Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Positive smoking cessation-related interactions with HIV care providers increase the likelihood of interest in cessation among HIV-positive cigarette smokers

ABSTRACT Smoking cessation has proven to be a challenge for HIV-positive smokers. Patient and provider characteristics may provide barriers to smoking cessation. We aimed to identify characteristics associated with interest in cessation as well as characterize use of, current interest in, and provider recommendations for smoking cessation modalities. Data came from 275 HIV-positive smokers recruited online. Half (49.1%) of the sample was interested in quitting; daily smoking was associated with decreased likelihood of interest in cessation, whereas making a lifetime quit attempt, receiving encouragement to quit from an HIV care provider, and greater frequency of discussions regarding cessation with HIV care providers were associated with increased likelihood of interest in cessation. Nicotine replacement therapy was the most commonly used (42.9%), generated the most interest (59.1%), and was the most commonly clinician-recommended (70.7%) cessation modality. Findings emphasize the importance of the healthcare provider-patient relationship for smoking cessation promotion in HIV-positive smokers.
Heart rate variability in prediction of individual adaptation to endurance training in recreational endurance runners

The aim of this study was to investigate whether nocturnal heart rate variability (HRV) can be used to predict changes in endurance performance during 28 weeks of endurance training. The training was divided into 14 weeks of basic training (BTP) and 14 weeks of intensive training periods (ITP). Endurance performance characteristics, nocturnal HRV, and serum hormone concentrations were measured before and after both training periods in 28 recreational endurance runners. During the study peak treadmill running speed (Vpeak) improved by 7.5±4.5%. No changes were observed in HRV indices after BTP, but after ITP, these indices increased significantly (HFP: 1.9%, P=0.026; TP: 1.7%, P=0.007). Significant correlations were observed between the change of Vpeak and HRV indices (TP: r=0.75, P<0.001; HFP: r=0.71, P<0.001; LFP: r=0.69, P=0.01) at baseline during ITP. In order to lead to significant changes in HRV among recreational endurance runners, it seems that moderate‐ and high‐intensity training are needed. This study showed that recreational endurance runners with a high HRV at baseline improved their endurance running performance after ITP more than runners with low baseline HRV.
Optimal User Scheduling and Power Allocation for Millimeter Wave NOMA Systems

This paper investigates the application of non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) in millimeter wave (mm-Wave) communications by exploiting beamforming, user scheduling, and power allocation. Random beamforming is invoked for reducing the feedback overhead of the considered system. A non-convex optimization problem for maximizing the sum rate is formulated, which is proved to be NP-hard. The branch and bound approach is invoked to obtain the $\epsilon$ -optimal power allocation policy, which is proved to converge to a global optimal solution. To elaborate further, a low-complexity suboptimal approach is developed for striking a good computational complexity-optimality tradeoff, where the matching theory and successive convex approximation techniques are invoked for tackling the user scheduling and power allocation problems, respectively. Simulation results reveal that: 1) the proposed low complexity solution achieves a near-optimal performance and 2) the proposed mm-Wave NOMA system is capable of outperforming conventional mm-Wave orthogonal multiple access systems in terms of sum rate and the number of served users.
Outcomes of a psycho-education and monitoring programme to prevent compulsory admission to psychiatric inpatient care: a randomised controlled trial

