Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Placebo response in studies of major depression: variable, substantial, and growing.

CONTEXT Intense debate persists about the need for placebo-controlled groups in clinical trials of medications for major depressive disorder (MDD). There is continuing interest in the development of new medications, but because effective antidepressants are already available, ethical concerns have been raised about the need for placebo groups in new trials. OBJECTIVE To determine whether the characteristics of placebo control groups in antidepressant trials have changed over time. DATA SOURCES AND STUDY SELECTION We searched MEDLINE and PsychLit for all controlled trials published in English between January 1981 and December 2000 in which adult outpatients with MDD were randomly assigned to receive medication or placebo. Seventy-five trials met our criteria for inclusion. DATA EXTRACTION Data were extracted from the articles by 2 of the authors and discrepancies were resolved via discussion and additional review by a third author. DATA SYNTHESIS The mean (SD) proportion of patients in the placebo group who responded was 29.7% (8.3%) (range, 12.5%-51.8%). Most studies examined more than a single active medication, and, in the active medication group with the greatest response, the mean (SD) proportion of patients responding was 50.1% (9.0%) (range, 31.6%-70.4%). Both the proportion of patients responding to placebo and the proportion responding to medication were significantly positively correlated with the year of publication (for placebo: n = 75; r = 0.45; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.25-0.61; P<.001; for medication: n = 75; r = 0.26; 95% CI, 0.03-0.46; P =.02). The association between year of publication and response rate was more statistically robust for placebo than medication. CONCLUSIONS The response to placebo in published trials of antidepressant medication for MDD is highly variable and often substantial and has increased significantly in recent years, as has the response to medication. These observations support the view that the inclusion of a placebo group has major scientific importance in trials of new antidepressant medications and indicate that efforts should continue to minimize the risks of such studies so that they may be conducted in an ethically acceptable manner.
Design of OTAs for ultra-low-power sigma-delta ADCs in medical applications

High-resolution sigma-delta ADCs are gaining significant interest in ultra-low-power medical applications, where accurate measurement of low-frequency and weak electrophysiological signals is required. Operational transconductance amplifiers (OTA) are the key analog component and the most power-hungry part of the sigma-delta (LA) modulators. This paper presents a study of OTAs for ultra-low-power operation, including design and a comparative analysis of four OTA architectures implemented in 65nm CMOS Technology. The requirements for OTA gain and GBW are driven in terms of SA ADC specifications. The OTAs' impact on modulator SNR has been investigated by simulation. The results show that a two-stage OTA with load compensation yields highest SNR and lowest power dissipation amongst the four OTAs in this study.
Do contingent valuation estimates of willingness to pay for non-use environmental goods pass the scope test with adequacy? A review of the evidence from empirical studies in the literature

This chapter focuses on a key test of rational choice in CV studies: do estimates of WTP for environmental amenities derived from split-sample (external) tests in CV studies increase as the amount of the good (or the number of goods) increases (i.e., as scope increases), and, if so, are the WTP estimates â€œadequatelyâ€ responsive to scope? For the 111 studies of environmental non-use and mixed use/non-use environmental amenities in our study, after fractional allocation of mixed results and appropriate weighting of studies based on common underlying data, more studies fail (54 percent of the total) than pass (46 percent). Contrary to expectations, the percentage of studies failing scope has increased over time: over the 1987â€“2001 period, 49 percent of the studies failed a scope test vs 59 percent for the 2001â€“2016 period. We also find that even the scope tests that â€œpassâ€ often do not exhibit â€œadequateâ€ scope sensitivity. Â For the 21 studies that lend themselves to appropriate quantitative analysis, nine have scope elasticities less than 0.10 and 12 have scope elasticities less than 0.2; only three have scope elasticities above 0.5. The high frequency of no or limited scope elasticities documented in this study suggests that warm glow is an important element of measured WTP for non-use environmental amenities.
Developments in Ethics Guidelines for CPAs

