Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Gender and Sequelae of Child Versus Adult Onset of Sexual Victimization: Body Mass, Binge Eating, and Promiscuity

This research investigated gender differences in and behavioral sequelae of adult vs. childhood sexual victimization among a group of undergraduates in a midwestern city. We administered a survey about sexual experiences, eating habits, and weight to individuals who were first victimized in childhood ( age 18); or had not been sexually victimized. We predicted that those victimized as children would have higher body weight and display more sexual activity than would those victimized as adults. We demonstrated that participants victimized in childhood had significantly higher body mass and weight than did nonvictims or those victimized in adulthood. Men sexually abused as children displayed more promiscuity than did men victimized in adulthood. jasp_828 2551.2572 Sexual victimization occurs in every country in the world (Heise, Pitanguy, & Germain, 1994). Be it in adulthood or childhood, sexual victimization is often profoundly psychologically disruptive. Victims of sexual crimes frequently exhibit problems with adjustment later in life, such as depression, self-destructive behaviors, anxiety, poor self-esteem, substance abuse, and sexual maladjustment (Browne & Finkelhor, 1986). Little research is available, however, directly comparing the effects of child victimization to adult victimization, or comparing women’s and men’s experiences. In the current research, we were interested in gender differences in the victimization experience and whether victimization at distinct life stages would influence impulsive behaviors differently.
Caspofungin Uptake Is Mediated by a High-Affinity Transporter in Candida albicans

ABSTRACT The uptake of the echinocandin drug caspofungin acetate in Candida albicans was evaluated at drug levels at or near the MIC for the organism. Maximal uptake was achieved in 10 min and was energy independent. A saturable transport system, consistent with a facilitated-diffusion carrier, was observed with the unlabeled drug competing with the labeled drug for uptake and efflux. More than 90% of the transported drug was observed in a single kinetic compartment that was available for efflux, indicating that the drug was free in the cytoplasm following uptake. Efflux was also energy independent but was sensitive to the presence of a fully loaded carrier on both faces of the bilayer. Overall, the data presented are consistent with the presence of a high-affinity facilitated-diffusion transporter that mediates caspofungin uptake and could be a potential source of transport-related reduced susceptibility.
Dietary assessment methods evaluated in the Malmö food study

Abstract. A study to evaluate the relative validity of two dietary assessment methods, to be used in a prospective cohort study on diet and cancer, was conducted in a random sample of the Malmö population during 1984–1985. The study compared (i) a long, self‐administered ‘food‐use questionnaire’ (about 250 food items), asking for frequency of consumption of food and beverages and for usual portion size estimated with the help of a booklet of food pictures, and (ii) a combined method involving a shorter food frequency questionnaire (about 130 food items) and a 2‐week diet diary, with (iii) a reference method requiring 18 days of weighed food records. The results indicated that subject compliance was quite good for both methods and, in particular, that the diet diary was well accepted. Both methods produced fairly good correlations with the reference method, of the order of 0.40 to 0.60 for most nutrients after adjustment for energy. Both methods tended to overestimate intake of fat, protein and carbohydrates as well as of vitamins and minerals.
Predictors of Successful Work Role Functioning After Carpal Tunnel Release Surgery

This study identified the clinical, individual, and workplace predictors of successful work role functioning (WRF) after carpal tunnel release surgery (CTRS). A community-based cohort (n = 197) was followed for 6 months post-CTRS. Predictors of successful WRF were analyzed prospectively using ordinal logistic regression. Baseline WRF predicted successful WRF at 2 months, whereas being depressed and a workers' compensation claimant predicted being out of work. Baseline WRF, improved self-efficacy, and a supportive organization predicted 6-month successful WRF. Supportive organizations have an impact on the effectiveness of medical interventions for CTS. The significance of improved self-efficacy at 6 months and depression at 2 months postsurgery highlights the importance of psychosocial management of musculoskeletal disorders.
R factors from Providence.

