Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Neighborhood Disorder and Anxiety Symptoms: New Evidence from a Quasi-Experimental Study

This paper examines the relationship between neighborhood disorder and anxiety symptoms. It draws on data from the Monitoring Mt. Laurel Study, a new survey-based study that enables us to compare residents living in an affordable housing project in a middle-class New Jersey suburb to a comparable group of non-residents. Using these new data, we test the hypothesis that living in an affordable housing project in a middle class suburb reduces a poor person's exposure to disorder and violence compared to what they would have experienced in the absence of access to such housing, and that this lesser exposure to disorder and violence yields improvements in anxiety that can be attributed to residents' reduced stress burden. We find that residents of the project are less likely to be exposed to disorder and violence and have lower stress levels and slightly fewer anxiety symptoms. Differences in exposure to disorder explain differences in stress burden, and, hence, anxiety symptoms between the two groups.
A longitudinal cohort study of Finnish patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome: clinical, immunological, and epidemiological aspects

OBJECTIVE To evaluate outcome in a cohort of Finnish patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS). METHODS Clinical and laboratory data from the time of diagnosis and follow up were collected from 110 patients with pSS (107 women, three men) diagnosed in 1977–1992 in central Finland. The standardised incidence ratio for cancers was determined as the ratio of the observed number of cases to the expected number based on regional population rates. Eighty one of the 93 patients still alive were interviewed, and clinical and laboratory examinations performed in 1994–1997. RESULTS The mean (SD) erythrocyte sedimentation rate (33 (22) v 45 (28) mm/1st h), serum IgG (18.8 (7.4) v 22.5 (8.5) g/l), and serum IgM (1.6 (1.1) v 2.0 (1.2) g/l) at the control visit were significantly (p<0.0001) lower than those at baseline. A similar change was observed in a subgroup of patients never treated with glucocorticosteroids or disease modifying antirheumatic drugs. Three non-Hodgkin's lymphomas were diagnosed (standardised incidence ratio 13; 95% confidence interval 2.7 to 38). In a logistic regression model, the patients with pSS with subsequent lymphoma were found to have higher baseline levels of serum β2 microglobulin than the others (odds ratio 1.9; 95% confidence interval 1.1 to 3.4). CONCLUSION The results suggest that mean concentrations of serum IgG and IgM in patients with pSS decline with time, possibly reflecting diminishing inflammatory activity. As in previous studies, the incidence of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas in this cohort of patients with pSS was significantly higher than in the reference population.
8-Tb/s(80×127Gb/s) DP-QPSK L-band DWDM transmission over 457-km installed DSF links with EDFA-only amplification

We demonstrate 8Tb/s DP-QPSK 50-GHz-spaced DWDM transmission over 457.6-km of installed DSF links with only EDFAs using digital coherent detection. This is the highest capacity field trial yet reported for a 127-Gb/s DP-QPSK DWDM system.
Influence of thermomechanical conditions on structure development and mechanical properties of polyethylene mouldings produced using different moulding methods

Abstract The properties of moulded plastic products are dependent on the processing technology used in their manufacture and in particular on the structural morphology resulting from the thermomechanical environment imposed on the melt. This paper investigates these phenomena, through the moulding of polyethylene using different methods and the subsequent testing of the mechanical properties of the products. A unified approach is presented to describe the behaviour of the products based on knowledge of the thermomechanical conditions imposed during processing. A linear medium density polyethylene was processed using rotational moulding, compression moulding, and injection moulding in order to achieve different thermomechanical conditions (i.e. shear rates and cooling rates). The processing conditions used were typical of those in common use in the respective industries. The moulded parts were mechanically tested in order to determine the tensile, flexural, and impact properties. These measurements were performed both on samples corresponding to the entire thickness of the moulding and on slices taken from across the section of the mouldings. The mechanical tests were complemented with density measurements, to assess the crystallinity across the wall thickness, and polarised light microscopy, to characterise the mouldings' microstructure. It is shown that the type of dependence of the mechanical performance on the thermomechanical conditions imposed during processing is similar for the three moulding techniques used.
Temperature dependence of carbon nanofiber resistance

