Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS): Revisited

To evaluate psychometric properties of DASS, data obtained from 850 university students (Men = 306, women = 533, 11 cases did not report their sex) were analyzed. For men average age was 22.13 (SD = 2.27) and for women the mean age was 21.63 (SD = 1.79). Coefficient alphas for Depression, Anxiety, Stress subscales and full Scale (DASS-42) were . 88, . 85, . 86, and . 95 respectively and for DASS-21 these values were . 79, . 70, . 76, and . 89. For the total sample correlations among DASS-42 subscales were . 75 to . 81 and among DASS-21 subscales correlations were . 61 to . 67. For women correlations among DASS-42 subscales were . 73 to . 80 and among DASS-21 subscales correlations were . 59 t0 . 65 and for men these correlations were . 77 to . 83 and . 63 to . 70 respectively. Corrected item-total correlations and the correlations between each item and DASS subscales were within acceptable boundaries. This was true for both DASS-42 and DASS-21. All the correlations were significant (p < .0001). Principal component analysis with varimax rotation did not result in simple factor structure for any of the three subscales. Very few items loaded only on their corresponding factors. Most items loaded on two factors. Some items loaded on three factors also. The overall results indicate that for assessing depression, anxiety, and stress of Malaysian population DASS is a reliable and valid instrument. However, locally translated and adapted version of DASS is likely to serve better. Discussion includes implications of these findings.
Availability of a virtual learning environment does not compensate for the lack of a physical facility

A virtual learning environment (VLE), including access to on-line journals, was set up in support of a new medical curriculum delivered at two campuses. We evaluated student perceptions and use of the VLE including the library facilities using several qualitative and quantitative data methods and the results were triangulated. Paper copies of set texts are provided at each site; however, one site also has a traditional library for the training of professions allied to medicine. As the teaching was identical at each site, this gave us the opportunity for a study exploring the effect of having a physical library facility on the use of the VLE. Although ten-fold more loans were made from the library with the medical sources than from the other site, use of the VLE was very similar at both sites, suggesting that reduced access to hard copy books and journals was not compensated for by increased use of electronic library resources. As expected, training, ease of navigation and access to the VLE were very important to student satisfaction.
Immigrant Health--Selectivity and Acculturation

This paper explores some salient issues concerning immigrant health. Ethnic health disparities are inherently linked to immigration since ethnic identities often are traced to the country of origin of one's immigrant ancestors. Two of the central questions that have dominated the medical and social science literature on immigrant health are the central focus of this paper. These issues involve the magnitude and mechanisms shaping health selectivity and the determinants of health trajectories following immigration. As part of this paper, we also developed a theoretical model that attempts to explain the diversity in health selection among immigrants.
Rapid automatized naming and reading fluency in children with learning difficulties

Heikkila, Riikka Rapid automatized naming and reading fluency in children with learning difficulties Jyvaskyla: University of Jyvaskyla, 2015, 82 p. (Jyvaskyla Studies in Education, Psychology and Social Research ISSN 0075-4625; 523) ISBN 978-951-39-6187-9 (nid.) ISBN 978-951-39-6188-6 (PDF) This research evaluated the ability to retrieve and fluently name serially presented familiar items, known as rapid automatized naming (RAN), as an underlying skill in reading disability and its role in a reading fluency intervention. The specificity of RAN on reading was examined in two studies among children with learning difficulties. These two studies showed that RAN was most strongly related to reading disabilities (RD), and less clearly related to math or attention deficits. This was especially true when RD was defined as reading speed or fluency. The association between RAN and RD was also examined within the framework of the double-deficit hypothesis (DDH), in which RAN is assumed to contribute independently to RD along with phonological awareness. The results among children with learning difficulties supported the DDH in that RAN was not related to phonological awareness but had a unique connection with reading fluency and speed. Children with double-deficit performed poorer in reading and spelling skills compared to the groups with a single deficit or controls. The reading fluency intervention, conducted among children with poor reading skill, showed significant effects on the repeated recognition of sublexical units (syllables). Moreover, a wordlevel transfer effect, which was also the strongest syllable-level intervention effect, was found for infrequent syllables. Reading fluency gains were greatest for the children with the lowest pre-intervention reading skills. The results showed that although RAN was associated with initial reading speed, it did not have an effect on the intervention gains. These studies strengthen the role of RAN as an independent skill underlying reading disabilities in a transparent language (Finnish) where reading disabilities are most strongly manifested as dysfluent reading. While comorbid learning problems were common and should be acknowledged in the assessment and intervention of reading, the slow naming speed found here indicated deficits specific to reading fluency. Despite the persistent nature of naming and reading fluency deficits, reading fluency does not seem to be resistant to intervention even when accompanied with naming speed deficits.
Gait Analysis Using a Wireless Shoe-Integrated Sensor System

