Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Epidemiology of social phobia in later life.

OBJECTIVE Although anxiety disorders, including social phobia (SP), are common among older adults, very little is known about the epidemiology of SP in later life. METHOD Using data drawn from a large, nationally representative sample of older adults from Canada (N=12,792), the authors estimate lifetime and 12-month prevalence of social phobia and examine demographic predictors and patterns of comorbidity of current SP in this population. RESULTS The results reveal that SP is a prevalent disorder in later life with lifetime and 12-month prevalence estimates of 4.94% and 1.32%, respectively. Current SP (12-month) declines with age and is more common in individuals with other psychiatric disorders. Interestingly, there is no correlation between current SP and gender, marital status, or socioeconomic status. CONCLUSIONS SP remains a highly prevalent disorder even in late life with the pattern of feared/avoided situations being strikingly similar to that of younger populations.
Application of Discontinuous PWMModulation in Active Power Filters

Classical discontinuous pulsewidth modulations (DPWMs) may not be efficiently applied in active power filters (APFs), because it is hard to predict the peak values of the inverter current, and consequently it is difficult to calculate the position of the clamped interval, that minimizes the switching losses in any operating point. This paper proposes a new DPWM strategy applied to shunt APFs. The proposed modulation strategy detects the current vector position relative to the inverter voltage reference and determines instantaneously the optimum clamped duration on each phase. It achieves a clamped voltage pattern, with variable lengths depending on the magnitude of the inverter current. This property adaptively reduces the current stress and minimizes the inverter switching losses, regardless of its application. The proposed modulation strategy is described, analyzed and validated on a three-phase voltage source inverter, rated at 7 kVA 400 V, controlled as an APF.
Overfishing reduces resilience of kelp beds to climate-driven catastrophic phase shift

A key consideration in assessing impacts of climate change is the possibility of synergistic effects with other human-induced stressors. In the ocean realm, climate change and overfishing pose two of the greatest challenges to the structure and functioning of marine ecosystems. In eastern Tasmania, temperate coastal waters are warming at approximately four times the global ocean warming average, representing the fastest rate of warming in the Southern Hemisphere. This has driven range extension of the ecologically important long-spined sea urchin (Centrostephanus rodgersii), which has now commenced catastrophic overgrazing of productive Tasmanian kelp beds leading to loss of biodiversity and important rocky reef ecosystem services. Coincident with the overgrazing is heavy fishing of reef-based predators including the spiny lobster Jasus edwardsii. By conducting experiments inside and outside Marine Protected Areas we show that fishing, by removing large predatory lobsters, has reduced the resilience of kelp beds against the climate-driven threat of the sea urchin and thus increased risk of catastrophic shift to widespread sea urchin barrens. This shows that interactions between multiple human-induced stressors can exacerbate nonlinear responses of ecosystems to climate change and limit the adaptive capacity of these systems. Management actions focused on reducing the risk of catastrophic phase shift in ecosystems are particularly urgent in the face of ongoing warming and unprecedented levels of predator removal from the world's oceans.
The role of auditory feedback in music-supported stroke rehabilitation: A single-blinded randomised controlled intervention.

PURPOSE Learning to play musical instruments such as piano was previously shown to benefit post-stroke motor rehabilitation. Previous work hypothesised that the mechanism of this rehabilitation is that patients use auditory feedback to correct their movements and therefore show motor learning. We tested this hypothesis by manipulating the auditory feedback timing in a way that should disrupt such error-based learning. METHODS We contrasted a patient group undergoing music-supported therapy on a piano that emits sounds immediately (as in previous studies) with a group whose sounds are presented after a jittered delay. The delay was not noticeable to patients. Thirty-four patients in early stroke rehabilitation with moderate motor impairment and no previous musical background learned to play the piano using simple finger exercises and familiar children's songs. RESULTS Rehabilitation outcome was not impaired in the jitter group relative to the normal group. Conversely, some clinical tests suggests the jitter group outperformed the normal group. CONCLUSIONS Auditory feedback-based motor learning is not the beneficial mechanism of music-supported therapy. Immediate auditory feedback therapy may be suboptimal. Jittered delay may increase efficacy of the proposed therapy and allow patients to fully benefit from motivational factors of music training. Our study shows a novel way to test hypotheses concerning music training in a single-blinded way, which is an important improvement over existing unblinded tests of music interventions.
Neurotransmitters Involved in the Opioid Regulation of Prolactin Secretion at the End of Pregnancy in Rats

