Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of guided imagery on outcomes of pain, functional status, and self-efficacy in persons diagnosed with fibromyalgia.

OBJECTIVES (1) To investigate the effects of a 6-week intervention of guided imagery on pain level, functional status, and self-efficacy in persons with fibromyalgia (FM); and (2) to explore the dose-response effect of imagery use on outcomes. DESIGN Longitudinal, prospective, two-group, randomized, controlled clinical trial. SETTING AND SUBJECTS The sample included 48 persons with FM recruited from physicians' offices and clinics in the mid-Atlantic region. INTERVENTION Participants randomized to Guided Imagery (GI) plus Usual Care intervention group received a set of three audiotaped guided imagery scripts and were instructed to use at least one tape daily for 6 weeks and report weekly frequency of use (dosage). Participants assigned to the Usual Care alone group submitted weekly report forms on usual care. MEASURES All participants completed the Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ), Arthritis Self- Efficacy Scale (ASES), and Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), at baseline, 6, and 10 weeks, and submitted frequency of use report forms. RESULTS FIQ scores decreased over time in the GI group compared to the Usual Care group (p = 0.03). Ratings of self-efficacy for managing pain (p = 0.03) and other symptoms of FM also increased significantly over time (p = < 0.01) in the GI group compared to the Usual Care group. Pain as measured by the SF-MPQ did not change over time or by group. Imagery dosage was not significant. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated the effectiveness of guided imagery in improving functional status and sense of self-efficacy for managing pain and other symptoms of FM. However, participants' reports of pain did not change. Further studies investigating the effects of mind-body interventions as adjunctive self-care modalities are warranted in the fibromyalgia patient population.
Potential of semiarid soil from Caatinga biome as a novel source for mining lignocellulose‐degrading enzymes

&NA; The litterfall is the major organic material deposited in soil of Brazilian Caatinga biome, thus providing the ideal conditions for plant biomass‐degrading microorganisms to thrive. Herein, the phylogenetic composition and lignocellulose‐degrading capacity have been explored for the first time from a fosmid library dataset of Caatinga soil by sequence‐based screening. A complex bacterial community dominated by Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria was unraveled. SEED subsystems‐based annotations revealed a broad range of genes assigned to carbohydrate and aromatic compounds metabolism, indicating microbial ability to utilize plant‐derived material. CAZy‐based annotation identified 7275 genes encoding 37 glycoside hydrolases (GHs) families related to hydrolysis of cellulose, hemicellulose, oligosaccharides and other lignin‐modifying enzymes. Taxonomic affiliation of genes showed high genetic potential of the phylum Acidobacteria for hemicellulose degradation, whereas Actinobacteria members appear to play an important role in celullose hydrolysis. Additionally, comparative analyses revealed greater GHs profile similarity among soils as compared to the digestive tract of animals capable of digesting plant biomass, particularly in the hemicellulases content. Combined results suggest a complex synergistic interaction of community members required for biomass degradation into fermentable sugars. This large repertoire of lignocellulolytic enzymes opens perspectives for mining potential candidates of biochemical catalysts for biofuels production from renewable resources and other environmental applications.
Splicing Pattern, Transcript Start Distribution, and DNA Sequence of the Mouse Gene (Mobp) Encoding Myelin-Associated Oligodendrocytic Basic Protein

We have cloned the mouse gene Mobp, encoding the family of myelin-associated oligodendrocytic basic proteins (MOBP), to facilitate elucidation of its genomic organization and regulation. We report near complete sequence analysis of the Mobp gene (>11 kb), including complete sequence of all exons and their associated splice junctions. The Mobp gene comprises eight discrete exons and encompasses a genomic region in excess of 15 kb. We provide a definitive analysis of the alternative splicing events and exon usage required in the generation of the reported splice variants of Mobp transcripts. We identify sequences corresponding to the coding regions of all reported protein isoforms. Consequently, we demonstrate that sequence regions, predicted to encode unique portions of two putative protein isoforms in the rat (MOBP 71 and MOBP 99), are not fully conserved between the rat and the mouse: we predict that the mouse equivalents are two distinct polypeptides of 73 amino acids, MOBP73A and MOBP73B, respectively. We have analyzed sequence from 63 oligo-capped, cloned cDNA fragments and identify six transcription start points associated with the Mobp gene at postnatal day 26. This study provides the platform for a more detailed analysis of the function of the Mobp gene product and subsequent evaluation of its possible involvement in known neuropathies.
Job decision latitude, job demands, and cardiovascular disease: a prospective study of Swedish men.