This paper describes a wireless wearable system capable of measuring many parameters relevant to gait analysis, and developed to provide quantitative analysis of gait outside of the confines of the traditional motion laboratory. The extensive sensor suite includes three orthogonal accelerometers, and three orthogonal gyroscopes, four force sensors, two bi-directional bend sensors, two dynamic pressure sensors, as well as electric field height sensors. The "GaitShoe" was built to be worn on any athletic shoe, without interfering with gait, and was designed to collect data unobtrusively, in any environment, and over long periods of time. The calibrated sensor outputs were analyzed and validated with results obtained simultaneously from The Massachusetts General Hospital Biomotion Lab during subject testing. The GaitShoe proved highly capable of detecting heel strike and toe off, as well as estimating orientation and position of the subject.
Secure Spread Spectrum Communication Using Ultrawideband Random Noise Signals

Ultrawideband (UWB) random noise signals provide secure communications because they cannot, in general, be detected using conventional receivers and are jam-resistant. We describe the theoretical underpinnings of a novel spread spectrum technique that can be used for covert communications using transmissions over orthogonal polarization channels. The technique is based on the use of heterodyne correlation techniques to inject coherence in a random noise signal. The transmitted signal is featureless and appears unpolarized and noise-like; thus linearly polarized receivers are unable to identify, detect, or otherwise extract useful information from the signal. The system is immune from interference caused by high power linearly polarized signals. Dispersive effects caused by the atmosphere and other factors are significantly reduced since both polarization channels operate over the same frequency band. Our results indicate that the proposed scheme can recover voice and data signals with superior fidelity. Simulations show that we can achieve BER values of 10 at an SNR of around -6 dB without channel coding and BER values sufficient for data and video at much lower SNRs when channel coding is employed, which indicates excellent performance under covert conditions such as operating under the enemy receiver's thermal noise floor. We also show preliminary field test results with the baseband processing implemented within a software defined radio architecture that clearly validate the system concept
Effects of meiosis‐inhibiting agents and equine chorionic gonadotropin on nuclear maturation of canine oocytes

Experiments were conducted to determine the effects of meiosis‐inhibiting‐agents and gonadotropins on nuclear maturation of canine oocytes. The culture medium was TCM199 + 10 ng/ml epidermal growth factor supplemented with 25 μM β‐mercaptoethanol, 0.25 mM pyruvate, and 1.0 mM L‐glutamine (Basal TCM). Initially, oocytes were cultured in Basal TCM alone or in Basal TCM + dibutylryl cyclic adenosine monophosphate (0.5, 1, 5, or 10 mM dbcAMP) for 24 hr. Dibutylryl cAMP inhibited resumption of meiosis in a dose‐dependent manner; 60% of oocytes remained at the germinal vesicle (GV) stage after being cultured for 24 hr in 5 mM dbcAMP. The meiosis‐inhibitory effect of dbcAMP appeared to be reversible, as the oocytes resumed meiosis and completed nuclear maturation after being cultured for an additional 48 hr in its absence. Oocytes were then cultured in Basal TCM alone or in Basal TCM + roscovitine (12.5, 25, or 50 μM) for 24 hr. Although ∼60% of oocytes cultured in 25 μM roscovitine remained at the GV stage, this percentage was not significantly different from the 48% that also remained at the GV stage when cultured in its absence. Oocytes were cultured in Basal TCM + 25 μM roscovitine for 17 hr, exposed briefly to equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG), and then cultured in Basal TCM for 48 hr. Short exposure of oocytes to eCG was beneficial, as it significantly increased the proportion of oocytes developing beyond germinal vesicle breakdown (P < 0.05) with ∼20–30% of these were metaphase I (MI) oocytes. Study of the kinetics of nuclear maturation demonstrated that large numbers of oocytes remained at MI even after being cultured for 52 hr following brief exposure to eCG. This study showed that in vitro maturation of canine oocytes can be somewhat improved by short exposure of oocytes to eCG. However, further studies are still required to derive effective methods to mature canine oocytes in vitro. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 65: 435–445, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Long noncoding RNA: a crosslink in biological regulatory network

