Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Chronic Back Problems Among Persons 30 to 64 Years Old in France

Study Design. A national population-based survey focusing on disability. Objective. To describe the frequency of chronic back conditions among those aged 30 to 64 years, the consequences on their daily lives, their employment status, and source of income. Summary of Background Data. Descriptive data from community-based surveys are sparse. Methods. In the French Handicap, Disability and Dependence survey, 1,289 subjects with chronic back problems were compared with the general population. Results. The estimates for prevalence of chronic back problems were 7.9% for men (95% confidence interval, 7.2–8.5) and 7.5% for women (95% confidence interval, 7.0–8.1). Despite functional limitations, most people in France who had back problems were employed in a ordinary work: 71.5% among men (77.7% in the general population), 53.5% among women (60.2% in the general population). Among them, blue-collar workers were overrepresented. Of the subjects with back conditions, a very small proportion had a source of permanent income related to their health problems. Conclusions. The results from this national population-based survey emphasize the weight of chronic back problems in the community, in a country where the legislation offers few alternatives to ordinary work for those who suffer from chronic limitations due to low back pain.
Influences of Chronic Mild Stress Exposure on Motor, Non-Motor Impairments and Neurochemical Variables in Specific Brain Areas of MPTP/Probenecid Induced Neurotoxicity in Mice

Parkinson's disease (PD) is regarded as a movement disorder mainly affecting the elderly population and occurs due to progressive loss of dopaminergic (DAergic) neurons in nigrostriatal pathway. Patients suffer from non-motor symptoms (NMS) such as depression, anxiety, fatigue and sleep disorders, which are not well focussed in PD research. Depression in PD is a predominant /complex symptom and its pathology lies exterior to the nigrostriatal system. The main aim of this study is to explore the causative or progressive effect of chronic mild stress (CMS), a paradigm developed as an animal model of depression in1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (25 mg/kg. body wt.) with probenecid (250 mg/kg, s.c.) (MPTP/p) induced mice model of PD. After ten i.p. injections (once in 3.5 days for 5 weeks) of MPTP/p or exposure to CMS for 4 weeks, the behavioural (motor and non-motor) impairments, levels and expressions of dopamine (DA), serotonin (5-HT), DAergic markers such as tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), dopamine transporter (DAT), vesicular monoamine transporters—2 (VMAT 2) and α-synuclein in nigrostriatal (striatum (ST) and substantia nigra (SN)) and extra-nigrostriatal (hippocampus, cortex and cerebellum) tissues were analysed. Significantly decreased DA and 5-HT levels, TH, DAT and VMAT 2 expressions and increased motor deficits, anhedonia-like behaviour and α-synuclein expression were found in MPTP/p treated mice. Pre and/or post exposure of CMS to MPTP/p mice further enhanced the MPTP/p induced DA and 5-HT depletion, behaviour abnormalities and protein expressions. Our results could strongly confirm that the exposure of stress after MPTP/p injections worsens the symptoms and neurochemicals status of PD.
Social Inequality and the Rise of Localism in Hong Kong

An increasing number of people define themselves as Hong Kong citizens or as Chinese Hong Kong citizens, rather than as Chinese citizens. This shift in identity accompanies growing social inequality, revealed by Hong Kong’s Gini Coefficient increasing from 0.525 in 2001 to 0.537 in 2011. Rising social inequality has led to localism/local-based nationalism. Is there a relationship between social inequality and increased localism? This paper argues that the growth of social inequality and increased localism in Hong Kong is partially related to migration schemes employed there to attract highly skilled global talent. This calls attention to increasing intra-ethnic distinction and discrimination in Hong Kong and its relationship to growing social inequality and localism.
A study of festival switching intentions, festival satisfaction, festival image, festival affective impacts, and festival quality