Of more than 100 R factors transferred from naturally occurring Providence strains, approximately 60 % belonged to the A-C compatibility complex. Plasmids of groups F1, J, N, P and X, and the prototype of a new group G were also transferred. The Providence R factor set differs from those of Proteus rettgeri and P. morganii most strikingly in the abundance of plasmids of the A-C group and the infrequency of N group plasmids.
Generalized Modal Expansion and Reduced Modal Representation of 3-D Electromagnetic Fields

A generalized modal expansion theory for investigating arbitrary 3-D bounded and unbounded electromagnetic fields is presented. When an inhomogeneity is enclosed with impenetrable boundaries, the field excited by arbitrary sources is expanded with a complete set of eigenmodes, which are classified into trapped modes and radiation modes. As the boundaries tend to infinity, trapped modes remain unchanged, while radiation modes form a continuum. To illustrate the theory, several real-life structures are investigated with a conformal finite-difference technique in the frequency domain. Perfectly matched layers (PMLs) are imposed at finite extent to emulate the unbounded problems. Numerical examples show that, only a few system modes are prominent in expanding an excited field, leading to a reduced modal picture which provides a quick guidance as well as useful physical insight for engineering design and optimization of electromagnetic devices and components.
Measuring, evaluating and improving hospital quality parameters/dimensions--an integrated healthcare quality approach.

PURPOSE This paper aims to examine the major factors affecting cumulative summation, to empirically examine the major factors affecting satisfaction and to address the question whether patients in Kazakhstan evaluate healthcare similarly or differently from patients in Egypt and Jordan. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH A questionnaire, adapted from previous research, was distributed to Kazakhstan inpatients. The questionnaire contained 39 attributes about five newly-developed quality dimensions (5Qs), which were identified to be the most relevant attributes for hospitals. The questionnaire was translated into Russian to increase the response rate and improve data quality. Almost 200 usable questionnaires were returned. Frequency distribution, factor analysis and reliability checks were used to analyze the data. FINDINGS The three biggest concerns for Kazakhstan patients are: infrastructure; atmosphere; and interaction. Hospital staffs concern for patients' needs, parking facilities for visitors, waiting time and food temperature were all common specific attributes, which were perceived as concerns. These were shortcomings in all three countries. Improving health service quality by applying total relationship management and the 5Qs model together with a customer-orientation strategy is recommended. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS Results can be used by hospital staff to reengineer and redesign creatively their quality management processes and help move towards more effective healthcare quality strategies. SOCIAL IMPLICATIONS Patients in three countries have similar concerns and quality perceptions. ORIGINALITY/VALUE The paper describes a new instrument and method. The study assures relevance, validity and reliability, while being explicitly change-oriented. The authors argue that patient satisfaction is a cumulative construct, summing satisfaction as five different qualities (5Qs): object; processes; infrastructure; interaction and atmosphere.
A Molecular Switch for Specific Stimulation of the BKCa Channel by cGMP and cAMP Kinase*

The cGMP and the cAMP pathways control smooth muscle tone by regulation of BKCa (BK) channel activity. BK channels show considerable diversity and plasticity in their regulation by cyclic nucleotide-dependent protein kinases. The underlying molecular mechanisms are unclear but may involve expression of splice variants of the BK channel α subunit. Three isoforms, BKA, BKB, and BKC, which were cloned from tracheal smooth muscle, differed only in their C terminus. When expressed in HEK293 cells, cGMP kinase (cGK) but not cAMP kinase (cAK) stimulated the activity of BKA and BKB by shifting the voltage dependence of the channel to more negative potentials. In contrast, BKC was exclusively stimulated by cAK. BKC lacks a C-terminal tandem phosphorylation motif for protein kinase C (PKC) with Ser1151 and Ser1154. Mutation of this motif in BKA switched channel regulation from cGK to cAK. Furthermore, inhibition of PKC in excised patches from cells expressing BKA abolished the stimulatory effect of cGK but allowed channel stimulation by cAK. cAK and cGK phosphorylated the channel at different sites. Thus, phosphorylation/dephosphorylation by PKC determines whether the BK channel is stimulated by cGK or cAK. The molecular mechanisms may be relevant for smooth muscle relaxation by cAMP and cGMP.
The effect of environment on development and survival of pupae of the necrophagous fly Ophyra albuquerquei Lopes (Diptera, Muscidae)

