Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Exploring the Relations between Depression, Somatization, Dissociation and Alexithymia – Overlapping or Independent Constructs?

Background: The aim of this study was to extend our knowledge of associations among the constructs of alexithymia, depression, somatization and dissociation. Sampling and Methods: 924 nonclinical subjects answered questions about depression (21-item Beck Depression Inventory), somatization (13-item somatization part of Symptom Check List-90), dissociation (28-item Dissociative Experiences Scale) and alexithymia (20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale). In addition, a 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) was administered to detect psychiatric distress among subjects. Results: The results suggested that there was a significant clinical correlation between somatization, dissociation, depression and alexithymia (rho varied from 0.31 to 0.56). The principal component analysis revealed the presence of four components: depression, somatization, dissociation and alexithymia. The use of factor scores diminished the covariance between measures (rho varied from –0.10 to 0.01 between the factor scores). There was almost no correlation between the dissociation factor (rho = 0.06) and alexithymia factor (rho = 0.09) scores and general distress (GHQ-12). Conclusions: This study suggests that while somatization, dissociation, depression and alexithymia are distinct constructs, they correlate to a considerable extent. The use of factor analysis and factor scores should be considered to diminish covariance between the above constructs. Comparing results between factored and unfactored results may prove illuminating. As a case in point, the results suggest that the part of dissociation that coincides with other constructs (overlaps) is associated with distress, whereas the distinct part of dissociation (no shared covariance) is not associated with distress. The same applies to the alexithymia construct. Longitudinal studies are needed to show whether there is a trait such as a relatively stable dissociation component and also whether a separate state-dependent dissociation component exists that is associated with coincident distress, somatization and depression.
Asymmetrical size and functionality of the pampas deer (Ozotoceros bezoarticus) testes: Right testis is bigger but left testis is more efficient in spermatogenesis

Information about gonadal asymmetries in ruminants is very scarce. In this work, we performed three complementary studies to compare characteristics of both testes: (i) weight and size of offspring and adult dead males; (ii) the tissue:fluid relationship determined by ultrasound scanning; and (iii) the spermatogenic status using fine needle aspiration cytology. The right testis was heavier than the left one in both offspring and adult animals and had greater width and volume in adult males than the left one. The ultrasound pixel intensity was similar in both testes. The right testis tended to have more spermatogonia (p = .06) and had a greater percentage of early spermatids (p = .004) than the left testis. On the other hand, the left testis had a greater percentage of spermatozoa (p = .05). The left testis had a greater spermatozoa/spermatogonia ratio (p = .02) and tended to have more spermatozoa/Sertoli cells ratio (p = .07). The spermatogenic index tended to be greater in the left than in the right testis (p = .06). Overall, we concluded that the right testis of pampas deer males is bigger but according to the cytology, it seems to be less spermatogenically effective than the left one, but these differences are not explained by different tissue:fluid ratio in each testis. Although differences were greater in adults than in offspring, asymmetry was observed even in just born offspring.
Predictors of older adults' technology use and its relationship to depressive symptoms and well-being.

OBJECTIVE To extend the empirical evidence regarding the predictors of older adults' use of information and communications technology (ICT) and to further examine its relationship to depressive symptoms and well-being. METHOD This cross-sectional study utilized a sample of community-dwelling older adults from the National Health and Aging Trends Study (N = 6,443). Structural equation modeling was used to estimate the effects of predictor variables on ICT use and the effects of use on depressive symptoms and well-being. Tests of moderation by demographic characteristics and level of ICT use were also performed. RESULTS Socioeconomic status (SES), age, and cognitive function accounted for approximately 60% of the variance in ICT use. SES was a stronger predictor for Blacks/African Americans, whereas cognitive function was a stronger predictor for Whites. ICT use was unrelated to depressive symptoms or well-being. However, it acted as a moderator, such that limitations in activities of daily living (ADLs) was a stronger predictor of depressive symptoms for high ICT users, whereas ill-health was a stronger predictor for non/limited users. DISCUSSION Findings do not support the claim that ICT use directly enhances mental health or well-being among older adults although it may protect against depressive symptoms for individuals coping with health conditions other than ADL impairments.
Symptom Patterns of Depression in Ambulatory Medical and Psychiatric Patients

The failure of primary care physicians to recognize depressive disorders in medical patients has been attributed to the differing clinical syndromes presented by these persons in comparison with psychiatric patients. Earlier British studies have found inter sector difference in the prevalence and severity of somatic, affective, and cognitive symptoms. Our investigation with American patients did not replicate these findings. The need for further research along these lines is discussed, as are the implications for assessing depression in generalist and specialist practices.
Out-of-focus shockwaves: a new tissue-protecting therapy?

