Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Peer-Led and Adult-Led School Drug Prevention: A Meta-Analytic Comparison

Several studies have suggested that peer-led drug prevention programs are more effective than adult-led programs, but the evidence is not conclusive. In this article the results are presented of a meta-analysis of studies that compare drug prevention programs led by peers to the same programs led by adults. Twelve studies were identified in a systematic literature search. The quality of these studies was not optimal, and the interventions and target groups differed considerably among studies. Overall, peer-led programs were found to be somewhat more effective than adult-led programs (standardized difference d: 0.24). Large differences between studies were found, with some studies indicating greater effects for peer-led programs and other studies showing greater effects for adult-led programs. It is concluded that the effectiveness of a prevention program is determined by several characteristics of the programs. The leader may constitute one of those characteristics.
Gender Differences in Perception of Dyspnea, Assessment of Control, and Quality of Life in Asthma

Background. There is limited information on the inter-relationship between gender, perception of dyspnoea and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in asthma. Methods. In a cross-sectional study in an out-patient setting, 85 patients with bronchial asthma, 41 males and 44 females, underwent spirometry and were administered the following instruments to measure asthma control, HRQoL and dyspnoea : (a) Asthma control questionnaire (ACQ), (b) Asthma Quality of Life questionnaire (AQLQ), (c) Baseline dyspnoea index (BDI) questionnaire and Oxygen Cost Diagram (OCD). Results. Overall, male patients had greater airways obstruction but reported similar level of asthma control as females. Among patients with mild persistent asthma, females had a poorer level of control. The BDI and the OCD scores were significantly lower in female patients indicating greater dyspnoea and they also had a poorer quality of life especially in the symptoms and emotional domains of the AQLQ. After adjusting for the severity of airways obstruction in multivariate analysis, female gender and a poorer quality of life were independent predictors of increased perception of dyspnoea. Conclusions. Female patients with asthma are likely to have a greater perception of dyspnoea, report a poorer control and have a poorer quality of life as compared to males. Female gender and a poorer quality of life are independent predictors of increased perception of dyspnoea in asthmatics.
Mode-dependent state estimation for discrete-time genetic regulatory networks with a random delay described by a Markovian chain

This paper deals with the robust state estimation problem for a class of discrete-time genetic regulatory networks (GRNs) with a random delay described by a Markovian chain. The norm-bounded uncertainties and random delay described by a Markovian chain are considered in the discrete-time GRNs. Based on the Lyapunov stability theory and matrix inequality technique, sufficient conditions are derived to ensure the error state system to be (robustly) stochastically stable in the mean square sense. Numerical examples are given to show the effectiveness of the developed results.
[Validation in the adult Spanish population of the Wender Utah Rating Scale for the retrospective evaluation in adults of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder in childhood].

INTRODUCTION Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neuropsychiatric disorders in the early ages. Recently, it has been verified that presence of ADHD in early ages could be a vulnerability factor for developing different psychiatric disorders in adults, such as substance abuse and personality disorders. The retrospective diagnosis of this disorder in early ages of adult patients is specially problematic. OBJECTIVE The Wender Utah Rating Scale (WURS) has been translated and adaptated with the purpose of validating it in the Spanish population. PATIENTS AND METHOD It was administered the questionnaire to 266 patients of an Addictive Behaviours Unit. In 82 cases it was realized a clinical diagnosis of ADHD in early ages, and others 184 cases did not show antecedents of this disorder. RESULTS 25 items which better discriminate cases from controls were chosen. The Cronbach s coefficient for this subscale was 0.94. The cut off 32 optimized sensitivity (91.5%) and specificity (90.8%). The positive and negative predictive values was 81% and 96% respectively. The total of incorrectly classified subjects was 9%. CONCLUSIONS Our version of the WURS shows an adequate psychometric characteristics, that indicate an adequate validity for the detection of adult patients with antecedents of ADHD in early ages. In our population of patients with addictive behaviours, it has demonstrated to be very useful to differentiate an important subgroup of patients with antecedents of ADHD in early ages. It would be very interesting the replication of this study in other psychopathological and neurological conditions.
Use of mutant 125I-Perfringolysin O to probe transport and organization of cholesterol in membranes of animal cells

