Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assessing social support and depressive symptoms in older Chinese adults: A longitudinal perspective

Objectives: This study examined the relationship between social support and depression in a national longitudinal sample in Taiwan. This study integrates previous literature and develops a predictive model involving seven components of social support – social network size, network composition, frequency of social contact, proximity, types of support received, helping others, and satisfaction with social support. Method: A total of 4049 elders who were interviewed up to five times over a 14-year period from the ‘Surveys of Health and Living Status of Elderly’ (SHLSE) in Taiwan served as the subjects of this study. Random effects modeling was used to analyze the data. Results: Greater network size, broader networks, more frequency of contact, living with a married son, receiving instrumental, emotional and financial support, providing financial and short-term instrumental support to others, and higher satisfaction with support were all associated with fewer depressive symptoms. Providing physical care was related to higher levels of depression. Of the social support measures, satisfaction with support emerged as the most powerful predictor of elders’ depression. Conclusion: This investigation provides evidence that each aspect of social support accounts for a certain portion of the concept and emphasizes the importance of distinguishing different dimensions of social support. Also, the inconsistent findings between the current study and the Chinese literature reminds future investigators that the effect of social support on depression may differ among Chinese elderly in different communities, even through they share the same cultural origin.
Power motivation, illness, coping strategies and psychological stress in police trainees

Abstract Research suggests that there are substantial differences in the ways in which people cope with strcss, and that certain coping strategies buffer the degree of psychological and physical illness resulting from stress. Furthermore, personality, the situational context and subjective appraisal of the situation are believed to mediate coping behaviour and its effectiveness. The present investigation reports the results of two studies of the relationship between coping behaviour and the personality disposition need for power, taking into account the environment and the subject's appraisal of the situation. Highly power-motivated individuals were hypothesized to utilize emotion-focused coping strategies more than problem-focused coping strategies, to find the training environment stressful and anxietyprovoking, and to report more illness, than low power-motivated individuals. A 19-wcck policc academy training programme was used to measure these relationships in 34 police trainees. Thc results did not s.
Immediate web-based essay critiquing system feedback and teacher follow-up feedback on young second language learners' writings: an experimental study in a Hong Kong secondary school

This article is an effort to add to computer-assisted language learning by extending a study on an essay critiquing system (ECS) feedback to secondary school language learners' writing. The study compared two groups of participants' performance, namely the treatment group which received both the system feedback and teacher feedback (i.e., blended learning mode), and the control group which received teacher feedback only. The study was conducted in a secondary school in Hong Kong in the form of an extra-curricular activity after school. Fifty-three students from the ages of 16 to 17 with different argumentative writing experience participated in a series of five writing workshops once a month voluntarily. The participants were assigned to a treatment and a control group based on the stratification approach. Their scores were compared and an interview with the treatment group was conducted. Analysing the total and content and organisation scores of the two groups, it was found that both groups demonstrated statistical significant gains. Nevertheless, the treatment group's gain appears to be more meaningful than the control group's in view of its group composition. The blended learning mode contributes to the encouraging results as revealed through the treatment group's scores, high rating and positive comments on both system and teacher feedback in the survey and interviews. The analysis also implies the need to improve the system feedback on paragraph coherence, workshop design and grading criteria.
The cerebrocardiovascular response to periodic squat-stand maneuvers in healthy subjects: a time-domain analysis.

Squat-stand maneuvers (SSMs) have been used to improve the coherence of transfer function analysis (TFA) estimates during the assessment of dynamic cerebral autoregulation (dCA). There is a need to understand the influence of peripheral changes resulting from SSMs on cerebral blood flow, which might confound estimates of dCA. Healthy subjects ( n = 29) underwent recordings at rest (5-min standing) and 15 SSMs (0.05 Hz). Heart rate (three-lead ECG), end-tidal CO2 (capnography), blood pressure (Finometer), cerebral blood velocity (CBV; transcranial Doppler, middle cerebral artery), and the angle of the thigh (tilt sensor) were measured continuously. The response of CBV to SSMs was decomposed into the relative contributions of mean arterial pressure (MAP), resistance-area product (RAP), and critical closing pressure (CrCP). Upon squatting, a rise in MAP (83.6 ± 21.1% contribution) was followed by increased CBV. A dCA response could be detected, determined by adjustments in RAP and CrCP (left hemisphere) with peak contributions of 24.8 ± 12.7% and 27.4 ± 22.8%, respectively, at different times during SSMs. No interhemispheric differences were detected. During standing, the contributions of MAP, RAP, and CrCP changed considerably. In conclusion, the changes of CBV subcomponents during repeated SSMs indicate a complex response of CBV to SSMs that can only be partially explained by myogenic mechanisms. More work is needed to clarify the potential contribution of other cofactors, such as breath-to-breath changes in Pco2, heart rate, stroke volume, and the neurogenic component of dCA. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Here, we describe the different contributions to the cerebral blood flow response after squat-stand maneuvers. Furthermore, we demonstrate the complex interaction of peripheral and cerebral parameters for the first time. Moreover, we show that the cerebral blood velocity response to squatting is likely to include a significant metabolic component.
Physiologic Responses to Infrarenal Aortic Cross-Clamping during Laparoscopic or Conventional Vascular Surgery in Experimental Animal Model: Comparative Study

