Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Personality Subtypes, Coping Styles, Symptom Correlates, and Substances of Choice among a Cohort of Substance Abusers

To explore the use of normal personality measures in clinical populations, we investigated the usefulness of the Five-Factor personality domains measured by the NEO Personality Inventory (NEO-PI) in identifying subtypes among a cohort of 3,256 substance abusers. Three groups were reliably identified across clustering methods and the groups differed in reported coping style, psychopathological symptoms, and pattern of substance choice. The largest differences between group members' personality dimensions were found for measures of neuroticism, agreeableness, and conscientiousness. Members of groups characterized by elevated levels of neuroticism demonstrated low levels of conscientiousness and agreeableness. The more extreme the group members' levels on these personality dimensions, the higher their reported levels of depressive symptoms, aggressive/hostile cognitions, impulsiveness, maladaptive coping styles, and likelihood of abusing more than one substance. Results support the use of measures of normal domains of personality in identifying meaningful subtypes of substance abusers.
Seamless Transfer Control Strategy for Fuel Cell Uninterruptible Power Supply System

Due to the long cold start time and slow dynamics of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell (FC) stack, operating modes transfer control strategy for fuel cell uninterruptible power supply (FC-UPS) is different from the traditional uninterruptible power supply (UPS) system. In this paper, a seamless transfer control strategy, which is suitable for FC-UPS, is proposed. The power conversion architecture of FC-UPS is presented with the characteristic analysis of PEMFC and the requirements of UPS. Then, the scheme of the seamless transfer control strategy is investigated. The proposed seamless transfer control strategy is not only capable of guaranteeing the uninterruptible load voltage, but also protecting FC against the power demands beyond its allowable bandwidth during the transition for long lifespan and safety. Finally, the control scheme has been verified on a 10-kW FC-UPS prototype.
Functional Divergence of Human Cytoplasmic Myosin II

Cytoplasmic (or non-muscle) myosin II isoforms are widely expressed molecular motors playing essential cellular roles in cytokinesis and cortical tension maintenance. Two of the three human non-muscle myosin II isoforms (IIA and IIB) have been investigated at the protein level. Transient kinetics of non-muscle myosin IIB showed that this motor has a very high actomyosin ADP affinity and slow ADP release. Here we report the kinetic characterization of the non-muscle myosin IIA isoform. Similar to non-muscle myosin IIB, non-muscle myosin IIA shows high ADP affinity and little enhancement of the ADP release rate by actin. The ADP release rate constant, however, is more than an order of magnitude higher than the steady-state ATPase rate. This implies that non-muscle myosin IIA spends only a small fraction of its ATPase cycle time in strongly actin-bound states, which is in contrast to non-muscle myosin IIB. Non-muscle myosin II isoforms thus appear to have distinct enzymatic properties that may be of importance in carrying out their cellular functions.
Breeding for Increased Sweetness in Sweet Corn

Sweetness, a creamy texture and aroma, along with desirable kernel color, good germination, and high yield, are the important traits for sweet corn. Various recessive mutants in corn expressed in the endosperm e.g. sugary1 (su1), sugary enhancer (se), shrunken2 (sh2), brittle1 (bt) etc., which improve quality traits such as sweetness, flavor and nutritive value have been used either singly or in combination for developing new commercial hybrids. In single mutant varieties, at harvest (20 days after pollination), the sugar (sucrose) concentration in su1 and sh2 sweet corn is 3 and 8 times higher than wild type, respectively. For se-type when in combination with su1 the sucrose level is as high as that in sh2. After harvest, the sugar in kernels of su1 and se types is rapidly converted to starch, but this conversion occurs more slowly in sh2 type. However, both su1 and se sweet corn have more phytoglycogen or creamy texture, than sh2 variety without difficulties in germination. The details of breeding methods using a combination of endosperm genes for sweetness improvement are disclosed in the U.S. Patents Nos. 3,971,161 and 4,630,393. To date, two new high sugar types of commercial sweet corn, synergistic and augmented sweet varieties have been developed and released by U.S. seed companies. Synergistic has a combination of su1, se, and sh2 kernels on each ear. It carries the seed quality and vigor of su1 varieties, the enhanced sweet corn flavor of se and harvest-ability and shelf life approaching supersweet (sh2) type. Augmented sweet varieties, sh2 type, carry se modifier genes for tenderness and sweetness and the sh2 gene for high sugars and long shelf life.
Hospital admission of patients with sickle cell anaemia pattern and outcome in Enugu area of Nigeria.

