Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On tests of the overall treatment effect in meta‐analysis with normally distributed responses

For the meta‐analysis of controlled clinical trials or epidemiological studies, in which the responses are at least approximately normally distributed, a refined test for the hypothesis of no overall treatment effect is proposed. The test statistic is based on a direct estimation function for the variance of the overall treatment effect estimator. As outcome measures, the absolute and the standardized difference between means are considered. In simulation studies it is shown that the proposed test keeps the prescribed significance level very well in contrast to the commonly used tests in the fixed effects and random effects model, respectively, which can become very liberal. Furthermore, just for using the proposed test it is not necessary to choose between the fixed effects and the random effects approach in advance. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Circularly Polarized Conical Horn with an Inserted Metallic Cone-Sphere [Antenna Designer's Notebook]

The paper presents simulation-based investigations of a circularly polarized (CP) X-band conical horn with an inserted metallic cone-sphere. The performance of this horn is compared with that of dielectric-loaded and unloaded circularly polarized short horns. It emerges that in general, inserting a metallic cone-sphere improves the overall radiation performance of the unloaded circularly polarized horn better than dielectric loading.
Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitor Use and Major Cardiovascular Outcomes in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Treated With the Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 Inhibitor Alogliptin

Activation of the sympathetic nervous system when there is dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibition in the presence of high-dose angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition has led to concerns of potential increases in cardiovascular events when the 2 classes of drugs are coadministered. We evaluated cardiovascular outcomes from the EXAMINE (Examination of Cardiovascular Outcomes With Alogliptin versus Standard of Care) trial according to ACE inhibitor use. Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and a recent acute coronary syndrome were randomly assigned to receive the dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitor alogliptin or placebo added to existing antihyperglycemic and cardiovascular prophylactic therapies. Risks of adjudicated cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction and stroke, and hospitalized heart failure were analyzed using a Cox proportional hazards model in patients according to ACE inhibitor use and dose. There were 3323 (62%) EXAMINE patients treated with an ACE inhibitor (1681 on alogliptin and 1642 on placebo). The composite rates of cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and nonfatal stroke were comparable for alogliptin and placebo with ACE inhibitor (11.4% versus 11.8%; hazard ratio, 0.97; 95% confidence interval, 0.79–1.19; P=0.76) and without ACE inhibitor use (11.2% versus 11.9%; hazard ratio, 0.94; 95% confidence interval, 0.73–1.21; P=0.62). Composite rates for cardiovascular death and heart failure in patients on ACE inhibitor occurred in 6.8% of patients on alogliptin versus 7.2% on placebo (hazard ratio, 0.93; 95% confidence interval, 0.72–1.2; P=0.57). There were no differences for these end points nor for blood pressure or heart rate in patients on higher doses of ACE inhibitor. Cardiovascular outcomes were similar for alogliptin and placebo in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and coronary disease treated with ACE inhibitors.
Contribution of farmer groups to household income in Iramba district, Tanzania

Farmer groups (FGs) approach is seen as a fundamental solution to income poverty and food insecurity. On the basis of a data set on “Contribution of FGs to household income”, this dissertation analyses the extent to which farmer groups alleviate both income poverty to small scale farmers who are rural poor in four villages in Iramba District. The overall objective of the study was to determine the contribution of FGs to household income. A cross-sectional design was adopted whereby purposive and simple random sampling methods were used to obtain 100 respondents, that is 50 from group members and another 50 from non-members. Both structured and unstructured questionnaire were used in data collection and checklist for collecting information from key informants. The collected data were statistically analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) computer program version 12.0. Descriptive statistics such as frequencies, means and percentages were computed. Ttest was applied to find out relationship between variables. The study findings show that crop and animal husbandry were most preferred farming activities by FGs in the study area amounting 51%. Moreover, T-test analysis revealed that group members’ income contribution to household was statistically significant as compared to incomes contributed from members without group at P<0.05. Shortage of capital and uncooperative members were often cited by farmers as critical constraints facing them. The study provides the following recommendations: Groups should be based on farmer needs, small (5-20 members), self-reliant and cohesive units, FGs should be working with agro-processors and large marketing agencies to create a value chain from production to marketing, and should be facilitated to have networks with other ii
Dementia care at the intersection of regulation and reflexivity: a critical realist perspective.

