Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Development of social problem-solving strategies and changes in aggressive behavior: A 7-year follow-up from childhood to late adolescence

The aim of this study was to predict a stability of aggressive behavior on the basis of social problem-solving strategies. Subjects were a total of 120 children, but complete follow-up data were available only in 47 cases. Their aggressive behaviors were peer rated, and problem-solving strategies were assessed in childhood subjects being 10 years on average, and 7 years later. Association between a development of social strategies and changes in aggressive behavior was studied with personality-oriented pattern analyses. The main finding was that a development of strategies predicted a stability or changes of aggressive behavior very well. Aggressive strategies, both in childhood and in adolescence, as well as a lack of constructive alternatives characterized permanently aggressive subjects. Turning from nonaggressive to aggressive behavior was also explained by aggressive problem-solving strategies, while a positive development, i.e., turning from childhood aggressive to adolescent nonaggressive behavior, was possible only if a person had never used aggressive strategies. Agreement between behavior and strategies was higher among girls. The findings supported a claim that intervention of aggressive behavior may be possible by modifying social strategies.
Which spirometric indices best predict subsequent death from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease?

BACKGROUND Previous epidemiological studies have related mortality from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to forced expiratory volumes (FEV1or FEV0.75) and it is unknown whether other spirometric indices might have greater predictive power. METHODS A case-control study of fatal COPD was conducted within a cohort of London civil servants who performed forced expiratory spirograms in 1967–9 and were followed up for mortality over 20 years. The spirograms of 143 men who died of COPD (ICD8 491, 492 or 519.8) were compared with those of 143 controls individually matched for age, height, and smoking habit who survived longer than their matched case. Flow rates in different parts of the spirogram were compared within case-control pairs and analysed as predictors of fatal COPD by conditional logistic regression. RESULTS Within pair case:control ratios of FEV1, mid expiratory flow rates (e.g. FEF50–75) and FEF75–85 were highly intercorrelated (r>0.7) but correlations with FEF85–95 were weaker (r<0.5). All indices except the FEV1/FVC ratio were stronger predictors of death from COPD within the first 10 years than of later deaths (15–19 years). After adjustment for FEV1, mid expiratory flow rates independently predicted fatal COPD but end expiratory flow rates did not. The FEV1 adjusted mortality ratios associated with a 10% decrement in each index were 2.24 (95% CI 1.54 to 3.76) for FEF50–75, 1.20 (95% CI 1.00 to 1.42) for FEF75–85, and 1.10 (95% CI 0.96 to 1.26) for FEF85–95. CONCLUSION This study confirms FEV1 and mid expiratory flow rates as powerful predictors of mortality from COPD, and suggests that measurement of end expiratory flow rates would add little extra predictive information.
Capillary Index Score in the Interventional Management of Stroke Trials I and II

Background and Purpose— The Capillary Index Score (CIS) is a simple angiography-based scale for assessing viable tissue in the ischemic territory. We retrospectively applied it to Interventional Management of Stroke (IMS) trials I and II to evaluate the predictive value for good outcomes. Methods— CIS was calculated from pretreatment diagnostic cerebral angiograms blinded to outcome. IMS I and II diagnostic cerebral angiogram images of sufficient quality were reviewed and CIS calculated for treated subjects with internal carotid artery or M1 occlusion. CIS scoring (0–3) was dichotomized into favorable (f CIS; 2 or 3) and poor (p CIS; 0 or 1). Modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction score 2b or 3 was considered good revascularization. CIS and modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction scores were compared with good outcome, defined as modified Rankin Scale score ⩽2 at 90 days. Results— Twenty-eight of 161 subjects met the inclusion criteria. Thirteen (46%) had f CIS. Good clinical outcome was significantly different between the 2 CIS groups (62% for f CIS versus 7% for p CIS; P=0.004). Good reperfusion correlated to good outcome (P=0.04). No significant differences in time to intravenous or intra-arterial treatment were identified between f CIS and p CIS groups (P>0.25). Conclusions— A f CIS was found in ≈50% of subjects and was a virtual prerequisite for good outcome in this study subgroup of IMS I and II. We call this the 50% barrier.
Causes of neuropathy in patients referred as “idiopathic neuropathy”

