Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Depressed or not depressed? that is the question

Abstract Depression in the elderly is seen as different than the classical depressions which occur in younger individuals. In particular, elderly patients tend not to suffer the loss of self-esteem which is characteristic of depression, presenting rather with symptoms of distress and unhappiness. Data are reviewed which indicate that these depressive-like symptoms have little or no impact on cognitive functions and the suggestion is made that the case for emotional influence on cognitive abilities in the elderly (pseudodementia) is vastly overrated. If elderly patients do present with cognitive difficulties, these are more likely disease-based rather than the result of emotional factors such as depression. To be, or not to be: That is the question; Whether tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, or to take arms against a sea of troubles, and by opposing, end them? To die, to sleep no more; and by a sleep to say we end the heartache and the thousand natural shocks that.
Computed tomography screening for lung cancer in Hodgkin's lymphoma survivors: decision analysis and cost-effectiveness analysis.

BACKGROUND Hodgkin's lymphoma patients have an elevated risk of developing lung cancer and may be targeted for lung cancer screening. We used a decision-analytic model to estimate the potential clinical benefits and cost-effectiveness of computed tomography (CT) screening for lung cancer in Hodgkin's lymphoma survivors. MATERIALS AND METHODS We developed a Markov decision-analytic model to compare annual low-dose CT screening versus no screening in a hypothetical cohort of patients diagnosed with stage IA-IIB Hodgkin's lymphoma at age 25, with screening starting 5 years after initial diagnosis. We derived model parameters from published studies and the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) Program, and assumed that stage-shift produces a survival benefit. RESULTS Annual CT screening increased survival by 0.64 years for smokers and 0.16 years for non-smokers. The corresponding benefits in quality-adjusted survival were 0.58 quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) for smokers and 0.14 QALYs for non-smokers. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratios for annual CT screening compared with no screening were $34 100/QALY for smokers and $125 400/QALY for non-smokers. CONCLUSIONS Our analysis suggests that if early promising results for lung cancer screening hold, CT screening for lung cancer may increase survival and quality-adjusted survival among Hodgkin's lymphoma survivors, with a benefit and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio for smokers comparable to that of other recommended cancer screening strategies.
DISCOVER in Middle School: Identifying Gifted Minority Students

The purpose of this study was to examine the validity of the grades 6–8 version of DISCOVER, a performance-based assessment, and investigate its effectiveness in identifying gifted minority students. Questions examined the alignment between DISCOVER and Gardner's (1983) theory of multiple intelligences (MI) and assessed gender and ethnic differences. The sample consisted of 395 middle school students, predominantly Mexican Americans and Native Americans belonging to lower socioeconomic classes, from schools in Arizona. Results supported a good fit between DISCOVER and MI theory. That is, students identified as gifted in one intelligence were not necessarily identified in other intelligences. The 2 × 3 MANOVA (gender by ethnicity) showed no significant interaction or main effect for ethnicity. However, a main effect for gender was found with males outperforming females in math. No overall gender or ethnic differences in identification were revealed. In total, 12.4% of the participants were identified, suggesting that using DISCOVER might diminish the long-standing problem of minority underrepresentation in gifted programs.
Substance misuse: the relationship between attachment styles, personality traits and coping in drug and non‐drug users

This study examined an individual's drug use in relation to their coping styles, personality traits and attachment style. A total of 98 participants (46 females and 52 males) took part in the study. Analysis did not show a significant difference in insecure/ambivalent attachment in the drug‐using group. Yet, there was evidence to suggest that the drug‐using group exhibited higher levels of personality disorder traits, based only on self‐report. Individuals with more personality disorder traits had a more insecure attachment style. Participants who use drugs had a more avoidant coping style. The results are discussed with reference to previous research and the implications of the current research on attachment theory and personality disorder etiology, as well as implications for drug treatment.
Inhibitory Activity of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Aspartyl Protease Inhibitors against Encephalitozoon intestinalis Evaluated by Cell Culture-Quantitative PCR Assay