The aim of this study was to compare the hemodynamic and ventilatory effects of prolonged infrarenal aortic cross-clamping in pigs undergoing either laparotomy or laparoscopy. 18 pigs were used for this study. Infrarenal aortic crossclamping was performed for 60 minutes in groups I (laparotomy, n = 6) and II (laparoscopy, n = 6). Group III (laparoscopy, n = 6) underwent a 120-minute long pneumoperitoneum in absence of aortic clamping (sham group). Ventilatory and hemodynamic parameters and renal function were serially determined in all groups. A significant decrease in pH and significant increase in PaCO2 were observed in group II, whereas no changes in these parameters were seen in group I and III. All variables returned to values similar to baseline in groups I and II 60 minutes after declamping. A significant increase in renal resistive index was evidenced during laparoscopy, with significantly higher values seen in Group II. Thus a synergic effect of pneumoperitoneum and aortic cross-clamping was seen in this study. These two factors together cause decreased renal perfusion and acidosis, thus negatively affecting the patient's general state during this type of surgery.
Emotion Talk Between Same- and Mixed-Gender Friends

Emotion talk between friends was examined. Women, men, and mixed pairs engaged in an unstructured and self-disclosure conversation. In addition to comparing talk in the two topics, the speech act category, the directness, the experiencer, and the target of the emotion expression were analyzed. As expected, more references to emotion were made during the self-disclosure than during the unstructured conversation. Negative emotions were referenced more often than positive ones and were particularly likely to be referenced using an indirect form. Contrary to self-report studies, no gender differences were found in the frequency of emotions or in the particular types of emotions referenced. Further-more, gender composition was not related to the linguistic form of emotion expression. The findings (a) suggest that examining the form of emotion talk is a potentially useful strategy for studying how people verbally convey emotions and (b) lend support to contextual models of behavior.
Patient‐reported Outcome Measures in Spine Surgery

&NA; The ultimate goals of intervention for spinal pathology are to improve the patient's quality of life, restore function, and relieve pain. Traditional clinician‐based assessments typically fall short of adequately addressing these important outcomes because these assessments are inherently biased and may not describe patients' perception of their state of health. Patient‐reported outcome measures have been developed to obtain quantitative data regarding general health quality, function, and pain. These data can aid the clinician in stratifying the severity of the disorder to formulate an appropriate treatment plan. This information also can be followed over time to assess treatment efficacy. Patient‐reported outcome measures have become increasingly important with increased scrutiny of quality of care. Given the increasing importance and use of patient‐reported outcome measures, knowledge regarding proper implementation of these tools is essential for accurate assessment of general health quality, function, and pain.
Screening for undernutrition in geriatric practice: developing the short-form mini-nutritional assessment (MNA-SF).

BACKGROUND The Mini-Nutritional Assessment (MNA) is a validated assessment instrument for nutritional problems, but its length limits its usefulness for screening. We sought to develop a screening version of this instrument, the MNA-SF, that retains good diagnostic accuracy. METHODS We reanalyzed data from France that were used to develop the original MNA and combined these with data collected in Spain and New MEXICO: Of the 881 subjects with complete MNA data, 151 were from France, 400 were from Spain, and 330 were from New MEXICO: Independent ratings of clinical nutritional status were available for 142 of the French subjects. Overall, 73.8% were community dwelling, and mean age was 76.4 years. Items were chosen for the MNA-SF on the basis of item correlation with the total MNA score and with clinical nutritional status, internal consistency, reliability, completeness, and ease of administration. RESULTS After testing multiple versions, we identified an optimal six-item MNA-SF total score ranging from 0 to 14. The cut-point score for MNA-SF was calculated using clinical nutritional status as the gold standard (n = 142) and using the total MNA score (n = 881). The MNA-SF was strongly correlated with the total MNA score (r = .945). Using an MNA-SF score of > or = 11 as normal, sensitivity was 97.9%, specificity was 100%, and diagnostic accuracy was 98.7% for predicting undernutrition. CONCLUSIONS The MNA-SF can identify persons with undernutrition and can be used in a two-step screening process in which persons, identified as "at risk" on the MNA-SF, would receive additional assessment to confirm the diagnosis and plan interventions.
The role of vasoactive drugs in the treatment of oesophageal varices