There is a conceptual gap in the marketing literature, as to date there has been no published empirical research on festival switching intentions, festival satisfaction, festival image, festival affective impacts, and festival quality that have focused in the context of food festivals. This study seeks to fill this conceptual gap by identifying the dimensions of festival quality and empirically examining the interrelationships among festival switching intentions, festival satisfaction, festival image, festival affective impacts, and festival quality. A multidimensional and hierarchical model is used as a framework to synthesize the effects of festival quality, festival affective impacts, festival image, and festival satisfaction on festival switching intentions. Statistical support is found for four primary dimensions and 13 subdimensions of festival quality for food festivals. The hypothesized paths between the higher order constructs—festival quality, festival affective impacts, festival image, festival satisfaction, and festival switching intentions—are confirmed. The results of this analysis contribute to the services marketing theory by providing additional insights into festival switching intentions, festival satisfaction, festival image, festival affective impacts, festival quality, and the dimensions of festival quality. The results of this study will also assist festival management in developing and implementing market-orientated service strategies to increase festival quality and festival affective impacts, enhance festival image and festival satisfaction, and decreasing attendees’ switching intentions to other food festivals.
Hearing Preservation After Cochlear Implantation May Improve Long-term Word Perception in the Electric-only Condition

Objective: To correlate hearing preservation with word perception in the electric-only condition in recipients of full length cochlear implant (CI) electrode arrays. Study Design: Retrospective chart review. Setting: Tertiary academic referral center. Patients: CI recipients between January 2003 and December 2013 who had measurable residual acoustic hearing before surgery and serial postoperative word perception tests. Intervention: Demographic data, pre- and postoperative pure-tone average, and postoperative monosyllabic word perception scores were evaluated. Main Outcome Measure: Hearing preservation was correlated with postoperative monosyllabic word perception scores. Results: Data from 96 ears in 91 subjects were included. Complete or partial hearing preservation was achieved in 48%. After 6 and 12 months, no significant difference in word perception was found between subjects with and without hearing preservation. However, after 18 or more months, subjects with hearing preservation had significantly better word perception scores (83% versus 72%, p <0.05). Conclusion: Preservation of residual hearing leads to better word perception in the electric-only condition over the long term. CI recipients with hearing preservation continue to make progress after more than 12 months of CI experience whereas those without plateau at 12 months.
Fuzzification: Anti-Fuzzing Techniques

Fuzzing is a software testing technique that quickly and automatically explores the input space of a program without knowing its internals. Therefore, developers commonly use fuzzing as part of test integration throughout the software development process. Unfortunately, it also means that such a blackbox and the automatic natures of fuzzing are appealing to adversaries who are looking for zero-day vulnerabilities. To solve this problem, we propose a new mitigation approach, called FUZZIFICATION, that helps developers protect the released, binary-only software from attackers who are capable of applying state-of-the-art fuzzing techniques. Given a performance budget, this approach aims to hinder the fuzzing process from adversaries as much as possible. We propose three FUZZIFICATION techniques: 1) SpeedBump, which amplifies the slowdown in normal executions by hundreds of times to the fuzzed execution, 2) BranchTrap, interfering with feedback logic by hiding paths and polluting coverage maps, and 3) AntiHybrid, hindering taint-analysis and symbolic execution. Each technique is designed with best-effort, defensive measures that attempt to hinder adversaries from bypassing FUZZIFICATION. Our evaluation on popular fuzzers and real-world applications shows that FUZZIFICATION effectively reduces the number of discovered paths by 70.3% and decreases the number of identified crashes by 93.0% from real-world binaries, and decreases the number of detected bugs by 67.5% from LAVA-M dataset while under user-specified overheads for common workloads. We discuss the robustness of FUZZIFICATION techniques against adversarial analysis techniques. We opensource our FUZZIFICATION system to foster future research.
Fibrillar Inclusions and Motor Neuron Degeneration in Transgenic Mice Expressing Superoxide Dismutase 1 with a Disrupted Copper-Binding Site

Mutations in Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) have been linked to dominantly inherited forms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (FALS). To test the hypothesis that the toxicity of mutant SOD1 originates in Cu(2+)-mediated formation of toxic radicals, we generated transgenic mice that express human SOD1 that encodes disease-linked mutations at two of the four histidine residues that are crucial for the coordinated binding of copper (H46R/H48Q). We demonstrate that mice expressing this mutant, which possesses little or no superoxide scavenging activity, develop motor neuron disease. Hence, mutations in SOD1 that disrupt the copper-binding site do not eliminate toxicity. We note that the pathology of the H46R/H48Q mice is dominated by fibrillar (Thioflavin-S-positive) inclusions and that similar inclusions were evident in mouse models that express the G37R, G85R, and G93A variants of human SOD1. Overall, our data are consistent with the hypothesis that the aberrant folding/aggregation of mutant SOD1 is a prominent feature in the pathogenesis of motor neuron disease.
Variación en los estilos de aprendizaje en estudiantes de Odontología de primero a quinto año

