Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prospective Effects of Marital Satisfaction on Depressive Symptoms in Established Marriages: A Dyadic Model

Much evidence suggests that marital discord is related to depressive symptoms in married couples. In the present research, potential sex-related differences in the prospective effect of marital discord on depression were explored. Further, extending previous work, cross-spouse effects (i.e., the associations between one spouse's marital discord and his or her partner's later levels of depressive symptoms) were examined. Spouses from randomly sampled married couples (N = 166) with adolescent children provided reports of their marital quality and depressive symptoms at baseline and one year later. Structural equation modeling analyses were conducted. Results revealed that Time 1 marital quality was associated with Time 2 depressive symptoms, the magnitude of this effect was similar for both husbands and wives, and spouses' own marital quality at Time 1 predicted their partners' Time 2 depressive symptoms net of other predictors in the model. Implications for practice, policy, and future research are discussed.
Methods for secure decentralized routing in open networks

The contribution of this thesis is the study and improvement of secure, decentralized, robust routing algorithms for open networks including ad-hoc networks and peer-to-peer (P2P) overlay networks. The main goals for our secure routing algorithm are openness, efficiency, scalability and resilience to various types of attacks. Common P2P routing algorithms trade-off decentralization for security; for instance by choosing whether or not to require a centralized authority to allow peers to join the network. Other algorithms trade scalability for security, for example employing random search or flooding to prevent certain types of attacks. Our design attempts to meet our security goals in an open system, while limiting the performance penalties incurred. The first step we took towards designing our routing algorithm was an analysis of the routing algorithm in Freenet. This algorithm is relevant because it achieves efficient (order O(log n)) routing in realistic network topologies in a fully decentralized open network. However, we demonstrate why their algorithm is not secure, as malicious participants are able to severely disrupt the operation of the network. The main difficulty with the Freenet routing algorithm is that for performance it relies on information received from untrusted peers. We also detail a range of proposed solutions, none of which we found to fully fix the problem. A related problem for efficient routing in sparsely connected networks is the difficulty in sufficiently populating routing tables. One way to improve connectivity in P2P overlay networks is by utilizing modern NAT traversal techniques. We employ a number of standard NAT traversal techniques in our approach, and also developed and experimented with a novel method for NAT traversal based on ICMP and UDP hole punching. Unlike other NAT traversal techniques ours does not require a trusted third party. Another technique we use in our implementation to help address the connectivity problem in sparse networks is the use of distance vector routing in a small local neighborhood. The distance vector variant used in our system employs onion routing to secure the resulting indirect connections. Materially to this design, we discovered a serious vulnerability in the Tor protocol which allowed us to use a DoS attack to reduce the anonymity of the users of this extant anonymizing P2P network. This vulnerability is based on allowing paths of unrestricted length for onion routes through the network. Analyzing Tor and implementing this attack gave us valuable
One Drop | Mobile: An Evaluation of Hemoglobin A1c Improvement Linked to App Engagement

Background Three recent reviews evaluated 19 studies testing the hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) benefit of 16 diabetes apps, including 5 publicly available apps. Most studies relied on small samples and did not link app engagement with outcomes. Objective This study assessed both HbA1c change in a large sample of people using the One Drop | Mobile app and associations between app engagement and changes in HbA1c. Methods The One Drop | Mobile app for iOS and Android is designed to manually and passively (via Apple HealthKit, Google Fit, and the One Drop | Chrome blood glucose meter) store, track, and share data. Users can schedule medication reminders, view statistics, set goals, track health outcomes, and get data-driven insights. In June 2017, we queried data on people with diabetes using the app who had entered at least 2 HbA1c values in the app >60 and ≤365 days apart. Multiple imputation corrected for missing data. Unadjusted and adjusted mixed effects repeated measures models tested mean HbA1c change by time, diabetes type, and their interaction. Multiple regression models assessed relationships between using the app to track food, activity, blood glucose, and medications and HbA1c change. Results The sample (N=1288) included people with type 1 diabetes (T1D) (n=367) or type 2 diabetes (T2D) (n=921) who were 35% female, diagnosed with diabetes for a mean 9.4 (SD 9.9) years, and tracked an average 1646.1 (SD 3621.9) self-care activities in One Drop | Mobile between their first (mean 8.14% [SD 2.06%]) and second HbA1c entry (mean 6.98% [SD 1.1%]). HbA1c values were significantly associated with user-entered average blood glucose 90 days before the second HbA1c entry (rho=.73 to .75, P<.001). HbA1c decreased by an absolute 1.07% (unadjusted and adjusted F=292.03, P<.001) from first to second HbA1c entry. There was a significant interaction between diabetes type and HbA1c. Both groups significantly improved, but users with T2D had a greater HbA1c decrease over time than users with T1D (F=10.54, P<.001). For users with T2D (n=921), HbA1c decreased by an absolute 1.27% (F=364.50, P<.001) from first to second HbA1c entry. Finally, using One Drop | Mobile to record food was associated with greater HbA1c reductions even after adjusting for covariates and after also adjusting for insulin use for users with T2D (all P<.05). Conclusions People with T1D and T2D reported a 1.07% to 1.27% absolute reduction in HbA1c during a median 4 months of using the One Drop | Mobile app. Using the app to track self-care was associated with improved HbA1c. More research is needed on the health benefits of publicly available diabetes apps, particularly studies associating app engagement with short- and long-term effects.
Evaluation of GMDH and MLP Networks for Prediction of Compressive Strength and Workability of Concrete

