Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Analgesic Effects of Sweet-Tasting Solutions for Infants: Current State of Equipoise

OBJECTIVE: The goal was to review published studies of analgesic effects of sweet solutions, to ascertain areas with sufficient evidence of effectiveness and areas of uncertainty. METHODS: Databases searched included Medline, Embase, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature database, and PsycINFO, using the terms pain*, infant*, neonat*, newborn*, sucrose, glucose, and alternative sugars. Publications were sorted according to type, year, painful procedure studied, placebo/no-treatment groups, population studied, and country of publication. RESULTS: A total of 298 relevant unique publications involving human infants were identified; 125 (42%) were primary research studies, of which 116 (93%) were randomized controlled trials. Healthy preterm or term newborns were included in 82 studies (65%), and sick or very low birth weight infants were included in 22 (18%). Most studies included single episodes of painful procedures, with only 3 (2%) conducted over long periods. Procedures investigated most frequently were heel lance (49%), venipuncture (14%), and intramuscular injection (14%). Placebo or no-treatment groups were included in 111 studies (89%); in 103 (93%) of those studies, sweet solutions reduced behavioral responses, compared with placebo/ no treatment. CONCLUSION: Clinical equipoise relating to analgesic effects of sweet solutions no longer exists for single episodes of procedures for healthy preterm and term newborn infants. Uncertainties include outcomes after prolonged use of sweet solutions, concomitant use of other analgesics, and effectiveness beyond the newborn period. Future research should focus on addressing these knowledge and research gaps.
Isotropic Remeshing of Surfaces: A Local Parameterization Approach

We present a method for isotropic remeshing of arbitrary genus surfaces. The method is based on a mesh adaptation process, namely, a sequence of local modifications performed on a copy of the original mesh, while referring to the original mesh geometry. The algorithm has three stages. In the first stage the required number or vertices are generated by iterative simplification or refinement. The second stage performs an initial vertex partition using an area-based relaxation method. The third stage achieves precise isotropic vertex sampling prescribed by a given density function on the mesh. We use a modification of Lloyd's relaxation method to construct a weighted centroidal Voronoi tessellation of the mesh. We apply these iterations locally on small patches of the mesh that are parameterized into the 2D plane. This allows us to handle arbitrary complex meshes with any genus and any number of boundaries. The efficiency and the accuracy of the remeshing process is achieved using a patch-wise parameterization technique.
Hand-Object Interaction Detection with Fully Convolutional Networks

Detecting hand-object interactions is a challenging problem with many applications in the human-computer interaction domain. We present a real-time method that automatically detects hand-object interactions in RGBD sensor data and tracks the object's rigid pose over time. The detection is performed using a fully convolutional neural network, which is purposefully trained to discern the relationship between hands and objects and which predicts pixel-wise class probabilities. This output is used in a probabilistic pixel labeling strategy that explicitly accounts for the uncertainty of the prediction. Based on the labeling of object pixels, the object is tracked over time using model-based registration. We evaluate the accuracy and generalizability of our approach and make our annotated RGBD dataset as well as our trained models publicly available.
Using a Resource Effect Study Pre-Pilot to Inform a Large Randomized Trial: The Decide2Quit.Org Web-Assisted Tobacco Intervention

Resource effect studies can be useful in highlighting areas of improvement in informatics tools. Before a large randomized trial, we tested the functions of the Decide2Quit.org Web-assisted tobacco intervention using smokers (N=204) recruited via Google advertisements. These smokers were given access to Decide2Quit.org for six months and we tracked their usage and assessed their six months cessation using a rigorous follow-up. Multiple, interesting findings were identified: we found the use of tailored emails to dramatically increase participation for a short period. We also found varied effects of the different functions. Functions supporting "seeking social support" (Your Online Community and Family Tools), Healthcare Provider Tools, and the Library had positive effects on quit outcomes. One surprising finding, which needs further investigation, was that writing to our Tobacco Treatment Specialists was negatively associated with quit outcomes.
Differential Patterns of Hypoperfusion in Subtypes of Mild Cognitive Impairment