OBJECTIVES To understand point-of-care decisions, and in particular rule breaking, by personal support workers (PSWs) regarding institutionalized elders with dementia within a context of legislative and organizational care mandates. METHODS Qualitative baseline data including focus groups and semi-structured interviews with PSWs (n = 26) and supervisors (n = 9) were collected during a 2-year, multi-method trial of a 12-week interprofessional arts-informed educational intervention in two Alzheimer support units and were analyzed using a critical realist approach. RESULTS PSW care decisions were the outcome of a discordant interrelationship between PSWs' reflective deliberations, and legislative and organizational care mandates. PSWs responded to discordance through rule breaking in order to provide individualized care. Unbeknownst to PSWs, rule breaking was contingent upon supervisors' case-by-case complicity as they strove to balance fears of regulatory citations with private assessment of the soundness of PSW logic. DISCUSSION Quality care emerges at the intersection of policies governing long-term care, PSW rule breaking, and the supportive but undisclosed role supervisors play in these violations. Understanding this complexity has important implications for initiatives to improve care practices and to challenge legislation and policies that impede dementia care.
Smooth Pursuit and Fixation Ability in Children With Tourette Syndrome

Objective:The smooth pursuit eye movements and fixation ability of children aged 8 to 16 years with Tourette syndrome (TS) were examined. Background:Although several studies have examined the saccadic ability of patients with TS, there have been only a few studies examining pursuit ability in TS. Method:Pursuit gain (eye velocity/target velocity) and intrusive saccades during fixation were measured in children with TS-only, TS+attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and TS+ADHD+obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and in controls (8 to 16 y). Two pursuit tasks and 1 fixation task were used. In random pursuit 1 (RP1), each step and ramp cycle began from fixation; in random pursuit 2 (RP2), each cycle followed the next. In the fixation task, children were required to maintain fixation on a center dot and ignore distractor stimuli. Results:All children had significantly higher pursuit gains in RP2 than in RP1 when pursuing a 30 degrees/s moving target. In addition, in RP2, the TS+ADHD+OCD group displayed significantly higher pursuit gains relative to the TS-only, TS+ADHD, and control groups. In the fixation task, the TS+ADHD group exhibited significantly more intrusive saccades than the TS+ADHD+OCD and control groups. Conclusions:Our findings support an enhanced oculomotor ability in the TS+ADHD+OCD group and the presence of an online gain control mechanism during ongoing pursuit. These findings are discussed in more detail.
Re‐examination of a proposed case of stasipatric speciation: phylogeography of the Australian morabine grasshoppers (Vandiemenella viatica species group)

Karyotypic differences have been used for delimiting populations or species, although whether these mutations provide strong barriers to gene flow between populations and promote speciation remains contentious. In this study, we assessed whether 11 chromosomal races of Australian morabine grasshoppers (Vandiemenella viatica species group) represent genetically distinct populations by analyses of cytological and allozyme (35 loci) data and DNA sequences of the elongation factor‐1 alpha (EF‐1α), anonymous Mvia11, and mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) loci. While the Vandiemenella chromosomal taxa generally represent genetically distinct units, a substantial portion of the total genetic variation in our samples was not explained by the chromosomal variation. Mantel tests indicated that Vandiemenella populations were spatially structured and have maintained gene flow at a local scale within each of the taxa. The group was subdivided into 13 genetic clusters; four chromosomal taxa comprised single exclusive clusters, while others comprised more than one cluster or clusters shared with other taxa. Boundaries of these cryptic population subdivisions correspond with several biogeographical barriers, such as straits, gulfs, the Murray River, and an ancient mega‐lake, Lake Bungunnia. The viatica species group was previously proposed to have diversified without major geographical separation based on the stasipatric speciation model; however, the present study suggests the involvement of allopatric fragmentation. Given extensive nonmonophyly of chromosomal taxa and incomplete barriers to gene flow among taxa, all Vandiemenella chromosomal taxa and genetically distinct populations within chromosomal taxa, except Vandiemenella pichirichi, should be regarded as populations of one species: Vandiemenella viatica.
Hemodynamic effects of levosimendan in acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock and high systemic vascular resistance