The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) recently issued a revised Code of Professional Conduct (the Code). Regardless of whether or not they are members of the AICPA, most CPAs are affected by this change as most state boards of accountancy adopt the AICPA's Code as the ethical standard for CPA conduct within their state. We discuss the revised structure of the Code and important developments for all three types of CPAs contained therein. We also provide an example of how to use and search the AICPA's new interactive, online Code of Professional Conduct. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Vaginal Douche Practices Among Black Women at Risk: Exploring Douching Prevalence, Reasons for Douching, and Sexually Transmitted Disease Infection

Objective: The objective of this study was to identify douching patterns and their relation to sexually transmitted disease (STD) among black women seeking an STD evaluation. Study Design: This study was a cross-sectional survey with biologic testing for chlamydia and gonorrhea infection. Results: Of 891 participants, 46.1% were current douchers. Commonly identified reasons for douching were to cleanse after menses (65.4%) and to feel fresh (42.2%). Frequent douching was associated with douching after sex (P <0.001), to alleviate an itch (P <0.001), and to feel fresh (P <0.001). Women who douched during menses (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 4.78; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.13–20.13) and to alleviate an itch (AOR = 3.66; 95% CI = 1.00–13.41) were more likely to have a current chlamydial infection. Conclusions: Douching was common among this high-risk population of black women. Prospective studies are needed to determine the consequences of douching and any mediating effects of women’s motivation for the behavior on reproductive health.
The UBot modules for self-reconfigurable robot

The design philosophy of UBot module is proposed in this paper. A novel modular self-reconfigurable robot called UBot is presented. The UBot module is compact, strength, flexible and capable of performing efficient locomotion, self-reconfiguration and manipulation tasks. This robot consists of several standard modules. Each module is cubic structure based on universal joint, and has four connecting surfaces that can connect to or disconnect from adjacent modules. A hook-type connecting mechanism is designed, which could connect to or disconnect from adjacent modules quickly and reliably. This mechanism is self-locking after connected, and energy-saving. Wireless communication technology was employed in the module, which can avoid cable-winding and improve flexibility of locomotion and self-reconfiguration. One simple orientation detecting system is designed, which can detect four possible orientations by metal contact points. A group of UBot modules can adapt their configuration and function to changing environment without external help by changing their connections and positions. To achieve small oversize and mass, compact mechanical structures and electrical systems are adopted in module designing. At last, the experiment of connecting mechanism and locomotion of UBot has been implemented.
Reappearance of Founder Virus Sequence in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1-Infected Patients

ABSTRACT Different patterns of temporal evolution in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 V3 and p17 regions are described for eight patients studied during the first years following primary infection. In samples from three patients, a rapid replacement of the major sequence occurred but the original sequence reappeared later simultaneously with clinical deterioration and increased plasma viral load.
The Optimal Path of Energy and CO2Taxes for Intertemporal Resource Allocation and Improved Energy Efficiency

The purpose of this paper is to extend the dynamic resource allocation problem by including stock externalities like accumulated CO2 emissions as well as flow externalities like waste of energy in production or in using energy consuming goods. The objective is to examine how the time profiles of energy-, CO2or gasoline-tax rates can address these problems in an optimal way. The concern about the time profile of an energy tax arises from the fact that fossil fuels are an exhaustible resource and that global warming, being a consequence of carbon accumulation in the atmosphere, is a stock externality problem. We use a micro model of a firm, which maximizes profits, uses energy as one of its inputs and is confronted with a varying energy tax over time. It reacts by substitution, by changing its output level, by investing in energy efficient technology or by improving energy efficiency of its products. The government is well aware about firms reaction on price signals. It maximizes a stream of social welfare subject to dynamic resource constraints by choosing an optimal path of its instruments – a combination of energy taxes. Our analysis supports the idea of first rising and later falling tax rates over time. If the tax is also an incentive for investing in R&D to improve energy efficiency in production and in developing energy saving products, then the tax should be modified to favor those developments over time. JEL classification: Q 32, Q 38, Q 41, O 31
Adolescent Pornographic Internet Site Use: A Multivariate Regression Analysis of the Predictive Factors of Use and Psychosocial Implications

