Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Spontaneously occurring images and early memories in people with body dysmorphic disorder

A semi‐structured interview assessing the presence and characteristics of spontaneous appearance‐related images was designed and administered. A total of 18 patients with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) and 18 normal controls took part. The BDD patients were found to have spontaneously occurring appearance‐related images that were significantly more negative, recurrent, and viewed from an observer perspective than control participants. These images were more vivid and detailed and typically involved visual and organic (internal body) sensations. The study also found that BDD images were linked to early stressful memories, and that images were more likely than verbal thoughts to be linked to these memories. Implications for theory and clinical practice are discussed.
Two circadian rhythms in the human electroencephalogram during wakefulness.

The influence of the circadian pacemaker and of the duration of time awake on the electroencephalogram (EEG) was investigated in 19 humans during ∼40 h of sustained wakefulness. Two circadian rhythms in spectral power density were educed. The first rhythm was centered in the theta band (4.25-8.0 Hz) and exhibited a minimum ∼1 h after the onset of melatonin secretion. The second rhythm was centered in the high-frequency alpha band (10.25-13.0 Hz) and exhibited a minimum close to the body temperature minimum. The latter rhythm showed a close temporal association with the rhythms in subjective alertness, plasma melatonin, and body temperature. In addition, increasing time awake was associated with an increase of power density in the 0.25- to 9.0-Hz and 13.25- to 20.0-Hz ranges. It is concluded that the waking EEG undergoes changes that can be attributed to circadian and homeostatic (i.e., sleep-wake dependent) processes. The distinct circadian variations of EEG activity in the theta band and in the high-frequency alpha band may represent electrophysiological correlates of different aspects of the circadian rhythm in arousal.
Evaluation of Two Different Analytical Methods for Circulating Tumor Cell Detection in Peripheral Blood of Patients with Primary Breast Cancer

Background. Evidence is accumulating that circulating tumor cells (CTC) out of peripheral blood can serve as prognostic marker not only in metastatic but also in early breast cancer (BC). Various methods are available to detect CTC. Comparisons between the different techniques, however, are rare. Material and Methods. We evaluate two different methods for CTC enrichment and detection in primary BC patients: the FDA-approved CellSearch System (CSS; Veridex, Warren, USA) and a manual immunocytochemistry (MICC). The cut-off value for positivity was ≥1 CTC. Results. The two different nonoverlapping patient cohorts evaluated with one or the other method were well balanced regarding common clinical parameters. Before adjuvant CHT 21.1% (416 out of 1972) and 20.6% (247 out of 1198) of the patients were CTC-positive, while after CHT 22.5% (359 out of 1598) and 16.6% (177 out of 1066) of the patients were CTC-positive using CSS or MICC, respectively. CTC positivity rate before CHT was thus similar and not significantly different (P = 0.749), while CTC positivity rate immediately after CHT was significantly lower using MICC compared to CSS (P < 0.001). Conclusion. Using CSS or MICC for CTC detection, we found comparable prevalence of CTC before but not after adjuvant CHT.
A new method for measurement of total plasma PCSK9: clinical applications

The proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin-9 (PCSK9) circulates in plasma as mature and furin-cleaved forms. A polyclonal antibody against human PCSK9 was used to develop an ELISA that measures total plasma PCSK9 rather than only the mature form. A cross-sectional study evaluated plasma levels in normal (n = 254) and hypercholesterolemic (n = 200) subjects treated or untreated with statins or statin plus ezetimibe. In controls, mean plasma PCSK9 (89.5 ± 31.9 ng/ml) correlated positively with age, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides, and fasting glucose. Sequencing PCSK9 from individuals at the extremes of the normal PCSK9 distribution identified a new loss-of-function R434W variant associated with lower levels of circulating PCSK9 and LDL-C. In hypercholesterolemic subjects, PCSK9 levels were higher than in controls (99.3 ± 31.7 ng/ml, P < 0.04) and increased in proportion to the statin dose, combined or not with ezetimibe. In treated patients (n = 139), those with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH; due to LDL receptor gene mutations) had higher PCSK9 values than non-FH (147.01 ± 42.5 vs. 127.2 ± 40.8 ng/ml, P < 0.005), but LDL-C reduction correlated positively with achieved plasma PCSK9 levels to a similar extent in both subsets (r = 0.316, P < 0.02 in FH and r = 0.275, P < 0.009 in non-FH). The detection of circulating PCSK9 in both FH and non-FH subjects means that this assay could be used to monitor response to therapy in a wide range of patients.
The relationship between interpersonal conflict and workplace bullying

