Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Trouble with Psychopathy as a General Theory of Crime

The concept of psychopathy, as defined by Robert Hare, is reviewed with respect to its status as a general theory of crime. A hybrid of the medical pathology model and personality trait approach, the psychopathy concept proposes that a significant portion of serious crime is committed by psychopathic individuals. Hare’s version of psychopathy, besides demonstrating weak applicability and a propensity for tautology, is subject to labeling effects, over simplicity, reductionism, the fundamental attributional error, inattention to context, and disregard for the dynamic nature of human behavior. It is concluded that the psychopathy concept is substantially limited with respect to its ability to describe and clarify general criminal behavior but that it may still have value as a partial explanation for certain types of noncriminal predatory behavior.
Effect of electromyography on CPK and aldolase levels.

SERUM creatine phosphokinase (CPK) and aldolase activity usually is elevated in rapidly progressive myopathies, but normal to only slightly above normal in slowly progressive myopathies and neurogenic muscular atrophies. 1 However, both muscle trauma and strenuous exercise can cause transient elevations in serum CPK levels in normal individuals. 2 Engel 3 recently studied the histologic effects of multiple needle insertions on muscle. He found that apparent "myopathic" changes could be produced in muscle by hypodermic and electromyographic needles. His study suggested the possibility that spurious elevations of serum CPK and aldolase activity also might occur following electromyography (EMG). The purpose of this study was to determine if the minimal muscle trauma associated with EMG could cause significant elevation of serum CPK or aldolase activity. Materials and Methods Serum CPK and aldolase levels were determined in 20 consecutive inpatients before and after EMG. There were ten girls and ten
Cell Surface Proteoglycan Expression by Human Periodontal Cells

Cell surface proteoglycans are known to be involved in many functions including interactions with components of the extracellular microenvironment and serve to influence cell shape, adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation. They also can act as co-receptors, to help bind and modify the action of various growth factors and cytokines. Despite their strategic location and relevance to cell function, few studies have considered the nature of the cell surface proteoglycans associated with cells of the periodontium. Due to the structural complexity and multiplicity of cell types in the periodontium, we have selected three different cell lines (gingival connective tissue fibroblast, periodontal ligament fibroblast, and osteoblast) which each represent the unique functions within the periodontium to study the expression of cell surface proteoglycans. We hypothesized that a number of cell surface proteoglycans will be expressed by human periodontal cells and these may be related to the source and function of the cell. Western blotting and RT-PCR methods were used to study the expression of five cell surface proteoglycans (syndecan-1, -2, -4, glypican and betaglycan) in three cell lines of human periodontal cells in vitro. Our results demonstrated the expression of protein cores for syndecan-1 (43 kDa), syndecan-2 (48 kDa), syndecan-4 (35kDa), glypican (64 kDa), and betaglycan (100-110 kDa). RT-PCR results confirmed that all of these cells produced mRNA for the cell surface proteoglycans under study, of which syndecan-2 showed a significant difference in expression between the periodontal ligament fibroblasts, gingival fibroblasts and osteoblasts. We conclude that the presence of specific cell surface proteoglycans on periodontal cells implies a likely role for these molecules in cell-cell, cell-matrix interactions involved in periodontal disease and/or regeneration of the periodontium, of which they may have distinctive functions related to the source and function of these cells.
Lyapunov-based impact time control guidance laws against stationary targets

Nonlinear guidance laws that consider impact time constraints are proposed. Two-dimensional and three-dimensional impact time control guidance laws are derived using Lyapunov stability theory. Under the consideration of the nonlinear kinematics, it is shown that the missile states converge to the desired equilibrium point by the Lyapunov stability theory. The singularity issue of the proposed guidance laws is also analyzed. Numerical simulations are performed to verify the performance of the proposed guidance laws.
Reits and Market Microstructure: A Comprehensive Analysis of Market Quality

