neocognitron-approach and a two-layer variation of this architecture, which has previously been successfully applied to patch classification tasks. We extend this architecture to a three-layer one, which allows not only identification of image patches, but also detection in larger images. In the research area of face recognition, a lot of expertise has been developed for the problem of either identification or detection, but approaches which deal with both problems simultaneously are rarely to be found. In this work, we apply the hierarchical approach to this problem and evaluate the performance on artificial datasets.
Maternal psychological distress and fetal growth trajectories: The Generation R Study

Background Previous research suggests, though not consistently, that maternal psychological distress during pregnancy leads to adverse birth outcomes. We investigated whether maternal psychological distress affects fetal growth during the period of mid-pregnancy until birth. Method Pregnant women (n=6313) reported levels of psychological distress using the Brief Symptom Inventory (anxious and depressive symptoms) and the Family Assessment Device (family stress) at 20.6 weeks pregnancy and had fetal ultrasound measurements in mid- and late pregnancy. Estimated fetal weight was calculated using head circumference, abdominal circumference and femur length. Results In mid-pregnancy, maternal distress was not linked to fetal size. In late pregnancy, however, anxious symptoms were related to fetal size after controlling for potential confounders. Anxious symptoms were also associated with a 37.73 g [95% confidence interval (CI) −69.22 to −6.25, p=0.019] lower birth weight. When we related maternal distress to fetal growth curves using multilevel models, more consistent results emerged. Maternal symptoms of anxiety or depression were associated with impaired fetal weight gain and impaired fetal head and abdominal growth. For example, depressive symptoms reduced fetal weight gain by 2.86 g (95% CI −4.48 to −1.23, p<0.001) per week. Conclusions The study suggests that, starting in mid-pregnancy, fetal growth can be affected by different aspects of maternal distress. In particular, children of prenatally anxious mothers seem to display impaired fetal growth patterns during pregnancy. Future work should address the biological mechanisms underlying the association of maternal distress with fetal development and focus on the effects of reducing psychological distress in pregnancy.
Large Magellanic Cloud self-lensing for OGLE-II microlensing observations

In the framework of microlensing searches towards the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC), we discuss the results presented by the OGLE collaboration for their OGLE-II campaign (Wyrzykowski et al. 2009). We evaluate the optical depth, the duration and the expected rate of events for the different possible lens populations: both luminous, dominated by the LMC self lensing, and “dark”, the would be compact halo objects (MACHOs) belonging to either the Galactic or to the LMC halo. The OGLE-II observational results, 2 microlensing candidate events located in the LMC bar region with duration of 24.2 and 57.2 days, compare well with the expected signal from the luminous lens populations: nexp = 1.5, with typical duration, for LMC self lensing, of about 50 days. Because of the small statistics at disposal, however, the conclusions that can be drawn as for the halo mass fraction, f , in form of compact halo objects are not too severe. By means of a likelihood analysis we find an upper limit for f , at 95% confidence level, of about 15% in the mass range (10 −2 10 −1 ) M⊙ and 26% for 0.5 M⊙.