The effect of environment on development and survival of pupae of the necrophagous fly Ophyra albuquerquei Lopes (Diptera, Muscidae). Species of Ophyra Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830 are found in decomposing bodies, usually in fresh, bloated and decay stages. Ophyra albuquerquei Lopes, for example, can be found in animal carcasses. The influence of environmental factors has not been evaluated in puparia of O. albuquerquei. Thus, the focus of this work was motivated by the need for models to predict the development of a necrophagous insect as a function of abiotic factors. Colonies of O. albuquerquei were maintained in the laboratory to obtain pupae. On the tenth day of each month 200 pupae, divided equally into 10 glass jars, were exposed to the environment and checked daily for adult emergence of each sample. We concluded that the high survival rate observed suggested that the diets used for rearing the larvae and maintaining the adults were appropriate. Also, the data adjusted to robust generalized linear models and there were no interruptions of O. albuquerquei pupae development within the limits of temperatures studied in southern Rio Grande do Sul, given the high survival presented.
Parvovirus B19 Infection Localized in the Intestinal Mucosa and Associated with Severe Inflammatory Bowel Disease

ABSTRACT Infection by human parvovirus B19 is widespread and can be associated with a wide range of different pathologies and clinical manifestations. We provide the first evidence of localization of an active parvovirus B19 infection in the intestinal mucosa and its association with a severe inflammatory bowel disease, characterized by duodenal villous atrophy with increased intraepithelial lymphocytes and inflammatory infiltrates in the colonic mucosa. Virus in the intestinal mucosa was detected in cells of the inflammatory infiltrate, identified as T lymphocytes and selectively localized in sites of active tissue degeneration.
Developments in gene therapy for muscular dystrophy

Gene therapy for muscular dystrophy (MD) presents significant challenges, including the large amount of muscle tissue in the body, the large size of many genes defective in different muscular dystrophies, and the possibility of a host immune response against the therapeutic gene. Overcoming these challenges requires the development and delivery of suitable gene transfer vectors. Encouraging progress has been made in modifying adenovirus (Ad) vectors to reduce immune response and increase capacity. Recently developed gutted Ad vectors can deliver full‐length dystrophin cDNA expression vectors to muscle tissue. Using muscle‐specific promoters to drive dystrophin expression, a strong immune response has not been observed in mdx mice. Adeno‐associated virus (AAV) vectors can deliver small genes to muscle without provocation of a significant immune response, which should allow long‐term expression of several MD genes. AAV vectors have also been used to deliver sarcoglycan genes to entire muscle groups. These advances and others reviewed here suggest that barriers to gene therapy for MD are surmountable. Microsc. Res. Tech. 48:223–238, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Computational Fluid Dynamics Study on Water Flow in a Hollow Helical Pipe

Although curved pipes are used in a wide range of applications, flow in curved pipes is relatively less well known than that in straight ducts. This paper presents a computational fluid dynamics study of isothermal laminar single-phase flow of water in a hollow helical pipe at various Reynolds numbers. The ranging of Reynolds numbers of fluid was from 703.2 to 1687.7. The three dimensional governing equations for mass and momentum have been solved. It was found that with increasing Reynolds number and creation of centrifugal forces, a high velocity and pressure region occurs between two tubes, at the outer side of the hollow helical pipe walls. Friction factor decreases as the tendency for turbulence increases.
Advances in information integration infrastructures supporting multidisciplinary design optimisation

