Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Increased serum interleukin-1β and interleukin-6 in elderly, chronic schizophrenic patients on stable antipsychotic medication

In schizophrenia, alterations of proinflammatory cytokine levels have been reported and related to the disease and psychopathology. However, only limited conclusions can be drawn in view of confounding factors such as infection, age, sex, smoking, and antipsychotic medication. Chronic schizophrenic patients with a long-term disease process and medication period have not been investigated so far. We have measured serum levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)α in 41 elderly, chronic schizophrenic patients and 23 age- and sex-matched controls using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). We assessed detailed psychopathology and neuropsychological performance and determined serum levels of haloperidol, clozapine, and the two main clozapine metabolites, desmethylclozapine and clozapine metabolite N-oxide, by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). IL-1β and IL-6 levels were increased in treatment-resistant schizophrenic patients compared with healthy controls, whereas TNFα showed no difference. We did not find statistically significant differences of cytokine levels between medication groups and there was no correlation with serum levels of antipsychotics or psychopathological rating scores. Elevations of IL-1β and IL-6 in elderly chronic schizophrenic patients may be related to an active disease process lasting until old age. Despite missing correlations, long-term treatment effects in treatment-resistant patients may have affected TNFα, leading to control levels. Post-mortem and animal studies should clarify the presence of altered immune function in the brain as well as the effect of cytokine levels in relation to neurodevelopmental disturbances and schizophrenia-associated behavior.
Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Its Precursors in 103 HBV-Related Cirrhotic Explanted Livers: A Study from South Iran

Background The most common cause of liver transplantation in Iran is hepatitis B positive cirrhosis, and it also one of the major and important causes of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Most cases with HCC follow a multistep sequence. Morphologic lesions during hepatocarcinogenesis include dysplastic lesions and small cancerous lesions (2 cm in diameter; early HCC). However, insufficient information is available on the incidence of HCC and its precursors in hepatitis B-related cirrhosis. Objectives In this study, we determined the incidence of HCC and its precursors in hepatitis B-related cirrhosis in the largest liver transplant center in Iran. Methods In a two-year study, all explanted livers of patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-positive cirrhosis were completely sectioned and examined. Each specimen was investigated grossly and microscopically to determine any abnormal nodule or cellular changes (at least 15 sections from each liver). Results Among all explanted cirrhotic livers (103 livers) during the study period (2014 - 2015), 92 (89.3%) had dysplastic foci with large cell changes (LCC), 57 (55.3%) of which showed small cell changes (SCC) as well. Thirty-nine cases (37.9%) had low-grade dysplastic nodules (LGDN), 38 (36.9%) high-grade dysplastic nodules (HGDN), 19 (18.4%) were early hepatocellular carcinoma (eHCC), and 21 (20.4%) were hepatocellular carcinoma more than 2 cm. All the cases with eHCC and HCC of more than 2 cm also had SCC, LCC, HGDN, and LGDN. Thirteen cases of eHCC were accompanied with HCCs more than 2 cm, and 6 cases of eHCC did not show any HCC (larger than 2 cm). Conclusions SCC, LGDN, and HGDN are common associated findings and precursors of HCC in livers infected with hepatitis B. A strict follow-up and a precise and thorough sampling of livers with SCC and any abnormal dysplastic nodules (DNs), especially those larger than 1 cm, are highly recommended because these DNs are highly associated with malignancy.
A Nonparametric Test of Market Timing 1

In this paper we propose a nonparametric test for money managers’ market timing ability and apply the analysis to a large sample of mutual funds that have different benchmark indices. The test (i) only requires the ex post returns of the funds and the benchmark portfolios; (ii) isolates timing from selectivity; (iii) separates the quality of timing information a money manager possesses from the aggressiveness with which she reacts to such information; and (iv) is robust to different information and incentive structures as well as underlying distributions. Theta—the parameter for timing ability—is on average below the neutral level (indexation) among actively managed domestic equity funds, and is very difficult to predict from observable fund characteristics. Overall, actively managed funds aiming at “timing the market” in general fall short of just “riding with the market. ” JEL classification: G1; C1
Diffusion mechanisms of localised knots along a polymer