Oesophageal varices are among the most important clinical consequences of portal hypertension. Recent progress in the knowledge of the pathophysiology of portal hypertension has led to the concept that it results from the increase of sinusoidal resistance and the increase in portal blood inflow consequent to splanchnic vasodilatation. Vasoactive drugs have therefore been evaluated, aiming to restore the imbalance between the increased intrahepatic and the decreased splanchnic vascular resistance. A large number of randomised, controlled trials have shown that vasoactive drugs in single or combination therapy, significantly reduce the risk of the first bleeding and rebleeding from oesophageal varices. Vasoactive drugs are also effective and safe in controlling acute variceal bleeding. Because of their high clinical efficacy, safety, ease of use and low cost, vasoactive drugs should be considered the first choice treatment for oesophageal varices.
Creativity and the Schizophrenia Spectrum: More and More Interesting

There is great promise in the articles from this special issue and their focus on schizophrenia-spectrum disorders and creativity. It becomes all the more important, then, to proceed with caution and to do good service to patients, their families, and, indeed, to our greater human potential. After a note on the study of bipolar disorders and creativity, I introduce 8 general considerations regarding creativity-pathology relations, followed by 8 specific points about the theoretical articles on schizophrenia spectrum. I bring in findings from the only empirical article in this set that actually involves participants at risk for schizophrenia, for which I was co-investigator. It is possible that familial schizophrenic risk carries "creative advantages" distinct from (and potentially combinable with) those related to bipolar disorders, advantages that are again broad and valuable in everyday life and from which we may all learn. However, one must take care to define issues fully, replicate important data, and to not "throw out the baby with the bath water" by creating artificial either-or situations between schizophrenia-spectrum and bipolar-spectrum disorders. There may be new worlds that await us in situations we are only beginning to understand.
To die without speaking of death

However, these three concepts, with regard to assistance to terminally ill patients and their families, produce in Italy an attitude, which is different from the one found in Anglo-Saxon countries. Using the terminology of the American Sociologists Glaser and Strauss [2], one can say that the situation in Italian Hospices can be described as a ‘closed awareness context’ and the ‘mutual pretence context’ and that these far overshadow the ‘open awareness context’. As a result, in Italian Hospices we find:
A model of tumor cell dormancy: Effects of anesthesia and surgery

Three cloned populations of tumor cells obtained from a murine fibrosarcoma were able to remain viable for a long period of time in syngeneic mice which failed to exhibit clinically evident tumors following tumor cell inoculation. Viable tumor cells under such conditions can be considered to be in a dormant state. On the basis of past studies, two of the lines were shown to have low malignant potential, while the third line was shown to have a higher degree of malignant potential. The rates of spontaneous reactiviation of tumor growth in animals carrying the low malignant cells were 3 and 4%, while a rate of 30% was observed in animals with the more malignant cellw. Treatment of animals carrying the low malignant cells in a dormant state with anesthesia alone, (thiopental) or with anesthesia and surgery, increased the rate of reactivation to 20–22%.
On the sensitivity of common gamma-index evaluation methods to MLC misalignments in Rapidarc quality assurance.

PURPOSE In this study the effects of small systematic MLC misalignments and gravitational errors on the quality of Rapidarc treatment plan delivery are investigated with respect to verification measurements with two detector arrays and the evaluation of clinical significance of the error-induced deviations. METHODS Five prostate and six head and neck plans were modified by means of three error types: (1) both MLC banks are opened, respectively, in opposing directions, resulting in larger fields; (2) both MLC banks are closed, resulting in smaller fields; and (3) both MLC banks are shifted for lateral gantry angles, respectively, in the same direction to simulate the effects of gravity on the leaves. Measurements were evaluated with respect to a gamma-index of 3%/3 mm and 2%/2 mm. Dose in the modified plans was recalculated and the resulting dose volume histograms for target and critical structures were compared to those of the unaltered plans. RESULTS The smallest introduced leaf position deviations which fail the >90% criterion for a gamma-index of 2%/2 mm are: (1) 1 mm; (2) 0.5 mm for prostate and 1.0 mm for head and neck cases; and (3) 3 mm corresponding to the error types, respectively. These errors would lead to significant changes in mean PTV dose and would not be detected with the more commonly used 3%/3 mm gamma-index criterion. CONCLUSIONS A stricter gamma-index (2%/2 mm) is necessary in order to detect positional errors of the MLC. Nevertheless, the quality assurance procedure of Rapidarc treatment plans must include a thorough examination of where dose discrepancies occur, and professional judgment is needed when interpreting the gamma-index analysis, since even a >90% passing rate using the 2%/2 mm gamma-index criterion does not guarantee the absence of clinically significance dose deviation.
The Gambling Environment and Gambler Behaviour: Evidence from Richmond-Tweed, Australia

