Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Progresses in treating agitation: a major clinical challenge in Alzheimer’s disease

Introduction: Treatment of neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) represents a major clinical challenge in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Agitation and aggression are frequently seen during institutionalization and increase patient morbidity and mortality and caregiver burden. Off-label use of atypical antipsychotics for treating agitation in AD showed only modest clinical benefits, with high side-effect burden and risk of mortality. Non-pharmacological treatment approaches have become the preferred first-line option. When such treatment fails, pharmacological options are often used. Therefore, there is an urgent need to identify effective and safe pharmacological treatments for efficiently treating agitation and aggression in AD and dementia. Areas covered: Emerging evidence on the neurobiological substrates of agitation in AD has led to several recent clinical trials of repositioned and novel therapeutics for these NPS in dementia as an alternative to antipsychotics. We operated a comprehensive literature search for published articles evaluating pharmacological interventions for agitation in AD, with a review of recent clinical trials on mibampator, dextromethorphan/quinidine, cannabinoids, and citalopram. Expert opinion: Notwithstanding the renewed interest for the pharmacological treatment of agitation in AD, progresses have been limited. A small number and, sometimes methodologically questionable, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have produced disappointing results. However, recently completed RCTs on novel or repositioned drugs (mibampator, dextromethorphan/quinidine, cannabinoids, and citalopram) showed some promise in treating agitation in AD, but still with safety concerns. Further evidence will come from ongoing Phase II and III trials on promising novel drugs for treating these distressing symptoms in patients with AD and dementia.
Auditory Awakening Thresholds in Rem and Nrem Sleep Stages

The auditory awakening thresholds of the major electroencephalographically defined sleep stages were compared. A modification of the method of constant stimuli was used in an apparently successful attempt to minimize the incorporation of the experimental stimuli into the mental activity of the sleeper. A total of 319 experimental trials were distributed among seven human Ss who served for about six experimental nights each. The sequence and timing of experimental trials were counterbalanced to control for nights, habituation, amount of accumulated sleep, and amount of sleep since last awakening. The results showed approximately equal awakening thresholds during REM periods (the rapid eye movement stage of sleep) and stage 2 (low voltage EEG and 12 to 14 cps “sleep spindles”). Both these stages had lower awakening thresholds than delta sleep (large slow EEG waves). Awakening thresholds became lower with accumulated sleep, independent of sleep stage. There were no significant stage independent relationships between awakening threshold and time since last awakening or time since last body movement, although the latter were varied over a relatively narrow range which limits the generality of these findings. There was no stage independent relationship between heart rate and awakening threshold. The possible physiological determinants of the awakening response were discussed.
Systematic review of randomized trials comparing rubber band ligation with excisional haemorrhoidectomy

This review compares the two most popular treatments for haemorrhoids, namely rubber band ligation (RBL) and excisional haemorrhoidectomy. Randomized trials were identified from the major electronic databases. Symptom control, retreatment, postoperative pain, complications, time off work and patient satisfaction were assessed. Relative risk (RR) and weighted mean difference with 95 per cent confidence interval (c.i.) were estimated using a random‐effects model for dichotomous and continuous outcomes respectively.
Arg-Gingipain A DNA Vaccine Induces Protective Immunity against Infection by Porphyromonas gingivalis in a Murine Model

ABSTRACT Arginine-specific cysteine proteinases (RgpA and RgpB) produced by the periodontal pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis are suspected virulence factors and are involved in interrupting host defense mechanisms as well as in penetrating and destroying periodontal connective tissues. To induce a protective immune response againstP. gingivalis, we constructed an rgpA DNA vaccine. BALB/c mice were immunized intradermally by Gene Gun with plasmid DNA carrying rgpA. Antibody responses againstP. gingivalis were determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The rgpA DNA vaccine induced high levels of serum antibodies against P. gingivalis. Sera from the rgpA DNA vaccine-immunized mice diminished the proteolytic activity of RgpA and RgpB and inhibited the binding ofP. gingivalis to a type I collagen sponge. Moreover, the sera effectively reduced the hemagglutination of P. gingivalis, indicating that the hemagglutinin activity of the organism is associated with RgpA. We found with a murine abscess model that mice immunized with the rgpA DNA vaccine were resistant to an invasive P. gingivalis W50 challenge. These results suggest that the rgpA DNA vaccine induced specific antibodies against the enzyme and that this vaccine could confer protective immunity against P. gingivalis infection.
Educational Attainment, Positive Psychological Mediators, and Resources for Health and Vitality in Older Adults