Background There is a need for interventions that effectively reduce compulsory admission to psychiatry. We conducted a randomised controlled trial to investigate whether an innovative intervention programme prevents compulsory re-admission in people with serious mental illness. Methods The programme addresses primarily patients’ self-management skills. It consists of individualised psychoeducation focusing on behaviours prior to and during illness-related crises, crisis cards and, after discharge from the psychiatric hospital, a 24-month preventive monitoring. A total of 238 inpatients with compulsory admission(s) in the past were randomised to the intervention group or to treatment as usual (TAU). Results Fewer participants who completed the 24-month programme were compulsorily readmitted to psychiatry (28%), compared with those receiving TAU (43%). Likewise, the number of compulsory readmissions per patient was significantly lower (0.6 v. 1.0) and involuntary episodes were shorter (15 v. 31 days), compared with TAU. A negative binomial regression model showed a significant intervention effect (RR 0.6; 95% confidence interval 0.3–0.9); further factors linked to the risk of compulsory readmission were the number of compulsory admissions in the patient's history (RR 2.8), the diagnosis of a personality disorder (RR 2.8), or a psychotic disorder (RR 1.9). Dropouts (37% intervention group; 22% TAU) were characterised by a high number of compulsory admissions prior to the trial, younger age and foreign nationality. Conclusions This study suggests that this intervention is a feasible and valuable option to prevent compulsory re-hospitalisation in a high-risk group of people with severe mental health problems, social disabilities, and a history of hospitalisations.
Fracture behaviour of self-compacting concrete compared to vibrated concrete

Since the composition of vibrated concrete (VC) and self-compacting concrete (SCC) substantially differs, their mechanical properties, including fracture behaviour, might be different as well. Evaluating the fracture properties of heterogeneous materials, such as concrete, is usually done by experimental investigation. Three-point bending tests (3PBT) and wedge-splitting tests (WST), for instance, allow to examine the fracture process and crack propagation, even though these are not standardized methods. This paper compares the results of static 3PBTs and WSTs on notched specimens, made from both concrete types. Considering the ultimate load, fracture toughness and fracture energy, important differences between VC and SCC are observed.
Lateralization and performance asymmetries in the termite fishing of wild chimpanzees in the goualougo triangle, republic of Congo

The nearly universal right hand preference manifested by human populations is one of the most pronounced manifestations of population‐level lateralization. Morphological and archeological evidence indicate that this behavioral specialization may have emerged among our hominin ancestors. Whether population‐level behavioral asymmetries are evident in non‐human animals remains a topic of considerable scientific debate, with the most consistent evidence of population‐level trends emerging from studies of chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). However, previous studies of population‐level lateralization in wild apes have relied upon data sets pooled across populations to reach adequate sample sizes. Our aim was to test for population‐level handedness within a single wild chimpanzee population, and also to determine if performance asymmetries were associated with handedness. To address these questions, we coded handedness and duration of fishing probe insertions from remote video footage of chimpanzee visitation to termite nests (totaling 119 hr) in the Goualougo Triangle, Republic of Congo. Similar to reports from other populations, chimpanzees in the Goualougo Triangle showed robust individual hand preferences for termite fishing. There were 46 right‐handed, 39 left‐handed, and 4 ambiguously‐handed individuals. Though we did not detect an overall significant population‐level handedness (t(88) = 0.83, n.s. ) in this study, males showed a greater right hand preference than females. Further, we found that average dipping latencies were significantly faster for right‐ compared to left‐handed chimpanzees. Possible explanations and evolutionary implications of taxa‐ and task‐specific patterns of population‐level laterality are discussed. Am. J. Primatol. 78:1190–1200, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Ten-year results of intense dose-dense chemotherapy show superior survival compared with a conventional schedule in high-risk primary breast cancer: final results of AGO phase III iddEPC trial