Animal cells strictly control the distribution of cholesterol in their organelle membranes. This regulation requires an efficient machinery to transport insoluble cholesterol between organelles. In the present study, we generate an 125I-labeled mutant version of Perfringolysin O (PFO), a cholesterol-binding protein, and use it to measure cholesterol in the plasma membrane of intact cells. We also purify plasma membranes from the same cells, which allows us to directly relate cholesterol concentration to 125I-PFO binding. We show that cholesterol is organized in the plasma membrane in a manner that makes it inaccessible to PFO until its concentration exceeds a threshold of 35 mol% of total lipids. This 35% threshold is in striking contrast to the 5% threshold previously found for PFO binding to endoplasmic reticulum membranes. The 125I-PFO probe also proved useful in monitoring the movement of LDL-derived cholesterol from lysosomes to plasma membranes. Using three different mutant cell lines, we show that this transport requires receptor-mediated uptake of LDL, hydrolysis of LDL-cholesteryl esters in lysosomes, and transfer of the liberated cholesterol to the plasma membrane.
The emerging role of senescent cells in tissue homeostasis and pathophysiology

Cellular senescence is a state of permanent growth arrest and is thought to play a pivotal role in tumor suppression. Cellular senescence may play an important role in tumor suppression, wound healing, and protection against tissue fibrosis in physiological conditions in vivo. However, accumulating evidence that senescent cells may have harmful effects in vivo and may contribute to tissue remodeling, organismal aging, and many age-related diseases also exists. Cellular senescence can be induced by various intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Both p53/p21 and p16/RB pathways are important for irreversible growth arrest in senescent cells. Senescent cells secret numerous biologically active factors. This specific secretion phenotype by senescent cells may largely contribute to physiological and pathological consequences in organisms. Here I review the molecular basis of cell cycle arrest and the specific secretion phenotype in cellular senescence. I also summarize the current knowledge of the role of cellular senescence in vivo in physiological and pathological settings.
Kinematics and simulations of space manipulator in three work modes

In recent years, research on space robotics has attracted considerable attention. Kinematics of the free-flying or free-floating space manipulator system, including a spacecraft and a manipulator mounted on the spacecraft, is a significant problem. In free-floating work mode, the spacecraft will move freely in response to the disturbances caused by the manipulator motions. From the view of application, change of the spacecraft attitude for the space manipulator system is not desirable. Therefore, it is of significance to adopt the free-floating with zero-disturbance spacecraft attitude work mode. This paper presents an overview of the kinematics of the space manipulator system. Position and velocity kinematics solutions in three work modes are analyzed. The kinematics differences among the three work modes are formulated. The simulation results validate the effectiveness of the kinematics solutions in the three work modes.
On variable-metric methods for sparse Hessians

The relationship between variable-metric methods derived by norm minimization and those derived by symmetrization of rank-one updates for sparse systems is studied, and an analogue of Dennis's nonsparse symmetrization formula derived. A new method of using norm minimization to produce a sparse analogue of any nonsparse variable-metric method is proposed. The sparse BFGS generated by this method is tested against the sparse PSB and variable-memory conjugate gradient methods, with computational experience uniformly favoring the sparse BFGS.
Spermatogenesis after unilateral orchiectomy for testicular cancer in patients following surveillance policy.

PURPOSE Only limited information is available on the natural course of spermatogenesis in patients with testicular cancer who underwent unilateral orchiectomy and surveillance. We analyze long-term exocrine function of the remaining testicle in patients following surveillance policy. MATERIALS AND METHODS Sperm counts and serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels were available in 60 nonrelapsing cases approximately 3 weeks (baseline), 1 year and 2 years or greater after orchiectomy. Contralateral testicular cancer subsequently developed in 2 men. RESULTS At baseline 36 patients were normospermic (10 or greater x 106/ml.), 7 were azoospermic and 17 were oligospermic. After 1 year 45 patients were normospermic. Mean sperm concentrations increased significantly from 26 to 39 x 106/ml. during year 1 after orchiectomy. Elevated serum FSH at baseline was associated with incomplete recovery of spermatogenesis, although sperm counts improved in 3 of 7 patients. Furthermore, in the 2 initially oligospermic patients with subsequent contralateral testicle cancer transient normospermia was observed after 1 year. After orchiectomy fatherhood was recorded in 28 men and was assisted by fertilization using fresh semen in 2. CONCLUSIONS In nonrelapsing testicular cancer cases on surveillance, initially reduced spermatogenesis recovers during year 1 after orchiectomy especially if baseline serum FSH is normal. Transient recovery also occurs in patients in whom contralateral testicular cancer subsequently develops. In high risk patients and in initially oligospermic patients with plans for future fatherhood, the period of improved spermatogenesis may be used for multiple semen cryopreservations enabling subsequent assisted fertilization.
Red Tape: developing and validating a new job-centered measure

Red tape studies typically focus on burdensome rules that have negative effects on organizations, as perceived by managers. The one-item general red tape scale is representative of this approach. However, scholars have called for improved measures that address the scale's shortcomings. This article introduces a new measurement scale that features (1) red tape as a two-dimensional construct that includes compliance burden and lack of functionality and (2) a job-centered approach that measures red tape as experienced by employees in their jobs rather than more generally in the organization. A set of survey questions derived from interviews with government employees was validated using data from 1,203 government employees. The findings indicate that the two-dimensional job-centered red tape scale is reliable and valid. The authors conclude that this measure can improve research and be used by managers for a “quick scan” to detect the location and severity of red tape.
Anti-arrhythmic effects of atrial ganglionated plexi stimulation is accompanied by preservation of connexin43 protein in ischemia-reperfusion canine model.