Introduction: The etiology of neuropathy was idiopathic in 20%–30% of patients despite thorough investigation, based on results from the 1980s and 1990s. Since then, new etiologies have been recognized, and skin biopsy has been used to confirm small‐fiber neuropathy. Methods: The authors reviewed the charts of 373 patients with idiopathic neuropathy who were referred to a neuropathy center between 2002 and 2012. Results: Among the 284 eligible patients, 93 (32.7%) remained idiopathic. The most common cause was impaired glucose metabolism (72 patients, 25.3%), including diabetes in 26 and prediabetes in 46. Other etiologies were chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) in 57 (20%) and monoclonal gammopathy in 20 (7%), as well as toxic, Sjögren disease, celiac disease, other immune‐mediated diseases, vitamin B12 deficiency, amyloidosis, vitamin B1 and B6 deficiency, vasculitis, hypothyroidism, hereditary, Lyme disease, and anti‐sulfatide antibody. Conclusions: The major causes of undiagnosed neuropathies were impaired glucose metabolism, CIDP, and monoclonal gammopathies. Despite thorough evaluation 32.7% remained idiopathic. Muscle Nerve 53: 856–861, 2016
Effect of Constitutive Equations on Prediction Accuracy for Springback in Cold Stamping of TRIP1180

The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of constitutive equations on the prediction accuracy for springback in cold stamping with various deformation modes. In this study, two types of yield functions—Hill’48 and Yld2000-2d—were considered to describe yield behavior. Isotropic and kinematic hardening models based on the Yoshida–Uemori model were also adopted to describe hardening behavior. Various material tests (such as uniaxial tension, tension- compression, loading-unloading, and hydraulic bulging tests) were carried out to determine the material parameters of the models. The obtained parameters were implemented in the finite element (FE) simulation to predict springback, and the results were compared with experimental data. U-bending and T-shape drawing were employed to evaluate the springback prediction accuracy. Obviously, the springback prediction accuracy was greatly influenced by constitutive equations. Therefore, it is important to choose appropriate constitutive equations for accurate description of material behaviors in FE simulation.
Concurrency in Practice Threaded vs . Event-based – is that a even valid question ?

This survey looks at a handful influential papers and approaches regarding concurrent programming. Threaded programming is still subject to heated discussions, it even received some high-profile criticism, as elaborated in Section 2. Rather than refuting, some multi-threading advocates argue that offhand dismissal would be premature. This has in turn led to the question whether a confrontation of both paradigms is valid at all – which has to be answered with “not really”. Section 5 finally provides some details about Duff’s Device, a well known way for portable implementation of cooperative threads.
Delay-dependent robust stabilisation of uncertain discrete-time switched systems with time-varying state delay

This paper considers the stabilisation problem for uncertain discrete-time switched systems with time-varying delay in the state. The uncertainty is assumed to be of structured linear fractional form, which includes the norm-bounded uncertainty as a special case. A stability condition is first proposed by using switched Lyapunov function, which is dependent on the minimum and maximum delay bounds. Based on the result, a switched state feedback controller is designed. Numerical examples are given to illustrate the effectiveness of the result.
GaN growth on (111) Si with very thin amorphous SiN layer by ECR plasma-assisted MBE

We have investigated the structure and quality of GaN films grown on a 2 -3 nm thick amorphous SiN layer formed on (111) Si by electron cyclotron reso nance plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy under various growth conditions by using both conventional and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. It is shown that (0001) hexagonal GaN (α-GaN) films are epitaxially grown on the above-mentioned substrates under optimum growth conditions. With the deviation of optimum conditions, GaN films present rough surface and are composed of small grains of an average size of 0.1 µm. Further, for the growth of decreased effective ratio of nitrogen radical molecules in nitrogen gas, the growth of cubic GaN is predominantly detected with α-GaN. High density pure-edge threading dislocations observed in α-GaN films are considered to be generated due to island -island coalescence at an early stage of growth.
Prevention and Reversal of Type 1 Diabetes—Past Challenges and Future Opportunities

