Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Brain Damage in Relation to Psychiatric Disability After Head Injury

The extent to which psychiatric disability after head injury depends upon the brain damage which has occurred remains a problem of considerable practical and theoretical interest. In 1904 Adolf Meyer saw the need for caution in approaching this question since there was “no direct measure of the damage of a concussion”; similarly in 1945 Denny-Brown saw that the most serious obstacles to better understanding still lay in the difficulty of obtaining a reliable estimate of the severity of injury to the brain and in the impossibility of differentiating clinically between simple skull fracture, laceration or contusion of the brain.
Long-wavelength instability in surface-tension-driven Bénard convection.

Laboratory studies reveal a deformational instability that leads to a drained region (dry spot) in an initially flat liquid layer (with a free upper surface) heated uniformly from below. This long-wavelength instability supplants hexagonal convection cells as the primary instability in viscous liquid layers that are sufficiently thin or are in microgravity. The instability occurs at a temperature gradient 34% smaller than predicted by linear stability theory. Numerical simulations show a drained region qualitatively similar to that seen in the experiment.
Meanings of Being Received and Met by Others as Experienced by Women With Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a common chronic pain syndrome that mostly affects middle-aged women. Our aim with this study was to elucidate meanings of being received and met by others as experienced by women with FM. Interviews with a narrative approach were conducted with 9 women. We analyzed the transcribed interviews with a phenomenological hermeneutical interpretation. The findings revealed two themes: being seen as a malingerer and being acknowledged. Meanings of being received and met by others, as experienced by women with FM, can be understood as a movement between the two perspectives. When they were acknowledged, their feelings of security and trust increased, but the women could not rely on this because others received and met them in such an unpredictable manner.
Proposed HPV vaccine mandates rile health experts across the country.

While the HPV vaccine is being touted by many as one of the greatest breakthroughs in cancer prevention, some public-health experts are concerned that the rush to mandate the vaccine could backfi re. About 20 states have proposed legislation to require adolescent girls to be vaccinated against HPV (human papillomavirus) since Merck’s vaccine was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in June 2006 to prevent cervical cancer. But many state legislators have backed down after parents, advocacy groups, and publichealth offi cials protested the proposed mandates. Many blame Merck’s lobbying efforts for the un precedented push to vaccinate against HPV, while others point to overeager provaccine advocacy groups. Whatever the cause for this political hubbub, the debate has brought HPV vaccination into the national limelight. The problem, some say, is that the controversy is focused on the wrong issues. “This is a marvelous vaccine. And instead of talking about that and how we can try to bring this to everyone who should get it, the discussion has shifted to be about the controversy of mandating vaccines,” said Alan Hinman, M.D., a senior public-health scientist at the Taskforce for Child Survival and Development in Decatur, Ga.
II. Demographic Psychiatric and Physical Factors in Relation to Psychiatric Outcome

Summary One hundred and fifty-six patients with monorrhagia of benign origin were interviewed before hysterectomy, and again six months (n = 147) and 18 months (n = 148) after the operation. Psychiatric outcome, measured in terms of PSE cases detected at 18 months, was strongly associated with pre-operative mental state, neuroticism, previous psychiatric history, and family psychiatric history. No association was found with organic pathology in the uterus, bilateral oophorectomy or demographic variables.
Variability of Genetic Alterations in Different Sites of Head and Neck Cancer

Objective Tumors arising from different sites of the head and neck area have different clinical behavior. However, most of the studies on genetic alterations in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas do not make a distinction between the sites within this area. The objective of this study is to compare the genetic alterations in three different sites of the head and neck (larynx, oropharynx, and hypopharynx).
Dexamethasone augmentation in treatment‐resistant depression

A total of 10 patients who fulfilled DSM‐III‐R criteria for major depression were recruited to the study, each of whom had failed to respond to a 6‐week course of treatment with either sertraline or fluoxetine. Each subject had baseline serum cortisol measurements together with a Hamilton depression (HAMD) score. All patients were started on dexamethasone (3 mg daily) for 4 days, while remaining on their antidepressant treatment. Further Hamilton ratings were made on days 5 and 21. Six patients showed a significant improvement, whilst two showed a minimal response. A good clinical response was associated with a high baseline cortisol level.
T‐Cell and macrophage activation in experimental autoimmune neuritis and Guillain‐Barré syndrome