The study objectives were to evaluate the prevalence, predictors, and implications of pornographic Internet site (PIS) use among Greek adolescents. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 529 randomly selected Greek high school students. The prevalence of overall PIS use was 19.47% (n = 96). Among PIS users, 55 (57.29%) reported infrequent and 41 (42.71%) reported frequent PIS use. The predictors of infrequent PIS use included male gender (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 8.33; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.52-19.61), Internet use for sexual education (AOR = 5.26; 95% CI = 1.78-15.55), chat rooms (AOR = 2.95; 95% CI = 1.48-5.91), and purchases (AOR = 3.06; 95% CI = 1.22-7.67). The predictors of frequent PIS use were male gender (AOR = 19.61; 95% CI = 4.46-83.33), Internet use for sexual education (AOR = 7.39; 95% CI = 2.37-23.00), and less than 10 hours per week Internet use (AOR = 1.32; 95% CI = 1.10-1.59). Compared to non-PIS users, infrequent PIS users were twice as likely to have abnormal conduct problems (odds ratio [OR] = 2.74; 95% CI = 1.19-6.28); frequent PIS users were significantly more likely to have abnormal conduct problems (OR = 4.05; 95% CI = 1.57-10.46) and borderline prosocial score (OR = 4.22; 95% CI = 1.64-10.85). Thus, both infrequent and frequent PIS use are prevalent and significantly associated with social maladjustment among Greek adolescents.
Integrated Thermo-Electro-Mechanical Modeling of 3D e-Cubes Structures

The complex silicon systems formed by the several specialized devices like SOC, RF devices, power devices, MEMS wafers are fabricated in dedicated technologies. If the designer attempts to integrate them into the one big multifunctional system, he meets the new, yet unexplored fields for the multidisciplinary, mutually dependent thermal, electrical, EM and mechanical parameters modeling. This article attempts to clarify, and presents how to simplify this problem.
In ovarian neoplasms, BRAF, but not KRAS, mutations are restricted to low‐grade serous tumours

Genes of the RAF family, which mediate cellular responses to growth signals, encode kinases that are regulated by RAS and participate in the RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK/MAP‐kinase pathway. Activating mutations in BRAF have recently been identified in melanomas, colorectal cancers, and thyroid and ovarian tumours. In the present study, an extensive characterization of BRAF and KRAS mutations has been performed in 264 epithelial and non‐epithelial ovarian neoplasms. The epithelial tumours ranged from adenomas and borderline neoplasms to invasive carcinomas including serous, mucinous, clear cell, and endometrioid lesions. It is shown that BRAF mutations in ovarian tumours occur exclusively in low‐grade serous neoplasms (33 of 91, 36%); these included serous borderline tumours (typical and micropapillary variants), an invasive micropapillary carcinoma and a psammocarcinoma. KRAS mutations were identified in 26 of 91 (29.5%) low‐grade serous tumours, 7 of 49 (12%) high‐grade serous carcinomas, 2 of 6 mucinous adenomas, 22 of 28 mucinous borderline tumours, and 10 of 18 mucinous carcinomas. Of note, two serous borderline tumours were found to harbour both BRAF and KRAS mutations. The finding that at least 60% of serous borderline tumours harbour mutations in two members of the ERK‐MAP‐kinase pathway (BRAF 36%, KRAS 30%) compared with 12% of high‐grade serous carcinomas (BRAF 0%, KRAS 12%) indicates that the majority of serous borderline tumours do not progress to serous carcinomas. Furthermore, no BRAF mutations were detected in the other 173 ovarian tumours in this study. Copyright © 2004 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Classical Swine Fever Virus ErnsDeletion Mutants: trans-Complementation and Potential Use as Nontransmissible, Modified, Live-Attenuated Marker Vaccines

