Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Effects of a Genital Vibratory Stimulation Device on Sexual Function and Genital Sensation

Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a genital vibratory stimulation device in improving sexual function in women with arousal and orgasm disorders. Methods In this single-arm, prospective study, baseline and 1- and 3-month assessments were performed to evaluate women with sexual arousal and/or orgasmic disorders, who received therapy using a genital vibratory stimulation device. Sexual function, satisfaction, and distress were evaluated using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), the Female Sexual Distress Scale, and the Female Intervention Efficacy Index questionnaires. Genital sensation was evaluated using quantitative sensory testing. Results Seventy women, aged 19 to 64 years, were evaluated from October 2009 to August 2013. Forty-seven (67.1%) and 37 (52.9%) women completed 1- and 3-month follow-ups, respectively. The FSFI arousal and orgasm domain scores and total FSFI scores improved at 1 and 3 months (P < 0.001 for all outcomes). Mean (SD) total FSFI scores increased from 20.04 (4.65) (baseline) to 25.03 (5.21) (1 month) to 26.66 (5.42) (3 months; both Ps < 0.0001). Female Sexual Distress Scale scores reflected significantly decreased distress at 1 (P = 0.0006) and 3 (P < 0.0001) months compared with baseline and at 3 months compared with 1 month (P = 0.03). Neurological sensation was increased at all genital sites at 1 and 3 months (P < 0.0001 for all). After adjustment for age, there was a significant interaction between arousal domain scores and clitoral and right labial sensation. At 3 months, perceptions of increased vaginal lubrication, orgasm, and genital sensation were reported by 67.5%, 65.0%, and 82.5% of the participants. No major adverse events were noted. Conclusions Genital vibratory stimulation device use resulted in uniform improvements in sexual function, satisfaction, sexually related distress and genital sensation.
Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Psychometric Properties of the AUDIT and CAGE Questionnaires in Tanzanian Swahili for a Traumatic Brain Injury Population

Aims To develop Swahili versions of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) and CAGE questionnaires and evaluate their psychometric properties in a traumatic brain injury (TBI) population in Tanzania. Methods Swahili versions of the AUDIT and CAGE were developed through translation and back-translation by a panel of native speakers of both English and Swahili. The translated instruments were administered to a sample of Tanzanian adults from a TBI registry. The validity and reliability were analyzed using standard statistical methods. Results The translated versions of both the AUDIT and CAGE questionnaires were found to have excellent language clarity and domain coherence. Reliability was acceptable (>0.85) for all tested versions. Confirmatory factor analysis of one, two and three factor solution for the AUDIT and one factor solution for the CAGE showed adequate results. AUDIT and CAGE scores were strongly correlated to each other (R > 0.80), and AUDIT scores were significantly lower in non-drinkers compared to drinkers. Conclusions This article presents the first Swahili and Tanzanian adaptations of the AUDIT and CAGE instruments as well as the first validation of these questionnaires with TBI patients. Both instruments were found to have acceptable psychometric properties, resulting in two new useful tools for medical and social research in this setting.
Periodic stabilization of discrete-time switched linear systems

The goal of this paper is to study stabilization problem for discrete-time linear switched systems. To this end, a periodic state-feedback switching controller is considered along with the generalized periodic Lyapunov inequalities. To compute the control Lyapunov function, a bilinear matrix inequality (BMI) condition is suggested. Then, we focus on developing an iterative algorithm in order to efficiently solve the BMI condition. The algorithm is based on the iterative projection of the Lyapunov matrix onto a matrix polytope. Examples are given to illustrate the proposed design method.
Development of the Injury Perceptions Questionnaire (InjPQ)

Objectives: Injuries are major causes of morbidity and mortality in the population. Given the central role of perceptions in self-regulation of health conditions, it is important to investigate how they are perceived. This article describes the development of the Injury Perceptions Questionnaire (InjPQ). Methods: A concurrent study in a diverse sample of injured individuals (n = 333). The internal structure and the reliability (Cronbach’s α) of InjPQ sub-scales were explored by factor analyses. Relationships between injury perception dimensions and equivalent illness perception scales and outcome measures (self-assessed health; physical, emotional and social functioning; depression, anxiety and somatisation; satisfaction with life) were investigated. Results: The InjPQ was found to represent the following perception scales: injury identity composed of social and body part components, PTSD symptoms, Injury event, Injury specific emotions, Injured self-image, Positive consequences, Responsibility/guilt, Coping, Time distance, Dependency, Healthy self, External attributions and Injury risk factors. The reliability and construct validity of the scales were found adequate. Conclusions: Injury perceptions can be reliably measured. While partly overlapping with equivalent illness perception scales, the InjPQ depicts cognitive dimensions unique to injury that add significantly to explaining variance in outcomes. The InjPQ is recommended for research and clinical use as a measure of injury perceptions.
Towards an imaging lattice for magnetically trapped atoms

