Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Valproic acid for the treatment of social anxiety disorder

&NA; The aim of the study was to examine the efficacy of valproic acid in participants with social anxiety disorder. Following a 2‐week single‐blind, placebo run‐in period, 17 participants were enrolled in a 12‐week open flexible‐dose trial of valproic acid (500‐2500 mg). The primary outcome measures were the mean change from baseline in the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS) total score and responder status [defined as a Clinical Global Impression of Improvement score (CGI‐I) ≤ 2]. Social anxiety symptoms as measured by the LSAS and CGI‐I scores significantly improved with treatment. The mean reduction in the LSAS was 21.3 points in the last visit carried forward analysis and 19.1 points for the completer analysis, with 41.1% and 46.6% participants, respectively, achieving responder status. The results from this open‐label trial suggest the potential efficacy of valproic acid for the treatment of social anxiety disorder. Placebo‐controlled trials are indicated to confirm these findings.
Noncontact imaging of absorption and scattering in layered tissue using spatially modulated structured light

a =0.006‐0.034 mm 1 and s =0.89‐1.45 mm 1 were constructed to test the accuracy of the model. Constraining top layer thickness to within 25% of the correct value in a four-parameter fit results in recovery of upper layer optical properties with average accuracies of 2% for top layer s and 17% for top layer a. Bottom layer a can then be recovered to an average accuracy of 25% with two parameter fits. Average accuracies of top and bottom layer absorption can further be improved to 12% and 18%, respectively, by fitting for each alone. Bottom layer scattering and top layer thickness do not vary significantly from initial guesses because of poor sensitivity to these parameters in frequency dependent reflectance data. Measurements of in vivo volar forearm optical properties at 650 nm produced spatially varying skin d=2 mm optical property maps that range from 0.025‐0.045 and 1.7‐2 mm 1 for upper layer a and s and 0.005‐0.015 and 0.5‐3 mm 1 for lower layer a and s , respectively. These preliminary results suggest that spatial modulation of the source provides sufficient depth sensitivity to allow noncontact mapping and quantification of layered tissue optical properties using a wide-field, noncontact approach. © 2009 American Institute of Physics. DOI: 10.1063/1.3116135
Myelin basic protein peptide 45–89 induces the release of nitric oxide from microglial cells.

Abnormal activation of microglial cells has been implicated in various neurodegenerative and autoimmune diseases. Myelin basic protein (MBP) accounts for approximately 30% of central nervous system myelin proteins (Morell et al., 1989), and is responsible for adhesion of the cytoplasmic surfaces of the compact multilayered myelin sheath in the central nervous system. Several peptide fragments of MBP are formed in the brain during demyelinating diseases. MBP contains three mitogenic regions (MBP 1–44, MBP 88–151, MBP 152–167) which in conjugation with microglial secreted factors may stimulate astrogliosis after demyelination in vivo (South et al., 2000). MBP 1–44 and MBP 152–167 associate with ganglioside GM1 and bFGF receptor respectively to stimulate Schwann cell proliferation (Tzeng et al., 1999). Myelin basic protein itself induces death of mature oligodendrocytes in vitro and produces demyelination in vivo by a rapid and dramatic rise of intracellular calcium, whereas MBP peptides (1–44 or 88–151) cause only a modest and transitory elevation of intracellular calcium ions, and protects oligodendrocytes from death (Tzeng et al., 1995, Althaus et al., 2000). MBP peptide 45–89 (MBP 45–89), which contains an immunodominant epitope, is detected in body fluids after the degradation of MBP (Whitaker , 1998). This peptide is released more rapidly from the posttranslationally citrullinated isomer MBP C8 (also denoted MBP Cit 6 in the literature) than from the unmodified (MBP C1) isomer and has unusual stability: the presence of secondary structure seems to protect it from further enzymatic digestion, and consequently it circulates in extracellular fluids for rather a long time (Cao et al., 1999). The influence of this peptide on the activity of glial cells is not known at present. In this study, we demonstrate that MBP peptide 45–89 significantly increased the production of NO by microglia and reduced the viability of oligodendrocytes/microglial primary cell cultures. Western blot analysis was used to show that the viability of these cells was correlated with the decrease of IkB, the inhibitor of NF-kB, and the induction of iNOS in the microglia.
Development and Validation of a Photonumeric Scale for Evaluation of Facial Fine Lines