ABSTRACT An SK6 cell line (SK6c26) which constitutively expressed the glycoprotein Erns of classical swine fever virus (CSFV) was used to rescue CSFV Erns deletion mutants based on the infectious copy of CSFV strain C. The biochemical properties of Erns from this cell line were indistinguishable from those of CSFV Erns. Two Erns deletion mutants were constructed, virus Flc23 and virus Flc22. Virus Flc23 encoded only the utmost N- and C-terminal amino acids of Erns (deletion of 215 amino acids) to retain the original protease cleavage sites. Virus Flc22 is not recognized by a panel of Erns antibodies, due to a deletion of 66 amino acids in Erns. The Erns deletion mutants Flc22 and Flc23 could be rescued in vitro only on the complementing SK6c26 cells. These rescued viruses could infect and replicate in SK6 cells but did not yield infectious virus. Virus neutralization by Erns-specific antibodies was similar for the wild-type virus and the recombinant viruses, indicating that Erns from SK6c26 cells was incorporated in the viral particles. Pigs vaccinated with Flc22 or Flc23 were protected against a challenge with a lethal dose of CSFV strain Brescia. This is the first demonstration of trans-complementation of defective pestivirus RNA with a pestiviral structural protein and opens new ways to develop nontransmissible modified live pestivirus vaccines. In addition, the absence of (the antigenic part of) Erns in the recombinant viral particles can be used to differentiate between infected and vaccinated animals.
The Role of Optics and Electronics in High-Capacity Routers

This paper examines the role of optical and electronic technologies in future high-capacity routers. In particular, optical and electronic technologies for use in the key router functions of buffering and switching are compared. The comparison is based on aggressive but plausible estimates of buffer and switch performance projected out to around 2020. The analysis of buffer technologies uses a new model of power dissipation in optical-delay-line buffers using optical fiber and planar waveguides, including slow-light waveguides. Using this model together with models of storage capacity in ideal and nonideal slow-light delay lines, the power dissipation and scaling characteristics of optical and electronic buffers are compared. The author concludes that planar integrated optical buffers occupy larger chip area than electronic buffers, dissipate more power than electronic buffers, and are limited in capacity to, at most, a few IP packets. Optical fiber-based buffers have lower power dissipation but are bulky. The author also concludes that electronic buffering will remain the technology of choice in future high-capacity routers. The power dissipation of high-capacity optical and electronic cross connects for a number of cross connect architectures is compared. The author shows that optical and electronic cross connects dissipate similar power and require a similar chip area. Optical technologies show a potential for inclusion in high-capacity routers, especially as the basis for arrayed-waveguide-grating-based cross connects and as components in E/O/E interconnects. A major challenge in large cross connects, both optical and electronic, will be to efficiently manage the very large number of interconnects between chips and boards. The general conclusion is that electronic technologies are likely to remain as integral components in the signal transmission path of future high-capacity routers. There does not appear to be a compelling case for replacing electronic routers with optically transparent optical packet switches
Proline Hydroxylation in Cell Wall Proteins: Is It Yet Possible to Define Rules?

Cell wall proteins (CWPs) play critical and dynamic roles in plant cell walls by contributing to developmental processes and response to environmental cues. Since the CWPs go through the secretion pathway, most of them undergo post-translational modifications (PTMs) which can modify their biological activity. Glycosylation is one of the major PTMs of CWPs and refers to N-glycosylation, O-glycosylation and glypiation. Each of these PTMs occurs in different amino acid contexts which are not all well defined. This article deals with the hydroxylation of Pro residues which is a prerequisite for O-glycosylation of CWPs on hydroxyproline (Hyp) residues. The location of Hyp residues is well described in several structural CWPs, but yet rarely described in other CWPs. In this article, it is studied in detail in five Arabidopsis thaliana proteins using mass spectrometry data: one of them (At4g38770, AtPRP4) is a structural CWP containing 32.5% of Pro residues arranged in typical motifs, the others are either rich (27–28%, At1g31580 and At2g10940) or poor (6–8%, At1g09750 and At3g08030) in Pro residues. The known rules of Pro hydroxylation allowed a good prediction of Hyp location in AtPRP4. However, they could not be applied to the other proteins whatever their Pro content. In addition, variability of the Pro hydroxylation patterns was observed within some amino acid motifs in all the proteins and new patterns of Pro hydroxylation are described. Altogether, this work shows that Hyp residues are present in more protein families than initially described, and that Pro hydroxylation patterns could be different in each of them. This work paves the way for completing the existing Pro hydroxylation code.
Experimental assessment of gold nanorods for optoacoustic imaging in a tissue-mimicking phantom