&NA; Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) had been defined as a novel class of functional RNAs longer than 200 nucleotides around a decade ago. It is widely acknowledged that lncRNAs play a significant role in regulation of gene expression, but the biological and molecular mechanisms are diverse and complex, and remain to be determined. Especially, the regulatory network of lncRNAs associated with other biological molecules is still a controversial matter, thus becoming a new frontier of the studies on transcriptome. Recent advance in high‐throughput sequencing technologies and bioinformatics approaches may be an accelerator to lift the mysterious veil. In this review, we will outline well‐known associations between lncRNAs and other biological molecules, demonstrate the diverse bioinformatics approaches applied in prediction and analysis of lncRNA interaction and perform a case study for lncRNA linc00460 to concretely decipher the lncRNA regulatory network.
A GEOMETRICALLY SUPPORTED z ∼ 10 CANDIDATE MULTIPLY IMAGED BY THE HUBBLE FRONTIER FIELDS CLUSTER A2744

The deflection angles of lensed sources increase with their distance behind a given lens. We utilize this geometric effect to corroborate the zphot ≃ 9.8 photometric redshift estimate of a faint near-IR dropout, triply imaged by the massive galaxy cluster A2744 in deep Hubble Frontier Fields images. The multiple images of this source follow the same symmetry as other nearby sets of multiple images that bracket the critical curves and have well-defined redshifts (up to zspec ≃ 3.6), but with larger deflection angles, indicating that this source must lie at a higher redshift. Similarly, our different parametric and non-parametric lens models all require this object be at z ≳ 4, with at least 95% confidence, thoroughly excluding the possibility of lower-redshift interlopers. To study the properties of this source, we correct the two brighter images for their magnifications, leading to a star formation rate of ∼0.3 M☉ yr−1, a stellar mass of ∼4 × 107 M☉, and an age of ≲ 220 Myr (95% confidence). The intrinsic apparent magnitude is 29.9 AB (F160W), and the rest-frame UV (∼1500 Å) absolute magnitude is MUV, AB = −17.6. This corresponds to (, adopting dM*/dz ∼ 0.45), making this candidate one of the least luminous galaxies discovered at z ∼ 10.
Salsolinol produces reinforcing effects in the nucleus accumbens shell of alcohol-preferring (P) rats.

BACKGROUND The formation of salsolinol (SAL) has been hypothesized to be a factor contributing to alcoholism and alcohol abuse. If SAL is formed under chronic alcohol-drinking conditions, then it may contribute to alcohol addiction by being rewarding itself. Because SAL can be formed by the nonenzymatic condensation of acetaldehyde with dopamine, the reinforcing effects of SAL were tested in the nucleus accumbens shell, a dopamine-rich site considered to be involved in regulating alcohol-drinking behavior. METHODS The intracranial self-administration technique was used to test the reinforcing properties of SAL. Adult, female alcohol-preferring (P) rats were stereotaxically implanted with guide cannulae aimed at the nucleus accumbens shell. After 7 to 10 days to allow recovery from surgery, P rats were attached to the electrolytic microinfusion transducer system, placed in two-lever experimental chambers, and allowed to respond for the self-infusion of 100 nl of modified artificial cerebrospinal fluid (aCSF) or 0.03, 0.3, 3.0, or 12.5 microM SAL (3-1250 fmol/100 nl). Sessions were 4 hr in duration and were conducted in the dark cycle every 48 hr. The effects of coinfusing 10 to 400 microM sulpiride (given in sessions 5 and 6 after four acquisition sessions) on the intracranial self-administration of 3.0 microM SAL were tested in a separate experiment. RESULTS P rats given 0.3 to 12.5 microM SAL received significantly more infusions per session than did the group given aCSF alone (e.g., 50 infusions for 3.0 microM SAL versus 10 or fewer infusions for the aCSF group) and responded significantly more on the active than inactive lever. Coinfusion of 100 or 400 microM sulpiride reduced the responding on the active lever (80-100 responses/session without sulpiride) to levels observed for the inactive lever (fewer than 10 responses/session with sulpiride). This effect was reversible because giving SAL alone in session 7 reinstated responding on the active lever. CONCLUSIONS SAL is reinforcing in the nucleus accumbens shell of P rats at concentrations that are pharmacologically possible, and these reinforcing actions are mediated in part by D2/D3-like receptors.
Potential anticancer activity of tanshinone IIA against human breast cancer

