Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The relationship between living alone and depressive symptoms among older gay men: the moderating role of sense of belonging with gay friends

ABSTRACT Background: Living alone is a risk factor for depressive symptoms among older adults, although it is unclear if it is a risk factor for older gay men. A sense of belonging to the gay community is protective and might compensate for living alone. This research investigated whether a sense of belonging with gay friends weakened the relationship between living alone and depressive symptoms among older gay men. Methods: A community sample of 160 Australian gay men aged 65–92 years completed the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale and two visual analogue scales assessing a sense of belonging with gay friends. Results: Results supported the moderation model, with increasing levels of belonging with gay friends weakening the relationship between living alone and depressive symptoms. Conclusion: Results imply that enhancing a sense of belonging with gay friends among older gay men who live alone is likely to be a protective factor in relation to depressive symptoms.
A Generalized Approach to the Load Flow Analysis of AC–DC Hybrid Distribution Systems

This paper proposes a unified load flow (LF) model for AC–DC hybrid distribution systems (DSs). The proposed model can be applied in hybrid DSs with mixed configurations for AC/DC buses and AC/DC lines. A new classification of DS buses is also introduced for LF analysis. A set of generic LF equations has been derived based on comprehensive analysis of the possible AC–DC hybrid system configurations. Three binary matrices, which are used as a means of describing the configuration of the AC and DC buses and lines, have been employed in the construction of the unified power equations. These matrices enable a single configuration at a time to be activated in the power equations. The proposed LF model is generic and can be used for both grid-connected and isolated hybrid DSs. The new model has been tested using several case studies of hybrid DSs that include different operational modes for the AC and DC distributed generators. As a means of evaluating the effectiveness and accuracy of the proposed model, the LF solution was compared to the solution produced by PSCAD/EMTDC. A comparison of the results reveals the efficacy of the proposed model.
Enabling High-Capacity Long-Reach Direct Detection Transmission With QAM-PAM Stokes Vector Modulation

We introduce a three-dimensional modulation format using a Stokes-vector direct-detection system, where a pulse amplitude modulation (PAM) signal is polarization multiplexed with a quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) signal. The phase reference of the PAM signal enables the retrieval of the phase information of the QAM signal using a Stokes vector receiver (SVR). A dual-polarization in-phase–quadrature modulator is employed to generate QAM-PAM optical signals with chromatic dispersion precompensation. We show direct detection of dual-polarization 16QAM-PAM2 and 16QAM-PAM4 signals delivering 280 and 336 Gb/s (net bit rate 233 and 280 Gb/s) below the soft-decision forward error correction threshold of 2 <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\times$</tex-math></inline-formula> 10<inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$^{-2}$</tex-math></inline-formula> at 320 and 80 km, respectively. In addition, we study system performance at different modulation formats and symbol rates. Our findings indicate that increasing the order of modulation formats of the QAM signal is better than increasing that of the PAM signal to achieve the same bit rate. Finally, the performance of a 56 Gbaud 16QAM signal with PAM2 modulation on one polarization and a 56 Gbaud 16QAM signal with a pilot carrier on the orthogonal polarization detected with an SVR is experimentally investigated.
Reduced Heme Levels Underlie the Exponential Growth Defect of the Shewanella oneidensis hfq Mutant

The RNA chaperone Hfq fulfills important roles in small regulatory RNA (sRNA) function in many bacteria. Loss of Hfq in the dissimilatory metal reducing bacterium Shewanella oneidensis strain MR-1 results in slow exponential phase growth and a reduced terminal cell density at stationary phase. We have found that the exponential phase growth defect of the hfq mutant in LB is the result of reduced heme levels. Both heme levels and exponential phase growth of the hfq mutant can be completely restored by supplementing LB medium with 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA), the first committed intermediate synthesized during heme synthesis. Increasing expression of gtrA, which encodes the enzyme that catalyzes the first step in heme biosynthesis, also restores heme levels and exponential phase growth of the hfq mutant. Taken together, our data indicate that reduced heme levels are responsible for the exponential growth defect of the S. oneidensis hfq mutant in LB medium and suggest that the S. oneidensis hfq mutant is deficient in heme production at the 5-ALA synthesis step.
Aging and ABO blood type influence von Willebrand factor and factor VIII levels through interrelated mechanisms