UNLABELLED BACKGROUND OBJECTIVE: The admission of children with sickle cell anaemia into the Paediatric ward of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, (UNTH) Enugu was retrospectively reviewed to ascertain their pattern and outcome. Such data are useful in guiding future health policies on such children. PATIENTS AND METHODS Medical files of patients with sickle cell anaemia who were admitted between May 1998 and April 2002 were analyzed. Their clinical features, investigations done, diagnosis on admission, complications and subsequent outcome of admissions were noted. RESULTS More children were admitted during the rainy season. (p<0.05) Male: Female ratio was 1.2:1. More children (70.4%) failed to comply with treatment of which a statistically significant number came from the lower social class (p = 0.001). Infections were the commonest cause of admission (69.6%). Severe anaemia was the commonest complications (39.4%). Mortality occurred in 8.5%. CONCLUSIONS Intensive counseling of patients, with the involvement of Social workers and health visitors, is strongly advocated. There is need for antibiotic prophylaxis for all children with sickle cell anaemia.
Consanguinity and Birth Defects in the Jerusalem Perinatal Study Cohort

Background: While parental consanguinity is known to increase the risk of birth defects in offspring, it is hard to quantify this risk in populations where consanguinity is prevalent. Methods: To support ongoing studies of cancer and of psychiatric disease, we studied relationships of consanguinity to 1,053 major birth defects in 29,815 offspring, born in 1964–1976. To adjust for confounding variables (geographic origin, social class and hospital), we constructed logistic regression models, using GEE to take into account correlations between sibs. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence limits were estimated in comparison to a reference group of offspring with grandfathers born in different countries. Results: With 10.1% of offspring having consanguineous parents, the adjusted OR for major birth defect was 1.41 (1.12–1.74). Offspring of marriages between uncles-nieces, first cousins and more distant relatives showed adjusted ORs of 2.36 (0.98–5.68), 1.59 (1.22–2.07) and 1.20 (0.89–1.59) respectively. For descendents of grandfathers born in the same country, but not known to be related, the OR was 1.05 (0.91–1.21); these showed increased risk associated with ancestries in Western Asia (1.27, 1.04–1.55, p < 0.02) or Europe (1.13, 0.79–1.80). Conclusions: A strong association of consanguinity with poverty and low education points to the need to avoid exposure to environmental hazards in these families.
Quantitative mass spectrometry of unconventional human biological matrices

The development of sensitive and versatile mass spectrometric methodology has fuelled interest in the analysis of metabolites and drugs in unconventional biological specimens. Here, we discuss the analysis of eight human matrices—hair, nail, breath, saliva, tears, meibum, nasal mucus and skin excretions (including sweat)—by mass spectrometry (MS). The use of such specimens brings a number of advantages, the most important being non-invasive sampling, the limited risk of adulteration and the ability to obtain information that complements blood and urine tests. The most often studied matrices are hair, breath and saliva. This review primarily focuses on endogenous (e.g. potential biomarkers, hormones) and exogenous (e.g. drugs, environmental contaminants) small molecules. The majority of analytical methods used chromatographic separation prior to MS; however, such a hyphenated methodology greatly limits analytical throughput. On the other hand, the mass spectrometric methods that exclude chromatographic separation are fast but suffer from matrix interferences. To enable development of quantitative assays for unconventional matrices, it is desirable to standardize the protocols for the analysis of each specimen and create appropriate certified reference materials. Overcoming these challenges will make analysis of unconventional human biological matrices more common in a clinical setting. This article is part of the themed issue ‘Quantitative mass spectrometry’.
Genetic characterization of the hemagglutinin of two strains of influenza B virus co‐circulated in Taiwan