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the role that conflict management styles play in the relationship between interpersonal conflict and workplace bullying. Design/methodology/approach – A survey study was conducted among 761 employees from different organizations in Spain. Findings – Results suggest that an escalation of the conflict process from task related to relationship conflict may explain bullying situations to some extent. Regarding conflict management, attempts to actively manage conflict through problem solving may prevent it escalating to higher emotional levels (relationship conflict) and bullying situations; in contrast, other conflict management strategies seem to foster conflict escalation. Research limitations/implications – The correlational design makes the conclusions on causality questionable, and future research should examine the dynamic conflict process in more detail. On the other hand, to the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study empirically differentiating in.
National Agenda for Prevention of Healthcare‐Associated Infections in Dialysis Centers

Healthcare‐associated infections (HAIs) are among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in dialysis patients. To coordinate HAI prevention efforts, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services established the National Action Plan to Prevent Healthcare Associated Infections in End‐Stage Renal Disease Facilities. This comprehensive plan prioritizes HAI prevention practices and 5‐year evaluation targets based on the burden of disease, level of scientific evidence, and anticipated impact from the recommended intervention. As such, the Plan focuses primarily on interventions to reduce vascular access‐related complications and infections with hepatitis B and hepatitis C virus. Over the last decade, there have been several efforts to expand HAI surveillance and prevention efforts, including coordination of HAI reporting metrics across multiple national agencies, changes in financial incentives by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), and federal funding for expansion of state‐based HAI prevention programs. As a result, a paradigm shift in HAI prevention has developed. Public health officials have assumed greater responsibility in reducing the burden of HAIs and healthcare providers have become more involved in HAI prevention. Since the Plan was initially drafted, several collaborative efforts in dialysis facilities have reported a reduction in HAIs through implementation of these interventions. These early successes highlight the potential impact of coordinated action to combat HAIs in dialysis settings and this National Action Plan provides evidence‐based strategies on how best to achieve this.
A Model of Returns and Trading in Futures Markets

This paper develops an equilibrium model of a competitive futures market in which investors trade to hedge positions and to speculate on their private information. Equilibrium return and trading patterns are examined. (1) In markets where the information asymmetry among investors is small, the return volatility of a futures contract decreases with time-to-maturity (i.e., the Samuelson effect holds). (2) However, in markets where the information asymmetry among investors is large, the Samuelson effect need not hold. (3) Additionally, the model generates rich time-to-maturity patterns in open interest and spot price volatility that are consistent with empirical findings. Copyright The American Finance Association 2000.
Effect of peritoneal fluid from endometriosis patients on endometrial stromal cell proliferation in vitro.

Late proliferative phase endometrial stromal cells grown in short-term culture were used as a model for the stromal component of endometriotic implants. Cells were grown in medium alone and in medium supplemented by 5, 10, and 20% concentrations of the cell-free fractions of peritoneal fluid obtained from patients with and without endometriosis. Nine fluid-sample pairs were matched based on the presence or absence of endometriosis at laparoscopy and the similarity of peritoneal fluid estradiol concentrations. Stromal cell proliferation as reflected by 3H-thymidine incorporation during sequential cell harvests over 72 hours was greater for cells exposed to endometriosis peritoneal fluid than for those exposed to non-endometriosis peritoneal fluid. This reached statistical significance with exposure to peritoneal fluid concentrations of 10 and 20% (P less than .05). A linear dose-response relationship between 3H-thymidine incorporation and peritoneal fluid concentration could be derived only for stromal cells exposed to fluid samples obtained from endometriosis patients (r = 0.51; P less than .001). In addition, proliferation over 72 hours was significantly greater for cells grown in 20% endometriosis peritoneal fluid than for those grown in nutrient medium alone (P less than .001). These data imply that factor(s) secreted into the peritoneal fluid of endometriosis patients may play a role in the proliferation or maintenance of disease implants.
What happens after graduation? Outcomes, employment, and recommendations of recent junior/community college graduates with and without disabilities

Purpose: The objective was to compare employment status of junior/community college graduates with and without disabilities. Methods: We compared post-graduation outcomes of 182 graduates with and 1304 without disabilities from career/technical and pre-university programs from three junior/community colleges. Findings for graduates who had registered for disability related services from their school and those who had not were examined separately. Reported academic obstacles and facilitators were also compared. Results: Few employment differences between graduates with and without disabilities were found. Two-thirds of career/technical graduates from both groups were employed, approximately 30% were studying, and less than 3% were either looking for work or “unavailable for work. ” Over 80% of pre-university graduates in both groups were continuing their studies; here, too, numbers of employed graduates (14% with and 13% without disabilities) were similar and very few in both groups (<2%) were either looking for work or “unavailable for work. ” Full versus part-time employment of these two groups was very similar and the same proportion of graduates with and without disabilities were working in jobs related to their studies. Only in “closely related” work did graduates without disabilities have the advantage. Conclusions: Employment prospects for junior/community college graduates with disabilities seem to be quite positive. Implications for Rehabilitation Postsecondary education results in a favorable employment picture for college graduates with disabilities. College graduates who had registered for campus disability related access services reported that this was a key facilitator of their academic success.
Cell-type-specific regulation of the human tumor necrosis factor alpha gene in B cells and T cells by NFATp and ATF-2/JUN