Evidence implicating cellular immune responses in the pathogenesis of experimental autoimmune neuritis (EAN) and Guillain‐Barré syndrome (GBS) is reviewed. In EAN the decisive role of T‐lymphocytes in the initiation of immune‐mediated nerve damage has been firmly established by adoptive transfer experiments. Macrophages but not Schwann cells express major histocompatibility complex class II gene products in situ and hence may function as antigen presenters. Macrophages are crucial in the amplification and effector phase and damage the myelin sheath by phagocytic attack and release of inflammatory mediators such as toxic oxygen radicals, arachidonic acid metabolites, complement, or hydrolases. Macrophage activation in EAN is achieved by interferon‐γ. Attempts to detect specific sensitization of T‐lymphocytes to nerve antigens in patients with GBS have so far been unsuccessful. However, circulating activated T cells can be found in patients with GBS, as evidenced by augmented expression of HLA‐DR antigen, the transferrin receptor, and the interleukin‐2 receptor on the surface of peripheral blood T cells, and by increased serum concentrations of interleukin‐2 and the soluble interleukin‐2 receptor. In addition, we present data indicating macrophage activation in GBS.
Preparation of nobiletin in self-microemulsifying systems and its intestinal permeability in rats.

PURPOSE The objective of this study was to prepare nobiletin self-microemulsifying drug delivery systems (SMEDDS) and investigate its intestinal transport behavior using the single-pass intestinal perfusion (SPIP) method in rat. METHODS The characterizations of nobiletin SMEDDS were investigated. SPIP was performed in each isolated region of the small intestine (i.e. duodenum, jejunum, ileum and colon) over three concentrations of nobiletin (15, 30 and 60 microg/mL) at a flow rate of 0.2 ml/min. The concentrations of the samples were determined by HPLC and the effective permeability coefficients (Peff) in rats were calculated. Considering the high correlation of rat Peff values with those of human, the human intestinal permeability was predicted using the Lawrence compartment absorption and transit model. The intestinal permeability of nobiletin in SMEDDS, sub-microemulsions and micelles was compared. RESULTS The particle size and zeta potential of nobiletin SMEDDS were (28.6+/-0.3) nm and (-22.6+/-3.5) mV, respectively. The Peff in jejunum at 15 microg/mL was significantly higher than that at 60 microg/mL (p>0.01). The Peff in colon was higher at the same concentration comparing to the other intestinal segments. Moreover, there was no statistical difference in Peff at each same concentration in jejunum, duodenum and ileum. The estimated human absorption of nobiletin for the SMEDDS dilutions was higher than that for sub-microemulsions (p>0.01) and similar to that of the micelles (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS Bases on the above results, the SMEDDS could enhance the intestinal permeability of the nobiletin, and may be presented as potential candidates for improving the oral absorption of the noblietin.
Adaptive heart-noise reduction of lung sounds recorded by a single microphone

When analyzing lung sounds, heart sounds are an unavoidable and sometimes severely disturbing source of noise. An attractive noise-reduction scheme which is able to preserve the entire spectrum of the desired signal is adaptive filtering. However, such a scheme usually requires a second 'noise-only' reference-signal. A new noise-reduction method which needs only a single microphone signal is presented. This algorithm uses adaptive filtering and therefore still preserves the entire spectrum. Results from experiments with healthy subjects indicate that heart-noise reductions by 24 to 49% can be achieved using this method.
Identification of Poly-N-acetylglucosamine as a Major Polysaccharide Component of the Bacillus subtilis Biofilm Matrix*

Background: Bacillus subtilis is a model organism for analyzing bacterial biofilms, but the carbohydrate components are undescribed. Results: Genes in the epsHIJK locus needed for biofilm formation encode proteins synthesizing the conserved bacterial polysaccharide poly-N-acetylglucosamine (PNAG). Conclusion: PNAG is a major carbohydrate component of B. subtilis biofilms. Significance: PNAG production is essential for formation of B. subtilis biofilms. Bacillus subtilis is intensively studied as a model organism for the development of bacterial biofilms or pellicles. A key component is currently undefined exopolysaccharides produced from proteins encoded by genes within the eps locus. Within this locus are four genes, epsHIJK, known to be essential for pellicle formation. We show they encode proteins synthesizing the broadly expressed microbial carbohydrate poly-N-acetylglucosamine (PNAG). PNAG was present in both pellicle and planktonic wild-type B. subtilis cells and in strains with deletions in the epsA–G and -L–O genes but not in strains deleted for epsH–K. Cloning of the B. subtilis epsH–K genes into Escherichia coli with in-frame deletions in the PNAG biosynthetic genes pgaA–D, respectively, restored PNAG production in E. coli. Cloning the entire B. subtilis epsHIJK locus into pga-deleted E. coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, or alginate-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa restored or conferred PNAG production. Bioinformatic and structural predictions of the EpsHIJK proteins suggest EpsH and EpsJ are glycosyltransferases (GT) with a GT-A fold; EpsI is a GT with a GT-B fold, and EpsK is an α-helical membrane transporter. B. subtilis, E. coli, and pga-deleted E. coli carrying the epsHIJK genes on a plasmid were all susceptible to opsonic killing by antibodies to PNAG. The immunochemical and genetic data identify the genes and proteins used by B. subtilis to produce PNAG as a significant carbohydrate factor essential for pellicle formation.
The value of monitoring human papillomavirus DNA results for Papanicolaou tests diagnosed as atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance: a College of American Pathologists Q-Probes study of 68 institutions.