Transport properties under current stress are examined for a carbon nanofiber (CNF) on an insulating substrate between tungsten-deposited gold electrodes. The temperature dependence of CNF resistance is determined based on our previously reported heat transport model. The measured devices exhibit a thermal activation behavior, suggesting transport in a disordered medium. The extracted activation energies fall within the 22–35 meV range.
Left temporal alpha-band activity reflects single word intelligibility

The electroencephalographic (EEG) correlates of degraded speech perception have been explored in a number of recent studies. However, such investigations have often been inconclusive as to whether observed differences in brain responses between conditions result from different acoustic properties of more or less intelligible stimuli or whether they relate to cognitive processes implicated in comprehending challenging stimuli. In this study we used noise vocoding to spectrally degrade monosyllabic words in order to manipulate their intelligibility. We used spectral rotation to generate incomprehensible control conditions matched in terms of spectral detail. We recorded EEG from 14 volunteers who listened to a series of noise vocoded (NV) and noise-vocoded spectrally-rotated (rNV) words, while they carried out a detection task. We specifically sought components of the EEG response that showed an interaction between spectral rotation and spectral degradation. This reflects those aspects of the brain electrical response that are related to the intelligibility of acoustically degraded monosyllabic words, while controlling for spectral detail. An interaction between spectral complexity and rotation was apparent in both evoked and induced activity. Analyses of event-related potentials showed an interaction effect for a P300-like component at several centro-parietal electrodes. Time-frequency analysis of the EEG signal in the alpha-band revealed a monotonic increase in event-related desynchronization (ERD) for the NV but not the rNV stimuli in the alpha band at a left temporo-central electrode cluster from 420–560 ms reflecting a direct relationship between the strength of alpha-band ERD and intelligibility. By matching NV words with their incomprehensible rNV homologues, we reveal the spatiotemporal pattern of evoked and induced processes involved in degraded speech perception, largely uncontaminated by purely acoustic effects.
A prospective randomized study of three types of platelet concentrates in patients with haematological malignancy: corrected platelet count increments and frequency of nonhaemolytic febrile transfusion reactions

We prospectively randomized 51 patients with haematological malignancy requiring platelet concentrates (PCs) to receive either single donor plateletpheresis products (SD‐PC), PCs made from pooled buffy coats (BC‐PC) or pooled units of platelets made by the platelet‐rich plasma method (PRP‐PC). The leucocyte content of each type of PC was 0.33 (0.03–13.5), 5.68 (0.19–99.0) and 365 (65–910) × 106; median (range), respectively; P < 0.0001. All red cell transfusions were leucodepleted by filtration. Statistical comparison of the probability of the occurrence of a nonhaemolytic febrile transfusion reaction (NHFTR) following transfusion of PCs in patients in each group showed a significant decrease for the SD‐PC and BC‐PC groups (0.031 and 0.038, respectively) when compared with PRP‐PC (0.171); P =0.001. The actual corrected platelet count increments (CCI) at 1–6 and 18–24 h post‐transfusion for all three types of PC did not differ significantly. We conclude that transfusion of PRP‐PC is associated with a significant increase in NHFTR.
Alpha-Synuclein Disrupted Dopamine Homeostasis Leads to Dopaminergic Neuron Degeneration in Caenorhabditis elegans

Disruption of dopamine homeostasis may lead to dopaminergic neuron degeneration, a proposed explanation for the specific vulnerability of dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson's disease. While expression of human α-synuclein in C. elegans results in dopaminergic neuron degeneration, the effects of α-synuclein on dopamine homeostasis and its contribution to dopaminergic neuron degeneration in C. elegans have not been reported. Here, we examined the effects of α-synuclein overexpression on worm dopamine homeostasis. We found that α-synuclein expression results in upregulation of dopamine synthesis and content, and redistribution of dopaminergic synaptic vesicles, which significantly contribute to dopaminergic neuron degeneration. These results provide in vivo evidence supporting a critical role for dopamine homeostasis in supporting dopaminergic neuron integrity.
Personal Watercraft Injuries:: 62 Patients Admitted to the San Diego County Trauma Services

