Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sodium citrate 4% locking solution for central venous dialysis catheters--an effective, more cost-efficient alternative to heparin.

BACKGROUND Thrombosis of the central venous haemodialysis catheter compromises dialysis adequacy and catheter survival. Heparin containing catheter-locking solution has been associated with bleeding, interferes with INR (prothrombin time/international normalized ratio) measurements and is costly. Sodium citrate has been used successfully as a catheter-locking solution, but long-term experience with its use as the exclusive locking solution has not been published. METHODS Our haemodialysis unit converted to locking all central venous haemodialysis catheters with sodium citrate 4% instead of heparin 10 000 U/ml. A retrospective analysis compared the outcomes of the year prior and after the conversion. Flow-related catheter exchange rate, prevalence of INR assay interference, tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) utilization rate, rate of bacteraemias and annual cost of locking agent were examined. RESULTS During the study period, 30 925 and 37 139 catheter days were identified during the heparin and citrate years, respectively. The rate of flow-related catheter exchange was not different during the two periods (1.81 vs 1.88 per 1000 catheter days, P = 0.89). Falsely elevated INR values were eliminated with citrate and the rate of rt-PA treatments was similar during the two periods (4.1 vs 3.23 per 1000 catheter days respectively, P = 0.07). The number of bacteraemias was similar during the two periods (0.77 vs 0.94 per 1000 catheter days respectively, P = 0.36) There was an 85% reduction in the costs associated with catheter-locking therapy during the citrate period. CONCLUSIONS The pharmaco-economic benefits of sodium citrate 4% are well supported by this analysis. Furthermore, citrate offers several clinical advantages over concentrated heparin: citrate lock avoids heparin-associated bleeding complications, improves reliability of INR assays and provides an effective alternative for patients with suspected or confirmed heparin-induced thrombocytopenia.
Covariance Between Psychological and Endocrine Responses to Pharmacological Challenge and Psychosocial Stress: A Question of Timing

Objective: To test if the covariance of hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and subjective-psychological responses to stress is dependent on different dynamics of these systems. Although stress theories typically assume substantial correlations of psychological and endocrine stress responses, studies have produced inconsistent results. One reason for this might be imperfect coupling of the different stress response systems. However, inconsistent correlations might also be a result of different on-/offsets of these stress responses, i.e., specific dynamics of the systems. Methods: HPA axis indicators and subjective-psychological states were repeatedly and synchronously measured in a pharmacological challenge test (injection of corticotropin-releasing hormone and infusion of arginine vasopressin; Study 1; n = 42) and a psychosocial stress situation (Trier Social Stress Test; Study 2; n = 219). Cross-correlation analysis was used to test for lag effects in HPA axis reactivity and psychoendocrine responses. Results: Analyses revealed high cross-correlations of adrenocorticotropic hormone with cortisol responses (up to r = .80 in Study 1 and r = .56 in Study 2) and positive associations of psychological with endocrine stress responses (up to r = .48 in Study 1 and r = .54 in Study 2) at nonzero lags. Subjective-psychological responses preceded HPA axis responses. Moreover, high levels of cortisol were associated with lower later levels of anxiety and activation. Conclusions: The findings suggest that psychoendocrine stress responses are more closely coupled than previous studies suggested. Due to different dynamics of the systems, endocrine responses lag behind psychological responses. ACTH = adrenocorticotropic hormone; AD-ACL = Activation-Deactivation Adjective Checklist; AVP = arginine vasopressin; BMI = body mass index; CRH = corticotropin-releasing hormone; ELISA = enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; EDTA = ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid; HPA = hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal; STAI-S = State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-State Version; TSST = Trier Social Stress Test.
Do long-chain n-3 fatty acids reduce arterial stiffness? A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

Fish oils, rich in long-chain n-3 PUFA, are known to reduce various risk factors for CVD. However, conclusive evidence regarding the benefits of n-3 on arterial stiffness, a risk factor for CVD, has not yet been established. Consequently, we conducted the first study aimed to quantify the effects of n-3 supplementation on arterial stiffness through meta-analysis. Multiple databases and clinical trial registries were systematically searched up until September 2010 for randomised and controlled adult human clinical trials to investigate the effects of long-chain n-3 fatty acids on arterial stiffness. No limits were set on dosage sizes or sample characteristics. A total of ten n-3 trials met the final inclusion criteria; four using pulse wave velocity (PWV) and six using arterial compliance, measured as capacitive compliance or systemic arterial compliance, as respective outcome measures. Meta-analysis revealed that n-3 was statistically significant in effectively improving both PWV (g = 0·33; 95 % CI 0·12, 0·56; P < 0·01) and arterial compliance (g = 0·48; 95 % CI 0·24, 0·72; P < 0·001). There was no evidence of heterogeneity or publication bias. Results were not influenced by changes in blood pressure, heart rate or BMI. The findings of the present study reveal that supplementation with n-3 offers a scientifically supported means of reducing arterial stiffness. Reduction in arterial stiffness by n-3 may account for some of its purported cardioprotective effects.
Vocational higher secondary education graduates in the state of Gujarat

