Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Presymptomatic Spondylotic Cervical Cord Compression

Study Design. We conducted a cohort study of clinically asymptomatic spondylotic cervical cord compression cases with the primary end point of the development of clinical signs of cervical myelopathy. Objectives. To investigate whether various demographic, clinical, radiologic, and electrophysiological parameters could predict progression from clinically asymptomatic (preclinical) spondylotic cervical cord compression to symptomatic myelopathy. Summary of Background Data. The data available on the prediction of the outcome in surgical and conservative treatment of spondylotic cervical myelopathy are controversial. Little is known about the clinical natural history of asymptomatic magnetic resonance image-detected spondylotic cervical cord compression and/or changes of signal intensity. Methods. A group of 66 patients (32 women, 34 men, median age 50 years) with magnetic resonance signs of spondylotic cervical cord compression but without clear clinical signs of myelopathy was followed prospectively for at least 2 years (range, 2–8 years; median, 4 years). Various demographic, clinical, imaging, and electrophysiological parameters were correlated with clinical outcome. Results. Clinical signs of myelopathy during the follow-up period were detected in 13 patients (19.7%). The only variables significantly associated with the development of clinically symptomatic spondylotic cervical myelopathy (SCM) were the presence of symptomatic cervical radiculopathy, electromyographic signs of anterior horn lesion, and abnormal somatosensory-evoked potentials. A multivariate logistic regression model based on these variables correctly classified 90% of cases into 2 subgroups: a group with development of symptomatic SCM and that without clinical manifestation of subclinical cervical cord compression. Conclusions. Electrophysiological abnormalities together with clinical signs of cervical radiculopathy could predict clinical manifestation of preclinical spondylotic cervical cord compression.
Efeitos tardios do bullying e transtorno de estresse pós-traumático: uma revisão crítica

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) has been identified as the main psychiatric disorder associated with violence. This paper had the objective of identifying and organizing current scientific knowledge on long term effects on bullying and the development of PTSD. Thus, a literature review was conducted involving published books and papers on the topic, as well as an electronic database survey. Although studies indicate a relation between PTSD and bullying during childhood and later, there is a lack of research clarifying how this relationship occurs. There is evidence showing that some individuals who are victimized by bullying may present greater vulnerability to develop PTSD.
A new approach for Arabic text classification using Arabic field-association terms

Field-association (FA) terms give us the knowledge to identify document fields using a limited set of discriminating terms. Although many earlier methods tried to extract automatically relevant FA terms to build a comprehensive dictionary, the problem lies in the lack of an effective method to extract automatically relevant FA terms to build a comprehensive dictionary. Moreover, all previous studies are based on FA terms in English and Japanese, and the extension of FA terms to other languages such as Arabic could benefit future research in the field. We present a new method to build a comprehensive Arabic dictionary using part-of-speech, pattern rules, and corpora in Arabic language. Experimental evaluation is carried out for various fields using 251 MB of domain-specific corpora obtained from Arabic Wikipedia dumps and Alhayah news selected average of 2,825 FA terms (single and compound) per field. From the experimental results, recall and precision are 84% and 79%, respectively. We propose amended text classification methodology based on field association terms. Our approach is compared with Nave Bayes (NB) and kNN classifiers on 5,959 documents from Wikipedia dumps and Alhayah news. The new approach achieved a precision of 80.65% followed by NB (72.79%) and kNN (36.15%). © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Free compact 2-categories

Before one can attach a meaning to a sentence, one must distinguish different ways of parsing it. When analysing a language with pregroup grammars, we are thus led to replace the free pregroup by a free compact strict monoidal category. Since a strict monoidal category is a 2-category with one 0-cell, we investigate the free compact 2-category generated by a given category, and describe its 2-cells as labelled transition systems. In particular, we obtain a decision procedure for the equality of 2-cells in the free compact 2-category.
CAD automation module based on cell moving algorithm for ECO timing optimization

Incremental placement or Engineering Change Order (ECO) placement remains one of the most influential steps in Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI) layout design. New logic may be added into design after placement stage to meet functionality requirement. The added logic will cause design timing to become worse. In this paper, we develop an incremental placement Computer Aided Design (CAD) automation module to improve timing of the layout design. This incremental placement serves as a post-placement optimization solution that provide a cells position adjustment strategy such that no cells overlap occur and ensure no significant deviation from initial placement. Experiment is carried out by integrating the developed CAD automation module with standard industrial Electronic Design Automation (EDA) and Intel in-house design tools. Experimental results show that our approach can effectively reduce maximum and total negative slack on most of the benchmark circuits.
Is the Game worth the Candle? - Evaluation of OpenCL for Object Detection Algorithm Optimization

