Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Does having an occupational mental health service make any difference?

BACKGROUND The effects of mental disorder on UK's workforce are increasing, yet most occupational health (OH) providers have limited expertise in dealing with mental health issues. AIMS To examine the effectiveness in terms of organizational and clinical outcomes, of an OH liaison psychiatry service in an inner city area. METHODS A retrospective survey of case notes from the first 2 years of an OH liaison psychiatry service was carried out. RESULTS Seventy-six cases were identified and 68% were seen within 1 month of referral. After assessment, females were significantly more likely to be given a formal psychiatric diagnosis than males. Overall, 45% of patients had mood disorders, 14% anxiety disorders and two cases of psychosis were identified. Advice was offered to the referring OH practitioner in 80% of cases. CONCLUSIONS This study found that liaison psychiatrists were able to fulfil a useful role in an OH department. Most of the cases seen within the department would not be classed as serious mental illness and therefore it is unlikely that community mental health teams would become involved in their routine care. Specialist mental health support from an 'in house' service is likely to be of considerable benefit from both occupational and medical perspectives.
Cigarette smoking and its association with overlapping gastroesophageal reflux disease, functional dyspepsia, or irritable bowel syndrome.

BACKGROUND Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), functional dyspepsia (FD), and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are common gastrointestinal diseases. Several studies have shown a significant occurrence of overlap among these 3 diseases. The purpose of this study was to examine the factors associated with such disease overlap in Japanese adults. METHODS We performed a cross-sectional study on Japanese workers who visited a clinic for a routine health check-up and asked them to fill out a self-report questionnaire. GERD was defined as episodes of heartburn and/or acid regurgitation at least once a week, and the diagnosis of FD and IBS was based on Rome III criteria. A logistic regression model was used to identify risk factors, and odds ratio (OR) was calculated with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS Disease overlaps were found in 160 (6.0%) of the 2680 eligible subjects. Female gender was associated with GERD + IBS (OR=1.99; 95% CI, 1.06-3.75), and FD + IBS (OR=1.72; 95% CI, 1.03-2.85), and lower body mass index was negatively associated with FD + IBS (OR=0.54; 96% CI, 0.34-0.87). Cigarette smoking was a common factor associated with the overlaps: GERD + FD (OR=2.14; 95% CI, 1.22-3.76), GERD + IBS (OR=3.16; 95% CI, 1.75-3.71), FD + IBS (OR=2.26; 95% CI, 1.40-3.66), and GERD + FD + IBS (OR=4.08; 95% CI, 1.66-10.07). The associations between smoking habits and overlaps were stronger in smokers who smoked ≥1 pack per day as compared to those who smoked <1 pack per day. CONCLUSION Cigarette smoking was significantly associated with overlaps among GERD, FD, and IBS in Japanese adults.
PHARMACOKINETIC ANALYSIS OF TOPOTECAN AFTER SUPERSELECTIVE OPHTHALMIC ARTERY INFUSION AND PERIOCULAR ADMINISTRATION IN A PORCINE MODEL

Purpose To characterize the vitreous and plasma pharmacokinetics of topotecan after ophthalmic artery infusion (OAI) subsequent to superselective artery catheterization and to compare it with periocular injection (POI). Methods The ophthalmic artery of 4 pigs was catheterized and 1 mg of topotecan infused over a period of 30 minutes. The contralateral eye was subsequently used for administering topotecan by POI. Serial vitreous specimens were obtained by microdialysis and plasma samples collected and assayed for total and lactone topotecan. Results Maximum total topotecan concentration in the vitreous (median, range) was significantly higher after OAI compared with POI (131.8 ng/mL [112.9–138.7] vs. 13.6 ng/mL [5.5–15.3], respectively; P < 0.005). Median vitreous exposure calculated as area under the curve for total topotecan attained after OAI was significantly higher than after POI (299.8 ng·hour/mL [247.6–347.2] and 48.9 ng·hour/mL [11.8–63.4], respectively; P < 0.05). The vitreous to plasma exposure ratio was 29 after OAI and 3.4 after POI. Systemic exposure for total topotecan was low after both modalities of administration, with a trend to be lower after OAI compared with POI (10.6 ng·hour/mL [6.8–13.4] vs. 18.7 ng·hour/mL [6.3–21.7]; P = 0.54). Conclusion Superselective OAI resulted in significantly higher vitreous concentrations and exposure and a trend toward lower systemic exposure than POI.
Heme Interacts with C1q and Inhibits the Classical Complement Pathway*

