Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Self-Reported Quality of Life and Symptom Burden in Ambulatory Patients With Multiple Myeloma on Disease-Modifying Treatment

Background: Knowledge of health-related quality of life (QoL) of patients with multiple myeloma on disease-modifying treatments is limited. Aim: (1) Determine symptom prevalence in patients with multiple myeloma on disease-modifying treatment. Identify the range and nature of these symptoms within the dimensions of physical, psychological, social, and financial well-being. (2) Measure self-reported QoL. (3) Compare the above-mentioned parameters to the general population and patients with advanced cancer. Method: Adults with multiple myeloma on disease-modifying treatment, attending the hematology day unit in a tertiary referral center from November 2012 to January 2013, were eligible for inclusion in a cross-sectional quantitative survey. Consenting patients completed 2 validated questionnaires, the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) supplemented by the myeloma-specific module (EORTC QLQ-MY20) and the Hospital Anxiety Depression Score (HADS). Results: Forty-one patients were included for analysis: 59% were male and 41% were female. Mean age was 63.7 years (range 46-86, standard deviation 11.24). The QoL scores were significantly lower than the general population and comparable to those with advanced cancer. The most commonly reported physical symptoms were pain (66%), fatigue (63%), and dyspnea (51%). About 54% of the patients were burdened by financial worries. Anxiety (30%) and depression (37%) were prevalent. Conclusion: Patients with myeloma on disease-modifying treatment have a lower QoL than the general population and are symptomatic across physical, psychological, financial, and social domains. A holistic approach to patient care is warranted, and patients may benefit from specialist palliative care input.
Comparative usability evaluation of three popular MOOC platforms

Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) are becoming widely spread and recent years have seen a substantial research interest on this topic. MOOCs are mediated by software platforms that need to meet specific non-functional requirements, such as usability. The goal of this paper is to investigate the usability of three popular MOOC platforms: edX, Coursera and Udacity. To this end, a study combining experimental and inquiry usability evaluation methods was conducted. Thirty-one participants were asked to perform five typical tasks in the evaluated MOOC platforms. Study results showed that Coursera was perceived to be significantly more usable compared to both edX and Udacity. In addition, interaction efficiency was significantly higher while using Coursera compared to Udacity. No significant effect of MOOC platform on participants' interaction effectiveness and perceived task difficulty was observed.
The Effectiveness of a Cultureand Gender-Specific Intervention for Increasing Resiliency among African American Preadolescent Females

The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of an intervention on strengthening resiliency among African American preadolescent girls using a relational and Africentric focus. The hypotheses were that significant increases in Africentric values, ethnic identity, gender role beliefs, and self-concept would follow participation in the intervention. The target population was African American girls aged 10 to 12 years considered at risk based on socioeconomic context. Fifty-five girls were in the intervention group, and 92 girls were in the comparison group. Intervention participants met once a week for 2 hours for 4 months and engaged in exercises and activities designed to increase feelings of self-worth, Africentric values, and ethnic and gender identity. Findings from analyses of covariances indicated that intervention participants scored significantly higher on measures of Africentric values, ethnic identity, and physical appearance self-concept than comparison participants at posttest. The implications of the findings for prevention programs are discussed.
Monkey See, Monkey Do? The Effect of Nonverbal Conductor Lip Rounding on Visual and Acoustic Measures of Singers’ Lip Postures

If singers, without prior prompting, mimicked a conductor’s nonverbal behavior and if this mimicry changed their vocal sound in less than a second, then such a phenomenon could interest vocal music teachers as a time-efficient pedagogical strategy. We tested this claim (“What they see, you will get”), which appears in choral methods literature, by measuring visual and acoustic responses to one nonverbal conductor behavior in a particular singing context. Specifically, we sought to determine whether singers (N = 114) performing the first phrase of Mozart’s motet, “Ave Verum Corpus,” would mimic a conductor’s rounded lip posture on two /u/ vowels. We also wondered whether conductor lip rounding affected these singers’ tone quality. Visual measures (within-subjects photo comparisons and photo grid analyses) indicated that more than 90% of participants displayed more lip rounding on both /u/ vowels in the experimental condition as compared with baseline. Formant frequency profiles indicated that more than 90% of singers lowered all four examined formant frequencies each time the conductor rounded his lips. We discussed these converging visual and acoustic data in terms of the study’s limitations, potential pedagogical implications of mimicry by vocal performers, and directions for future research.
The behavioural response of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) to a 20 cubic inch air gun

