Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Oral propranolol in early stages of retinopathy of prematurity

Abstract Objective: To assess the effect of oral propranolol on the progression of early stages of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. Methods: We analyzed VLBW infants with ROP (stages 2–3, zones II-III). Newborns received oral propranolol (0.5 mg/kg/dose q8h), and were monitored throughout the treatment period for possible side effects. Propranolol was administered until regression of ROP. A historic control group of patients with equivalent ROP was used. We compared characteristics of both groups and the progression of retinopathy. Results: Forty-seven newborns were included, 20 in the propranolol group and 27 in the control group. There were no significant differences in gestational age, birthweight or gender. The mean duration of treatment with propranolol was 58.2±17.6 days. Most patients started treatment with stage 2 disease (65.0%), and had zone III involvement (55.0%). In the treated group, 90.0% (18/20) of patients did not require intervention with laser or bevacizumab, compared to 51.8% in the control group (P<0.005). No cases of bradycardia, hypotension or hypoglycemia were observed. Conclusions: Oral propranolol in early stages of ROP could prevent disease progression and reduce the need for invasive rescue therapy with laser or bevacizumab. No significant side effects were reported.
An Efficient Hybrid Cryptographic Scheme for Wireless Sensor Network with Network Coding

Wireless sensor network (WSN) using network coding is vulnerable to pollution attacks. Existing authentication schemes addressing this attack either burden the sensor node with a higher computation overhead, or fail to provide an efficient way to mitigate two recently reported attacks: tag pollution attacks and repetitive attacks, which makes them inapplicable to WSN. This paper proposes an efficient hybrid cryptographic scheme for WSN with securing network coding. Our scheme can resist not only normal pollution attacks, but the emerging tag pollution and repetitive attacks in an efficient way. In particular, our scheme is immediately suited for distributing multiple generations using a single public key. Experimental results show that our scheme can significantly improve the computation efficiency at a sensor node under the two above-mentioned attacks. key words: wireless sensor network, network coding, hybrid cryptographic, pollution attack, tag pollution, repetitive attack
Serum Uric Acid Is Associated with Left Ventricular Hypertrophy Independent of Serum Parathyroid Hormone in Male Cardiac Patients

Background Several studies have shown that serum uric acid (UA) is associated with left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy. Serum levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH), which has bbe shown to be correlated with UA, is also known to be associated with cardiac hypertrophy; however, whether the association between UA and cardiac hypertrophy is independent of PTH remains unknown. Purpose We investigated whether the relationship between serum uric acid (UA) and LV hypertrophy is independent of intact PTH and other calcium-phosphate metabolism-related factors in cardiac patients. Methods and Results In a retrospective study, the association between UA and left ventricular mass index was assessed among 116 male cardiac patients (mean age 65±12 years) who were not taking UA lowering drugs. The median UA value was 5.9 mg/dL. Neither age nor body mass index differed significantly among the UA quartile groups. Patients with higher UA levels were more likely to be taking loop diuretics. UA showed a significant correlation with intact PTH (R = 0.34, P<0.001) but not with other calcium-phosphate metabolism-related factors. Linear regression analysis showed that log-transformed UA showed a significant association with left ventricular mass index, and this relationship was found to be significant exclusively in patients who were not taking loop and/or thiazide diuretics. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that log-transformed UA was independently associated with LV hypertrophy with an odds ratio of 2.79 (95% confidence interval 1.48–5.28, P = 0.002 per one standard deviation increase). Conclusions Among cardiac patients, serum UA was associated with LV hypertrophy, and this relationship was, at least in part, independent of intact PTH levels, which showed a significant correlation with UA in the same population.
Women, men, VDU work and health: A questionnaire survey of British VDU operators

Abstract This paper presents the results of a questionnaire survey of male and female VDU operators distributed through Health & Safety at Work magazine. 3819 questionnaires were analysed using the SPSS computer program. 57% of the sample were female, 68% were under 35 years old and 73% were members of a trade union or staff association. The large number of male respondents meant that it was possible to compare work patterns, types of work and health effects for men and women. It appears that women are engaged in more repetitive and less varied tasks at the VDU and that they work longer hours and for longer periods without a break than men. The most frequently reported health problems were eyestrain, painful or stiff neck and shoulders, fatigue and irritated eyes. The incidence of symptoms was related to hours of work at the VDU. Women were more likely to report health effects than men. This difference remains when hours of work, type of work and hours worked without a break are taken into account. Ergono.
Retirement and a healthy lifestyle: opportunity or pitfall? A narrative review of the literature.