The imaging of neutral atoms confined in an optical lattice has been demonstrated by a number of groups, resolving single fluorescing atoms in samples of hundreds of atoms. To obtain a high signal the atoms remain confined in the wells of a deep optical lattice whilst fluorescence excitation light is applied for high resolution imaging. In most cases, the excitation light frequency is chosen so that there is a concomitant laser cooling effect. In existing implementations of an imaging lattice the preceding manipulation stage has used optical trapping and manipulation. In this thesis I describe work towards applying this imaging lattice technique on a magnetic trapping apparatus, in particular for carrying out quantum simulation experiments. An introduction to the specific challenge of performing a quantum simulation of the fractional quantum Hall effect is given, with the link to and nature of the imaging lattice technique explained. The existing quantum-gas machine that has been developed to produce Bose-Einstein condensates of 87Rb in this work is then described, including the new optical lattice subsystem and the associated diode laser system. An auxiliary project to develop a servo-control system for frequencies that are several GHz away from an atomic reference is presented. We implement an optical lattice using laser light with a frequency detuning of -20 GHz below the D1-resonance line. The construction and geometry of the individual dipole trapping beams in combination with our existing apparatus is discussed as well as the alignment methods used. We confirm the presence of three independent 1D lattices through diffraction, and observe the decay of a BEC loaded into a lattice using absorption imaging. We observe good long-term alignment and operational stability of the optical lattice. This system will enable us to ultimately detect single fluorescing atoms in the optical lattice, following the application of excitation light co-propogating with lattice beams, via an imaging system with a moderate numerical aperture of 0:27.
BRICK: A Binary Tool for Run-Time Detecting and Locating Integer-Based Vulnerability

Integer-based vulnerability is an extremely serious bug for programs written in languages such as C/C++. However,in practice, very few software security tools can efficiently detect and accurately locate such vulnerability. In addition, previous methods mainly depend on source code analysis and recompilation which are impractical when protecting the program without source code. In this paper,we present the design, implementation, and evaluation of BRICK (Binary Run-time Integer-based vulnerability Checker), a tool for run-time detecting and locating integer-based vulnerability. Given an integer-based vulnerability exploit, BRICK is able to catch the value which falls out of the range of its corresponding type, then find the root cause for this vulnerability, and finally locate the vulnerability code and give a warning, based on its checking scheme. BRICK is implemented on the dynamic binary instrumentation framework Valgrind and its type inference plug-in: Catchconv. Preliminary experimental results are quit promising: BRICK can detect and locate most of integer-based vulnerability in real software, and has very low false positives and negatives.
Comparison of Two Versions of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale in Assessing Depression in a Neurologic Setting

Background: The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale–Depression Subscale (HADS-D) is widely used to assess depression in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Developed specifically for use in a medical setting, the scale has one item, “I feel as if I am slowed down,” that might represent a significant somatic confounder, possibly biasing the assessment. Objective: We sought to determine whether inclusion or exclusion of the “slowed down” item in the HADS-D affects the detection of depression and the scale’s associations with impaired cognition, fatigue, and employment status. Methods: A sample of 193 people with confirmed MS completed the HADS. To identify depressed participants, we used previously established cutoff scores for the HADS-D with (≥8) and without (≥6) the “slowed down” item. Linear and logistic regression models were used to determine predictors of cognition and employment status. Results: The HADS-D with and without the “slowed down” item detected similar rates of depression: 30.6% and 31.6%, respectively. Both versions of the HADS-D predicted processing speed and executive functioning, but not memory. Neither version predicted employment status. Conclusions: The HADS-D is an easy-to-use and clinically relevant self-report psychometric scale for detecting depression in MS. Removing the “slowed down” item from the HADS-D does not influence its internal consistency, and both versions have similar associations with clinical outcomes.
Diet quality of children post‐liver transplantation does not differ from healthy children

