Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Perceived discrimination and longitudinal increases in adolescent substance use: gender differences and mediational pathways.

OBJECTIVES This study was designed to test hypotheses about the prospective association of adolescents' perceptions of discrimination with increases in substance use and the processes that mediate this association. METHODS African American youths residing in rural Georgia (n = 573; mean age = 16.0 years) provided longitudinal data on their experiences with discrimination, substance use, school engagement, and affiliations with substance-using peers. RESULTS For male youths, perceived discrimination was significantly related to increases in substance use, and, as hypothesized, this association was mediated by the contributions of perceived discrimination to decreases in school engagement and increases in affiliations with substance-using peers. Analyses also indicated that discrimination influences substance use rather than vice versa. CONCLUSIONS Results are consistent with the hypothesis that high levels of discrimination are linked to increases in substance use for African American male adolescents.
Single and dual input packaged 5.5–6.5GHz, 20W, Quasi-MMIC GaN-HEMT Doherty Power Amplifier

This paper presents the design, the realization and the power characteristics of plastic low cost packaged symmetric Doherty Power Amplifiers (DPA) operating in the 5.5–6.5GHz bandwidth. A single input (SI-DPA) and a dual input (DI-DPA) DPAs are proposed based on two power bars composed of two GaN HEMT cells (8 fingers of 275μm unit gate width). Input and output matching networks are designed on passive GaAs MMIC technology. To our knowledge, it is the first published SI and DI-DPAs working in C band, designed using Quasi-MMIC technology and assembled in plastic package. The measured power results under Continuous Wave (CW) signal of the SI-DPA demonstrate a maximum output power (Pout) upper than 20W (43.5dBm) with 50% drain efficiency (dE), 42% power added efficiency (PAE), 11dB of insertion gain (GI) in the 5.5–6.5GHz bandwidth. At 6dB output power Back-off (oBo), the drain efficiency is greater than 35% (32% PAE). The DPA linearity has been investigated with a 256QAM modulation signal of 30MHz bandwidth and using Digital Pre-Distortion (DPD) leading to a 50dBc Adjacent Channel Leakage Ratio (ACLR) at a 34 dBm average output power. The designed DI-DPA is identical to the SI-DPA without input power splitter. It demonstrates that the adjustment of power ratio between the main and the peak amplifiers associated with adequate bias points, improves all the power performances: linearity, PAE, oBo and GI. The DI-DPA reaches a 12.5 dB GI, a maximum Pout equal to 44dBm (3.5dB gain compression) with 45% PAE. Moreover, in the same previous bandwidth, 40% PAE with 4° of AM/PM variation are obtained at 6dBoBo and 36% PAE (AM/PM=3°) at 8dBoBo.
Laboratory Evaluation of the Response of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus Uninfected and Infected with Dengue Virus to Deet

ABSTRACT Laboratory studies were conducted to compare the response of Aedes aegypti (L.) and Aedes albopictus (Skuse) adults, uninfected and infected with four serotypes of dengue virus to a repellent containing 5% N, N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide (deet). The results showed that mosquitoes infected with the four serotypes of dengue responded similarly to uninfected mosquitoes.
Design of Proportional-Minus-Delay Action Feedback Controllers for Second- and Third-Order Systems

This paper describes a procedure to design optimum compensators using proportional-minus-delay (PMD) action for second and third-order feedback systems. When the feedback compensator was implemented by means of PHD action, the output performance of the resulting closed-loop system was better in the sense of the ITAE index than that of the same system which employed a proportional-plus-derivative action or than that of one which employed posicast control actions.
Elucidating dispersion effects in perfusion MRI by means of dispersion-compliant bases

Dispersion effects in perfusion MRI data have a relevant influence on the residue function computed from deconvolution of the measured arterial and tissular concentration time-curves. Their characterization allows reliable estimation of hemodynamic parameters and can reveal pathological tissue conditions. However, the time-delay between the measured concentration time-curves is a confounding factor. We perform deconvolution by means of dispersion-compliant bases, separating the effects of dispersion and delay. In order to characterize dispersion, we introduce shape parameters, such as the dispersion time and index. We propose a new formulation for the dispersed residue function and perform in silico experiments that validate the reliability of our approach against the block-circulant Singular Value Decomposition. We successfully apply the approach to stroke MRI data and show that the calculated parameters are coherent with physiological considerations, highlighting the importance of dispersion as an effect to be measured rather than discarded.
A Power-Delay and Area Efficient Voltage Level Shifter Based on a Reflected-Output Wilson Current Mirror Level Shifter