Tanshinone IIA is a derivative of phenanthrene‐quinone isolated from Danshen, a widely used Chinese herbal medicine. It has antioxidant properties and cytotoxic activity against multiple human cancer cell lines, inducing apoptosis and differentiation of some human cancer cell lines. Our purpose was to confirm its anticancer activity on human breast cancer in vitro and in vivo and to elucidate the mechanism of its activity. Human breast cancer cells were tested in vitro for cytotoxicity, colony formation inhibition, BrdU incorporation and gene expression profiling after treatment with tanshinone IIA. Seven nude mice bearing human breast infiltrating duct carcinoma orthotopically were tested for anticancer activity and expression of caspase‐3 in vivo by s.c. injection of tanshinone IIA at a dose of 30 mg/kg 3 times/week for 10 weeks. Tanshinone IIA demonstrated a dose‐ and time‐dependent inhibitory effect on cell growth (IC50 = 0.25 μg/ml), and it significantly inhibited colony formation and BrdU incorporation of human breast cancer cells. Oligonucleotide microarray analysis identified 41 upregulated (1.22%) and 24 downregulated (0.71%) genes after tanshinone IIA treatment. Upregulated genes were involved predominantly in cycle regulation, cell proliferation, apoptosis, signal transduction and transcriptional regulation; and downregulated genes were associated mainly with apoptosis and extracellular matrix/adhesion molecules. A 44.91% tumor mass volume reduction and significant increase of casepase‐3 protein expression were observed in vivo. Our findings suggest that tanshinone IIA might have potential anticancer activity on both ER‐positive and ‐negative breast cancers, which could be attributed in part to its inhibition of proliferation and apoptosis induction of cancer cells through upregulation and downregulation of multiple genes involved in cell cycle regulation, cell proliferation, apoptosis, signal transduction, transcriptional regulation, angiogenesis, invasive potential and metastatic potential of cancer cells. ADPRTL1 might be the main target at which tanshinone IIA acted. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Sun protection among parents and children at freshwater beaches.

OBJECTIVES This paper describes the sun-related behaviour of parents and their children, ages 5-12 years. METHODS In-person interviews were conducted with parents and observations of parents and their children to ascertain: 1) parents' self-reported use of sunscreen, 2) parent-proxy reports of children's sunscreen use, and 3) observations of parents' and children's use of shade, hats and protective clothing. Data collection took place at freshwater beaches in BC's Southern Interior, between 12 pm and 5 pm, over a seven-day period during August 1999. RESULTS 94 parents were interviewed and observed. Parent-proxy reports and observational data were collected on 161 children. Half (53%) of parents reported they were wearing sunscreen at the time of the on-beach interview. Most (65%) of parents reported that their children were wearing sunscreen at the time of the on-beach interview. Children's first application of sunscreen took place on average 1.5 hours prior to interview. Most parents (86%) reported that their children's sunscreen had not been reapplied at the time of interview. Few parents (13%) or children (5%) used shade as provided by nearby trees or umbrellas. CONCLUSION Public education should emphasize sunscreen re-application. Actions should be taken to enhance the convenient use of shade structures at public beaches.
Attitudes to Euthanasia in Icus and Other Hospital Departments