Background Primary breast cancer (BC) patients with extensive axillary lymph-node involvement have a limited prognosis. The Arbeitsgemeinschaft fuer Gynaekologische Onkologie (AGO) trial compared intense dose-dense (idd) adjuvant chemotherapy with conventionally scheduled chemotherapy in high-risk BC patients. Here we report the final, 10-year follow-up analysis. Patients and methods Enrolment took place between December 1998 and April 2003. A total of 1284 patients with 4 or more involved axillary lymph nodes were randomly assigned to receive 3 courses each of idd sequential epirubicin, paclitaxel and cyclophosphamide (iddEPC) q2w or standard epirubicin/cyclophosphamide followed by paclitaxel (EC → P) q3w. Event-free survival (EFS) was the primary end point. Results A total of 658 patients were assigned to receive iddEPC and 626 patients were assigned to receive EC → P. The median duration of follow-up was 122 months. EFS was 47% (95% CI 43% to 52%) in the standard group and 56% (95% CI 52% to 60%) in the iddEPC group [hazard ratio (HR) 0.74, 95% CI 0.63-0.87; log-rank P = 0.00014, one-sided]. This benefit was independent of menopausal, hormone receptor or HER2 status. Ten-year overall survival (OS) was 59% (95% CI 55% to 63%) for patients in the standard group and 69% (95% CI 65% to 73%) for patients in the iddEPC group (HR = 0.72, 95% CI 0.60-0.87; log-rank P = 0.0007, two-sided). Nine versus two cases of secondary myeloid leukemia/myelodysplastic syndrome were observed in the iddEPC and the EC → P arm, respectively. Conclusion The previously reported OS benefit of iddEPC in comparison to conventionally dosed EC → P has been further increased and achieved an absolute difference of 10% after 10 years of follow-up.
Investigation of possible ferroresonance for a voltage range: realisation of a system event with a laboratory set‐up

The paper presents an analytical and numerical investigation carried out on part of an electrical power network exhibiting ferroresonant behaviour as well as experimental investigation on its physical model. The investigations were carried out in order to estimate the extent of predicting the range of voltage source amplitude values at which the initiation of ferroresonance depends on values of initial conditions and phase shift. For this range of voltage source amplitude values (termed as possible ferroresonant range in the paper), the impact of initial conditions and phase shift of voltage source on the initiation of ferroresonance is determined using a numerical investigation and an experimental set‐up. Reasons and consequences of disagreement of parameter values of the original and physical model are determined. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Helping Your Partner with Chronic Pain: The Importance of Helping Motivation, Received Social Support, and Its Timeliness

Objective Like all intentional acts, social support provision varies with respect to its underlying motives. Greater autonomous or volitional motives (e.g., enjoyment, full commitment) to help individuals with chronic pain (ICPs) are associated with greater well-being benefits for the latter, as indexed by improved satisfaction of their psychological needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness. The present study investigates the processes explaining why partners' autonomous or volitional helping motivation yields these benefits. Methods A total of 134 couples, where at least one partner had chronic pain, completed a 14-day diary. Partners reported on their daily helping motives, whereas ICPs reported on their daily received support, timing of help, need-based experiences, and pain. Results On days when partners provided help for volitional motives, ICPs indicated receiving more help, which partially accounted for the effect of autonomous helping motivation on ICP need-based experiences. Timing of help moderated the effects of daily received support on ICP need-based experiences. Conclusions Findings highlight the importance of ICPs of receiving support in general and the role of timing in particular, which especially matters when there is little support being received.
Objectively measured physical activity and physical performance in old age

Background physical performance is a key factor that determines how older people cope with daily tasks and maintain independency. There is strong evidence suggesting that physical activity (PA) is important in maintaining physical performance in old age. However, most studies have been done using self-reported PA. Our aim was to explore the association between objectively measured PA and physical performance in old age. Methods we studied 695 participants (mean age 70.7 years, SD 2.7) from the Helsinki Birth Cohort Study. Physical performance was assessed with the Senior Fitness Test (SFT) and PA with a multisensory activity monitor SenseWear Pro 3 Armband. Results total volume of PA was significantly associated with the overall SFT score (β = 0.08; 95% confidence interval: 0.07-0.10, P < 0.001). There were no significant differences between men and women. Both light and moderate to vigorous level of PA were positively associated with the overall SFT score, while sedentary time was negatively associated with the overall SFT score. Conclusions volume of objectively measured PA among older people was positively associated with the physical performance measured with a validated fitness test battery.
Transport and Field Emission Properties of MoS2 Bilayers