We consider the diffusive motion of a localised knot along a linear polymer chain. In particular, we derive the mean diffusion time of the knot before it escapes from the chain once it gets close to one of the chain ends. Self-reptation of the entire chain between either end and the knot position, during which the knot is provided with free volume, leads to an L-3 scaling of diffusion time; for sufficiently long chains, subdiffusion will enhance this time even more. Conversely, we propose local "breathing", i.e., local conformational rearrangement inside the knot region (KR) and its immediate neighbourhood, as additional mechanism. The contribution of KR-breathing to the diffusion time scales only quadratically, similar to L-2, speeding up the knot escape considerably and guaranteeing finite knot mobility even for very long chains. (Less)
Premenopausal fat intake and risk of breast cancer.

BACKGROUND International comparisons and case-control studies have suggested a positive relation between dietary fat intake and breast cancer risk, but prospective studies, most of them involving postmenopausal women, have not supported this association. We conducted a prospective analysis of the relation between dietary fat intake and breast cancer risk among premenopausal women enrolled in the Nurses' Health Study II. METHODS Dietary fat intake and breast cancer risk were assessed among 90 655 premenopausal women aged 26 to 46 years in 1991. Fat intake was assessed with a food-frequency questionnaire at baseline in 1991 and again in 1995. Breast cancers were self-reported and confirmed by review of pathology reports. Multivariable relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. All statistical tests were two-sided. RESULTS During 8 years of follow-up, 714 women developed incident invasive breast cancer. Relative to women in the lowest quintile of fat intake, women in the highest quintile of intake had a slight increased risk of breast cancer (RR = 1.25, 95% CI = 0.98 to 1.59; P(trend) =. 06). The increase was associated with intake of animal fat but not vegetable fat; RRs for the increasing quintiles of animal fat intake were 1.00 (referent), 1.28, 1.37, 1.54, and 1.33 (95% CI = 1.02 to 1.73; P(trend) =. 002). Intakes of both saturated and monounsaturated fat were related to modestly elevated breast cancer risk. Among food groups contributing to animal fat, red meat and high-fat dairy foods were each associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. CONCLUSIONS Intake of animal fat, mainly from red meat and high-fat dairy foods, during premenopausal years is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer.
The Prevalence and Characteristics of Fibromyalgia in the 2012 National Health Interview Survey

Background Most knowledge of fibromyalgia comes from the clinical setting, where healthcare-seeking behavior and selection issues influence study results. The characteristics of fibromyalgia in the general population have not been studied in detail. Methods We developed and tested surrogate study specific criteria for fibromyalgia in rheumatology practices using variables from the US National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) and the modification (for surveys) of the 2010 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) preliminary fibromyalgia criteria. The surrogate criteria were applied to the 2012 NHIS and identified persons who satisfied criteria from symptom data. The NHIS weighted sample of 8446 persons represents 225.7 million US adults. Results Fibromyalgia was identified in 1.75% (95% CI 1.42, 2.07), or 3.94 million persons. However, 73% of identified cases self-reported a physician’s diagnosis other than fibromyalgia. Identified cases had high levels of self-reported pain, non-pain symptoms, comorbidity, psychological distress, medical costs, Social Security and work disability. Caseness was associated with gender, education, ethnicity, citizenship and unhealthy behaviors. Demographics, behaviors, and comorbidity were predictive of case status. Examination of the surrogate polysymptomatic distress scale (PSD) of the 2010 ACR criteria found fibromyalgia symptoms extending through the full length of the scale. Conclusions Persons identified with criteria-based fibromyalgia have severe symptoms, but most (73%) have not received a clinical diagnosis of fibromyalgia. The association of fibromyalgia-like symptoms over the full length of the PSD scale with physiological as well as mental stressors suggests PSD may be a universal response variable rather than one restricted to fibromyalgia.
My own business, not my children’s: negotiating funeral rites and the mobility and communication juncture among Chinese migrants in Melbourne