The aim of this study was to reveal doctors' and nurses' attitudes to euthanasia in intensive care units and surgical, internal medicine and paediatric units in Turkey. A total of 205 doctors and 206 nurses working in several hospitals in Istanbul participated. Data were collected by questionnaire and analysed using SPSS v. 12.0. Significantly higher percentages of doctors (35.3%) and nurses (26.6%) working in intensive care units encountered euthanasia requests than those working in other units. Doctors and nurses caring for terminally ill patients in intensive care units differed considerably in their attitudes to euthanasia and patient rights from other health care staff. Euthanasia should be investigated and put on the agenda for discussion in Turkey.
Computer vision -- ACCV 2010 : 10th Asian Conference on Computer Vision, Queenstown, New Zealand, November 8-12, 2010, revised selected papers

The four-volume set LNCS 6492-6495 constitutes the thoroughly refereed post-proceedings of the 10th Asian Conference on Computer Vision, ACCV 2009, held in Queenstown, New Zealand in November 2010. All together the four volumes present 206 revised papers selected from a total of 739 Submissions. All current issues in computer vision are addressed ranging from algorithms that attempt to automatically understand the content of images, optical methods coupled with computational techniques that enhance and improve images, and capturing and analyzing the world's geometry while preparing the higher level image and shape understanding. Novel gemometry techniques, statistical learning methods, and modern algebraic procedures are dealt with as well.
A Decade of Cellular Urban Modeling with SLEUTH: Unresolved Issues and Problems

SLEUTH is a mature cellular automaton urban model, now applied to over 100 different cities and regions. In this paper, the model’s context and history is introduced, the applications reviewed and some model improvements and sensitivity tests summarized. A section discusses how the model works and then the model’s limitations and assumptions are critically examined with the intent of revealing where further work could inform and improve SLEUTH and other urban models. A final example of a validation of a 1996 application is given. A conclusion urges future researchers to build upon lessons learned in the model’s refinement and testing.
The pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic consequences of the co-administration of lamotrigine and a combined oral contraceptive in healthy female subjects.

AIMS To assess the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic effects of co-administration of a combined oral contraceptive (ethinyloestradiol plus levonorgestrel) and lamotrigine. METHODS Over a period of 130 days, healthy female subjects took lamotrigine (titrated up to 300 mg day(-1)) and the combined oral contraceptive, either individually or as co-therapy. Plasma ethinyloestradiol and levonorgestrel concentrations were measured in the presence and absence of lamotrigine, and serum lamotrigine concentrations were measured in the presence and absence of the combined oral contraceptive. Serum concentrations of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), progesterone, oestradiol and sex hormone binding globulin were also determined. RESULTS Of the 22 enrolled subjects, 16 had evaluable pharmacokinetic data. The mean (90% CI) ratios of lamotrigine area under the concentration-time curve from 0 to 24 h (AUC(0,24 h)) and maximum observed concentration (C(max)) of lamotrigine when it was given with the combined oral contraceptive and during monotherapy were 0.48 (0.44, 0.53) and 0.61 (0.57, 0.66), respectively. Ethinyloestradiol pharmacokinetics were unchanged by lamotrigine, the mean combined oral contraceptive + lamotrigine : combined oral contraceptive alone ratios (90% CI) of the AUC(0,24 h) and C(max) of levonorgestrel were 0.81 (0.76, 0.86) and 0.88 (0.82, 0.93), respectively. FSH and LH concentrations were increased (by 4.7-fold and 3.4-fold, respectively) in the presence of lamotrigine, but the low serum progesterone concentrations suggested that suppression of ovulation was maintained. Intermenstrual bleeding was reported by 7/22 (32%) of subjects during co-administration of lamotrigine and combined oral contraceptive. CONCLUSIONS A clinically relevant pharmacokinetic interaction was observed during co-administration of a combined oral contraceptive and lamotrigine. A dosage adjustment for lamotrigine may need to be considered when these agents are co-administered. A modest decrease in the plasma concentration of levonorgestrel was also observed but there was no corresponding hormonal evidence of ovulation.