Essentials von Willebrand factor (VWF) and factor VIII (FVIII) levels are modulated by age and ABO status. The effect of aging and ABO blood type on VWF and FVIII was assessed in 207 normal individuals. Aging and ABO blood type showed combined and bidirectional influences on VWF and FVIII levels. Aging and ABO blood type influence VWF levels through both secretion and clearance mechanisms.
Steep Sub-Boltzmann Switching in AlGaN/GaN Phase-FETs With ALD VO2

We report the first demonstration of ultralow leakage AlGaN/GaN MOS-HEMTs on silicon substrates loaded at the source with atomic layer deposition (ALD)-grown VO2 metal–insulator transition (MIT) material resistors. The resulting GaN phase-transition FET (phase-FET) shows steep sub-Boltzmann switching in its transfer characteristics in both sweep directions with slopes of ~9.9 and ~28.2 mV/decade at 60 °C. The control MOS-HEMTs and the phase-FETs show more than 12-order on/off ratio with ultralow off-state leakage. Because of the MIT, the drain current and the transconductance also show unconventional behavior. This first demonstration of ultralow leakage steep switching in GaN phase-FETs using integration-friendly ALD VO2 opens the door to introducing new functionalities in nitride low-power digital devices, microwave circuits, photonic devices, and power electronics in the GaN-on-silicon platform.
Relationship Between Depressive Symptoms and Social Cognitive Processing in Partners of Long-Term Breast Cancer Survivors.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES To determine (a) if depressive symptoms in partners of long-term breast cancer survivors (BCSs) could be predicted by social cognitive processing theory and (b) if partners of younger and older BCSs were differentially affected by the cancer experience. DESIGN A cross-sectional, descriptive study using self-report questionnaires. SETTING Indiana University in Bloomington and 97 ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group sites in the United States. SAMPLE 508 partners of BCSs diagnosed three to eight years prior to the study. METHODS Secondary data mediation analyses were conducted to determine if cognitive processing mediated the relationship between social constraints and depressive symptoms. Age-related differences on all scales were tested. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES Depressive symptoms; secondary variables included social constraints, cognitive processing (avoidance and intrusive thoughts), and potentially confounding variables. FINDINGS Cognitive processing mediated the relationship between social constraints and depressive symptoms for partners. Partners of younger BCSs reported worse outcomes on all measures than partners of older BCSs. CONCLUSIONS As predicted by the social cognitive processing theory, cognitive processing mediated the relationship between social constraints and depressive symptoms. In addition, partners of younger BCSs fared worse on social constraints, intrusive thoughts, and depressive symptoms than partners of older BCSs. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING Results provide support for using the social cognitive processing theory in an intervention design with partners of long-term BCSs to decrease depressive symptoms.
Circulating CD34+ hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells paralleled with level of viremia in patients chronically infected with hepatitis B virus

Introduction: Liver regeneration is a heterogeneous process involving proliferation of different cell types in response to injury. Bone marrow derived stem cells may be involved in this process, by making contribution to parenchymal restoration and cellular replacement. We aimed to investigate the correlation between level of circulating mobilized CD34+ hematopoietic stem progenitor cells (HSPCs) and viremia level in patients chronically infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV). Methods: Blood samples were prospectively collected for assessing percentage and absolute counts of circulating CD34+ HSPCs and viral load level using flow cytometry and RT-PCR respectively. Patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) (n = 30), Entecavir (ETV) treated subjects (n = 30) and 20 age and gender matched healthy controls were enrolled in this study. Results were expressed as mean ± SD. Results and discussion: A significant increase in circulating CD34+ HSPCs level was observed in CHB patients (5 ± 3.1, 324 ± 195 × 103/ml) as compared to ETV treated subjects (0.57 ± 0.27,1022 ± 325) and healthy controls (0.53 ± 0.37, 694 ± 254, P < 0.001) in regards to percentage and absolute counts respectively. Levels of CD34+ HSPCs strongly and positively correlated with HBV DNA viral load levels in CHB patients (r2 = 0.8417, 0.649, P < 0.001). Thus, in chronic liver disorders (CHB), when reduced regenerative capacity of hepatocytes is reached, BMSCs mobilization occurs and their level increases in peripheral blood. The level of circulating CD34+ cells in peripheral blood of CHB patients paralleled with the hepatitis B viral load.
Stochastic stability conditions for a class of neutral Markovian jump systems

