Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Rituximab for refractory Wegener’s granulomatosis

Wegener’s granulomatosis is a rapidly progressing small vessel vasculitis involving mainly the lungs and kidneys and has antineutrophil cytoplasm antibodies against protease 3 as a common immunological marker. Therapy is aimed at prolonging survival, inducing remission of the active disease and preventiong its relapse. Several immunosuppressive agents are currently used in conventional regimen, and cyclophosphamide is the most commonly used. In patients refractory to such therapies, other drugs have to be used and rituximab (an antibody against CD20+ cells) could be a potentially effective treatment for this subset. The data on its clinical efficacy are only preliminary and further studies are needed.
The Relationship Between Anxiety and Academic Performance of Postgraduate International Students in a British University: A Cross-Sectional Quantitative Design

Aims: Anxiety has a great effect on students’ academic performance, especially among international students. Acculturation, discrimination, familiarity with the education system, weather, social support, and language limitation are among the main factors which contribute to anxiety among international students. This small scale study assesses the relationship between anxiety and academic performance of international students among postgraduate international students of in the University of Bedfordshire. A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was carried out. A non-randomised purposive sampling of n = 105 postgraduate international students participated in the survey comprising of 66 male, 39 female. The findings indicate that anxiety is significantly correlated to academic performance. Workload, choice of coping with stress, future prospect, and change in the system of education are the major types of anxiety affecting our participants giving significant relationship when cross-tabulated with gender and/ ethnicity. Also in the aspect of difficulties in focusing on their studies, more than 50% disagree showing a significant relationship when compared with gender. Anxiety is seen as a tool to explain academic performance. Hence, it is important that this is considered to make their learning experience more fulfilling.
Witness Sets, Polarity Reversal and the Processing of Quantified Sentences

Experimental results show that the monotonicity of a quantifier (Q) affects how it is processed [4, 7, 6]. Q′s are upward entailing (UE) if they permit inferences to supersets, i.e. from Q A B follows Q A B’ for any B ⊆ B′ (e.g. every, at least five). If from Q A B it follows that Q A B’ for any B′ ⊆ B, the quantifier Q is downward entailing (DE) (e.g. no, at most five). As compared to UE Q’s, DE Q’s are more difficult to verify [4, 7] and draw inferences from [6]. Recent attempts at deriving predictions about the processing of Q’s are built on the notion of semantic automata [12], and have been presented e.g. in [11] and [10]. E.g., [11] improve on results by [8] by showing not only that the computational distinction between Q’s recognized by finite-automata and push-down automata is psychologically relevant, but also that there are differences in the time required for verifying statements involving Q’s even among the class of quantifiers recognized by finite state automata. However, since these approaches employ essentially the same kind of semantic automata for both DE and UE Q’s, they cannot explain why DE Q’s are more difficult to process than UE Q’s. To explain this, we formulate a quantification theory which predicts that the (expansion) operation employed in processing DE Q’s is more difficult than that for processing UE Q’s, because it involves (i) inferences from negative information and (ii) polarity reversal. The predictions of our account were tested in two experiments investigating the online comprehension and verification of simply (Exp. 1) and doubly quantified sentences (Exp. 2) with UE vs DE Q’s.
Annual Research Review: Growth connectomics – the organization and reorganization of brain networks during normal and abnormal development

Background We first give a brief introduction to graph theoretical analysis and its application to the study of brain network topology or connectomics. Within this framework, we review the existing empirical data on developmental changes in brain network organization across a range of experimental modalities (including structural and functional MRI, diffusion tensor imaging, magnetoencephalography and electroencephalography in humans). Synthesis We discuss preliminary evidence and current hypotheses for how the emergence of network properties correlates with concomitant cognitive and behavioural changes associated with development. We highlight some of the technical and conceptual challenges to be addressed by future developments in this rapidly moving field. Given the parallels previously discovered between neural systems across species and over a range of spatial scales, we also review some recent advances in developmental network studies at the cellular scale. We highlight the opportunities presented by such studies and how they may complement neuroimaging in advancing our understanding of brain development. Finally, we note that many brain and mind disorders are thought to be neurodevelopmental in origin and that charting the trajectory of brain network changes associated with healthy development also sets the stage for understanding abnormal network development. Conclusions We therefore briefly review the clinical relevance of network metrics as potential diagnostic markers and some recent efforts in computational modelling of brain networks which might contribute to a more mechanistic understanding of neurodevelopmental disorders in future.
Parental Midlife Body Shape and Association with Multiple Adult Offspring Obesity Measures: North West Adelaide Health Study