Objective: The aim of this study was to identify the variation of learning styles in dental students from the first to the fifth year at the Universidad San Sebastián, Concepción campus (Chile). Method: A descriptive and transversal study was conducted where The Honey-Alonso learning style questionnaire was given to 535 students. The average scores observed in each course underwent regression curve type studies and the standard deviation of each average over the fitted regression curve was estimated with its corresponding confidence interval and determination coefficient. Results: The active, reflective and pragmatic style presented a fluctuating development as the academic years progressed; with the exception of the theoretical style, which demonstrated a steady increase. All learning style scores increased in the fifth year. Conclusion: Upon reaching the higher levels, there is a development of all learning styles, which means that students adapt to learning through different strategies and have the capacity to adapt to different situations, which facilitate learning. However, we suggest that dentistry, as a clinical career, should promote the active and reflective styles, because they would be the most beneficial in helping students to develop the skills required to successfully face clinical experiences in their practice period, or within the clinical workforce.
Capital discipline and financial market relations in retail globalization: insights from the case of Tesco plc

This article provides an in-depth study of leading transnational food retailer Tesco plc to explore how its financial management and relations with the investment community—notably its reputation for capital discipline—underpinned successful expansion. Informed by close dialogue with equity analysts, we investigate how this model deteriorated since the late 2000s with declining returns, leading to high-profile international divestitures. The analysis assesses the drivers of these difficulties, and conceptualizes them. It examines how the retailer, pressured by the investment community, reviewed its international strategy and attempted to ‘reset’ its relations with capital markets to re-emphasize shareholder value and returns. The research teases out the manner in which legitimacy with capital markets underpins the extent, pace and form of global retail expansion, leading to significant implications for workers, consumers and wider stakeholders across spatially dispersed host markets.
Menstrual cycle effects on sympathetic neural responses to upright tilt

Young women are more susceptible to orthostatic intolerance than men, though the sex‐specific pathophysiology remains unknown. As blood pressure (BP) is regulated through the baroreflex mechanism, we tested the hypothesis that baroreflex control of muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) during orthostasis is impaired in women and can be affected by the menstrual cycle. MSNA and haemodynamics were measured supine and during a graded upright tilt (30 deg for 6 min, 60 deg for 45 min or till presyncope) in 11 young men and 11 women during the early follicular (EFP) and mid‐luteal phase (MLP) of the menstrual cycle. Sympathetic baroreflex sensitivity was quantified using the slope of the linear correlation between total activity and diastolic BP during spontaneous breathing. Baroreflex function was further assessed during a Valsalva manoeuvre (VM). Although MSNA burst frequency responses during tilting were similar between sexes and menstrual phases, increases in total activity were lower in women during EFP than MLP (P= 0.030), while total peripheral resistance and plasma noradrenaline were not similarly lower; upright total activity tended to be lower in women during EFP than men (P= 0.102). Sympathetic baroreflex sensitivity did not differ between sexes (P= 0.676) supine (−281 ± 46 (s.e.m.) units beat−1 mmHg−1 in men vs−252 ± 52 in EFP and −272 ± 40 in MLP in women), at 30 deg tilt (−648 ± 129 vs−611 ± 79 and −487 ± 94), and at 60 deg tilt (−792 ± 135 vs−831 ± 92 and −814 ± 142); this sensitivity was not affected by the menstrual cycle (P= 0.747). Similar sympathetic baroreflex sensitivity between sexes and phases was also observed during the VM. Cardiovagal baroreflex sensitivity assessed during decreasing BP (i.e. early phase II of the VM) was comparable between sexes, but it was greater in men than women during increasing BP (i.e. phase IV); the menstrual cycle had no influences on cardiovagal baroreflex sensitivity. We conclude that the menstrual cycle affects sympathetic neural responses but not sympathetic baroreflex sensitivity during orthostasis, though upright vasomotor sympathetic activity is not clearly different between men and women. Not only sympathetic but also cardiovagal baroreflex sensitivity is similar between sexes and menstrual phases during a hypotensive stimulus. However, cardiovagal baroreflex‐mediated bradycardia during a hypertensive stimulus is different between sexes but not affected by the menstrual cycle. Thus, other factors rather than sympathetic baroreflex control mechanisms contribute to sex differences in orthostatic tolerance in young humans.
Enterovirus meningitis in Brazil, 1998–2003