C1q is the recognition subunit of the first component of the classical complement pathway. It participates in clearance of immune complexes and apoptotic cells as well as in defense against pathogens. Inappropriate activation of the complement contributes to cellular and tissue damage in different pathologies, urging the need for the development of therapeutic agents that are able to inhibit the complement system. In this study, we report heme as an inhibitor of C1q. Exposure of C1q to heme significantly reduced the activation of the classical complement pathway, mediated by C-reactive protein (CRP) and IgG. Interaction analyses revealed that heme reduces the binding of C1q to CRP and IgG. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the inhibition of C1q interactions results from a direct binding of heme to C1q. Formation of complex of heme with C1q caused changes in the mechanism of recognition of IgG and CRP. Taken together, our data suggest that heme is a natural negative regulator of the classical complement pathway at the level of C1q. Heme may play a role at sites of excessive tissue damage and hemolysis where large amounts of free heme are released.
Narrative Identity Negotiation between Cultures: Storytelling by Korean Immigrant Career Women

Abstract It has been more than a century since the first group of Koreans emigrated to the United States. However, there are very limited studies on the acculturation process of career women. Acculturation is the process of reconstructing one's identity by negotiating between cultures in a foreign location. The method of reconstruction and negotiation is related to self-narrated storytelling. The purpose of this study is to scrutinize self-described identity revision of Korean career women in America. Analysis of in-depth interviews with four participants shows two significant findings. First, immigrant career women experience a frustration-negotiation cycle while finding their “place comparable to the past’ in the United States. Second, they first go through a social identity challenge and then subsequently through a cultural identity challenge.
When My Eyes Bring Pain to My Soul, and Vice Versa: Facing Preconceptions in Email and Face-to-Face Interviews

What are the factors influencing the trustworthiness of data produced in email interviews? The main purpose of this article is to reflect on this issue by discussing two examples from my own experience of conducting email interviews in combination with face-to-face interviews. The main questions were: What different premises guide and shape the interpretation and analysis of subjects as text or as embodiment when interviews are conducted face-to-face or by email? Is the researcher more or less a victim of his or her own imagination and preconceptions when interviewing people via email, relying solely on the written text to understand who the Other is? From a constructivist-inspired interaction perspective, I suggest that other possible strategies of visibility emerge in the interaction between the interviewer and participant in email interviews. These strategies are rooted in the researcher’s personal and embodied knowledge of the field under investigation.
Is There Military Keynesianism? An Evaluation of the Case of France Based on Disaggregated Data

This article explores the effects of military expenditure on aggregate output in France, covering the period 1980-2010, within a Keynesian model. Our empirical results reveal that military spending stimulates output, even if non-military spending exerts higher impact. The originality of our contribution comes from the use of disaggregated data which allows us to characterize composition effects of military spending. We find that public spending in defense equipment stimulates aggregate output, whereas the rest of public military spending has no significant impact.
Work environment effects on labor productivity: an intervention study in a storage building.

BACKGROUND Although increased attention has been focused on the relationship between occupational health and productivity, solid scientific data on this topic are sparse. The purpose of the present case study was to assess the relationship between productivity and work environment in a storage building. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study was implemented as an intervention consisting of the renovation of a harbor storage facility. The study design consisted of a single group of employees working in the storage hall. The physical and chemical factors, perceived environment, and labor productivity were measured before and after the renovation. RESULTS As a result of the renovation, thermal conditions, air quality, and lighting conditions improved notably. In addition, the employees' subjective evaluations showed the significant decrease in dissatisfaction ratings. The direct measure for the labor productivity, expressed as zinc tons/work-hour (tn) increased about 9% after the renovation. DISCUSSION We conclude that increased productivity is most likely related to the combined effect of the improved work environment, i.e., better thermal climate, reduced contaminant concentrations, and better lighting conditions.
A Server-Side JavaScript Security Architecture for Secure Integration of Third-Party Libraries

The popularity of the JavaScript programming language for server-side programming has increased tremendously over the past decade. The Node.js framework is a popular JavaScript server-side framework with an efficient runtime for cloud-based event-driven architectures. One of its strengths is the presence of thousands of third-party libraries which allow developers to quickly build and deploy applications. These very libraries are a source of security threats as a vulnerability in one library can (and in some cases did) compromise an entire server. In order to support the secure integration of libraries, we developed NODESENTRY, the first security architecture for server-side JavaScript. Our policy enforcement infrastructure supports an easy deployment of web hardening techniques and access control policies on interactions between libraries and their environment, including any dependent library. We discuss the design and implementation of NODESENTRY and present its performance and security evaluation.
Is congenital malformation a risk factor for caries development in Swedish adolescents?