In this paper we present out experiences with the implementation of an object detector using OpenCL. With this implementation we fullfil the need for fast and robust object detection, necessary in many applications in multiple domains (surveillance, traffic, image retrieval, .). The algorithm lends itself to be implemented in a parallel way. We exploit this opportunity by implementing it on a GPU. For this implementation, we have choosen to use the OpenCL programming language, since this allows for scalability to more performant and different types of hardware, with minimal changes to the implementation. We will discuss how the parallelization is done, and discuss the challenges we met. We will also discuss the experimental timing results we achieved and evaluate the ease-of-use of OpenCL.
Exacerbation of Viral Myocarditis by Tobacco Smoke: The Catecholamine Hypothesis

1.1 Tobacco smoke exposure and cardiovascular disease More than 1 in every 10 cardiovascular deaths in the world during the year 2000 were attributable to smoking, demonstrating that it is an important preventable cause of cardiovascular mortality (Ezzati et al., 2005). It has been clearly established that exposure to environmental tobacco smoke increases the risk of cardiovascular disease among persons who have never smoked (Steenland, 1992). The cardiovascular effects of secondhand smoke are nearly as large as those confronting the principal smoker (Barnoya & Glantz, 2005). Non-smokers living with smokers have about a 25% increase in risk of death from heart disease and are more likely to suffer a stroke. Exposure to secondhand smoke may increase the risk of heart disease by non-smokers as much as 60% (Whincup et al., 2004). In 2004, Ong & Glantz estimated that only about 69% of U.S. indoor workers were covered by a smoke-free workplace policy. Making all workplaces smoke free as been accomplished for the commercial aircraft industry (Repace, 2004) would in one year prevent about 1500 myocardial infarctions and 350 strokes, and result in nearly 49 million dollars in savings in direct medical costs. These estimates are supported by reports of reduced incidence of admissions for myocardial infarction associated with smoking bans (Sargent et al., 2004). The cardiovascular effects of tobacco smoke exposure have been summarized in several excellent reviews (for example, see Barnoya and Glantz, 2005). Among the strongest pathophysiological correlates of tobacco smoking are accelerated endothelial dysfunction (Puranik & Celermajer, 2003) and acute clinical events, the latter being largely thrombotic (Ambrose & Barus, 2004). Recent studies indicate that increased oxidative stress is a potential mechanism for initiating cardiovascular dysfunction (Yang et al., 2004; Talukder et al, 2011). Tobacco smoke has also been demonstrated to increase inflammatory markers in patients exposed to secondhand smoke, including homocysteine, C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, and oxidized LDL cholesterol, (Panagiotakos et al., 2004) suggesting that an increased inflammatory response may contribute to accelerated atherosclerosis. Clearly, the incidence of ischemic coronary and peripheral vascular disease is increased in patients exposed to tobacco smoke, either as smokers or through exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke (Ambrose & Barus, 2004; Benowitz, 2003; Law & Wald, 2003; Burns, 2003; Leone et al., 2004). The cardiovascular effects of tobacco smoke exposure are summarized in Table l.
Dissociable Prototype Learning Systems: Evidence from Brain Imaging and Behavior

The neural underpinnings of prototype learning are not well understood. A major source of confusion is that two versions of the prototype learning task have been used interchangeably in the literature; one where participants learn to categorize exemplars derived from two prototypes (A/B task), and one where participants learn to categorize exemplars derived from one prototype and noncategorical exemplars (A/non-A). We report results from an fMRI study of A/B and A/non-A prototype learning that allows for a direct contrast of the two learning methods. Accuracy in the two tasks did not correlate within subject despite equivalent average difficulty. The fMRI results revealed neural activation in a network of regions consistent with episodic memory retrieval for the A/B task while greater activation of a nondeclarative learning network was observed for the A/non-A task. The results demonstrate that learning in these two tasks is mediated by different neural systems and that recruitment of each system is dictated by the context of learning rather than the actual category structure.
Neuroplasticity, neurotransmitters and new directions for treatment of anomia in Alzheimer disease

Background: Anomia is often one of the earliest signs of Alzheimer disease (AD), and progressive language impairment remains a major source of disability throughout the disease course. Aims: This article reviews the potential uses of pharmacological adjuvants to augment neuroplasticity during speech and language therapy. Main Contribution: We begin with a discussion of the nature of anomia in AD from the perspective of classical aphasia models and in terms of a parallel distributed processing model of language. Physiological functions of acetylcholine, norepinephrine and dopamine are reviewed. We consider how pharmacological manipulation of these neurotransmitters in combination with speech and language therapy has the potential to promote maintenance and restoration of the functional connectivity within the lexical, semantic and phonological networks that are the basis of propositional language. Conclusions: AD is a disease of synaptic loss. People with AD are able to reacquire knowledge, and pharmacological modulation of acetylcholine, norepinephrine and dopamine can influence the maintenance and reformation of neuronal networks.
The Influence of Knowledge and Deference toward Scientific Authority: A Media Effects Model for Public Attitudes toward Nanotechnology