Little has been studied regarding the diets of children following LTX. The study aim was to assess and compare dietary intake and DQ of healthy children and children post‐LTX. Children and adolescents (2‐18 years) post‐LTX (n=27) and healthy children (n=28) were studied. Anthropometric and demographic data and two 24‐hour recalls (one weekend; one weekday) were collected. Intake of added sugar, HFCS, fructose, GI, and GL was calculated. DQ was measured using three validated DQ indices: the HEI‐C, the DGI‐CA, and the DQI‐I. Although no differences in weight‐for‐age z‐scores were observed between groups, children post‐LTX had lower height‐for‐age z‐scores than healthy children (P<.01). With the exception of vitamin B12, no significant differences in energy and macronutrient (protein, carbohydrate, and fat), added sugar, HFCS, fructose, GI, GL, and micronutrient intakes and DQ indices (HEI‐C, DGI‐CA, and DQI‐I) between groups were observed (P>.05). The majority of children in both groups (>40%) had low DQ scores. No significant interrelationships between dietary intake, anthropometric, and demographic were found (P>.05). Both healthy and children post‐LTX consume diets with poor DQ. This has implications for risk of obesity and metabolic dysregulation, particularly in transplant populations on immunosuppressive therapies.
Assessment of the in vitro genotoxicity of TiO2 nanoparticles in a regulatory context

Abstract A review of in vitro genotoxicity studies on titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2-NPs) published between 2010 and 2016 was performed by France in the framework of the CLP Regulation 1272/2008/EC. Neither the few in vivo studies of low quality nor the larger number of acceptable in vitro studies available for genotoxicity allowed France to conclude on the genotoxicity of TiO2-NPs. Based on this work, it was decided to compare the acceptable in vitro studies to understand the reasons for the diverging results observed, such as the materials tested or of the protocols used and their inherent interferences. The systematic review performed on in vitro genotoxicity data for TiO2-NPs was then restricted to studies with the highest level of confidence among studies following OECD guidelines and the largely applied comet assay. Indeed, the aim of this article is to understand why, even if judged of good quality, the 36 publications selected and analyzed did not lead to a clear picture. Some recommendations to be taken into account before performing new in vitro genotoxicity assays for insoluble particles such as TiO2-NPs are proposed. Although secondary genotoxic effects consequent to oxidative stress seem to be the major mechanism responsible for the genotoxicity of TiO2-NPs reported in some studies, primary genotoxic effects cannot be excluded. Further studies are needed to clarify the exact mode of action of TiO2-NPs and to highlight which physicochemical properties lead to their genotoxicity in vitro to ultimately identify a specific combination of parameters that could represent a risk in vivo.
Cytotoxic and genotoxic effects on gingival fibroblasts from static magnetic fields produced by dental magnetic attachments.

OBJECTIVE To investigate cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of static magnetic field (SMF) produced by dental magnetic attachments on human gingival fibroblasts in vitro. BACKGROUND Magnetic attachments have numerous roles in dental prosthesis fixation, but few reports evaluate possible biological effects of static magnetic field (SMF) on human gingival tissues, particular genotoxic effects. MATERIALS AND METHODS The Dyna (500-gr breakaway force) and Steco (173-gr breakaway force) dental magnetic attachments were embedded into autopolymerising acrylic resin in four different configurations each, including single and double magnets. Gingival biopsy was performed on 28 individuals during third molar extraction, and each sample was divided into two pieces for culture under SMF exposure or as a control. In total, seven test and seven control gingival fibroblast cultures were performed for each group resulting in 56 gingival fibroblast cultures. The test culture flasks were placed atop the magnet-embedded resin blocks. After cultures were terminated, mitotic index (MI) and micronucleus (MN) rates were analysed at a p = 0.05 significance level by Wilcoxon's test; intergroup differences were analysed with a Kruskal-Wallis test. RESULTS There was no significant difference in intragroup or intergroup MI rates. The double Dyna (p = 0.023) and double Steco (p = 0.016) groups had statistically significant intragroup differences in the MN rates. There were no statistically significant differences in MN rates in intergroup analyses. CONCLUSION In particular, higher magnetic fields from dental magnetic attachments might be toxic genetically to human gingival fibroblasts. However, there is need for further investigations from different aspects to detect any genotoxicity.
Depression and posttraumatic stress disorder among road traffic accident victims managed in a Tertiary hospital in Southern Nigeria