This brief presents an area-efficient and ultra-low power high-speed voltage level shifter (LS) based on a reflected-output Wilson current mirror LS (WCMLS). The proposed technique removes the limitation of conventional WCMLS in using a current mirror with extremely high sizing ratio significantly saving area and power. Compared to the state-of-the-art counterparts, the proposed LS comprises relatively fewer elements all minimum sized further reducing the area. The proposed LS operates well with extremely sub-threshold input voltages while exhibiting considerably lower propagation delay. Implemented in a standard <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$0.18-\mu \text{m}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> CMOS process, post-layout simulations confirm that the proposed subthreshold LS can effectively transform input voltage levels as low as 50 mV to about 1.8 V at output without employing any multi-threshold devices. With an area of <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$7.5\,\,\mu \text{m}\,\,\times \,\,4.7\,\,\mu \text{m}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>, the overall delay and power consumption of the proposed LS for a 0.4 V/1 MHz input signal and 1.8 V output level are 6.1 ns and 76.34 nW, respectively.
De-multiplexer of wavelength division multiplexed radio-over-fiber signal for application of W-band frequency-modulated continuous-wave radar systems

The characteristics of a newly-developed de-multiplexer for wavelength-division-multiplexed (WDM) radio-over-fiber (RoF) signal, which is applicable for frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FM-CW) radar systems, is investigated and the de-multiplexing of 4-channel WDM 32-GHz-band FM-CW RoF signal is demonstrated.
Carrier Phase Recovery for 16-QAM Using QPSK Partitioning and Sliding Window Averaging

This letter presents the carrier phase recovery for 16-ary quadrature amplitude modulation (16-QAM) optical coherent systems using the quaternary phase-shift keying (QPSK) partitioning with sliding window averaging and differential decoding. We assess the increase in linewidth tolerance achievable with sliding window averaging as opposed to block averaging. Simulation results demonstrate that combined linewidth symbol duration product, Δv · T<sub>s</sub>, 10<sup>-4</sup> is tolerable at the target bit error ratio (BER) of 10<sup>-2</sup> and 10<sup>-3</sup> for a penalty of 0.6 and 0.8 dB, respectively, compared with the theoretical limit with differential decoding. The impact of analog-to-digital converter (ADC) resolution on the performance of the QPSK partitioning algorithm is also investigated. Finally, the performance of the algorithm using the measured phase noise for a distributed feedback (DFB) laser is presented for different values of Δv · T<sub>s</sub>. We show that for Δv · T<sub>s</sub> > 10<sup>-4</sup>, the penalty of block averaging is > 0.5 dB with respect to sliding window averaging at the target BER of 10<sup>-3</sup> with the measured phase noise. The degradation associated with block averaging at the target BER of 10<sup>-2</sup> is shown to be less significant compared to sliding window averaging.
Analysis of signaling pathways used by parathyroid hormone to activate the c‐fos gene in human SaOS2 osteoblast‐like cells

We have evaluated the signaling pathways activated by parathyroid hormone (PTH) in SaOS2 human osteoblast‐like cells correlating with induction of the c‐fos proto‐oncogene. Human PTH (1–34) (hPTH[1–34]) and hPTH(1–34) Nle8,18 Tyr34 induced the expression of c‐fos mRNA in quiescent SaOS2 cells in a concentration‐dependent manner. N‐terminal truncations of hPTH(1–34) that fail to activate protein kinase A (PKA) also abolished c‐fos mRNA induction. In gel retardation assays hPTH(1–34) led to a change in the mobility of specific, cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) response element binding protein (CREB)‐containing protein‐DNA complexes identical to that caused by other activators of PKA. The appearance of this altered mobility complex correlated temporally with the induction of c‐fos mRNA. Using a c‐fos serum response element probe, a slowed protein DNA complex appeared upon serum, epidermal growth factor, and basic fibroblast growth factor treatment. This slowed complex reflects phosphorylation of the transcription factor ternary complex factor (TCF) mediated via activation of the mitogen‐activated protein (MAP) kinase pathway. The MAP kinase cascade is also activated by protein kinase C (PKC), and treatment with phorbol ester led to the induced TCF shift. In contrast, PTH did not produce this shift, ruling out PTH activation of c‐fos via PKC and the MAP kinase signaling cascade. Further evidence for this was the lack of effect of the highly selective PKC inhibitor CGP 41251 on c‐fos induction by hPTH(1–34). The janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) signaling cascade targets the v‐sis‐inducible element in the c‐fos promoter via the induced binding of STATs. Interferon γ rapidly induced STAT binding in SaOS2 cells, unlike PTH. Thus, PTH induction of c‐fos transcription appears to occur principally through activation of PKA that then targets CREB and the c‐fos calcium/cAMP response element.
Chaotic UWB based system design for ultra low power body area networks