The certain and uncertain neutral systems with time-varying delay and Markovian jump parameters are investigated in this paper. The jumping parameters are considered as a continuous-time, continuous state Markov process. Based on the Lyapunov functional approach, novel delay-dependent stochastic stability criteria are presented in terms of LMIs. Two numerical examples are given to illustrate the effectiveness of the developed method.
Enhancement of Intercellular Electrical Synchronization by Conductive Materials in Cardiac Tissue Engineering

Objective: cardiac tissue regeneration for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases has been of great research interest. Under the hypothesis that electrical synchronization of cardiac cells can be aided by conductive materials, electrically conductive scaffolds have been frequently used to improve cardiac tissue regeneration. However, theoretical analysis is presently absent in examining the underlying mechanism and rationally guiding the design of these conductive scaffolds. Methods: here, equivalent-circuit models are proposed, in which two adjacent groups of cardiomyocytes are grown either on a bulk conductive substrate or around conductive nanostructures. When one group of cells leads with action potentials, the membrane depolarization of the following group is investigated. Results: this study reveals that membrane depolarization of the following group is most sensitive to seal resistance to the substrate while surface roughness and conductivity of the material have less influence. In addition, it is found that a multiple-cell group is easier to be depolarized by its adjacent beating cardiomyocytes. For nanostructure-bridged cardiac cells, substantial depolarization occurs only with a seal resistance larger than 1013 Ω/sqr, which is contradictory to many reported estimations. Conclusion: this work theoretically confirms the positive role of conductive scaffolds and nanostructures in aiding electrical synchronization of cardiac cells and reveals that its performance mainly relies on the cell-device interface. Significance: this work provides a theoretical basis for the rational design of electroactive scaffolds for enhanced cardiac tissue engineering.
Iteratively Linearized Reweighted Alternating Direction Method of Multipliers for a Class of Nonconvex Problems

In this paper, we consider solving a class of nonconvex and nonsmooth problems frequently appearing in signal processing and machine learning research. The traditional alternating direction method of multipliers encounters troubles in both mathematics and computations in solving the nonconvex and nonsmooth subproblem. In view of this, we propose a reweighted alternating direction method of multipliers. In this algorithm, all subproblems are convex and easy to solve. We also provide several guarantees for the convergence and prove that the algorithm globally converges to a critical point of an auxiliary function with the help of the Kurdyka–Łojasiewicz property. Several numerical results are presented to demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed algorithm.
Diagnosis and treatment for chronic migraine

Abstract: Migraine is a debilitating headache disorder that is underdiagnosed and undertreated worldwide, partially attributable to misdiagnosis and expectations of poor treatment outcomes. This article provides a review of chronic migraine, including pathophysiology, burden, diagnosis, and management, with special emphasis on the role of NPs.
Modeling hair from multiple views

In this paper, we propose a novel image-based approach to model hair geometry from images taken at multiple viewpoints. Unlike previous hair modeling techniques that require intensive user interactions or rely on special capturing setup under controlled illumination conditions, we use a handheld camera to capture hair images under uncontrolled illumination conditions. Our multi-view approach is natural and flexible for capturing. It also provides inherent strong and accurate geometric constraints to recover hair models.In our approach, the hair fibers are synthesized from local image orientations. Each synthesized fiber segment is validated and optimally triangulated from all visible views. The hair volume and the visibility of synthesized fibers can also be reliably estimated from multiple views. Flexibility of acquisition, little user interaction, and high quality results of recovered complex hair models are the key advantages of our method.
Phenotypic characteristics of upright and pendulous comb among chicken breeds and association with growth rate and egg production.