This study analyzes the market quality differences, in terms of liquidity and volatility, between real estate investment trusts (REITs) and non-REIT common stocks. The 2008 financial crisis has significantly influenced the market quality for REITs. Our findings reveal intraday patterns indicating a lower liquidity, higher volatility, and greater price impact for REITs than non-REITs for the pre-crisis period. These relationships reverse during the post-crisis period with REITs becoming more liquid, less volatile, and cheaper to trade than non-REITs. Further, we document that post-crisis trading interest in REITs has increased significantly as reflected by increased volume, number of trades, and number of quotes.
An Algorithm for the Exact Evaluation of the Underground Lightning Electromagnetic Fields

The number of power installations lying underground has been increasing in the last few years, and such devices are very sensitive to the effect of the lightning electromagnetic fields, due to the massive presence of power electronics. As a consequence, the scientific community has devoted much effort in the direction of a more accurate modeling of underground lightning fields and their coupling to cables. The exact expressions of the underground lightning fields have been derived by Sommerfeld decades ago. However, their numerical evaluation has always been a hard task because of the presence of slowly converging improper integrals. In the past, some approximate formulas have been derived, which have been included in field-to-transmission line coupling models to estimate the effect of lightning on buried cables. In this paper, an efficient algorithm for the evaluation of the Sommerfeld expression for underground fields is presented, and its mathematical features are discussed. The numerical treatment of the Sommerfeld integrals is based on a proper subdivision of the integration domain, the application of the Romberg technique, and the definition of a suitable upper bound for the error due to the integral truncation. The remarkable efficiency in terms of CPU time of the developed algorithm makes it possible to use it directly in field-to-buried cable coupling simulation codes. Finally, the developed algorithm is used to test the validity of the Cooray's simplified formula for the computation of underground horizontal electric field. It is shown that predictions of the Cooray's formula are in good agreement with exact solutions for large values of ground conductivity (0.01 S/m). However, for poor conductivities (0.001 S/m or so) Cooray's expression yields less satisfactory results, especially for the late time response.
Active living—the perception of older people with chronic conditions

Objectives: To describe and understand factors which enhance and impede participation in physical activity for older adults with and without chronic illness and develop a framework of health behaviours for ‘active living’. Methods: A contrasting group framework was used to compare discussions in two sets of focus groups with relatively healthy and less healthy older adults. The thematic analysis was informed by the Transtheoretical Model, the Health Belief Model and Social Cognitive Theory. Results: All participants affirmed the health benefits of physical activity and there was broad agreement that social support and conductive environments contributed to the promotion of opportunities for physical activity. However, perceptions of specific factors needed to maintain and promote good health differed between healthy and less healthy participants. Connection to community, sense of place and ‘walkability’ of neighbourhoods were identified as motivators for undertaking physical activity, whilst barriers were associated with health, the environment, family and attitudes to physical activity. Discussions: The focus groups highlighted the importance of social, behavioural and contextual factors in promoting opportunities for physical activity in older adults with and without chronic illness. The findings were used to propose an Active Living Framework which is the subject of ongoing research.
N-desmethylclozapine, an allosteric agonist at muscarinic 1 receptor, potentiates N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor activity

The molecular and neuronal substrates conferring on clozapine its unique and superior efficacy in the treatment of schizophrenia remain elusive. The interaction of clozapine with many G protein-coupled receptors is well documented but less is known about its biologically active metabolite, N-desmethylclozapine. Recent clinical and preclinical evidences of the antipsychotic activity of the muscarinic agonist xanomeline prompted us to investigate the effects of N-desmethylclozapine on cloned human M1-M5 muscarinic receptors. N-desmethylclozapine preferentially bound to M1 muscarinic receptors with an IC50 of 55 nM and was a more potent partial agonist (EC50, 115 nM and 50% of acetylcholine response) at this receptor than clozapine. Furthermore, pharmacological and site-directed mutagenesis studies suggested that N-desmethylclozapine preferentially activated M1 receptors by interacting with a site that does not fully overlap with the acetylcholine orthosteric site. As hypofunction of N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-driven neuronal ensembles has been implicated in psychotic disorders, the neuronal activity of N-desmethylclozapine was electrophysiologically investigated in hippocampal rat brain slices. N-desmethylclozapine was shown to dose-dependently potentiate NMDA receptor currents in CA1 pyramidal cells by 53% at 100 nM, an effect largely mediated by activation of muscarinic receptors. Altogether, our observations provide direct evidence that the brain penetrant metabolite N-desmethylclozapine is a potent, allosteric agonist at human M1 receptors and is able to potentiate hippocampal NMDA receptor currents through M1 receptor activation. These observations raise the possibility that N-desmethylclozapine contributes to clozapine's clinical activity in schizophrenics through modulation of both muscarinic and glutamatergic neurotransmission.
Long-term follow up after allogeneic stem cell transplantation in patients with severe aplastic anemia after cyclophosphamide plus antithymocyte globulin conditioning