BACKGROUND Retirement is a life-course transition in late adult life that is marked by major changes that may affect healthy lifestyles. Our aim is to give an overview of the current knowledge on changes in smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity and dietary habits during the transition to retirement. This may provide clues to a better targeting and timing of preventive activities at older age. METHODS Literature search in Medline, Scopus, Embase, PsycInfo, Social SciSearch and SciSearch limited to English-language papers published between 2001 and May 2013. Results of 20 original papers are summarized in a narrative review. RESULTS Some studies report an increase in alcohol consumption after retirement, whereas others found a decrease or no change at all. Those who retired involuntarily tended to increase their alcohol consumption, whereas retirees who quit voluntarily did not change their alcohol consumption. Leisure-time physical activity seems to increase slightly after retirement, especially moderately intensive physical activity. This increase does not compensate the loss of work-related physical activity such as the work itself or work-related transportation. The studies on changes in smoking and dietary habits were too limited to draw conclusions. CONCLUSIONS The transition to retirement is accompanied with both favourable and unfavourable lifestyle changes, depending on the type of lifestyle, lifestyle indicator and the personal situation of the retiree. The (pre-)retirement period may well offer a suitable opportunity for preventive action, for example in pre-retirement programmes, planning or other retirement-related support.
Predicting intentions of AIDS-preventive behavior among adolescents

The aim was to predict adolescents' i]ntentions of regular condom use on the basis of an extended version of Ajzen and Fishbein's (1980) theory of reasoned action. Attitude and subjective norm concerning regular condom use were measured along with their antecedent beliefs and evaluations, with fear of AIDS and knowledge about AIDS included as additional variables. A mixed-gender sample comprising both sexually active and sexually inexperienced adolescents was studied. The results strongly support the impact of attitude toward regular condom use as a determinant of a corresponding behavioral intention. Normative pressures failed to predict intentions of regular condom use, as did fear of AIDS and knowledge about AIDS. The findings are discussed with respect to intervention campaigns aimed at promoting condom use among adolescents as an AIDS-preventive measure.
The Supply

As the field of special education (SE) examines issues related to supply and demand of SE teachers and faculty, an investigation of students currently enrolled in doctoral programs and doctoral graduates is an important perspective to consider. The results of two components of the Special Education Faculty Needs Assessment (SEFNA), focused on the aforementioned two populations, are described. Students enrolled in SE doctoral programs during the spring of 2009 (n = 1,263) and graduates of SE doctoral programs between 1999 and 2008 (n = 626) were surveyed about their educational backgrounds, experiences in applying to doctoral programs, doctoral programs and studies, postgraduation plans, postgraduation career choices, and background information. Results indicated that key predictors of doctoral students who become college and university faculty include the following: intent to pursue a faculty career, financial support (e.g., teaching assistantship, research assistantship, traineeship, fellowship), age when enrolling in a doctoral program, reduced time to complete the doctoral degree, and willingness to relocate after graduation for employment. Comparisons are made to results from the 2001 Faculty Shortage Study, a predecessor to SEFNA.
Application of Three Cognitive Diagnosis Models to ESL Reading and Listening Assessments

The present study investigated the functioning of three psychometric models for cognitive diagnosis—the general diagnostic model, the fusion model, and latent class analysis—when applied to large-scale English as a second language listening and reading comprehension assessments. Data used in this study were scored item responses and incidence matrices, or Q-matrices (Tatsuoka, 1983, 1990), for the Listening and Reading sections of two field test forms of the TOEFL® iBT (Test of English as a Foreign Language™). Results of empirical data analyses based on the three cognitive diagnosis models above revealed that (a) all three models adequately separated examinees into two mastery levels on most of the reading and listening skills, (b) a moderate level of across-form consistency of examinee skill mastery classification was achieved for most of the reading and listening skills as defined in this study, but (c) a large proportion of examinees were classified into “flat” profiles (i.e., “nonmasters of all skills” and “masters of all skills”). Overall, the three models produced similar results in terms of examinee classification, but some subtle differences across them were identified as well.
Relational sacrifices in romantic relationships

Using interdependence and attachment theories, we examined the influence of attachment orientations on the association between relational sacrifices and relationship satisfaction. Romantic partners (N = 332) completed a one-time measure of attachment orientations and daily measures of relationship satisfaction and number and difficulty of relational sacrifices over 4–10 days. Difficulty of own and partner’s sacrifices was negatively associated with relationship satisfaction, and own daily number of sacrifices was positively associated with relationship satisfaction. However, these associations were stronger for individuals lower in attachment anxiety (for own sacrifices) or avoidance (for partner’s sacrifices). The findings suggest that associations between relational sacrifice and relationship satisfaction are contingent on attachment orientations and that frequent, easy sacrifices might be most beneficial to relationships.
Pathways linking early life stress, metabolic syndrome, and the inflammatory marker fibrinogen in depressed inpatients.

