Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sleep Disturbances in Parkinson's Disease

A common early non-motor symptom of Parkinson’s disease (PD) is sleep disturbance. Indeed, rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder (RBD) and excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) are predictors of PD. EDS and RBD are thought to be risk factors for the cognitive disturbances observed in PD. Some researchers have suggested that RBD can be used as a predictor of the pathological progression of PD. Thus far, sleep disturbances have not been recognized as a component in the progression of the disease, and therefore have not been routinely and adequately controlled in this patient population. In this review, we present evidence that the assessment of sleep (i. e. , the presence of fragmented sleep, insomnia, RBD, EDS, and sudden onset of sleep) should be a part of the routine evaluation of patients with PD. ABBREVIATIONS RBD: Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder; EDS: Excessive daytime sleepiness; PSG: Polysomnography; PDSS: Parkinson’s disease sleep scale; SCOPA: Scale for outcomes in Parkinson’s disease; UPDRS: Unified Parkinson’s disease rating scale; RLS: Restless leg syndrome; PLMS: Periodic limb movements; MSLT: Multiple sleep latency time; SOREMP: Sleeponset REM periods
Emotional competencies across adulthood : State of knowledge and implications for the work context

It has been proposed that emotional competencies are subject to age-related increases and, thus, represent strengths of older workers. However, this assumption is based on limited evidence for positive age differences in one particular emotional competency, namely emotion regulation. Age-related differences in two other key emotional competencies, emotion perception and emotion understanding, have been largely ignored. The present review systematically examines the extant literature on the associations between age and the competencies to perceive, understand, and regulate emotions. For each competency, we further distinguish whether it concerns own emotions or those of others. We identified 195 studies that met our inclusion criteria. Overall, we found moderate support for the proposed age-related advantage in emotional competencies. Regarding the working lifespan, findings suggest that older workers generally function equally well as, or slightly better than young workers on most emotional competencies (i.e., perceiving, understanding and regulating own emotions, and understanding others’ emotions). For perceiving others’ emotions, there was robust evidence of lower performance beyond age 65, yet deficits did not show consistently for middle-aged adults (i.e., most older workers). For regulating others’ emotions, evidence was too limited to draw conclusions. We discuss implications of age differences in emotional competencies for work processes and outcomes and outline future research directions.
Advanced Multi-Channel SAR Imaging - Measured Data Demonstration

Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) is a well-established technique for remote sensing of the Earth. However, conventional SAR systems relying on only a single transmit and receive aperture are not capable of imaging a wide swath with high spatial resolution. Multi-channel SAR concepts, such as systems based on multiple receive apertures in azimuth, promise to overcome these restrictions, thus enabling high-resolution wide-swath imaging. Analysis revealed that these systems imperatively require sophisticated digital processing of the received signals in order to guarantee full performance independently of the spatial sample distribution imposed by the applied pulse repetition frequency (PRF). A suitable algorithm to cope with these challenges of multi-channel data is given by the “multi-channel reconstruction algorithm”, which demonstrated in comprehensive analysis and system design examples its potential for high perform-ance SAR imaging. In this context, various optimization strategies were investigated and aspects of operating multi-channel systems in burst modes such as ScanSAR or TOPS were discussed. Furthermore, a first proof-of-principle showed the algorithm’s applicability to measured multi-channel X-band data gathered by the German Aerospace Cen-ter’s (DLR) airborne F-SAR system. As a next step in the framework of multi-channel azimuth processing, this paper builds on the results recalled above and continues two paths. Firstly, focus is turned to further optimization of the proc-essing algorithm by investigating the classical Space-Time Adaptive Processing (STAP) applied to SAR. Secondly, attention is turned to the analysis of the measured multi-channel data by elaborating the impact and compensation of channel mismatch and by verifying the derived theory.
CULTURAL DIMENSIONS AND MARITAL RELATIONSHIP