Upright and pendulous combs commonly exist in most single-comb chicken breeds. Here, the phenotypic characteristics of upright and pendulous combs in chickens and association with growth rate and egg production were analyzed. Phenotypic frequencies of upright and pendulous comb were investigated in five chicken breeds; the phenotypic frequencies of complete pendulous comb (CPC) and partial pendulous comb (PPC) ranged from 10.1% to 29.0% and 21.8% to 65.3%, respectively. CPC hens produced more eggs than PPC hens (P < 0.05) in Nongda-3, Huainan and Wenchang breeds. In Huainan breed, CPC males were heavier than PPC males at 12 and 16 weeks of age, while CPC females were heavier at 24 weeks of age. PPC and CPC chickens have greater (P < 0.05) comb length, comb height and comb index than upright comb (UC) chickens. There was no significant difference in comb phenotypic frequency distribution between the offspring from UC(♂) × CPC(♀) and CPC(♂) × UC(♀); however, it differed (χ² = 45.12, P < 0.01) between offspring from UC(♂) × UC(♀) and CPC(♂) × CPC(♀). These results suggested that the comb phenotype does not appear to be Z-linked; the effective loci influencing the trait could be estimated in a further study.
Hole-Collection Mechanism in Passivating Metal-Oxide Contacts on Si Solar Cells: Insights From Numerical Simulations

Silicon heterojunction solar cells enable high conversion efficiencies, thanks to their passivating contacts which consist of layered stacks of intrinsic and doped amorphous silicon. However, such contacts may reduce the photo current, when present on the illuminated side of the cell. This motivates the search for wider bandgap contacting materials, such as metal oxides. In this paper, we elucidate the precise impact of the material parameters of MoO<sub> x</sub> on device characteristics, based on numerical simulations. The simulation results allow us to propose design principles for hole-collecting induced junctions. We find that if MoO<sub>x</sub> has a sufficiently high electron affinity (<inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\geq \text{{5.7 eV}}$</tex-math></inline-formula>), direct band-to-band tunneling is the dominant transport mechanism; whereas if it has a lower electron affinity ( <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$ < \text{{5.7 eV}}$</tex-math></inline-formula>), trap-assisted tunneling dominates, which might introduce additional series resistance. At even lower electron affinity, S-shaped <italic>J–V</italic> curves may appear for these solar cells, which are found to be due to an insufficient trap state density in the MoO<sub>x</sub> film in contrast to the expectation of better performance at low trap density. These traps may assist carrier transport when present near the conduction band edge of the MoO<sub>x</sub> film. Our simulations predict that performance optimization for the MoO<sub>x</sub> film has to target either 1) a high electron affinity and a moderate doping density film or, 2) if the electron affinity is lower than the optimum value, a high defect density not exceeding the doping density inside the film.
Disorders and borders: Psychiatric genetics and nosology

Over the past century, the definition and classification of psychiatric disorders has evolved through a combination of historical trends, clinical observations, and empirical research. The current nosology, instantiated in the DSM‐5 and ICD‐10, rests on descriptive criteria agreed upon by a consensus of experts. While the development of explicit criteria has enhanced the reliability of diagnosis, the validity of the current diagnostic categories has been the subject of debate and controversy. Genetic studies have long been regarded as a key resource for validating the boundaries among diagnostic categories. Genetic epidemiologic studies have documented the familiality and heritability of clinically defined psychiatric disorders and molecular genetic studies have begun to identify specific susceptibility variants. At the same time, there is growing evidence from family, twin and genomic studies that genetic influences on psychiatric disorders transcend clinical boundaries. Here I review this evidence for cross‐disorder genetic effects and discuss the implications of these findings for psychiatric nosology. Psychiatric genetic research can inform a bottom‐up reappraisal of psychopathology that may help the field move beyond a purely descriptive classification and toward an etiology‐based nosology. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Perverse Reverse Price Competition: Average Wholesale Prices and Medicaid Pharmaceutical Spending