INTRODUCTION It seems that vasoconstriction induced by 12 Kv shock waves reduces kidney lesions caused by subsequent application of 24 Kv shock waves. The lowest shock wave voltage to induce this protective effect is not known yet and may be lower than the common energy setting of commercial lithotripters. Because of this we propose the application of shock waves as a tissue protecting method. MATERIALS AND METHODS Preliminary pressure measurements were performed on an experimental unmodified HM3 lithotripter (at 12 and 24 Kv), using a 20 ns rise time needle hydrophone connected to a 100 MHz digital oscilloscope. Ten pressure records were obtained at different aging of the spark plug. A new spark plug was used for each voltage. Pressure measurement were also performed on a Tripter compact lithotripter at 6 positions along the focal axis, starting at F2 and moving away from the reflector, using maximum voltage and capacitance (22 Kv, HI-2). The position on the focal axis of the Tripter Compact with the same pressure as measured at 12 Kv on the HM3 at F2 was chosen as the prophylactic treatment spot (PTS). In vivo pressure measurement were done on the Tripter Compact placing the needle hydrophone inside the lower pole of the right kidney of an anesthetized healthy 25 kg female pig. Measurements were done at the same positions mentioned above, without moving the hydrophone, inside the pig. For both in vitro and in vivo measurements, the radiopaque hydrophone was aligned with the focal axis, using the fluoroscopy system of the lithotripter. RESULTS The mean positive pressure peak at the second focus of the HM3 lithotripter was 64 and 153 mV at 12 Kv, respectively. Coefficients of variations were 0.28 and 0.13. No significant pressure differences were detected below 700 and 2220 discharges with the HM3 and the Tripter compact, respectively. The difference peak amplitudes are all significant (p<0.01 in a one tailed test) with the exception of F2 and F2+1 Ohm. CONCLUSIONS Prophylactic administrations of out-of-focus shock waves may reduce tissue damage during SWL. Experiments in vivo are underway in order to prove this hypothesis.
Low-Complexity Tracking of Laser and Nonlinear Phase Noise in WDM Optical Fiber Systems

In this paper, the wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) fiber optic channel is considered. It is shown that for ideal distributed Raman amplification (IDRA), the Wiener process model is suitable for the non-linear phase noise due to cross phase modulation from neighboring channels. Based on this model, a phase noise tracking algorithm is presented. We approximate the distribution of the phase noise at each time instant by a mixture of Tikhonov distributions, and derive a closed form expression for the posterior probabilities of the input symbols. This reduces the complexity dramatically compared to previous trellis-based approaches, which require numerical integration. Further, the proposed method performs very well in low-to-moderate signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), where standard decision directed (DD) methods, especially for high-order modulation, fail. The proposed algorithm does not rely on averaging, and therefore does not experience high error floors at high SNR in severe phase noise scenarios. The laser linewidth (LLW) tolerance is thereby increased for the entire SNR region compared to previous DD methods. In IDRA WDM links, the algorithm is shown to effectively combat the combined effect of both laser phase noise and non-linear phase noise, which cannot be neglected in such scenarios. In a more practical lumped amplification scheme, we show near-optimal performance for 16 QAM, 64 QAM, and 256 QAM with LLW up to 100 kHz, and reasonable performance for LLW of 1 MHz for 16 QAM and 64 QAM, at the moderate received SNR region. The performance in these cases is close to the information rate achieved by the above mentioned trellis processing.
Potential Transmission of Human Polyomaviruses through the Gastrointestinal Tract after Exposure to Virions or Viral DNA

ABSTRACT The mechanism of human-to-human transmission of the polyomaviruses JC virus (JCV) and BK virus (BKV) has not been firmly established with regard to possible human exposure. JCV and BKV have been found in sewage samples from different geographical areas in Europe, Africa, and the United States, with average concentrations of 102 to 103 JCV particles/ml and 101 to 102BKV particles/ml. Selected polyomavirus-positive sewage samples were further characterized. The JCV and BKV present in these samples were identified by sequencing of the intergenic region (the region found between the T antigen and VP coding regions) of JCV and the VP1 region of BKV. The regulatory region of the JCV and BKV strains found in sewage samples presented archetypal or archetype-like genetic structures, as described for urine samples. The stability (the time required for a 90% reduction in the virus concentration) of the viral particles in sewage at 20°C was estimated to be 26.7 days for JCV and 53.6 days for BKV. The presence of JCV in 50% of the shellfish samples analyzed confirmed the stability of these viral particles in the environment. BKV and JCV particles were also found to be stable at pH 5; however, treatment at a pH lower than 3 resulted in the detection of free viral DNA. Since most humans are infected with JCV and BKV, these data indicate that the ingestion of contaminated water or food could represent a possible portal of entrance of these viruses or polyomavirus DNA into the human population.
Corticosteroids and cardiopulmonary bypass : a review of clinical investigations.

