Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comorbidity of Obsessive‐Compulsive and Psychotic Symptoms: A Review

&NA; Co‐occurrence of psychotic and obsessive‐compulsive symptoms was first reported nearly 70 years ago. This paper reviews published reports from two perspectives: psychotic disorders with obsessive‐compulsive symptoms and obsessive‐compulsive disorder (OCD) with psychotic symptoms. Older investigations reported a low rate of comorbidity between these two disorders, but more‐recent studies, in which systematic diagnostic criteria have been used, have suggested that the rate of co‐occurrence of symptoms is higher than was previously thought. The difficulty in diagnosing patients with obsessive‐compulsive and psychotic symptoms is reviewed, and the importance of this distinction for treatment and prognosis is discussed. Although the comorbid diagnosis of schizophrenia and OCD, or of OCD and psychotic features, seems to portend a worse prognosis than for either illness alone, the available data suggest that some patients with schizophrenia and OC symptoms may improve with traditional antiobsessional treatment.
Revocable and Decentralized Attribute-Based Encryption

In this paper, we propose a revocable and decentralized attribute-based encryption (ABE) system that splits the task of decryption key generation across multiple attribute authorities (AAs) without requiring any central party such that it achieves attribute revocation by simply stopping updating of the corresponding private key. In our system, a party can easily behave as an AA by creating a public and private key pair without any global communication except the creation for the common system parameters, under which it can periodically issue/update private key components for users that reflect their attributes, and an AA can freely leave the system once its corresponding attribute is revoked without communication with other AAs. In addition, to revoke a user, those AAs that have issued private keys to this user easily cease the key updating process for the user without affecting other AAs' execution. For the construction of our system, the technical barrier is to make private keys collusion resistant. Since in our system each component of a user's private key at a time period may come from different AAs and there is no coordination between these AAs, traditional technique of binding together different components (issued by different AAs) of a private key by randomization cannot be employed. To overcome this, we tie the key components together and prevent collusion attacks between different users by embedding distinct identifiers and a commonly shared time attribute in these components.
Women in Iran: The effect of marital status and the presence of family dependents at home on their use of the internet

Few studies have analyzed how women in Iranian communities use the internet. Our study investigates the effect of marital status and the presence of family dependents at home on their extent of internet use. Our analysis found that while higher incomes, having internet at home, being a student, and having higher qualifications can all increase Iranian women’s chances of using the internet more regularly, looking after a husband or having family dependants at home can have a significant and negative effect on their ability to use the internet on a regular basis. The findings from our small study suggest that less time to access the internet may mean less opportunities for Iranian women to contribute to their communities such as by voicing their opinions and concerns about societal issues that matter to them and by petitioning for change. It may mean less opportunities for participating in political events such as elections.
Polymerase Chain Reaction Detection of Rickettsia felis-Like Organism in Archaeopsylla erinacei (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae) from Bavaria, Germany

ABSTRACT Fleas occur as ectoparasites of vertebrates around the world. The obligate intracellular bacterium Rickettsia felis has been detected globally in several flea species, causing a murine-typhus like disease in humans. In this study, a total of 150 hedgehog fleas (Archaeopsylla erinacei Bouché) were collected from 18 hedgehogs coming from four locations in southern Germany for the detection of R. felis. Individual DNA extracts were tested with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the amplification of the rickettsial ompB, gltA, ompA, and 16S rRNA genes. A total of 144 samples (96%) were positive using ompB PCR. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis showed an organism very closely related to R. felis with 96% similarity. These results provided evidence that hedgehog fleas in Germany may be nearly 100% infected with a rickettsial species closely related to R. felis. Further studies are needed for its molecular and pathogenetic characterization. The hedgehog as a potential reservoir for the emergent pathogen R. felis or closely related strains also needs further study.
IL‐23 and IL‐17 have a multi‐faceted largely negative role in fungal infection

