Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Acupressure and Anxiety in Cancer Patients

Background: Anxiety has negative effects on mental and physical performance, quality of life, duration of hospitalization, and even on the treatment of patients with cancer. Objectives: Today acupressure is widely used to treat anxiety. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate the effects of acupressure on anxiety in patients with cancer. Patients and Methods: A double-blind randomized clinical trial was conducted on 85 patients hospitalized with 3 groups including acupressure group (n = 27), sham group (n = 28), and control group (n = 30) in the hematologic ward of Shahid Beheshti Hospital of Hamadan, Iran, in 2013. The sampling permuted-block randomization with triple block was used. The anxiety of the patients in the experimental, sham, and control groups were measured with Spielberger’s State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Then, real acupressure was performed in the experimental group and fake acupressure in the sham group, and only routine care was provided for the control group. Anxiety of the patients was also assessed at 5 and 10 days after the intervention. Statistical analysis of the data was performed by SPSS software using repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) and post hoc least significant difference (LSD) test. Results: According to the findings, the mean level of anxiety before the intervention between groups were matched (P > 0.05). Acupressure had a significant influence on the anxiety in the experimental group at 5 (45.30 ± 7.14) and 10 days (43.48 ± 6.82) after the intervention (P < 0.05). However, it did not have a significant impact on their covert anxiety (45.48 ± 7.92 at 5th day vs 45.63 ± 8.08 at 10th day, P > 0.05). No significant differences were observed in the fake points regarding overt and covert anxiety of patients in the sham group (overt anxiety; 47.57 ± 7.85 at 5th day vs. 46.71 ± 7.32 at 10th day, P > 0.05) (covert anxiety; 47.96 ± 6.33 at 5th day vs. 46.89 ± 6.94 at 10th day, P > 0.05). Moreover, the routine care provided for the control group did not have any effect on the overt and covert anxiety of the patients (P > 0.05). Conclusions: Acupressure is recommended as a complementary therapy to reduce anxiety in patients with cancer because of its low cost, safety, and simplicity.
A formal taxonomy of privacy in voting protocols

Privacy is one of the main issues in electronic voting. We propose a family of symbolic privacy notions that allows to assess the level of privacy ensured by a voting protocol. Our definitions are applicable to protocols featuring multiple votes per voter and special attack scenarios such as vote-copying or forced abstention. Finally we employ our definitions on several existing voting protocols to show that our model allows to compare different types of protocols based on different techniques, and is suitable for automated verification using existing tools.
Youth athlete leaders' use of transformational behaviours and relations to trust in the leader and sport outcomes

Leadership is one of the most crucial factors determining whether a group succeeds or fails (Bass, 1990). Furthermore, leaders displaying transformational behaviours are thought to lift followers to higher levels of motivation to get them to perform beyond expectations (Bass, 1985), and they tend to have followers who are more committed and satisfied (Bass & Riggio, 2006). Another outcome of transformational leadership in organizations is that followers are more willing to trust leaders who show care and concern for the follower (Dirks & Ferrin, 2002). The purpose of the present study was to determine if the use of full range leadership behaviours by formal peer leaders on youth sport teams would relate to trust in the leader. Data were collected at two time points, once near the beginning of the season and again near the end of the season, using several questionnaires including the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire – Form 5 (Bass & Avolio, 2004). Only data from participants who were present at both data collection points were included in the analyses of study hypotheses, which included 126 athletes (77 females, 49 males; mean age = 15.49) from 12 interdependent sport teams. It was found that perceptions of full range leadership were related to cognitiveand affect-based trust at both time points. Interestingly, the transformational components inspirational motivation and idealized influence (attributed) contributed positively, and the non-leadership component laissez-faire negatively, to the relationship with affect-based trust at both time points. The results of the current study also found that both transformational leadership behaviours and higher levels of trust related to athletes perceiving their leader as being effective and satisfying, as well as being willing to put in extra effort. The results lead to the suggestion that youth peer leaders’ use of transformational behaviours will promote higher levels of trust from their teammates, over and above the use of transactional and non-leadership behaviours. PEER TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP AND TRUST iii Acknowledgments First and foremost I would like to thank my supervisor, Dr. Mark Eys, as well as my committee members Dr. Dawn Guthrie, Dr. Kim Dawson, and Dr. Manuela Priesemuth for their support and suggestions, and assistance in making my work the best it could be. I would also like to thank my labmates from the Group Dynamics and Physical Activity laboratory, who helped with edits and provided valuable advice. Lastly, I would like to thank my family and friends for all of their support throughout this process, especially my mother Sandy. This process has been challenging at times, and I truly appreciate everyone who has helped me out along the way. PEER TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP AND TRUST iv
Cell cycle genes regulate vestigial and scalloped to ensure normal proliferation in the wing disc of Drosophila melanogaster