The association between specific job characteristics and subsequent cardiovascular disease was tested using a large random sample of the male working Swedish population. The prospective development of coronary heart disease (CHD) symptoms and signs was analyzed using a multivariate logistic regression technique. Additionally, a case-controlled study was used to analyze all cardiovascular-cerebrovascular (CHD-CVD) deaths during a six-year follow-up. The indicator of CHD symptoms and signs was validated in a six-year prospective study of CHD deaths (standardized mortality ratio 5.0; p less than or equal to .001). A hectic and psychologically demanding job increases the risk of developing CHD symptoms and signs (standardized odds ratio 1.29, p less than 0.25) and premature CHD-CVD death (relative risk 4.0, p less than .01). Low decision latitude-expressed as low intellectual discretion and low personal schedule freedom-is also associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Low intellectual discretion predicts the development of CHD symptoms and signs (SOR 1.44, p less than .01), while low personal schedule freedom among the majority of workers with the minimum statutory education increases the risk of CHD-CVD death (RR 6.6, p less than .0002). The associations exist after controlling for age, education, smoking, and overweight.
Strong in body and spirit: lifestyle intervention for Native American adults with diabetes in New Mexico.

OBJECTIVE To determine the effects of a culturally appropriate diabetes lifestyle intervention for Native Americans on risk factors for complications of diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS A nonrandomized, community-based diabetes intervention trial was conducted in three Native American sites in New Mexico from 1993-1997. Participants were assigned to intervention or control based on community of residence. Intervention sessions were held approximately 6 weeks apart over approximately 10 months. The intervention was delivered in site A in family and friends (FF) groups (n = 32); site B received the same intervention in one-on-one (OO) appointments (n = 39); and site C received usual medical care (UC) (n = 33) (total participants, n = 104). Primary change in HbA(1c) level was assessed at 1 year. RESULTS Adjusted mean change in HbA(1c) value varied significantly across the three arms at 1 year (P = 0.05). The UC arm showed a statistically significant increase in adjusted mean HbA(1c) change (1.2%, P = 0.001), whereas both intervention arms showed a small nonsignificant (P > 0.05) increase in the adjusted mean change (0.5% and 0.2% for FF and OO arms, respectively). The increase was statistically significantly smaller in the combined intervention arms (0.4%) compared with the UC arm (1.2%, P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS Lifestyle intervention has the potential to substantially reduce microvascular complications, mortality, and health care utilization and costs if the change is sustained over time.
Onset, Persistence, and Versatility of Offending Among Adult Males Convicted of Sexual Offenses Against Children

Official sexual and nonsexual offense histories and confidential self-report data on sexual offending were obtained on 207 adult males serving sentences for sexual offenses against children (98 intrafamilial, 72 extrafamilial, and 37 mixed-type offenders). The mean self-reported age when offenders first had sexual contact with a child was 32.2 years (median = 31 years; range = 102013;63 years). The mean age at first conviction for any offense was 30.5 years (median = 27 years; range = 122013;66 years), and the mean age at first conviction for a sexual offense was 37.3 years (median = 37 years; range = 152013;76 years). Sixty-nine percent (n = 143) of the combined sample had at least one previous conviction, and 80% of these (n = 114) had first been convicted for a nonsexual offense. ANCOVA revealed a systematic pattern of onset with first convictions for any offense preceding first sexual contact with a child. Taken together, results indicate that, in general, adult child molesters (a) begin sexual offending in their 30s, (b) have already become involved in nonsexual crime by the time they first have sexual contact with a child, (c) are criminally versatile, and (d) vary considerably in their persistence with respect to both sexual and nonsexual offending.
Immortalized Human Brain Endothelial Cell Line HCMEC/D3 as a Model of the Blood-Brain Barrier Facilitates In Vitro Studies of Central Nervous System Infection by Cryptococcus neoformans