Background: Levosimendan (LEVO), a new inodilator, improves hemodynamic function in patients with decompensated heart failure and preserved arterial blood pressure. Data on its use in patients with cardiogenic shock (CS) are scarce. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the hemodynamic effects of supplemental therapy with levosimendan (LEVO) in acute myocardial infarction (MI) and refractory cardiogenic shock (CS). Methods: In 25 patients presenting in CS after acute MI, LEVO was administered for 24 h in doses ranging between 0.05 and 0.20 µg/kg/min, as tolerated, preceded by 6-µg/kg over 10 min, in addition to catecholamines. Hemodynamic measurements were made before and 24 h after initiation of the LEVO infusion. Results: Hemodynamic improvement was limited to 13 patients with systemic vascular resistances (SVR) ≥18 W. LEVO increased the cardiac index from 1.5±0.3 l/min/m2 to 2.1±0.4 l/min/m2 (P = 0.002) and cardiac power from 0.462±0.164 W to 0.645±0.179 W (P = 0.022), and decreased SVR from 23±5 to 21±6.7 Wood units (P = 0.001) and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure from 24±9 mmHg to 16±11 mmHg (P = 0.059). No hemodynamic improvement was observed during LEVO administration in 12 patients with SVR < 18 W. Conclusion: The hemodynamic benefit conferred by LEVO added to catecholamines in patients with CS after acute MI was limited to patients with high SVR.
Comparative Study of FinFET Versus Quasi-Planar HTI MOSFET for Ultimate Scalability

The FinFET is compared against the quasi-planar trigate bulk MOSFET with high-permittivity (high- k) dielectric trench isolation (HTI MOSFET) for low-standby-power applications, at dimensions near the end-of-roadmap (11-nm half-pitch). It is found that the optimal transistor structure depends on the fin aspect ratio (AR) and the HTI dielectric constant εHTI: for sufficiently high εHTI, the HTI MOSFET can provide comparable or lower delay as the FinFET, for AR up to ~2.5. Thus, the development of high-k dielectric and/or high-AR fin formation technologies will ultimately determine which transistor design is more advantageous.
Impulsive pedipulation of a spherical object for reaching a 3D goal position

The aim of this paper is to develop an algorithm that enables a humanoid robot to perform an impulsive pedipulation of a spherical object by using its foot, so that the object reaches a desired 3D goal position, taking into account some constraints imposed at the moment of the impact. This is done by planning a suitable motion of the humanoid robot that exerts the required impact conditions on this object. Then, we take the free kick in soccer as a case of study that represents one possible application of this algorithm. Finally, we provide a simulation example that intends to show its validity.
Solid Dispersions of Imidazolidinedione by PEG and PVP Polymers with Potential Antischistosomal Activities

Solid dispersions have been used as a strategy to improve the solubility, dissolution rate, and bioavailability of poor water-soluble drugs. The increase of the dissolution rate presented by (5Z)-3-(4-chloro-benzyl)-5-(4-nitro-benzylidene)-imidazolidine-2,4-dione (LPSF/FZ4) from the solid dispersions is related to the existence of intermolecular interactions of hydrogen bond type (>N–H.O<) between the amide group (>N–H) of the LPSF/FZ4 and the ether group (–O–) of the polyethyleneglycol polymer, or the carbonyl (C=O) of the polyvinylpyrrolidone polymer (PVP). The intensity of these interactions is directly reflected in the morphology acquired by LPSF/FZ4 in these systems, where a new solid phase, in the form of amorphous aggregates of irregular size, was identified through scanning electron microscopy and confirmed in the characterizations achieved using X-ray diffraction and thermal analysis of DSC. The solid dispersions with the polymer PVP, in higher concentrations, were revealed to be the best option to be used in the formulations of LPSF/FZ4 in both theoretical and experimental studies.
International perspectives on education, training, and practice in clinical neuropsychology: comparison across 14 countries around the world