Using a pharmacological approach, we explored potential mechanisms for the regulation of prolactin secretion by opioid peptides at the end of pregnancy in rats. On day 19 of pregnancy, intracereboventricular administration of the µ-opioid receptor agonist (D-Ala2, NMe-Phe4, Gly-ol5)-enkephalin (DAMGO) or β-endorphin (β-END) induced a dose-related increase in serum prolactin levels 30 min later. Pretreatment with the opioid antagonist naloxone abolished the increase induced by DAMGO injection. At lower doses, DAMGO and β-END did not modify the 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid/dopamine ratio, but at higher doses, the µ-agonists evoked a significant increase of the dopaminergic activity as compared with saline control. The time course of the effects of β-END (2.5 µg/rat) showed a higher increase in serum prolactin levels at 15 min than at 30 min after treatment. The 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid/dopamine ratio increased 15 min after β-END administration and was even higher 30 min later. Neither the selective ĸ-agonist U50,488H nor the selective δ-agonist (D-Pen2, D-Pen5)- enkephalin were able to modify the serum prolactin levels at the doses studied.To evaluate potential neurotransmitters involved in the regulation of prolactin secretion at the end of pregnancy, we combined the administration of serotoninergic or GABAergic antagonists with the opioid agonist DAMGO. The serotonin 5-HT2 receptor antagonist ketanserin increased the serum prolactin levels and potentiated the effect of DAMGO. The intracerebroventricular administration of SR-95531 did not modify the serum prolactin concentration under basal conditions, but partially prevented the increase induced by DAMGO injection. The intracerebroventricular administration of the GABAB receptor antagonist phaclofen had no effect on the serum prolactin levels either in naive or DAMGO-treated rats. The present results support the proposal that activation of µ-opioid receptors stimulates prolactin secretion at the end of pregnancy. Although the exact mechanisms by which the opioid system modulates prolactin secretion at the end of pregnancy are unclear, these results suggest an interaction of the opioidergic system with serotoninergic and GABAergic systems, without ruling out a direct or indirect action on dopaminergic neurons. In conclusion, the opioid system may regulate prolactin secretion at the end of pregnancy through either stimulatory (present results) or inhibitory actions previously described.
Oral Status and Prosthetic Treatment Needs in Functionally Impaired and Elderly Individuals.

PURPOSE The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to describe the oral status and prosthetic treatment needs of dependent, functionally impaired individuals and dependent elderly individuals in comparison with the general population. METHODS A total of 355 subjects, sampled from the register of increased financial support for dependent and functionally impaired individuals in the north of Sweden, were examined. The variables were number of teeth, Eichner Index, type and condition of prostheses, and treatment needs. Statistical analyses were carried out using an independent samples t test for means and chi-square tests for proportions. Comparisons were made with the results of an earlier study (EPI-Norr) of 908 patients from the general population in the same county. RESULTS The study group had fewer teeth compared with the general population (20% edentulous in the study group vs 7% in the general population; P < .001), as well as more dentures and fewer tooth- and implant-supported prostheses. A total of 42% of the dentures in the maxilla and 51% of the dentures in the mandible were in poor condition. There was no difference in complications from dental implants between the groups. CONCLUSION Since the Swedish system for financial support enables dental care to the patient groups in question, the situation is probably better in Sweden than in many other countries. As more accentuated differences can be assumed between these population groups in other countries, these findings are also interesting from an international perspective.
[Tuberculosis in asylum seekers in The Netherlands].