ABSTRACT Cryptococcus neoformans cells must cross the blood-brain barrier prior to invading the central nervous system. Here we demonstrate that the immortalized human brain endothelial cell line HCMEC/D3 is a useful alternative to primary brain endothelial cells as a model of the blood-brain barrier for studies of central nervous system infection.
Grab and Strip Tensile Strengths for Woven Fabrics: An Experimental Verification

In the present study we have attempted to verify a theoretical model of grab versus strip strengths of fabrics [Textile Research Journal, 2003, 73(2), 165–171] through experimental investigation. Five different fabrics were included in this study, and three related parameters were investigated including the modulus ratio of the specimen (shear versus tensile moduli), the specimen gauge length and the ungripped specimen width. The ratios of grab versus strip tensile strengths were computed from the experimental results and compared with the values predicted from the theoretical model. The predicted results are compatible with the measured values, suggesting that the theoretical model is capable of estimating the tensile strength of a grab specimen.
Occurrence of multiple subsequent neoplasms in long-term survivors of childhood cancer: a report from the childhood cancer survivor study.

PURPOSE Childhood cancer survivors experience an increased incidence of subsequent neoplasms (SNs). Those surviving the first SN (SN1) remain at risk to develop multiple SNs. Because SNs are a common cause of late morbidity and mortality, characterization of rates of multiple SNs is needed. PATIENTS AND METHODS In a total of 14,358 5-year survivors of childhood cancer diagnosed between 1970 and 1986, analyses were carried out among 1,382 survivors with an SN1. Cumulative incidence of second subsequent neoplasm (SN2), either malignant or benign, was calculated. RESULTS A total of 1,382 survivors (9.6%) developed SN1, of whom 386 (27.9%) developed SN2. Of those with SN2, 153 (39.6%) developed more than two SNs. Cumulative incidence of SN2 was 46.9% (95% CI, 41.6% to 52.2%) at 20 years after SN1. The cumulative incidence of SN2 among radiation-exposed survivors was 41.3% (95% CI, 37.2% to 45.4%) at 15 years compared with 25.7% (95% CI, 16.5% to 34.9%) for those not treated with radiation. Radiation-exposed survivors who developed an SN1 of nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) had a cumulative incidence of subsequent malignant neoplasm (SMN; ie, malignancies excluding NMSC) of 20.3% (95% CI, 13.0% to 27.6%) at 15 years compared with only 10.7% (95% CI, 7.2% to 14.2%) for those who were exposed to radiation and whose SN1 was an invasive SMN (excluding NMSC). CONCLUSION Multiple SNs are common among aging survivors of childhood cancer. SN1 of NMSC identifies a population at high risk for invasive SMN. Survivors not exposed to radiation who develop multiple SNs represent a population of interest for studying genetic susceptibility to neoplasia.
Selective Cathepsin S Inhibition with MIV-247 Attenuates Mechanical Allodynia and Enhances the Antiallodynic Effects of Gabapentin and Pregabalin in a Mouse Model of Neuropathic Pain

