Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Metabolic alterations associated with schizophrenia: a critical evaluation of proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy studies

By reviewing the existing 1H‐magnetic resonance spectroscopy literature in schizophrenia, the relationship of different sample characteristics and applied methodologies with metabolite alterations is explored. Furthermore, we emphasize common pitfalls and discrepancies in the methodological framework of the reviewed studies that introduce unwanted variation in findings and complicate the comparison of studies. A total of 92 studies were reviewed. Articles were retrieved by searching the Pubmed database. Care was taken to note down reliability and validity measures of each included study. Despite many methodological differences and shortcomings, progressive NAA reductions could be seen in several brain regions implicated in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. In terms of treatment effects, cross‐sectional evidence implicates a normalizing role for atypical antipsychotic medication; however, longitudinal studies remain inconclusive on this issue. Choline, creatine, and myo‐inositol levels remain largely unchanged and a time‐dependent role of glutamate finds confirmation in several spectroscopy studies. Other findings are less consistent and need further replication. Most studies lack power and methodological precision. Future studies should aim for standardization and for more distinguished study populations to gain more valid and reliable findings.
Partitions and principles for secure operating systems

As part of the general goal of providing secure computer systems, the design of verifiably secure operating systems is one of the most important tasks. This paper addresses the problem by defining security in terms of a model and proposing a set of principles which should be satisfied. Four key operating system partitions are identified: user interface functions, user invoked services, background services, and the security kernel. Principles are then defined to insure that interface functions provide a safe initial environment for executing user programs, user called services are confined, background services have no access to user information, and the security kernel adequately protects stored information.
Religion and secular status among Hispanics in the United States : Catholicism and the varieties of Hispanic protestantism

This research examines religious affiliation differences in secular status and religious involvement among English-speaking Hispanics living in the United States. A key issue is whether the growing proportion of Hispanic Protestants exhibits patterns consistent with a Weberian-thesis linkage of Protestant religious involvement and higher secular status. A secondary analysis of a sample of English-speaking Hispanics aggregated from the General Social Surveys conducted from 1972 to 1996 compares Hispanic Catholics and non-Catholics. Both OLS and logistic regression models are developed to identify any distinctive patterns linked with various religious affiliations. Hispanic Protestants have higher levels of religious involvement than do Hispanic Catholics, but there is no clear connection between Protestant affiliation and higher secular status. However, distinguishing between Mainline and Conservative Protestant affiliations shows that English-speaking Hispanics connected to Mainline Protestant denominations have higher status than do Hispanic Catholics, but that Conservative Protestants do not have status different from that of Catholics. Additionally, recent converts to Protestantism exhibit high levels of religious involvement, but only converts to mainline churches have higher secular status. There are no consistent distinctive effects linked to Protestant religious involvement that suggest a strong positive connection between religious and secular factors. Thus, there is little support for a Weberian interpretation of Protestantism among English-speaking Hispanics in the United States. That many varieties of Hispanic Protestantism may represent new variations on the theme of Hispanic popular religion is suggested as a guide to future research
One-dimensional bubbly cavitating flows through a converging-diverging nozzle

A non-barotropic continuum bubbly mixture model is used to study the one-dimensional cavitating flow through a converging-diverging nozzle. The nonlinear dynamics of the cavitation bubbles are modeled by the Rayleigh-Plesset equation. Analytical results show that the bubble/bubble interaction through the hydrodynamics of the surrounding liquid has important effects on this confined flow field. One clear interaction effect is the Bernoulli effect caused by the growing and collapsing bubbles in the nozzle. It is found that the characterisitics of the flow change dramatically even when the upstream void fraction is very small. Two different flow regimes are found from the steady state solutions and are termed: quasi-steady and quasi-unsteady. The former is characterized by large spatial fluctuations downstream of the throat which are induced by the pulsations of the cavitation bubbles. The quasi-unsteady solutions correspond to flashing flow. Bifurcation occurs as the flow transitions from one regime to the other. An analytical expression for the critical bubble size at the bifurcation is obtained. Physical reasons for this quasi-static instability are also discussed.
Increasing the fruit and vegetable consumption of fourth-graders: results from the high 5 project.