Two isolates of influenza B virus were obtained in the spring of 1997. One strain, B/Taiwan/21706/97, was isolated from a patient who had acute tonsillitis. The other, B/Taiwan/3143/97, was isolated from a patient who was diagnosed with meningoencephalitis. This implies that the influenza B viruses not only cause respiratory symptoms but may also cause inflammation of the nervous system. Sequence analysis of the hemagglutinin (HA) gene, HA1 domain, indicated that there were remarkable amino acid changes in the strain B/Taiwan/3143/97 compared to B/Victoria/2/87, B/Yamagata/16/88, and B/Taiwan/7/88. The changes in the positions 116, 200, 238, 242, and 271 were correlated with receptor binding. Furthermore, a potential glycosylation site at position 233 was lost. In total, 30 amino acid changes were noted at positions ranging from 116 to 295. These changes may affect the antigenicity of the virus. Phylogenetic analyses also showed that the B/Taiwan/3143/97 was located in an independent lineage, when compared to the reference strains belonging to B/Victoria/2/87 and B/Yamagata/16/88 lineages. This supports the hypothesis that influenza B viruses with distinct genetic characteristic were co‐circulated in Taiwan. J. Med. Virol. 59:208–214, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Determinants of Lumbar Disc Degeneration: A Study Relating Lifetime Exposures and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings in Identical Twins

Study Design Retrospective cohort. Objectives To investigate the effects of lifetime exposure to commonly suspected risk factors on disc degeneration using magnetic resonance imaging, and to estimate the effects of these suspected risk factors relative to age and familial aggregation, reflecting genetic and shared environmental influences. Summary of Background Data Structural and biochemical changes associated with disc degeneration are suspected as the underlying conditions of many back-related symptoms. Little is known about the determinants of disc degeneration. Methods Based on lifetime discordance in suspected environmental risk factors for disc degeneration, 115 male identical twin pairs were selected. An indepth interview was conducted of occupational and leisure time physical loading, driving, and smoking. Disc degeneration was evaluated using observational and digital magnetic resonance imaging assessment methods. Results Heavier lifetime occupational and leisure physical loading was associated with greater disc degeneration in the upper lumbar levels (P = 0.055− 0.001), whereas sedentary work was associated with lesser degeneration (P = 0.006). These univariate associations did not reasch statistical significance in the lower lumbar region. In multivariate analyses of the upper lumbar levels, the mean job code explained 7% of the variability in observational disc degeneration scores; the addition of age explained 16%, and familial aggregation improved the model such that 77% of the variability was explained. In the lower lumbar levels, leisure time physical loading entered the multivariate model, explaining 2% of the variability. Adding age explained 9%, and familial aggregation raised the variability in disc degeneration scores explained to 43%. Conclusion The present study findings suggest that disc degeneration may be explained primarily by genetic influences and by unidentified factors, which may include complex, unpredictable interactions. The particular environmental factors studied, which have been among those most widely suspected of accelerating disc degeneration, had very modest effects.
An Investigation into the Fracture Behavior of a Particulate-filled bis-GMA Resin

Dental composites are being increasingly used to restore occlusal surfaces of posterior teeth. If these restorations are not to fracture in service, an understanding of their fracture behavior is essential. The fracture parameter used is the stress-intensity factor at crack instability (KIC). This has been calculated by means of the double-torsion test in a mechanical testing machine. The fracture behavior of the composite was studied by varying: the amount of filler (7%, 15%, 26%, and 41% by volume); the surface treatment of the filler (coated or uncoated); the environment (air and water); and the cross-head rate (0.05, 0.5, 5, and 50 mmlmin). Fracture was found to occur in either a continuous (stable) or stick-slip (unstable) manner. The stick-slip behavior was due to blunting of the crack tip, which was controlled by the yield behavior. When there was no significant blunting, continuous crack growth occurred. An unique relationship was found to exist between the yield stress and the stress-intensity factor for all conditions of testing.
Learning and performance outcomes of mental health staff training in de-escalation techniques for the management of violence and aggression.