The role of IL‐23 and IL‐17 in the response to fungal infection has been the focus of recent reports. In this issue of the European Journal of Immunology there is an article that reports an important role for IL‐23 and IL‐17 in limiting fungal control, promoting neutrophillic inflammation and regulating the killing activity of neutrophils. In the fungal model it appears that IL‐23 and IL‐17 are counter‐productive for protection.
A Systematic Search for Short-Term Variability of EGRET Sources

The Third EGRET Catalog of High-Energy Gamma-Ray Sources contains 170 unidentified sources, and there is great interest in the nature of these sources. One means of determining source class is the study of flux variability on timescales of days; pulsars are believed to be stable on these timescales, while blazars are known to be highly variable. In addition, previous work has demonstrated that 3EG J0241-6103 and 3EG J1837-0606 are candidates for a new gamma-ray source class. These sources near the Galactic plane display transient behavior but cannot be associated with any known blazars. Although many instances of flaring active galactic nuclei have been reported, the EGRET database has not been systematically searched for occurrences of short-timescale (~1 day) variability. These considerations have led us to conduct a systematic search for short-term variability in EGRET data, covering all viewing periods through proposal cycle 4. Six 3EG catalog sources are reported here to display variability on short timescales; four of them are unidentified. In addition, three noncatalog variable sources are discussed.
Novel phospholipid-based topical formulations of tamoxifen: evaluation for antipsoriatic activity using mouse-tail model

Abstract Objective: Tamoxifen (TAM) is widely employed in the treatment of breast malignancies and is also found to be effective in psoriasis treatment. The current studies aimed to explore the antipsoriatic potential of topical TAM encapsulated in the new generation phospholipid-based vesicular and micellar systems, i.e. flexible membrane vesicles (FMVs) and pluronic lecithinized organogels (PLOs). Methods: TAM-loaded-FMVs were prepared by thin-film hydration technique, while TAM–PLOs were prepared by simple mixing. Mouse-tail model was used to evaluate the antipsoriatic activity of the novel formulations. The mouse tails were treated once-a-day with different formulations for a period of four weeks and prepared for longitudinal histological sections by hematoxylin–eosin staining technique. The length of the orthokeratotic regions in stratum granulosum was measured on 10 sequential scales per tail section as percentage of the full length of the scale, and the drug activity was calculated further. Results: Evaluation of antipsoriatic activity on mice tail revealed significantly higher (p < 0.01) efficacy of TAM–FMV gel (i.e. 35.8%) and TAM–PLO (i.e. 24.6%) vis-à-vis the conventional TAM–hydrogel (i.e. 10.2%). Conclusions: The results of these studies demonstrated immense potential of the topically applied TAM-encapsulated vesicular and micellar systems in psoriasis, thus calling for more comprehensive investigations to establish the role of TAM in the management of psoriasis.
Stroke Symptoms With Absence of Recognized Stroke Are Associated With Cognitive Impairment and Depressive Symptoms in Older Adults With Diabetes

Self-reported stroke symptoms may represent unrecognized cerebrovascular events leading to poorer cognitive and mental health. We examined relationships between stroke symptoms, cognitive impairment, and depressive symptoms in a high-risk sample: 247 adults aged ≥65 with diabetes. Stroke symptoms were assessed using the Questionnaire for Verifying Stroke-free Status, cognitive impairment was measured with the modified Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status, and depressive symptoms were measured using the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale. In 206 participants without history of stroke/transient ischemic attack, 27.7% reported stroke symptoms, with sudden loss of comprehension most frequently reported (11.7%). Having >1 versus 0 stroke symptoms was associated with greater odds of cognitive impairment (odds ratio = 3.04, 95% confidence interval 1.15-8.05) and more depressive symptoms (b = 2.60, P < .001) while controlling for age, race, gender, education, diabetes duration, diabetes severity, and cardiovascular comorbidities. Better recognition and treatment of cerebrovascular problems in older adults with diabetes may lead to improved cognition and mental health.
Visual Tasks beyond Categorization for Training Convolutional Neural Networks