BACKGROUND A validated scale is needed for objective and reproducible comparisons of facial fine lines before and after treatment in practice and clinical studies. OBJECTIVE To describe the development and validation of the 5-point photonumeric Allergan Fine Lines Scale. METHODS The Allergan Fine Lines Scale was developed to include an assessment guide, verbal descriptors, morphed images, and real subject images for each scale grade. The clinical significance of a 1-point score difference was evaluated in a review of multiple image pairs representing varying differences in severity. Interrater and intrarater reliability was evaluated in a live subject validation study (N = 289) completed during 2 sessions occurring 3 weeks apart. RESULTS A score difference of ≥1 point was shown to reflect a clinically significant difference (mean [95% CI] absolute score difference, 1.06 [0.92–1.21] for clinically different image pairs and 0.50 [0.38–0.61] for not clinically different pairs). Intrarater agreement between the 2 live subject validation sessions was almost perfect (weighted kappa = 0.85). Interrater agreement was substantial during the second rating session (0.76, primary end point). CONCLUSION The Allergan Fine Lines Scale is a validated and reliable scale for physician rating of severity of superficial fine lines.
A Visual Exploration Approach to Project Portfolio Management

Defining projects is a very common method to manage operational goals and activities within an organizational unit. It is also effective to form organizational or cross-unit project teams to carry out strategic business activities. In fact, many organizations (and their major departments overseeing organization-wide resources such as information technology) are becoming project-oriented (Artto 2001, Gareis 2000). The major concern in these organizations or departments is the management of their projects in an effective and efficient manner. This requires clear understanding and communication of project status of each project, as well as balancing allocation of resources and their contribution to the overall organizational goals. A Project Management Office (PMO) is usually established to take such responsibility and an approach commonly understood as project portfolio management (PPM) is adopted. In PPM, all projects are managed as a group (a portfolio), which is treated as a basket of investments that can balance risks and returns. Besides following traditional single project management practices, such as defining, estimating, scheduling, tracking, and optimizing the tasks and resources required to plan and complete a project (IDC 2006), it also manages these projects at a higher portfolio level. Examples of common activities in PPM and decisions to be made are (Reddy 2004):
A Multi-Stage Problem Formulation for Concept Selection for Improved Product Design

In this paper, a new concept selection method is proposed and its application is demonstrated. The utility theory based proposed method formulates the concept selection problem as a multi-stage decision. The proposed method has improvements in its ease of use, and accounting for potentially coupled decisions in comparison to other methods found in the literature. We first present a comprehensive review of the existing concept selection methods, and then explain the proposed approach. The paper concludes with its application on a case study along with recommendations for future work
Elevated expression of pp60c-src alters a selective morphogenetic property of epithelial cells in vitro without a mitogenic effect

Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells are highly differentiated and have retained the morphogenetic properties necessary to form polarized, multicellular epithelial structures (cysts) in vitro that resemble epithelial tissues in vivo. We introduced the c-src gene into MDCK cells to elevate the level of the plasma membrane-associated cellular tyrosine kinase, pp60c-src, to levels two- to ninefold higher than that expressed in parent MDCK cells. Our results revealed a highly discriminatory biological action of pp60c-src on the morphogenetic properties of MDCK cells. Elevated expression of pp60c-src conferred on MDCK cells the ability to undergo dramatic changes of cell shape that includes the formation of long cell processes (100 to 200 microns), never observed in control MDCK cells. The morphogenesis of multicellular epithelial cysts was altered by elevated levels of pp60c-src and led to predictable distortions of their three-dimensional architecture. However, these cells established morphologically normal cell polarity, formed adhesive epithelial cell-cell contacts indistinguishable from those of control MDCK cells, and exhibited neither focus-forming ability or anchorage-independent growth potential. Finally, we showed that MDCK cells expressing elevated levels of pp60c-src exhibit increased phosphorylation of a more limited number of phosphotyrosine-containing proteins than MDCK cells expressing pp60v-src. We suggest that a natural function of pp60c-src is to regulate the morphogenetic properties which determine the shape of differentiated cells and multicellular structures.
Sintering properties of zirconia-based ceramic composite

Abstract This study examines the effects of different ZrB2 content on various mechanical properties and electrical conductivity of ZrB2/Y-TZP composite. Composites with ZrB2 content of up to 20 wt-% were particularly beneficial at the lower sintering temperature range by achieving greater densification and better hardness than Y-TZP monolith. In contrast to the trends estimated from rule of mixture, the increment of ZrB2 content did not result in any significant improvement in the elastic modulus and hardness of the zirconia composites. Nevertheless, all composites showed tremendous improvement in fracture toughness compared with monolithic Y-TZP and thus, suggested that other toughening mechanisms were operative besides transformation toughening of zirconia. Incorporation of ZrB2 up to mass fraction of 20 wt-% into Y-TZP generally did not affect the tetragonal phase stability of zirconia. Significant reduction of electrical resistivity of the composites was achieved with ZrB2 content of 20 wt-% and sintering temperature of 1400°C.
Exchange Rate Misalignment and Economic Growth: Recent Evidence in Malaysia