OBJECTIVE To compare data of some features and treatment results of asylum seekers with TB in whom the diagnosis was made by a roentgenologic examination of the thorax a short time after arrival in the Netherlands with data of other TB-patients. DESIGN Retrospective. SETTING The Netherlands. METHOD Data of patients with tuberculosis are collected in the National Tuberculosis Register. In 1993 this register included data of 1582 patients, among them III asylum seekers in whom TB was diagnosed after obligatory roentgenologic screening a short time after arrival in the Netherlands. The reason for examination, presence of complaints, forms of tuberculosis, presence of bacteriological confirmation, drug-resistance and results of treatment of them were compared with the data of other asylum seekers (n = 169) and other TB-patients (n = 1302). RESULTS The diagnosis TB in asylum seekers who are screened obligatorily was bacteriologically confirmed in 34 of III (31%) of the cases, while in 72 of 169 (43%) other asylum seekers and in 729 of 1302 (56%) of the other TB-patients (p < 0.001 for the difference between obligatory screened asylum seekers and other TB-patients). Resistance against isoniazide and streptomycin was more frequent in asylum seekers (n = 106; 13% and 19% respectively) than in Dutch patients (n = 338; 2% and 3% respectively) (p < 0.001). Obligatory screened asylum seekers with bacteriologically confirmed TB were cured in 82% of the cases and this did not differ from the other groups. Asylum seekers and other immigrants showed a higher default-rate than Dutch patients did (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION Among asylum seekers with tuberculosis discovered by the first obligatory screening was a lower percentage of bacteriological confirmation and a higher percentage of drug-resistance and defaulters. The results of treatment of asylum seekers with bacteriologically confirmed TB were good.
Fault coupling in finite bijective functions

Fault‐based testing attempts to show that particular faults cannot exist in software by using test sets that differentiate between the original program (hypothesized to be correct) and faulty alternate programs. The success of this approach depends on a number of assumptions, notably that programmers are competent insofar as they only commit relatively trivial faults, and that faults only couple infrequently. Fault coupling occurs when test sets are able to differentiate between the original program and faulty alternate programs when faults occur in isolation, but not when they occur in combination; it is a complicating factor in fault‐based testing. Fault coupling is studied here within the context of finite bijective functions. A complete mathematical solution of the problem is possible in this simplified case; the results indicate that fault coupling does indeed occur infrequently, and are thus in agreement with the empirical results obtained by others in the field. One surprising result is that certain kinds of test set are able to avoid fault coupling altogether.
Gendered aspects of perceived and internalized HIV-related stigma in China

ABSTRACT Although studies have demonstrated that females experience more HIV-related stigma than males do, questions remain regarding the different dimensions of the stigma (i.e., perceived versus internalized) in China. The present study investigated gender differences in perceived and internalized HIV-related stigma, taking into account the potential influence of education. The study was conducted between October 2011 and March 2013. A total of 522 people living with HIV (PLH) were recruited from Anhui Province, China. The PLH participated in a survey using the Computer Assisted Personal Interview (CAPI) method. The gender differences in perceived and internalized HIV-related stigma were calculated with and without stratifying by education level. Female participants had significantly less education than the male participants. No significant difference was observed between females and males with respect to perceived stigma. However, females reported significantly higher internalized stigma than males did (p < .001). When socio-demographic characteristics were controlled, the gender difference in internalized stigma remained significant among educated participants (p = .038). The findings suggested that gender differences in HIV-related stigma were primarily found for internalized stigma. Heightened intervention efforts are encouraged to reduce internalized HIV-related stigma, particularly among female PLH in China and other regions with similar gender dynamics.
VIP blockade leads to microcephaly in mice via disruption of Mcph1-Chk1 signaling.