Seismic surveys are widely used for exploration for oil and gas deposits below the sea floor. Despite concern they may have an impact on whale behaviour, our knowledge of marine mammal responses is limited. In the first of a series of experiments (the last one involving a full seismic array), this study tested the response of migrating humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) groups to a 20 cubic inch air gun. Experiments were carried out during the southward migration of humpback whales along the east coast of Australia. Groups of whales were focally followed from land stations and/or small boats with observations before, during, and after exposure to a vessel towing the air gun. The source vessel moved either eastwards across the, migratory flow or northwards into the migratory flow In total, there were 18 control trials (where the source vessel ran the compressor and towed the air gun without it firing; n = 35 whale groups) and 16 active trials (where the air gun was firing every 11 s; a = 32 whale groups). The air gun source level was 199 dB re 1 mu Pa(2.)s (Sound Exposure Level [SEC]) at 1 m, and SELs received by the whales varied from 105 to 156 dB re 1 mu Pa(2.)s (modal value 128 dB re mu Pa(2.)s) for SELs at least 10 dB above the background noise (measured as dB re 1 mu Pa). Other baseline groups were focal followed when there was no source vessel in the area (n = 25). Results suggested that humpback whale, groups responded by decreasing both dive time and speed of southwards movement though the response magnitude was not found to be related to the proximity of the source vessel, the received level of the air gun, the tow path direction, or the exposure time, within the during phase. There was no evidence of orientation of the groups towards, or away from, the source vessel in the during phase. Interestingly, this behavioural response was found in the control trials as well as the active trials suggesting a response to the source vessel.
A Significant Statistical Advancement on the Predictive Values of ERCC1 Polymorphisms for Clinical Outcomes of Platinum-Based Chemotherapy in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: An Updated Meta-Analysis

Background. There is no definitive conclusion so far on the predictive values of ERCC1 polymorphisms for clinical outcomes of platinum-based chemotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We updated this meta-analysis with an expectation to obtain some statistical advancement on this issue. Methods. Relevant studies were identified by searching MEDLINE, EMBASE databases from inception to April 2015. Primary outcomes included objective response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS). All analyses were performed using the Review Manager version 5.3 and the Stata version 12.0. Results. A total of 33 studies including 5373 patients were identified. ERCC1 C118T and C8092A could predict both ORR and OS for platinum-based chemotherapy in Asian NSCLC patients (CT + TT versus CC, ORR: OR = 0.80, 95% CI = 0.67–0.94; OS: HR = 1.24, 95% CI = 1.01–1.53) (CA + AA versus CC, ORR: OR = 0.76, 95% CI = 0.60–0.96; OS: HR = 1.37, 95% CI = 1.06–1.75). Conclusions. Current evidence strongly indicated the prospect of ERCC1 C118T and C8092A as predictive biomarkers for platinum-based chemotherapy in Asian NSCLC patients. However, the results should be interpreted with caution and large prospective studies are still required to further investigate these findings.
Engineering ethnography in the home

ABSTRACT Intel CorporationJF3-21O2111 NE 25th AvenueHillsboro,OR97124Tel: (503) 264-5766tony_salvador, jean_scholtz, doug_l_sorensen } @ccm.jf. intel.com To inform the design and development of domesticcomputing systems, we performed a pilot ethnographicstudy of the home. The resulting model of domesticactivity shows that the implicit design assumptions of thepersonal computer are inappropriate for the home. Ourmodel suggests that small, integrated, computationalappliances are a more appropriate domestic technologythan the monolithic PC. Keywords ethnography, home computing, ubiquitous computing UNDERSTANDING THE HOMEThe computer industry has a strong interest in sellingcomputer technology into the home. Yet there are fewsources of knowledge on how this technology fits into thehome. Venkatesh [3, 4] provides a valuable analysis ofhome computing diffusion trends. Kraut’s HomeNetproject [2] provides valuable quantitative data regardingInternet use in the home. However, in order to definefuture domestic technologies, we need a more completemodel of daily home life. Towards this end we ran a pilotethnographic study with ten families. During the course ofthis project we developed new data collection methods anda spatial, temporal and social model of the home.
Economic development and the creative industries: a tale of causality

Cultural and creative industries are thought to be a driver for economic growth. During the last decade, research has tried to link higher intensity of these industries with the region's welfare. However, this is a controversial relationship that still needs to be proved. In this article, we build a conceptual framework to help us test the possible causality between regional income generation and employment in the cultural and creative sectors. Using regional European data for 1999–2008, our results show that there is a significant feedback (bidirectional causality) between the per capita GDP and employment intensity in the cultural and creative industries, allowing us to conclude that there is a ‘virtuous circle’ fed by these industries.
A Day in the Life of New Headteachers