BACKGROUND Vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) has been shown to provide a protective effect against ischemia/reperfusion (I/R)-related arrhythmias by preventing the loss of Connexin43 (Cx43). Our previous studies showed that atrial epicardial ganglionated plexus stimulation (GPS) might exert a VNS-like effect on ventricular electrophysiology. OBJECTIVES To investigate whether GPS could preserve Cx43 and reduce I/R induced ventricular arrhythmia. METHODS Sixteen dogs were randomly divided into GPS group (N = 8, receiving GPS) and Sham group (N = 8, receiving sham GPS). Ventricular effective refractory period (ERP) and heart rate variability (HRV) were measured at baseline and 1 h after GPS. Myocardial I/R was then performed. Ventricular arrhythmia occurred during the first hour after reperfusion was measured and myocardial tissue from the peri-infarct zone was excised for immunohistological analysis. In another 4 dogs (Control group, receiving sham GPS and sham I/R), myocardial tissue from the corresponding area was also excised. RESULTS Compared with the Sham group, GPS caused a significant increase in ventricular ERP and HRV, and a significant decrease in I/R-induced ventricular arrhythmias. Western blotting revealed a marked reduction in the amount of phosphorylated Cx43 and total Cx43 in the Sham group, whereas no significant change was observed in the GPS group compared with the Control group. Immunohistochemistry results confirmed that the myocardial I/R-induced loss of phosphorylated Cx43 from the intercellular junctions was prevented by GPS. CONCLUSION GPS protects against I/R induced ventricular arrhythmias, accompanied by preserving Cx43.
Poor functional recovery after delirium is associated with other geriatric syndromes and additional illnesses

ABSTRACT Background: Delirious individuals are at increased risk for functional decline, institutionalization and death. Delirium is also associated with other geriatric syndromes, behavioral care issues, and new illnesses. The objectives of this study were to determine how often certain geriatric syndromes, care issues, and additional diagnoses occur in delirious individuals, and to see whether they correlate with worse functional recovery. Methods: Consecutive delirious older medical in-patients (n = 343) were followed for the occurrence of geriatric syndromes (falls, pressure ulcers, poor oral intake, and aspiration), care issues (refusing treatments or care, need for sitters, security services, physical restraints, and new neuroleptic medications) and additional diagnoses occurring after the third day of admission. Poor functional recovery was defined by any one of death, permanent institutionalization or increased dependence for activities of daily living (ADLs) at discharge or three months after discharge from hospital, elicited through chart review or a follow-up telephone interview. Results: Poor functional recovery was seen in 237 (69%) delirious patients. Geriatric syndromes and additional illnesses were common and associated with poor functional recovery (falls in 21%, adjusted OR 2.27; possible aspiration in 26%, adjusted OR 3.06; poor oral intake in 49%, adjusted OR = 2.31; additional illnesses in 38%, adjusted OR 3.54). Care issues were also common (range 9%–54%) but not associated with poor recovery. Conclusions: Geriatric syndromes, behavioral care issues and additional illnesses are common in delirium. Future studies should assess whether monitoring for and intervening against geriatric syndromes and additional illnesses may improve functional outcomes after delirium.
Effect of Raman pump direction on conventional multiwavelength Brillouin-Raman fiber laser

We have experimentally investigated the effects of Raman pump direction on the performance of multiwavelength Brillouin-Raman fiber laser. Comparison of Raman gain profiles at different Raman pump direction demonstrates higher gain in backward-pumping scheme than that in the forward pumping configuration. 192 channels at the typical Brillouin shifted frequency spacing of 10 GHz are attained through backward pumping due to the higher Raman gain. On the other hand, forward-pumping scheme produces better optical signal-to-noise ratio of 26 dB with 20 GHz channel spacing.
A channel sensing based design for LTE in unlicensed bands