Abstract Objective. The aim of this study was to investigate whether various forms of congenital malformations are risk factors for approximal caries development in Swedish adolescents. Materials and methods. This longitudinal register-based cohort study included all adolescents (n = 18 142) of 13 years of age who resided in the county of Stockholm, Sweden, in 2000. The cohort was followed until individuals were 19 years of age. Dental caries (decayed, missing and filled teeth/surfaces (DMFT/S)) were collected from the Public Health Care Administration in Stockholm. Data concerning pre- and perinatal factors and parental socio-demographic determinants were collected from Swedish National Registers. Results. In a logistic regression analysis, neither congenital malformation nor any sub-group of congenital malformation registered at birth were significantly associated with an enhanced risk of approximal caries increment in adolescents between 13–19 years of age. The final multivariate logistic regression model, adjusted for possible maternal and family socio-demographic confounders, showed that congenital malformation of the ‘circulatory system' was significantly associated with a decreased risk of approximal caries increment, between 13–19 years of age (OR = 0.33; 95% CI = 0.12–0.88). Conclusions. Congenital malformation should not be considered as a risk factor for approximal caries development in Swedish adolescents today. Noticeably, adolescents with congenital heart diseases exhibited less risk of developing approximal caries, which was probably related to prevention programs allocated to these children in Sweden.
Childhood Neurocysticercosis‐Epidemiology, Diagnosis and Course

Neurocysticercosis was diagnosed in 0.89% of children enrolled in our Child Neurology Clinic in the years 1979 to 1990. The commonest presenting symptom was seizures (90%) followed by raised intracranial pressure (44%). CT scans revealed a variety of lesions including low and high attenuation cysts, periventricular edema, hydrocephalus and calcification. ELISA was useful in substantiating the diagnosis in almost 70% of cases. Only 18 patients who had active disease merited treatment with praziquantel. The clinical and CT response was good. Follow‐up revealed spontaneous quiescence in many patients with inactive disease.
Maritime surveillance with multiple over-the-horizon HFSW radars: An overview of recent experimentation

This paper briefly explores the high-frequency surface-wave (HFSW) radar technology in general, and Wellen radar (WERA) in more detail. Then it describes the multitarget tracking data fusion (MTTDF) network architecture developed at Science and Technology Organization (STO) Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation (CMRE) and discusses its capabilities in two real study cases: the first in the Ligurian Sea, Mediterranean [11]-[13], and a second in the German Bight, North Sea [14], [15]. In both cases, the main task of the HFSW radars is to estimate sea surface currents. In the second study case, the data recorded by the single stations are sent directly to the Centre's Data Base (DB) and then processed in real-time. The historical information about ship traffic can be exploited not only for assessing system performance, but also in the field of knowledge-based (KB) tracking, for improving system capabilities. In this sense, simulation results are presented and discussed. Finally, a tool developed at STO CMRE, the so-called maritime situational awareness (MSA) viewer, allows displaying from the operator's point of view the maritime picture of the surveyed area.
Outcomes of Speech and Language Abilities and Quality of Life in Thai People with Aphasia by Group Therapy

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare before- and after-scores of speech and language abilities, and quality of life of Thai people with aphasia.Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Speech Clinic in Ramathibodi Hospital from July 2016 to March 2017. Participants were 11 Thai people with aphasia. They received group therapy for three hours per session, for eight sessions, within three to five months. The measurement of speech and language abilities was assessed using the Thai Adaptation of the Western Aphasia Battery (WAB). The measurement of quality of life was assessed using the Thai version of the Stroke Impact Scale (SIS) 3.0. The results were analyzed using descriptive statistics and a paired samples t-test for comparisons of the mean scores before and after group therapy.Results: Of the participants, there were 8 males (72.8%) and 3 females (27.3%) with aphasia. They ranged in age from 27 to 68, with a mean age of 48.55±13.42 years. Results showed that the differences in the improvements of speech and language abilities scores and quality of life scores of these participants after group therapy were significant and higher than their scores before group therapy (p-value<0.01). Conclusion: Group therapy may be an efficient and effective way to rehabilitate the speech and language abilities and quality of life of Thai people with aphasia.
Biogenic amines in commercially produced Yulu, a Chinese fermented fish sauce

Seven biogenic amines were determined in 35 commercially produced Yulu samples from three provinces of China by pre-column derivatisation with dansyl chloride (Dns-Cl) and high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (HPLC-FLD). Putrescine, cadaverine, histamine and tyramine were the major biogenic amines (more than 100 mg kg−1), while tryptamine, spermidine and spermine were regarded as minor biogenic amines (less than 25 mg kg−1). Twenty samples contained more than 50 mg kg−1 histamine (the limit for histamine in seafood products as suggested by the Food and Drug Administration). Twenty-one samples contained more than 100 mg kg−1 tyramine and 10 contained more than 1000 mg kg−1 total biogenic amines. This study provided data on biogenic amine levels in Chinese fermented fish sauce. The results suggested that biogenic amine content should be monitored in commercially produced Yulu.
Blending HVDC-Link Energy Storage and Offshore Wind Turbine Inertia for Fast Frequency Response