Generic drugs comprise an increasing share of total prescriptions dispensed in the U.S., rising from nearly 50% in 1999 to 75% in 2009. The generic drug market has typically been viewed at the wholesale level as a competitive market with price approaching marginal costs. However, the large presence of third party payers as final purchasers may distort prices at the retail level relative to what a standard model of price competition would predict. In this paper, we investigate how generic drug producers compete in the presence of the procurement rules of the Medicaid program. Medicaid reimbursement to pharmacies, like that of other payers, is based on a benchmark price called the average wholesale price (AWP). The AWP is reported by generic producers themselves, and until recently has been subject to essentially no independent verification. As a result, generic producers have had an incentive to compete for pharmacy market share by reporting AWPs that exceed actual average wholesale prices, as this “spread” leads to larger pharmacy profits. In 2000, after a federal government audit of actual wholesale prices of generic products, states were advised to reduce Medicaid reimbursement by as much as 95% for about 400 generic and off-patent drug products. We use variation induced by the timing of this policy along with its differential impact on drug products' Medicaid reimbursement to estimate the impact of this exogenous price change on the market share of targeted products. Our findings indicate that pharmacies did respond to the perverse incentives of the Medicaid program by dispensing products with the highest AWPs. Overall, the Medicaid market share fell by about 45% for targeted drug products as a result of the policy.
Comparison of Methicillin-resistant Versus Susceptible Staphylococcus aureus Pediatric Osteomyelitis

Background: The incidence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) pediatric osteomyelitis has risen and been associated with a more severe clinical course than methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) infections. National databases have been underutilized to describe these trends. We compared demographics, clinical course, and outcomes for patients with MRSA versus MSSA osteomyelitis. Methods: We queried the 2009 and 2012 Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Kids Inpatient Database for discharge records with diagnosis codes for osteomyelitis and S. aureus. We explored demographics predicting MRSA and evaluated MRSA versus MSSA as predictors of clinical outcomes including surgery, sepsis, thrombophlebitis, length of stay, and total charges. Results: A total of 4214 discharge records were included. Of those, 2602 (61.7%) had MSSA and 1612 (38.3%) had MRSA infections. Patients at Southern and Midwestern hospitals were more likely to have MRSA than those at Northeastern hospitals. Medicaid patients’ odds of MRSA were higher than those with private insurance, and black patients were more likely to have MRSA compared with white patients. MRSA patients were more likely to undergo multiple surgeries compared with MSSA patients and were more likely to have complications including severe sepsis, thrombophlebitis, and pulmonary embolism. Patients with MRSA had longer lengths of stay than those with MSSA and higher total charges after controlling for length of stay. Conclusion: Review of a national database demonstrates MRSA is more prevalent in the South and Midwest regions and among black patients. MRSA patients have more surgeries, complications, and longer lengths of stay. Level of Evidence: Level III.
The random bipartite nearest neighbor graphs

The bipartite kth nearest neighbor graphs B are studied. It is shown that B k 1 has a limiting expected matching number of approximately 80% of its vertices, that with high Ž . probability whp B has at least 2 log nr13 log log n vertices not matched, and that whp B 2 3 does have a perfect matching. We also find a formula for the limiting probability that B is 2 connected and show that whp B is connected. Q 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Random Struct. 3 Alg. , 15, 279]310, 1999
The role of bradykinin receptor type 2 in spontaneous extravasation in mice skin: implications for non‐allergic angio‐oedema

Non‐allergic angio‐oedema is a life‐threatening disease mediated by activation of bradykinin type 2 receptors (B2 receptors). The aim of this study was to investigate whether activation of B2 receptors by endogenous bradykinin contributes to physiological extravasation. This may shed new light on the assumption that treatment with an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEi) results in an alteration in the vascular barrier function predisposing to non‐allergic angio‐oedema.