Abstract Objective: To review and summarize data provided by special issue authors regarding the education, training, and practice of neuropsychologists from 14 surveyed countries. Method: A table was constructed to present an overview of variables of interest. Results: There is considerable diversity among surveyed countries regarding the education and training required to enter practice as a clinical neuropsychologist. Clinical neuropsychologists are typically well compensated, at least in comparison to what constitutes an average salary in each country. Conclusions: Despite substantial variations in education and training pathways, and availability of neuropsychologists from country to country, two common areas for future development are suggested. First, identification, development, and measurement of core competencies for neuropsychological education and practice are needed that can serve as a unifying element for the world’s clinical neuropsychologists. Second, greater emphasis on recognizing and addressing the need for assessment and treatment of diverse populations is needed if the world’s citizens can hope to benefit from the expertise of practitioners in our field.
The Carboxyl Terminus of B Class Ephrins Constitutes a PDZ Domain Binding Motif*

Ephrin B proteins function as ligands for B class Eph receptor tyrosine kinases and are postulated to possess an intrinsic signaling function. The sequence at the carboxyl terminus of B-type ephrins contains a putative PDZ binding site, providing a possible mechanism through which transmembrane ephrins might interact with cytoplasmic proteins. To test this notion, a day 10.5 mouse embryonic expression library was screened with a biotinylated peptide corresponding to the carboxyl terminus of ephrin B3. Three of the positive cDNAs encoded polypeptides with multiple PDZ domains, representing fragments of the molecule GRIP, the protein syntenin, and PHIP, a novel PDZ domain-containing protein related toCaenorhabditis elegans PAR-3. In addition, the binding specificities of PDZ domains previously predicted by an oriented library approach (Songyang, Z., Fanning, A. S., Fu, C., Xu, J., Marfatia, S. M., Chishti, A. H., Crompton, A., Chan, A. C., Anderson, J. M., and Cantley, L. C. (1997)Science 275, 73–77) identified the tyrosine phosphatase FAP-1 as a potential binding partner for B ephrins. In vitro studies demonstrated that the fifth PDZ domain of FAP-1 and full-length syntenin bound ephrin B1 via the carboxyl-terminal motif. Lastly, syntenin and ephrin B1 could be co-immunoprecipitated from transfected COS-1 cells, suggesting that PDZ domain binding of B ephrins can occur in cells. These results indicate that the carboxyl-terminal motif of B ephrins provides a binding site for specific PDZ domain-containing proteins, which might localize the transmembrane ligands for interactions with Eph receptors or participate in signaling within ephrin B-expressing cells.
Graphic and Arousing? Emotional and Cognitive Reactions to Tobacco Graphic Health Warnings and Associated Quit-Related Outcomes Among Low SEP Population Groups