Plasmon-resonant gold nanorods (AuNRs) are of great interest for optoacoustic imaging, due to their capacity of generating ultrasound (US) signals when irradiated by Near Infrared light. In fact, detection of emitted acoustic waves could lead to micron-scale resolution imaging and early diagnosis of tumor masses. Nonetheless, until now, no relevant studies have assessed the optoacoustic behavior of AuNRs under repeatable experimental conditions. A new experimental set-up including a novel custom-designed tissue-mimicking phantom was developed for this study, in order to quantify the contribution of independent parameters to the optoacoustic signal (OAS) produced by AuNRs. Analysis of the OAS recorded by 2 US probes demonstrated a direct proportionality between signal amplitude and both AuNR concentration and laser intensity. Moreover, the optimal and maximum duration of laser exposure were determined through a quantitative analysis of progressive degradation of AuNRs under irradiation.
Modification of Phytohormone Response by a Peptide Encoded by ENOD40 of Legumes and a Nonlegume

The gene ENOD40 is expressed during early stages of legume nodule development. A homolog was isolated from tobacco, which, as does ENOD40 from legumes, encodes an oligopeptide of about 10 amino acids. In tobacco protoplasts, these peptides change the response to auxin at concentrations as low as 10−12 to 10−16 M. The peptides encoded by ENOD40 appear to act as plant growth regulators. Sequence alignment of full ENDO40 gene sequences from soybean, pea, alfalfa, and tocacco plants.
Diffusion of contrast medium after perineural injection of the palmar nerves: an in vivo and in vitro study.

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY Proximal diffusion of local anaesthetic solution after perineural anaesthesia may lead to the desensitisation of structures other than those intended. However, there is no evidence-based study demonstrating the potential distribution and diffusion of local anaesthetic solution after perineural analgesia in the distal limb. OBJECTIVE To document the potential diffusion of local anaesthetic solution using a radiopaque contrast model and to evaluate the influence of walking compared with confinement in a stable after injection. METHODS Radiopaque contrast medium was injected subcutaneously over one palmar nerve at the base of the proximal sesamoid bones in 6 nonlame mature horses. Horses were assigned randomly to stand still or walk after injection. Radiographs were obtained 0, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 30 min after injection and were analysed to determine the distribution and diffusion of the contrast medium. RESULTS In 89% of injections an elongated pattern of the contrast medium was observed suggesting distribution along the neurovascular bundle. After 49% of injections a fine radiopaque line extended proximally from the contrast 'patch', and in 25% of injections a line extended distally. There was significant proximal and distal diffusion with time when sequential radiographs of each limb were compared. The greatest diffusion occurred in the first 10 min. Walking did not significantly influence the extent of either proximal or distal diffusion. CONCLUSIONS AND POTENTIAL RELEVANCE Significant proximal diffusion occurs in the first 10 min after perineural injection in the distal aspect of the limb and should be considered when interpreting nerve blocks. Distribution of local anaesthetic solution outside the fascia surrounding the neurovascular bundle or in lymphatic vessels may explain delayed or decreased effects.
Surgery for Chronic Total Occlusion of the Left Main Stem: A 10-Year Experience

Chronic total occlusion of the left main stem coronary artery is rare. This retrospective study was conducted to evaluate outcomes of coronary artery bypass grafting between June 1998 and June 2008 in patients with chronic left main stem total occlusion. There were 17 (0.025%) cases detected in 67,082 coronary angiograms. The 14 men and 3 women had a mean age of 55.32 ± 9.2 years. Risk factors included diabetes in 8, hypertension in 6, and smoking in 6. Of 54 grafts applied, 15 were arterial and 39 were venous; 14 patients had 3-vessel disease, and 3 had 4-vessel disease. Three patients required intraaortic balloon counterpulsation perioperatively. The mean intensive care unit stay was 2.1 ± 1.2 days, and hospital stay was 7.1 ± 1.5 days. Postoperatively, one patient suffered myocardial infarction, another had a transient ischemic attack with spontaneous recovery, and 2 developed atrial fibrillation. There was no operative or hospital death. Surgical revascularization is considered appropriate treatment for chronic total occlusion of the left main stem.