Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Midlife hypertension and 20-year cognitive change: the atherosclerosis risk in communities neurocognitive study.

IMPORTANCE Hypertension is a treatable potential cause of cognitive decline and dementia, but its greatest influence on cognition may occur in middle age. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the association between midlife (48-67 years of age) hypertension and the 20-year change in cognitive performance. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities cohort (1990-1992 through 2011-2013) underwent evaluation at field centers in Washington County, Maryland, Forsyth County, North Carolina, Jackson, Mississippi, and the Minneapolis, Minnesota, suburbs. Of 13 476 African American and white participants with baseline cognitive data, 58.0% of living participants completed the 20-year cognitive follow-up. EXPOSURES Hypertension, prehypertension, or normal blood pressure (BP) at visit 2 (1990-1992) constituted the primary exposure. Systolic BP at visit 2 or 5 (2011-2013) and indication for treatment at visit 2 based on the Eighth Joint National Committee (JNC-8) hypertension guidelines constituted the secondary exposures. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Prespecified outcomes included the 20-year change in scores on the Delayed Word Recall Test, Digit Symbol Substitution Test, and Word Fluency Test and in global cognition. RESULTS During 20 years, baseline hypertension was associated with an additional decline of 0.056 global z score points (95% CI, -0.100 to -0.012) and prehypertension was associated nonsignificantly with 0.040 more global z score points of decline (95% CI, -0.085 to 0.005) compared with normal BP. Individuals with hypertension who used antihypertensives had less decline during the 20 years than untreated individuals with hypertension (-0.050 [95% CI, -0.003 to -0.097] vs -0.079 [95% CI, -0.156 to -0.002] global z score points). Having a JNC-8-specified indication for initiating antihypertensive treatment at baseline was associated with a greater 20-year decline (-0.044 [95% CI, -0.085 to -0.003] global z score points) than not having an indication. We observed effect modification by race for the continuous systolic BP analyses (P = .01), with each 20-mm Hg increment at baseline associated with an additional decline of 0.048 (95% CI, -0.074 to -0.022) points in global cognitive z score in whites but not in African Americans (decline, -0.020 [95% CI, -0.026 to 0.066] points). Systolic BP at the end of follow-up was not associated with the preceding 20 years of cognitive change in either group. Methods to account for bias owing to attrition strengthened the magnitude of some associations. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Midlife hypertension and elevated midlife but not late-life systolic BP was associated with more cognitive decline during the 20 years of the study. Greater decline is found with higher midlife BP in whites than in African Americans.
An Empirical Investigation of Foreign Language Anxiety in Pakistani University

This study aimed to investigate foreign language anxiety at tertiary level in Pakistan. It adopted a mixed methods approach. Firstly, foreign language anxiety scale was employed as a research tool for data collection. In addition, the focus group interviews were also conducted to have in depth understanding of anxiety under investigation. Data were randomly collected from 100 participants (Male= 94; Female= 6) from different disciplines who were enrolled to learn English at Lasbela University, Baluchistan. The findings of this study indicate anxiety of participants in learning English language. Specifically, participants were reported more anxious in test anxiety which was rated high by students with total (Mean= 40.5; SD= 7.00), second, communication apprehension is rated with (Mean= 28.8; SD= 5.22) and last but not least is fear of negative evaluation with (Mean= 23.7; SD= 5.93). In focus group interviews, this study frequently recorded some factors such as poor academic background, fear of taking tests in English, fear of making mistakes and fear of evaluation from teachers which maximize the level of anxiety among the participants. This study suggests some pedagogical strategies which may be considered learning and teaching practices at university level education. Among the strategies, most frequently discussed in interviews were teachers should create rapport among students especially with those who are inactive and passive in learning classroom and they should respect students’ feelings and emotions in front of other peers in class These strategies tend to help teachers to minimize anxiety level of participants in classroom.
Neuroinflammation in mouse models of Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common type of neurocognitive disorder. Although both amyloid β peptide deposition and neurofibrillary tangle formation in the AD brain have been established as pathological hallmarks of the disease, many other factors contribute in a complex manner to the pathogenesis of AD before clinical symptoms of the disease become apparent. Longitudinal pathophysiological processes cause patients’ brains to exist in a state of chronic neuroinflammation, with glial cells acting as key regulators of the neuroinflammatory state. However, the detailed molecular and cellular mechanisms of glial function underlying AD pathogenesis remain elusive. Furthermore, recent studies have shown that peripheral inflammatory conditions affect glial cells in the brain through a process of neuroimmune communication. Such disease complexities make it difficult for the pathogenesis of AD to be understood, and impede the development of effective therapeutic strategies to combat the disease. Relevant AD animal models are thus likely to serve as a key resource to overcome many of these issues. Furthermore, as the pathogenesis of AD might be linked to conditions both within the brain as well as peripherally, it might become necessary for AD to be studied as a whole‐body disorder. The present review aimed to summarize insights regarding current AD research, and share perspectives for understanding glial function in the context of the pathogenesis of AD.
Gravitational wave signals from the first massive black hole seeds