Over the past three decades there have been a number of clinical trials directed at interdicting the type 1 diabetes (T1D) disease process in an attempt to prevent the development of the disease in those at increased risk or to stabilize—potentially even reverse—the disease in people with T1D, usually of recent onset. Unfortunately, to date there has been no prevention trial that has resulted in delay or prevention of T1D. And, trials in people with T1D have had mixed results with some showing promise with at least transient improvement in β-cell function compared with randomized control groups, while others have failed to slow the decline in β-cell function when compared with placebo. This Perspective will assess the past and present challenges in this effort and provide an outline for potential future opportunities.
The oral health of critically ill children: an observational cohort study.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES This study will describe the oral health status of critically ill children over time spent in the paediatric intensive care unit, examine influences on the development of poor oral health and explore the relationship between dysfunctional oral health and healthcare-associated infections. BACKGROUND The treatment modalities used to support children experiencing critical illness and the progression of critical illness may result in dysfunction in the oral cavity. In adults, oral health has been shown to worsen during critical illness as well as influence systemic health. DESIGN A prospective observational cohort design was used. METHOD The study was undertaken at a single tertiary-referral Paediatric Intensive Care Unit. Oral health status was measured using the Oral Assessment Scale and culturing oropharyngeal flora. Information was also collected surrounding the use of supportive therapies, clinical characteristics of the children and the occurrence of healthcare-associated infections. RESULTS Of the 46 participants, 63% (n = 32) had oral dysfunction and 41% (n = 19) demonstrated pathogenic oropharyngeal colonisation during their critical illness. The potential systemic pathogens isolated from the oropharynx and included Candida sp. , Staphylococcus aureus, Haemophilus influenzae, Enterococcus sp. and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The severity of critical illness had a significant positive relationship (p < 0·05) with pathogenic and absent colonisation of the oropharynx. Sixty-three percent of healthcare-associated infections involved the preceding or simultaneous colonisation of the oropharynx by the causative pathogen. CONCLUSIONS This study suggests paediatric oral health to be frequently dysfunctional and the oropharynx to repeatedly harbour potential systemic pathogens during childhood critical illness. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE Given the frequency of poor oral health during childhood critical illness in this study and the subsequent potential systemic consequences, evidence based oral hygiene practices should be developed and validated to guide clinicians when nursing critically ill children.
Subclinical Hypothyroidism and Cardiovascular Disease

Subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) is a common disorder that is characterized by elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone levels in conjunction with free thyroxine concentrations within the normal reference range. Thyroid hormones are known to affect the heart and vasculature and, as a result, the impact of SCH on the cardiovascular (CV) system has recently become an important topic of research. Strong evidence points to a link between SCH and CV risk factors such as alterations in blood pressure, lipid levels, and atherosclerosis. Additionally, accumulating evidence indicates that SCH is associated with metabolic syndrome and heart failure. The present review proposes that SCH may be a potentially modifiable risk factor of CV disease and mortality. However, large-scale clinical trials with appropriate power investigating the risks and benefits of SCH treatment are required to determine whether these benefits can be achieved with levothyroxine therapy.
The effect of fiber addition on the extrusion-cooking stability and quality of enriched corn snacks