In this study the regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) pattern of three Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) subtypes was measured with SPECT in 60 patients (nineteen with an amnestic deficit, sixteen with disexecutive deficits, and twenty five with mild multidomain deficits) and compared with that of 15 healthy matched older adults. The amnestic MCI subgroup showed significant hypoperfusion in the left hippocampus, parahippocampal gyrus and fronto-parieto-temporal areas. The disexecutive subgroup had significant hypoperfusion of the left superior, medial frontal and cingulate cortex. The multidomain subgroup had similar perfusion deficits to the amnestic subgroup, with an additional deficit in the left posterior cingulate gyrus. This study found differential patterns of hypoperfusion in MCI subtypes. Since all patients who progressed to dementia converted to probable Alzheimer’s disease, the different rCBF patterns most likely reflect the neuropathological heterogeneity at onset and differences in disease stage.
Identification of miRNAs as atherosclerosis biomarkers and functional role of miR-126 in atherosclerosis progression through MAPK signalling pathway.

OBJECTIVE Mounting evidence suggests the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in regulating inflammatory responses in various vascular diseases. Inflammation is the key mechanism leading to atherosclerosis (AS) and various miRNAs are aberrantly expressed in response to AS pathophysiology. However, there are very limited studies that serve to elucidate the role of specific miRNA in in vivo or in vitro AS models. MATERIALS AND METHODS Microarray analysis of blood plasma of apolipoprotein deficient (apoE-/-) mice was performed followed by the confirmation using qPCR. Bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMCs), plasma, and vessel tissue were obtained from apoE-/- mice that were induced with miR-126 mimic or inhibitor. Ox-LDL-induced THP-1 macrophages served as in vitro AS model. The release of inflammatory cytokines was detected using ELISA. The regulatory effect of miR-126 on MAP3K10 was confirmed by luciferase reporter activity and immunohistochemical analyses. RESULTS The results showed that the miR-126 exhibited a greater fold change of expression in AS mice. Further, the functional role of miR-126 in atherosclerosis pathophysiology was demonstrated both in vivo and in vitro. miR-126 reduced the cytokine release and also decreased the AS progression. miR-126 was also found to be involved in mitogen-associated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway. MAP3K10 was identified to be a direct target. CONCLUSIONS miR-126 might serve as a biomarker of AS and its over-expression might prevent the AS progression and development.
Neuroimaging to Investigate Multisystem Involvement and Provide Biomarkers in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Neuroimaging allows investigating the extent of neurological systems degeneration in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Advanced MRI methods can detect changes related to the degeneration of upper motor neurons but have also demonstrated the participation of other systems such as the sensory system or basal ganglia, demonstrating in vivo that ALS is a multisystem disorder. Structural and functional imaging also allows studying dysfunction of brain areas associated with cognitive signs. From a biomarker perspective, numerous studies using diffusion tensor imaging showed a decrease of fractional anisotropy in the intracranial portion of the corticospinal tract but its diagnostic value at the individual level remains limited. A multiparametric approach will be required to use MRI in the diagnostic workup of ALS. A promising avenue is the new methodological developments of spinal cord imaging that has the advantage to investigate the two motor system components that are involved in ALS, that is, the lower and upper motor neuron. For all neuroimaging modalities, due to the intrinsic heterogeneity of ALS, larger pooled banks of images with standardized image acquisition and analysis procedures are needed. In this paper, we will review the main findings obtained with MRI, PET, SPECT, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy in ALS.
Modified prophylaxis for preventing deep sternal wound infection after cardiac surgery