BACKGROUND De-escalation techniques are a recommended non-physical intervention for the management of violence and aggression in mental health. Although taught as part of mandatory training for all National Health Service (NHS) mental health staff, there remains a lack of clarity around training effectiveness. AIMS To conduct a systematic review of the learning, performance and clinical safety outcomes of de-escalation techniques training. METHOD The review process involved a systematic literature search of 20 electronic databases, eligibility screening of results, data extraction, quality appraisal and data synthesis. RESULTS A total of 38 relevant studies were identified. The strongest impact of training appears to be on de-escalation-related knowledge, confidence to manage aggression and deescalation performance (although limited to artificial training scenarios). No strong conclusions could be drawn about the impact of training on assaults, injuries, containment and organisational outcomes owing to the low quality of evidence and conflicting results. CONCLUSIONS It is assumed that de-escalation techniques training will improve staff's ability to de-escalate violent and aggressive behaviour and improve safety in practice. There is currently limited evidence that this training has these effects.
Valuation of ecosystem services provided by irrigated rice agriculture in Thailand: a choice experiment considering attribute nonattendance

This research investigates how the public of a middle-income country, Thailand, values ecosystem services associated with irrigated rice agriculture using a choice experiment. The results show a significant willingness to pay for services such as drought mitigation, water quality and the environment and maintenance of rural lifestyles and rice landscapes. The iterative procedure developed to fully analyze the incidence of attribute nonattendance (ANA) improved the model fit when compared with a multinomial logit model or an ANA model with potentially only one attribute ignored at a time (ANA-1). Moreover, the inferred probability of the class of respondents having attended all attributes was 45%, compared to 9% with ANA-1 model. However, it also suggests that 55% of the respondents made their choices by considering only two of the five attributes. Finally, this research also suggests that failing to consider ANA does not change the public ranking of scenarios contrasted by the services they would provide but would overestimate the WTP for these scenarios. (Resume d'auteur)
Temporal Trend and Factors Associated with Delayed Hospital Admission of Stroke Patients

The effectiveness of stroke treatment depends on the time interval between onset of symptoms and admission to hospital. The purpose of our investigation was to assess, over a 10-year period, the mean delay in admission to hospital in stroke patients to determine factors which might be associated with this delay, to define the putative number of patients available for accrual in clinical trials, and to identify strategies aimed at decreasing the time to admission. We collected data on all stroke patients consecutively admitted to our clinic from 1986 to 1995. The following variables were investigated: age, sex, educational and occupational level, home accommodation, family and personal history of vascular disease or factors known to affect the risk of vascular disease, and type and severity of stroke. The individual and independent contribution of these variables was assessed by univariate and multivariate analysis. The accurate time of stroke onset was established for 760 patients. Of these, 24.7% were admitted within 1 h from the onset of symptoms, 41% within 2 h, 54% within 4 h and 72.5% within 12 h. The mean delay was 21 ± 2 h (SE) and the median was 3.5 h. Acute onset of neurological deficits, stroke severity and family history of cerebrovascular disease were associated with earlier presentation. According to the current guidelines for thrombolytic therapy, only 16% of the patients could have been included in a clinical trial. This study suggests that despite a relatively short time to hospital admission in most patients and an altered help-seeking behavior over time, many stroke patients did not present early enough to be recruited for clinical trials or to benefit from new treatments. The majority of patients with timely presentation were not eligible for acute treatment, or were subjects with severe stroke for whom caution is advised before initiating thrombolytic therapy. It has been suggested that the patient’s indecision to seek medical help is the most important reason for a delayed hospital admission of stroke patients. These results underscore the importance of interventions aimed at reducing the delay in stroke treatment induced by patients who are unaware of the decisive role of the time of treatment induction. The finding that earliest admissions for stroke comprised patients with a previous history of cerebrovascular disease suggests that an education campaign might highlight the importance of an early admission.
Heterogeneously Integrated Membrane Lasers on Si Substrate for Low Operating Energy Optical Links