Autosomal recessive primary microcephaly (MCPH) is a genetic disorder that causes a reduction of cortical outgrowth without severe interference with cortical patterning. It is associated with mutations in a number of genes encoding protein involved in mitotic spindle formation and centrosomal activities or cell cycle control. We have shown previously that blocking vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) during gestation in mice by using a VIP antagonist (VA) results in microcephaly. Here, we have shown that the cortical abnormalities caused by prenatal VA administration mimic the phenotype described in MCPH patients and that VIP blockade during neurogenesis specifically disrupts Mcph1 signaling. VA administration reduced neuroepithelial progenitor proliferation by increasing cell cycle length and promoting cell cycle exit and premature neuronal differentiation. Quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot showed that VA downregulated Mcph1. Inhibition of Mcph1 expression led to downregulation of Chk1 and reduction of Chk1 kinase activity. The inhibition of Mcph1 and Chk1 affected the expression of a specific subset of cell cycle–controlling genes and turned off neural stem cell proliferation in neurospheres. Furthermore, in vitro silencing of either Mcph1 or Chk1 in neurospheres mimicked VA-induced inhibition of cell proliferation. These results demonstrate that VIP blockade induces microcephaly through Mcph1 signaling and suggest that VIP/Mcph1/Chk1 signaling is key for normal cortical development.
The development of a finite element contact model of a rough surface applied to a Au-coated carbon nanotube composite

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) coated surfaces have been developed to improve the lifetime of electrical contact of MEMS switches. However, little research has been done on the contact mechanics of the surfaces. The surfaces, usually gold coated, demonstrated a complex structure due to the gold penetrating into MWCNT and a much higher roughness than metal surfaces, with Ra in the order of 1-2 μm. This study is based on a finite element model of a bi-layered structure model for Au/MWCNT composite that includes the surface roughness. The goal is to build up a model much closer to real surfaces, and real surface data was used in the modeling. It is shown that it is only a few asperities making contact due to the roughness, and the contact area is much smaller than that of smooth surface.
Evaluating Web 2.0 technologies in higher education using students' perceptions and performance

In this work, Web 2.0 technologies in higher education are evaluated using students' perceptions, satisfaction, performance and behaviour. The study evaluates the Web 2.0 tools as stand-alone entities as well in terms of their cross-operability and integration confluence to synergistic contributions towards the enhancement of student learning. Significant correlations and interdependencies on the students' behaviour over the used platform and their performance in various time points within the course time line have been revealed.
Clinical Experience of Clerks and Dressers: A Three-Year Study of Birmingham Medical Students

A survey of the clinical experience of junior medical clerks and surgical dressers on their first clinical attachment in the Birmingham University Teaching Hospitals was organized by students over a three-year period. A typical clinical student had performed basic clinical procedures such as putting up a drip, doing an ECG, bladder catheterization and seen a wide range of other procedures. Most students felt involved in the work of the firm, had clerked routine admissions, and regularly attended the firm's emergency admission night. Consultants on most firms were felt to be concerned about student progress. Students attached to district general hospitals gained a wider range of clinical experience than those at established teaching hospitals. Student-run audit is a useful way of monitoring the clinical experience gained by medical students.
The morphological and physiological properties of a regenerating synapse in the C.N.S. of the leech

Regeneration of an electrical synapse between particular interneurons in the medical leech was traced physiologically and morphologically using intracellular recording and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) injection. The synapse between S‐cell interneurons lies in the connective midway between segmental ganglia, so crushing near one ganglion severs only one S‐cell's axon. The severed distal stump remains connected to the adjacent uninjured S‐cell and continues for weeks to conduct impulses. The injured cell regenerates, while its uninjured “target” neuron in the next ganglion does not grow. After the sprouts of the regenerating neuron cross the crush, one or a few branches grow along the surviving distal stump toward the original synapse. After about one month when the region of original synapse has been reached, regenerating neurons from electrical junctions and stop growing. Thereafter electrical coupling improves in stages. Within two months the regenerated neuron attains full caliber, the stump degenerates and function is normal. In some instances within days or weeks of crushing, the regenerating neuron forms a basket of synapses upon its severed distal stump and then continues growing to synapse with the target. When this occurs, electrical coupling and subsequent impulse transmission between S‐cells rapidly resumes. These experiments indicate that the regenerating neuron is guided to its proper synaptic target by recognizing and following its severed distal stump. Sometimes the distal stump itself becomes an intermediate synaptic target.
DNA synthetic response of thymocytes to a variety of antigens.