Body Area Networks are a new communication technology optimized for low power devices and operation on, in and around the human body to serve a variety of applications including medical, consumer electronics and personal entertainment. This paper shows a system design intended to develop an ultra low power body area network. We show the advantages of using chaotic-pulse based UWB for developing an ultra low power PHY and develop modifications to the chaotic UWB design for improved performance, reliability, mass production and meeting worldwide spectrum regulations. We provide support for data rates from 100 kbps to 10 Mbps with our chaotic based UWB system design in different channel models to satisfy wide variety of applications with power consumption estimated to be in the order of 30–40 mW, during active data communication, assuming a 0.13/Lt CMOS process.
Socio-demographic, health-related, and individual correlates of diagnostic self-testing by lay people: Results from a representative survey in Germany

Introduction A broad range of self-tests (testing for e.g. HIV, cancer, hepatitis B/C) have become available and can be conducted by lay consumers without the help of a health professional. The aims of this study were to (a) investigate the prevalence of self-testing, (b) identify the most frequently used self-tests, and (c) explore the associations between socio-demographic, health-related and individual factors with self-testing. Methods A face-to-face plus paper-pencil cross-sectional survey was conducted. The sample consisted of 2.527 respondents who were representative of the German population in terms of the age, sex, and residence. Basic descriptive statistics and univariate logistic regression analyses were performed. Results 8.5% of the participants reported having used one or more self-tests in the past, totalling 363 self-tests, with a mean of 1.7 (min. = 1, max. = 6). The three self-tests most frequently indicated were for detecting diabetes, bowel cancer, and allergies. Self-testers were older (Nagelkerke R2 = .006, p < .01), had a higher BMI (Nagelkerke R2 = .013, p < .001) and displayed more physical and mental fatigue (Nagelkerke R2 = .031, p < .001) than non-testers. Self-testers also reported higher global life satisfaction values (Nagelkerke R2 = .008, p < .01) and a higher educational level (Nagelkerke R2 = .015, p < .01). Conclusions Self-testing is fairly prevalent in Germany Given the current shortage of physicians in Germany, especially in rural areas, and recent studies on the use of self-medication, the topic of self-testing has a great practical and socio-political relevance. Future studies should investigate further predictors of self-testing (e.g. contextual, situational and individual factors) as well as the emotional consequences of testing as a layperson without the attendance of a health professional.
THE POTENTIAL EFFECT OF GINKGO BILOBA EXTRACT ON DEVELOPMENT OF CATARACT IN SELENITE INDUCED CATARACT RAT PUPS

Present study focuses on the isolation of flavonoids from Ginkgo biloba to investigate the role of different concentrations of Ginkgo biloba (Gb) extract (40, 60, 100 mg/kg body weight) in the prophylaxes or delay the development of cataract in the selenite induced cataract rats. Seventy five of neonatal rat pups were obtained from the animal house of the Research Institute of Ophthalmology, Giza, Egypt. All rats fed on basal diet. Eight rat mothers having rat pups aging 10±21 days were included in this study. Each rat mother and their pups were housed in one cage and served as groups from one to eight. The rat pups in the experimental groups 2, 4, 6 and 8 received a single subcutaneous injection of sodium selenite (30μmol/kg bw) while groups (1and 3) were injected with normal saline (0.3ml). Catalase activity and total antioxidants were determined in plasma. Malondialdehyde, lipid profiles; total cholesterol (TC), triacylglycerol (TAG), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) and high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C); the liver functions (aspartate transaminase; AST and alanine aminotransferase ALT), kidney functions (urea and creatinine) were also measured in serum. Our results show that Ginkgo biloba leaves contains high amounts of narengin (193.15 ppm), rutin (108.49 ppm), hisperdin (107.21ppm) and quercitrin (94.86 ppm). Ophthalmic examinations revealed three rats only developed cataract with a 25% of lenses (stage 1), while no opacification in 75% of the group treated with100mg/kg bw Gb. Biochemical estimation found significantly increased in the level of MDA, and significantly decreased in catalase activity and total antioxidant in cataractous group. After rats treated with Ginkgo biloba, data showed gradually higher level in catalase activity and total antioxidant and lower level in MDA as increased in the concentrations of Ginkgo biloba extract. The best results obvious clearly in cataract group treated with100mg/kg bw Ginkgo biloba. Our results concluded that Ginkgo biloba in a dose of concentrations 100mg/kg bw Ginkgo biloba inhibited cataract formation, and Ginkgo biloba supplementation protected the eye from cataracts development.
Assessment of risks of "lifestyle" diseases including cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes by anthropometry in remote Australian Aborigines.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate waist-to-height ratio (WTHR), waist girth and body mass index (BMI) as predictors of cardiovascular risk factors in Australian Aborigines. DESIGN Indices were examined as predictors of mean blood pressures (BP), blood lipids, glucose, insulin and as predictors of hypertension, decreased HDL-cholesterol, elevated glucose and type 2 diabetes. SETTING Aboriginal communities in remote north-west Australia. PARTICIPANTS Four hundred and one adults. RESULTS More than 80% of participants had WTHR > or = 0.5 or BMI > 22 kg/m2 and 78% had increased waist girth (> 90 cm men; > 80 cm women). Adverse BP, blood lipids, glucose and insulin were associated with classification above the cutpoint for each index. For fasting glucose > or = 5.6 mmol/L, sensitivity was 91% with WTHR, 87% with waist girth and 88% with BMI; respective specificities were 29%, 29% and 44%. Area under receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curves gave only "fair" accuracy for any discriminatory variable. With diabetes AUROC for BMI (0.59, 95% CI 0.53, 0.65) was significantly lower than with other indices (WTHR 0.74, 95% CI 0.69, 0.79; girth 0.72, 95% CI 0.67, 0.78) but did not differ significantly for fasting glucose, HDL-cholesterol or hypertension. AUROC did not differ significantly between men and women for any outcomes. CONCLUSIONS The indices did not discriminate well for diabetes or cardiovascular risk factors in these Aborigines, but waist girth or WTHR appeared more useful than BMI. Appropriate cutpoints are needed. WTHR is simple, does not need sex-specific cutpoints and could be useful in developing public health strategies.
Backtesting Systemic Risk Measures During Historical Bank Runs