BACKGROUND This study evaluated the effects of a school-based dietary intervention program to increase fruit and vegetable consumption among fourth-graders. METHODS Twenty-eight elementary schools were randomized to an immediate intervention condition or to a delayed intervention control condition. Measures of diet and psychosocial variables were collected at base line and 1 and 2 years post-baseline. The intervention included classroom, parent, and cafeteria components. RESULTS Mean daily consumption of fruit and vegetables was higher for the intervention children compared with controls at Follow-up 1 (X(t) = 3.96, X(c) = 2.28) and at Follow-up 2 (X(t) = 3.20, X(c) = 2.21). Macro- and micronutrient changes favoring the intervention children were also observed at both Follow-up 1 and Follow-up 2. Mean daily consumption of fruit and vegetables was higher for intervention parents compared with controls at Follow-up 1 (X(t) = 4.23,X(c) = 3.94) but not at Follow-up 2. CONCLUSIONS Strong effects were found for the High 5 intervention on fruit and vegetable consumption, on macro- and micro-nutrients, and on psychosocial variables. Future work is needed to enhance the intervention effects on parents' consumption and to test the effectiveness of the intervention when delivered by classroom teachers.
Assessment of Structural Knowledge as a Training Outcome in Process Control Environments

Objective: The objective of the present studies was to apply a novel method for structural knowledge assessment to process control to assess the potential of its measures as a training outcome. Background: Traditionally, knowledge is assessed by verbal achievement tests on the subject matter. However, traditional methods are regarded as limited in their ability to assess higher-order learning or understanding. Method: Two experiments (Experiment 1, N = 41; Experiment 2, N = 50) were conducted in which participants were given a 4-hr training session on a simulated process control task. At a later testing session, participants worked on the task for 70 min and completed knowledge tests on declarative, procedural, and structural knowledge. Structural knowledge was measured with the computer-based Association Structure Test (AST), which combines an association task and Pathfinder network on the basis of relatedness ratings. Results: In both studies, structural knowledge was significantly related to diagnostic performance, and evidence was found for internal consistency as well as convergent and predictive validity. Conclusion: Findings indicate that structural assessment with the AST shows promise as a training outcome in process control. Application: Potential applications of this research include the improvement of training design, delivery, and evaluation.
Cost-Effectiveness of Adjunctive Therapy with Atypical Antipsychotics for Acute Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder

Background: While the clinical utility of atypical antipsychotics has been established in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) who are refractory to antidepressant therapy, their cost-effectiveness is unknown. Objective: To examine the cost-effectiveness of aripiprazole, quetiapine, and olanzapine/fluoxetine in adults with MDD who are refractory to antidepressant therapy. Methods: Using techniques of decision analysis, we estimated expected outcomes and costs over 6 weeks in adults with MDD receiving (1) aripiprazole 2-20 mg/day and antidepressant therapy; (2) quetiapine 150 mg/day or 300 mg/day and antidepressant therapy; (3) the fixed-dose combination of olanzapine 6, 12, or 18 mg/day with fluoxetine 50 mg/day; or (4) antidepressant therapy alone. Cost-effectiveness was assessed in terms of the cost per additional responder at 6 weeks, defined as the ratio of the difference in the cost of MDD-related care over 6 weeks versus antidepressant therapy afone to the difference in the number of patients achieving clinical response by 6 weeks. We estimated the model using data from Phase 3 clinical trials of atypical antipsychotics along with other secondary data sources. Results: With antidepressant therapy alone, the estimated clinical response rate at 6 weeks was 30%. Aripiprazole, quetiapine 150 mg/day, quetiapine 300 mg/day, and olanzapine/fluoxetine were estimated to increase clinical response at 6 weeks to 49%, 34%, 38%, and 45%. respectively. Costs of MDD-related care over 6 weeks were estimated to be $192 for antidepressant therapy, $847 for aripiprazole, $541 for quetiapine 150 mg/day, $672 for quetiapine 300 mg/day plus antidepressant therapy, and $791 for olanzapine/fluoxetine. Costs per additional responder (vs antidepressant therapy) over a 6-week period were estimated to be $3447 for aripiprazole, $8725 for quetiapine 150 mg/day, $6000 for quetiapine 300 mg/day, and $3993 for olanzapine/fluoxetine. Conclusions: Atypical antipsychotics substantially increase clinical response at 6 weeks. Cost per additional responder is lower for aripiprazole than for quetiapine or olanzapine/fluoxetine.
Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and adolescents: knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors in a New York City adolescent minority population.

In this survey, the knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors concerning acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in a group (N = 196) of innercity adolescents in New York City were assessed. Sexual activity was the major risk factor for AIDS in this population; 58% of the adolescents had engaged in sexual intercourse; 12% of these had never used contraception. There were small reported rates of homosexuality, anal intercourse, and prostitution. Of respondents, 22% reported alcohol use and 22% had tried recreational drugs. None had ever taken drugs intravenously. Knowledge of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission was generally good, although there were prominent misconceptions. For example, 52% of the adolescents believed that donating blood could transmit HIV. Of respondents, 47% "never" or "rarely" worried about the disease. Of the total group, 39% reported behavior changes because of concern about AIDS in the previous 6 months. Those who changed behaviors tended to have a greater perceived risk, worry more frequently about the disease, and have a better knowledge of means of HIV transmission. Of those reporting behavior changes, 66% (25% of the total study group) claimed to be using condoms currently, and 16% (6% of the total study group) claimed to be abstemious. More black adolescents than Hispanic adolescents instituted behavior changes. Of black female adolescents, 71% were sexually active, as compared with 30% of Hispanic female adolescents. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Saliency, Scale and Information: Towards a Unifying Theory