The ability of 10 different antigens to stimulate uptake of 125I UDR, as a measure of DNA synthesis in T cells,1 was investigated. There was a good correlation between the stimulatory capacity of the antigens and their antigenicity. Five of the antigens studied have been reported to be “thymus-independent. ”. Three of them (brucella, POL and ferritin) were among the best T cell stimulators while the other two (pneumococcal polysaccharide and PVP) were the poorest. This discrepancy suggests that the basis of their reported “thymus-independency” is different. An explanation for the difference is offered.
Epidermal Growth Factor in Cow's Milk and Milk Formulas

ABSTRACT. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) in human milk, cow's milk and 10 different milk formulas was measured by radioreceptor assay (RRA) using human placental membrane as an EGF receptor. The raw and pasteurized cow's milk contained 324.2 ng/ml and 155.0 ng/ml of RRA‐EGF, respectively. These values were almost the same as that found in human milk, when the concentration was expressed as the proportion of protein contents in the samples. On the other hand, no trace of RRA‐EGF was detected in 9 different milk formulas, and only one contained a very small amount of it.
Entrepreneurial Exit in Real and Imagined Markets

Entrepreneurs exit their business due to selection mechanisms experienced in the market place. Next to this well known ex-post decision to exit, entrepreneurs select ex-ante whether they are willing to pursue an entrepreneurial career at all, or to give up these entrepreneurial intentions. This paper compares the role of personal and ecological factors as determinants of these two types of selection: exit in real and in imagined markets. Entrepreneurs in imagined markets are more likely to exit in strong welfare state regimes, while real entrepreneurs are more likely to exit when they have low levels of human capital and when they are located in metropolitan areas.
CYTOKINETIC ANALYSIS OF TUMOR GROWTH*

The growth of cell populations rarely follows a constant and inexorable course. Rather, the over-all growth rate usually shifts in a characteristic fashion with times appropriate to the particular population: from rapid growth to slow growth and even on occasion to no growth or negative growth. The reasons for this are far from clear. Population growth represents the summation of birth and death or loss functions. Knowledge of the fine structure of the growth pattern of a cell population may therefore provide important insight about the nature of rate-controlling factors. The present investigation was undertaken to determine the cytokinetic basis for the change in growth rate as a tumor increases in size. It was found in earlier work with ascites tumors of mice' -3 that the growth pattern appeared to be a function mainly of the total number of free tumor cells. The initial, comparatively brief phase of rapid cell proliferation was followed by a progressive deceleration toward an asymptote. Several factors may contribute to growth deceleration: (1) a progressive increase in duration of the mitotic cell cycle; (2) a gradual decline in the growth fraction; and (3) an increase in the rate of cell loss by either cell death or migration. Although some attention has been given to the mitotic cycle4-8 and the growth fraction9-'2 during tumor development, the precise connection of the cytokinetic variables noted above to the over-all growth curve has not been established.
Convergence Analysis of Some Methods for Minimizing a Nonsmooth Convex Function

In this paper, we analyze a class of methods for minimizing a proper lower semicontinuous extended-valued convex function f: R n -»R u {oo}. Instead of the original objective function/, we employ a convex approximation fk + 1 at the kth iteration. Some global convergence rate estimates are obtained. We illustrate our approach by proposing (i) a new family of proximal point algorithms which possesses the global convergence rate estimate f ( x k ) -mm x € r n f ( x ) = even it the iteration points are calculated approximately, where {yk}k=0 are the proximal parameters, and (11) a variant proximal bundle method. Applications to stochastic programs are discussed.