Recently, complex engineering developments have required global optimisation to address multidisciplinary problems regarding contradicting engineering objectives. Today, engineering designers from a number of different disciplinary areas frequently interact with each other via cybernetic platforms, exchanging structure parameters and physical constraints. Therefore, seamless integration and efficient processing of engineering data among numerous heterogeneous data sources play an essential role in making trade-off optimisation decisions. Hence, a flexible information infrastructure is the cornerstone of supporting multidisciplinary analysis, design and simulations throughout product development cycles. Ubiquitous characteristics of data diversity, irregularity, redundancy and heterogeneity distinctively differentiate engineering information integration from information integration in managerial domains. This poses a challenge to effective IT implementation in engineering-intensive enterprises. The special issue intends to present the ongoing research into the area of information technologies application to multidisciplinary design optimisation support and analysis. Five papers have been selected to appear in this special issue. The first paper presents a methodology to develop a virtualisation-based simulation platform, which is used to support multidisciplinary design of complex products. The second paper presents approaches for engineering software integration and product data exchange, which can support interoperations among different engineering phases. While, the third paper discusses mathematical formulation and optimisation method for pipe routing engineering problems, which is of great significance to gas turbine developments. Subsequently, the fourth paper addresses autogenetic design theory and distributed computing approaches and their applications to multidisciplinary design optimisation. Finally, the fifth paper describes a web services-based multidisciplinary design optimisation framework, which can more efficiently and flexibly provide integration and data exchange services. While it is impossible to provide a comprehensive and systematic presentation regarding all critical perspectives, the guest editor believes that the special issue will kindle research interest in enabling IT approaches to build an effective and efficient multidisciplinary engineering infrastructure. The Guest Editor is grateful to all the authors for their submissions, and to all the referees for their elaborate reviews and constructive comments.
Using Recurrence quantification analysis and Generalized Hurst Exponents of ECG for human authentication

Previous works show that the electrocardiogram is a promising signal to be used as a biometric trait. The nonlinear methods for computing the dynamical properties of ECG signal, have been previously used. Since each of the large scale features of recurrence plots of ECG is related quite simply to time-domain features, they can provide good result in biometric system. In this paper we apply Rescaled Range Analysis (RSA), Higuchi's Fractal Dimension (HFD), Detrended Fluctuation Analysis (DFA), Generalized Hurst Exponent (GHE) and Recurrence quantification analysis (RQA) to extract features for authentication system. Support Vector Machine is used to classify the nonlinear features. The proposed approach has been tested using 18 different subjects ECG signal of MIT-BIH Normal Sinus Rhythm Database. The obtained results show that the authentication accuracy is 96.07±0.86%.
Automated Detection of Code Vulnerabilities Based on Program Analysis and Model Checking

Ensuring the correctness and reliability of software systems is one of the main problems in software development. Model checking, a static analysis method, is preponderant in improving the precision of vulnerabilities detection. However, when applied to buffer overflow and other bugs, it is hard to automatically construct the model for detecting the vulnerabilities. To address this problem we propose an approach that combines constraint based analysis and model checking together. We trace the memory size of buffer-related variables and instrument the code with corresponding constraint assertions before the potential vulnerable points by constraint based analysis. Then the problem of detecting vulnerabilities is converted into the problem of detecting vulnerabilities to verifying the reach ability of these assertions by model checking. In order to reduce the cost of model checking, program slicing is introduced to reduce the code size. CodeAuditor is a prototype implementation of our approach. With CodeAuditor, several yet unreported vulnerabilities are discovered in several open source software, and the performance is shown to be improved significantly with the help of program slicing.
Stimulation of CREB Binding Protein Nucleosomal Histone Acetyltransferase Activity by a Class of Transcriptional Activators