Traditionally, corticosteroids have been administered to patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) to ward off detrimental physiologic alterations associated with activation of the systemic inflammatory response, yet few well-controlled investigations exist, and use of these drugs in this setting remains controversial. This review article critically examines the results of clinical investigations in this area, and certain conclusions are suggested. The constellation of findings indicate that corticosteroids offer no clinical benefits to patients undergoing cardiac surgery with CPB and in fact may be detrimental. Further directions for clinical research in this area are also suggested.
Effects of Different Powder to liquid Ratios on the Push out Bond Strength of CEM Cement on Simulated Perforations in the Furcal Area

Background Proper bond strength to dentin is one of the properties of biomaterials used for therapeutic purposes such as repair of furcal perforations. The aim of the present study to evaluate the effects of different powder to liquid ratios of Calcium-enriched mixture (CEM) on the push-out bond strengths in simulated perforations in the furcal area and compare it with Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA). Material and Methods Furcal perforations, measuring 1.3 mm in diameter and 2 mm in height, were prepared in 120 mandibular first molars. Then the samples were randomly assigned to two groups (n=60). MTA and CEM cement were used for the repair of perforations in groups 1 and 2, respectively. Each group was divided into 3 subgroups based on the powder to liquid rations as follows: subgroup 1 (W/P) , 1:2; subgroup 2, 1:3; and subgroup 3, 1:4. After mixing and placing the materials in the perforation area, the samples were placed in closed containers at 37°C and 100% relative humidity for one week. A universal testing machine was used to determine the bond strength values. After recording the standard deviations, data were analyzed with two-way ANOVA. Statistical significance was set at P<0.05. Results In the MTA and CEM groups the highest push-out bond strength values were recorded in the third (W/P: 1:4) and first (W/P: 1:2) subgroups, respectively. There were significant differences in both groups between the ratios mentioned above and the other ratios (P<0.05). Conclusions Under the limitations of the present study, an increase in the powder-to-liquid ratio in CEM cement resulted in a decrease in bond strength, contrary to MTA. Key words:CEM, Perforation, Powder-to-liquid ratio, push-out bond strength, MTA.
An internal model approach to frequency regulation in inverter-based microgrids with time-varying voltages

This paper studies the problem of frequency regulation in inverter-based microgrids with time-varying voltages, described by a third-order model. Building upon our previous result on optimal frequency regulation in an ordinary power grid [1], we propose the design of internal-model-based controllers and analyze it within an incremental passivity framework. We believe that this framework is general enough to allow for more complex control scenarios in future extensions.
Power swing and voltage stabilization by PV generator with active and reactive power controls

Undamped power and voltage swings of synchronous generators due to severe disturbances may make power systems unstable. To tackle this problem, this paper proposes a control scheme of active and reactive power outputs of a photovoltaic (PV) generator equipped with power oscillation dampers (PODs). The PODs with second-order lead/lag structure are installed in the active and reactive power control loops of the PV. The POD parameters in both control loops are simultaneously optimized so that the power and voltage swings are minimized. Solving the optimization problem by the particle swarm optimization, the optimal parameters of PODs can be automatically achieved. Simulation study demonstrates that the stabilizing performance of the PV with the optimal POD is superior to that of the PV with the non-optimal POD against various power flow levels and severe faults.
CR3 (CD11b, CD18): a phagocyte and NK cell membrane receptor with multiple ligand specificities and functions

The C3 receptor CR3 is expressed on phagocytie cells, minor subsets of B and T eells. and natural killer (NK) cells. It has important functions both as an adhesion molecule and a membrane receptor mediating recognition of diverse ligands such as intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1) and fixed iC3b. The receptor is capable of undergoing an activation event that regulates both its specificity for various ligands and its ability to mediate phagocytosis or extracellular eytotoxieily. Certain bacteria express earbohydrates or lipopolysaccharidcs (LPS) that can bind to and activate CR3, allowing the receptor to assume its activated state. Soluble β‐glucan derived frotn the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a particularly potent stimulator of CR3, and produces an activated state of the receptor that permits neutrophil phagocytosis of iC3b‐coated erytbrocytes or NK cell eytotoxicity of iC3b‐coated tumour cells, tbat are normally resistant to NK cells.
Behavior of primary expenditure in Colombia: an empirical evidence

