Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Altered Interhemispheric Functional Coordination in Chronic Tinnitus Patients

Purpose. Recent studies suggest that tinnitus may be due in part to aberrant callosal structure and interhemispheric interaction. To explore this hypothesis we use a novel method, voxel-mirrored homotopic connectivity (VMHC), to examine the resting-state interhemispheric functional connectivity and its relationships with clinical characteristics in chronic tinnitus patients. Materials and Methods. Twenty-eight chronic tinnitus patients with normal hearing thresholds and 30 age-, sex-, education-, and hearing threshold-matched healthy controls were included in this study and underwent the resting-state fMRI scanning. We computed the VMHC to analyze the interhemispheric functional coordination between homotopic points of the brain in both groups. Results. Compared to the controls, tinnitus patients showed significantly increased VMHC in the middle temporal gyrus, middle frontal gyrus, and superior occipital gyrus. In tinnitus patients, a positive correlation was found between tinnitus duration and VMHC of the uncus. Moreover, correlations between VMHC changes and tinnitus distress were observed in the transverse temporal gyrus, superior temporal pole, precentral gyrus, and calcarine cortex. Conclusions. These results show altered interhemispheric functional connectivity linked with specific tinnitus characteristics in chronic tinnitus patients, which may be implicated in the neuropathophysiology of tinnitus.
Compassion fatigue and compassion satisfaction : a study of Yukon child protection social workers

i ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS . ii TABLE OF CONTENTS . iii ABBREVIATIONS . vi CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION 1.1 Personal Experience . 2 1.2 Putting Things in Context . 3 1.3 Yukon Child Welfare System . 4 1.3. 1 Job Overview: Yukon Child Protection Social Worker . 5 1.3. 2 Duties and Responsibilities . 6 1.4 Purpose of the Study and Problem Statement . 8 1.5 Significance of the Research for Social Work . 9 1.6 Organization of the Thesis . 9 1.7 Summary . 10 CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW 2.1 Background for the Study . 12 2.2 Stresses: Workloads, Turnover, Public Scrutiny . 13 2.3 Burnout . 15 2.4 Exposure to Traumatic Events and Vicarious Trauma . 16 2.5 Secondary Traumatic Stress . 17 2.6 Differentiating Compassion Fatigue, Burnout, Vicarious Trauma and STS . 19 2.7 Summary . 20
A Projection-Based Algorithm for Consistent and Inconsistent Constraints

Signal synthesis and reconstruction is considered when the signal is to be determined by N constraint sets, Ci. The solution sought is required to minimize a weighted quadratic cost functional $\hat J$. Emphasis is on cases in which the intersection of the sets Ci is empty. Our proposed procedure employs a suitably weighted simultaneous projection iteration method. It is shown that the iterates generated by the algorithm converge weakly to a global minimizer of $\hat J$ provided the set of fixed points of the algorithm is nonempty. If the problem is consistent $(C_o:=\bigcap C_i \neq \emptyset),$ weak convergence is to an element in Co. However, it is indicated that large classes of inconsistent problems, which could not be treated by existing methods, admit a solution as well.
COMPLEMENT FACTOR P IN CHOROIDAL NEOVASCULAR MEMBRANES OF PATIENTS WITH AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION

Purpose: To evaluate whether complement Factor P (properdin) was present in surgically removed choroidal neovascular membranes of patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and to investigate whether associated pre- and postoperative clinical characteristics can be correlated. Methods: The study population consisted of 26 AMD patients (26 eyes) with the exclusion criterion of prior treatment of the choroidal neovascular membranes. Factor P was detected immunocytochemically on paraffin sections (7 &mgr;m) by a polyclonal rabbit antihuman antibody. Results: Eleven of 22 assessable membranes showed a positive reaction for Factor P. The average percentage of Factor P-positive cells per membrane ranged from 0.65% to 4.09%. The duration of visual loss was significantly longer (8.6 ± 2.7 vs. 3.9 ± 0.8 months), and the size of postoperative measured area of atrophic retinal pigment epithelium was larger (27.6 ± 7.6 vs. 15.0 ± 6.9 mm2) in patients with Factor P-positive membranes compared with Factor P-negative ones. Conclusion: Factor P was expressed in 50% of choroidal neovascular membranes of patients with AMD. The group with Factor P-positive membranes differed significantly from the Factor P-negative group in key clinical outcomes. Additional studies need to investigate the role of Factor P in the development of AMD for potential therapeutic intervention.
Optimization of Flexible Job Shop Scheduling Problem with Sequence Dependent Setup Times Using Genetic Algorithm Approach