High demand exists for low operating energy optical links that use wavelength division multiplexing technologies in datacenter networks. Thus, we fabricate a directly modulated membrane distributed-reflector laser with low operating energy on a thermally oxidized silicon (Si) substrate. Because we use epitaxial growth to bury an active region on a directly bonded InP-based membrane, it needs to be kept within a critical thickness, which is related to the growth temperature and the thermal expansion coefficients of materials. In previous studies, we used 250-nm-thick structures, causing relatively large series resistance that limited device performance on such aspects as energy cost and output power. In this study, we increase the III–V membrane thickness to 350 nm, which is close to the calculated critical thicknesses. We achieve the same high crystal quality of multiquantum-wells found in our previous studies. The fabricated laser shows a differential resistance of 72 Ω and thermal resistance of 982 K/W. Thanks to a reduction in bias voltage, the laser can be directly modulated at 25.8 Gbit/s with an energy cost of 97 fJ/bit. In addition, due to a reduction in heat generation, direct modulation with a 50-Gbit/s non return to zero signal is demonstrated by increasing bias current up to 10 mA.
In and out of the boys’ club – women’s narratives from the ICT industry

The purpose of this research is to build understanding of the reasons behind women’s low representation in the ICT industry. Conventional approaches have not been able to account for the persistence of the problem, and because of this, this study adopts a more critical perspective toward gender relations in ICT by drawing attention to the larger societal context of the phenomenon. The objective of the research is to explore how gender emerges in social interaction, processes and practices in the workplace, and how women give meaning to these experiences in narrative form. Following a feminist research orientation, I further problematize the societal context in which the women’s meaning-making takes place. This research is qualitative in nature and follows a social constructionist epistemology that understands reality to be formed through language in social interaction. Employing a narrative research methodology and wishing to give voice to women themselves, I produced the research data in semi-structured interviews with nine self-identified women who work in different positions in the ICT industry in Finland. In analyzing the women’s narratives, I examined especially their dialogic and performance elements, reading closely the research context and the interactive nature of the narratives’ production. After identifying prevalent themes in how the women discursively gave meaning to gender, I constructed the findings into one overarching narrative, “fitting in,” on three analytical levels: the self, the organization and the society. The findings of the study suggest that women’s experiences of gender relations in ICT are shaped by the masculinity of technology and the oppressive gendered structures of business organizations at large. The women’s generally positive experiences of the industry contained subtle, ambiguous and even contradictory meanings whose closer interrogation revealed gender to play a central role in whether the women felt competent, valued and fit for the workplace. ICT thus appears to be a place for such “doing” of gender that obscures and downplays the significance of gender, especially in potentially negative cases, while at the same reifying the traditional gender order that considers masculinity superior to femininity. Often the women also contributed to these oppressive notions of gender themselves regardless of the quality of their personal experience. The findings signal an internalization of the gender order and emphasize the need to make gendered structures visible in organizations.
Soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products independently predicts cardiometabolic syndrome in Latino youth

The soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products (sRAGE) has anti‐atherogenic properties in adults, however, little is known about the relationship between sRAGE and cardiometabolic disease risk in pediatric populations. Therefore, the purpose of this investigation is to examine the relationship between sRAGE and cardiometabolic risk factors in Latino youth.