ABSTRACT Immune reconstitution might not be the only factor contributing to the low prevalence of microsporidiosis in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients treated with protease inhibitors, as these drugs may exert a direct inhibitory effect against fungi and protozoa. In this study, we developed a cell culture-quantitative PCR assay to quantify Encephalitozoon intestinalis growth in U-373-MG human glioblastoma cells and used this assay to evaluate the activities of six HIV aspartyl protease inhibitors against E. intestinalis. A real-time quantitative PCR assay targeted the E. intestinalis small-subunit rRNA gene. HIV aspartyl protease inhibitors were tested over serial concentrations ranging from 0.2 to 10 mg/liter, with albendazole used as a control. Ritonavir, lopinavir, and saquinavir were able to inhibit E. intestinalis growth, with 50% inhibitory concentrations of 1.5, 2.2, and 4.6 mg/liter, respectively, whereas amprenavir, indinavir, and nelfinavir had no inhibitory effect. Pepstatin A, a reference aspartyl protease inhibitor, could also inhibit E. intestinalis growth, suggesting that HIV protease inhibitors may act through the inhibition of an E. intestinalis-encoded aspartyl protease. These results showed that some HIV protease inhibitors can inhibit E. intestinalis growth at concentrations that are achievable in vivo and that the real-time quantitative PCR assay that we used is a valuable tool for the in vitro assessment of the activities of drugs against E. intestinalis.
Analysis of microstructure impact on electromigration

The standard electromigration model is extended by introducing an anisotropic diffusivity which depends on the general stress tensor and a new model of grain boundaries which describes dynamics of mobile vacancies and vacancies trapped in grain boundaries. The application scenario for electromigration simulation is presented. The new calibration and usage concept takes into account microstructural diversity of interconnect inputs. A simulation example illustrating the effect of microstructural variation is presented and discussed.
“Very Sad, But It Works”: One Pupil's Assessment Career in Religious Education

This article combines two under-researched issues: the role and effect of assessment in religious education and the effect of assessment regimes on the construction of learner identities. It describes the context to assessment in English religious education. Then generic arguments about summative and formative assessment are reviewed, and the notion of assessment careers is introduced. The practitioner research methodology is described, before analyzing the data from one pupil, which shows how he combined elements of two types of learner identity, including the ability to reflect on wide aspects of his learning in religious education. The implications for conceptualizing learner identities and for assessment in religious education are considered.
Systemic Reactions of Intraosseous (Vascular, Spongy) Anesthesia

Separation of the methods of local anesthesia on diffuse and vascular that we proposed [Petrikas et al], is related to the safety of dental spongy anesthesia. PURPOSE: To evaluate the systemic complications of dental spongy vascular injection based on publications and our records. Spongy anesthesia containing epinephrine, in each subject causes systemic reactions of the sympathetic or parasympathetic type, usually the first. There are significant changes in heart rate and systolic blood pressure. They do develop in the first minute, falling to fourth. They are not typical to classical anesthesia. Headache and tachycardia are specific symptoms of severe systemic reactions to spongy injection. Chest pain is another terrible symptom. After classic (293) and spongy (431) anesthesia it was analyzed 17/56 systemic complications, properly. Quantitatively, the complication to vascular (spongy) injection was more common. It is essential that the vegetative (sympathetic and parasympathetic) reactions were observed only after a spongy injection. All reactions - complications were mild, transient and reversible. However, the transformation of reactions in severe complications are possible, as was the case in the 70s.
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome: Review of implicated genetic factors

Genetic studies in Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) have been motivated by clinical, epidemiological, and/or neuropathological observations in SIDS victims, with subsequent pursuit of candidate genes in five categories: (1) genes for ion channel proteins based on electrocardiographic evidence of prolonged QT intervals in SIDS victims, (2) gene for serotonin transporter based on decreased serotonergic receptor binding in brainstems of SIDS victims, (3) genes pertinent to the early embryology of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) (and with a link to the 5‐HT system) based on reports of ANS dysregulation in SIDS victims, (4) genes for nicotine metabolizing enzymes based on evidence of cigarette smoking as a modifiable risk factor for SIDS, and (5) genes regulating inflammation, energy production, hypoglycemia, and thermal regulation based on reports of postnatal infection, low birth weight, and/or overheating in SIDS victims. Evidence for each of these classes of candidate genes is reviewed in detail. As this review indicates, a number of genetically controlled pathways appear to be involved in at least some cases of SIDS. Given the diversity of results to date, genetic studies support the clinical impression that SIDS is heterogeneous with more than one entity and with more than one possible genetic etiology. Future studies should consider expanded phenotypic features that might help clarify the heterogeneity and improve the predictive value of the identified genetic factors. Such features should be evaluated to the extent possible in both SIDS victims and their family members. With 2,162 infants dying from SIDS in 2003 in the U.S. alone, and improved but still imperfect parent and caretaker compliance with known modifiable risk factors for SIDS, it behooves clinicians, researchers, and parents to combine efforts to reach a common goal. The message of the “Back to Sleep” campaign needs to be re‐introduced/re‐engineered to reach families and caretakers of all ethnic groups. Clinicians and researchers need to gently inform new SIDS parents about the opportunity to contribute tissue to the NICHD‐funded University of Maryland Brain and Tissue Bank. By expanding the network of clinicians, scientists, and families working together, and by combined efforts in a collaborative multi‐center study of candidate genes and/or genomics, the discovery of the genetic profile of the infant at risk for SIDS can ultimately be determined. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
ONSERVATION OF AN ENDEMIC METALLOPHYTE SPECIES : E FFECT OF POPULATION HISTORY AND VEGETATIVE DENSITY ON THE REPRODUCTIVE SUCCESS OF V IOLA CALAMINARIA