— This paper presents optimization of makespan for ‘n’ jobs and ‘m’ machines flexible job shop scheduling problem with sequence dependent setup time using genetic algorithm (GA) approach. A restart scheme has also been applied to prevent the premature convergence. Two case studies are taken into consideration. Results are obtained by considering crossover probability (p c = 0.85) and mutation probability (p m = 0.15). Five simulation runs for each case study are taken and minimum value among them is taken as optimal makespan. Results indicate that optimal makespan can be achieved with more than one sequence of jobs in a production order.
Asymmetry in Perception of the Sides of the Human Face

The objective of this research was to determine if systematic differences occur in the way people ascribe meaning to right and left sides of the human face. Twenty-two faces, bilaterally symmetrical, were constructed from 11 photographs. These left- and right-constructed faces were rated 1 wk. apart by 26 raters on nine bipolar adjective scales selected for the evaluative, potency, and activity dimensions of the semantic differential (Osgood, 1961). Multivariate F tests indicated that on seven of the nine bipolar scales the left-and right-sided faces received significantly different ratings. Left facial constructions were rated as healthier, stronger, harder, more active, more excitable, and in the direction of bad on the good-bad scale. Right facial constructions were rated more sickly, weaker, more feminine, softer, more passive, calmer, and in the good direction on the good-bad scale.
Understanding and Extending SystemC User Thread Package to IA64 Platform

A berry box or basket and a method of forming the same from a rectangular blank of foldable stock material which is cut and scored to provide, when set up, a square bottom wall, side wall members slanted upwardly and outwardly therefrom with one pair thereof which are disposed opposite each other reinforced and rigidified by connecting glue flaps which are cut from the material at the corners of the blank and hinged to the vertical edges of the adjoining side wall members and which have top marginal portions folded down and secured to the face of the remainder of the flaps so as to stiffen and reinforce the top edge of the wall, and the top margins of the adjoining side wall members being reinforced by a folded down edge strip while the corners are reinforced by small tab members which are each integrally hinged to the edge reinforcing strip or flap on the adjoining wall member.
Low-Power Wearable System for Real-Time Screening of Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is one of the main sleep disorders, but only 10% of the cases are diagnosed. Moreover, there is a lack of tools for long-term monitoring of OSA, since current systems are too bulky and intrusive to be used continuously. In this context, recent studies have shown that it is possible to detect it automatically based on single-lead ECG recordings. This approach can be used in non-invasive smart wearable sensors which measure and process bio-signals online. This work focuses on the implementation, optimization and integration of an algorithm for OSA detection for preventive health-care. It relies on a frequency-domain analysis while targeting an ultra-low power embedded wearable device. As it must share its resources usage with other computations, it must be as lightweight as possible. Our current results based on publicly available signals show a classification accuracy of up to 83.2% for both the offline analysis and the embedded online one. This system gives an even better classification accuracy than the best offline algorithm when using the same features for classification [1].
Defending the Con Side: Obesity Paradox Does Not Exist

The elegant review of Hainer and Aldhoon-Hainerova, “Obesity Paradox Does Exist” (1), rightly points out that the so-called reverse epidemiology of a better outcome associated with obesity occurs only in patients with established cardiovascular (CV) disease (CVD) including heart failure (refs. 1–35 in the review by Hainer and Aldhoon-Hainerova (1). At the primary prevention level, however, studying large cohorts, e.g., the population of 359,387 participants recruited in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) Study with a follow-up of 9.7 years (2), increased waist circumference as a surrogate of obesity clearly was a strong predictor of increased mortality, and there are numerous similar studies confirming the primary importance of obesity in the context of a higher total mortality or CV morbidity and mortality, as discussed further in this article. This notion has not been challenged in the article of Hainer and Aldhoon-Hainerova (1). Furthermore, it has to be kept in mind that epidemiology never proves causality, even it is reverse and contrary to the expectation. Indeed, there may be many reasons why this reverse epidemiology may be seen in patients with CVD, including selection bias, treatment bias, distinct phenotypes of CVD patients including weight differences and differences in prognosis, a multitude of comorbidities and confounders, and last but not least, anabolic deficiency or the malnutrition-inflammation syndrome. This article attempts to address all of these important issues and, in the last part, also evaluates the beneficial effects of weight loss in prospective long-term studies on overall mortality, CV morbidity and mortality, and type 2 diabetes. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are thought to provide the top class of scientific evidence as well as the strongest recommendations for therapy. Most RCTs on weight loss and CV benefit, however, are still ongoing, and only a few have reported outcomes to date. …
Young Adulthood Is the Crucible of Personality Development