Recent numerical simulations reveal that the isothermal collapse of pristine gas in atomic cooling haloes may result in stellar binaries of supermassive stars with $M_* \gtrsim 10^4\ \mathrm{M}_{\odot}$. For the first time, we compute the in-situ merger rate for such massive black hole remnants by combining their abundance and multiplicity estimates. For black holes with initial masses in the range $10^{4-6} \ \mathrm{M}_{\odot}$ merging at redshifts $z \gtrsim 15$ our optimistic model predicts that LISA should be able to detect 0.6 mergers per year. This rate of detection can be attributed, without confusion, to the in-situ mergers of seeds from the collapse of very massive stars. Equally, in the case where LISA observes no mergers from heavy seeds at $z \gtrsim 15$ we can constrain the combined number density, multiplicity, and coalesence times of these high-redshift systems. This letter proposes gravitational wave signatures as a means to constrain theoretical models and processes that govern the abundance of massive black hole seeds in the early Universe.
Develop and Validate a Metacognitive-Cognitive-Behavioral Model for Body Dysmorphic Disorder

The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a metacognitive-cognitive-behavioral model for body dysmorphic disorder. A sample of 800 participants (400 males and 400 females) was selected randomly and questionnaires were administered to them. Structure analysis was used to test the factor structure validity of the metacognitive-cognitive-behavioral model for body dysmorphic disorder. Results of the structure analysis revealed and supported a metacognitive-cognitive-behavioral model for body dysmorphic disorder. Also, the results showed that the model had the best fit to the data and was closely related to the theoretical assumptions. The model presented in this study illustrates a multidimensional approach that the model focuses on the metacognitive-cognitive-behavioral dimensions; hence, the model presented in this study is a new explanatory model. The model may prompt future research into body dysmorphic disorder and facilitate clinical treatment and case formulation.
The method of Frobenius to Fuchsian partial differential equations

To Fuchsian partial differential equations in the sense of M.S. Baouendi and C. Goulaouic, which is a natural extension of ordinary differential equations with regular singularity at a point, all the solutions in a complex domain are constructed along the same line as the method of Frobenius to ordinary differential equations, without any assumptions on the characteristic exponents. The same idea can be applied to Fuchsian hyperbolic equations considered by H. Tahara.
Influence of Poultry Manure and NPK Fertilizer on Hydraulic Properties of a Sandy Soil in Ghana

Field experiment was conducted during the 2008 major rainy season at the experimental field of the Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, KNUST to test the effects of poultry manure (PM) and NPK fertilizer on the hydrological properties of a sandy soil. There were five treatments with five replications. The experiment was laid in Randomized Complete Block Design. Data were collected on the following soil properties: cumulative infiltration amount (I), sorptivity (S), steady state infiltrability (Ko) and saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks). At the end of the experiment the control plot recorded the highest values of I, S, and Ko as 257 mm, 3.90 mm/s 1/2 and 0.07 mm/s, respectively. However the highest Ks was recorded as 1.72×10 -4 on the sole NPK-incorporated plot which showed no significant difference from that recorded on the control plot (1.69×10
Adult smoking trends in Mexico: an analysis of the Mexican National Addiction Surveys

OBJECTIVE: To describe and explain the recent trends of four smoking indicators in Mexico. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Comparable data from four national probabilistic household surveys (1988-1992) were analyzed using statistical techniques for survey data. The analysis was restricted to persons aged 18 to 65 years. Changes in indicators compare 2002 to 1988. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of never smokers increased by 10% and increased more in men. The prevalence of daily smokers shows a 16% reduction in men and reductions are concentrated in persons 45 and older. The average number of cigarettes smoked daily shows a 31% decrease in men and no decrease in women. The prevalence of heavy smokers (one pack or more) is 60% higher in women in 2002. CONCLUSIONS: Mexico does not closely follow the WHO model for the evolving tobacco epidemic. Nevertheless, the tobacco epidemic is in an advanced stage, with a decreasing prevalence in men and a rising one in women and the young. The improvement in the smoking situation was mainly due to the country’s economic stagnation during the analyzed period and to public awareness of the dangers of tobacco exposure rather than to a sound control policy on the part of the state.
Where is the value of cluster associations for SMEs