In order to prevent deep sternal wound infection after cardiac surgery we decided at the Sahlgrenska University Hospital to revise our protocol for antibiotic prophylaxis by adding an application of local collagen‐gentamicin between the sternum halves to our standard prophylaxis. In addition, we focused specifically on the wiring technique. This quite simple modification of the prophylaxis program has been successful. The infection rate during 2006 is the lowest rate we have recorded since we started measuring it in 1995. We conclude that with application of local collagen‐gentamicin and modification of the sternal closure method we have been able to significantly decrease the incidence of wound infections after cardiac surgery.
Speech Recognition with Primarily Temporal Cues

Nearly perfect speech recognition was observed under conditions of greatly reduced spectral information. Temporal envelopes of speech were extracted from broad frequency bands and were used to modulate noises of the same bandwidths. This manipulation preserved temporal envelope cues in each band but restricted the listener to severely degraded information on the distribution of spectral energy. The identification of consonants, vowels, and words in simple sentences improved markedly as the number of bands increased; high speech recognition performance was obtained with only three bands of modulated noise. Thus, the presentation of a dynamic temporal pattern in only a few broad spectral regions is sufficient for the recognition of speech.
Using the Integrative Model to Explain How Exposure to Sexual Media Content Influences Adolescent Sexual Behavior

Published research demonstrates an association between exposure to media sexual content and a variety of sex-related outcomes for adolescents. What is not known is the mechanism through which sexual content produces this “media effect” on adolescent beliefs, attitudes, and behavior. Using the Integrative Model of Behavioral Prediction, this article uses data from a longitudinal study of adolescents ages 16 to 18 (N = 460) to determine how exposure to sexual media content influences sexual behavior. Path analysis and structural equation modeling demonstrated that intention to engage in sexual intercourse is determined by a combination of attitudes, normative pressure, and self-efficacy but that exposure to sexual media content only affects normative pressure beliefs. By applying the Integrative Model, we are able to identify which beliefs are influenced by exposure to media sex and improve the ability of health educators, researchers, and others to design effective messages for health communication campaigns and messages pertaining to adolescents’ engaging in sexual intercourse.
Molecular and genealogical analysis of grain dormancy in Japanese wheat varieties, with specific focus on MOTHER OF FT AND TFL1 on chromosome 3A

In the wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivar ‘Zenkoujikomugi’, a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the promoter of MOTHER OF FT AND TFL1 on chromosome 3A (MFT-3A) causes an increase in the level of gene expression, resulting in strong grain dormancy. We used a DNA marker to detect the ‘Zenkoujikomugi’-type (Zen-type) SNP and examined the genotype of MFT-3A in Japanese wheat varieties, and we found that 169 of 324 varieties carry the Zen-type SNP. In Japanese commercial varieties, the frequency of the Zen-type SNP was remarkably high in the southern part of Japan, but low in the northern part. To examine the relationship between MFT-3A genotype and grain dormancy, we performed a germination assay in three wheat-growing seasons. On average, the varieties carrying the Zen-type SNP showed stronger grain dormancy than the varieties carrying the non-Zen-type SNP. Among commercial cultivars, ‘Iwainodaichi’ (Kyushu), ‘Junreikomugi’ (Kinki-Chugoku-Shikoku), ‘Kinuhime’ (Kanto-Tokai), ‘Nebarigoshi’ (Tohoku-Hokuriku), and ‘Kitamoe’ (Hokkaido) showed the strongest grain dormancy in each geographical group, and all these varieties, except for ‘Kitamoe’, were found to carry the Zen-type SNP. In recent years, the number of varieties carrying the Zen-type SNP has increased in the Tohoku-Hokuriku region, but not in the Hokkaido region.
Distortion rate function of sub-Nyquist sampled Gaussian sources corrupted by noise