Objectives: To further explain the relationship of education to health by a prospective examination of positive psychological states as mediators. Furthermore, to examine the resources of desirable events, self-esteem, and social support as possible mediators between positive psychological states and subsequent health and vitality. Methods: Four in-home interviews were conducted at 6-month intervals with a probability sample of 1,277 older adults (aged 55 and older); multiple regression was used to estimate mediating effects. Results: Positive states mediated the education relationship to both symptoms and vitality, independent of negative states; the resource measures did not mediate the positive state-health relationship. Discussion: Higher education level appears to increase the likelihood of being serene and happy, and healthy and vital, in later years; positive psychological states appeared to have both a promotion function (for vitality) and protective function (against health symptoms); self-esteem showed promise as a possible mediator of the effects of psychological states on health.
[Efficacy observation on application of negative pressure therapy in the treatment of superficial partial-thickness scald wound in children].

OBJECTIVE To observe the effect of negative pressure therapy in the treatment of superficial partial-thickness scald in children. METHODS Three hundred and seven children with superficial partial-thickness scald hospitalized from August 2009 to May 2012 were divided into negative pressure therapy group (NPT, n = 145) and control group (C, n = 162) according to the random number table. Patients in group NPT were treated with negative pressure from within post injury day (PID) 3 to PID 9 (with -16 kPa pressure), while traditional occlusive dressing method was used in group C. Changes in body temperature, wound healing condition, frequency of dressing change were compared between group NPT and group C. Bacterial culture results of wounds were compared before and after treatment in group NPT. Volume of drained transudate per one percent of wound area was recorded in group NPT on PID 1 to PID 3. Data were processed with t test or chi-square test. RESULTS The incidence of high fever was significantly lower in group NPT (26.9%, 39/145) than in group C (63.6%, 103/162, χ(2) = 41.419, P < 0.01). On PID 9, complete wound epithelization was observed in 138 patients in group NPT, and in 7 patients there were a few residual wounds which healed after dressing change for 2 days. The wound healing time of patients in group NPT [(9.2 ± 0.6) d] was obviously shorter than that in group C [(10.1 ± 1.6) d, t = 6.895, P < 0.01]. The frequency of dressing change among patients in group NPT [(2.05 ± 0.22) times] was significantly decreased as compared with that in group C [(4.82 ± 0.81) times, t = 39.878, P < 0.01]. Bacteria were found in wound secretion of seventeen patients in group NPT before treatment, while no bacterium was discovered in all patients after treatment. Volumes of drainage fluid in group NPT were proportional to wound areas, which were respectively (9.8 ± 3.2), (6.2 ± 2.1), (4.1 ± 1.6) mL per one percent of wound area on PID 1, 2, and 3. CONCLUSIONS NPT can decrease times of dressing change, and alleviate infection and inflammatory response by drainage of transudate, which promotes wound healing at last. NPT is proved to be a safe and effective approach for treatment of children with superficial partial-thickness scald.
Students Social Based Mobility Model for MANET-DTN Networks

In the real world, wireless mobile devices are carried by humans. For this reason, it is useful if mobility models as simulation tools used to test routing protocols and other MANET-DTN features follow the behaviour of humans. In this paper, we propose a new social based mobility model called Students Social Based Mobility Model (SSBMM). This mobility model is inspired by the daily routine of student’s life. Since many current social based mobility models give nodes freedom in terms of movement according to social feeling and attractivity to other nodes or places, we focus more on the mandatory part of our life, such as going to work and school. In the case of students, this mandatory part of their life is studying in university according to their schedule. In their free time, they move and behave according to attractivity to other nodes or places of their origin. Finally, proposed SSBMM was tested and verified by Tools for Evaluation of Social Relation in Mobility Models and compared with random based mobility models. At the end, SSBMM was simulated to examine the impact of social relations on routing protocols.
Effects of a Regional Chinese Diet on Proliferation of Human Esophageal Cancer Cell Line Eca-109 by a Sero-Physiology Method

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is prevalent in Yanting (YT) country located in southwestern China. Residents in the YT region have an unusual diet pattern and the role of the YT diet on the risk of ESCC is still uncertain. The present study was to examine the possible effects of sera from rats fed with the YT diet on proliferation of human esophageal cancer cell line Eca-109 by means of a sero-physiology approach. Firstly, two feasibilities were assessed to set up the sero-physiology method. We found that rats fed with a human adult diet in Chengdu region (ESCC-low-risk-area) for 30d had very close body weight gains in comparison with the control rats fed with the conventional diet, confirming the feasibility of feeding rats with a human diet without affecting their normal growth. Cell growth results showed that 5% non-deactivated rat serum had exactly the same effect on the proliferation of Eca-109 cells compared with the fetal bovine sera (FBS) control, confirming the feasibility of cultivating Eca-109 cells with the rat serum instead of FBS. Subsequently, cell proliferation results indicated that rats’ sera fed with the YT diet significantly promoted Eca-109 cells proliferation but inhibited human normal liver epithelial cell line control HL7702 proliferation, whereas rats’ sera fed with the Chengdu diet didn't have these effects on the two cell lines. The different effects of the two human diets on proliferation of Eca-109 cells demonstrated that the sero-physiology method is effective in studying the relationship between diet and cancer, and there maybe exist cancer-promoting factors in the YT diet.
The Molecular Architecture of Axonemes Revealed by Cryoelectron Tomography