With the exponential growth of wireless data traffic and the increasing scarcity of licensed spectrum, mobile network operators intend to use the unlicensed spectrum, such as the Industrial, Scientific and Medical (ISM) bands and TV white space, to offload their traffic. In the future, it is very likely that two of the most prominent wireless technologies, Long Term Evolution (LTE) and WiFi, will coexist on the same unlicensed bands. Existing simulation results show that LTE is slightly impacted by such coexistence while WiFi is severely hampered by LTE transmissions. In order to realize a harmonious LTE/WiFi coexistence, we propose two channel sensing schemes for LTE in unlicensed bands, i.e., periodic sensing and persistent sensing. Simulation results show that the proposed channel sensing schemes can provide a reasonable tradeoff between LTE and WiFi when they coexist with each other.
TkReplay: Record and Replay for Tk

Record and replay of user interactions with a GUI are useful for regression testing and demonstrations. Recording is implemented by intercepting each user action at some point in its processing and saving it in a script file. During replay, the script is read and the user actions (or their effects) are emulated. In X windows, one program can intercept user input events before they get to another program by putting a wrapper around the program. This level of recording is sensitive to changes in window position, fonts, etc. Recording events at the widget level is more robust and closer to the semantics of the program than recording at the X event level. The TkReplay program does this for the Tk toolkit. A number of factors have to be considered when implementing record and replay and these are discussed in the paper. Recording is implemented in Tk by modifying each binding to call a recording program. TkReplay operates as a separate program and uses send to communicate with the Tk program being recorded. Hooks have recently been added to the X toolkit to allow implementation of record and replay at the Xt widget level.
LiDAR Data Classification Using Extinction Profiles and a Composite Kernel Support Vector Machine

This letter proposes a novel framework for the classification of light detection and ranging (LiDAR)-derived features. In this context, several features are extracted directly from the LiDAR point cloud data using aggregated local point neighborhoods, including laser echo ratio, variance of point elevation, plane fitting residuals, and echo intensity. Additionally, the LiDAR digital surface model (DSM) is input to our classification. Thus, both the LiDAR raster DSM and also rich geometric and also backscatter 3-D point cloud information aggregated to images are considered in our workflow. These extracted features are characterized as base images to be fed to extinction profiles to model spatial and contextual information. Then, a composite kernel support vector machine is investigated to efficiently integrate the elevation and spatial information suitable for the LiDAR data. Results indicate that the proposed method can obtain high classification accuracy using LiDAR data alone (e.g., more than 86% overall accuracy on the benchmark Houston LiDAR data using the standard set of training and test samples on all 15 classes) in a short CPU processing time.
A Phase 3, open-label, non-comparative study of tigecycline in the treatment of patients with selected serious infections due to resistant Gram-negative organisms including Enterobacter species, Acinetobacter baumannii and Klebsiella pneumoniae.

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the efficacy and safety of tigecycline in patients with selected serious infections caused by resistant Gram-negative bacteria, or failures who had received prior antimicrobial therapy or were unable to tolerate other appropriate antimicrobials. Secondary objectives included an evaluation of the microbiological efficacy of tigecycline and in vitro activity of tigecycline for resistant Gram-negative bacteria. METHODS This open-label, Phase 3, non-comparative, multicentre study assessed the efficacy and safety of intravenous tigecycline (100 mg initially, then 50 mg 12 hourly for 7-28 days) in hospitalized patients with serious infections including complicated intra-abdominal infection; complicated skin and skin structure infection (cSSSI); community-acquired pneumonia (CAP); hospital-acquired pneumonia, including ventilator-associated pneumonia; or bacteraemia, including catheter-related bacteraemia. All patients had infections due to resistant Gram-negative organisms, including extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing strains, or had failed on prior therapy or could not receive (allergy or intolerance) one or more agents from three classes of commonly used antibiotics. The primary efficacy endpoint was clinical response in the microbiologically evaluable (ME) population at test of cure (TOC). Safety data included vital signs, laboratory tests and adverse events (AEs). RESULTS In the ME population at TOC, the clinical cure rate was 72.2% [95% confidence interval (CI): 54.8-85.8], and the microbiological eradication rate was 66.7% (95% CI: 13.7-78.8). The most commonly isolated resistant Gram-negative pathogens were Acinetobacter baumannii (47%), Escherichia coli (25%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (16.7%) and Enterobacter spp. (11.0%); the most commonly diagnosed serious infection was cSSSI (67%). The most common treatment-emergent AEs were nausea (29.5%), diarrhoea (16%) and vomiting (16%), which were mild or moderate in severity. CONCLUSIONS In this non-comparative study, tigecycline appeared safe and efficacious in patients with difficult-to-treat serious infections caused by resistant Gram-negative organisms.