In Drosophila, the Vestigial‐Scalloped (VG–SD) dimeric transcription factor is required for wing cell identity and proliferation. Previous results have shown that VG–SD controls expression of the cell cycle positive regulator dE2F1 during wing development. Since wing disc growth is a homeostatic process, we investigated the possibility that genes involved in cell cycle progression regulate vg and sd expression in feedback loops. We focused our experiments on two major regulators of cell cycle progression: dE2F1 and the antagonist dacapo (dap). Our results reinforce the idea that VG/SD stoichiometry is critical for correct development and that an excess in SD over VG disrupts wing growth. We reveal that transcriptional activity of VG–SD and the VG/SD ratio are both modulated by down‐expression of cell cycle genes. We also detected a dap‐induced sd up‐regulation that disrupts wing growth. Moreover, we observed a rescue of a vg hypomorphic mutant phenotype by dE2F1 that is concomitant with vg and sd induction. This regulation of the VG–SD activity by dE2F1 is dependent on the vg genetic background. Our results support the hypothesis that cell cycle genes fine‐tune wing growth and cell proliferation, in part, through control of the VG/SD stoichiometry and activity. This points to a homeostatic feedback regulation between proliferation regulators and the VG–SD wing selector.
Effect of addition of statins to antiviral therapy in hepatitis C virus–infected persons: Results from ERCHIVES

3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins) have been variably noted to affect hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment response, fibrosis progression, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) incidence, with some having a more potent effect than others. We sought to determine the impact of adding statins to antiviral therapy upon sustained virological response (SVR) rates, fibrosis progression, and HCC development among HCV‐infected persons using the Electronically Retrieved Cohort of HCV Infected Veterans (ERCHIVES), an established, longitudinal, national cohort of HCV‐infected veterans. Within ERCHIVES, we identified those who received HCV treatment and a follow‐up of >24 months after treatment completion. We excluded those with human immunodeficiency virus coinfection, hepatitis B surface antigen positivity, cirrhosis, and HCC at baseline. Our main outcomes were liver fibrosis progression measured by FIB‐4 scores, SVR rates, and incident HCC (iHCC). Among 7,248 eligible subjects, 46% received statin therapy. Statin use was significantly associated with attaining SVR (39.2% vs. 33.3%; P < 0.01), decreased cirrhosis development (17.3% vs. 25.2%; P < 0.001), and decreased iHCC (1.2% vs. 2.6%; P < 0.01). Statins remained significantly associated with increased odds of SVR (odds ratio = 1.44; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.29, 1.61), but lower fibrosis progression rate, lower risk of progression to cirrhosis (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.56; 95% CI = −0.50, 0.63), and of incident HCC (HR = 0.51; 95% CI = 0.34, 0.76) after adjusting for other relevant clinical factors. Conclusions: Statin use was associated with improved virological response (VR) rates to antiviral therapy and decreased progression of liver fibrosis and incidence of HCC among a large cohort of HCV‐positive Veterans. These data support the use of statins in patients with HCV. (Hepatology 2015) Hepatology 2015;62:365–374
A Loss Inference Algorithm for Wireless Sensor Networks to Improve Data Reliability of Digital Ecosystems

Digital ecosystems (DEs) are based on a large amount of distributed data, and these data are gathered from physical devices, particularly from wireless sensor networks (WSNs). Due to the inherent stringent bandwidth and energy constraints, energy-efficient mechanisms of performance measurement are the key to the proper operation of WSNs and thereby important for the data reliability of DEs. This paper presents a novel algorithm, i.e., Loss Inference based on Passive Measurement (LIPM), to infer WSN link loss performance. The LIPM algorithm passively monitors the application traffic between sensor nodes and the sink (base station), and then uses network tomography technology to infer the network internal performance. Furthermore, contour maps, the well-known representation of data, are first taken into account in WSN loss performance inference, which can help the LIPM algorithm identify lossy areas rapidly. Finally, the algorithm is validated through simulations and exhibits good performance and scalability.
Autologous Fat Grafting and Facial Reconstruction

Abstract There is tremendous interest in autologous fat grafting for the management of soft tissue volume deficiencies, treatment of cutaneous injuries, and regeneration of missing parts. Given its relative abundance and proximity to the surface of the skin, adipose tissue seems an excellent choice for the treatment of both congenital and acquired soft tissue defects, but the mesenchymal stem cells contained within the fat may provide unexpected opportunities for tissue replacement and repair. Although adipose transfer has been successfully used for reconstructive purposes since the end of the 19th century, numerous controversies about adipose harvesting, processing, delivery, survival, and efficacy still persist today. The purpose of this article was to highlight current practices, areas of controversy, and near-term future applications of fat grafting for reconstruction of the face.
Timing and magnitude of electromyographic activity for two-joint arm movements in different directions.