Eukaryotic flagella and cilia are built on a 9 + 2 array of microtubules plus >250 accessory proteins, forming a biological machine called the axoneme. Here we describe the three-dimensional structure of rapidly frozen axonemes from Chlamydomonas and sea urchin sperm, using cryoelectron tomography and image processing to focus on the motor enzyme dynein. Our images suggest a model for the way dynein generates force to slide microtubules. They also reveal two dynein linkers that may provide “hard-wiring” to coordinate motor enzyme action, both circumferentially and along the axoneme. Periodic densities were also observed inside doublet microtubules; these may contribute to doublet stability.
Intraobserver and Interobserver Reliability of the Kneeling Technique of Stress Radiography for the Evaluation of Posterior Knee Laxity

Background Stress radiography provides an objective tool to measure posterior knee instability. Intraobserver and interobserver reliability has been reported for the Telos device, but it has not been studied using the kneeling technique. Purpose This study was conducted to evaluate the intraobserver and interobserver reliability of measurements made using kneeling stress radiography to quantify posterior knee instability. Study Design Case series (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 4. Methods One hundred thirty-two stress radiographs in 44 patients with suspected posterior knee instability were prospectively taken using the kneeling technique. The amount of posterior displacement on the radiographs was then measured independently by 3 blinded testers (an orthopaedic sports medicine faculty member, an orthopaedic chief resident, and a medical student) on 2 separate occasions. Changes in mean and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were examined to assess the intraobserver and interobserver reliability of the measurements. Results Intraobserver changes in displacement means were small (−0.307 mm, −0.294 mm, and +0.035 mm) and only significant for observer 1. The combined intraobserver ICC was 0.973 for the 3 observers (0.976, 0.959, and 0.981). Interobserver comparisons revealed significant differences in trial 1 between observers 2 and 3 (0.675 mm), no differences in trial 2, and significant differences between observers 1 and 2 (0.333 mm) and observers 2 and 3 (0.510 mm) in the combined trial data. The combined interobserver ICC was 0.955 for the 3 observers (0.959 and 0.951 for the 2 trials). Conclusions The kneeling technique for posterior cruciate ligament stress radiography provides a reproducible method to quantify posterior knee instability.
Of Caucasians, Asians, and Giraffes

Past research has indicated that social projection is moderated by categorization, with more projection onto ingroups than onto outgroups. However, a few studies have reported elevated levels of projection even onto outgroups. In line with recent evidence, we hypothesized that positive target valence is the key feature of conditions that elicit projection onto outgroups. The present research extends previous findings by testing whether the effect of valence occurs independent of categorization, with increased levels of projection onto positive ingroup and non-ingroup targets alike. We designed two experiments in which target valence was manipulated by means of evaluative conditioning. Category membership was varied by using faces of Caucasians, Asians, and giraffes. The results supported our valence hypothesis. Counter-intuitively, we also found higher levels of projection onto giraffes than onto humans. These findings suggest that current cognition-based models of projection are not sufficient to account for the whole range of projection phenomena.
Predictors of math anxiety and its influence on young adolescents' course enrollment intentions and performance in mathematics

We used structural modeling procedures to assess the influence of past math grades, math ability perceptions, performance expectancies, and value perceptions on the level of math anxiety reported in a sample of 7th- through 9th-grade students (N = 250). A second set of analyses examined the relative influence of these performance, self-perception, and affect variables on students' subsequent grades and course enrollment intentions in mathematics. The findings indicated that math anxiety was most directly related to students' math ability perceptions, performance expectancies, and value perceptions. Students' performance expectancies predicted subsequent math grades, whereas their value perceptions predicted course enrollment intentions. Math anxiety did not have significant direct effects on either grades or intentions. The findings also suggested that the pattern of relations are similar for boys and girls. The results are discussed in relation to expectancy-value and self-efficacy theories of academic achievement. A strong background in mathematics is critical for many career and job opportunities in today's increasingly technological society. However, many academically capable students prematurely restrict their educational and career options by discontinuing their mathematical training early in high school. Several recent surveys (National Assessment of Educational Progress [NAEP], 1988; National Center for Educational Statistics [NCES], 1984) indicate that only half of all high school graduates enroll in mathematics courses beyond the 10th grade. These reports also indicate that fewer women than men enroll in the more advanced courses in high school mathematics (NAEP, 1988; NCES, 1984), although the "gender gap" is beginning to narrow (Chipman & Thomas, 1985; Eccles, 1987). Furthermore, students of both sexes, but particularly women, do not attain a high level of mathematical competency, even if they have completed 4 years of high school math (NAEP, 1988).
Embryonic (PSA) N‐CAM reveals chains of migrationg neuroblasts between the lateral ventricle and the olfactory bulb of adult mice