The present study aims at investigating the growth effects of real exchange rate misalignments in Malaysia over the period 1991:1-2009:4. The RER misalignment is built through the estimation of the NATREX equilibrium model. Using the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) bounds testing approach to cointegration framework, the results indicate the presence of positive and significant relationship between the RER misalignment and economic growth. This finding obtained is consistent with the notion that the RER misalignment through the distortion in relative price has systematic influence on the pattern of economic development.
SOI substrate readiness for 22/20 nm and for fully depleted planar device architectures

Fully depleted (FD) MOSFET architecture for sub-32 nm technology node requires a new SOI substrate fabrication to meet all the stringent specifications imposed by a FD device. Ultra Thin SOI (UTSOI) targets planar device architectures, stressing specifications for thickness uniformity. Also Ultra Thin Burried Oxyde (UTBOx) offers additional benefits such as the application of back bias, for example enhancing device stability or threshold voltage tuning. In this paper, we discuss the Smart CutTM technology capability for both UTSOI and UTBOx substrate design with the quality and specifications that meet the future FD technology requirements.
Collection, Mapping, and Annotation of Over 28,000 cDNA Clones from japonica Rice

We collected and completely sequenced 28,469 full-length complementary DNA clones from Oryza sativa L. ssp. japonica cv. Nipponbare. Through homology searches of publicly available sequence data, we assigned tentative protein functions to 21,596 clones (75.86%). Mapping of the cDNA clones to genomic DNA revealed that there are 19,000 to 20,500 transcription units in the rice genome. Protein informatics analysis against the InterPro database revealed the existence of proteins presented in rice but not in Arabidopsis. Sixty-four percent of our cDNAs are homologous to Arabidopsis proteins.
Measurements of in Vivo Ubiquinone Reduction Levels in Plant Cells

A method is described for the determination of in vivo ubiquinone (UQ) reduction levels in nongreen tissues by extraction and subsequent detection of ubiquinone-10 and ubiquinol-10 with high-performance liquid chromatography. In Petunia hybrida cell suspensions UQ reduction remained at a stable level of about 60%, despite the changing conditions during the batch culture (from excess sugar to starvation) and the concomitant variations in respiration. Also, in the presence of uncoupler, which causes a large increase in respiration via both the cytochrome pathway and the alternative pathway, UQ reduction levels stayed at 60%. In mitochondria isolated from these cells, activity of the alternative pathway was only observed at UQ reduction levels higher than 80%. It is proposed that in vivo the relationship between UQ reduction and the activity of the alternative oxidase is modulated by mechanisms such as thiol modifications and accumulation of organic acids. Accordingly, pyruvate concentration in P. hybrida cells increased in the presence of uncoupler.
Group Testing Regression Models with Fixed and Random Effects

Summary Group testing, where subjects are tested in pools rather than individually, has a long history of successful application in infectious disease screening. In this article, we develop group testing regression models to include covariate effects that are best regarded as random. We present approaches to fit mixed effects models using maximum likelihood, investigate likelihood ratio and score tests for variance components, and evaluate small sample performance using simulation. We illustrate our methods using chlamydia and gonorrhea data collected by the state of Nebraska as part of the Infertility Prevention Project.
Simulation of gamete behaviors and the evolution of anisogamy: reproductive strategies of marine green algae

In marine green algae, isogamous or slightly anisogamous species are taxonomically widespread. They produce positively phototactic gametes in both sexes. We developed a new numerical simulator of gamete behavior using C++ and pseudo-parallelization methods to elucidate potential advantages of phototaxis. Input parameters were set based on experimental data. Each gamete swimming in a virtual rectangular test tank was tracked and the distances between the centers of nearby male and female were measured at each step to detect collisions. Our results shed light on the roles of gamete behavior and the mechanisms of the evolution of anisogamy and more derived forms of sexual dimorphism. We demonstrated that not only gametes with positive phototaxis were favored over those without, particularly in shallow water. This was because they could search for potential mates on the 2-D water surface rather than randomly in three dimensions. Also, phototactic behavior clarified the difference between isogamy and slight anisogamy. Isogamous species produced more zygotes than slightly anisogamous ones only under the phototactic conditions. Our results suggested that ‘sperm limitation’ might be easily resolved particularly in the slightly anisogamous species. Some more markedly anisogamous species produce the smaller male gametes without any phototactic devices and the larger positively phototactic female gametes. In such species, female gametes attract their partners using a sexual pheromone. This pheromonal attraction system might have played a key role in the evolution of anisogamy, because it could enable markedly anisogamous species achieve 2-D search efficiencies on the water surface. The mating systems appear to be tightly tuned o the environmental conditions of their habitats.
A standardized, structured long-case examination of clinical competence of senior medical students