Acute viral infections of the central nervous system (CNS) such as acute flaccid paralysis, meningitis, and encephalitis, are responsible for a high morbidity, particularly in children. Non‐Polio enteroviruses (NPEV) are known to be responsible for over 80% of viral meningitis in which the etiologic agent is identified. In the present study, we show the frequency of enterovirus meningitis in Brazil from December 1998 to December 2003. Enterovirus were isolated from 162 (15.8%), of a total of 1,022 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimens analyzed. Echovirus 30 was identified in 139 of these isolates (139/162–85.2%). Other identified enteroviruses were: Coxsackievirus B5 (3.7%), Echovirus 13 (3.7%), Echovirus 18 (3%), Echovirus 6 (1.2%), Echovirus 25 (1.2%), Echovirus 1 (0.6%), and Echovirus 4 (0.6%). Patients's age ranged from 28 days to 68 years old. The most frequent symptoms were fever (77%), headache (69.5%), vomiting (71.3%), neck stiffness (41.3%), convulsion (7.1%), and diarrhea (3.7%). Although, the majority of the patients recovered without any complication or permanent squeal, five deaths occurred. Throughout the surveillance period, five viral meningitis outbreaks were confirmed: four in the Southern Brazil and one in the Northeast Brazil. Echovirus 30 was responsible for four out of the five outbreaks while Echovirus 13 caused the fifth one. Besides the outbreaks, 734 sporadic cases were also identified during the study period and 59 of these were positive for virus isolation (8%). Echovirus 30 accounted for 70% of the isolates. Our results showed that Echovirus 30 was the most prevalent etiological agent of viral meningitis in Brazil, causing both outbreaks and sporadic cases. J. Med. Virol. 78:98–104, 2006. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, inc.
Compact circularly polarized microstrip antenna for RFID handheld reader applications

A compact circularly polarized microstrip antenna (CPMA) with slits is proposed for radio frequency identification (RFID) handheld reader applications. The slits are cut onto the square patch radiator diagonally to reduce antenna size with circular polarization (CP) operation. A measured 3-dB axial-ratio (AR) bandwidth of around 4.0 MHz with 19.0 MHz impedance bandwidth at centre frequency of 920 MHz is achieved. The overall antenna size is 0. 276λo × 0. 276λo × 0. 014λo. The proposed antenna can be a good candidate for RFID portable or handheld reader applications.
Influence of three-piece and single-piece designs of two sharp-edge optic hydrophobic acrylic intraocular lenses on the prevention of posterior capsule opacification: a prospective, randomised, long-term clinical trial