The last two decades have seen a rapid acceleration of research on personality development focusing on the periods of late adolescence and young adulthood. The findings paint a picture of surprising quiescence in adolescence followed by a period of tremendous growth and change in personality traits in young adulthood. The patterns and potential reasons for these changes are discussed in the context of the Neo-Socioanalytic model of personality and the theory of emerging adulthood. The potential for convergence and collaboration between the fields of personality development and emerging adulthood is discussed.
Device considerations for ultra-low power analog integrated circuits

This paper presents silicon-on-insulator (SOI) enhancement mode dual-gate (DG) n-channel junction-field transistor (DG-nJFET) devices for ultra-low power integrated circuit (IC) design. The increasing chip density along with the demands for mobile computing necessitates the need for ultra-low voltage ICs. However, the advanced standard MOSFET devices and CMOS technologies have several limitations for ultra-low voltage analog operation. And, the JFET devices offer a great potential for such applications. In this paper, the device architecture and performance of enhancement mode SOI DG-nJFETs have been presented. The numerical device simulation results show that the enhancement mode DGnJFETs offer low threshold voltage and an excellent ON/OFF performance at a power supply voltage of 0.5 V required for ultra-low voltage analog ICs.
Navigated total knee replacement. A meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND Proponents of navigated knee arthroplasty stress its potential to increase the precision of component placement. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to substantiate the validity and relevance of this contention. METHODS We searched major medical and publishers' databases for randomized trials and any other studies comparing navigated with conventional knee arthroplasty. Major periodicals were searched manually. We made no restrictions for types of studies or language. Methodological features were rated independently by two reviewers. After testing for publication bias and heterogeneity was done, the data were aggregated by random-effects modeling. We estimated the weighted mean differences of mechanical limb axes and functional scales and the risk ratios of deviations from the straight axis with 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS We included thirty-three studies (eleven randomized trials) of varying methodological quality involving 3423 patients with a mean age (and standard deviation) of 67.3 +/- 4.1 years (62.6% were women, and 83.7% had primary osteoarthritis). The mean preoperative deviation from the mechanical axis was 2.3 degrees +/- 5.1 degrees. There was no evidence of publication bias, but there was strong statistical heterogeneity. The alignment of the mechanical axes did not differ between the navigated and conventional surgery group (weighted mean difference, 0.2 degrees; 95% confidence interval, -0.2 degrees to 0.5 degrees). Patients managed with navigated surgery had a lower risk of malalignment at critical thresholds of >3 degrees (risk ratio, 0.79; 95% confidence interval, 0.71 to 0.87) and >2 degrees (risk ratio, 0.76; 95% confidence interval, 0.71 to 0.82). No conclusive inferences could be drawn on functional outcomes or complication rates. Navigation lengthened the mean duration of surgery by 23%. CONCLUSIONS Navigated knee replacement provides few advantages over conventional surgery on the basis of radiographic end points. Its clinical benefits are unclear and remain to be defined on a larger scale.
Periodontal inflamed surface area as a novel numerical variable describing periodontal conditions

Purpose A novel index, the periodontal inflamed surface area (PISA), represents the sum of the periodontal pocket depth of bleeding on probing (BOP)-positive sites. In the present study, we evaluated correlations between PISA and periodontal classifications, and examined PISA as an index integrating the discrete conventional periodontal indexes. Methods This study was a cross-sectional subgroup analysis of data from a prospective cohort study investigating the association between chronic periodontitis and the clinical features of ankylosing spondylitis. Data from 84 patients without systemic diseases (the control group in the previous study) were analyzed in the present study. Results PISA values were positively correlated with conventional periodontal classifications (Spearman correlation coefficient=0.52; P<0.01) and with periodontal indexes, such as BOP and the plaque index (PI) (r=0.94; P<0.01 and r=0.60; P<0.01, respectively; Pearson correlation test). Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) expression and the presence of serum P. gingivalis antibodies were significant factors affecting PISA values in a simple linear regression analysis, together with periodontal classification, PI, bleeding index, and smoking, but not in the multivariate analysis. In the multivariate linear regression analysis, PISA values were positively correlated with the quantity of current smoking, PI, and severity of periodontal disease. Conclusions PISA integrates multiple periodontal indexes, such as probing pocket depth, BOP, and PI into a numerical variable. PISA is advantageous for quantifying periodontal inflammation and plaque accumulation.
Light scattering properties of marine particles in coastal and open ocean waters as
related to the particle mass concentration