This paper presents empirical evidence on the relationship between public expenditure and economic growth, in Colombia for the period (1905- 2010) under the methodology know as times series, addressing two major approaches: endogeneity and exogeneity. The first states that spending is endogenous, procyclical, elastic against the product, while the second is considered exogenous and countercyclical. The first perspective is known in economic literature as Wagner´s Law, and the second follows a Keynesian behavior. However, it is important to note that under these two scenarios, it is possible to have a mixed approach, the characteristics of which are due to endogenous and countercyclical behavior of government spending to GDP. The results suggest that the series are not stationary, i.e. they are integrated of order one. For its part, the Johansen cointegration´s test indicates the existence of a long-term relationship between GDP and public expenditure. In addition, there is a strong support for the Wagner´s Law, because the direction of causality runs from GDP to public spending, and the elasticity coefficients are positive and significant.
Advances in anticoagulation management of patients undergoing cardioversion of nonvalvular atrial fibrillation

Summary Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a major cause of stroke. The restoration of sinus rhythm through cardioversion, either chemical or electrical is a common practice. Interestingly, there is an incremental increase from the baseline risk for embolisation in the immediate post-cardioversion period, with most events occurring within 10 days from cardioversion. Especially patients with recent onset AF show the lowest rates of antithrombotic therapy, while having a high stroke risk. Despite the increased risk for embolisation, anticoagulation in patients undergoing cardioversion of atrial fibrillation is often inadequate. Moreover, since the implementation of non-vitamin K antagonists oral anticoagulants (DOACs) there are several therapeutic approaches for pericardioversion anticoagulant therapy and not all suits to all patients. In addition, the extensive use of transesophageal echocardiography provides an alternative strategy, especially useful for patients of high haemorrhagic risk. In this review article, we aim to provide an update on the anticoagulation strategies for patients undergoing cardioversion of non-valvular atrial fibrillation in the advent of the use of DOACs.
EGFR targeting drugs in the treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Importance of the field: Head and neck cancer is the sixth most common cancer worldwide. Despite intense efforts to improve different treatment modalities, mortality rates in advanced cases remain high. Areas covered in the review: EGFR targeting mAb cetuximab (Erbitux) has been approved for the treatment of locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) in combination with radiotherapy and for recurrent or metastatic HNSCC. Here, we review recent scientific advances, as well as future research goals regarding EGFR inhibitors in the treatment of HNSCC. Information was compiled by searching the PubMed, Web of Knowledge and American Society of Clinical Oncology databases for articles published before October 2009. The search terms included ‘head and neck cancer’, ‘EGFR’, ‘cetuximab’, ‘panitumumab’, ‘zalutumumab’, ‘nimotuzumab’, ‘erlotinib’, ‘gefitinib’ and ‘lapatinib’. The National Institutes of Health registry of clinical trials (www.clinicaltrials.gov) was used to search for clinical trials in HNSCC. What the reader will gain: The background scientific rationale, clinical efficacy and development of EGFR inhibitors in HNSCC are discussed. Take home message: Cetuximab significantly improves survival of patients with locally advanced or metastatic HNSCC. Treatment strategies combining EGFR inhibitors with multimodality approaches may eventually increase cure rate in HNSCC.
A Farm-Level Perspective of the Policy Challenges for Export Diversification in Malawi: Example of the Oilseeds and Maize Sectors

The primary goal of the study is to investigate the potential to expand oilseeds, specifically soybeans,as an alternative commercialcrop to tobacco among Malawian farmers. A principal motivation for undertaking the study at the microeconomic level is to determine, in a theoretically consistent fashion, the type of policy and economic environment under which farmers begin to shift more of their scarce resources to oilseed production.The study aims to provide recommendations to a growing demand among policy makers and development partners for a greater diversification of exports and crop production systems of the majority smallholder farmers in Malawi. Using representative farm models, the study examinesthe potential for expanding production of soybeans among typical smallholder farming systems in Malawi. The results will help guide future policies and investments targeted at promoting greater crop diversification and incomes, in order to reduce poverty and malnutrition in Malawi. Given the amount of labor and land resources allocated to maize production for food security purposes, we also consider the policy challenges that emerge for crop diversification as a result
Gender-Differentiated Human Capital And Time Distributions In A Generalized Heckscher-Ohlin Model With Endogenous Physical Capital

This paper deals with the role of preferences and technological differences between any number of national economies in determining the dynamics of capital stocks, gender-differentiated human capital, pattern of trade and gender-differentiated time distribution in a reformed H-O model. The trade model studies endogenous wealth and human capital accumulation and labor and capital distribution between sectors and between countries under perfectly competitive markets and free trade. It is an integration of the H-O model, the Solow-Uzawa neoclassical growth model, the Uzawa- Lucas two-sector model, and the Oniki-Uzawa trade model. It synthesizes these wellknown economic models with Zhang’s utility function for describing household behavior. The paper simulates the model, demonstrating the motion of the dynamic system and the existence of equilibrium point. We also examine the effects of changes in the total factor productivity of a country’s industrial sector, the productivity of country’s education sector, one country’s propensity to consume another country’s global commodity, man’s propensity to stay at home, woman’s propensity to receive education, and a country 1’s population.