Background. Many researchers have studied different aspects of marital relationship to find the most important factors that affect it. Often these factors do not correspond to the real issues being faced by spouses from different cultures. The general bias that seems to appear is the assumption that all cultures and societal norms correspond to those views of Western cultures. Objectives. This study aimed to answer this question â��How Hofstedeâ��s cultural dimensions affect the perception of marital relationship in term of perception of satisfaction and commitment for Javanese and Palestinian Arabs? â�� Methods. Independent variables are IDV, PDI, MAS, UAI, and LTO. Mediating variables are DH that stands between PDI and MS, GRO that stands between MAS and MS, and SD, EX, and NE that stand between UAI and MS. Dependent variables are MS and MC. IDV and LTO were hypothesized to affect MS and MC directly. Research subjects are 249 Javanese and 354 Palestinians. SEM technique was used to test the hypotheses. Results. In Javanese sample, the combination of low PDI and LTO (PL) supports perception of marital relationship (I² = 0.538, p < 0.001). The R2 of the effects of cultural dimensions was moderate (0.39). In Palestinian sample, the combination of low PDI, high UAI, and modest MAS (PUM) (I² = 0.291, p = 0.023) supports perception of marital relationship. The R2 of the effects of cultural dimensions was small (0.136). For Javanese, they have high levels of MS and MC. PDI has more powerful effect on perception of MS. The latter effect is through DH. For Palestinians, they have high levels of MS and MC too. UAI has more powerful effect on perception of MS. The letter effect is through NE. However, Javanese hold more positive ATD comparing with Palestinians. Recommendations. Counselors can recommend strategies for spouses designed to facilitate the sense of equality specifically in division of household labor.
Treatment of multidrug-resistant Plasmodium falciparum malaria with 3-day artesunate-mefloquine combination.

Studies of 652 adults and children with acute uncomplicated falciparum malaria were done to determine the optimum treatment of multidrug-resistant Plasmodium falciparum malaria on the Thai-Burmese border. Single-dose artesunate (4 mg/kg) plus mefloquine (25 mg of base/kg) gave more rapid symptomatic and parasitologic responses than high-dose mefloquine alone but did not improve cure rates. Three days of artesunate (total dose, 10 mg/kg) plus mefloquine was 98% effective compared with a 28-day failure rate of 31% with high-dose mefloquine alone (relative risk [RR], 0.06; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.02-0.2; P < .0001). By day 63, the reinfection adjusted failure rates were 2% and 44%, respectively (P < .0001). Artesunate also prevented high-grade failures. Both drugs were well tolerated. No adverse effects were attributable to artesunate. Vomiting was reduced significantly by giving mefloquine on day 2 of treatment (RR, 0.40; 95% CI, 0.20-0.79; P = .009. Artesunate (10 mg/kg over 3 days) plus mefloquine (25 mg/kg) is currently the most effective treatment for falciparum malaria in this area of increasing mefloquine resistance.
Migration of Phthalates from Plastic Containers into Soft Drinks and Mineral Water