Demographic studies that monitor population dynamics are an essential component in establishing conservation strategies. The conventional view that human disturbance results in negative effects to species and habitats is countered by the fact that some anthropogenic activities result in the origin of new habitat opportunities for species. Faced with an increase in European restoration programs, studies that assess the variability in traits conferring reproductive success among populations is particularly relevant to rare species conservation and further improves our knowledge to achieve restoration success. In the present study, we evaluated reproductive success variation (flower density, percent fructification and seed set) in Viola calaminaria, a rare endemic metallophyte, in relationship to population origins (ancestral or recent habitat), plant density and habitat structure. Results indicated that seed set varied significantly among ancestral and recently established populations, with recent populations exhibiting increased seed set (P < 0.05). Habitat structure did not influence species reproductive success. A positive significant correlation was detected between vegetative and flower density (P < 0.001). Results suggested that population origin (ancestral or recent) and local vegetative density was more important than habitat structure on reproductive success in Viola calaminaria. In addition, we demonstrated that Viola calaminaria populations distributed in habitats recently created by anthropogenic activity exhibited similar or higher reproductive success than populations from ancestral sites. These results are noteworthy as they show that anthropogenic activities can create new favourable habitats for some rare species.
The Role of Adrenomedullin as a Growth Regulatory Peptide in the Normal and Malignant Setting

Adrenomedullin (AM) is a recently discovered pluripotent peptide initially isolated from a human adrenal gland tumor (pheochromocytoma). Adrenomedullin has been shown to have an ancient origin with immunoreactive species found in mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and echinoderms (starfish). Given its highly conserved evolutionary expression, AM is thought to play a critical role in species survival. This peptide has been shown to mediate a variety of physiological functions, of which its involvement in growth regulation will be the central focus of this paper. In the following text, we will review the cited literature in this area and include our own observations regarding AM expression in carcinogenesis, embryogenesis, and wound repair. Adrenomedullin will be shown to induce both growth promotion or growth suppression depending on the target cell examined and the surrounding nutritional environment in which the analysis was done. Its implied role as a mitogen, angiogenic factor, and apoptosis survival factor will be critiqued and evaluated relative to its importance in the cell proliferation process. Finally, we will review the antimicrobial effect AM has on several human pathogens ( E s cherichia coli and Candida albicans) and demonstrate its participation in the host immune response system as a first line defense peptide.
The Dynamics of Interaction During Post‐lesson Conferences and the Development of Professional Activity: Study of a pre‐service physical education teacher and her co‐operating teacher

The purpose of this study was to characterise the development of a preservice physical education teacher's professional activity over the course of training interactions with her co‐operating teacher. The student teacher's professional development was studied using a hermeneutic and inductive approach based on the analysis of data from observation and self‐confrontation interviews. The results showed that the preservice teacher's conceptions regarding her teaching developed despite communication difficulties with her co‐operating teacher and that she constructed new knowledge—at times without her co‐operating teacher's awareness—even when she disagreed with him. However, the student teacher's classroom activity did not always change as a result of this new knowledge. The self‐confrontation interviews revealed her construction of knowledge, as well as the reasons for disagreement and her resistance to changing her classroom action.
Single trial EEG and MEG recorded during spontaneous reversals of the Necker cube : a non-linear distributed systems approach

