Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Oef/Oif Deployment Intensity on the Rate of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Among Active Duty Population

This study estimates the effect of deployment location and length on the risk of developing PTSD, relative to what it would be from the normal military operations. We use a random sample of activity-duty enlisted personnel serving between 2001 and 2006. We identify PTSD cases from TRICARE medical records and link deployment information from Contingent Tracking System. Comparing to those in other duties around the world, deployment to Iraq/Afghanistan increases the odds of developing PTSD substantially, with the largest effect observed for the Navy (OR=9.06, p
A new simulation based robot command library applied to three robots

A new type of high-level robot command library is presented and demonstrated. Three robot programming languages have been analyzed and new robot command libraries created for three types of robot. The programming of three robots using the new high-level robot command library demonstrated that it was possible to program robots with different kinematic configurations without the programmer having any knowledge of the physical structure of the robots. The library commands contained simulations of the abilities of the robots as well as having the ability to control the physical robots. This paper shows how simulation can be incorporated into a high-level robot command library and how the command library can be used for the programming of three industrial robots. ©1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Association of endogenous anti-interferon-α autoantibodies with decreased interferon-pathway and disease activity in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

OBJECTIVE Numerous observations implicate interferon-α (IFNα) in the pathophysiology of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE); however, the potential impact of endogenous anti-IFNα autoantibodies (AIAAs) on IFN-pathway and disease activity is unclear. The aim of this study was to characterize IFN-pathway activity and the serologic and clinical profiles of AIAA-positive patients with SLE. METHODS Sera obtained from patients with SLE (n = 49), patients with rheumatoid arthritis (n = 25), and healthy control subjects (n = 25) were examined for the presence of AIAAs, using a biosensor immunoassay. Serum type I IFN bioactivity and the ability of AIAA-positive sera to neutralize IFNα activity were determined using U937 cells. Levels of IFN-regulated gene expression in peripheral blood were determined by microarray, and serum levels of BAFF, IFN-inducible chemokines, and other autoantibodies were measured using immunoassays. RESULTS AIAAs were detected in 27% of the serum samples from patients with SLE, using a biosensor immunoassay. Unsupervised hierarchical clustering analysis identified 2 subgroups of patients, IFN(low) and IFN(high) , that differed in the levels of serum type I IFN bioactivity, IFN-regulated gene expression, BAFF, anti-ribosomal P, and anti-chromatin autoantibodies, and in AIAA status. The majority of AIAA-positive patients had significantly lower levels of serum type I IFN bioactivity, reduced downstream IFN-pathway activity, and lower disease activity compared with the IFN(high) patients. AIAA-positive sera were able to effectively neutralize type I IFN activity in vitro. CONCLUSION Patients with SLE commonly harbor AIAAs. AIAA-positive patients have lower levels of serum type I IFN bioactivity and evidence for reduced downstream IFN-pathway and disease activity. AIAAs may influence the clinical course in SLE by blunting the effects produced by IFNα.
Nutritional composition of rice bran submitted to different stabilization procedures

A fim de inativar a deterioracao enzimatica, as amostras de farelo de arroz foram submetidas a dois metodos de estabilizacao. As mudancas do valor nutricional, no que se refere a composicao quimica, os minerais e o conteudo de acidos graxos, foram avaliadas para adicionar mais informacoes aos dados existentes e promover a utilizacao de farelo de arroz na dieta humana. Os seguintes tratamentos caseiros por calor foram aplicados: torra em forno convencional ou de aquecimento em forno de micro-ondas. Com base nos resultados, os diferentes metodos de aquecimento afetaram a composicao das amostras, ja que os niveis de alguns nutrientes mostraram alteracoes significativas (p <0,05), comparado com as amostras cruas correspondentes. O farelo de arroz tratado em fogao convencional forneceu produtos com menos umidade (5,14 ± 0,10 g/100 g) e nutrientes, tais como: de sodio 11,8%; acido palmitico 9,9% e acido estearico 8,1%. O procedimento de forno de micro-ondas resultou em melhor preservacao dos nutrientes, com teor de umidade um pouco maior (6,28 ± 0,10 g/100 g), o que parece ser uma ferramenta pratica e rapida no tratamento termico caseiro para o farelo de arroz.
Battered Women: Presentation At A&E Departments In Singapore