ABSTRACT The transcriptional coactivator CREB binding protein (CBP) possesses intrinsic histone acetyltransferase (HAT) activity that is important for gene regulation. CBP binds to and cooperates with numerous nuclear factors to stimulate transcription, but it is unclear if these factors modulate CBP HAT activity. Our previous work showed that CBP interacts with the Epstein-Barr virus-encoded basic region zipper (b-zip) protein, Zta, and augments its transcriptional activity. Here we report that Zta strongly enhances CBP-mediated acetylation of nucleosomal histones. Zta stimulated the HAT activity of CBP that had been partially purified or immunoprecipitated from mammalian cells as well as from affinity-purified, baculovirus expressed CBP. Stimulation of nucleosome acetylation required the CBP HAT domain, the Zta DNA binding and transcription activation domain, and nucleosomal DNA. In addition to Zta, we found that two other b-zip proteins, NF-E2 and C/EBPα, strongly stimulated nucleosomal HAT activity. In contrast, several CBP-binding proteins, including phospho-CREB, JUN/FOS, GATA-1, Pit-1, and EKLF, failed to stimulate HAT activity. These results demonstrate that a subset of transcriptional activators enhance the nucleosome-directed HAT activity of CBP and suggest that nuclear factors may regulate transcription by altering substrate recognition and/or the enzymatic activity of chromatin modifying coactivators.
Improving the Quality of Error-Handling Code in Systems Software using Function-Local Information. (Amélioration de la qualité des codes de gestion d'erreur dans les logiciels système en utilisant des informations locales aux fonctions)

In C, a typical strategy for implementing error handling code is to follow each operation that may encounter an error by a conditional that checks for an error result and, if one is found, performs the appropriate cleanup operations before returning from the function. This basic strategy, however, is itself error-prone, as it is easy to overlook some cleanup operations that are required, and to forget to update some existing error handling code when the function is extended with new operations that need to be undone in an error case. Furthermore, there may be substantial code duplication, as the same error handling code may be needed at many places within a function definition. One style of programming, goto-based strategy, that can somewhat alleviate these difficulties. To improve the structure of error handling code in the system software, we define an algorithm to transform error handling code implemented according to the basic strategy so that it follows the goto-based strategy. Even when error handling code is structured, the management of the releasing of allocated resources remains a continual problem in ensuring the robustness of systems code. In this thesis, we propose a microscopic resource-release omission fault finding algorithm, based on a mostly intraprocedural, flow and path-sensitive analysis, that targets and exploits the properties of error-handling code. Our algorithm is resistant to false positives in the set of resource acquisition and release operations, resulting in a low rate of false positives in the fault reports, and is highly scalable.
Reconfigurable 1.5–2.5-GHz phase shifter with 360o relative phase-shift range and reduced insertion-loss variation

This paper proposes a varactor-based reflection-type phase shifter that allows for 360o relative phase-shift range and reduced insertion-loss variation over the entire frequency tuning range. In particular, a novel and compact reconfigurable 90o coupler is devised and it is, theoretically, able to achieve perfect return loss and isolation at each tuning state. Thus, when this 3-dB coupler is terminated with two reflective loads, the phase shifter can operate at a wide range of center frequencies. Moreover, a tunable transformation network is proposed to optimally reduce the insertion-loss variation within the 360o continuous phase-shift range for any operational frequency. Experimental results show that the fabricated phase shifter, in a frequency range of 1.5–2.5 GHz, can realize 360o relative phase-shift range with greater than 16.5 dB in return loss and less than 3.8 dB in insertion-loss variation.
Exchange of Correlated Binary Sources in Two-Way Relay Networks Using LDPC Codes

We consider the problem of exchanging messages in two-way relay (TWR) systems when the sources are correlated binary sequences. In a TWR system, two users communicate simultaneously in both directions to exchange their messages with the help of a relay. Harnessing the fact that the users have access to their own non-compressed messages as side information, each user can compress its message according to the Slepian-Wolf coding strategy by using low-density parity-check codes, particularly, the syndrome approach. Through numerical examples, we show that the proposed scheme offers significant improvements in compression rates compared to the existing solutions in the literature.