Summary The aim of this study was to determine the level of phthalate migration from plastic containers to soft drinks and mineral water and to identify a possible relationship between the amount and type of phthalate migration, type of preservative used, and the pH of the sample. The analysis included 45 samples of products packed in containers made from polyethylene terephthalate. The samples were divided into 5 groups: group 1 (N=9), soft drinks preserved with orthophosphoric acid; group 2 (N=14), soft drinks preserved with Na-benzoate; group 3 (N=5), soft drinks preserved with K-sorbate; group 4 (N=8), soft drinks preserved with a combination of Na-benzoate and K-sorbate; and group 5 (N=9), mineral water without preservatives. The samples were analyzed by the method of gas chromatography, with a detection limit of 0.005 mg/L. The mean pool phthalate level and mean pH value were 91.67 mg/L and 2.82±0.30 in group 1; 116.93 mg/L and 2.75±0.32 in group 2; 819.40 mg/L and 2.88±0.15 in group 3; 542.63 mg/L and 2.82±0.54 in group 4; and 20.22 mg/L and 5.82±1.26 in group 5, respectively. The highest rate of migration to soft drinks was recorded for dimethyl phthalate, ranging from 53.51 to 92.73 %, whereas dibutyl phthalate and diethylhexyl phthalate showed highest rate of migration to the mineral water (56.04 and 43.42 %, respectively). The highest level of phthalate migration from plastic containers to soft drinks was found in the products preserved with K-sorbate. The rate of phthalate migration appears to be influenced also by the drink pH, i.e. the lower the pH value, the greater the phthalate migration. Dimethyl phthalate showed highest migration to preserved drinks as an acidic medium, which might stimulate modification in the composition of plastic containers according to the type and composition of the product. Additional studies in a greater number of samples are needed. Although the phthalate levels measured in these samples pose no risk for human health, it should be borne in mind that the accumulation of small individual amounts taken with time may increase the lifelong phthalate exposure and eventually threaten the exposed person’s life.
Protist Community Grazing on Prokaryotic Prey in Deep Ocean Water Masses

Oceanic protist grazing at mesopelagic and bathypelagic depths, and their subsequent effects on trophic links between eukaryotes and prokaryotes, are not well constrained. Recent studies show evidence of higher than expected grazing activity by protists down to mesopelagic depths. This study provides the first exploration of protist grazing in the bathypelagic North Atlantic Deep Water (NADW). Grazing was measured throughout the water column at three stations in the South Atlantic using fluorescently-labeled prey analogues. Grazing in the deep Antarctic Intermediate water (AAIW) and NADW at all three stations removed 3.79% ± 1.72% to 31.14% ± 8.24% of the standing prokaryote stock. These results imply that protist grazing may be a significant source of labile organic carbon at certain meso- and bathypelagic depths.
The long-term survival of Propionibacterium freudenreichii in a context of nutrient shortage . Short running head : P . freudenreichii survival

This article has been accepted for publication and undergone full peer review but has not been through the copyediting, typesetting, pagination and proofreading process which may lead to differences between this version and the Version of Record. Please cite this article as an 'Accepted Article', doi: 10.1111/jam.13000 This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. Received Date : 22-Jun-2015 Revised Date : 15-Oct-2015 Accepted Date : 03-Nov-2015 Article type : Original Article
Accounting for Self, Sex and Sexuality in UK Social Workers’ Knowledge Base: Findings from an Exploratory Study

The social work profession struggles to engage with sexuality under the anti-oppressive banner as deftly as it does with other types of social difference, such as ethnicity, age, class and gender. Despite recent theorising and empirical work about sexuality in social work, little is known about social workers’ perceptions, knowledge and values about sexuality in contemporary professional practice. This exploratory study is the first to examine social workers’ beliefs and values about sexuality in relation to everyday professional interactions within the UK. It aims to better account for the ways in which sexuality is constructed and understood within interactions with colleagues and clients. Utilisation of an online survey instrument examined 112 respondents’ perceptions about sexuality, incorporating the Heteronormativity Attitudes and Beliefs Scale (Habarth, 2015) and open-ended questions exploring how social workers acquire knowledge about sexuality. Respondents were qualified social workers from Wales, England and Scotland. Findings suggest that some respondents ‘bracketed’ values to manage between professional and personal identities. We found a relationship between social workers’ religiosity and investment in heteronormative beliefs. Implications for delivery of services to social work clients and practitioners’ learning needs are discussed.
Mixed language usage in Belarus: the sociostructural background of language choice

Abstract This article reports findings from a survey on language usage in Belarus, which encompasses bilingual Belarusian and Russian. First, the distribution of language usage is discussed. Then the dependency of language usage on some sociocultural conditions is explored. Finally, the changes in language usage over three generations are discussed. We find that a mixed Belarusian–Russian form of speech is widely used in the cities studied and that it is spoken across all educational levels. However, it seems to be predominantly utilized in informal communication, especially among friends and family members, leaving Russian and Belarusian to more formal or public venues.
Human anterolateral entorhinal cortex volumes are associated with preclinical cognitive decline