CONTEXT Papanicolaou (Pap) tests are often diagnosed as atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US). Human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA testing has been proposed as a quality metric for this diagnosis. OBJECTIVE To measure the frequency of HPV positivity in Pap tests diagnosed as ASC-US and to examine laboratory variables that are associated with institutional deviation from the mean percent of HPV positivity. DESIGN As part of a College of American Pathologist Q-Probes program, 68 participating laboratories retrospectively identified approximately 50 consecutive ASC-US Pap tests that had HPV testing results. RESULTS The mean percentage of HPV positivity for ASC-US was 43.74% among institutions surveyed, but it had a broad distribution, with an SD of 17.77%. Associations were found for lower difference of the institutional mean from the surveyed interinstitutional mean percentage of positive HPV with (1) higher numbers of Pap tests in the past year that had HPV testing, (2) in-house HPV testing, and (3) teaching hospitals. All 3 factors correlated with a larger volume of Pap tests per institution. An association was found between patient age and the probability of a positive HPV result, indicating a dependence upon prevalence of HPV. CONCLUSIONS Larger volumes of Pap tests may offer an opportunity to gain greater comfort in interpreting Pap tests. While there is significant variability in interinstitutional HPV-positive rates in ASC-US Pap tests, monitoring the HPV-positive rate in ASC-US Pap tests is a valuable broad measure of quality. Performance beyond 2 SDs of the mean should prompt reassessment of diagnostic criteria used in the evaluation of Pap tests and/or investigation of the prevalence of HPV positivity in the population from which the Pap tests are obtained.
Pre‐ and post‐diagnostic beta‐blocker use and prognosis after colorectal cancer: Results from a population‐based study

Recent experimental and epidemiological studies have suggested that beta‐blocker use might be associated with better cancer prognosis, but results were inconclusive and only few studies have investigated the association specifically for colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. We investigated this hypothesis using a linked dataset of the Eindhoven area of the Netherlands Cancer Registry and the PHARMO record linkage, including patients diagnosed with CRC between 1998 and 2011. Eligible patients were matched on propensity scores to control for potential confounders such as socio‐demographic factors, comorbidity, cancer treatment and use of other medications. Controls were subsequently restricted to active comparators. The association between pre‐diagnostic and time‐dependent post‐diagnostic beta‐blocker use and overall survival was estimated using Cox proportional hazard regression models. Subgroup analyses by cancer site and stage and by beta‐blocker type were conducted. Of 8,100 CRC patients with a median follow‐up of 6.6 years, 1,813 (22%) used beta‐blockers prior to diagnosis. In multivariate analysis, we observed no significant association in overall mortality for pre‐diagnostic [hazard ratio 1.07, 95% confidence interval (0.96‐1.19)] and post‐diagnostic [1.10 (0.98‐1.23)] beta‐blocker use, respectively. Analyses by beta‐blocker type, by cancer site, cancer stage and by cumulative dose showed no significant survival improvements for beta‐blocker users. However, there was a significant association between cumulative duration of use of 1‐12 months and increased overall mortality [1.20 (1.03‐1.39)]. Thus, our results do not support the hypothesis of a beneficial effect of pre‐ or post‐diagnostic beta‐blocker intake on CRC prognosis, neither for specific patient subgroups nor for specific types of beta‐blockers.
Epidemiology and clinical presentation of respiratory syncytial virus infection in a rural area of southern Mozambique

Background. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) in infants throughout most of the world, but little is known about RSV infection in Africa where LRTI are among the leading causes of infant and childhood death. Methods. The study took place in a rural district hospital in southern Mozambique between October, 1998, and May, 2000. From all children (n = 5635) <1 year of age presenting to an outpatient department with cough or nasal secretion and all children (n = 1307) <5 years of age admitted to hospital with a LRTI, a nasopharyngeal aspirate was collected and tested for RSV by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Abbott). Results. RSV infection was found in 8.6% of study infants in the outpatient department and 10.6% of admitted children with LRTI. Cases presented in predictable yearly outbreaks during the warm and rainy season. Lower respiratory tract involvement was frequent (59.7%). Cough, chest indrawing and increased respiratory rate were all independently related to RSV infection. Wheezing was infrequent. Bacterial coinfection (4.6%) and the case-fatality rate (3.4%) were low. Conclusions. There is a substantial burden of disease attributable to RSV infection in this rural African setting, with the highest incidence and severity occurring in young infants.
Competing "Creatively" in Sponsored Search Markets: The Effect of Rank, Differentiation Strategy, and Competition on Performance