Previous research suggests both cognitive and affective variables can impact how the public thinks about new scientific developments such as nanotechnology. Most studies have not explored the origins of these variables or their simultaneous, interactive influences on public opinion. Using national telephone survey data (N=706), we examine the pathways between different types of media use and attitudes toward nanotechnology, particularly potential mediating roles of nanotechnology knowledge and deference toward scientific authority. People relying on newspapers and the Internet for science information report higher levels of nanotechnology knowledge, while respondents using science TV showed higher levels of deference toward scientific authority.
EXISTENCE OF MULTIPLE POSITIVE SOLUTIONS TO SOME SEMIPOSITONE SYSTEMS

In this paper we use the method of upper and lower solutions combined with degree theoretic techniques to prove the existence of multiple positive solutions to semipositone superlinear systems of the form −∆u = g1(x, u, v) −∆v = g2(x, u, v) on a smooth, bounded domain Ω ⊂ R with Dirichlet boundary conditions, under suitable conditions on g1 and g2. Our techniques apply generally to subcritical, superlinear problems with a certain concave-convex shape to their nonlinearity.
Using SEER data to quantify effects of low income neighborhoods on cause specific survival of skin melanoma.

BACKGROUND This study used receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves to screen Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) skin melanoma data to identify and quantify the effects of socioeconomic factors on cause specific survival. METHODS 'SEER cause-specific death classification' was used as the outcome variable. The area under the ROC curve was to select best pretreatment predictors for further multivariate analysis with socioeconomic factors. Race and other socioeconomic factors including rural-urban residence, county level % college graduate and county level family income were used as predictors. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify and quantify the independent socioeconomic predictors. RESULTS This study included 49,666 patients. The mean follow up time (SD) was 59.4 (17.1) months. SEER staging (ROC area of 0.80) was the most predictive factor. Race, lower county family income, rural residence, and lower county education attainment were significant univariates, but rural residence was not significant under multivariate analysis. Living in poor neighborhoods was associated with a 2-4% disadvantage in actuarial cause specific survival. CONCLUSIONS Racial and socioeconomic factors have a significant impact on the survival of melanoma patients. This generates the hypothesis that ensuring access to cancer care may eliminate these outcome disparities.
DGK1-encoded Diacylglycerol Kinase Activity Is Required for Phospholipid Synthesis during Growth Resumption from Stationary Phase in Saccharomyces cerevisiae*

In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, triacylglycerol mobilization for phospholipid synthesis occurs during growth resumption from stationary phase, and this metabolism is essential in the absence of de novo fatty acid synthesis. In this work, we provide evidence that DGK1-encoded diacylglycerol kinase activity is required to convert triacylglycerol-derived diacylglycerol to phosphatidate for phospholipid synthesis. Cells lacking diacylglycerol kinase activity (e.g. dgk1Δ mutation) failed to resume growth in the presence of the fatty acid synthesis inhibitor cerulenin. Lipid analysis data showed that dgk1Δ mutant cells did not mobilize triacylglycerol for membrane phospholipid synthesis and accumulated diacylglycerol. The dgk1Δ phenotypes were partially complemented by preventing the formation of diacylglycerol by the PAH1-encoded phosphatidate phosphatase and by channeling diacylglycerol to phosphatidylcholine via the Kennedy pathway. These observations, coupled to an inhibitory effect of dioctanoyl-diacylglycerol on the growth of wild type cells, indicated that diacylglycerol kinase also functions to alleviate diacylglycerol toxicity.
A Study on the Nutrition Knowledge, Dietary Behaviors, and Dietary Habits according to the Gender in High School Students in Chungnam Area

Aim of this study is to investigate the nutrition knowledge, dietary behaviors, and dietary habits by the gender in high school students in Chungnam province. Girls students had a higher score than boys students for nutritional knowledge, not in the significant difference. However, boys students had a higher score for dietary behaviors than girls students. Dietary habits showed a significant difference in the unbalanced food habit and eating speed by the gender, and the eating speed of boys students was faster than that of girls students. For boys students, the nutritional knowledge and dietary behaviors did not have the significant correlation. Otherwise, girls students had the positive correlation between the nutritional knowledge and dietary behaviors, and had the characteristics of behaviors that the higher the nutritional knowledge score, the better eating habit. In addition, the boys and girls students had the positive correlation between the score of nutritional knowledge and the frequency of breakfast, and the score of nutritional knowledge and the frequency/regularity of breakfast, respectively. Because some dietary habits/behaviors are related closely to their nutritional knowledge, the high school students need the systematic and steady nutritional education to apply their known nutritional knowledge to actual life.
Physical activity in leisure-time and risk of cancer: 14-year follow-up of 28,000 Danish men and women