In the brain of adult mice, cell division persists in the subventricular zone (SVZ) of the lateral ventricles. These SVZ cells migrate rostrally 3–5 mm to the olfactory bulb, where they differentiate into neurons. We have investigated the distribution of PSA‐N‐CAM in the adult mouse forebrain. Immunoreactivity for PSA‐N‐CAM precisely reveals the migratory pathway of SVZ cells. This pathway of PSA‐N‐CAM positive cells starts in the lateral wall of the lateral ventricle, where immunopositive cells form weblike patterns. The PSA‐N‐CAM positive pathway extends rostrally between the corpus callosum and the striatum into the anterior ventral telencephalon, and then into the core of the olfactory bulb. Experiments in which [3H]‐thymidine was injected systemically indicated that the majority of the dividing cells on the SVZ of the lateral ventricle and along the migratory pathway are positive to PSA‐N‐CAM or closly associated with PSA‐N‐CAM. Microinjection of [3H]‐thymidine into the SVZ of the lateral ventricle to label a small patch of dividing SVZ cells shows that neuroblasts that migrated away from the injection site are positive or are closely associated with other cells that are positive for PSA‐N‐CAM. Migrating cells are tethered together, forming long chains of immunopositive cells. The migratory pathway is formed by 30–40 of these immunopositive chains. Radially oriented individual PSA‐N‐CAM positive cells were observed in the olfactory bulb. These cells seem to have broken away from chains of immunopositive cells in the core of the olfactory bulb and to be migrating to more superficial layers. Little is known about the mechanisms of tangential migration during development and in adulthood. The cell‐cell arrangement revealed by PSA‐N‐CAM staining suggests new models for this form of neuronal migration. PSA‐N‐CAM staining suggests new models for this form of neuronal migration. PSA‐N‐CAM localization along the migratory pathway to the olfactory bulb suggests that in the adult brain this molecule plays a role in migration of neuronal precursors. © 1995 Willy‐Liss, Inc.
The Impact of Gender on Voluntary and Involuntary Executive Departure

"We examine the frequency and conditions of executive departure from S&P 1500 firms. Based upon published news reports, we find that female executives are more likely than male executives to depart their positions voluntarily and involuntarily in the presence of controls for firm performance, firm governance, and human capital. We also find that women are less likely than men to depart voluntarily as firm size increases or board size decreases but more likely to be dismissed as the board becomes more male dominated. "("JEL" G30, G32, G34, J44) Copyright (c) 2009 Western Economic Association International.
Your WiFi Is Leaking: Inferring Private User Information Despite Encryption

This thesis describes how wireless networks can inadvertently leak and broadcast users' personal information despite the correct use of encryption. Users would likely assume that their activities (for example, the program or app they are using) and personal information (including age, religion, sexuality and gender) would remain confidential when using an encrypted network. However, we demonstrate how the analysis of encrypted traffic patterns can allow an observer to infer potentially sensitive data remotely, passively, undetectably, and without any network credentials. Without the ability to read encrypted WiFi traffic directly, the limited side-channel data available is processed. Following an investigation to determine what information is available and how it can be represented, it was determined that the comparison of various permutations of timing and frame size information is sufficient to distinguish specific user activities. The construction of classifiers via machine learning (Random Forests) utilising this side-channel information represented as histograms allows for the detection of user activity despite WiFi encryption. Studies showed that Skype voice traffic could be identified despite being interleaved with other activities. A subsequent study then demonstrated that mobile apps could be individually detected and, concerningly, used to infer potentially sensitive information about users due to their personalised nature. Furthermore, a full prototype system is developed and used to demonstrate that this analysis can be performed in real-time using low-cost commodity hardware in real-world scenarios. Avenues for improvement and the limitations of this approach are identified, and potential applications for this work are considered. Strategies to prevent these leaks are discussed and the effort required for an observer to present a practical privacy threat to the everyday WiFi user is examined.