The paper presents the results of measurements of process efficiency and energy consumption during the extrusion-cooking of corn snacks enriched with fibers and the effect of additives on the texture of snacks. For enriched extruded snacks corn meal was used as base raw material and various types of fiber were added: wheat bran, barley bran, oat bran and inulin from chicory, in an amount of 5, 10, 15 and 20% of sample mass. Extrusion was performed using a single screw extruder TS-45, L/D=16:1 at a screw speed of 120 rpm. During processing the determined efficiency and specific energy consumption were registered depending on the additives applied. To evaluate the texture Warner – Bratzler knife was used to determine the cutting forces of extrudates. There was a higher process efficiency during the extrusion of corn snacks with rye bran addition, and greater specific energy consumption was determined during the extrusion of snacks with addition of wheat and oat bran. The best crunchy characteristic and low hardness was evaluated for corn snacks enriched with oat bran in an amount from 5 to 15%.
Immunological relationships among proteins making up the Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis crystalline toxin

The immunological relationships among the proteins of the mosquito larvicidal toxin produced by Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis have been investigated by using polyclonal antisera specific for the 28-, 70-, and 135-kilodalton proteins. Each of these proteins was immunologically distinct. There was no cross-reaction among the three proteins and the two non-homologous antisera. Treatment of toxin proteins with larval gut enzymes for 20 h identified protease-resistant domains at approximately 65, 38, and 22 kilodaltons. Similar domains were generated by treatment with trypsin and chymotrypsin. Our immunological and kinetic data indicate that the 28-kilodalton protein is degraded successively to protein bands at 26, 25, 23, and 22 kilodaltons, the 70-kilodalton protein is degraded to a protein at 38 kilodaltons, and the 135-kilodalton protein is degraded successively to protein bands at 94, 72, and, probably, 65 kilodaltons. Solubilized toxin possesses two biological activities, larvicidal and general cytolytic (hemolytic). We used nondenaturing gel electrophoresis to show that the hemolytic activity resides in the 28-kilodalton protein. However, higher-molecular-weight proteins are required to achieve the level of toxicity observed in intact toxin.
Interaction of Nup53 with Ndc1 and Nup155 is required for nuclear pore complex assembly

ABSTRACT Nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) are the gateways for nucleocytoplasmic exchange. The ordered assembly of these huge complexes from several hundred individual components into an intricate protein interaction network which deforms the two membranes of the nuclear envelope into a pore is only rudimentarily understood. Here, we show that the interaction between Nup53 and the integral pore membrane protein Ndc1 is essential for vertebrate NPC assembly. The Ndc1 binding site on Nup53 overlaps with a region that induces membrane bending and is specifically required to modulate this activity, suggesting that the membrane-deforming capability of Nup53 is adjusted during the NPC assembly process. We further demonstrate that the interaction of Nup53 and Nup155 has a crucial role in NPC formation as the main determinant of recruitment of Nup155 to the assembling pore. Overall, our results pinpoint the diversity of interaction modes accomplished by Nup53, highlighting this protein as an essential link between the pore membrane and the NPC, and as a crucial factor in the formation of the pore membrane.
Learning the Structure of Linear Latent Variable Models

We describe anytime search procedures that (1) find disjoint subsets of recorded variables for which the members of each subset are d-separated by a single common unrecorded cause, if such exists; (2) return information about the causal relations among the latent factors so identified. We prove the procedure is point-wise consistent assuming (a) the causal relations can be represented by a directed acyclic graph (DAG) satisfying the Markov Assumption and the Faithfulness Assumption; (b) unrecorded variables are not caused by recorded variables; and (c) dependencies are linear. We compare the procedure with standard approaches over a variety of simulated structures and sample sizes, and illustrate its practical value with brief studies of social science data sets. Finally, we consider generalizations for non-linear systems.
Knowing the User's Every Move – User Activity Tracking for Website Usability Evaluation and Implicit Interaction