Variations in the spectral scattering coefficient of marine particles [bp(λ)] were measured at 241 locations in oceanic (case 1) and coastal (case 2) waters around Europe. The scattering coefficient at 555 nm normalized to the dry mass of particles [bmp (555)] was, on average, 1.0 and 0.5 m2 g‐1 in case 1 and case 2 waters, respectively. Spectral variations in bp(λ) were, on average, small in all investigated waters. To understand the observed variations in particle scattering, we performed calculations based on the Mie theory with various values for the slope for the Junge‐type size distribution, refractive index, and apparent density of particles (dry weight/wet volume). The latter two were varied according to the type of particles (organic versus mineral) and, for organic ones, as a function of the water content. The higher bmp(555) values in case 1 waters are mainly due to the low apparent density, which results from the organic nature of particles and their elevated water content. In all investigated coastal regions, except for the Baltic Sea, the low bmp(555) values can be explained by the dominant presence of mineral particles, characterized by a high density that counterbalances the effect of a higher refractive index. In the Baltic Sea, bmp(555) was similar to values found in other coastal waters despite the fact that particles were dominantly organic, which may result from higher absorption relative to scattering. A smaller than expected increase of bp(λ) toward short wavelengths is attributed to significant absorption that increases toward the shorter wavelengths and reduces scattering, whether particles are living, detrital, or mineral. Our analyses suggest that the determination of bmp may be significantly sensitive to the porosity of the filter used to assess the dry mass of particles.
Lentivirus‐mediated superoxide dismutase1 gene delivery protects against oxidative stress‐induced liver injury in mice

Background: The exposure of liver to hepatotoxins, and their subsequent metabolism, results in increased reactive oxygen species (ROS), one of the major culprits in causing both acute liver cell injury and chronic liver diseases. The aim of this present study is to investigate the protective effects of lentiviral vector‐mediated copper–zinc superoxide dismutase (LV‐SOD1) gene transfer against ROS‐induced cytotoxicity in Hep G2 cells and liver injury in mice.
Review of research literature on: "Parenting styles and childrearing practices among Poles : historical and contemporary perspectives" : report prepared in the framework of the Polish-Norwegian research project PARMigration Navigator

This report summarizes the findings of a literature review of existing research on issues pertaining to parenting styles and child rearing practices among Polish migrant families living abroad in different immigration contexts and under changing socio-economic conditions in Poland. The review was conducted in the scope of the international research project entitled ‘Socio-cultural and Psychological Predictors of Work-Life Balance and Gender Equality Cross-Cultural Comparison of Polish and Norwegian Families’ (October 2013 to April 2017). The project, known under its short name PAR Migration Navigator, is jointly run by the University of Gdansk (Project Promoter), the Institute of Psychology of the Polish Academy of Sciences (IP PAN), the International Research Institute of Stavanger (IRIS), the University of Stavanger (UiS) and the Centre for Intercultural Communication (SIK) in Norway. The topic of parenting styles and childrearing practices among Polish migrant families in Europe has received relatively little attention in the research on families and parenting among immigrants. Polish migrant families throughout Western Europe, we argue, may in fact be regarded as culturally ‘more similar’ to host country’s native population. Nevertheless, with about 2 million Polish citizens residing in other EU/EEA countries, most of whom have migrated and settled there only after 2004, the issue of parenting and acculturation among Polish migrant families deserves to be studied in more details.
Patterns and Determinants of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Practitioner Use among Adults with Diabetes in Queensland, Australia

There is evidence that complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use is common among people with diabetes. The role of CAM in the treatment or management of diabetes is an emerging health issue given the potential side effects and benefits associated with the use of this kind of medicine. This paper examined patterns and determinants of CAM practitioner use in Queensland, Australia, using a large population-based sample of people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The study found that within a 12-month period, 7.7% of people with diabetes used the services of CAM practitioners alongside or as a complement to conventional health care service. Younger age, female gender, a higher education, having private health insurance, and engagement in preventive health behaviours are significant predictors of individuals who are more likely to visit a CAM practitioner. There was no significant difference in CAM practitioner use between people with type 1, type 2 insulin requiring, or type 2 noninsulin requiring diabetes. The findings highlight the need for further research on the role of CAM in the prevention and management of diabetes.
Are there gender differences in instrumental music practice?

This research aimed to consider whether there were gender differences in the amount of practice undertaken by boys and girls, the practice strategies adopted and motivation to practise. A sample of 2027 girls and 1225 boys aged 6–19 years, ranging in level of expertise from beginner through to conservatory entrance level, playing instruments representative of the classical and popular instruments played in the UK completed a self-report Likert scale questionnaire. There were no statistically significant gender differences in weekly practice time or motivation to practise. Factor analysis of statements relating to practice revealed seven factors. There were statistically significant gender differences in relation to the adoption of systematic practice strategies (girls were more systematic), concentration (boys perceived they had higher levels of concentration) and immediate correction of errors (girls reported more immediate correction). There were no statistically significant gender differences in relation to the organisation of practice, the use of recordings and a metronome, the use of analytic strategies, and the adoption of ineffective practice strategies although for this factor there was a statistically significant interaction between gender and level of expertise.