The amount of information lost in sub-Nyquist uniform sampling of a continuous-time Gaussian stationary process is quantified. We first derive an expression for the mean square error in reconstruction of the process for a given sampling structure as a function of the sampling frequency and the average number of bits describing each sample. We define this function as the distortion-rate-frequency function. It is obtained by reverse water-filling over spectral density associated with the minimum variance reconstruction of an undersampled Gaussian process, plus the error in this reconstruction. Further optimization is then performed over the sampling structure, and an optimal pre-sampling filter associated with the statistic of the input signal and the sampling frequency is found. This results in an expression for the minimal possible distortion achievable under any uniform sampling scheme. This expression is calculated for several examples to illustrate the fundamental tradeoff between rate distortion and sampling frequency derived in this work that lies at the intersection of information theory and signal processing.
Social Behavior Prediction from First Person Videos

This paper presents a method to predict the future movements (location and gaze direction) of basketball players as a whole from their first person videos. The predicted behaviors reflect an individual physical space that affords to take the next actions while conforming to social behaviors by engaging to joint attention. Our key innovation is to use the 3D reconstruction of multiple first person cameras to automatically annotate each other's the visual semantics of social configurations. We leverage two learning signals uniquely embedded in first person videos. Individually, a first person video records the visual semantics of a spatial and social layout around a person that allows associating with past similar situations. Collectively, first person videos follow joint attention that can link the individuals to a group. We learn the egocentric visual semantics of group movements using a Siamese neural network to retrieve future trajectories. We consolidate the retrieved trajectories from all players by maximizing a measure of social compatibility---the gaze alignment towards joint attention predicted by their social formation, where the dynamics of joint attention is learned by a long-term recurrent convolutional network. This allows us to characterize which social configuration is more plausible and predict future group trajectories.
Guidelines for the symptomatic management of fever in children: systematic review of the literature and quality appraisal with AGREE II

Introduction Several societies have produced and disseminated clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) for the symptomatic management of fever in children. However, to date, the quality of such guidelines has not been appraised. Objective To identify and evaluate guidelines for the symptomatic management of fever in children. Methods The research was conducted using PubMed, guideline websites, and Google (January 2010 to July 2016). The quality of the CPGs was independently assessed by two assessors using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research & Evaluation II (AGREE II) instrument, and specific recommendations in guidelines were summarised and evaluated. Domain scores were considered of sufficient quality when >60% and of good quality when >80%. Results Seven guidelines were retrieved. The median score for the scope and purpose domain was 85.3% (range 66.6–100%). The median score for the stakeholder involvement domain was 57.5% (range 33.3–83.3%) and four guidelines scored >60%. The median score for the rigour of development domain was 52.0% (range 14.6–98.9%), and only three guidelines scored >60%. The median score for the clarity of presentation domain was 80.9% (range 50.0–94.4%). The median score for the applicability domain was 39.3% (8.3–100%). Only one guideline scored >60%. The median score for the editorial independence domain was 48.84% (0–91.6%); only three guidelines scored >60%. Conclusion Most guidelines were recommended for use even if with modification, especially in the methodology, the applicability and the editorial independence domains. Our results could help improve reporting of future guidelines, and affect the selection and use of guidelines in clinical practice.
Increase in age at onset of rheumatoid arthritis in Japan over a 30 year period

OBJECTIVES To determine changes in demographic variables and severity of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) that may have occurred during the 30 year period from 1960 to 1990 in Japan. METHODS Using records of patients diagnosed with RA from two hospitals, demographic and clinical features at initial visit were compared between two groups, one from 1960 to 1965 (group I) and the other from 1985 to 1990 (group II). RESULTS Mean age at the time of onset of the disease increased significantly from 37.5 years in group I to 46.9 in group II. The peak age at onset of RA shifted from the third to the fifth decade between group I and group II. There was no obvious change in morbidity as determined by seropositivity, rheumatoid nodules, and assessments of hip involvement. CONCLUSION The age at onset of RA was delayed during a recent 30 year period in Japan. This increase in age at onset might result from environmental changes that occurred in Japan or may reflect a birth cohort phenomenon. Improvement of severity of disease was not found in this study.
Online Optimization in X-Armed Bandits