Background: Psychological responses to traumatic events vary widely across different cultures but studies in the developing countries are scant. The objective of this study is to determine prevalence of depression and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among patients involved in road traffic accident (RTA) compared with that of the general population using a matched control group. Materials and Methods: The study design was case control and employed the convenient sampling technique. All consecutive attendees of the trauma clinic of a Tertiary Hospital who had been involved in RTA in the previous year and met inclusion criteria were recruited to participate in the study. Controls were drawn from patient relatives attending other clinics in the same hospital. The final sample comprised of 46 cases and controls, totaling 92 participants. A Sociodemographic questionnaire, the PTSD, and depression modules of the Mini International neuropsychiatric interview were administered to both groups by trained research assistants. The data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 22. Statistical significance was set at 0.05. Results: The prevalence of PTSD among cases was 41.3% compared with 13% among controls, whereas the prevalence of depression among cases was 63% compared with 30.4% among the controls. Both of these findings were statistically significant (P < 0.002). Sociodemographic variables such as age, sex, marital status, religion, level of education, and occupation did not have statistically significant relationship with neither PTSD nor depression. Conclusion: Mental disorders such as PTSD and depression are common in victims of RTA. They would benefit from comanagement with mental health specialists.
Age‐related cognitive decline coincides with accelerated volume loss of the dorsal but not ventral hippocampus in mice

Even in the absence of neurodegenerative diseases, progressing age often coincides with cognitive decline and morphological changes. However, longitudinal studies that directly link these two processes are missing. In this proof‐of‐concept study we therefore performed repeated within‐subject testing of healthy male R26R mice in a spatial learning task in combination with manganese‐enhanced volumetric MRI analyses at the ages of 8, 16, and 24 months. We grouped the mice into good and poor performers (n = 6, each), based on their spatial learning abilities at the age of 24 months. Using this stratification, we failed to detect a priori volume differences, but observed a significant decrease in total hippocampal volume over time for both groups. Interestingly, this volume decrease was specific for the dorsal hippocampus and significantly accelerated in poor performers between 16 and 24 months of age. This is the first time that individual changes in hippocampal volume were traced alongside cognitive performance within the same subjects over 1½ years. Our study points to a causal link between volume loss of the dorsal hippocampus and cognitive impairments. In addition, it suggests accelerated degenerative processes rather than a priori volume differences as determining trajectories of age‐related cognitive decline. Despite the relatively small sample sizes, the strong behavioral and moderate morphological alterations demonstrate the general feasibility of longitudinal studies of age‐related decline in cognition and hippocampus integrity. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Molecular Characterization of Escherichia coli Isolates Carrying mcr-1, fosA3, and Extended-Spectrum-β-Lactamase Genes from Food Samples in China

ABSTRACT This study surveyed the prevalence of mcr-1 in extended-spectrum-β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli strains of food origin in China and identified strains that carried mcr-1, fosA3, and ESBL genes, which were carried in various plasmids. The mcr-1 and ESBL genes could be cotransferred by one or more types of plasmids. The presence of these multidrug-resistant E. coli strains in food products might pose a huge threat to public health.
Brain networks for confidence weighting and hierarchical inference during probabilistic learning

Significance What has been learned must sometimes be unlearned in a changing world. Yet knowledge updating is difficult since our world is also inherently uncertain. For instance, a heatwave in winter is surprising and ambiguous: does it denote an infrequent fluctuation in normal weather or a profound change? Should I trust my current knowledge, or revise it? We propose that humans possess an accurate sense of confidence that allows them to evaluate the reliability of their knowledge, and use this information to strike the balance between prior knowledge and current evidence. Our functional MRI data suggest that a frontoparietal network implements this confidence-weighted learning algorithm, acting as a statistician that uses probabilistic information to estimate a hierarchical model of the world. Learning is difficult when the world fluctuates randomly and ceaselessly. Classical learning algorithms, such as the delta rule with constant learning rate, are not optimal. Mathematically, the optimal learning rule requires weighting prior knowledge and incoming evidence according to their respective reliabilities. This “confidence weighting” implies the maintenance of an accurate estimate of the reliability of what has been learned. Here, using fMRI and an ideal-observer analysis, we demonstrate that the brain’s learning algorithm relies on confidence weighting. While in the fMRI scanner, human adults attempted to learn the transition probabilities underlying an auditory or visual sequence, and reported their confidence in those estimates. They knew that these transition probabilities could change simultaneously at unpredicted moments, and therefore that the learning problem was inherently hierarchical. Subjective confidence reports tightly followed the predictions derived from the ideal observer. In particular, subjects managed to attach distinct levels of confidence to each learned transition probability, as required by Bayes-optimal inference. Distinct brain areas tracked the likelihood of new observations given current predictions, and the confidence in those predictions. Both signals were combined in the right inferior frontal gyrus, where they operated in agreement with the confidence-weighting model. This brain region also presented signatures of a hierarchical process that disentangles distinct sources of uncertainty. Together, our results provide evidence that the sense of confidence is an essential ingredient of probabilistic learning in the human brain, and that the right inferior frontal gyrus hosts a confidence-based statistical learning algorithm for auditory and visual sequences.