Purpose: To explore the role played by policies for co-operation and networking, such as cluster initiatives. We empirically examine not only the direct effect of cluster initiatives on firms’ innovation performance, but also potential moderation and mediation effects with regards effort in other internal innovation activities. Methodology: We analyze the case of the long-running and stable Basque Cluster policy. We built using SABI an extensive sample of 1779 industrial SMEs, 132 of which are members of cluster associations. Findings: The results show that cluster associates do not have more innovation than non-cluster associates. It also rejects the moderation role of other innovation activities (such as technology management, environmental management or R&D activities). However, the results give support to the mediation role of cluster associations in enhancing the value of innovation activities. Practical implications: The results presented are relevant both for policy-makers seeking to achieve an optimal mix of ‘general cooperation’ and ‘activity-specific’ policies, as well as for the managers of firms who may accelerate the impacts of their innovation efforts by being members of cooperation networks. Research limitations: There are two main limitations to the empirical analysis. Firstly, the impossibility of identifying the year in which cluster associates formally register to the cluster association through secondary sources could entail a degree of endogeneity in the direct and moderation models. Secondly, we measure innovation as labour productivity growth, which is acknowledged as only a partial measure of innovation. More generally we acknowledge that evaluations of soft policies such as that reported in this paper should be combined with complementary qualitative analysis. Originality: Few empirical analyses have been conducted to empirically assess the efficiency of the Basque cluster policy. The research does not support the idea that cluster associates increase innovation per se. However, it reinforces the view that cluster associations can be conceived as a focal network or broker of knowledge. In particular, this could be interpreted in terms of the success of the cluster initiative as a mechanism for generating or demonstrating a certain degree of trust among firms that already engage in innovation activities, supporting in turn benefits from the exchange of their knowledge.
HETEROGENEITY IN 12CO/13CO ABUNDANCE RATIOS TOWARD SOLAR-TYPE YOUNG STELLAR OBJECTS

This study reports an unusual heterogeneity in [12C16O]/[13C16O] abundance ratios of carbon monoxide observed in the gas phase toward seven ∼solar-mass young stellar objects (YSOs) and three dense foreground clouds in the nearby star-forming regions, Ophiuchus, Corona Australis, Orion, and Vela, and an isolated core, L43. Robust isotope ratios were derived using infrared absorption spectroscopy of the 4.7 μm fundamental and 2.3 μm overtone rovibrational bands of CO at very high spectral resolution (λ/Δλ ≈ 95,000), observed with the Cryogenic Infrared Echelle Spectrograph (CRIRES) on the Very Large Telescope. We find [12C16O]/[13C16O] values ranging from ∼85 to 165, significantly higher than those of the local interstellar medium (ISM) (∼65–69). These observations are evidence for isotopic heterogeneity in carbon reservoirs in solar-type YSO environments, and encourage the need for refined galactic chemical evolution models to explain the 12C/13C discrepancy between the solar system and local ISM. The oxygen isotope ratios are consistent with isotopologue-specific photodissociation by CO self-shielding toward the disks, VV CrA N and HL Tau, further substantiating models predicting CO self-shielding on disk surfaces. However, we find that CO self-shielding is an unlikely general explanation for the high [12C16O]/[13C16O] ratios observed in this study. Comparison of the solid CO against gas-phase [12C16O]/[13C16O] suggests that interactions between CO ice and gas reservoirs need to be further investigated as at least a partial explanation for the unusually high [12C16O]/[13C16O] observed.
Development and functional morphology of the foregut of larvae and postlarvae of Petrolisthes armatus (Gibbes) (Decapoda, Porcellanidae)

Previous studies on foreguts of the transitional stages have revealed complete absence of ossicles of the gastric mill in anomuran crabs, suggesting non-feeding behavior in this stage. In order to verify non-feeding behavior might occur in other anomuran species, the present work gives a detailed description of the foregut during the development of the porcellanid P. armatus. The foregut of the zoea I and II are structurally similar. They are morphologically simple, chitinous and lacking hard structures, but apparently functional. However, a significant change is observed in the foregut after metamorphosis into megalopal stage. In this change, the cardiac chamber shows a complex gastric mill supporting two lateral teeth and the pyloric chamber has a filter press relatively small, but specialized. These structures become more complex and calcified in the juvenile I. Comparisons between these characteristics and functionality of the P. armatus foreguts with other anomuran species, previously reported, are discussed.
Trendless Unemployment in a Model with Endogenous Technical Progress

An established stylized fact of OECD countries is trendless unemployment over the long run (e.g. over the last century). The present paper derives conditions for trendless unemployment in a model with endogenous technical progress. The results are consistent with earlier …ndings in a model with exogenous technical progress, but are in sharp contrast to the thesis in Karanassou, M. and D. Snower (2004), ‘Unemployment invariance’, German Economic Review 5(3), 297-317 in a reduced form model with endogenous technical progress.
11444-9 Piqueras.indd