ABSTRACT Research on graphic health warnings (GHWs) indicates that beyond changing cognitions about the health effects of smoking, GHWs evoke emotional reactions that can influence quit-related outcomes. Emotions can be classified based on valence (positive or negative) and arousal (calm or excited). However, although considerable research has examined the differential effectiveness of positive versus negative GHW-evoked emotions, research investigating the role of arousal activation in quit-related behaviors is scarce. This study examined associations between quit-related outcomes (intention and attempt to quit) and GHWs-evoked negative emotions classified as high and low in arousal activation as well as cognitive reactions among smokers of low socioeconomic position (SEP). It also examined whether perceived health risks of smoking moderate the relationship between emotional and cognitive reactions to GHWs and quit-related outcomes. Data were collected from low SEP smokers in three Massachusetts communities. Participants were screened and randomized to view one of the nine GHWs initially proposed for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and answered pre- and post-exposure questions. Results showed that GHW-evoked negative emotions high in arousal activation and cognitive reactions were both significantly associated with intention to quit during immediate post-test, controlling for age, warning label difference, and prior quit intention. However, these associations did not hold for quit attempts at follow-up. Perceived health risks of smoking moderated the association between cognitive reactions to GHWs and quit attempts at follow-up. The findings suggest that not all negative emotions evoked by GHWs are effective. Negative emotions high in arousal activation may be more effective in influencing quit-related behavioral intentions in low SEP groups. Additionally, unlike emotional reactions, cognitive reactions to GHWs may have effects that last relatively longer, but only among smokers who had low levels of perceived health risks of smoking at baseline.
Adaptive Fuzzy Decentralized Output Feedback Control for Nonlinear Large-Scale Systems With Unknown Dead-Zone Inputs

In this paper, the problem of adaptive fuzzy decentralized backstepping control is considered for a class of nonlinear large-scale strict-feedback systems with unknown dead zones and immeasurable states. Fuzzy logic systems are used to approximate the unknown nonlinear functions, and a state filter is designed to estimate the immeasurable states. Applying an adaptive backstepping design technique and combining it with the dead-zone inverse method, an adaptive fuzzy decentralized output-feedback backstepping control is developed. It is proved that all the signals of the resulting closed-loop adaptive control system are semiglobally uniformly ultimately bounded, and tracking errors converge to a small neighborhood of the origin by appropriate choice of design parameters. Simulation results are given to demonstrate that the proposed adaptive decentralized control approach has a satisfactory control performance.
Direct Effect of Ceramide on the Mitochondrial Electron Transport Chain Leads to Generation of Reactive Oxygen Species

Ceramide is a sphingolipid that is generated in the signaling of inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF), which exerts many functional roles depending on the cell type where it is produced. Since TNF cytotoxicity is mediated by overproduction of reactive oxygen species from mitochondria, we have examined the role of ceramide in generation of oxidative stress in isolated rat liver mitochondria. The present studies demonstrate that addition of N-acetylsphingosine (C2-ceramide) to mitochondria led to an increase of fluorescence of dihydrorhodamine 123 or dichlorofluorescein-stained mitochondria, indicating formation of hydrogen peroxide. Such effect was significant at 0.25 μM and maximal at 1-5 μM C2, decreasing at greater concentrations. This inductive effect of ceramide was mimicked by N-hexanoylsphingosine at the same concentration range, whereas the immediate precursor of C2, C2-dihydroceramide increased hydrogen peroxide at 1-5 μM. Sphingosine generated hydrogen peroxide at concentrations ≥10 μM, whereas diacylglycerol failed to increase hydrogen peroxide. The increase in hydrogen peroxide induced by C2 was not triggered by mitochondrial permeability transition as C2 did not induce mitochondrial swelling. Blocking electron transport chain at complex I and II prevented the increase in hydrogen peroxide induced by C2; however, interruption of electron flow at complex III by antimycin A potentiated the inductive effect of C2. Depletion of matrix GSH prior to exposure to ceramide resulted in a potentiated increase (2-fold) of hydrogen peroxide generation, leading to lipid peroxidation and loss of activity of respiratory chain complex IV compared with GSH-repleted mitochondria. Mitochondria isolated from TNF-treated cells showed an increase (2-3-fold) in the amount of ceramide compared with mitochondria from untreated cells. These results suggest that mitochondria are a target of ceramide produced in the signaling of TNF whose effect on mitochondrial electron transport chain leads to overproduction of hydrogen peroxide and consequently this phenomena may account for the generation of reactive oxygen species during TNF cytotoxicity.