Aim: The preventive effect of physical activity on risk of cancer in general remains controversial. This study aimed at assessment of the associations between leisure- time physical activity and incidence of cancer in the general population of adult men and women. Methods: 13,216 women and 18,718 men aged 20—93 years selected from the general population participated in a health examination including a questionnaire with information on physical activity, smoking, alcohol intake, postmenopausal hormones, and socioeconomic status. Incident cases of cancers where recorded during a follow-up period of 14 years. The six most frequent cancer cases in both sexes were included in this analysis. Results: A highly significant inverse association was seen between vigorous physical activity in leisure time and cancer of the ovary, adjusted rate ratio being 0.33 (95% CI 0.16—0.67; p=0.001) for the most physical active women. In men there was a highly significant increase for non-melanoma skin cancer, with adjusted rate ratio of 1.72 (95% CI 1.23—2.40; p=0.001), for the most active men and vigorous activity was associated with a non-significant lower risk of colon cancer, the adjusted rate ratio being 0.72 (95% CI 0.47—1.11; p=0.06). Conclusion: Generally, there were no, or only weakly, inverse associations between physical activity in leisure time and incidence of cancer, except for cancer of the ovary.
A comparison of humor styles, coping humor, and mental health between Chinese and Canadian university students

Abstract This research compares the structure and correlates of the Humor Styles Questionnaire (HSQ) and Coping Humor Scale (CHS) in the Chinese context with those of Canadian samples. Chinese translations of the HSQ, CHS, and Symptom Checklist 90 (SCL-90) were administered to 354 Chinese university students (M = 23.4 years of age, SD = 3.6). As in the original Canadian samples, four humor factors were found in the HSQ: Affliative, Self-enhancing, Aggressive, and Self-defeating humor, and one factor was found in the CHS. The HSQ and CHS scale reliabilities in the Chinese sample were generally acceptable. Chinese participants, as compared to Canadian norms, reported significantly lower scores on the HSQ subscales and CHS, particularly on Aggressive humor. No significant gender differences were found on the four HSQ subscales in the Chinese sample, whereas Canadian males reported more use of Aggressive and Self-defeating humor than did females. Although no gender difference was found on Coping humor in the Canadian samples, Chinese males had significantly higher scores on this scale than did females. In both the Chinese and Canadian samples, younger participants reported more use of Affliative and Aggressive humor than did older ones. Affliative, Self-enhancing, and Coping humor were negatively correlated, while Aggressive and Selfdefeating humor were positively correlated with the subscales and General Symptomatic Index of the SCL-90. Regression results indicated that mental health is more strongly related to Self-enhancing, Self-defeating, and Coping humor than Affliative and Aggressive humor. Overall, the findings support the theoretical structure and usefulness of the HSQ and CHS in the Chinese context.
Development and validation of a 32-gene prognostic index for prostate cancer progression

The accurate determination of the risk of cancer recurrence is an important unmet need in the management of prostate cancer. Patients and physicians must weigh the benefits of currently available therapies against the potential morbidity of these treatments. Herein we describe the development of a gene expression-based continuous risk index and a validation of this test in an independent, blinded cohort of post-radical prostatectomy (RP) patients. A gene expression signature, prognostic for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) recurrence, was identified through a bioinformatic analysis of the expression of 1,536 genes in malignant prostate tissue from a training cohort of consecutive patients treated with RP. The assay was transferred to a real-time RT-PCR platform, and a continuous risk index model was constructed based on the expression of 32 genes. This 32-gene risk index model was validated in an independent, blinded cohort of 270 RP patients. In multivariate analyses, the risk index was prognostic for risk of PSA recurrence and had added value over standard prognostic markers such as Gleason score, pathologic tumor stage, surgical margin status, and presurgery PSA (hazard ratio, 4.05; 95% confidence interval, 1.50–10.94; P = 0.0057). Furthermore, RP patients could be stratified based on the risk of PSA recurrence and the development of metastatic disease. The 32-gene signature identified here is a robust prognostic marker for disease recurrence. This assay may aid in postoperative treatment selection and has the potential to impact decision making at the biopsy stage.
Understanding students’ choice of electives and its implications

The aim of this study is to examine the attributes which influence students’ selection of electives as part of their university degree programme. Marketing students at a public university in Malaysia participated in the research. Conjoint analysis was used to understand the trade-offs between three attributes when selecting elective subjects. These are perceived difficulty, perceived interest and future career skills. The results suggest that students are most concerned about the perceived difficulty of the elective and will avoid enrolling in such an elective. The results have significant implications for educators in the design of electives, and in the communication of their offerings, as well as for university administrators in the allocation of space and teaching resources. The article also discusses the implications of the results and offers future research direction.