Objective To determine the types and patterns of injuries seen in personal watercraft (PWC) accidents. Design A retrospective review of medical records and imaging studies. Setting Level 1 and 2 trauma centers in San Diego County, California. Patients/Participants Trauma patients treated for PWC-related injuries between 1984 and 1997. Main Outcome Measurements Evaluation of injury patterns via chart review and imaging studies. Intervention None. Results A total of 62 patients were identified. The average age was 23 years (range 2–59 years). There were 41 males and 21 females. A total of 35 injuries (56%) involved another PWC. Of patients, 24 had loss of consciousness, with 8 closed head injuries. There were 17 chest injuries, with 10 pneumothoraces, and 16 lower extremity fractures (9 femur, 3 hip, 3 tibia-fibula, and 1 patella). Conclusions Injuries related to PWC have increased dramatically over the past several years, becoming one of the leading causes of recreational water-sport injuries. This study supports a high level of awareness for significant blunt trauma to the chest and lower extremities in patients involved in PWC accidents.
Near-optimal network design with selfish agents

We introduce a simple network design game that models how independent selfish agents can build or maintain a large network. In our game every agent has a specific connectivity requirement, i.e. each agent has a set of terminals and wants to build a network in which his terminals are connected. Possible edges in the network have costs and each agent's goal is to pay as little as possible. Determining whether or not a Nash equilibrium exists in this game is NP-complete. However, when the goal of each player is to connect a terminal to a common source, we prove that there is a Nash equilibrium as cheap as the optimal network, and give a polynomial time algorithm to find a (1+ε)-approximate Nash equilibrium that does not cost much more. For the general connection game we prove that there is a 3-approximate Nash equilibrium that is as cheap as the optimal network, and give an algorithm to find a (4.65+ε)-approximate Nash equilibrium that does not cost much more.
Automotive ADLS: a study on enforcing consistency through multiple architectural levels

Over the last decade, Architecture Description Languages (ADLs) are attracting considerable attention by automotive companies because they consider them as one of the key solutions to improve the quality of automotive electronic and software systems. Automotive ADLs like EAST-ADL, AADL, TADL, and AML are being defined to address not only the architectural description or the representation issues but also as a method to enable requirements traceability and early analysis of a system. Besides the automotive specific ADLs, SysML and MARTE are emerging as viable modeling approaches for automotive systems engineering domain as well. However, all these modeling approaches lack the capability of ensuring the architectural quality. This paper identifies an architectural inconsistency between the different architectural levels as one of the key issues regarding architectural quality of automotive systems and proposes a rule-based method to enforce consistency between these levels. Since there is no standard ADL for automotive systems, we first evaluated a set of modeling approaches based on the automotive specific modeling requirements and selected SysML mainly due to its flexibility, and mature and accessible tool support. We modeled a Cruise Control system to demonstrate modeling of an automotive system in SysML and to evaluate the method for the architectural consistency checking using SysML.
The short‐term influence of elevated intraocular pressure on axial length

Citation information: Read SA, Collins MJ, Annis‐Brown T, Hayward NM, Lillyman K, Sherwin D & Stockall P. The short‐term influence of elevated intraocular pressure on axial length. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 2011, 31, 398–403. doi: 10.1111/j.1475‐1313.2011. 00845.x
In vitro multispecies Lubbock chronic wound biofilm model