Humans can perceive a variety of visual properties of objects besides their category. In this paper, we explorewhether convolutional neural networks (CNNs) can also learn object-related variables. The models are trained for object position, size and pose, respectively, from synthetic images and tested on unseen held-out objects. First, we show that some object properties come "for free" from learning others, and poseoptimized model can generalize to both categorical and non-categorical variables. Second, we demonstrate that pre-training the model with pose facilitates learning object categories from both synthetic and realistic images. Thesis Supervisor: James J. DiCarlo Title: Professor of Neuroscience; Head, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences
Assessment of the influence of income levels on periodontal health assessed by the CPITN index of 35-44 year-olds in Iasi, Romania

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the periodontal condition of a group of 35-44 years old patients from the Iasi region of Romania using the CPITN index and to see if there were any correlations with the income level of the patients assessed. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted in dental clinics in rural and urban areas of Iasi in 2006-2007 and a sample of 928 people (age 35-44 years old) was examined according to the CPITN index criteria by two calibrated examiners. Their income level was then assessed as high, medium or low. Data were analyzed using the SPSS statistical program package. The Spearman correlation was used to compare the differences in prevalence and the correlation between CPITN scores and income. The study was approved by the Department of the Trust who gave ethical approval. Results: Of the 928 patients 311 (43.5%) were in the highest income level group, 437 (47%) were in the middle income group and 180 (19.5%) were in the lowest income group. Only 84 patients (9.1%) were assessed as CPITN 0. Afurther 201 (21.7%) were assessed as having a CPITN score of 1. The majority (504 � 54%) were assessed as CPITN 2 and 141 (15.2%) as CPITN 3 or 4 (having a pocket or pockets of 3.5mm or deeper). Only 24 patients (2.4%) had a pocket or pockets of 5.5mm or deeper (CPITN 4). None of these 24 patients came from the group with the highest income. When statistically tested, the Spearman correlation confirmed an association between the presence of a pocket or pockets deeper than 3.5mm and income level (r=-0.3, p=0.001). Conclusions: In Iasi county, in the 35-44 year-olds who were studied, the majority had a CPITN score of 2. Just over 15% had a pocket or pockets deeper than 3.5mm and only 2.5% had a pocket or pockets deeper than 5.5 mm. Income level was a risk factor which correlated with the presence of periodontal pockets.
Development of dominant follicles and length of ovarian cycles in post-partum dairy cows.

The resumption of ovarian activity after normal calvings was studied in 18 lactating Friesian cows. Since, in 17 cows, first post-partum ovulation occurred without overt oestrous behaviour being detected, the resultant cycles were called 'ovarian cycles'. The mean (+/- s.d.) length of the ovarian cycles was 21.0 +/- 8.7 days. The duration of cycles tended to be normal (18-24 days) or long (greater than or equal to 25 days) when the ovulatory dominant follicles were identified before Day 10 post partum; they were consistently short (9-13 days) when dominant follicles identified after Day 20 post partum ovulated. When such follicles were detected between Days 10 and 20 post partum, long, normal and short ovarian cycles were detected. The number of waves of follicular growth with associated dominant follicles observed during the ovarian cycles tended to be related to cycle length; short cycles had 1 dominant follicle, normal cycles predominantly 2, and long cycles mostly 3 dominant follicles. The mean (+/- s.d.) duration of 13 oestrous cycles studied was 23.1 +/- 2.1 days. Of these cycles, 7 had 3 and 6 had 2 dominant follicles. The oestrous cycles with 3 dominant follicles had a mean (+/- s.d.) duration of 24.0 +/- 1.2 days and the respective dominant non-ovulatory follicles reached maximum sizes on Days 8 and 18, respectively; oestrous cycles with 2 dominant follicles were 22.2 +/- 2.6 days in duration, and the dominant non-ovulatory follicle reached maximum size by Day 8. Ovarian follicular development during the first 45 days of pregnancy was characterized by the growth and regression of successive dominant follicles, each lasting 10-12 days. These results show that the first ovarian cycle was predominantly short when the ovulatory dominant follicle was first detected after Day 20 post partum.
Savani: A variable resolution whole‐mantle model of anisotropic shear velocity variations based on multiple data sets