This study was undertaken to assess the characteristics of battered women seen at the A&E departments in Singapore. The first part was conducted at the A&E department of a general hospital in Singapore from July 4, 1992 to November 9, 1992. Ninety-six victims were interviewed using a standard questionnaire. Information was obtained about the characteristics of victims, assailants and the assaults as well as the cause of presentation. In order to verify the universality of the findings, battered women seen at A&E departments of the four main general hospitals on the island from November 1, 1993 to January 31, 1994 were interviewed using a similar questionnaire. We found that the majority of the women were beaten by someone they knew and, for most, it was not a first-time assault. Most times, no weapon was used. Injuries were sustained mainly to the face and extremities. The majority of the victims were at the A&E department either because of the medical examination required in conjunction with a police report or because of the severity of their injuries.
Reliability Testing of the Dutch Version of the Radner Reading Charts

Purpose. To statistically analyze the test-retest and inter-chart reliability of the newly developed actual logarithmically scaled Dutch Radner Reading Charts in an older population affected by macular disease. These Dutch Radner Reading Charts are developed according to the strict principles of sentence construction of the originally German language Radner Reading Charts. Methods. Thirty-six subjects aged 50 years or older and affected with a macular disease monocularly read the three charts of the Radner Reading Charts in a randomized order twice with 1 month in between. The subjects were divided into three groups according to their distance logMAR visual acuity (group 1, ≥0.1; group 2, 0.12 to 0.4; and group 3, 0.42 to 0.8). Reading acuity (logRAD, the reading equivalent of logMAR), logRAD score, maximum reading speed, critical print size, and logRAD/logMAR ratio were measured. Variance component analysis was used to determine the sources of variability. Results. The test-retest and inter-chart reliability was high for all visual acuity groups and variables. For all groups together the chart accounted for maximal 5% of the total variability for all measurements. The individual subject did have the largest influence on the measurements (88 to 98% of the variability). Conclusions. The Dutch version of the Radner Reading Charts provided high reliable test-retest and inter-chart measurements of reading performance in a heterogeneous group of subjects with subnormal to low vision. This study also showed that the strict principles of sentence construction of the originally German Radner Reading Charts may also be successfully used for other languages.
Macroeconomic Factors and Antidumping Filings: Evidence from Four Countries

This paper examines the relationship between antidumping filings and macroeconomic factors. We show that real exchange rate fluctuations affect the two criteria for dumping in opposite ways, making the overall effect on filings ambiguous in theory. Interestingly, no such ambiguity is evidenced in the data. Examining the filing patterns of the four major users of AD law during the 1980--98 period we find that real exchange rates and domestic real GDP growth both have statistically significant impacts on filings. Bilateral filing data indicate that a one-standard deviation real appreciation of the domestic currency increases filings by 33% while a one-standard deviation fall in domestic real GDP increases filings by 23%.
Jarzynski's equality illustrated by simple examples

The Jarzynski theorem is perhaps the most recently discovered simple general formula in elementary statistical physics. In this paper, written with a pedagogical aim, we illustrate the physical concepts under the Jarzynski and related results by a detailed calculation with a representative example. The physics of the model is sufficiently transparent so that it becomes suitable to incorporate in a general course of statistical physics.
Mood-specific effects in the allocation of attention across time