Although efficiency-enhancing features of online markets have been well studied, much less is known about firms' differentiation strategies in these competitive markets or the outcomes of such differentiation. This study examines competition among firms in online sponsored search markets---one of the fastest growing and most competitive of online markets. We develop and test a model that predicts the clickthrough rate (CTR) of a seller's listing in a sponsored search setting. Drawing on consumer search theory and competitive positioning strategies, we theorize that CTR is jointly driven by a seller's positioning strategy as reflected by the unique selling proposition (USP) in its “ad creative,” by its rank in a sponsored search listing, and by the nature of competition around the focal firm's listing. We use data from a field experiment conducted by a leading firm in the mortgage industry where the firm varied its rank and USP dynamically. Results suggest that sponsored search listings can act as effective customer segmentation mechanisms, consistent with a model of consumer search in directional markets. We further find that the effect on CTR of a firm's positioning strategy and its rank in a listing is strongly moderated by its ability to differentiate itself from adjacent rivals. We discuss the implications of our findings for sellers' strategies in sponsored search markets and for extending the understanding of consumer search behavior in directional markets.
Digital game-based teaching in Visual Basic program design of agricultural universities: Application and impact on education effectiveness

Visual Basic program design is a required course in Chinese agricultural universities. Considering the professional uniqueness of university students, digital game-based teaching method has been applied in the course of Visual Basic program design. The education effectiveness of the digital game-based teaching was analyzed in a survey with 282 participants in Qingdao Agricultural University. The research results show that digital game-based teaching is significantly effective in improving students' learning outcomes of Visual basic program design.
Phonons in single-layer and few-layer MoS2

We report ab initio calculations of the phonon dispersion relations of the single-layer and bulk dichalcogenides MoS2 and WS2. We explore in detail the behavior of the Raman-active modes A1g and E 1 2g as a function of the number of layers. In agreement with recent Raman spectroscopy measurements [C. Lee et al., ACS Nano 4, 2695 (2010)], we find that the A1g mode increases in frequency with an increasing number of layers while the E 1g mode decreases. We explain this decrease by an enhancement of the dielectric screening of the long-range Coulomb interaction between the effective charges with a growing number of layers. This decrease in the long-range part overcompensates for the increase of the short-range interaction due to the weak interlayer interaction.
Solving the paradox of the inconsistent size dependence of thermal stability at device and chip-level in perpendicular STT-MRAM

Current understanding of thermal stability of perpendicular STT-MRAM based on device-level data suggests that the thermal stability factor A is almost independent of device diameter above ~30nm. Here we report that contrary to this conventional wisdom, chip-level data retention exhibits substantial size dependence for diameters between 55 and 100 nm. We show that the method widely used to measure A is inaccurate for devices larger than ~30 nm, leading to significant underestimation of the size dependence. We derive an improved model, allowing us to reconcile the size dependence of A measured at device and chip level.
Robust Design for robustness of design variables

There are a lot of studies on Robust Design which treat robucstness only for objective function and/or for considering not to break constraints. But most likely, we would like to have solution which are unchanged even with small perturbation in design conditions such as design parameters. The word “Unchange” means results of the robust design which should be expressed as design variables keep unchanged with these perturbations. In this study, we treat these problems and shows basic difficulties and the method of robust design by thinking of the processes of optimization.
Transactional Distance And Autonomy In A Distance Learning Environment

Abstract This paper studies the transactional distance between the students and the tutor as well as the autonomy of students in a postgraduate course of the Hellenic Open University (HOU). The aim of the paper is to examine how the relation between autonomy and transactional distance evolves during an academic year and how this relation is affected by demographic parameters, such as gender, age group and student experience (year of studies). For this purpose an empirical research was conducted and a sample of postgraduate students responded to a questionnaire (which included a scale for transactional distance, a scale for autonomy and demographic questions) during two different time periods within an academic (2012-2013). The results of the statistical analysis showed that during the evolution of the learning process there was a small change in transactional distance, especially for the dimension of co-understanding, while there was also a change in one of the dimensions of autonomy, namely sensitivity to others. However, no relation was observed between transactional distance and autonomy, ether in the first or the second measurement during the academic year. This finding is also regarded in the overall framework of the different critiques and interpretations of Moore’s theory.
Kirchhoff index of hexagonal Möbius graphs

We study the Kirchhoff index on hexagonal Möbius graphs HM<inf>n</inf>. Due to the Laplacian polynomial decomposition theorem, the Laplacian spectrum of HM<inf>n</inf> consists of the Laplacian spectrum of cycle C<inf>2n</inf> and eigenvalues of a symmetric quasi-tridiagonal matrix L<inf>S</inf> of order 2n. Finally, an evident formula for Kirchhoff index of HM<inf>n</inf> is given in terms of the index n.