We present a tomographic model of radially anisotropic shear velocity variations in the Earth's mantle based on a new compilation of previously published data sets and a variable block parameterization, adapted to local raypath density. We employ ray‐theoretical sensitivity functions to relate surface wave and body wave data with radially anisotropic velocity perturbations. Our database includes surface wave phase delays from fundamental modes up to the sixth overtone, measured at periods between 25 and 350 s, as well as cross‐correlation traveltimes of major body wave phases. Before inversion, we apply crustal corrections using the crustal model CRUST2.0, and we account for azimuthal anisotropy in the upper mantle using ray‐theoretical corrections based on a global model of azimuthal anisotropy. While being well correlated with earlier models at long spatial wavelength, our preferred solution, savani, additionally delineates a number of previously unidentified structures due to its improved resolution in areas of dense coverage. This is because the density of the inverse grid ranges between 1.25° in well‐sampled and 5° in poorly sampled regions, allowing us to resolve regional structure better than it is typically the case in global S wave tomography. Our model highlights (i) a distinct ocean‐continent anisotropic signature in the uppermost mantle, (ii) an oceanic peak in above average ξ<1 which is shallower than in previous models and thus in better agreement with estimates of lithosphere thickness, and (iii) a long‐wavelength pattern of ξ<1 associated with the large low‐shear velocity provinces in the lowermost mantle.
The Presence of Comorbidity in Tourette Syndrome Increases the Need for Pharmacological Treatment

Tourette syndrome is often accompanied by other syndromes, like attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder, and its treatment is symptomatic. Because there are no European guidelines for pharmacological treatment in Tourette syndrome, we wanted to contribute to a better insight into the common practice in Scandinavia. Furthermore, we wanted to elaborate the influence of the presence of comorbidities and of the severity of tics on pharmacological treatment. We have examined the frequency, art, and reason for pharmacological treatment in a Danish clinical cohort of 314 children with Tourette syndrome. In total, 60.5% of the children once had received pharmacological treatment. Mostly, the treatment was started because of tics or ADHD. If ADHD or obsessive-compulsive disorder were present, more children received pharmacological treatment and more different agents were tried. The children who received pharmacological treatment had more severe tics than those without medication.
Therapy of poor posture in adolescents: Sensorimotor training increases the effectiveness of strength training to reduce increased anterior pelvic tilt

Abstract Background: Increased anterior pelvic tilt is one important contributor to poor posture in children and adolescents and caused by muscular imbalance. This study aims at identifying the extent to which a sensorimotor training reduces anterior pelvic tilt more effectively than pure strength and stretch training alone. Methods: 54 male adolescents (age 13–17) with an increased pelvic tilt angle >14° were matched to three groups (strength training STR, strength + sensorimotor training STR + SENS, control CON). Maximum isometric torques for knee flexion (HA), trunk flexion (RA), and trunk extension, and pelvic tilt were measured before and after a 12 week physical therapy schedule. Two-way mixed ANOVA were calculated. Results: For STR and STR + SENS the relative torque of HA and RA increased significantly (p < 0.05) between pre- and post-test. Significant improvement of the pelvic tilt angle was identified in both training groups, with STR + SENS exhibiting a significantly larger degree of improvement. Conclusions: Sensorimotor exercises improve the effectiveness of physical fitness training to reduce anterior pelvic tilt and should therefore supplement existing therapeutic programs.
Granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor (G‐CSF) receptor gene expression of ovarian carcinoma does not correlate with G‐CSF caused cell proliferation

Recombinant human granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor (rhG‐CSF) is a growth factor commonly used to avoid leukopenia after chemotherapy. Endogenous G‐CSF is produced by macrophages and granulocytes that infiltrate tumors. It has been reported that rhG‐CSF stimulates the proliferation of several cell lines as well as bladder carcinoma cells. Conversely, in some hematopoietic cell lines such as U‐937, WEHI‐3B, and K‐562 no effect or in some cases a differentiation pattern was found. Moreover, the role of rhG‐CSF on the proliferation of solid tumors is not well understood.
Hepatitis C virus entry: beyond receptors