Measurement of compressive strength and workability of concrete as the most important mechanical properties of concrete have always been a significant topic to designers. Considering a large number of parameters influencing the mixed design of concrete and the reduction in the number of test samples, today various inferential algorithms are used for discovering relationships, predicting mechanical properties, and identifying nonlinear patterns along with optimizing concrete mixtures. Among these algorithms, artificial neural networks are highly effective and reliable alternative for complicated systems with uncertain structure in which the aim is to obtain different kinds of relationship between the input and output variables with high orders. The methodology used in this study is based on MLP and GMDH artificial neural networks, which lack theoretical basis and are known as inverse engineering (IE) or black box models. To present a model for prediction of these parameters, two artificial neural network approaches were investigated and the performance of GMDH model, when comparing the laboratory results with the predicted values, suggests acceptable accuracy of this model in evaluation of compressive strength and slump.
Weight-loss maintenance 1, 2 and 5 years after successful completion of a weight-loss programme

The objective was to assess weight-loss maintenance in individuals who successfully completed a commercial weight-loss programme at multiple sites in the United States. A total of 699 lifetime members of Weight Watchers represented the national sample and 217 additional lifetime members served as an oversample. Lifetime members were asked to self-report their current weight 1, 2, and 5 years after they had successfully completed the programme. Additional lifetime members served as an oversample whose weights were measured. The discrepancy between reported and measured weight in the oversample was used to adjust the self-reported weights of the national sample. Seventy-one percent of participants were middle-aged or older and 95·3 % were female; their mean starting BMI was 27·6 (sd 3·6) kg/m2. The percentage of Weight Watchers lifetime members who maintained at least 5 % of their weight loss 1, 2 and 5 years after successful completion of the programme was 79·8, 71·0, and 50·0, respectively. The percentage of participants who remained below their goal weight 1, 2 and 5 years after completion of the programme was 26·5, 20·5, and 16·2, respectively. Results obtained with this group of successful Weight Watchers members are not directly comparable to those obtained with clinical samples of obese dieters because the current sample comprises only the most successful Weight Watchers participants. However, these results provide further evidence that maintenance of weight loss in those who successfully lose weight in one commercial weight-loss programme is more feasible than data from clinical populations have suggested.
The impact of self-as-a-model interventions on children's self-regulation of learning and swimming performance

Abstract We compared two self-as-a-model interventions: self-modelling (viewing oneself perform an adaptive behaviour) and self-observation (viewing oneself perform at current skill level). Operating within Zimmerman's (1989, 2000) theory of self-regulated learning, we examined the effect of the modelling interventions on three self-regulatory processes (self-efficacy, intrinsic motivation, and self-satisfaction), as well as physical performance. Thirty-three children were randomly assigned to one of three experimental groups. The two self-as-a model groups received the modelling intervention just before physical practice, whereas the control group received physical practice only. Analyses of the retention scores revealed significant differences for all dependent measures. Post hoc testing showed consistently that the self-modelling group performed better than the self-observation and control groups, and that the two latter groups performing similarly. These results provide support for the implementation of self-modelling interventions with children when teaching motor skills.
Synchronization of Chaotic oscillators by Means of Generalized Proportional Integral Observers