According to Edelman's (1989) theory of neuronal group selection (TNGS), reentrant cortical connections are proposed as the basis for processing complex information. Reentry is not simply feedback, but parallel signalling in the time domain between spatially disparate maps made of groups of neurons. These connections can be reciprocal or from a geometric range, and can be convergent or divergent. Reentry has variable properties existing in time and space that liken it more to a process of correlation between distributed systems. Processing of a Necker cube is an interesting example of complex visual information processing since the perceptual change occurs spontaneously while the stimulus remains constant. Based on the reentrant cortical integration (RCI) model, it would be expected that during spontaneous reversals of the Necker cube, increased correlations between distributed non-linear systems would be present in cortex. The purpose of this thesis then, is to determine if patterns of EEG and MEG activity during reversals are different than processing a figure in two dimensions. Since the correlation patterns are possibly complex and non-linear, a generalised regression neural network (GRNN) was used to classify the two groups. The thesis included an electroencephalography EEG (n=5) and a magnetoencephalography (MEG) phase (n=5). The experimental questions posed were 1) Can non-linear cortical patterns, present during perceptual reversals be classified as different compared to a two-dimensional figure? and 2) Are patterns of correlated cortical activity significantly higher in the Necker cube reversal condition? One second single trial EEG and MEG records were analyzed using the GRNN. A model based on wrtico-cortical connections was developed to assess the level of correlations from a subset in each condition. The GRNN significantly classified Necker cube reversal single trials as different compared to perception of a two dimensional figure for both EEG and MEG. Significantly higher patterns of correlations were also observed in the Necker cube reversal condition in both the EEG and MEG phases. The results are interpreted to be in agreement with the RCI model. Non-linear patterns unique to perceptual reversals and correlations of distributed neuronal groups may be fundamental to visual information processing.
“Communities of Blood”: The Natural History of Kinship in Nineteenth-Century America

Lewis H. Morgan's Systems of Consanguinity and Affinity of the Human Family (1871) is credited with inventing the anthropological study of “kinship” from a comparative perspective (Trautmann 1987). Since Émile Durkheim's critique of 1898, Morgan is also said to have reduced kinship to biology in keeping with Anglo-American cultural assumptions about “blood relations” given in nature. Yet, on closer inspection, Morgan's “consanguinity” proves to be fraught with contradictions. Debates about the degenerative effects of mixing bloods in marriage—consanguinity with affinity—encompassed not only miscegenation but also “consanguineous marriages,” such as Morgan's own marriage to his first cousin (his mother's brother's daughter) in 1851.
The Myth of Mental Illness: Thomas S. Szasz

Thomas Szasz is one of the most disliked names in contemporary psychiatry, and The Myth of Mental Illness is one of the most disapproved of books. It was Szasz's contention that illness can affect only the body and that there can be no such thing as an illness of the mind. He described mental illness as a metaphorical illness, maintaining that one can speak of a 'sick’ mind only in the same way as one can speak of a 'sick’ joke or a 'sick’ economy. He went on to argue that, if there is no mental illness, there can be no treatment for it, and no cure of it. There was, for him therefore, no medical, moral, or legal justification for involuntary psychiatric intervention or hospital admission. Such actions he considered to be crimes against humanity. He believed, after John Stuart Mill, that a man's body and soul are his own and not the state's, and that each individual has the right to do with his body whatever he pleases so long as it does not harm anyone else or infringe anybody else's rights.
A Validation Study of the Adolescent Risk-taking Questionnaire

Abstract The Adolescent Risk-taking Questionnaire (ARQ) was developed to comprehensively assess adolescent risk-taking beliefs and behaviours. Research has shown that it is a reliable instrument with strong construct validity. The current study investigated the convergent and discriminant validity of the ARQ by comparing responses of a sample of 52 male adolescents from a juvenile justice centre and 211 school-attending male adolescents. Consistent with past research, the juvenile justice centre youth reported significantly higher levels of depression and less optimal levels of parent attachment compared to school-attending youth. Convergent validity of the ARQ was demonstrated through significant relationships between attachment and risk-taking. Specifically, those adolescents with less optimal parent attachment were more likely to engage in risk-taking behaviour and were less likely to perceive the behaviours included in the ARQ as risky compared to those with more optimal levels of parent attachment. Discriminant validity of the ARQ was demonstrated through significant differences between the two groups on risk beliefs and behaviours. Responses on the ARQ indicated that youth from the juvenile justice centre were significantly more likely to engage in risky behaviours, if given the opportunity, than school-based youth. They also perceived the behaviours to be less risky. It was concluded that the ARQ has good convergent and discriminant validity.