Cathepsin S inhibitors attenuate mechanical allodynia in preclinical neuropathic pain models. The current study evaluated the effects when combining the selective cathepsin S inhibitor MIV-247 with gabapentin or pregabalin in a mouse model of neuropathic pain. Mice were rendered neuropathic by partial sciatic nerve ligation. MIV-247, gabapentin, or pregabalin were administered alone or in combination via oral gavage. Mechanical allodynia was assessed using von Frey hairs. Neurobehavioral side effects were evaluated by assessing beam walking. MIV-247, gabapentin, and pregabalin concentrations in various tissues were measured. Oral administration of MIV-247 (100-200 µmol/kg) dose-dependently attenuated mechanical allodynia by up to approximately 50% reversal when given as a single dose or when given twice daily for 5 days. No behavioral deficits were observed at any dose of MIV-247 tested. Gabapentin (58-350 µmol/kg) and pregabalin (63-377 µmol/kg) also inhibited mechanical allodynia with virtually complete reversal at the highest doses tested. The minimum effective dose of MIV-247 (100 µmol/kg) in combination with the minimum effective dose of pregabalin (75 µmol/kg) or gabapentin (146 µmol/kg) resulted in enhanced antiallodynic efficacy without augmenting side effects. A subeffective dose of MIV-247 (50 µmol/kg) in combination with a subeffective dose of pregabalin (38 µmol/kg) or gabapentin (73 µmol/kg) also resulted in substantial efficacy. Plasma levels of MIV-247, gabapentin, and pregabalin were similar when given in combination as to when given alone. Cathepsin S inhibition with MIV-247 exerts significant antiallodynic efficacy alone, and also enhances the effect of gabapentin and pregabalin without increasing side effects or inducing pharmacokinetic interactions.
An experimental study of the state-of-the-art PUFs implemented on FPGAs

Authentication and cryptographic key generation mechanisms are used in a broad range of security related applications. While there have been substantial efforts among the security research community, challenges in implementation methods for authentication and cryptographic key generation still prevail. With inherent irreplicability, Physical Unclonable Functions (PUFs) provide a new solution to security challenges. However, designing a new PUF or finding an appropriate existing PUF for each new security application is not an easy task, and it requires a set of particular properties to suite particular application. Thus, a thorough experimental study of numerous PUFs can provide useful information on different properties of these PUFs. Moreover, PUF development researchers can utilize the study results to design new PUFs with enhanced properties or to overcome deficiencies of existing PUFs. This paper is an effort to implement a group of state-of-the-art PUFs on two models of FPGAs and also to carry out an experimental analysis that evaluates the implemented PUFs. Our study focused on two major classes of PUFs: path-delay-based PUFs and frequency-variation-based PUFs with three designs in each of two classes. The experimental results provide useful information for security application developers to devise innovative PUF-utilized security applications as well as PUF design researchers to design PUFs for particular applications.
Weight-loss diets for the prevention and treatment of obesity.

No medical condition has generated as many dietary remedies as obesity. All diets have their followers, but hard data on the efficacy of the diets are scarce. In this issue of the Journal, Sacks et al.1 report the results of a large, long-term trial that tested the efficacy of weight-loss diets that were high or low in carbohydrates, protein, or fat. High-carbohydrate, low-fat diets became popular approximately 20 years ago, when it was thought that calories from carbohydrates were less fattening than the same number of calories from fat. A high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet was popularized by Dr. Robert Atkins in .
Radiological study of sachet-packaged water: a case study of the products in Owo local government area of Ondo State, Nigeria

The radioactivity levels of some sachet-packaged drinking water produced and used in Owo, a local government area of Ondo State, Nigeria, were measured. The activity concentrations of 226Ra varied between 0.6 ± 0.2 Bq L−1 and 11.6 ± 3.2 Bq L−1 with an arithmetic mean ± standard deviation of 6.6 ± 3.6 Bq L−1, the activity concentrations of 228Ra varied between 4.5 ± 2.1 Bq L−1 and 18.6 ± 6.1 Bq L−1 with an arithmetic mean ± standard deviation of 12.2 ± 4.5 Bq L−1 and that of 40K varied between 22 ± 6 Bq L−1 and 142 ± 41 Bq L−1 with an arithmetic mean ± standard deviation of 68 ± 45 Bq L−1. 40K was not detected in one sample. The resulting annual effective doses due to ingestion of the radionuclides 226Ra and 228Ra in the water samples varied between 2.4 mSv and 11.5 mSv with an arithmetic mean ± standard deviation of 7.5 ± 2.8 mSv, which are higher than the recommended standards of WHO and UNSCEAR. Therefore this study shows that it is not radiologically advisable to consume any of the sachet drinking water studied.
Variable expression of the popliteal pterygium syndrome in two 3‐generation families