The problem of synchronization of chaotic oscillators, using state observers, is handled through the use of a simplified perturbed linear integration model of the chaotic system output dynamics. The linear simplified model of the chaotic system does not entitle approximate linearizations, nor state coordinate transformations, but, simply, a pure linear integration model with additive unknown but bounded perturbation inputs lumping all the output dynamics nonlinearities. An extended linear state observer (here addressed as Generalized Proportional Integral (GPI) observer) is proposed for the accurate estimation of the phase variables and the perturbation input of the nonlinear output dynamics. The effectiveness of the approach is tested in the synchronization of two study cases: The Genesio–Tesi chaotic system and the Rossler oscillator. As an application of the estimation process, a coding–decoding process involving encrypted messages, in transmitted phase variables, is implemented using a Rossler chaotic system.
Pulmonary responses to nutritional restriction and hyperoxia in premature rabbits.

OBJECTIVES To analyze the effects of nutritional restriction and hyperoxia on lung weight and pulmonary morphometry in premature rabbits during the first 11 days of life. METHODS New Zealand White rabbits were delivered by C-section at 28 days' gestational age and randomized into four groups: control diet and room air, control diet and hyperoxia (> or = 95% O2), nutritional restriction and room air and nutritional restriction and hyperoxia (> or = 95% O2). Nutritional restriction was achieved by reducing all nutrients by 30% in comparison with the control diet. Lung tissue slides were stained with hematoxylin-eosin, modified resorcin-orcein and picrosirius, before morphometric analysis was performed. RESULTS From the fourth day onwards, less weight was gained by the nutritional restriction and hyperoxia group (p < 0.001), and from the sixth day on, by the nutritional restriction and room air group (p < 0.001), in comparison with their respective control groups. Nutritional restriction decreased alveoli number (p < 0.001) and collagen deposition (p < 0.001). Hyperoxia was responsible for reductions in number of alveoli (p < 0.001) and collagen deposition (p < 0.001), in addition to higher mean linear intercept values (p < 0.05) and thickening of alveolar septa (p < 0.001). When nutritional restriction was associated with hyperoxia, the reductions in number of alveoli (p < 0.001) and of collagen deposition (p < 0.001) intensified. CONCLUSIONS Nutritional restriction intensified the changes of pulmonary architecture findings caused by hyperoxia, in particular through alterations to alveolarization and collagen deposition.
Clinico-Pathological Correlation of Urothelial Carcinoma of Urinary Bladder with P 63 and CK 20 Immunostain

Urinary bladder carcinoma is a common cancer in the Indian population in increasing incidence over the past few decades. Most of the tumours of the urinary bladder are urothelial carcinomas, comprising approximately 90% of all primary tumours of this organ. Urothelial carcinoma is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality throughout the world and also in India. The objective is to assess the epidemiological assay of urothelial carcinoma of the bladder and to correlate with clinical and pathological findings, and also to help in accurate diagnosis with respect to grade and invasiveness by using histomorphology and immune markers, thus guiding the treatment protocol. The study was conducted in the Department of Pathology in association with the Department of Urology, IPGME&R, Kolkata, for a duration of 2 years. A total of 100 cases were selected with cystoscopically evident tumour and undergoing Trans Urethral Resection of Bladder Tumour (TURBT). The biopsy samples was collected and further processed in the Department of Pathology. Haematoxylin-eosin and immunostaining with CK20 and p63 were done. Data was analysed by Statistica version 6 Software [Tulsa, Oklahoma: StatSoft Inc., 2001. Fisher’s exact test and Chi square test were conducted to assess relation between categorical variables. Results were considered significant at P<0.05. A total of 100 cases were studied. Most cases were males and in the elderly age group. Most common presenting symptom was haematuria. Smoking history was present in 62% cases. Histologically, 90% cases were Papillary type and invasive at the time of presentation. Most of the invasive cases were of High Grade. The stage and grade of urothelial carcinoma correlated with the extent of CK20 and P63 immunoexpression (p<0.05). In this study in a tertiary care hospital we have studied the relation between different clinical and histological parameters in cases of urinary bladder carcinomas using TURBT specimens.
Pharmacokinetic profile and in vitro selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibition by nimesulide in the dog.