BACKGROUND Previous research has shown that metabolic syndrome as well as early life stress can account for immunoactivation (e.g. in the form of altered fibrinogen levels) in patients with major depression. This study aims at assessing the relationship between components of metabolic syndrome, early life stress and fibrinogen levels, taking the severity of depression into consideration. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Measures of early life stress and signs of metabolic syndrome were collected in 58 adult inpatients diagnosed with depression. The relationships between the factors were assessed by means of path analyses. Two main models were tested: the first model with metabolic syndrome mediating between early life stress and fibrinogen levels and the second model without the mediating effect of metabolic syndrome. RESULTS The first model was not supported by our data (χ²=7.02, df=1, p=0.008, CFI=0.00, NNFI=-9.44, RMSEA=0.50). The second model however provided an excellent fit for the data (χ²=0.02, df=1, p=0.90, CFI=1.00, NNFI=2.71, RMSEA=0.00). Extending the models by introducing severity of depression into them did not yield good indices of fit. CONCLUSIONS The developmental trajectory between early life stress and inflammation appears not to be mediated by metabolic syndrome associated factors in our sample. Possible reasons including severity and type of early life stress, as well as potential epigenetic influences are discussed.
Continuity and Change in General Cognitive Ability from 1 to 7 years of Age.

Observed and latent sources of individual differences in cognitive development were explored in data from adopted and nonadopted siblings measured from 12 months to 7 years and identical and nonidentical twins measured from 12 to 36 months. Longitudinal path models, designed to examine the structure of observed stability and assess the genetic and environmental sources of age-to-age change and continuity, suggest that observed continuity arises from age-specific effects that persist over time and from developmental influences that are static and unchanging. Genetic influences account for the age-specific yet persistent effects, shared sibling environment effects are constant from 1 to 7 years, and nonshared environmental factors are specific to each measurement age. Thus, genetic influences are a major source of both continuity and change in mental development, whereas shared and nonshared environmental effects contribute to continuity and change, respectively
Enzyme replacement therapy reduces Gaucher cell burden but may accelerate osteopenia in patients with type I disease – a histological study

Enzyme replacement treatment (ERT) is effective in controlling the clinical and biochemical manifestation of type I Gaucher disease. Little is known on the evolution of bone marrow histology caused by ERT. We compared the pretreatment trephine bone marrow biopsies in five patients (F32, F41, F50, M55, and M46) with the control biopsies performed after 26–32 months of imiglucerase treatment. The planimetric estimates revealed significant decrease in Gaucher cell burden in all the patients. The post‐ERT values ranged from 24% to 65% of the initial total volumes occupied by the Gaucher cells. This resulted mainly from disappearance of Gaucher cells, and to a lesser extent from their shrinkage. Normal hemopoiesis was markedly increased in four of five patients, fat tissue in all the five patients. Surprisingly, the estimated volumes of trabecular bone in the control biopsies were significantly smaller than in the pre‐ERT trephines (0.61%, 0.64%, 0.64%, 0.97%, and 0.22% of the initial volumes, P = 0.043). The bone loss correlated rather with the degree of reconstitution of normal hemopoiesis than with the decrease in the Gaucher cell burden. The histological response did not correlate strictly with initial clinical parameters and the genotype, with different reactions to ERT in two sibs (cases 3 and 4). Particularly, ERT alleviated bone manifestations in all four patients with previous bone pains or fractures. ERT may accelerate progress of osteopenia in men and premenopausal women. The clinical significance of this phenomenon remains to be established. Its mechanism may be linked to increased osteolytic activity exerted directly or indirectly by regenerating hemopoietic cells.
Cohesive Fracture Study of a Bonded Coarse Silica Sand Aggregate Bond Interface Subjected to Mixed-Mode Bending Conditions