Three successive generations in two families affected with the popliteal pterygium syndrome are reported. While expression of the syndrome was relatively mild in the first and second generation, the patients in the third generation showed the full‐blown syndrome. Differential diagnosis between mildly affected patients with the popliteal pterygium syndrome and those with Van der Woude syndrome is difficult and may even be impossible. The present observations further support the hypothesis that both syndromes may in fact represent variants of the same condition.
Role of ICT and Wage Inequality in Organization

This study deals with wage inequality in organization and shows the relationship between ICT and wage in organization. To do so, we incorporate ICT’s factors in organization into our model. ICT’s factors are efficiencies of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Computer Assisted Design/Computer Assisted Manufacturing (CAD/CAM), and NETWORK. The improvement of ICT’s factors decrease the learning cost to solve problem pertaining to the hierarchy in organization. The improvement of NETWORK increases the wage inequality within workers and decreases within managers and entrepreneurs. The improvements of CAD/CAM and ERP increases the wage inequality within all agent, and partially increase it between the agents in hierarchy. Keywords—Endogenous economic growth, ICT, inequality, capital accumulation, technology.
Incidence and clinical characteristics of childhood glaucoma: a population-based study.

OBJECTIVE To describe the incidence and clinical characteristics of childhood glaucoma in a defined population of the United States. METHODS The medical records of all pediatric patients younger than 20 years living in Olmstead County, Minnesota, from January 1, 1965, through December 31, 2004, who met diagnostic criteria for glaucoma or glaucoma suspect were reviewed. RESULTS Thirty children were diagnosed as having glaucoma during the 40-year study period. The incidence of childhood glaucoma was 2.29 (95% confidence interval, 1.47-3.12) per 100,000 residents younger than 20 years, with the following types and incidences: 19 acquired (1.46/100,000; 0.80-2.12), 6 secondary (0.45/100,000; 0.08-0.82), and 5 primary glaucoma (0.38/100,000; 0.05-0.72). The birth prevalence of primary congenital glaucoma during the 40-year period was 1 per 68 254 residents younger than 20 years or 1.46 per 100,000 (95% confidence interval, 0.03-8.16). Twenty-four individuals with glaucoma suspect were also identified, yielding an incidence of 1.9 per 100,000 residents younger than 20 years (95% confidence interval, 1.14-2.66). CONCLUSION The incidence of childhood glaucoma in this population was 2.29 per 100,000 residents younger than 20 years or 1 per 43 575 residents younger than 20 years. Acquired and secondary forms of glaucoma were the most common, whereas congenital and juvenile glaucoma were rare.
10 to 40 GHz Superheterodyne Receiver Frontend in 0.13 µm SiGe BiCMOS Technology

Abstract A fully integrated 10–40 GHz superheterodyne receiver frontend using a 40–46 GHz IF is presented. The frontend consists of a differential low noise amplifier, a fully differential mixer, a single-ended frequency quadrupler and a transformer-based balun followed by an amplifier to convert the quadrupler’s single-ended output to a differential signal to drive the LO port of the mixer. The circuit is designed and fabricated in a 250 GHz fT$${f_T}$$ SiGe BiCMOS technology. The chip was characterized on-wafer single-endedly. The frontend achieves a differential conversion gain of 17–20 dB and an input-referred 1 dB compression point of –16 to –20 dBm across the desired IF bandwidth.
Two-Level Convergence Theory for Multigrid Reduction in Time (MGRIT)

In this paper we develop a two-grid convergence theory for the parallel-in-time scheme known as multigrid reduction in time (MGRIT), as it is implemented in the open-source package [XBraid: Parallel Multigrid in Time, http://llnl.gov/casc/xbraid]. MGRIT is a scalable and multilevel approach to parallel-in-time simulations that nonintrusively uses existing time-stepping schemes, and in a specific two-level setting it is equivalent to the widely known parareal algorithm. The goal of this paper is twofold. First, we present a two-level MGRIT convergence analysis for linear problems where the spatial discretization matrix can be diagonalized, and then apply this analysis to our two basic model problems, the heat equation and the advection equation. One important assumption is that the coarse and fine time-grid propagators can be diagaonalized by the same set of eigenvectors, which is often the case when the same spatial discretization operator is used on the coarse and fine time grids. In many cases, the MGRI.