In this paper we present a definition for visual saliency grounded in information theory. This proposal is shown to relate to a variety of classic research contributions in scale-space theory, interest point detection, bilateral filtering, and to existing models of visual saliency. Based on the proposed definition of visual saliency, we demonstrate results competitive with the state-of-the art for both prediction of human fixations, and segmentation of salient objects. We also characterize different properties of this model including robustness to image transformations, and extension to a wide range of other data types with 3D mesh models serving as an example. Finally, we relate this proposal more generally to the role of saliency computation in visual information processing and draw connections to putative mechanisms for saliency computation in human vision.
Automated detection and classification of cryptographic algorithms in binary programs through machine learning

Threats from the internet, particularly malicious software (i.e., malware) often use cryptographic algorithms to disguise their actions and even to take control of a victim's system (as in the case of ransomware). Malware and other threats proliferate too quickly for the time-consuming traditional methods of binary analysis to be effective. By automating detection and classification of cryptographic algorithms, we can speed program analysis and more efficiently combat malware. This thesis will present several methods of leveraging machine learning to automatically discover and classify cryptographic algorithms in compiled binary programs. While further work is necessary to fully evaluate these methods on real-world binary programs, the results in this paper suggest that machine learning can be used successfully to detect and identify cryptographic primitives in compiled code. Currently, these techniques successfully detect and classify cryptographic algorithms in small single-purpose programs, and further work is proposed to apply them to real-world examples.
Almost tight recursion tree bounds for the Descartes method

We give a unified ("basis free") framework for the Descartes method for real root isolation of square-free real polynomials. This framework encompasses the usual Descartes' rule of sign method for polynomials in the power basis as well as its analog in the Bernstein basis. We then give a new bound on the size of the recursion tree in the Descartes method for polynomials with real coefficients. Applied to polynomials <i>A(X)</i> = Ε<i><sup>n</sup></i><sub>i=0</sub> <i>a<sub>i</sub>X<sup>i</sup></i> with integer coefficients |<i>a<sub>i</sub></i>| < 2<sup><i>L</i></sup>, this yields a bound of <i>O(n(L</i> + log<i>n</i>)) on the size of recursion trees. We show that this bound is tight for <i>L</i> = Ω(log<i>n</i>), and we use it to derive the best known bit complexity bound for the integer case.
Wearable Heart Rate Sensor Systems for Wireless Canine Health Monitoring

There is an increasing interest from dog handlers and veterinarians in an ability to continuously monitor dogs' vital signs (heart rate, heart rate variability, and respiratory rate) outside laboratory environments, with the aim of identifying physiological correlations to stress, distress, excitement, and other emotional states. We present a non-invasive wearable sensor system combining electrocardiogram (ECG), photoplethysmogram (PPG), and inertial measurement units (IMU) to remotely and continuously monitor the vital signs of dogs. To overcome the limitations imposed by the efficiently insulated skin and dense hair layers of dogs, we investigated the use of various styles of ECG electrodes and the enhancements of these by conductive polymer coatings. We also studied the incorporation of light guides and optical fibers for an efficient optical coupling of PPG sensors to the skin. Combined with our parallel efforts to use IMUs to identify dog behaviors, these physiological sensors will contribute to a canine-body area network to wirelessly and continuously collect data during canine activities with a long-term goal of effectively capturing and interpreting dogs' behavioral responses to environmental stimuli that may yield measurable benefits to handlers' interactions with their dogs.
Ohio USA stoneflies (Insecta, Plecoptera): species richness estimation, distribution of functional niche traits, drainage affiliations, and relationships to other states