Abstract The Indian Government remains committed to the policy of diversification of the secondary curriculum, despite considerable evidence that vocational secondary education is struggling to establish itself. This article provides detailed information on the experiences and views of the limited number of successful graduates from secondary vocational courses who have entered the world of work. It draws on evidence from a large survey, conducted in Gujarat in 1996, of the views of students and exstudents of such courses. The evidence confirms the findings of previous studies that participation in vocational secondary education is linked to the students' socio-economic status, caste background and parental educational level, but also indicates that poorer students, driven by economic necessity, and with fewer private and familial resources, are the most likely to accept entry into the world of work at the end of their vocational schooling.
Examining the Level of Convergence Among Self-Regulated Learning Microanalytic Processes, Achievement, and a Self-Report Questionnaire

This study examined the convergent and predictive validity of self-regulated learning (SRL) microanalytic measures. Specifically, theoretically based relations among a set of self-reflection processes, self-efficacy, and achievement were examined as was the level of convergence between a microanalytic strategy measure and a SRL self-report questionnaire targeting similar strategic behaviors. Using a sample of 49 college students, we found that SRL microanalytic self-reflection measures evidenced high inter-correlations and demonstrated medium to large relations with self-efficacy and achievement, respectively. Although non-significant relations were observed between a microanalytic strategy measure and a SRL self-report questionnaire, the microanalytic measure was shown to be a more robust predictor of future performance in the college course. Consideration for the types of scoring procedures used with microanalysis and the implications and limitations of our results are also discussed.
Development and implementation of an inpatient multidisciplinary pain management program for patients with intractable chronic musculoskeletal pain in Japan: preliminary report

Introduction Multidisciplinary pain management is a useful method to treat chronic musculoskeletal pain. Few facilities in Japan administer a multidisciplinary pain management program, especially an inpatient program. Therefore, we implemented a multidisciplinary pain management program in our hospital based on biopsychosocial factors guided by the recommendations of the International Association for the Study of Pain. The purpose of this study is to describe our inpatient pain management program for Japanese patients, which uses the biopsychosocial method of pain self-management. Materials and methods Fourteen patients with intractable chronic musculoskeletal pain, who were implemented a multidisciplinary pain management program in our hospital, were studied using the evaluation of the pain and associated factors and physical function. Results Significant improvement in outcomes were seen in the brief pain inventory, the pain catastrophizing scale (rumination, magnification, and helplessness), the pain disability assessment scale, the hospital anxiety and depression scale (anxiety and depression), the pain self-efficacy questionnaire, the EuroQol five dimensions questionnaire, and muscle endurance and physical fitness. We found no statistically significant differences in static flexibility or walking ability. Conclusion We developed an inpatient chronic pain management program for Japanese patients. Our results suggest that our program improves chronic musculoskeletal pain coping mechanisms, and that the program can improve patients’ quality of life and some physical function. This inpatient pain management program is being expanded to better help intractable chronic musculoskeletal pain patients.
Multiscale asymptotics for the Skeleton of the Madden-Julian Oscillation and Tropical–Extratropical Interactions

Abstract Anew model is derived and analyzed for tropical–extratropical interactions involving the Madden– Julian oscillation (MJO). The model combines (i) the tropical dynamics of the MJO and equatorial baroclinic waves and (ii) the dynamics of barotropic Rossby waves with significant extratropical structure, and the combined system has a conserved energy. The method of multiscale asymptotics is applied to systematically derive a system of ordinary differential equations (ODEs) for three-wave resonant interactions. Two novel features are (i) a degenerate auxiliary problem with overdetermined equations due to a compatibility condition (meridional geostrophic balance) and (ii) cubic self-interaction terms that are not typically found in threewave resonance ODEs. Several examples illustrate applications to MJO initiation and termination, including cases of (i) the MJO, equatorial baroclinic Rossbywaves, and barotropic Rossbywaves interacting, and (ii) the MJO, baroclinic Kelvinwaves, and barotropic Rossbywaves interacting. Resonance with the Kelvinwave is not possible here if only dry variables are considered, but it occurs in the moist model here through interactions with water vapor and convective activity.
The Route Not Taken: Driver-Centric Estimation of Electric Vehicle Range