Multispecies biofilms are becoming increasingly recognized as the naturally occurring state in which bacteria reside. One of the primary health issues that is now recognized to be exacerbated by biofilms are chronic, nonhealing wounds such as venous leg ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers, and pressure ulcers. Arguably three of the most important species associated with multispecies biofilms that our group sees clinically are Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus faecalis, and Staphylococcus aureus. This study was conducted to address the need for a chronic pathogenic biofilm laboratory model that allows for cooperative growth of these three organisms. We have developed a novel media formulation, simple laboratory system, quantitative polymerase chain reaction for monitoring population dynamics, and methods for objectively and subjectively measuring biofilm formation. The Lubbock chronic wound pathogenic biofilm withstood treatment with a 50‐fold higher concentration of bleach than that which was completely bacteriocidal for fully turbid planktonic cultures. The Lubbock chronic wound pathogenic biofilm when treated with biofilm effectors such as gallium nitrate and triclosan responded with selective inhibition of Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Staphylococcus aureus, respectively, as has been reported in the literature. The ability of this 24‐hour model to react as predicted using known biofilm effectors suggests that it will lend itself to future work in the development and testing of first‐generation chronic wounds pathogenic biofilm therapeutics. We have defined a realistic in vitro multispecies biofilm model simulating the functional characteristics of chronic pathogenic biofilms and developed effective tools for its characterization and analyses.
Implementing a Workplace Violence Simulation for Undergraduate Nursing Students: A Pilot Study.

Workplace violence (WPV) is an undesired phenomenon affecting nurses and nursing students. Nursing simulations allow students to learn and practice skills in a controlled setting. The development of the pilot study, "Mental Health Nursing Simulation on Workplace Violence," is presented. A simulated scenario using a standardized patient (SP) behaving as an agitated psychiatric patient was developed for undergraduate nursing students enrolled in a psychiatric nursing course. The simulation aimed to enhance students' knowledge about WPV, increase their confidence and ability to recognize signs of aggression, practice evidence-based interventions to de-escalate agitated patients, and evaluate the simulation. Surveys and the Mental Health Nursing Clinical Confidence Scale were used to measure the aims yielding qualitative and quantitative data. An increase in students' confidence and knowledge was obtained post-simulation. Students rated the simulation as useful. The use of a SP created an experiential learning environment for participants. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 55(10), 39-44. ].
Altering Mucus Rheology to “Solidify” Human Mucus at the Nanoscale

The ability of mucus to function as a protective barrier at mucosal surfaces rests on its viscous and elastic properties, which are not well understood at length scales relevant to pathogens and ultrafine environmental particles. Here we report that fresh, undiluted human cervicovaginal mucus (CVM) transitions from an impermeable elastic barrier to non-adhesive objects sized 1 µm and larger to a highly permeable viscoelastic liquid to non-adhesive objects smaller than 500 nm in diameter. Addition of a nonionic detergent, present in vaginal gels, lubricants and condoms, caused CVM to behave as an impermeable elastic barrier to 200 and 500 nm particles, suggesting that the dissociation of hydrophobically-bundled mucin fibers created a finer elastic mucin mesh. Surprisingly, the macroscopic viscoelasticity, which is critical to proper mucus function, was unchanged. These findings provide important insight into the nanoscale structural and barrier properties of mucus, and how the penetration of foreign particles across mucus might be inhibited.
Iatrogenic Gallbladder Perforation during Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: Etiology and Sequelae

Iatrogenic perforation of the gallbladder (PGB) during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) leads to spillage of bile and gallstones into the peritoneal cavity, which can result in serious postoperative infection. The objective of this study is to prospectively evaluate with long-term follow-up the risk factors, mechanisms, and complications associated with PGB in patients undergoing LC. Data from 1412 patients undergoing LC were collected prospectively between 1989 and 1995. Patients with and without iatrogenic gallbladder perforation were compared. Long-term follow-up was obtained using mailed questionnaires and telephone interviews, when needed. Of the 1412 patients, 512 (36%) sustained a PGB. Male sex, weight, gallbladder inflammation, thickening of the gallbladder, presence of adhesions, and a difficult hilar dissection were all associated with an increased incidence of PGB. The most common mechanisms of PGB were laceration due to grasper traction (55%) and electrocautery dissection (40%). Both the operating time and length of hospital stay were significantly longer in the PGB group. No difference was observed in the rate of wound infections between PGB and non-PGB patients (1.6% versus 1.8%). Only one patient (with an inflamed and perforated gallbladder) developed an early postoperative intra-abdominal abscess. Long-term follow-up averaging 48 months was achieved with a response rate of 44 per cent. No late intra-abdominal abscesses or complications attributable to retained gallstones were discovered.
Modeling and control of a spherical rolling robot: a decoupled dynamics approach