Background Due to increased rates of secondary solid organ cancer in patients with severe aplastic anemia who received an irradiation-based conditioning regimen, we decided some years ago to use the combination of cyclophosphamide and antithymocyte globulin. We report the long-term follow up of patients who underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation from an HLA-matched sibling donor after this conditioning regimen. Design and Methods We analyzed 61 consecutive patients transplanted from June 1991 to February 2010, following conditioning with cyclophosphamide (200 mg/kg) and antithymocyte globulin (2.5 mg/kg/day × 5 days). Results Median age was 21 years (range 4–43); 41 of the 61 patients were adults. Median duration of the disease before hematopoietic stem cell transplantation was 93 days. All but 2 patients received bone marrow as the source of stem cells and all but 2 engrafted. Cumulative incidence of acute grade II–IV graft-versus-host disease was 23% (95%CI 13–34) and 18 developed chronic graft-versus-host disease (cumulative incidence 32% at 72 months, 95% CI 20–46). In multivariate analysis, a higher number of infused CD3 cells was associated with an increased risk of developing chronic graft-versus-host disease (P=0.017). With a median follow up of 73 months (range 8–233), the estimated 6-year overall survival was 87% (95% CI 78–97). At 72 months, the cumulative incidence of avascular necrosis was 21% and 12 patients presented with endocrine dysfunction (cumulative incidence of 19%). Only one patient developed a secondary malignancy (Hodgkin’s lymphoma) during follow up. Conclusions Cyclophosphamide and antithymocyte globulin is an effective conditioning regimen for patients with severe aplastic anemia and is associated with low treatment-related mortality. Long-term complications include avascular necrosis and endocrine dysfunction.
Iris Color: Validation of a new Classification and Distribution in a Spanish Population-Based Sample

Purpose To design and validate a standard, simple, and reliable iris color classification and to study its distribution in a Spanish population. Iris color has a geographic distribution and has been correlated with different ocular diseases. However, there is no standard and validated iris color classification allowing comparison among different studies. Methods Classification was made in three grades (blue-gray, hazel-green, brown) and was validated by 3 independent readers. Initially, a preliminary study was made in 50 iris photographs to detect technical hitches. Afterwards, based on this procedure, 221 iris photographs were graded Results Measures of interobserver reliability were 0.786 by kappa index with an agreement of 89.6%. Iris color distribution in the Spanish cohort was blue-grey 16.29%, hazel-green 55.2%, and brown 28.5%. Conclusions This classification is simple, reliable, and easy to use in clinical research and by ophthalmologists or generalists in practice. The Spanish cohort from this study shows a different iris color distribution from those previously published in other countries.
Prevalence of Borrelia infection in ticks from wildlife in south-west England

LYME borreliosis, also called Lyme disease, is the most prevalent vectorborne disease of human beings in the temperate zones of the northern hemisphere ([Steere and others 2004][1]). It also occurs in domestic animals, including dogs, cats and horses ([Stanek and others 2002][2]). Lyme borreliosis
Lateral medullary infarction