Abstract The article analyses cross-generational negotiations of funeral rites of Chinese migrants in Melbourne, Australia. It discusses the intersections between migration and death, with reference to the meaning of death and funeral rites linking multiple generations in migrant life. These intersections create a ‘mobility juncture’ to engrain their legacy and communicate across generations. We interviewed 36 Chinese migrants and 5 funeral professionals. Data analysis showed that the participants were open to discussing death, funeral preparation, and pre-purchasing a grave-plot. The socio-economically independent life style in Australia has brought about changes to their perception and preparation of their final journey. Yet, the significance of the grave-site as a point of communication between the past and the present/future remains, naturally leading to active construction of a communication juncture. Strong incentives for preparing their own funeral and burial place included a wish to ease the burden for their children and a lack of confidence in their children’s knowledge and future implementation of diverse Chinese funeral rites. Filial piety and family values remain significant, but they continue to undergo changes in the Australian context.
Automatic test program generation for pipelined processors

The continuous advances in microelectronics design are creating a significant challenge to design validation in general, but tackling piplined microprocessors is remarkably more demanding. This paper presents a methodology to automatically induce a test program for a microprocessor maximizing a given verification metric. The approach exploits a new evolutionary algorithm, close to Genetic Programming, able to cultivate effective assembly-language programs. The proposed methodology was used to verify the DLX/pII, an open-source processor with a 5-stage pipeline. Code-coverage was adopted in the paper, since it can be considered the required starting point for any simulation-based functional verification processes. Experimental results clearly show the effectiveness of the approach.
Performance of retail pharmacies in low- and middle-income Asian settings: a systematic review

In low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) in Asia, pharmacies are often patients’ first point of contact with the health care system and their preferred channel for purchasing medicines. Unfortunately, pharmacy practice in these settings has been characterized by deficient knowledge and inappropriate treatment. This paper systematically reviews both the performance of all types of pharmacies and drug stores across Asia’s LMIC, and the determinants of poor practice, in order to reflect on how this could best be addressed. Poor pharmacy practice in Asia appears to have persisted over the past 30 years. We identify a set of inadequacies that occur at key moments throughout the pharmacy encounter, including: insufficient history taking; lack of referral of patients who require medical attention; illegal sale of a wide range of prescription only medicines without a prescription; sale of medicines that are either clinically inappropriate and/or in doses that are outside of the therapeutic range; sale of incomplete courses of antibiotics; and limited provision of information and counselling. In terms of determinants of poor practice, first knowledge was found to be necessary but not sufficient to ensure correct management of patients presenting at the pharmacy. This is evidenced by large discrepancies between stated and actual practice; little difference in the treatment behaviour of less and more qualified personnel and the failure of training programmes to improve practice to a satisfactory level. Second, we identified a number of profit maximizing strategies employed by pharmacy staff that can be linked to poor practices. Finally, whilst the research is relatively sparse, the regulatory environment appears to play an important role in shaping behaviour. Future efforts to improve the situation may yield more success than historical attempts, which have tended to concentrate on education, if they address the profit incentives faced by pharmacy personnel and the regulatory system.
CD8+ Foxp3+ Regulatory T Cells Mediate Immunosuppression in Prostate Cancer