Aiming at improving the assessment of senior medical students a standardized and structured modification to the traditional long-case examination is proposed. Students are presented with a sequence of two long cases, with each case being observed by a different examiner. After approaching the patient, the student is interviewed by the examiner who uses a set of four standardized questions. A 10-item checklist covering five groups of major clinical skills was delineated. The time frames for both patient approach (25 minutes) and student interview (10 minutes) were standardized. After the examination, immediate feedback is given to the student. Preliminary results obtained with the first 27 students taking the exam showed that none has failed and 20 of them had combined marks higher than 8.0 (range: 6.6-10.0). Failing performances on individual checklist items were more common in physical examination and less frequent regarding communication with patients. Agreement between different examiners on the assess.
Rigorous modal analysis of dielectric loaded resonators and junctions in rectangular waveguide

A rectangular metallic box loaded by dielectric pucks and excited by rectangular waveguides can be used as a building block for the realization of a wide class of resonators and filters for microwave and millimeter wave applications. Commercial software can perform the analysis of this structure by using numerical methods such as the finite difference time domain or the finite elements frequency domain. A computation time of many hours is required for a single analysis making the automatic design of a complex structure a practically unaffordable task. A rigorous formulation to obtain the generalized admittance matrix of the basic building block is presented here. This formulation based on the Green's function of the empty rectangular box and modal field expansions avoids any problem related to singularities and a fast convergence and a high accuracy have been obtained.
The Sesto Fiorentino Study: Background, Methods and Preliminary Results

Background: This paper presents lifetime prevalences and estimated risks of DSM-IV psychiatric disorders from a community survey conducted in Sesto Fiorentino, Italy, using psychiatric interviewers with clinical experience and clinical instruments. Methods: Two thousand five hundred subjects aged 14 or more were randomly selected from the lists of 15 general practitioners (GPs) regardless of wheter or not they had consulted the GP. A three-phase design was adopted, with the GPs using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) for the first stage. All positive cases at the MINI and a probability sample of 123 negative cases were re-interviewed by psychiatrists or trained residents in psychiatry using the Florence Psychiatric Interview (FPI) at the second stage. During phase III, the subjects were administered the rating scales specific to the pathology detected by the FPI. Results: Two thousand three hundred and sixty-three subjects were interviewed (response rate 94.5%) by their own GP; 623 were found positive for any psychiatric disorder. The psychiatrists could re-interview 605 of these, along with a random sample of 123 negatives. Almost twenty-five percent (24.4%; 15.7% males, 31.7% females) of the population was found positive for any DSM-IV disorder during their lives. The most common diagnosis was major depressive episode, followed by anxiety not otherwise specified. Women had higher rates for most disorders. Conclusions: The prevalence rates for most of the disorders considered are generally comparable with the range identified by previous studies conducted in other Western countries, even though they were using different methodologies. Exceptions are represented by the high prevalence of residual categories and the lower prevalence of phobias.
he etiopathogenesis of diffuse low-grade gliomas

The origins of diffuse low-grade gliomas (DLGG) are unknown. Beyond some limited data on their temporal and cellular origins, the mechanisms and risk factors involved are poorly known. First, based on strong relationships between DLGG development and the eloquence of brain regions frequently invaded by these tumors, we propose a “functional theory” to explain the origin of DLGG. Second, the biological pathways involved in DLGG genesis may differ according to tumor location (anatomo-molecular correlations). The cellular and molecular mechanisms of such “molecular theory” will be reviewed. Third, the geographical distribution of diffuse WHO grade II–III gliomas within populations is heterogeneous, sugnatomo-molecular correlations
Preference stability belief as a determinant of response to personalized recommendations

Preference stability refers to the objectively measured choice consistency among options with different attribute values in the same product category. We suggest that a consumer’s subjectively held belief of preference stability may be an important determinant of response to personalized recommendations. Experimental results confirm that preference stability belief moderates the effect of customization on the evaluation of recommendation accuracy and receptiveness to the learning relationship. Customization will produce stronger effects on accuracy evaluation and receptiveness for subjects with high preference stability belief than for subjects with low preference stability belief. Customers who believe their preferences are stable appreciate customized recommendations more, notice more acutely whether recommendations are customized or not, and are more receptive to the learning relationship when recommendations are customized than when not. Customers who believe their own preferences are less stable do not appreciate customized recommendations as much, are less sensitive to whether recommendations are customized or not, and are not more receptive to the learning relationship even when recommendations are customized. Theoretical and managerial implications of our findings are discussed. Copyright # 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.