One of the primary objectives in the design of composite structures is the prevention of premature bond failure. Therefore, the characterization of cohesive behavior is an important field of study in structural engineering. Using fracture mechanics principles, the cohesive behavior of an epoxy bonded coarse silica sand aggregate bond interface is studied in this paper, with a focus on finding a general analytical form of idealizing its behavior when used in a specimen possessing asymmetric and inhomogeneous qualities. Two series of small-scale specimens were experimentally tested under mixed-mode bending (MMB) conditions, where it was found that there was negligible influence exerted on the fracture energy of the interface due to changes in the mixed-mode ratio or initial crack length. Using finite element analysis (FEA) methods, an appropriate bilinear traction-separation model was developed to both validate as well as obtain a set of consistent parameters applicable to all tested specimens. Comparison of the Global Method and the Local Method, used to obtain partitioned Mode I and Mode II fracture energy values from MMB specimens, were made, with the conclusion that both methods are adequate in the calculation of the total fracture energy though the Local Method should be used to obtain accurate partitioned Mode I and Mode II fracture energy values. Idealization of the bond interface using the cohesive parameters derived can be accurately achieved by the use of both contact interactions and cohesive elements in two-dimensional and three-dimensional FE models, though the results obtained using contact interactions would be expected to exhibit greater global stiffness.
Cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 Receptor Signaling and Bias

Abstract An agonist that acts through a single receptor can activate numerous signaling pathways. Recent studies have suggested that different ligands can differentially activate these pathways by stabilizing a limited range of receptor conformations, which in turn preferentially drive different downstream signaling cascades. This concept, termed “biased signaling” represents an exciting therapeutic opportunity to target specific pathways that elicit only desired effects, while avoiding undesired effects mediated by different signaling cascades. The cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2 each activate multiple pathways, and evidence is emerging for bias within these pathways. This review will summarize the current evidence for biased signaling through cannabinoid receptor subtypes CB1 and CB2.
MRI of focal cerebral ischemia using 17O‐labeled water

This work presents a novel approach for quantifying low concentrations of H217O in vivo and explores its utility for assessing cerebral ischemia. Oxygen‐17 enriched water acts as a T2 shortening contrast agent whose effect can be suppressed by decoupling at the 17O frequency during TE interval in a spin‐echo MR image. Serial T2‐weighted echo planar images were acquired in phantoms and rat brain with decoupler power alternated every eight images. The resulting periodic signal change (proportional to H217O concentration) was detected by cross‐correlating the square‐wave decoupler power timecourse with the signal intensity in each voxel. Natural abundance (0.037 atom%) images of H217O in rat brain were generated. The transverse relaxivity of H217O in brain was estimated, R2 = 2.4 ± 0.5 s−1(atom%)−1. After bolus injection of 1 ml of 10 atom% H217O, brain H217O concentration was estimated at 0.06 ± 0.01 atom%. In the rat focal ischemia model, 17O cross‐correlation maps compared well with diffusion and Gd‐DTPA perfusion images to indicate infarct location. Magn Reson Med 43:876–883, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Prospective study of severity assessment and management of acute medical admissions with skin and soft tissue infection.

BACKGROUND Several severity scoring systems have been proposed for skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs), but none has been tested prospectively. METHODS We prospectively enrolled adult, acute medical admissions with SSTI between April 2009 and June 2010. Severity was assessed using two proposed SSTI scoring systems, one based on a generic sepsis definition. Antimicrobial prescribing was compared with guideline recommendations. RESULTS We enrolled 79 patients. One of the scoring systems classified 47% into class I (no sepsis or comorbidity), 5% into class II (no sepsis, but comorbidity), 34% into class III [sepsis, but standardized early warning system (SEWS) <4], and 14% into class IV (sepsis with SEWS ≥ 4). The other system classified 39% as mild and 61% as moderate/severe. There were significant discrepancies between the two scoring systems. Using the worst clinical observations in the first 24 h, 19% of patients had more severe disease than was apparent on admission. Under-treatment of patients with sepsis occurred in 13% of patients according to admission observations, increasing to 22% according to the worst observations. Seventy-nine percent of patients with sepsis received antibiotics within 4 h of admission. This was associated with fewer adverse outcomes (P = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS There is significant room for improvement in the management of SSTIs presenting to acute medical units. The added value of specific SSTI severity scores over generic sepsis assessment requires validation in a larger prospective study. We have changed our antibiotics policy for SSTI to use generic sepsis scores, and we emphasize the need to reassess patients on the day of admission.
Using Probabilistic Multipath Routing to Improve Route Stability in MANETs

Many MANET routing protocols do not perform well in dense scenarios with high network load. In these situations, we can observe a high level of route instability, which is often called "route flapping". In this paper we present the PRIME routing protocol, which uses a probabilistic multipath forwarding process to increase route stability in dense scenarios with high network load. We describe the routing protocol and propose different scenarios to evaluate the protocol performance. We compare the behavior of our protocol with the well-known OLSR and AODV protocols in those scenarios. The evaluation results show that the PRIME routing protocol does in fact have a positive impact on route stability and can improve the overall network performance in situations with high network load.