This paper addresses the challenge of efficiently and accurately predicting an electric vehicle's attainable range. Specifically, our approach accounts for a driver's generalised route preferences to provide up-to-date, personalised information based on estimates of the energy required to reach every possible destination in a map. We frame this task in the context of sequential decision making and show that energy consumption in reaching a particular destination can be formulated as policy evaluation in a Markov Decision Process. In particular, we exploit the properties of the model adopted for predicting likely energy consumption to every possible destination in a realistically sized map in real-time. The policy to be evaluated is learned and, over time, refined using Inverse Reinforcement Learning to provide for a life-long adaptive system. Our approach is evaluated using a publicly available dataset providing real trajectory data of 50 individuals spanning approximately 10,000 miles of travel. We show that by accounting for driver specific route preferences our system significantly reduces the relative error in energy prediction compared to more common, driver-agnostic heuristics such as shortest-path or shortest-time routes.
Values in Middle Childhood: Social and Genetic Contributions

Theories of value development often identify adolescence as the period for value formation, and cultural and familial factors as the sources for value priorities. However, recent research suggests that value priorities can be observed as early as in middle childhood, and several studies, including one on preadolescents (Knafo & Spinath, 2011), have suggested a genetic contribution to individual differences in values. In the current study, 174 pairs of monozygotic and dizygotic 7-year old Israeli twins completed the Picture-Based Value Survey for Children (PBVS–C; Doring et al., 2010). We replicated basic patterns of relations between value priorities and variables of socialisation – gender, religiosity, and socioeconomic status– that have been found in studies with adults. Most important, values of Self-transcendence, Self-enhancement, and Conservation, were found to be significantly affected by genetic factors (29%, 47% and 31% respectively), as well as non-shared environment (71%, 53% and 69% respectively). Openness to change values, in contrast, were found to be unaffected by genetic factors at this age and were influenced by shared (19%) and non-shared (81%) environment. These findings support the recent view that values are formed at earlier ages than had been assumed previously, and they further our understanding of the genetic and environmental factors involved in value formation at young ages.
Eukaryotic Community Distribution and Its Relationship to Water Physicochemical Parameters in an Extreme Acidic Environment, Río Tinto (Southwestern Spain)

ABSTRACT The correlation between water physicochemical parameters and eukaryotic benthic composition was examined in Río Tinto. Principal component analysis showed a high inverse relationship between pH and most of the heavy metals analyzed as well as Dunaliella sp. , while Chlamydomonas sp. abundance was positively related. Zn, Cu, and Ni clustered together and showed a strong inverse correlation with the diversity coefficient and most of the species analyzed. These eukaryotic communities seem to be more influenced by the presence of heavy metals than by the pH.
An agent-based approach to computer assisted code inspections

Formal code inspections have been established as an effective way to decrease the cost of software development. However, implementing formal code inspections successfully is a challenging endeavour. We propose that the use of software tools to support the inspection process can help reduce the cost of code inspections, while increasing the number of defects detected. Intelligent agents provide a suitable model for designing a set of intelligent and flexible tools.
Cognitive and emotional processing associated with borderline personality disorder

The diagnostic criteria for borderline personality disorder (BPD) highlight difficulties with interpersonal relations. However, this interpersonal difficulty reports to exist largely with individuals that one is intimate with, in which relationship stress relate to the use of more instinctual, quicker acting, but poorer mentalisation processing for those with BPD. These quicker mentalisation processes could be argued to relate to expectations of others, as when someone with BPD sense fears of abandonment their ability to accurately depict the states of themselves and others seems to unravel. Despite this mentalisation disadvantage that those with suffering from BPD have in attachment contexts, reports suggest that BPD sufferers still have some experiential differences to healthy controls in non-attachment contexts. Failing to realise the break of a social norm, and difficulties with faux pas stories are examples of this. Furthermore, those with BPD report to act more aggressively than healthy controls when provoked in a social monetary exchange task. On the other hand, another monetary exchange task indicated that those with BPD had an improved ability at reading the intentions of others, but only with the partners in the task that featured emotional cues that were pre-emptive signals telling participants what they should transfer. This study therefore utilised EEG source localisation techniques to investigate the task where BPD sufferers reported to have a greater ability at reading the intentions of others. By using such methods, it may be possible to delineate whether those with BPD had improved behaviour modification mentalisation ability, or whether their performance was most related to an altered sensitivity and attention towards emotional faces due to facial encoding difference from/or autobiographical memory mechanism. Study 1 investigated BPD-related symptoms during two mentalisation tasks using a sample of healthy controls, whereas study 2 investigated differences during the same two
The happiness hypothesis: Finding modern truth in ancient wisdom.