HCV is a blood‐borne pathogen that affects approximately 3% of the global population and leads to progressive liver disease. Recent advances have identified an essential role for host cell molecules: tetraspanin CD81, scavenger receptor B1 and the tight junction proteins claudin‐1 and occludin in HCV entry, suggesting a complex multi‐step process. The conserved nature of this receptor‐dependent step in the viral life cycle offers an attractive target for therapeutic intervention. Evidence is emerging that additional factors other than classical receptors, such as inflammatory mediators regulate the ability of hepatocytes to support HCV entry, and as such may provide potential avenues for drug design and development. In this review, we summarise the recent literature on HCV entry mechanisms with a view to realising the future potential of therapeutically targeting this process. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Intersection of Preservice Teachers' Confidence, Perceptions, and Ideas for Using Instructional Technology for Teaching and Learning.

The evolving landscape of instructional technology is influenced by access to a wide range of technology tools that can be accessed to enhance teaching and learning. Technological tools such as smart phones, apps, tablets, social media, and YouTube exemplify the kinds of resources that are readily available for teaching and learning. Further, the development of different course delivery systems and the exposure to concepts such as flipped classrooms and electronic portfolios have extended the use of mainstream technology into new instructional applications. The ongoing evolution of technology hardware, software, and instructional applications has numerous educational implications. In an effort to understand the implications of the evolving landscape of technology in education we examined the responses of 52 preservice teachers to determine their confidence with, perceptions of, and intentions for using instructional technology to teach and learn. Our research revealed a potential misalignment between the participants’ comfort, perceptions, and intentions for using technology for teaching and learning. Implications and ideas for further research are discussed.
Novel Channel Interference Reduction in Optical Synchronous FSK-CDMA Network Using a Data-Free Reference

In this paper, we propose a novel multiple-access interference (MAI) cancellation technique using a reference signal, which contains no data components (data-free) of the desired signal, and then simplifies the receiver configuration in synchronous M-ary frequency-shift keying optical code-division multiple-access (FSK-OCDMA) network. In doing so, we have taken advantage of a recently introduced energy-saving unipolar prime-code family, referred to as double-padded modified prime-code (DPMPC) as the spreading codes. In the theoretical analysis, the system upper bounded bit error rate (BER) is derived taking into account the Poisson effect on the I/O characteristics of the photodetectors. We have found that when the bit rate is constant, the capacity of this system increases by employing the proposed interference canceller and spreading code as compared with the synchronous M-ary pulse-position modulation OCDMA system with an existing interference canceller. In contrast to wavelength-division multiple access, a fewer set of wavelengths is needed as a result of only M-ary source coding.
Natural Occurrence of Neoplastic Lesions in Young Sprague-Dawley Rats

It is important for the assessment of toxicological effects of chemicals to know what kinds of neoplasms naturally occur in the early life of experimental animals. In the present study, we demonstrated spontaneous neoplasms in Sprague-Dawley rats used in 4-, 13- and 26-week toxicity studies conducted at Bozo Research Center in the last decade. The tumors, which were first observed in 19-week-old animals, included anterior adenoma of the pituitary, follicular cell adenocarcinoma and C cell adenoma of the thyroids, nephroblastoma of the kidneys, basal cell tumor of the skin and malignant lymphoma. Thereafter, hemangiosarcoma of the tongue, adenocarcinoma of the submandibular glands, histiocytic sarcoma of the spleen, oligodendroglioma of the brain and adenocarcinoma and fibroadenoma of the mammary glands were detected in 32-week-old animals. The incidences of mammary adenocarcinoma and pituitary anterior adenoma were higher than those of other tumors. The present results showed that the same tumors as reported in aged rats could also develop in younger rats.