This paper explores the benefits of combining the dc-link energy storage of a voltage source converter-based high-voltage dc (VSC-HVDC) link and the kinetic energy storage from wind turbines to facilitate in fast primary frequency control and system inertia to an ac network. Alongside physical and analytical justifications, a method is proposed which blends the energy stored in the HVDC link with the power control capabilities of the wind turbines to provide frequency response that is fast while not requiring excessive volume of capacitance nor demanding performance requirements on the wind turbines.
Pterodontic Acid Isolated from Laggera pterodonta Inhibits Viral Replication and Inflammation Induced by Influenza A Virus

Laggera pterodonta (DC.) Benth. is a traditional Chinese medicine. The previous study revealed that the crude extracts of this herb could inhibit influenza virus infection, but its anti-influenza components and underlying mechanism of action remain unknown. Column chromatography was performed to isolate components from the plant. Activity against influenza virus of the compound was determined by CPE inhibition assay. Neuraminidase (NA) inhibition was measured by chemiluminescence assay. The anti-virus and anti-inflammation effects were determined using dual-luciferase reporter assay, immunofluorescence, quantitative real-time PCR and luminex assay. Pterodontic acid was isolated from L. pterodonta, which showed selective anti-viral activities to H1 subtype of human influenza A virus. Meanwhile, the NA activity was not obviously inhibited by the compound. Further experiments exhibited that the compound can suppress the activation of NF-κB signal pathway and export of viral RNP complexes from the nucleus. In addition, it can significantly attenuate expression of the pro-inflammatory molecules IL-6, MIP-1β, MCP-1, and IP-10 induced by human influenza A virus (H1N1) and similarly downregulate expression of cytokines and chemokines induced by avian influenza A virus (H9N2). This study showed that in vitro antiviral activity of pterodontic acid is most probably associated with inhibiting the replication of influenza A virus by blocking nuclear export of viral RNP complexes, and attenuating the inflammatory response by inhibiting activation of the NF-κB pathway. Pterodontic acid might be a potential antiviral agent against influenza A virus.
Developing a New, National Approach to Surveillance for Ventilator-Associated Events*

Objective:To develop and implement an objective, reliable approach to surveillance for ventilator-associated events in adult patients. Design:The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) convened a Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia (VAP) Surveillance Definition Working Group in September 2011. Working Group members included representatives of stakeholder societies and organizations and federal partners. Main results:The Working Group finalized a three-tier, adult surveillance definition algorithm for ventilator-associated events. The algorithm uses objective, readily available data elements and can identify a broad range of conditions and complications occurring in mechanically ventilated adult patients, including but not limited to VAP. The first tier definition, ventilator-associated condition (VAC), identifies patients with a period of sustained respiratory deterioration following a sustained period of stability or improvement on the ventilator, defined by changes in the daily minimum fraction of inspired oxygen or positive end-expiratory pressure. The second tier definition, infection-related ventilator-associated complication (IVAC), requires that patients with VAC also have an abnormal temperature or white blood cell count, and be started on a new antimicrobial agent. The third tier definitions, possible and probable VAP, require that patients with IVAC also have laboratory and/or microbiological evidence of respiratory infection. Conclusions:Ventilator-associated events surveillance was implemented in January 2013 in the CDC’s National Healthcare Safety Network. Modifications to improve surveillance may be made as additional data become available and users gain experience with the new definitions.
The impact of threat of shock-induced anxiety on memory encoding and retrieval

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health disorders, and daily transient feelings of anxiety (or “stress”) are ubiquitous. However, the precise impact of both transient and pathological anxiety on higher-order cognitive functions, including short- and long-term memory, is poorly understood. A clearer understanding of the anxiety–memory relationship is important as one of the core symptoms of anxiety, most prominently in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is intrusive reexperiencing of traumatic events in the form of vivid memories. This study therefore aimed to examine the impact of induced anxiety (threat of shock) on memory encoding and retrieval. Eighty-six healthy participants completed tasks assessing: visuospatial working memory, verbal recognition, face recognition, and associative memory. Critically, anxiety was manipulated within-subjects: information was both encoded and retrieved under threat of shock and safe (no shock) conditions. Results revealed that visuospatial working memory was enhanced when information was encoded and subsequently retrieved under threat, and that threat impaired the encoding of faces regardless of the condition in which it was retrieved. Episodic memory and verbal short-term recognition were, however, unimpaired. These findings indicate that transient anxiety in healthy individuals has domain-specific, rather than domain-general, impacts on memory. Future studies would benefit from expanding these findings into anxiety disorder patients to delineate the differences between adaptive and maladaptive responding.