SUMMARY This paper presents the results of a study on the dynamical modeling, analysis, and control of a spherical rolling robot. The rolling mechanism consists of a 2-DOF pendulum located inside a spherical shell with freedom to rotate about the transverse and longitudinal axis. The kinematics of the model has been investigated through the classical methods with rotation matrices. Dynamic modeling of the system is based on the Euler–Lagrange formalism. Nonholonomic and highly nonlinear equations of motion have then been decomposed into two simpler subsystems through the decoupled dynamics approach. A feedback linearization loop with fuzzy controllers has been designed for the control of the decoupled dynamics. Rolling of the controlled mechanism over linear and curvilinear trajectories has been simulated by using the proposed decoupled dynamical model and feedback controllers. Analysis of radius of curvature over curvilinear trajectories has also been investigated.
Women's reasons for not participating in follow up visits before starting short course antiretroviral prophylaxis for prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV: qualitative interview study

Abstract Objective To find out why pregnant women who receive HIV-1 positive test results and are offered short course antiretroviral prophylaxis to prevent transmission of HIV from mother to child do not participate in necessary follow up visits before starting prophylaxis. Design Qualitative interview study. Setting A programme aiming to prevent transmission of HIV from mother to child at a public antenatal clinic in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. Participants Purposive sample of 27 women who had received HIV-1 positive test results and were invited to return for monthly follow up visits before starting prophylaxis with zidovudine at 36 weeks' gestation, but who had either refused or discontinued the visits. None of the women started prophylaxis. Results Most of the women explained their non-participation in follow up visits by referring to negative experiences that they had had while interacting with programme staff or to their views about the programme. Additional reasons concerned their disbelief of HIV positive test results and personal factors. Conclusions Difficulties experienced by women during their contacts with staff working on the prevention programme and negative views that they have about the programme can contribute to their non-participation in prophylaxis. Training and supervision of programme staff may increase the likelihood of positive interactions between staff and clients, thereby facilitating women's participation in preventing transmission of HIV from mother to child. Outreach and mobilisation in communities that are served by prevention programmes may complement these measures at programme level by contributing to increased social support for women's efforts to prevent transmission of HIV from mother to child.
Rothamsted Repository Download

Female mosquitoes display preferences for certain individuals over others, which is deter-mined by differences in volatile chemicals produced by the human body and detected by mosquitoes. Body odour can be controlled genetically but the existence of a genetic basis for differential attraction to insects has never been formally demonstrated. This study inves-tigated heritability of attractiveness to mosquitoes by evaluating the response of Aedes aegypti (= Stegomyia aegypti ) mosquitoes to odours from the hands of identical and non-identical twins in a dual-choice assay. Volatiles from individuals in an identical twin pair showed a high correlation in attractiveness to mosquitoes, while non-identical twin pairs showed a significantly lower correlation. Overall, there was a strong narrow-sense heritability of 0.62 (SE 0.124) for relative attraction and 0.67 (0.354) for flight activity based on the average of ten measurements. The results demonstrate an underlying genetic component detectable by mosquitoes through olfaction. Understanding the genetic basis for attractiveness could create a more informed approach to repellent development. Blurb A twin study finds that there is a correlation in our attractiveness to mosquitoes by odour and our genetics, providing evidence that the likelihood of getting bitten is heritable.