The human tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) gene is one of the earliest genes transcribed after the stimulation of a B cell through its antigen receptor or via the CD-40 pathway. In both cases, induction of TNF-alpha gene transcription can be blocked by the immunosuppressants cyclosporin A and FK506, which suggested a role for the NFAT family of proteins in the regulation of the gene in B cells. Furthermore, in T cells, two molecules of NFATp bind to the TNF-alpha promoter element kappa 3 in association with ATF-2 and Jun proteins bound to an immediately adjacent cyclic AMP response element (CRE) site. Here, using the murine B-cell lymphoma cell line A20, we show that the TNF-alpha gene is regulated in a cell-type-specific manner. In A20 B cells, the TNF-alpha gene is not regulated by NFATp bound to the kappa 3 element. Instead, ATF-2 and Jun proteins bind to the composite kappa 3/CRE site and NFATp binds to a newly identified second NFAT site centered at -76 nucleotides relative to the TNF-alpha transcription start site. This new site plays a critical role in the calcium-mediated, cyclosporin A-sensitive induction of TNF-alpha in both A20 B cells and Ar-5 cells. Consistent with these results, quantitative DNase footprinting of the TNF-alpha promoter using increasing amounts of recombinant NFATp demonstrated that the -76 site binds to NFATp with a higher affinity than the kappa 3 site. Two other previously unrecognized NFATp-binding sites in the proximal TNF-alpha promoter were also identified by this analysis. Thus, through the differential use of the same promoter element, the composite kappa 3/CRE site, the TNF-alpha gene is regulated in a cell-type-specific manner in response to the same extracellular signal.
Index Transformation Techniques for Facilitating Creative Use of Multiple Cases

Using cases to find innovative solutions to problems is mainly the result of two processes: (1) cross-contextual rem in dings, and (2) composition of multiple cases or case parts. Although the ability to use cases taken from across contextual boundaries is desirable, there is a tension between representing and accessing cases across contexts and in using parts of multiple cases to synthesize a solution. One way of alleviating this difficulty is through index transformation. In this paper, we represent two index transformation techniques that facilitate both cross-contextual remindings and the access of multiple appropriate case parts. The mechanisms are general and principled (based on a qualitative calculus). They are also behavior-preserving, a needed requirement for case synthesis in many domains of interest. The transformation techniques have been implemented in CADET, a case-based problem solver mat operates in the domain of mechanical design.
Wubuy coronal stop perception by speakers of three dialects of bangla

We tested native speakers from three major dialect groups of Bangla, on their discrimination of a four-way coronal stop contrast from the Australian Indigenous language Wubuy. Bangla is generally assumed to have a two-way contrast in coronal stops, with an additional place distinction in affricates. The results show that Bangla speakers are able to discriminate the Wubuy contrasts, but also that certain contrasts are more difficult to discriminate than others. We discuss these results with respect to the Bangla coronal inventory, and importantly, with respect to the variation in the phonetic realisation of coronals between the dialects of Bangla. We argue that the phonetic realisation of what is regarded to be the 'same' phonemic inventory can have implications for the perceptual behaviour of speakers.
Moral Hazard, Peer Monitoring, and Microcredit: Field Experimental Evidence from Paraguay

Given the substantial amount of resources currently invested in microcredit programs, it is more important than ever to accurately assess the extent to which peer monitoring by borrowers faced with group liability contracts actually reduces moral hazard. We conduct a field experiment with women about to enter a group loan program in Paraguay and then gather administrative data on the members' repayment behavior in the six-month period following the experiment. In addition to the experiment which is designed to measure individual propensities to monitor under incentives similar to group liability, we collect a variety of the other potential correlates of borrowing behavior and repayment. Controlling for other factors, we find a very strong causal relationship between the monitoring propensity of one's loan group and repayment. Our lowest estimate suggests that borrowers in groups with above median monitoring are 36 percent less likely to have a problem repaying their portion of the loan. Besides confirming a number of previous results, we also find some evidence that risk preferences, social preferences, and cognitive skills affect repayment.
A population-based study of the prevalence, clinical characteristics and effect of ethnicity in epilepsy