Participants completed single and dual rapid serial visual presentation (RSVP) tasks. Across five experiments, either the mood of the participant or valence of the target was manipulated to create pairings in which the critical target was either mood congruent or mood noncongruent. When the second target (T2) in an RSVP stream was congruent with the participant's mood, performance was enhanced. This was true for happy and sad moods and in single- and dual-task conditions. In contrast, the effects of congruence varied when the focus was on the first target (T1). When in a sad mood and having attended to a sad T1, detection of a neutral T2 was impaired, resulting in a stronger attentional blink (AB). There was no effect of stimulus-mood congruence for T1 when in a happy mood. It was concluded that mood-congruence is important for stimulus detection, but that sadness uniquely influences post-identification processing when attention is first focused on mood-congruent information.
Knowledge, risk perception, and behavioral intention about hepatitis C, among university students

Introduction: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major complex public health problem. Different resources have proved that healthcare workers more than the general population are at a risk of infection. Therefore, medical field students, due to the future occupational hazards, are included in the risk group. Aim: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the level of knowledge, public and individual risk perception, and behavioral intention about HCV, among medical sciences students of the Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. Settings and Design: This is a descriptive–analytical study that was conducted among 457 students of the Medical Sciences in the Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. Materials and Methods: The data was collected using a questionnaire. Sampling was done randomly. Statistical Analysis Used: The data was analyzed using the SPSS18 software and statistical tests of Pearson, Spearman, T- test, and the analysis of variance (ANOVA); P < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Four hundred and fifty-seven students (41.8% male and 58.2% female) in 29 fields of study (six categories) participated in this research. The mean age was 21.55 ± 2.6 years. The mean and standard deviations of the students’ knowledge was 3.71 ± 2.9 (out of 8), and the behavioral intention to accruing information and performance of preventive actions related to HCV was 11.52 ± 3.16 (out of 20). Public risk perception was 20.1 ± 3.5 (out of 30); and personal risk perception was 6.96 ± 1.8 (out of 10). The ANOVA test showed that public perception of the risk among students of different academic fields was different (F = 1.52, P < 0.05). Conclusions: According to the low knowledge of students of Medical Sciences in the Isfahan University of Medical Sciences about HCV, it was recommended that the University Policymakers design an educational intervention about it, in order to minimize the chances of being infected.
A Descriptive Analysis of Language and Speech Skills in 4- to 5-Yr-Old Children With Hearing Loss

Objective:Early intervention through hearing aids (HAs) and cochlear implants (CIs) aims to reduce the negative effects of childhood hearing loss and to promote optimal communication development over time. The primary goal of this study was to examine the communication outcomes of children with CIs and children with HAs at age 4 to 5 yrs and to consider their spoken language skills relative to a group of typically developing hearing peers. Design:In this multicenter observational study, communication results were obtained for a total of 88 children at age 4 to 5 yrs. Participants were recruited from three clinical programs in two cities in the province of Ontario, Canada. This study was undertaken shortly after the introduction of a new provincial population screening initiative and included both children who were screened and not screened for hearing loss. The study sample comprised 51 children with sensorineural hearing loss and 37 children with normal hearing. Of the 51 children with hearing loss, 26 used CIs and 25 used HAs. The degree of hearing loss ranged from mild to profound. All children were enrolled in rehabilitation programs focused on oral language development. Children's language skills were assessed with an extensive battery of child- and parent-administered speech and language measures. Results:Assessment of language skills showed no significant differences between the children with severe to profound hearing loss using CIs and children with varying degrees of hearing loss using HAs. However, children with HAs showed better articulation skills. Overall, both groups of children obtained scores on communication measures that were lower than their hearing peers. The number of children with hearing loss who obtained spoken speech-language scores within 1 SD of normative populations ranged from 65 to 86% depending on the test measure. Children with average hearing loss of 70 dB HL or better generally obtained scores on all measures in line with those of age-matched norms while scores were quite variable for children with severe and profound hearing loss. Factors influencing performance in children with hearing loss included degree of hearing loss (pure-tone average) and parent education. Age at diagnosis of hearing loss was not a significant predictor of speech-language outcomes in this study. Conclusions:Results indicated that overall, children with all degrees of hearing loss who were fit with hearing technology and who received auditory-based rehabilitation services during the preschool years demonstrated the potential to develop spoken language communication skills. As a group, children with CIs and children with HAs did not differ significantly on language abilities although there were differences in articulation skills. Their performance at age 4 to 5 yrs was delayed compared with a group of hearing peers. The findings reinforce the need for research to identify factors that are likely to lead to age-appropriate communication skills for preschool-age children with hearing loss.
Quantitative muscle ultrasound and quadriceps strength in patients with post‐polio syndrome