We describe the acute and long-term prognosis in 43 patients with lateral medullary infarction (LMI) collected from a population-based stroke registry from 1982 to July 1988. Mean age was 63.9 years and median time of follow-up was 33 months. In the acute phase, 5 patients (11.6%) died from respiratory and cardiovascular complications and 2 new strokes occurred, both in the posterior circulation. During follow-up, recurrent vertebrobasilar territory strokes occurred in only 2 patients (a rate of 1.9% per year). The mechanisms of stroke were vertebral artery (VA) branch occlusion, causing a medial medullary syndrome, and basilar artery thrombosis propagating from a contralateral, distal VA stenosis. In the acute phase of LMI, respiratory and cardiovascular events, presumably caused by autonomic dysfunction related to the lateral medullary lesion, are the major hazards. Recurrent posterior circulation strokes were uncommon during follow-up.
Corneal mechanical sensitivity measurement using a staircase technique

Purpose: To determine the repeatability of an unequal staircase technique (Garcia‐Perez Staircase, GPS) to measure corneal mechanical threshold using the CRCERT‐Belmonte Aesthesiometer, and to compare this with a previously‐reported psychophysical method (Method of Constant Stimuli, MOCS).
Visual function at baseline and 1 month in acute optic neuritis

Objective: To identify cutpoints for visual measures at baseline and 1 month predictive of abnormal 6-month vision that could be used as eligibility criteria in a clinical trial to test potential neuroprotection or myelin repair agents in patients with optic neuritis. To determine whether moderate-to-severe dysfunction in one or more visual measures at baseline or 1 month correlates with having major vision loss at 6 months. Methods: We used the Optic Neuritis Treatment Trial database to evaluate various cutpoints for baseline and 1-month vision levels that predicted abnormal 6-month vision. For selected cutpoints, we computed a 95% CI for positive predictive value and the required sample size if the cutpoint was to be used for clinical trial eligibility. We evaluated whether the degree of visual loss at baseline, 1 month, or change in visual function from baseline to 1 month correlated with 6-month visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, or threshold visual field. Results: The best cutpoints for baseline and 1 month were visual acuity ≤ 20/50, contrast sensitivity < 1.0 log units, and visual field mean deviation ≤ −15 dB. The same levels of visual dysfunction at 1 month, but not at baseline, correlated with having 6-month moderate-to-severe loss for each of these measures (p = 0.01). A trial could require as few as 100 subjects for an outcome variable of one or more abnormal measures. Cutpoints at 1 month were highly predictive of abnormal 6-month vision, but the proportion of patients who would be eligible for a trial would be small. Conclusion: Provided data can be used either for the clinician to counsel patients on expected visual outcome or for designing studies to test therapies that might reduce the amount of permanent optic nerve damage due to optic neuritis in high-risk patients.
Metabolic and Transcriptional Response to Cofactor Perturbations in Escherichia coli