UNLABELLED The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and clinical characteristics of epilepsy and seizure disorders in Bradford. The method used was a community-based cross-sectional study. Case ascertainment was by review of medical records identified by searching practice databases using diagnostic codes and from repeat prescribing data. A specialist epilepsy nurse reviewed the records in 39 practices covering a population of 225 439. Clinical review was undertaken where there was limited information available in the records. In total, 1643 cases of epilepsy were identified (prevalence 7.3/1000). The prevalence of epilepsy increased with age. Classification of patients by internationally agreed definitions showed 1013 (62%) of cases with active epilepsy (prevalence 4. 5/1000); 421 (26%) with epilepsy in remission on treatment and 209 (13%) with epilepsy in remission off treatment. The standardized rate for all patients of South Asian origin was 3.6/1000 compared to 7.8/1000 in the rest of the population (OR 0.46; 95% CI 0.38, 0.57). An underlying aetiology was identified in 29.5% of cases. Cerebrovascular disease and head injuries were the commonest causes. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of epilepsy supports previous epidemiological estimates and highlights the public health importance of epilepsy. The low prevalence in the South Asian population is a surprising finding and further research into cultural attitudes to epilepsy and the impact of stigma in the South Asian population in the UK is required.
Error resilience technique for multi-view coding using redundant disparity vectors

Research on error resilience in multi-view coding is currently receiving considerable interest. While there is a multitude of literature concerning error recovery in 2D video, due to the statistical difference in motion compensation among temporal frames and disparity compensation among view points, such methods are inadequate to cater to the requirements of multiview video transmission. This paper addresses the above issue by transmission of redundant disparity vectors for error recovery purposes. The proposed system, which is implemented using the Joint Scalable Video Model (JSVM) codec and tested using a simulated Internet Protocol (IP) packet network environment, can be used along with a suitable error concealment scheme to provide robust multi-view video transmission. The experimental results suggest that the proposed algorithm experiences a slight degradation of quality in error free environments due to the inclusion of redundant data. However, it improves the reconstructed picture quality significantly in error prone environments, specifically for Packet Loss Rates (PLRs) greater than 7%.
Characterizing the avian gut microbiota: membership, driving influences, and potential function

Birds represent a diverse and evolutionarily successful lineage, occupying a wide range of niches throughout the world. Like all vertebrates, avians harbor diverse communities of microorganisms within their guts, which collectively fulfill important roles in providing the host with nutrition and protection from pathogens. Although many studies have investigated the role of particular microbes in the guts of avian species, there has been no attempt to unify the results of previous, sequence-based studies to examine the factors that shape the avian gut microbiota as a whole. In this study, we present the first meta-analysis of the avian gut microbiota, using 16S rRNA gene sequences obtained from a range of publicly available clone-library and amplicon pyrosequencing data. We investigate community membership and structure, as well as probe the roles of some of the key biological factors that influence the gut microbiota of other vertebrates, such as host phylogeny, location within the gut, diet, and association with humans. Our results indicate that, across avian studies, the microbiota demonstrates a similar phylum-level composition to that of mammals. Host bird species is the most important factor in determining community composition, although sampling site, diet, and captivity status also contribute. These analyses provide a first integrated look at the composition of the avian microbiota, and serve as a foundation for future studies in this area.
Optimal Time for Hypothermic Reconditioning of Liver Grafts by Venous Systemic Oxygen Persufflation in a Large Animal Model

Background. Quality of cold-stored livers declines beyond 12 hr of ischemia, increasing the risk of primary dysfunction. Here we evaluate the potential and optimal treatment interval of gaseous oxygen persufflation for grafts reconditioning after long storage times in an experimental pig liver model. Method. Porcine livers (n=6/group) were cold stored at 4°C for 18 hr in histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate solution. Hypothermic reconditioning (HR) was performed in some livers, by insufflation of gaseous oxygen through the caval vein for 1, 2, or 3 hr subsequent to cold storage. Liver integrity was assessed by controlled in vitro reperfusion with autologous blood. Results. HR resulted in a 40% to 50% reduction of serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, and tumor necrosis factor-&agr; with a maximal effect after 2 hr of HR (P<0.05). Functional parameters (bile production, cholinesterase and energetic recovery) were likewise enhanced (P<0.05). Two hours of HR also improved hepatic arterial flow and abrogated the postischemic increase in portal venous perfusion resistance compared with untreated (P<0.05). Gene expression of Toll-like receptor-4 was reduced by 2 hr of HR as was platelet adherence in the reperfused graft (P<0.05), in line with a trend toward lower expression of von Willebrand factor. Conclusion. HR effectively ameliorated graft dysfunction after extended preservation of porcine livers. Two hours of “a posteriori” treatment provide the maximal effect and are recommended for further application.
An exact analysis of diffusion coefficients and correlation factors in crystals

Abstract A previous analysis of the diffusion coefficient in crystals, based on the concept of uncorrelated segments in the displacements of the atoms (Kidson 1975) is refined and made mathematically rigorous. A general expression for the correlation factor f, valid for all mechanisms, is obtained and applied to several specific cases. It is shown that the traditional derivation of f for the vacancy mechanism contains two compensating errors so that the final expression used to obtain numerical results remains correct.