We investigated whether older adults without subjective memory complaints, but who present with cognitive decline in the laboratory, demonstrate atrophy in medial temporal lobe (MTL) subregions associated with Alzheimer's disease. Forty community-dwelling older adults were categorized based on Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) performance. Total grey/white matter, cerebrospinal fluid, and white matter hyperintensity load were quantified from whole-brain T1-weighted and FLAIR magnetic resonance imaging scans, while hippocampal subfields and MTL cortical subregion volumes (CA1, dentate gyrus/CA2/3, subiculum, anterolateral and posteromedial entorhinal, perirhinal, and parahippocampal cortices) were quantified using high-resolution T2-weighted scans. Cognitive status was evaluated using standard neuropsychological assessments. No significant differences were found in the whole-brain measures. However, MTL volumetry revealed that anterolateral entorhinal cortex (alERC) volume -- the same region in which Alzheimer's pathology originates -- was strongly associated with MoCA performance. This is the first study to demonstrate that alERC volume is related to cognitive decline in preclinical, community-dwelling older adults.
Cell membrane-inspired phospholipid polymers for developing medical devices with excellent biointerfaces

Abstract This review article describes fundamental aspects of cell membrane-inspired phospholipid polymers and their usefulness in the development of medical devices. Since the early 1990s, polymers composed of 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) units have been considered in the preparation of biomaterials. MPC polymers can provide an artificial cell membrane structure at the surface and serve as excellent biointerfaces between artificial and biological systems. They have also been applied in the surface modification of some medical devices including long-term implantable artificial organs. An MPC polymer biointerface can suppress unfavorable biological reactions such as protein adsorption and cell adhesion – in other words, specific biomolecules immobilized on an MPC polymer surface retain their original functions. MPC polymers are also being increasingly used for creating biointerfaces with artificial cell membrane structures.
Synthesis of Reversible Circuits from a Subset of Muthukrishnan-Stroud Quantum Realizable Multi-Valued Gates

We present a new type of quantum realizable reversible cascade. Next we present a new algorithm to synthesize arbitrary single-output ternary functions using these reversible cascades. The cascades use “Generalized Multi-Valued Gates” introduced here, which extend the concept of Generalized Ternary Gates introduced previously. While there were 216 GTGs, a total of 12 ternary gates of the new type are sufficient to realize arbitrary ternary functions. (The count can be further reduced to 5 gates, three 2-qubit and two 1-qubit). Such gates are realizable in quantum ion trap devices. For some functions, the algorithm requires fewer gates than results previously published [1, 5, 8, 14]. In addition, the algorithm also does conversion from arbitrary ternary logic to reversible logic at the cost of relatively small garbage. The algorithm is implemented here in ternary logic, but generalization to arbitrary radix is both straightforward and sees a reduction in growth of cost as the radix is increased.
Not Just Weapons of the Weak: Gender Harassment as a Form of Protest for Army Men*

perceptions. Structural analyses that divide the population into the powerful and the powerless are further limited because they do not account for coexisting multiple hierarchies of power. Individuals can simultaneously enjoy privilege and face disadvantages according to race, gender, age, occupation, and position within an organization. Although the Army apparently has made some headway in deterring overt sexual harassment, some men still may resort to covert gender harassment to express their disapproval of women's participation in the military. Structural and cultural analyses would describe men as the dominant and more powerful gender in the military. The military has been virtually all male for most of its history, and the role of soldier reinforces the traditionally masculine role. Men make up the majority of personnel, overwhelmingly hold the highest positions, and, unlike women, are not barred from participating in any branch of
Utilization of social networks for research by Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) students in South-Eastern Universities in Nigeria