We report the electrical characterization and field emission properties of MoS2 bilayers deposited on a SiO2/Si substrate. Current–voltage characteristics are measured in the back-gate transistor configuration, with Ti contacts patterned by electron beam lithography. We confirm the n-type character of as-grown MoS2 and we report normally-on field-effect transistors. Local characterization of field emission is performed inside a scanning electron microscope chamber with piezo-controlled tungsten tips working as the anode and the cathode. We demonstrate that an electric field of ~200 V/μm is able to extract current from the flat part of MoS2 bilayers, which can therefore be conveniently exploited for field emission applications even in low field enhancement configurations. We show that a Fowler–Nordheim model, modified to account for electron confinement in two-dimensional (2D) materials, fully describes the emission process.
Synopsis of Guidelines for the Clinical Management of Cerebral Cavernous Malformations: Consensus Recommendations Based on Systematic Literature Review by the Angioma Alliance Scientific Advisory Board Clinical Experts Panel

BACKGROUND: Despite many publications about cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs), controversy remains regarding diagnostic and management strategies. OBJECTIVE: To develop guidelines for CCM management. METHODS: The Angioma Alliance (www.angioma.org), the patient support group in the United States advocating on behalf of patients and research in CCM, convened a multidisciplinary writing group comprising expert CCM clinicians to help summarize the existing literature related to the clinical care of CCM, focusing on 5 topics: (1) epidemiology and natural history, (2) genetic testing and counseling, (3) diagnostic criteria and radiology standards, (4) neurosurgical considerations, and (5) neurological considerations. The group reviewed literature, rated evidence, developed recommendations, and established consensus, controversies, and knowledge gaps according to a prespecified protocol. RESULTS: Of 1270 publications published between January 1, 1983 and September 31, 2014, we selected 98 based on methodological criteria, and identified 38 additional recent or relevant publications. Topic authors used these publications to summarize current knowledge and arrive at 23 consensus management recommendations, which we rated by class (size of effect) and level (estimate of certainty) according to the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association criteria. No recommendation was level A (because of the absence of randomized controlled trials), 11 (48%) were level B, and 12 (52%) were level C. Recommendations were class I in 8 (35%), class II in 10 (43%), and class III in 5 (22%). CONCLUSION: Current evidence supports recommendations for the management of CCM, but their generally low levels and classes mandate further research to better inform clinical practice and update these recommendations. The complete recommendations document, including the criteria for selecting reference citations, a more detailed justification of the respective recommendations, and a summary of controversies and knowledge gaps, was similarly peer reviewed and is available on line www.angioma. org/CCMGuidelines.
Effect of Ga doping on Microstructural, Optical and Photocatalytic Properties of Nanostructured Zinc Oxide Thin Films

Ga doped nanostructured zinc oxide thin films (thickness, 160-170 nm) on pure silica glass substrate were prepared from zinc acetate based precursor solutions by varying Ga doping level (0 to 6%). The presence of nanocrystalline hexagonal ZnO was confirmed by X-ray diffraction study whereas the field emission scanning and transmission electron microscopic analyses evidenced the existence of quasi-spherical ZnO with a decreased trend in crystallite/particle size vis-a-vis an enhancement of direct band gap energy of the films on increasing the doping level. Root means square (RMS) film surface roughness was determined by atomic force microscope and found maximum RMS roughness value in 1% doped film. Photoluminescence (PL) emission spectral study revealed the formation of various intrinsic/extrinsic defects along with the presence of characteristics band edge emission of ZnO at ~ 385 nm (UVPL). However, a lowest relative intensity of the UVPL emission was found in 1% doped film (G1ZO), indicating an appreciable decrease in the recombination rate of photogenerated charge carriers in the semiconductor. The photocatalytic activity of the films towards degradation of rhodamine 6G dye was performed under UV (254 nm) and obtained the maximum value of dye degradation rate constant (considering first order reaction kinetics) in 1% doped film (G1ZO). On increasing doping level, the trend in change of defect concentration (oxygen vacancies) as analyzed by Raman spectral study was found identical with the dye photodegradation activity of the films. The G1ZO film would expect to decompose micro-organisms even under exposure of visible light.
A New Processing Approach for Reducing Computational Complexity in Cloud-RAN Mobile Networks