It is known that the work of headteachers is demanding. Observation, diaries and logs completed by headteachers show a relentless, complex and emotionally demanding workload. What can be learned about headship from how new headteachers spend their time, and perhaps as importantly, what can new headteachers themselves learn? This article draws upon data, including that derived from observation, from a small-scale qualitative study of new headteachers in large cities, funded by the English National College for School Leadership. It examines how headteachers spend their days, the challenges faced and the value of being observed. It argues that the learning about leaders and leadership from observation has been considerable. A new observational classification is outlined. An analysis of the headteachers’ day provided insights into the things that mattered most, the challenges currently faced and how they were acting as learning-centred leaders. The other main form of learning from observation was for the research participants themselves. Gaining feedback and reflecting on their actions and use of time as school leaders was deemed to be very helpful. The article concludes by suggesting that being observed has the potential to be a powerful form of leadership development.
The Efficacy of an Outdoor Adventure Education Curriculum on Selected Aspects of Positive Psychological Development

To date, little empirical research has been conducted to support the claim that outdoor adventure education (OAE) develops desirable psychological characteristics in participants. This study examined the effects of an OAE foundation degree curriculum on positive psychological development. Fifty-two students (26 OAE students, 26 controls on an unrelated course), aged 16–39 years, completed a battery of positive psychological questionnaires (at the start of their respective courses and 3 months later) measuring hardiness, mental toughness, self-esteem, self-efficacy, dispositional optimism, and positive affectivity. OAE curriculum activities included rock-climbing, navigation training, countryside leadership, gill-scrambling, and open canoeing. Control students were enrolled on a classroom-based travel and tourism college course. Inferential multivariate statistics revealed non-significant (p > .05, partial η2 = .38) improvements by the OAE group across several psychological constructs. Significant effects (p < .05, partial η2 = .15) for the cohort were revealed for total hardiness. No significant gender differences were reported. The non-significant overall effect is interpreted in terms of sample size, OAE activities, and measured personality styles. The implications of these results are discussed relative to previous findings and in terms of psychological theory.
Identification of microRNAs with regulatory potential using a matched microRNA-mRNA time-course data

Over the past decade, a class of small RNA molecules called microRNAs (miRNAs) has been shown to regulate gene expression at the post-transcription stage. While early work focused on the identification of miRNAs using a combination of experimental and computational techniques, subsequent studies have focused on identification of miRNA-target mRNA pairs as each miRNA can have hundreds of mRNA targets. The experimental validation of some miRNAs as oncogenic has provided further motivation for research in this area. In this article we propose an odds-ratio (OR) statistic for identification of regulatory miRNAs. It is based on integrative analysis of matched miRNA and mRNA time-course microarray data. The OR-statistic was used for (i) identification of miRNAs with regulatory potential, (ii) identification of miRNA-target mRNA pairs and (iii) identification of time lags between changes in miRNA expression and those of its target mRNAs. We applied the OR-statistic to a cancer data set and identified a small set of miRNAs that were negatively correlated to mRNAs. A literature survey revealed that some of the miRNAs that were predicted to be regulatory, were indeed oncogenic or tumor suppressors. Finally, some of the predicted miRNA targets have been shown to be experimentally valid.
HIV: mother-to-child transmission.

INTRODUCTION Over 2 million children are thought to be living with HIV/AIDS worldwide, of whom over 80% live in sub-Saharan Africa. Without anti-retroviral treatment, the risk of HIV transmission from infected mothers to their children is 15-30% during gestation or labour, and 15-20% during breast feeding. HIV-1 infection accounts for most infections; HIV-2 is rarely transmitted from mother to child. Transmission is more likely in mothers with high viral loads and/or advanced disease, in the presence of other sexually transmitted diseases, and with increased exposure to maternal blood. METHODS AND OUTCOMES We conducted a systematic review and aimed to answer the following clinical question: What are the effects of measures to reduce mother to child transmission of HIV? We searched: Medline, Embase, The Cochrane Library and other important databases up to January 2007 (Clinical Evidence reviews are updated periodically, please check our website for the most up-to-date version of this review). We included harms alerts from relevant organisations such as the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). We performed a GRADE evaluation of the quality of evidence for interventions. RESULTS We found 18 systematic reviews, RCTs, or observational studies that met our inclusion criteria. CONCLUSIONS In this systematic review we present information relating to the effectiveness and safety of the following interventions: antiretroviral drugs, different methods of infant feeding, elective caesarean section, immunotherapy, vaginal microbicides, and vitamin supplements.
Prediction of the Yield of Enzymatic Synthesis of Betulinic Acid Ester Using Artificial Neural Networks and Support Vector Machine