In this paper, we investigate how detailed tracking of user interaction can be monitored using standard web technologies. Our motivation is to enable implicit interaction and to ease usability evaluation of web applications outside the lab. To obtain meaningful statements on how users interact with a web application, the collected information needs to be more detailed and fine-grained than that provided by classical log files. We focus on tasks such as classifying the user with regard to computer usage proficiency or making a detailed assessment of how long it took users to fill in fields of a form. Additionally, it is important in the context of our work that usage tracking should not alter the user’s experience and that it should work with existing server and browser setups. We present an implementation for detailed tracking of user actions on web pages. An HTTP proxy modifies HTML pages by adding JavaScript code before delivering them to the client. This JavaScript tracking code collects data about mouse movements, keyboard input and more. We demonstrate the usefulness of our approach in a case study.
Modeling insider attacks on group key-exchange protocols

Protocols for authenticated key exchange (AKE) allow parties within an insecure network to establish a common session key which can then be used to secure their future communication. It is fair to say that group AKE is currently less well understood than the case of two-party AKE; in particular, attacks by malicious insiders --- a concern specific to the group setting --- have so far been considered only in a relatively "ad-hoc" fashion. The main contribution of this work is to address this deficiency by providing a formal, comprehensive model and definition of security for group AKE which automatically encompasses insider attacks. We do so by defining an appropriate ideal functionality for group AKE within the universal composability (UC) framework. As a side benefit, any protocol secure with respect to our definition is secure even when run concurrently with other protocols, and the key generated by any such protocol may be used securely in any subsequent application.In addition to proposing this definition, we show that the resulting notion of security is strictly stronger than the one proposed by Bresson, et al. (termed "AKE-security"), and that our definition implies all previously-suggested notions of security against insider attacks. We also show a simple technique for converting any AKE-secure protocol into one secure with respect to our definition.
Acetaminophen Metabolite N-Acylphenolamine Induces Analgesia via Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 1 Receptors Expressed on the Primary Afferent Terminals of C-fibers in the Spinal Dorsal Horn.

BACKGROUND The widely used analgesic acetaminophen is metabolized to N-acylphenolamine, which induces analgesia by acting directly on transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 or cannabinoid 1 receptors in the brain. Although these receptors are also abundant in the spinal cord, no previous studies have reported analgesic effects of acetaminophen or N-acylphenolamine mediated by the spinal cord dorsal horn. We hypothesized that clinical doses of acetaminophen induce analgesia via these spinal mechanisms. METHODS We assessed our hypothesis in a rat model using behavioral measures. We also used in vivo and in vitro whole cell patch-clamp recordings of dorsal horn neurons to assess excitatory synaptic transmission. RESULTS Intravenous acetaminophen decreased peripheral pinch-induced excitatory responses in the dorsal horn (53.1 ± 20.7% of control; n = 10; P < 0.01), while direct application of acetaminophen to the dorsal horn did not reduce these responses. Direct application of N-acylphenolamine decreased the amplitudes of monosynaptic excitatory postsynaptic currents evoked by C-fiber stimulation (control, 462.5 ± 197.5 pA; N-acylphenolamine, 272.5 ± 134.5 pA; n = 10; P = 0.022) but not those evoked by stimulation of Aδ-fibers. These phenomena were mediated by transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 receptors, but not cannabinoid 1 receptors. The analgesic effects of acetaminophen and N-acylphenolamine were stronger in rats experiencing an inflammatory pain model compared to naïve rats. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that the acetaminophen metabolite N-acylphenolamine induces analgesia directly via transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 receptors expressed on central terminals of C-fibers in the spinal dorsal horn and leads to conduction block, shunt currents, and desensitization of these fibers.
Consensus in Directed Networks of Agents With Nonlinear Dynamics

This technical note studies the consensus problem for cooperative agents with nonlinear dynamics in a directed network. Both local and global consensus are defined and investigated. Techniques for studying the synchronization in such complex networks are exploited to establish various sufficient conditions for reaching consensus. The local consensus problem is first studied via a combination of the tools of complex analysis, local consensus manifold approach, and Lyapunov methods. A generalized algebraic connectivity is then proposed to study the global consensus problem in strongly connected networks and also in a broad class of networks containing spanning trees, for which ideas from algebraic graph theory, matrix theory, and Lyapunov methods are utilized.