There is compelling evidence that parental weight is a strong determinant of offspring weight status. The study used cross-sectional self-reported and measured data from a longitudinal cohort of Australian adults (n = 2128) from Stage 3 (2008–10) of the North West Adelaide Health Study (1999–2003, baseline n = 4056) to investigate the association between midlife parental body shape and four indicators of obesity and fat distribution. The analysis used measured body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist hip ratio (WHR) and waist height ratio (WHtR) of adult offspring, together with pictograms for recall of parental body shape. Compared to both parents being a healthy weight, offspring were more likely to be overweight or obese if both parents were an unhealthy weight at age 40 (OR 2.14, 95% CI 1.67–2.76) and further, those participants whose mother was an unhealthy weight were more likely to be overweight or obese themselves (OR 1.50, 95% CI 1.14–1.98). There were similar but lower results for those with an overweight/obese father (OR 1.44, 95% CI 1.08–1.93). The effect of one or both parents being overweight or obese tended to be stronger for daughters than for sons across BMI, WC and WHtR. BMI showed the strongest association with parental body shape (OR 2.14), followed by WC (OR 1.78), WHtR (OR 1.71) and WHR (OR 1.45). WHtR (42–45%) and BMI (35–36%) provided the highest positive predictive values for overweight/obesity from parental body shape. Parental obesity increases the risk of obesity for adult offspring, both for overall body shape and central adiposity, particularly for daughters. Pictograms could potentially be used as a screening tool in primary care settings to promote healthy weight among young adults.
The Impact of ACTH Receptor Knockdown on Fetal and Adult Ovine Adrenocortical Cell Function

Preparing the mammalian fetus for birth requires an increase in fetal plasma glucocorticoid levels. The mechanisms facilitating this increase are not fully known. It has been shown in sheep that the prepartum elevation in fetal plasma cortisol is accompanied by increases in adrenocorticotropin receptor (ACTH-R) expression in the fetal adrenal and in the adrenal responsiveness to stimulation. To determine the significance of the upregulation in ACTH-R expression on fetal adrenal function, the authors used small interfering RNA targeted to the ovine ACTH-R to reduce receptor expression and studied responses to stimulation in ovine adrenal cells. They studied fetal cells from late gestation after responsiveness had increased. They also studied adult cells to determine if maturation would influence the impact of receptor expression suppression on responsiveness. Fetal and adult cells were obtained, dispersed, transfected with receptor-targeted small interfering RNA or scrambled small interfering RNA, and subsequently stimulated with ACTH. Cells and media were harvested for measurements of gene and protein expression and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and cortisol levels. The ability of ACTH to upregulate its receptor or steroid acute regulatory protein was attenuated in fetal (P < .01) and adult cells (P < .01) by small interfering RNA treatment; the blockade was more pronounced in the adult cells (P < .01). The small interfering RNA treatment also blocked the cAMP response to ACTH in fetal (P < .001) and adult (P < .05) cells. This was accompanied by marked reductions in cortisol responses in both (P < .001 and P < .01, respectively). These data suggest that upregulation of the ACTH-R expression in late gestation is essential for the increase in adrenal steroidogenic capacity occurring then. The data also indicate that a reduction in the ACTH-R expression blocks the ability of the peptide to stimulate early steps in the steroidogenic pathway event after maturation is complete.
Associations Between Night Work and Anxiety, Depression, Insomnia, Sleepiness and Fatigue in a Sample of Norwegian Nurses

Background Night work has been reported to be associated with various mental disorders and complaints. We investigated relationships between night work and anxiety, depression, insomnia, sleepiness and fatigue among Norwegian nurses. Methods The study design was cross-sectional, based on validated self-assessment questionnaires. A total of 5400 nurses were invited to participate in a health survey through the Norwegian Nurses' Organization, whereof 2059 agreed to participate (response rate 38.1%). Nurses completed a questionnaire containing items on demographic variables (gender, age, years of experience as a nurse, marital status and children living at home), work schedule, anxiety/depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), insomnia (Bergen Insomnia Scale), sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale) and fatigue (Fatigue Questionnaire). They were also asked to report number of night shifts in the last 12 months (NNL). First, the parameters were compared between nurses i) never working nights, ii) currently working nights, and iii) previously working nights, using binary logistic regression analyses. Subsequently, a cumulative approach was used investigating associations between NNL with the continuous scores on the same dependent variables in hierarchical multiple regression analyses. Results Nurses with current night work were more often categorized with insomnia (OR = 1.48, 95% CI = 1.10–1.99) and chronic fatigue (OR = 1.78, 95% CI = 1.02–3.11) than nurses with no night work experience. Previous night work experience was also associated with insomnia (OR = 1.45, 95% CI = 1.04–2.02). NNL was not associated with any parameters in the regression analyses. Conclusion Nurses with current or previous night work reported more insomnia than nurses without any night work experience, and current night work was also associated with chronic fatigue. Anxiety, depression and sleepiness were not associated with night work, and no cumulative effect of night shifts during the last 12 months was found on any parameters.
What Do Stroke Patients Look for in Game-Based Rehabilitation