The pharmacokinetic properties and in vitro potency of nimesulide, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) were investigated in 8 or 10 dogs after intravenous (i.v.), intramuscular (i.m.) and oral (single and multiple dose) administrations at the nominal dose of 5 mg/kg. After i.v. administration, the plasma clearance was 15.3 +/- 4.2 mL/kg/h, the steady-state volume of distribution was low (0.18 +/- 0.011 L/kg) and the elimination half-life was 8.5 +/- 2.1 h. After i.m. administration, the terminal half-life was 14.0 +/- 5.3 h indicating a slow process of absorption with a maximum plasma concentration (6.1 +/- 1.5 microg/mL) at 10.9 +/- 2.1 h postadministration and the systemic bioavailability was 69 +/- 22%. After oral administration in fasted dogs, the maximal plasma concentration (10.1 +/- 2.7 microg/mL) was observed 6.1 +/- 1.6 h after drug administration, the plasma half-life was 6.2 +/- 1.9 h and the mean bioavailability was 47 +/- 12%. After daily oral administrations for 5 days, the average plasma concentration during the fifth dosage interval was 8.1 +/- 2.9 microg/mL and the overall bioavailability was 58 +/- 16%. The mean accumulation ratio was 1.27 +/- 0.4. In vitro nimesulide inhibitory potencies for cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and COX-2 isoenzymes were determined using a whole blood assay. Canine clotting blood was used to test for inhibition of COX-1 activity and whole blood stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was used to test for inhibition of COX-2 activity. The inhibitory concentration (IC50) for inhibition of COX-2 and COX-1 were 1.6 +/- 0.4 microM (0.49 +/- 0.12 microg/mL) and 20.3 +/- 2.8 microM (6.3 +/- 0.86 microg/mL) giving a nimesulide COX-1/COX-2 ratio of 12.99 +/- 3.41. It was concluded that at the currently recommended dosage regimen (5 mg/kg), the plasma concentration totally inhibits COX-2 and partly inhibits COX-1 isoenzyme.
Safety of Micafungin in Pediatric Clinical Trials

Background: Pediatric patients with invasive fungal infections are often fragile hosts with multiple underlying conditions. Safety is an important feature of antifungal agents to be used in this setting. This study aims to evaluate safety of micafungin in pediatric patients (<16 years of age), enrolled in different studies including pharmacokinetic evaluations and clinical trials for invasive aspergillosis, candidiasis, and antifungal prophylaxis. Methods: Adverse event (AE) data were pooled from 6 clinical trials conducted in Europe, the Americas, and Asia. Results: A total of 296 patients with a mean ± standard deviation age of 6.5 ± 5.1 years received ≥1 dose of micafungin; 66 were <1 year of age; 38 were premature. Other common underlying conditions were hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (33.8%) and hematologic malignancy (29.1%). Approximately 40% of patients were neutropenic at baseline (absolute neutrophil count <500 cells/mm3). Median daily micafungin dose was 1.7 mg/kg overall (range, 0.4–8.6 mg/kg) and 2.0 mg/kg (range, 0.8–7.7 mg/kg) for neonates <4 weeks old. Median treatment duration was 15 days (range, 1–425 days). During the study, AEs regardless of causality were recorded in 93.2% of subjects; 26.7% were classified as at least possibly related to study drug; and 34% of subjects had AEs meeting criteria for serious AE; of which, 4.7% of subjects experienced serious AEs at least possibly related to study drug. Study drug was discontinued because of AEs in 7 patients (2.4%). No trends were observed with respect to analysis of AEs by dose or duration of treatment. Conclusions: Micafungin was well tolerated by children of all ages including those with life-threatening underlying conditions. AEs thought to be drug related occasionally lead to discontinuation of the treatment.
Modern Imaging Using Computer Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) AU1