The study examined the utilization of social networks for research purposes by undergraduate research (project) writing final year TVET students and was conducted in five South-Eastern Universities, in Nigeria. The study adopted descriptive survey research design and the population was comprised of 250 final year TVET students. The instrument for data collection was a structured questionnaire. Three lecturers from the Department of Vocational Teacher Education University of Nigeria, Nsukka validated the instrument. The reliability of the questionnaire items was established using Cronbach alpha method and a co-efficient of 0.78 was obtained. The researchers administered 250 copies of the questionnaire to the respondents with the help of research assistants. Weighted and criterion value mean of 2.50 were used to interpret the result and standard deviation was used to validate the closeness of the respondents from the mean and from each other in their responses. The study identified thirteen social networks, poor utilization and eleven challenges militating against the use of social networks for research activities by TVET students in the South-Eastern Universities in Nigeria. The study recommends the orientation of TVET project writing students and their supervisors on the use of social networks which are usually cheap and time saving communication medium for sharing ideas and project documents during research.
Influence of depth and mixing regime on sedimentation in a small, fluctuating tropical soda lake

The historical sediment record of Lake Sonachi (Kenya) was used to study the influence of lake depth and mixing regime on patterns of sedimentation in a small, fluctuating tropical soda lake. Lake Sonachi last desiccated completely in the early nineteenth century and has fluctuated between 3− and 18−m lake depth over the past 115 yr. A freeze‐core of offshore sediments describes recent lake history as a succession of meromictic episodes, represented by varved or subannually laminated muds, and holomictic episodes, represented by more coarsely layered muds. Two interbedded horizons of colloidal amorphous silica dated to a period of rising lake level after a prolonged lowstand were deposited by abiogenic, pH‐driven precipitation from the water column and represent the instantaneous sequestering of an estimated 63 mg liter−1 or possibly >50% of the lake's dissolved‐silica reservoir. Changes in offshore sedimentation and inferred bottom dynamics over time indicate that sediment resuspension and focusing in Lake Sonachi occur mostly during infrequent events of deep circulation between the average mud deposition boundary depth at ∼2 m and the chemocline depth at 4–5 m; wind‐driven sediment redistribution across the lake floor is important only at lake depths of ≤3 m. Dry sediment accumulation has varied between 86 and 620 g m−2 yr−1 over the past 175 yr, with no relationship to lake depth but, on average, lower rates during meromixis (199 ± 90 g m−2 yr−1) than during holomixis (349 ± 152 g m‐2 yr‐1). Net organic carbon accumulation offshore varied between 0 and 92 g m‐2 yr‐1, with no significant relationship to either lake depth or mixing regime at the time of deposition. Sedimentary organic carbon content (5.7–26.9%) is negatively correlated with bulk sediment accumulation; 73% of this variation is accounted for by the clastic dilution of sedimented planktonic algal production with low‐organic littoral sediments redeposited offshore.
Biopsychosocial Assessment of a Mindfulness-Oriented Cognitive Intervention for Alcohol Dependent Adults

This review presents a conceptual integration of formerly discrete theori es of stress appraisal, neurobiological allostasis, automatic cognitive proce ssing, and addictive behavior to explain how alcohol misuse and dependence is maintained and re-activated by stress. We outline a risk chain in which psychosocial stress initiates phys iological arousal, perseverative cognition, and negative affect that in turn triggers automat ized schema to compel alcohol consumption. This implicit cognitive process then leads to attentional biases towards alcohol, subjective experiences of craving, paradoxi cal rebound effects of urge suppression, and palliative coping through drinking. When palliative coping relieves distress, it results in negative reinforcement conditioning that perpetuates the cycle by further sensitizing the system to future stres sful encounters. This conceptual framework has implications for development and implementation of innovative behavioral interventions such as mindfulness training that may disrupt cognitive-affective mechanisms underpinning stress-precipitated dependenc on alcohol.