Background: Posterior capsule opacification (PCO) is still a major long-term complication of modern cataract surgery. We evaluated the impact of sharp-edged intraocular lenses (IOLs) with different haptic designs made from the same hydrophobic acrylic material on posterior and anterior lens capsule opacification. Setting: Eye clinic of Kaunas University of Medicine, Lithuania. Prospective randomised clinical study. Methods: Seventy-four eyes of 74 patients scheduled for cataract surgery were included in a prospective randomised clinical study. Thirty-seven eyes of 37 patients received a three-piece acrylic hydrophobic (AcrySof, MA3OBA, Alcon) IOL; and thirty-seven eyes of 37 patients received a one-piece acrylic hydrophobic (AcrySof, SA3OAL, Alcon) IOL. Visual acuity, anterior capsule opacification (ACO), capsular folds, capsulorrhexis/optic overlapping and posterior capsule opacification (PCO) were evaluated. ACO was assessed subjectively. PCO values in the entire IOL optic area and in the central 3 mm optic zone were assessed using a photographic image-analysis system (EPCO2000). Follow-ups were performed postoperatively at 1 day, 6 months, 1 year and 2 years. Results: There were no significant differences in best corrected visual acuity, grade of ACO and capsulorrhexis/optic overlapping between IOL types during the follow-up period. Patients in the one-piece acrylic hydrophobic IOL group more frequently presented with capsular folds behind the IOL optic area than those in the three-piece IOL group. In the three-piece acrylic hydrophobic IOL group, PCO values (mean (SD)) of the entire IOL optic area were significantly lower six months postoperative (three-piece: 0.002 (0.009); one-piece: 0.007 (0.017); p = 0.04), one year postoperative (three-piece: 0.004 (0.016); one-piece: 0.026 (0.041); p = 0.001) as well as one year postoperative in the central 3 mm optic zone (three-piece: 0.000 (0.0002); one-piece: 0.019 (0.049); p = 0.001). However, two years postoperative, the PCO values of the groups did not show significant differences (entire IOL optic area: three-piece, 0.136 (0.223); one-piece, 0.154 (0.190); p = 0.18; central zone: three-piece, 0.023 (0.065); one-piece: 0.020 (0.039); p = 0.44). Conclusion: The 2 year follow-up after cataract surgery showed no significant difference in ACO and PCO development between three-piece and one-piece acrylic hydrophobic intraocular lenses.
Maternal androgens in egg yolks

Hormones of maternal origin are known to be transferred to the egg yolks of oviparous species. Several studies have shown that within and between clutch variation of maternal androgens may be adaptively tuned. Moreover, it has recently been hypothesized that sex steroids of maternal origin may play a role in adaptive sex ratio manipulation. For sex determination the eggs have to be incubated to allow the germinal disc to grow and thus extract sufficient DNA. This means that yolk hormone levels are determined after a number of days of incubation and this may hamper interpretation of the data. If yolk utilization or embryonic hormone production are influenced by the sex of the embryo, differences in hormone content at a certain stage of incubation do not reflect the mother s initial allocation. In this experiment we show that testosterone levels in chicken eggs do not change with incubation period. A4 levels decrease between 3 and 5 days of incubation, which we cannot explain. Male eggs did not contain higher levels of testosterone or androstenedione than female eggs, in contrast to the data reported for another galliform species, the peacock. We conclude that it is unlikely that maternal androgens are a key factor in the avian sex determination mechanism. 2003 Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Intravitreal bevacizumab combined with panretinal photocoagulation in the treatment of open angle neovascular glaucoma

Purpose To evaluate the clinical efficacy of intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) combined with panretinal photocoagulation in patients with open angle neovascular glaucoma (NVG). Methods Nine patients (9 eyes) with NVG participated in this study. Patients received IVB (1.25 mg) as the initial treatment for NVG and were followed up for at least 4 months. IVB was offered as the first treatment of choice to patients with NVG. Panretinal photocoagulation was performed as soon as feasible after the second week and completed in all patients the fourth week after IVB. The main outcome measures are resolution of INV, inhibition of peripheral anterior synechia (PAS), and controllability of intraocular pressure (IOP). Results The mean follow-up period was 5.6±1.4 months (range, 4–9 months). The mean IOP before treatment was 35.1±9.7 mmHg (range, 24–56) under medication before IVB treatment. After IVB and after combined treatment, the mean IOP was reduced to 22.8±8.1 mmHg (range, 9–33) and 13.0±4.0 mmHg (range, 7–20), respectively. The mean referral INV was 3.6±0.4 grade (range, 3–4) and reduced to 1.6±0.4 (range 1–2) grade after IVB and 0.6±0.8 (range 0–2) grade after combined therapy. By IVB, combined panretinal photocoagulation recurrence of INV was not observed. Conclusions In NVG, IVB treatment can reduce iris and angle neovascularization and inhibits further PAS formation temporarily. Panretinal photocoagulation inhibits neovascularization constantly. Therefore, management of open angle NVG is more feasible with bevacizumab combined with panretinal photocoagulation.