Introduction: We investigated whether muscle ultrasound can distinguish muscles affected by post‐polio syndrome (PPS) from healthy muscles and whether severity of ultrasound abnormalities is associated with muscle strength. Methods: Echo intensity, muscle thickness, and isometric strength of the quadriceps muscles were measured in 48 patients with PPS and 12 healthy controls. Results: Patients with PPS had significantly higher echo intensity and lower muscle thickness than healthy controls. In patients, both echo intensity and muscle thickness were associated independently with muscle strength. A combined measure of echo intensity and muscle thickness was more strongly related to muscle strength than either parameter alone. Conclusions: Quantitative ultrasound distinguishes healthy muscles from those affected by PPS, and measures of muscle quality and quantity are associated with muscle strength. Hence, ultrasound could be a useful tool for assessing disease severity and monitoring changes resulting from disease progression or clinical intervention in patients with PPS. Muscle Nerve 51: 24–29, 2015
A case of pulmonary veno-occlusive disease: diagnostic dilemmas and therapeutic challenges

Pulmonary veno-occlusive disease (PVOD) is a rare cause of pulmonary hypertension (PH). Misdiagnosis of the disease is common since PVOD presents with clinical and radiographic features mimicking idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension or even PH due to interstitial lung disease. Vasodilators may not be efficacious in PVOD and may in fact worsen hemodynamic status with the development of pulmonary edema. Lung transplantation represents the best treatment option. In the present report we describe the challenging diagnosis of PVOD in a patient with PH referred to our department. Final diagnosis was established by surgical lung biopsy. The patient was offered sequential combination therapy under close monitoring and maintained remarkable clinical stabilization while being on the waiting list for lung transplantation.
Age at menarche and risky sexual partnerships in adulthood: does a biosocial model explain any associations?

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to examine the association between menarcheal age and subsequent sexual partnering in women aged 21-44 years. METHODS Data from the 2006-2010 National Survey of Family Growth were used (n=7,962). Menarcheal age was defined as ≤ 11, 12-14, or ≥ 15 years. Sexual partnering was defined as being concurrent, serially monogamous or monogamous in the previous year. Polytomous logistic regression models evaluated the association between age of menarche and sexual partnering. RESULTS Nearly 6% reported concurrent partnerships and ∼ 4% serial monogamy. Age of menarche was not associated with subsequent concurrent sexual partnering (adjusted odds ratio relative to ≥ 18 years [aOR ≤ 11]: 1.09; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.57-2.09; aOR12-14: 1.13; 95% CI: 0.64-1.99) or serial monogamy (aOR ≤ 11: 0.75; 95% CI: 0.41-1.38; aOR12-14: 0.71; 95% CI: 0.39-1.29). CONCLUSIONS Early menarche is not a risk factor for sexual partnering in adulthood. However, menarche provides an opportunity for education to aid young women to make decisions regarding sexual debut and sexual partnering that are healthy for them.
Analyse des grilles de précipitation à haute résolution et des critères de calage pour la modélisation hydrologique au Québec