Metabolic cofactors such as NADH and ATP play important roles in a large number of cellular reactions, and it is of great interest to dissect the role of these cofactors in different aspects of metabolism. Toward this goal, we overexpressed NADH oxidase and the soluble F1-ATPase in Escherichia coli to lower the level of NADH and ATP, respectively. We used a global interaction network, comprising of protein interactions, transcriptional regulation, and metabolic networks, to integrate data from transcription profiles, metabolic fluxes, and the metabolite levels. We identified high-scoring networks for the two strains. The results revealed a smaller, but denser network for perturbations of ATP level, compared with that of NADH level. The action of many global transcription factors such as ArcA, Fnr, CRP, and IHF commonly involved both NADH and ATP, whereas others responded to either ATP or NADH. Overexpressing NADH oxidase invokes response in widespread aspects of metabolism involving the redox cofactors (NADH and NADPH), whereas ATPase has a more focused response to restore ATP level by enhancing proton translocation mechanisms and repressing biosynthesis. Interestingly, NADPH played a key role in restoring redox homeostasis through the concerted activity of isocitrate dehydrogenase and UdhA transhydrogenase. We present a reconciled network of regulation that illustrates the overlapping and distinct aspects of metabolism controlled by NADH and ATP. Our study contributes to the general understanding of redox and energy metabolism and should help in developing metabolic engineering strategies in E. coli.
Correlation between model observer and human observer performance in CT imaging when lesion location is uncertain.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation between model observer and human observer performance in CT imaging for the task of lesion detection and localization when the lesion location is uncertain. METHODS Two cylindrical rods (3-mm and 5-mm diameters) were placed in a 35×26 cm torso-shaped water phantom to simulate lesions with -15 HU contrast at 120 kV. The phantom was scanned 100 times on a 128-slice CT scanner at each of four dose levels (CTDIvol=5.7, 11.4, 17.1, and 22.8 mGy). Regions of interest (ROIs) around each lesion were extracted to generate images with signal-present, with each ROI containing 128×128 pixels. Corresponding ROIs of signal-absent images were generated from images without lesion mimicking rods. The location of the lesion (rod) in each ROI was randomly distributed by moving the ROIs around each lesion. Human observer studies were performed by having three trained observers identify the presence or absence of lesions, indicating the lesion location in each image and scoring confidence for the detection task on a 6-point scale. The same image data were analyzed using a channelized Hotelling model observer (CHO) with Gabor channels. Internal noise was added to the decision variables for the model observer study. Area under the curve (AUC) of ROC and localization ROC (LROC) curves were calculated using a nonparametric approach. The Spearman's rank order correlation between the average performance of the human observers and the model observer performance was calculated for the AUC of both ROC and LROC curves for both the 3- and 5-mm diameter lesions. RESULTS In both ROC and LROC analyses, AUC values for the model observer agreed well with the average values across the three human observers. The Spearman's rank order correlation values for both ROC and LROC analyses for both the 3- and 5-mm diameter lesions were all 1.0, indicating perfect rank ordering agreement of the figures of merit (AUC) between the average performance of the human observers and the model observer performance. CONCLUSIONS In CT imaging of different sizes of low-contrast lesions (-15 HU), the performance of CHO with Gabor channels was highly correlated with human observer performance for the detection and localization tasks with uncertain lesion location in CT imaging at four clinically relevant dose levels. This suggests the ability of Gabor CHO model observers to meaningfully assess CT image quality for the purpose of optimizing scan protocols and radiation dose levels in detection and localization tasks for low-contrast lesions.
Chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis: differentiation from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and nonspecific interstitial pneumonia by using thin-section CT.

PURPOSE To retrospectively assess the accuracy of thin-section computed tomography (CT) in distinguishing chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP), with histologic results as the reference standard. MATERIALS AND METHODS This retrospective study was approved by the institutional research boards of the participating centers, and informed consent was waived. There was HIPAA compliance for all U.S. patients. The study included 66 patients (36 men, 30 women; mean age, 58.8 years +/- 10.9 [standard deviation]) with proved chronic HP (n = 18), IPF (n = 23), or NSIP (n = 25) who underwent CT. Two independent readers assessed the CT images, made a first-choice diagnosis, and noted the degree of confidence in the diagnosis. A general linear model was used to identify CT features that independently differentiated chronic HP from IPF and NSIP. Weighted kappa statistic was used to assess interobserver agreement. RESULTS The CT features that best differentiated chronic HP were lobular areas with decreased attenuation and vascularity, centrilobular nodules, and absence of lower zone predominance of abnormalities (P < or = .008). The features that best differentiated NSIP were relative subpleural sparing, absence of lobular areas with decreased attenuation, and lack of honeycombing (P < or = .002). The features that best differentiated IPF were basal predominance of honeycombing, absence of relative subpleural sparing, and absence centrilobular nodules (P < or = .004). A confident diagnosis was made in 70 (53%) of 132 readings. This diagnosis was correct in 66 (94%) of 70 readings. The accuracy for the entire cohort was 80%. Interobserver agreement for confident diagnosis was good to excellent (kappa = 0.77-0.96). CONCLUSION Characteristic CT features of chronic HP, IPF, and NSIP allow confident distinction between these entities in approximately 50% of patients.