Purpose: Although elevated proportions of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T (Treg) cells have been shown in several types of cancers, very little is known about the existence and function of CD8+ Treg cells in prostate cancer. In this study, we investigated prostate tumor–derived CD8+ Treg cells and their function. Experimental Design: Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) from fresh tumor specimens of patients with prostate cancer were generated and subjected to phenotypic and suppressive function analyses. In particular, we investigated the role and function CD8+ Treg cells in prostate cancer. Results: We show that high percentages of CD4+CD25+ T cells are probably present in the majority (70%) of prostate TILs. Remarkably, both CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell subpopulations possessed potent suppressive activity. T-cell cloning and fluorescence-activated cell sorting analyses showed the presence of CD8+CD25+ Treg cell clones that expressed FoxP3 and suppressed naïve T-cell proliferation, in addition to the previously known CD4+CD25+ Treg cells. These CD8+ Treg cells suppressed naïve T-cell proliferation mainly through a cell contact–dependent mechanism. Importantly, the suppressive function of CD8+ Treg cells could be reversed by human Toll-like receptor 8 (TLR8) signaling. Conclusion: Our study shows that like CD4+CD25+ Treg cells, CD8+ Foxp3+ Treg cells present in prostate tumor–derived TILs suppress immune responses and that their suppressive function can be regulated by TLR8 ligands, raising the possibility that the manipulation of Treg cell function by TLR8 ligands could improve the efficacy of immunotherapy for prostate cancer patients.
Sluggish cognitive tempo

Sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT) is characterized by excessive daydreaming, mental confusing and fogginess, and slowed behaviour/thinking. A brief history of the SCT construct is provided, followed by a review of the current research supporting SCT as distinct from ADHD and other psychopathologies. SCT is positively associated with ADHD inattentive symptoms, depression, anxiety, and daytime sleepiness, but is unassociated or negatively associated with externalizing behaviours such as hyperactivity-impulsivity, oppositionality, and aggression. A growing body of research also demonstrates that SCT is uniquely associated with poorer functioning in various domains of major life activities, including academic difficulties (including poor organization, homework problems, and lower grade point average), social problems (especially peer withdrawal and isolation), and emotion dysregulation. SCT is less clearly associated with most neuropsychological performance outcomes with the possible exceptions of sustained attention, processing speed, and motor speed.
Prospective associations between objective measures of physical activity and fat mass in 12-14 year old children: the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC)

Objective To investigate associations between physical activity at age 12 and subsequent adiposity at age 14. Design Prospective birth cohort study with data collected between 2003 and 2007. Setting Original recruitment in 1991-2 of 14 541 pregnant women living in the former County of Avon (United Kingdom). Participants At age 12, 11 952 children were invited to attend the research clinic. Of these, 7159 attended, and 4150 (1964 boys, 2186 girls) provided sufficient data on exposure, outcome, and confounding variables. Main outcome measure Fat mass at age 14, measured by dual emission x ray absorptiometry, associated with physical activity at age 12, measured by accelerometry. Results Prospective associations of fat mass at age 14 (outcome) with physical activity at age 12 (exposure) were strong for both total activity (accelerometer counts/min) and for daily amount of moderate-vigorous physical activity (min/day). An extra 15 minutes of moderate-vigorous physical activity per day at age 12 was associated with lower fat mass at age 14 in boys (by 11.9% (95% confidence interval 9.5% to 14.3%)) and girls (by 9.8% (6.7% to 12.8%)). The proportion of physical activity due to moderate-vigorous physical activity was between 20% and 30% in boys and girls at the two ages. Conclusions Higher levels of physical activity, in particular activity of moderate to higher intensities, are prospectively associated with lower levels of fat mass in early adolescence. Interventions to raise levels of physical activity in children are likely to be important in the fight against obesity.
INFLUENCE OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP EDUCATION ON ENTREPRENEURIAL INTENTION IN POLYTECHNICS IN ADAMAWA STATE