Jonathan Haidt skillfully combines two genres-philosophical wisdom and scientific research-delighting the reader with surprising insights. He explains, for example, why we have such difficulty controlling ourselves and sticking to our plans; why no achievement brings lasting happiness, yet a few changes in your life can have profound effects, and why even confirmed atheists experience spiritual elevation. In a stunning final chapter, Haidt addresses the grand question "How can I live a meaningful life? ," offering an original answer that draws on the rich inspiration of both philosophy and science. ""The Happiness Hypothesis" is a wonderful and nuanced book that provides deep insight into the some of the most important questions in life--Why are we here? What kind of life should we lead? What paths lead to happiness? From the ancient philosophers to cutting edge scientists, Haidt weaves a tapestry of the best and the brightest. His highly original work on elevation and awe--two long-neglected emotions--adds a new weave to that tapestry. A truly inspiring book. " -David M. Buss, author of "The Evolution of Desire: Strategies of Human Mating" "In this beautifully written book, Jonathan Haidt shows us the deep connection that exists between cutting-edge psychological research and the wisdom of the ancients. It is inspiring to see how much modern psychology informs life's most central and persistent questions-Barry Schwartz, author of "The Paradox of Choice: Why More Is Less" "In our quest for happiness, we must find a balance between modern science and ancient wisdom, between East and West, and between 'left brain' and 'right brain. ' Jon Haidt has struck that balance perfectly, and in doing so has given us the most brilliant and lucid analysis of virtue and well-being in the entire literature of positive psychology. For the reader who seeks to understand happiness, my advice is: Begin with Haidt. "-Martin E.P. Seligman, Director, Positive Psychology Center at the University of Pennsylvania and author of "Authentic Happiness" "Haidt is a fine guide on this journey between past and present, discussing the current complexities of psychological theory with clarity and humor. Haidt's is an open-minded, robust look at philosophy, psychological fact and spiritual mystery, of scientific rationalism and the unknowable ephemeral - an honest inquiry that concludes that the best life is, perhaps, one lived in the balance of opposites. "-Bookpage
Home Environment and Family Resources to Support Literacy Interaction: Examples From Families of Children With Disabilities

Research Findings: Research on early literacy development within the family focuses primarily on parent–child interactions as they use literacy materials, typically books. However, features of the home environment and organization of family life, which provide the framework within which these interactions occur, are rarely investigated. These variables include space; time; family members' roles, responsibilities, and relationships; whether literacy activities are routines; and influences of community and culture. In this exploratory study, these physical, social, and symbolic resources of the family environment were measured using a home tour, photographs, book-reading observation, and an interview during two visits to six families who had children with mild to moderate disabilities. The data generated by these methods were then used to complete a summary measure, the Home Literacy Resource Checklist, for each family. The results indicated that the families who had previously reported reading to their child 1 to 3 times per week differed from those who had reported reading daily in resources such as help from people outside of the immediate family, existence of book-reading routines, a predictable daily schedule, use of the library, and presence of literacy materials. Practice or Policy: Further development of these measures and their use with a larger and more diverse sample are warranted so that practical knowledge about home and family life can contribute to interventions designed to improve the quantity and quality of family book reading.
URBAN OBJECT DETECTION USING A FUSION APPROACH OF DENSE URBAN DIGITAL SURFACE MODELS AND VHR OPTICAL SATELLITE STEREO DATA

In this paper we describe a new approach for the extraction of urban objects from very high resolution (VHR) optical stereo satellite imagery. Such data is delivered from sensors like Ikonos, QuickBird, GeoEye or WorldView-II. These sensors provide ground sampling distances (GSD) of 0.5 to 1 m for the pan chromatic channel and 2 to 4 m for the multispectral channels. Normally good digital surface models (DSM) can only be expected at 1/3 to 1/5 of the original GSD. But we present a new approach which uses the generation of dense disparity maps based on computer vision approches and fuse these disparity maps with additional information gained from the original imagery to allow the extraction and afterwards modeling of urban objects. This can be achieved due to the fact that the generated disparity maps are constructed on one of the original images. So a direct pixel to pixel correlation of the height (represented by the disparity) and the spectral information (represented by the pan sharpened original image) can be done. Applying methods for the generation of a digital terrain model (DTM) which represents the ground without elevated objects and spectral classification allows the separation of typical urban classes like buildings, trees, roads, low vegetation, water and so on. These classes will be treated individually in the modeling step to generate a simplified 3D model of the observed urban area. The results are presented, compared to the original imagery and discussed.