1. We studied electromyographic (EMG) and kinematic features of self-paced human arm movements involving rotations about the shoulder and elbow joints. Movements were initiated from various positions and covered much of the reachable work space in the horizontal plane. The attempt was to characterize robust features of the relative timing and magnitude of the EMG activity at the two joints, and to correlate them with variables related to the initial and final positions. 2. The pattern of muscle activity at each joint was typically characterized by bursts of alternating agonist and antagonist activity, comparable with the three-burst pattern associated with single-joint movements. As the spatial direction of the target was altered, the magnitude of each burst was modulated over a continuous range. Modulation down to zero activity was observed, not only for later bursts, as has been shown in some cases of single-joint movements, but for the first agonist burst as well. 3. In the preceding paper we showed that the choice of agonists (i.e., flexors or extensors) at each joint is predictable on the basis of the target direction relative to the distal segment (psi). Here, we present quantitative analyses of initial agonist EMG activity at the shoulder and elbow, which reveal that the onset-time difference between agonists at the two joints also varied systematically with psi, and so did their relative magnitude. 4. For most target directions, initial EMG activity at the shoulder preceded that at the elbow by 5-40 ms. Exceptions were observed mainly for target directions near the transitions between initial flexor and initial extensor activity at the shoulder. In these cases the initial agonist activity at the shoulder was greatly reduced or, in some cases, appeared entirely suppressed, although the later bursts were present in their usual temporal alignment with the corresponding bursts at the elbow. 5. Antagonist onset at the elbow tended to precede antagonist onset at the shoulder, but the difference in timing did not vary consistently with psi. 6. Despite the consistency of initial agonist timing between the two joints, the agonist onset-time difference was poorly correlated with the apparent difference in the onset times of shoulder and elbow joint rotations. The latter difference, which is affected by mechanics, cannot therefore be imputed directly to the CNS. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Vertical heterogeneity in predation pressure in a temperate forest canopy

The forest canopy offers a vertical gradient across which variation in predation pressure implies variation in refuge quality for arthropods. Direct and indirect experimental approaches were combined to assess whether canopy strata differ in ability to offer refuge to various arthropod groups. Vertical heterogeneity in impact of avian predators was quantified using exclosure cages in the understory, lower, mid, and upper canopy of a north-temperate deciduous forest near Montreal, Quebec. Bait trials were completed in the same strata to investigate the effects of invertebrate predators. Exclusion of birds yielded higher arthropod densities across all strata, although treatment effects were small for some taxa. Observed gradients in predation pressure were similar for both birds and invertebrate predators; the highest predation pressure was observed in the understory and decreased with height. Our findings support a view of the forest canopy that is heterogeneous with respect to arthropod refuge from natural enemies.
EFFECT OF PROCESSED RICE BRAN ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF BROILER CHICKS FROM PAKISTAN

SHAHEEN, M. , I. AHMAD, F. M. ANJUM, Q-A. SYED and M. K. SAEED, 2015. Effect of processed rice bran on growth performance of broiler chicks from Pakistan. Bulg. J. Agric. Sci., 21: 440–445 Rice bran was added in broiler chicks feed by replacing 20% maize or 15% wheat. Signifi cant difference in weight gain, feed consumed, feed conversion ratio (FCR), dressing percentage, pancreas weight, feed cost/chick, feed cost/kg live weight and feed cost/kg dressed meat was observed. Insects and larvae were found to be dead in PRB (processed rice bran). The highest weight gain (growth rate), feed effi ciency and dressing percentage were obtained in chicks fed on T 4 which also showed the minimum feed cost/kg live weight and feed cost/kg dressed meat. Thus, acetic acid treatment combined with extrusion cooking improved the nutritive value of rice bran and also minimized the toxic factors. T 2 (RRB = raw rice bran) exhibited poor performance. The pancreas weight of chicks was normal by feeding extruded rice bran. PRB can be an excellent substitute of maize and wheat for good quality of poultry feed. It can improve nutritional quality of poultry feed which has been refl ected by the performance of PRB in different parameter of chicks. It is helpful to give high yield of chicks and to utilize a by-product (rice bran) as good quality feed ingredient for value addition of poultry feed.
Teacher Cognition and Language Education: Research and Practice

Introduction 1. The Origins of Teacher Cognition Research 2. The Cognitions of Pre-service Language Teachers 3. The Cognitions of In-service Language Teachers 4. Teacher Cognition in Grammar Teaching 5. Teacher Cognition in Literacy Instruction 6. Self-Report Instruments 7. Verbal Commentaries 8. Observation 9. Reflective Writing 10. A Framework for Studying Language Teacher Cognition References Index.
Functional impairment in South African children and adolescents with obsessive-compulsive disorder