Cloud computing is considered as one of the key drivers for the next generation of mobile networks (e.g., 5G). This is combined with the dramatic expansion in mobile networks, involving millions (or even billions) of subscribers with a greater number of current and future mobile applications (e.g., IoT). Cloud Radio Access Network (C-RAN) architecture has been proposed as a novel concept to gain the benefits of cloud computing as an efficient computing resource, to meet the requirements of future cellular networks. However, the computational complexity of obtaining the channel state information in the full-centralized C-RAN increases as the size of the network is scaled up, as a result of enlargement in channel information matrices. To tackle this problem of complexity and latency, MapReduce framework and fast matrix algorithms are proposed. This paper presents two levels of complexity reduction in the process of estimating the channel information in cellular networks. The results illustrate that complexity can be minimized from O(N3) to O((N/k)3), where N is the total number of RRHs and k is the number of RRHs per group, by dividing the processing of RRHs into parallel groups and harnessing the MapReduce parallel algorithm in order to process them. The second approach reduces the computation complexity from O((N/k)3) to O((N/k)2.807) using the algorithms of fast matrix inversion. The reduction in complexity and latency leads to a significant improvement in both the estimation time and in the scalability of C-RAN networks.
Interactions between mitral valve and left ventricle analysed by 2D speckle tracking in patients with mitral valve prolapse: one more piece to the puzzle

Aims Two‐dimensional echocardiography often reveals abnormal left ventricle (LV) lateral wall kinetics in patients presenting with mitral valve prolapse (MVP). However, relations between MVP and LV deformation are not clearly established. The aim of this study was to assess and quantify mitral valve chordae, leaflets, and LV myocardial interactions using speckle tracking echocardiography (STE). Methods and results Using STE‐derived longitudinal strain curves, LV peak longitudinal strain (PLS, %), post‐systolic index (PSI), and pre‐stretch index (PST) were analysed in 100 patients with MVP and normal LV ejection fraction. Global, regional, and segmental values were compared according to mitral regurgitation severity and MVP location. Twenty healthy subjects served as control patients. There was no significant difference among control and MVP group for global and regional PLS (−23.7 ± 3.2 vs. −23.1 ± 2.2). In contrast, patients with MVP had significantly higher values of global PST (3.2 ± 4.1 vs. 1.3 ± 1.2; P = 0.01) and global PSI (3.2 ± 0.4 vs. 1.7 ± 1.1; P = 0.05) compared with controls, located mainly in the lateral wall and basal segments. Both anterior and posterior MVPs were responsible for PSI in basal inferior segments and PST in anterior ones. Mid‐wall segmental deformation pattern changes were mainly observed at the level of the segments adjacent to the papillary muscle. Conclusion This study supports the hypothesis that pathological early‐systolic shortening and late systolic, post‐systolic deformation are attributed to an increased interaction between wall deformation and mitral valve events in patients with MVP. STE is a useful tool in the assessment of interplays between MV leaflets and myocardium and helps to demonstrate changes in temporal pattern of myocardial deformation.
Daily Memory Lapses in Adults: Characterization and Influence on Affect

Objective The current analyses examined the impact of daily memory lapses on daily affect and whether this impact varied across age. Method One hundred sixty-six adults (ages 20-79) completed assessments of memory lapses and affect each day for 7 consecutive days. Assessments included retrospective and prospective memory lapses as well as the impact of these lapses (how irritating, interfering, and consequential). Affect was assessed using ratings of daily positive and negative affect. Results Participants reported memory lapses on 33.3% of days. Prospective lapses were consistently rated as more consequential. Regardless of age, participants had significantly lower in positive affect and significantly higher in negative affect on days with a prospective lapse. Effects of retrospective lapses depended on age: compared to older adults, younger adults reported lower positive affect on days with a retrospective lapse. Discussion Previous work on daily memory lapses has focused on prospective lapses. Although retrospective lapses occurred more frequently in this sample, prospective lapses appeared to have a greater impact on daily experiences regardless of age. By measuring daily memory lapses and affect over consecutive days, we can begin to understand how the experience of forgetting impacts individuals at a micro-level.