AbstractStroke is one of the most common causes of physical disability, and early, intensive, and repetitive rehabilitation exercises are crucial to the recovery of stroke survivors. Unfortunately, research shows that only one third of stroke patients actually perform recommended exercises at home, because of the repetitive and mundane nature of conventional rehabilitation exercises. Thus, to motivate stroke survivors to engage in monotonous rehabilitation is a significant issue in the therapy process.Game-based rehabilitation systems have the potential to encourage patients continuing rehabilitation exercises at home. However, these systems are still rarely adopted at patients’ places. Discovering and eliminating the obstacles in promoting game-based rehabilitation at home is therefore essential.For this purpose, we conducted a study to collect and analyze the opinions and expectations of stroke patients and clinical therapists. The study is composed of 2 parts: Rehab-preference survey – interviews to both patients and therapists to understand the current practices, challenges, and expectations on game-based rehabilitation systems; and Rehab-compatibility survey – a gaming experiment with therapists to elaborate what commercial games are compatible with rehabilitation. The study is conducted with 30 outpatients with stroke and 19 occupational therapists from 2 rehabilitation centers in Taiwan.Our surveys show that game-based rehabilitation systems can turn the rehabilitation exercises more appealing and provide personalized motivation for various stroke patients. Patients prefer to perform rehabilitation exercises with more diverse and fun games, and need cost-effective rehabilitation systems, which are often built on commodity hardware. Our study also sheds light on incorporating the existing design-for-fun games into rehabilitation system. We envision the results are helpful in developing a platform which enables rehab-compatible (i.e., existing, appropriately selected) games to be operated on commodity hardware and brings cost-effective rehabilitation systems to more and more patients’ home for long-term recovery.
Subadult health and disease in prehistoric Tonga, Polynesia.

This article focuses on the differential diagnosis of pathologic lesions recorded on the limbs and crania of 17 subadults from two pre-European burial mounds in Tonga, western Polynesia. All affected subadults were between the ages of 6 months and 3 years at death. The lesions described consist primarily of subperiosteal new bone deposition on the limbs and endocranial surface. However, the presence of cribra orbitalia in a number of individuals indicates concurrent iron-deficiency anaemia. A differential diagnosis of haematogenous osteomyelitis, congenital syphilis, yaws, scurvy, hypervitaminosis A, trauma, Caffey's disease, and iron-deficiency anaemia is discussed. It was concluded that the most likely cause for the lesions observed is a synergistic relation between infection (weanling diarrhoea, yaws) and metabolic disease (scurvy and possibly hypervitaminosis A). Trauma is not ruled out as contributing to the development of some pathologic lesions. It is concluded that, in the Pacific Islands at least, multiple causes for skeletal pathology in subadults should be considered rather than a single aetiology.
Fragmented landscapes, road mortality and patch connectivity: modelling influences on the dispersal of Eurasian lynx

Summary 1. Although many reintroduction schemes for the Eurasian lynx Lynx lynx in Germany have been discussed, the implications of connectivity between suitable patches have not been assessed. 2. We introduce an individual-based, spatially explicit dispersal model to assess the probability of a dispersing animal reaching another suitable patch in the complex heterogeneous German landscape, with its dense transport system. The dispersal model was calibrated using telemetric data from the Swiss Jura and based on a map of potential lynx dispersal habitat. 3. Most suitable patches could be interconnected by movements of dispersing lynx within 10 years of reintroduction. However, when realistic levels of mortality risks on roads were applied, most patches become isolated except along the German‐Czech border. Consequently, patch connectivity is limited not so much by the distribution of dispersal habitat but by the high mortality of dispersing lynx. Accordingly, rather than solely investing in habitat restoration, management efforts should try to reduce road mortality. 4. Synthesis and applications. Our approach illustrates how spatially explicit dispersal models can guide conservation efforts and reintroduction programmes even where data are scarce. Clear limits imposed by substantial road mortality will affect dispersing lynx as well as other large carnivores, unless offset by careful road-crossing management or by the careful selection of release points in reintroduction programmes.
The Practicum in Professional Education: Pre-Service Students' Experiences

A supervised practical experience of on-the-job training (variously known as practicum, clinical training, internship, depending on the discipline) forms an essential part of the pre-service preparation of professionals across disciplines. This article forms one part of an interdisciplinary, pan-Canadian research project examining the future of the practicum in undergraduate professional preparation. In the present portion of the study, the authors examined the views of 431 teacher candidates concerning the most positive and the most negative aspects of their 16-week extended practicum. In this article we summarize the findings of our analysis of their responses.
Stability analysis of power systems by Lyapunov's direct method