This research aimed to increase understanding regarding functional impairment in children and adolescents with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Eight South African children and adolescents with OCD participated in the study. The Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children-Present and Lifetime Version (KSADS-PL), the Children’s Global Assessment Scale (CGAS), the Children’s Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (CY-BOCS) and the Child Obsessive-Compulsive Impact Scale-Revised (COIS-R) were used to assess the children and adolescents’ past and current psychopathology, OCD symptom severity and OCD-related functional impairment. Children and adolescents rated more problems as being significant than did their parents. In addition, parents reported that the most significant domain of impairment was in the school domain; child reports, in contrast, showed that the most significant impairments occurred in the school and social domains. Parents and children differed in terms of their ratings regarding the most significant individual functional problems. These findings differ from those of previous North American and European studies in this domain, and thus provide the rationale for future research that will examine the effect of culture on childhood OCD-related functional impairment. This future research will have important implications for the diagnosis and treatment of children with OCD in South Africa.
Media-based navigation with generic links

Microcosm is an open architecture hypermedia system in which documents remain in their native format and link information is held in separate link databases. This has facilitated the introduction of generic links which, once authored from a text string to a destination anchor, may be followed from any occurrence of the text string in any document. The generic link provides substantial reductions in authoring effort for large hypermedia systems, but the limitation of the generic link to text string source anchors needed to be addressed. This paper describes extensions to the Microcosm architecture to create MAVIS, Microcosm Architecture for Video, Image and Sound, in which generic links maybe used from both text and non-text media. ‘This development makes it possible to navigate through non-text media using content as the key and, through the facilities of the dynamic link, content based retrieval is also available. Examples of content based navigation with image, video and sound are presented.
Cross-Population Joint Analysis of eQTLs: Fine Mapping and Functional Annotation

Mapping expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) has been shown as a powerful tool to uncover the genetic underpinnings of many complex traits at the molecular level. In this paper, we present an integrative analysis approach that leverages eQTL data collected from multiple population groups. In particular, our approach effectively identifies multiple independent cis-eQTL signals that are consistently presented across populations, accounting for heterogeneity in allele frequencies and patterns of linkage disequilibrium. Furthermore, our analysis framework enables integrating high-resolution functional annotations into analysis of eQTLs. We applied our statistical approach to analyze the GEUVADIS data consisting of samples from five population groups. From this analysis, we concluded that i) joint analysis across population groups greatly improves the power of eQTL discovery and the resolution of fine mapping of causal eQTLs; ii) many genes harbor multiple independent eQTLs in their cis regions; iii) genetic variants that disrupt transcription factor binding are significantly enriched in eQTLs (p-value = 4.93 × 10−22). Author Summary Expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) are genetic variants associated with gene expression phenotypes. Mapping eQTLs enables us to study the genetic basis of gene expression variation across individuals. In this study, we introduce a statistical framework for analyzing genotype-expression data collected from multiple population groups. We show that our approach is particularly effective in identifying multiple independent eQTL signals that are consistently presented across populations in the proximity of a gene. In addition, our analysis framework allows effective integration of genomic annotations into eQTL analysis, which is helpful in dissecting the functional basis of eQTLs.
Calcium gluconate infusion is as effective as the vascular endothelial growth factor antagonist cabergoline for the prevention of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome

BACKGROUND: Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is an iatrogenic and potentially life-threatening disease process, which may occur in healthy young women undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation for assisted reproduction. As the treatment is largely empirical, prevention forms the mainstay of management. OBJECTIVE: The present study was aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of intravenous (IV) calcium gluconate infusion in comparison to the dopamine agonist cabergoline (Cb2) in preventing OHSS in high risk patients undergoing assisted reproductive technique cycles. MATERIALS AND METHODS: It was a comparative study wherein the 202 high risk patients undergoing in vitro-fertilization over a period of 18 months after meeting the strict inclusion and the exclusion criteria, were randomly divided into two groups (98 subjects in Group I and 104 in Group II). Women in Group I were administered IV calcium gluconate while the remaining 104 received the dopamine agonist Cb2. The 104 patients belonging to Group II were started Cb2 0.5 mg/day from the day of ovulation trigger and continued until the next 8 days while the 98 high risk patients from Group I were infused with 10 ml of 10% calcium gluconate solution in 200 ml physiologic saline within 30 min of ovum pick up and continued thereafter on day 1, day 2 and day 3. RESULTS: The occurrence of OHSS was seen in only nine patients (in the calcium infusion group, when compared with 16 patients (9.2% vs. 15.4%) who were administered Cb2, but it was not statistically significant. However, only one had severe OHSS in Group I, whereas two women were diagnosed as severe OHSS belonging to the Cb2 arm. CONCLUSION: Our results document that calcium infusion can effectively prevent severe OHSS and decreases OHSS occurrence rates when used for high-risk patients, but does not suggest its superiority over Cb2. With comparable success rates, either of them can be employed as a preventive strategy for OHSS.