3\b{eta}-O-phthalic ester of betulinic acid is of great importance in anticancer studies. However, the optimization of its reaction conditions requires a large number of experimental works. To simplify the number of times of optimization in experimental works, here, we use artificial neural network (ANN) and support vector machine (SVM) models for the prediction of yields of 3\b{eta}-O-phthalic ester of betulinic acid synthesized by betulinic acid and phthalic anhydride using lipase as biocatalyst. General regression neural network (GRNN), multilayer feed-forward neural network (MLFN) and the SVM models were trained based on experimental data. Four indicators were set as independent variables, including time (h), temperature (C), amount of enzyme (mg) and molar ratio, while the yield of the 3\b{eta}-O-phthalic ester of betulinic acid was set as the dependent variable. Results show that the GRNN and SVM models have the best prediction results during the testing process, with comparatively low RMS errors (4.01 and 4.23respectively) and short training times (both 1s). The prediction accuracy of the GRNN and SVM are both 100% in testing process, under the tolerance of 30%.
Serum and Salivary Antibodies to Cariogenic Bacteria in Man

Antibodies in serum and parotid saliva against cell wall preparations from four serotypes of S mutans were examined in 110 subjects aged 18 to 25 years. In subjects with no detectable carious lesions, significant negative correlations were found between the DMF index and serum IgG and IgM antibodies, especially in S mutans of serotype c, whereas positive correlations were found between the DMF index and salivary IgA antibodies. In subjects with active caries, positive correlations were found between serum IgG antibodies and S mutans (serotypes c and a) and the DMF index. Sequential antibody analysis during a period of up to 32 months showed that development of carious lesions was associated with a rise in serum antibody titer to S mutans, but no change was detectable in salivary antibodies. Treatment of caries led to a decrease in serum IgG and IgM antibodies to S mutans cell wall, but in parotid saliva an increase in antibody titer to a culture extract of S mutans was found. The results support the concept of dental caries as an infective disease and suggest that serum antibodies may contribute to caries immunity in man.
A₃ receptors are overexpressed in pleura from patients with mesothelioma and reduce cell growth via Akt/nuclear factor-κB pathway.

RATIONALE A strong link has been established between exposure to asbestos and increased risk for pleural malignant mesothelioma (MM). Adenosine plays a key role in inflammatory processes and cancer, where it is involved in the regulation of cell death and proliferation. OBJECTIVES The primary aim of this study was to investigate the presence of adenosine receptors (ARs) in human MM pleura (MMP) and healthy mesothelial pleura (HMP). To shed some light on the interaction between adenosine and MM, the presence and functionality of ARs were explored in human healthy mesothelial cells (HMC) and in malignant mesothelioma cells (MMC). METHODS ARs were analyzed by using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, and saturation binding assays. HMC were treated with crocidolite asbestos, which is the principal risk factor for MM. The role of A₃ ARs on these cellular models, evaluating cAMP production, Akt phosphorylation, and nuclear factor (NF)-κB activation, was investigated. The dual effect of A₃AR stimulation on healthy and cancer cell growth was studied by means of proliferation, apoptosis, and cytotoxicity assays. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS A₃AR was up-regulated by 2.5-fold (P < 0.01) in MMP when compared with HMP. Stimulation of A₃ARs decreased proliferation and exerted a cytotoxic and proapoptotic effect on MMC and on HMC exposed to asbestos and tumor necrosis factor-α, but not on HMC with an involvement of the deregulation of Akt/NF-κB cell survival pathway. CONCLUSIONS These new findings suggest that A₃AR could represent a pharmacological target to prevent tumor development after asbestos exposure and to treat full-blown MM.
In-Service Classroom Teachers' Perceptions of Useful Music Skills and Understandings

The purpose of this study was to identify the music skills and understandings that in-service early-childhood and elementary classroom teachers perceived as useful, regardless of whether the topics were studied in preservice music classes. Classroom teachers in schools in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, D.C., in which music specialists were present returned 159 responses. Using music to supplement other curricular areas, which 88% of the respondents perceived as being useful, ranked first among useful skills and understandings. Other topics that the majority of respondents perceived as useful focused on providing singing, movement, listening, and creative experiences.
Challenges and pitfalls facing international education in a post-international world

Taking as its starting point that the adjective international is an inadequate, but unavoidable, label to describe the content of a contemporary international education, this article sets out to explore some of the issues facing international education in a post-international world. It draws mainly on writings in French as a deliberate counterweight to international education’s over-reliance on anglophone sources. The article’s main theme is that the practice of international education is determined, in ways of which we are often unaware, by the social, cultural, political and ideological context in which we live. It tries to identify some of the areas in which the impact of this context is most apparent. The first part of the article focuses on the continuing role of the nation state and on education for citizenship and multiple identities, stressing that citizenship education cannot be subsumed within ‘education for inter-cultural understanding and respect’ and drawing attention to Amartya Sen’s warning about the dangers of ‘plural monoculturalism’. The remainder of the article explores other areas in which hidden and sometimes unexamined presuppositions influence thinking and practice in ways that would benefit from challenge. These include the following: the impact of western utopianism; the balance between reason and emotion and the need for ‘an intelligent heart’; the pitfalls of service education and education for rights; the balance between contemporaneity and transmission; and attitudes towards happiness, adversity and language.