Le travail de recherche presente dans ce memoire concerne l’analyse de trois bases de donnees de precipitation a haute resolution sur grilles regulieres couvrant la province de Quebec. Il s’agit de la grille de Ressources Naturelles Canada (NRCan), de la grille du Ministere du Developpement durable, de l'Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques du Quebec (MDDELCC), et de l’Analyse Canadienne de Precipitation (CaPA) produite par Environnement et Changements climatiques Canada. A ces trois grandes grilles s’ajoute la grille operationnelle de Rio Tinto qui couvre la region du Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean. Le travail de recherche vise a determiner les differences spatiales et temporelles entre les bases de donnees de precipitation sur grilles et leurs implications pour la modelisation hydrologique, d’abord pour le Quebec au complet et, ensuite, plus particulierement sur le bassin versant du Lac-Saint-Jean. Trois criteres de calage, soient le Nash-Sutcliffe Efficiency (NSE), le Kling-Gupta Efficiency (KGE) et une combinaison de criteres tels que le biais, la racine carree de l’erreur quadratique moyenne (RMSE) et le NSE, sont evalues pour le calage du modele hydrologique HSAMI sur les bassins versants du Quebec. Des indicateurs tels que les ecarts relatifs, la correlation, les rapports des variances, les precipitations cumulees, etc., sont utilises pour determiner les similitudes et les distinctions entre les grilles de precipitations. Le modele global conceptuel HSAMI est utilise pour realiser les simulations sur 181 bassins versants au Quebec, alors que le modele conceptuel semi-distribue CEQUEAU est utilise pour les simulations hydrologiques sur le bassin versant du Lac-Saint-Jean. Des calages du modele HSAMI sont effectues avec chacun des trois criteres mentionnes ci-dessus sur les 181 bassins versants. Les resultats indiquent de fortes similitudes entre les grilles de precipitation dans le sud et des disparites dans le centre et le nord de la province de Quebec. L'analyse des simulations hydrologiques indique que CaPA offre les meilleurs resultats, en particulier pour les bassins versants situes dans le centre et le nord de la province. MDDELCC offre les meilleures performances dans les bassins versants situes sur la rive sud du fleuve Saint-Laurent et se presente globalement comme la deuxieme meilleure option. L’analyse des simulations avec le modele CEQUEAU sur le bassin versant du Lac-Saint-Jean conduit aux memes conclusions. La comparaison des debits simules pour les differents criteres de calage revele que le critere KGE permet d’obtenir des variances des debits simules plus proches de celles des debits observees.
Midwives' knowledge of, attitudes to and practice with baby walkers.

OBJECTIVE to determine community midwives' knowledge, attitudes and practice with regard to baby walkers. DESIGN survey, using questionnaires. SETTING primary care, East Midlands, UK. PARTICIPANTS Sixty-five community midwives participating in a cluster randomised controlled trial to reduce baby walker use. FINDINGS there was a 94% response. Seventy per cent of the midwives, felt that it was part of their role to discuss baby walkers, and 62% felt that giving advice about walkers before birth acceptable. The midwives had a limited knowledge of baby walker injury risk and only one midwife had any baby walker-related health education material. Three attitude scales were computed and indicated that the midwives held a negative view of baby walkers and were positive about baby walker health education, believing that parents hold a positive attitude to baby walkers. Those midwives who had used a walker with their own children were more positive about baby walkers and less positive about baby walker health education. KEY CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE midwives are willing to be involved in baby walker health education during pregnancy. However, they require evidence-based knowledge and materials rather than relying on personal experience.
The Brain That Plays Music and Is Changed by It

Abstract: Playing a musical instrument demands extensive procedural and motor learning that results in plastic reorganization of the human brain. These plastic changes seem to include the rapid unmasking of existing connections and the establishment of new ones. Therefore, both functional and structural changes take place in the brain of instrumentalists as they learn to cope with the demands of their activity. Neuroimaging techniques allow documentation of these plastic changes in the human brain. These plastic changes are fundamental to the accomplishment of skillful playing, but they pose a risk for the development of motor control dysfunctions that may give rise to overuse syndromes and focal, task‐specific dystonia.