Abstract Ohio is an eastern USA state that historically was >70% covered in upland and mixed coniferous forest; about 60% of it glaciated by the Wisconsinan glacial episode. Its stonefly fauna has been studied in piecemeal fashion until now. The assemblage of Ohio stoneflies was assessed from over 4,000 records accumulated from 18 institutions, new collections, and trusted literature sources. Species richness totaled 102 with estimators Chao2 and ICE Mean predicting 105.6 and 106.4, respectively. Singletons and doubletons totaled 18 species. All North American families were represented with Perlidae accounted for the highest number of species at 34. The family Peltoperlidae contributed a single species. Most species had univoltine–fast life cycles with the vast majority emerging in summer, although there was a significant component of winter stoneflies. Nine United States Geological Survey hierarchical drainage units level 6 (HUC6) were used to stratify specimen data. Species richness was significantly related to the number of unique HUC6 locations, but there was no relationship with HUC6 drainage area. A nonparametric multidimensional scaling analysis found that larger HUC6s in the western part of the state had similar assemblages with lower species richness that were found to align with more savanna and wetland habitat. Other drainages having richer assemblages were aligned with upland deciduous and mixed coniferous forests of the east and south where slopes were higher. The Ohio assemblage was most similar to the well–studied fauna of Indiana (88 spp.) and Kentucky (108 spp.), two neighboring states. Many rare species and several high quality stream reaches should be considered for greater protection.
Dying well with dementia: Qualitative examination of end-of-life care

Background People with dementia often die badly, receiving end-of-life care of poorer quality than that given to those who are cognitively intact. Aims To define good end-of-life care for people with dementia and identify how it can be delivered across care settings in the UK. Method In-depth interviews were conducted with 27 bereaved family carers and 23 care professionals recruited from the community, care homes, general hospitals and continuing care units. Data were analysed using the constant comparison method. Results The data highlighted the challenge and imperative of ‘dementia-proofing’ end-of-life care for people with dementia. This requires using dementia expertise to meet physical care needs, going beyond task-focused care and prioritising planning and communication with families. Conclusions The quality of end-of-life care exists on a continuum across care settings. Together, the data reveal key elements of good end-of-life care and that staff education, supervision and specialist input can enable its provision.
Cure of multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii bacteraemia with continuous intravenous infusion of colistin

Continuous intravenous colistin (2,000,000 units per 24 h) was administered in a 41-y-old patient with Acinetobacter baumannii bacteraemia, which led to the cure of the infection. The isolated microorganism was a multi-resistant strain (it was sensitive only to colistin). In addition, the patient had developed allergic reactions to previously administered antimicrobial agents of several classes during his hospitalization. Continuous intravenous infusion of colistin proved to be a salvage regimen, which led to cure of a bacteraemia due to a multi-resistant isolate, without showing any allergic cross-reactivity with other antibiotics.
Prohibitins act as a membrane‐bound chaperone for the stabilization of mitochondrial proteins

Prohibitins are ubiquitous, abundant and evolutionarily strongly conserved proteins that play a role in important cellular processes. Using blue native electrophoresis we have demonstrated that human prohibitin and Bap37 together form a large complex in the mitochondrial inner membrane. This complex is similar in size to the yeast complex formed by the homologues Phb1p and Phb2p. In yeast, levels of this complex are increased on co‐overexpression of both Phb1p and Phb2p, suggesting that these two proteins are the only components of the complex. Pulse–chase experiments with mitochondria isolated from phb1/phb2‐null and PHB1/2 overexpressing cells show that the Phb1/2 complex is able to stabilize newly synthesized mitochondrial translation products. This stabilization probably occurs through a direct interaction because association of mitochondrial translation products with the Phb1/2 complex could be demonstrated. The fact that Phb1/2 is a large multimeric complex, which provides protection of native peptides against proteolysis, suggests a functional homology with protein chaperones with respect to their ability to hold and prevent misfolding of newly synthesized proteins.
Outcomes of Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation in children with primary congenital glaucoma.

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the long-term efficacy of intraocular pressure reduction and complications of Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) implantation in children with primary congenital glaucoma. METHODS The medical records of patients with primary congenital glaucoma who underwent AGV implantation with a minimum follow-up of 6 months were reviewed. The primary outcome measure was cumulative probability of success, defined as intraocular pressure greater than 5 mm Hg and less than 23 mm Hg and at least a 15% reduction from the preoperative intraocular pressure, without serious complications, additional glaucoma surgery, or loss of light perception. RESULTS Thirty eyes of 19 children with primary congenital glaucoma who underwent AGV implantation with a minimum follow-up of 6 months were reviewed. The children had a mean (SD) age of 1.8 (2.6) years, a mean (SD) preoperative intraocular pressure of 28.4 (6.7) mm Hg, and a mean (SD) follow-up time of 57.6 (48.0) months. The cumulative probability of success was 63% in 1 year and 33% in 5 years. After a second AGV implantation, the cumulative probability of success was 86% in 1 and 2 years and 69% in 5 years. Hispanic ethnicity (P = .02) and being female (P = .005) were associated with increased risk of failure. CONCLUSIONS Thirty-three percent of AGV implantations in children with primary congenital glaucoma were successful after 5 years of follow-up. With the implantation of a second AGV, the 5-year success rate increased to 69%.