The Lyapunov direct method is on the verge of being implemented for assessment of online dynamic security. The main bottleneck has been in the proper characterization of the stability boundary and defining the fault-dependent region of attraction locally around the controlling unstable equilibrium points. Now there is a better understanding of this issue, and hence, a number of algorithms have been proposed. Improved generating-unit models and transmission-network models are now being included in the technique. An overview is presented of the theory, practical implementation, and future research. <<ETX>>
Improving High Voltage Transformer Reliability through Recognition of PD in Paper/Oil Systems

Investigations carried out on artificial defects are fundamental for understanding partial discharge (PD) behavior in electrical apparatus and establishing expert system databases. In this paper, tests on artificial defects (realized both in the lab and on real transformers) for paper/oil insulation system are discusses. In particular, emphasis is given to bubbles (in free oil or between paper layers) and PD due to floating metal objects, as other PD sources have been discussed in previous works. In order to provide a thorough picture of PD phenomena in paper/oil systems, the PD patterns obtained in the lab are discussed and compared with those obtained from transformers. The results reported here indicate that recognition of PD source in paper/oil insulated systems is feasible thorough appropriate tools.
A closed form network connectivity formula one-dimensional MANETs

In this paper, a closed form network connectivity formula for a one-dimensional mobile ad hoc network (MANET) is developed. Precisely, we derive the probability that a MANET is fully connected given a certain number of nodes randomly and uniformly placed along a path between a source and destination pair. This formula is particularly useful in the process of design and deployment of a MANET. The formula also provides a critical constraint function to the problem of network optimization. It formulates the relationship between the number of mobile nodes required for a particular MANET given a desired network connectivity probability. An approximation is employed to achieve the final closed form expression. The approximation is then tested by simulation to show the accuracy of our formula under practical network conditions.
Fabry disease: Guidelines for the evaluation and management of multi-organ system involvement

Fabry disease is an X-linked metabolic storage disorder due to the deficiency of lysosomal α-galactosidase A, and the subsequent accumulation of glycosphingolipids, primarily globotriaosylceramide, throughout the body. Males with classical Fabry disease develop early symptoms including pain and hypohidrosis by the second decade of life reflecting disease progression in the peripheral and autonomic nervous systems. An insidious cascade of disease processes ultimately results in severe renal, cardiac, and central nervous system complications in adulthood. The late complications are the main cause of late morbidity, as well as premature mortality. Disease presentation in female heterozygotes may be as severe as in males although women may also remain asymptomatic. The recent introduction of enzyme replacement therapy to address the underlying pathophysiology of Fabry disease has focused attention on the need for comprehensive, multidisciplinary evaluation and management of the multi-organ system involvement. In anticipation of evidence-based recommendations, an international panel of physicians with expertise in Fabry disease has proposed guidelines for the recognition, evaluation, and surveillance of disease-associated morbidities, as well as therapeutic strategies, including enzyme replacement and other adjunctive therapies, to optimize patient outcomes.
Traditional healers and their female clients: an aspect of Nigerian sickness behavior.

The behavior and attitudes of Yoruba women in relation to pregnancy and childrearing are described and attention is drawn to their continued patronage of traditional practitioners in their search for magico-medical means of ensuring conception. Sick infants are increasingly being taken to hospital, most mothers having become convinced of the value of modern medicine for acute illness. Educated women are tending to discard local treatments entirely. In most cases, however, traditional precautions are concurrently observed. The practice of one hundred healers is reviewed and reasons suggested for the persistence of therapeutic methods which are culturally approved and personally reassuring.
Psoriasis and the eye: Prevalence of eye disease in Singaporean Asian patients with psoriasis

There is little published data on the incidence of eye disease in Asian patients with psoriasis. We determined the frequency of ocular complications in Singaporean Asian patients with chronic plaque psoriasis and related these to extent and severity of psoriasis, family history, treatment and presence of arthritis. A cross‐sectional prevalence investigation was carried out in 100 patients who received a comprehensive eye examination. Psoriasis extent and severity was graded by the Lattice System Physician's Global Assessment (LS‐PGA). Two patients (four eyes) had uveitis, one of whom had psoriatic arthritis (2% incidence). Presence or absence of uveitis correlated with mean LS‐PGA scores. Sixty‐three patients had cataract unrelated to previous steroid or phototherapy treatment; in younger (<50 years) patients they were commoner than in those with higher (>5) LS‐PGA scores. Three eyes in two patients (2% prevalence) had glaucomatous optic neuropathy unrelated to previous treatment, and comparable with expected population frequency. These findings, although limited by lack of data from a comparable control population, suggest that eye complications are common in Asian patients with psoriasis and eye symptoms should be elicited during history taking. Besides signs and symptoms of eye disease, an LS‐PGA score of more than 5 should prompt referral for ophthalmological examination.