The measurement of systemic risk is at the forefront of economists and policymakers concerns in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis. What exactly are we measuring and do any of the proposed measures perform well outside the context of the recent financial crisis? One way to address these questions is to take backtesting seriously and evaluate how useful the recently proposed measures are when applied to historical crises. Ideally, one would like to look at the pre-FDIC era for a broad enough sample of financial panics to confidently assess the robustness of systemic risk measures but pre-FDIC era balance sheet and bank stock price data were heretofore unavailable. We rectify this data shortcoming by employing a recently collected financial dataset spanning the 60 years before the introduction of deposit insurance. Our data includes many of the most severe financial panics in U.S. history. Overall we find CoVaR and SRisk to be remarkably useful in alerting regulators of systemically risky financial institutions.
Nonextractable polyphenols, usually ignored, are the major part of dietary polyphenols: a study on the Spanish diet.

SCOPE Dietary polyphenols (PP) can be divided into two groups: extractable polyphenols (EPP) or compounds solubilized by aqueous organic solvents, and nonextractable polyphenols (NEPP) or compounds that remain in their corresponding extraction residues. Most studies on food polyphenols and dietary intakes address exclusively EPP. The objective of this work was to determine the actual amount of PP, including NEPP, in food and in a whole diet. METHODS AND RESULTS HPLC-MS analyses were performed to identify EPP in methanol-acetone extracts and NEPP in the acidic hydrolyzates of their extraction residues in cereals, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and legumes. NEPP contents, estimated as hydrolyzable PP plus nonextractable proanthocyanidins (PA), ranged from 880 mg/100 g dry weight in fruits to 210 mg/100 g in cereals and were substantially higher than the contents of EPP. NEPP intake (day/person) in the Spanish diet (942 mg) is higher than EPP intake (258 mg) fruits and vegetables (746 mg) are the major contributors to the total PP intake (1201 mg). CONCLUSION Non extractable polyphenols are the major part of dietary polyphenols. The knowledge of intakes and physiological properties of NEPP may be useful for a better understanding of the potential health effects of dietary PP.
Power, proximity, and democracy

Why do only some powerful states choose to develop power projection capabilities? To answer this question, we test the proposition that states choose to develop power projection capabilities when they face a competitive geopolitical environment. This proposition is derived from our theory, which is used to construct a new measure of the level of geopolitical competition that every state in the system faces. This measure incorporates each state’s relative geographic position to every other state in the international system, the relative amount of economic power of those other states, and the degree to which their interests are compatible. We then apply this unique country-year measure to test the proposition that competitive environments are associated with the development of power projection capabilities, as measured by the tonnage of naval ships maintained by each country in each year. We demonstrate that our measure helps explain the degree to which states choose to invest in power projection capabilities. This provides an explanation for why the world has been economically multipolar, but military unipolar, for the past quarter century, and why this might change in the future, as rising powers with incompatible interests are increasing their investment in power projection capabilities.
A novel double-talk detector based on adaptive estimation of near-end power

Double talk detector is the essential part of an echo canceller to keep the adaptive filter from divergence in presence of near-end speech. This work is a contribution to propose a new double talk algorithm based on power, this method detects double-talk quickly; also it can distinguish the double-talking when the channel has the varying gain. In this paper, we first present an analytical discussion describing this new method and then we show the simulation result to compare our proposed algorithm in both performance and complexity with Giegel algorithm-the most successful one in line echo cancellers.