C.M. Piqueras, B.A. Latorre, and R. Torres. 2014. Effectiveness of isofetamid, a new succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor fungicide, in the control of grapevine gray mold. Cien. Inv. Agr. 41(3):365-374. Gray mold is an important disease in grapevines in Chile, and its control depends primarily on the use of fungicides with a single-site mode of action. Botrytis cinerea has a high risk of developing resistance against such fungicides. Therefore, novel chemical options are needed to achieve satisfactory control of gray mold. Isofetamid is a new succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor (SDHI) fungicide with a single-site of action that inhibits cellular respiration and appears to be a new option in the chemical treatment against gray mold. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of isofetamid in controlling grapevine gray mold in Chile. Field trials undertaken in three different commercial vineyards showed that isofetamid controls gray mold to a similar extent as fenhexamid. During 2012 and 2013, 10 B. cinerea isolates were obtained from commercial vineyards in central Chile to determine their sensitivity to isofetamid. The median inhibitory concentration of isofetamid varied between 0.3-10.0 μg mL-1 and 0.6 to >10 μg mL-1 for mycelium and conidia, respectively. The efficacy of isofetamid against B. cinerea in apple bioassays varied between 61-100% and 37.5-100% for mycelium and conidia, respectively. The results of this study demonstrate that isofetamid is a highly effective fungicide against B. cinerea.
Immunological and Immunogenetic Parameters on the Diversity of Ocular Toxoplasmosis: Evidence to Support Morphological Criteria to Classify Retinal/Retinochoroidal Scar Lesions in Epidemiologic Surveys

© 2012 Bahia-Oliveira et al., licensee InTech. This is an open access chapter distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Immunological and Immunogenetic Parameters on the Diversity of Ocular Toxoplasmosis: Evidence to Support Morphological Criteria to Classify Retinal/Retinochoroidal Scar Lesions in Epidemiologic Surveys
GSC: A real-time communication scheme for IEEE 802.11e industrial systems

Abstract This paper proposes a new real-time communication scheme for IEEE 802.11e HCCA networks. The proposed communication scheme is called Group Sequential Communication (GSC) and it aims the reduction of the polling overhead associated to the real-time message transmission when using the HCCA function. The GSC scheme partially eliminates the polling inefficiency, by means of a virtual token passing procedure among polled stations. Thus, it reduces the number of exchanged messages between the HCCA controller and the polled stations. The GSC uses a real-time group concept, where the real-time members of the group are granted a sequential access to the communication medium.
Evaluation of diagnostic criteria for clinical assessment of anterior malar projection in relation to midface esthetics

Introduction: There is a shortage of diagnostic criteria of midfaceesthetics in orthodontics literature. Orthodontists focus entirely on the premaxilla for classification of maxillary skeletal development because of difficulty in assessment of midface in lateral cephalogram. So, the lack of cephalometric landmark preclude the availability of normative data, making analysis and malar augmentation largely subjective. Aim: To determine whether visual classification of anterior malar projection using vector relationship is supported by cephalometric analysis. Material and Method: Pretreatment lateral cephalogram and profile photograph of 40 subjects were included in the study. Based on visual assessment of negative and positive vector relationships, subjects were equally divided into two groups of 20 each. Group Aexhibiting a positive vector relationship, comprised 20 subjects (10 male, 10 female). Group B displaying a negative vector relationship, comprised 20 subjects (10 male, 10 female). Toevaluate the subjects anteroposterior position of the malar eminence relative to the cranial base, SNO angulations were measured in both the groups. Mann-Whitney U-tests has been used for assessment of Gender differences and significant differences in SNO measurements between groups A and B Results: There was no statistically significant difference between genders. SNO angulations in the negative vector group were smaller than the positive vector controls by an average of 6.8 degrees. Highly significant difference were seen in anterior malar projection in patient with positive and negative vector relationship. Conclusion: Compared with subjects exhibiting a positive vector relationship, individuals displaying a negative vector relationship had significantly reduced malar support.
Comparative study on psychosocial stresses among urban and rural geriatric population in selected areas of district Ludhiana (Punjab), 2006

: Life stress is a product of change that occurs in one’s life that requires adaptation, coping and social readjustment. As, aging is considered a series of physiological, psychological and psychosocial changes, which further predisposes elderly to increased risk to develop stress, hence, present study was conducted to identify those common stressors among urban and rural elderly population. A comparative study was conducted in the month of February 2006 in Pohir and Kishore Nagar, (Ludhiana) with the objectives, to identify and compare psychosocial stresses of geriatric population among urban and rural population. In present study, 60 geriatric subjects were selected by systematic random sampling. A standardized tool, i.e., Stoke Gordon stress scale (SGGS), was used to determine psychosocial stress among elderly. Findings reveal that about 93% and 70% of subjects were in the mild psychosocial stress in urban and rural areas respectively while 30% of the rural subjects were in moderate psychosocial stress. Rural geriatric population was found more stressed than urban geriatric population.