We consider a generalization of stochastic bandit problems where the set of arms, Χ, is allowed to be a generic topological space. We constraint the mean-payoff function with a dissimilarity function over Χ in a way that is more general than Lipschitz. We construct an arm selection policy whose regret improves upon previous result for a large class of problems. In particular, our results imply that if Χ is the unit hypercube in a Euclidean space and the mean-payoff function has a finite number of global maxima around which the behavior of the function is locally Holder with a known exponent, then the expected regret is bounded up to a logarithmic factor by √n, i.e., the rate of the growth of the regret is independent of the dimension of the space. Moreover, we prove the minimax optimality of our algorithm for the class of mean-payoff functions we consider.
ADP-receptor blockade: A case for personalised pharmacotherapy?

Summary The dual antiplatelet therapy consisting of aspirin and the ADP-receptor blocker clopidogrel is the current standard medication after acute coronary events. However, clopidogrel is characterised by a high interindividual response variability, insufficient inhibition of platelet aggregation in a significant number of patients, relatively slow onset of efficacy and potential interaction with different co-medication via diverse hepatic cytochrome enzymes. In various trials, response variability of clopidogrel was translated into a higher rate of recurrent cardiovascular events. Different clinical and non-genetic factors contribute to the phenomenon of clopidogrel response variability. An individualised antithrombotic pharmacotherapy taking these factors into account, including the definition of status of response, verification of the efficacy by standardised platelet function testing, intensified or alternative platelet inhibition would be the ultimate goal for patients treated with clopidogrel. Currently, new drugs are on the way and promise a more consistent efficacy and smaller amount of response variability. However, the bleeding risk in subgroups of patients and further side effect profile remains to be clearly defined. Therefore, risk stratification models are warranted to identify patients who benefit from personalised pharmacotherapy in terms of improved clinical net benefit. In this review, we discuss treatment failure of clopidogrel based on platelet function testing, the mechanism of established and new ADP-blockers as well as new therapeutic principles.
Investigation of soybean leaf area influenced by water supply

⎯ Soybean leaf area observations were carried out in two levels of water supply using two different varieties (Sinara and Sigalia) in Hungary. Half of the crops was grown using unlimited watering in evapotranspirometers, while the others received only 50% of their water requirements from the R1 (beginning bloom) stage (stressed crops). Out of four meteorological variables, the air temperature, the most easily accessible meteorological variable impacted the LAI (leaf area index) the most, irrespective of water supply. To obtain the variation in the vertical leaf area distribution, the LAImax was selected and analyzed, when leaf area remained relatively invariable. Water deprivation in the reproductive phase significantly reduced the LAI, irrespective of the studied variety. The water stress condition significantly lowered the level-wise trifoliate area of Sigalia above the sixth leaf level but did not lower it in the case of Sinara. Increase of 1.5 in the number of leaf levels could be contributed to the higher LAI of crops with unlimited watering in comparison to water stressed ones. The area of the middle leaflet was significantly higher compared to the outer ones at the bottom and the top of the plant, but they were of about the equal size around the center of the plant height irrespective of the variety. According to our best knowledge, this morphological phenomenon has not been described yet. Key-words: distribution of leaf area, soybean (Glycine max L.), evapotranspiration, water stress
Who are Russia's Entrepreneurs?

Social scientists studying entrepreneurship have emphasized three distinct sets of variables: the institutional environment, sociological variables, and personal and psychological characteristics. We are conducting surveys in five large developing and transition economies to better understand entrepreneurship. In this short paper, using over 2,000 interviews from a pilot study in Russia, we find evidence that the three sets of variables matter: perceptions of the local institutional environment, social network effects, and individual characteristics are all important in determining entrepreneurial behavior. (JEL: M13, O12, P12) Copyright (c) 2005 The European Economic Association.