Radiologic imaging—especially of the small bowel—plays an important role in the diagnosis and management of patients with inflammatory bowel disease. The radiographic examination of the small intestine with barium either as enteroclysis or as small bowel follow through are still the mainstays in small bowel imaging. However, abdominal CT or MRI, which has the advantage of not utilizing ionizing radiation, or the techniques of CT- or MR-enteroclysis, are overall comparable with regard to the sensitivity and specificity in detecting intestinal pathologies and have already replaced the conventional techniques in centers dedicated to the management of inflammatory bowel disease. Additionally, these cross-sectional imaging techniques provide, in a sense, a “one stop abdominal imaging workup,” the diagnosis of extraluminal disease manifestations or complications. Future developments of CT- or MR-based virtual colonography and endoscopy in patients with inflammatory bowel disease are currently being investigated, but should momentarily be considered as purely experimental approaches.
Prevalence of sensitization to Artemisia allergens Art v 1, Art v 3 and Art v 60 kDa. Cross‐reactivity among Art v 3 and other relevant lipid‐transfer protein allergens

Background Artemisia vulgaris is a widespread weed in the Mediterranean area and several allergens have been detected in its pollen. One of them, Art v 3, belongs to the lipid‐transfer protein (LTP) family and its prevalence in Artemisia‐sensitized patients or its relationship with other LTP allergens is not clear.
Characteristics of binding to estrogen, androgen, progestin, and glucocorticoid receptors in 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene-induced mammary tumors and their hormonal control.

Abstract In order to perform simultaneous measurement of binding of four classes of steroids and facilitate study of their mechanism of action in 7,12-dimethylbenz( a )anthracene-induced mammary tumors in the rat, we have investigated in detail the binding characteristics of 17β-[2,4,6,7,16,17- 3 H]estradiol (17β-[ 3 H]estradiol), 17,21-[6,7- 3 H]dimethyl-19-norpregna-4,9-diene-3,20-dione ([ 3 H]R5020), [ 3 H]dexamethasone (DEX), and 5α-[ 3 H]dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in cytosol prepared from these tumors. Following assessment of optimal buffer composition, separation of bound and free steroids was achieved with dextran-coated charcoal, protamine sulfate, or hydroxylapatite. Using the same buffer and the optimal method of separation for each tracer, we have found that the time course of binding of each labeled steroid was fast, the slowest rate of association being obtained with [ 3 H]DEX ( t ⋍ 100 to 150 min) at 4°. In addition, the level of specific binding of each tracer was stable for a period of at least 21 hr at 4° but decreased markedly at 23° (except with 17β-[ 3 H]estradiol). Complete exchange of the tracer from the binding component was achieved at 4° for [ 3 H]R5020 and at 23° for 17β-[ 3 H]estradiol. Although [ 3 H]DEX dissociated from its binding component at 4°, the receptor complex was unstable during long-term incubations necessary to achieve complete exchange. No significant exchange of [ 3 H]DHT binding occurred at 4°. Using six increasing concentrations of a large series of unlabeled steroids, each tracer showed a high degree of binding specificity. Sucrose gradient analysis performed in low-ionic-strength buffer revealed specific and protamine sulfate-precipitable steroid-binding components migrating in the 8 to 9S area for 17β-[ 3 H]estradiol, 7S and 4 to 5S for [ 3 H]R5020, and 7 to 8S for [ 3 H]DEX and [ 3 H]DHT. Sucrose gradient analysis in a high-ionic-strength buffer (0.4 m KCl) gave only one labeled area (3 to 5S) for each tracer. Scatchard analysis revealed K d 9s of 0.14 nm for 17β-[ 3 H]estradiol, 2.9 nm for [ 3 H]R5020, 13 nm for [ 3 H]DEX, and 0.45 nm for [ 3 H]DHT binding. In a second series of experiments, while adrenalectomy had no effect on the binding of any of the four classes of steroids, 17β-[ 3 H]estradiol, [ 3 H]R5020, and [ 3 H]DHT binding levels were decreased in 7,12-dimethylbenz( a )anthracene-induced mammary tumors after ovariectomy plus adrenalectomy or hypophysectomy, while the binding of [ 3 H]DEX remained unchanged. The present data describe the optimal conditions for simultaneous and specific measurement of binding of four classes of steroids in cytosol from 7,12-dimethylbenz( a )anthracene-induced mammary tumors in the rat. Moreover, as revealed by hypophysectomy, adrenalectomy, and ovariectomy, the levels of the progesterone and glucocorticoid receptors are under different hormonal control.