The study was conducted to assess the perceived influence of entrepreneurship education on the entrepreneurial intention of students in higher institutions in the study answered three research questions. Descriptive survey research design was used for the study. The population of the study comprised 7979 students from two polytechnics in Adamawa State. A square of 367 were randomly selected using stratified random sampling. A structured questionnaire duly validated with a Cronbach alpha reliability coefficient of 0. 879 was used to gather data for the study. A total of 367 copies of the questionnaire were administered, and all were retrieved and used for the study. Data collected were analyzed using mean and standard deviation. The study found that entrepreneurship education influences the entrepreneurial intention of polytechnic students in terms of intention of becoming entrepreneurs, duration of the programme, venture creation and perceived stability towards becoming entrepreneurs upon graduation. The study concluded that entrepreneurship education play a vital role in inculcating in the students necessary knowledge, skills and right attitude that could enable them create jobs which would in turn lead to the development of Nigeria economy. Based on the findings, it was among others recommended that government should allocate adequate funds for the implementation and management of entrepreneurship education in tertiary institutions, and government should also do more in the area of take-off capital for the students who indicated strong intention to become entrepreneurs.
Reliability and Validity Evidence for the Hawaii Early Learning Profile, Birth-3 Years

This study provides preliminary evidence for reliability and validity of the Hawaii Early Learning Profile Strands 0-3 (HELP Strands 0-3), an assessment instrument for young children. First, the degree of interobserver agreement for a sample of representative HELP items was examined; results indicated that HELP scoring was dependable and consistent across 82 providers. Second, content validity was evaluated by having 12 early childhood experts align HELP items with their related strands (i.e., specific developmental areas) and rank the developmental order of items within each strand. The experts agreed with the HELP item-to-strand alignment and with the developmental order of items. Finally, convergent and discriminant validity evidence was provided by correlating HELP domain scores with Battelle Developmental Inventory–Second Edition (BDI-2) domain scores. Evidence for convergent validity was found between similar domains; discriminant validity was evidenced by low correlations between unrelated domains of HELP and BDI-2.
First Person Action-Object Detection with EgoNet

Unlike traditional third-person cameras mounted on robots, a first-person camera, captures a person's visual sensorimotor object interactions from up close. In this paper, we study the tight interplay between our momentary visual attention and motor action with objects from a first-person camera. We propose a concept of action-objects---the objects that capture person's conscious visual (watching a TV) or tactile (taking a cup) interactions. Action-objects may be task-dependent but since many tasks share common person-object spatial configurations, action-objects exhibit a characteristic 3D spatial distance and orientation with respect to the person. We design a predictive model that detects action-objects using EgoNet, a joint two-stream network that holistically integrates visual appearance (RGB) and 3D spatial layout (depth and height) cues to predict per-pixel likelihood of action-objects. Our network also incorporates a first-person coordinate embedding, which is designed to learn a spatial distribution of the action-objects in the first-person data. We demonstrate EgoNet's predictive power, by showing that it consistently outperforms previous baseline approaches. Furthermore, EgoNet also exhibits a strong generalization ability, i.e., it predicts semantically meaningful objects in novel first-person datasets. Our method's ability to effectively detect action-objects could be used to improve robots' understanding of human-object interactions.
Strategizing personality traits: an acculturation approach to person–environment fit and expatriate adjustment

Abstract Models of expatriate adjustment grounded in person–environment fit theory argue expatriate adjustment occurs when the expatriate’s abilities meet the demands of the cultural context and when the cultural context fulfils the expatriate’s needs. However, the process of how an expatriate’s abilities match the demands of the cultural context and how the expatriate’s needs interact with these demands is less explored. Addressing this gap, we take an acculturation approach to build on the premise of person–environment fit theory by presenting a conceptual model that shows how an expatriate’s ability to draw upon certain personality traits may influence the adoption of certain acculturation strategies needed to meet the demands of the cultural context across life domains. In this sense, an expatriate is able to meet the demands of his/her cultural context across life domains by adopting certain acculturation strategies. Moreover, we posit the importance of an expatriate’s needs as represented by his/her acculturation attitudes with these demands. We contribute to the expatriate literature by extending the premise of person–environment fit theory in expatriate adjustment and by connecting personality traits with an expatriate’s acculturation strategies.