As opportunities to gamble proliferated rapidly during the 1990s, accessibility to gambling facilities has been cited as a factor driving increased gambling consumption. However, research examining this relationship is limited. Most assessments have tended to be at a broad regional rather than a local level. Furthermore, explanations for why greater access encourages increased gambling activity have been inadequate. Using the framework of time-geography, this paper outlines new empirical evidence to assist in clarifying relationships between the accessibility to and consumption of gambling. Data on gambling behaviour were obtained from 1,018 persons in seven residential centres of the Richmond-Tweed region of NSW, Australia and compared to local provision of gambling facilities. In this study, availability of gambling opportunities—measured here by electronic gaming machines (EGMs) per capita—is often reflected in differences in gambling activity by the local population. It is concluded that accessibility to EGM facilities at a particularly local level is an important factor driving their use.
Metaphyseal bone formation induced by a new injectable β-TCP-based bone substitute: A controlled study in rabbits

Purpose Adequate filling of bone defects still poses a challenge in every day clinical work. As many bone defects are irregularly shaped the need for appropriate scaffolds reaching the complete defect surface are great. The purpose of this pre-clinical pilot study was to investigate the handling, biocompatibility, biodegradation and osteoconductivity of a new pasty bone substitute (pure phase β-TCP, hyaluronic acid, methylcellulose) in bone tissue. Methods In an unilateral tibial defect model the peri-implant and bone tissue response to the new pasty bone substitute was tested in New Zealand white rabbits for up to 24 weeks compared to empty controls. Analysis included HR-pQCT scans, histomorphometric evaluation and quantification of vascularization of un-decalcified histological slices. Results After 1 week the experimental group presented significantly higher new bone volume fraction (p = 0.021) primarily consisting of immature bone matrix and higher vessel density compared to controls (p = 0.013). After 4 weeks bone formation was not significantly different to controls but was distributed more evenly throughout the defect. Bone matrix was now mineralized and trabeculae were thicker than in controls (p = 0.002) indicating faster intramedullary bone maturation. Controls presented extensive periosteal bone formation, major fibrous tissue influx and high vascularization. After 12 and 24 weeks there was no new bone detectable. There were no severe signs of inflammation at all time points. Conclusion The substitute showed an early induction of bone formation. It promoted accelerated intramedullary bone repair and maturation and prevented periosteal bone formation indicating its potential use for reconstructive surgery of bone defects.
Developing AADL Models for Control Systems: A Practitioner's Guide

Abstract : This document is a guide to help practitioners using the Architecture Analysis and Design Language (AADL), an international industry standard for the model-based engineering of real-time and embedded systems. The primary goal of this document is to describe an approach for and the mechanics of constructing an architectural model that can be analyzed based on the AADL. The first section of this document presents an overview of AADL concepts and many of the keywords of the language. The second part of the document illustrates a model-building approach using the AADL. It takes the perspective of an engineer who is developing a model for the first time using the AADL. This guide leads the reader through complete AADL model development based on automotive embedded control systems (cruise control, traction control, etc.) by describing the use and syntax of the AADL and interleaving modeling abstraction tradeoffs to achieve models that are abstract but precise. Models are constructed with different analysis perspectives in mind to illustrate the semantics as well as the richness of the AADL.
Simulation output analysis: non-stationary queue simulation analysis using time series

In this work, we extend the use of time series models to the output analysis of non-stationary discrete event simulations. In particular, we investigate and experimentally evaluate the applicability of ARIMA(<i>p, d, q</i>) models as potential meta-models for simulating queueing systems under critical traffic conditions. We exploit stationarity-inducing transformations, in order to efficiently estimate performance measures of selected responses in the system under study.
Marginalized particle filters for mixed linear/nonlinear state-space models

The particle filter offers a general numerical tool to approximate the posterior density function for the state in nonlinear and non-Gaussian filtering problems. While the particle filter is fairly easy to implement and tune, its main drawback is that it is quite computer intensive, with the computational complexity increasing quickly with the state dimension. One remedy to this problem is to marginalize out the states appearing linearly in the dynamics. The result is that one Kalman filter is associated with each particle. The main contribution in this paper is the derivation of the details for the marginalized particle filter for a general nonlinear state-space model. Several important special cases occurring in typical signal processing applications will also be discussed. The marginalized particle filter is applied to an integrated navigation system for aircraft. It is demonstrated that the complete high-dimensional system can be based on a particle filter using marginalization for all but three states. Excellent performance on real flight data is reported.