Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The effects of relaxation on reducing depression, anxiety and stress in women who underwent mastectomy for breast cancer

Background: Breast cancer is one of the most frequent malignancies among Iranian women. These patients suffer from a wide range of physical and mental (depression, anxiety and stress) signs and symptoms during the diagnostic and therapeutic processes. Despite the improvement in survival rates due to advances in medical care, different types of psychosocial interventions are still growingly needed considering the increasing number of cancer patients with longer survival times. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of relaxation on depression, anxiety and stress in women who underwent mastectomy for breast cancer. Materials and Methods: This clinical trial was conducted during about 4.5 months in a referral chemotherapy clinic of a teaching hospital in Isfahan, Iran. The participants consisted of 48 breast cancer patients who were selected by simple random sampling. They were randomly assigned into two groups of control and case. The control group was treated only by usual medical therapy, whereas the case group was treated by combined medical-relaxation therapy. Data collection tools were the validated Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS42) and a demographic questionnaire. Data were analyzed by SPSS using descriptive statistics, repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA), chi-square test and paired t-test. Findings: The baseline mean scores of depression, anxiety and stress were not significantly different between the case and control groups. However, the scores in the case group improved significantly after the treatment (p < 0.05). On the contrary, such improvement was not seen in the control group. Conclusions: Relaxation therapy can be effective in the improvement of depression, anxiety and stress. Therefore, it can be recommended as an effective care program in patients with malignant disorders.
On the X-ray, optical emission line and black hole mass properties of local Seyfert galaxies !

We investigate the relation between X-ray nuclear emission, optical emission line luminosities and black hole masses for a sample of 47 Seyfert galaxies. The sample, which has been selected from the Palomar optical spectroscopic survey of nearby galaxies (Ho et al. 1997a, ApJS, 112, 315), covers a wide range of nuclear powers, from L2" 10keV # 10 43 erg/s down to very low luminosities (L2" 10keV # 10 38 erg/s). Best available data from Chandra, XMM-Newton and, in a few cases, ASCA observations have been considered. Thanks to the good spatial resolution available from these observations and a proper modeling of the various spectral components, it has been possible to obtain accurate nuclear X-ray luminosities not contaminated by o! -nuclear sources and/or di! use emission. X-ray luminosities have then been corrected taking into account the likely candidate Compton thick sources, which are a high fraction (>30%) among type 2 Seyferts in our sample. The main result of this study is that we confirm strong linear correlations between 2-10 keV, (OIII)! 5007, H" luminosities which show the same slope as quasars and luminous Seyfert galaxies, independent of the level of nuclear activity displayed. Moreover, despite the wide range of Eddington ratios (L/LEdd) tested here (six orders of magnitude, from 0.1 down to # 10 " 7 ), no correlation is found between the X-ray or optical emission line luminosities and the black hole mass. Our results suggest that Seyfert nuclei in our sample are consistent with being a scaled-down version of more luminous AGN.
How Diet Intervention via Modulation of DNA Damage Response through MicroRNAs May Have an Effect on Cancer Prevention and Aging, an in Silico Study

The DNA damage response (DDR) is a molecular mechanism that cells have evolved to sense DNA damage (DD) to promote DNA repair, or to lead to apoptosis, or cellular senescence if the damage is too extensive. Recent evidence indicates that microRNAs (miRs) play a critical role in the regulation of DDR. Dietary bioactive compounds through miRs may affect activity of numerous genes. Among the most studied bioactive compounds modulating expression of miRs are epi-gallocatechin-3-gallate, curcumin, resveratrol and n3-polyunsaturated fatty acids. To compare the impact of these dietary compounds on DD/DDR network modulation, we performed a literature search and an in silico analysis by the DIANA-mirPathv3 software. The in silico analysis allowed us to identify pathways shared by different miRs involved in DD/DDR vis-à-vis the specific compounds. The results demonstrate that certain miRs (e.g., -146, -21) play a central role in the interplay among DD/DDR and the bioactive compounds. Furthermore, some specific pathways, such as “fatty acids biosynthesis/metabolism”, “extracellular matrix-receptor interaction” and “signaling regulating the pluripotency of stem cells”, appear to be targeted by most miRs affected by the studied compounds. Since DD/DDR and these pathways are strongly related to aging and carcinogenesis, the present in silico results of our study suggest that monitoring the induction of specific miRs may provide the means to assess the antiaging and chemopreventive properties of particular dietary compounds.
A Decentralized Scalable Approach to Voltage Control of DC Islanded Microgrids

We propose a new decentralized control scheme for DC Islanded microGrids (ImGs) composed of several Distributed Generation Units (DGUs) with a general interconnection topology. Each local controller regulates the voltage of the point of common coupling of the corresponding DGU to a reference value. Notably, offline control design is conducted in a plug-and-play fashion, meaning that: 1) the possibility of adding/removing a DGU without spoiling the stability of the overall ImG is checked through an optimization problem; 2) when a DGU is plugged in or out, at most its neighboring DGUs have to update their controllers; and 3) the synthesis of a local controller uses only information on the corresponding DGU and lines connected to it. This guarantees the total scalability of control synthesis as the ImG size grows or DGUs get replaced. Yet, under mild approximations of line dynamics, we formally guarantee the stability of the overall closed-loop ImG. The performance of the proposed controllers is analyzed simulating different scenarios in PSCAD.
A randomized trial of deep-brain stimulation for Parkinson's disease.

BACKGROUND Neurostimulation of the subthalamic nucleus reduces levodopa-related motor complications in advanced Parkinson's disease. We compared this treatment plus medication with medical management. METHODS In this randomized-pairs trial, we enrolled 156 patients with advanced Parkinson's disease and severe motor symptoms. The primary end points were the changes from baseline to six months in the quality of life, as assessed by the Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire (PDQ-39), and the severity of symptoms without medication, according to the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale, part III (UPDRS-III). RESULTS Pairwise comparisons showed that neurostimulation, as compared with medication alone, caused greater improvements from baseline to six months in the PDQ-39 (50 of 78 pairs, P=0.02) and the UPDRS-III (55 of 78, P<0.001), with mean improvements of 9.5 and 19.6 points, respectively. Neurostimulation resulted in improvements of 24 to 38 percent in the PDQ-39 subscales for mobility, activities of daily living, emotional well-being, stigma, and bodily discomfort. Serious adverse events were more common with neurostimulation than with medication alone (13 percent vs. 4 percent, P<0.04) and included a fatal intracerebral hemorrhage. The overall frequency of adverse events was higher in the medication group (64 percent vs. 50 percent, P=0.08). CONCLUSIONS In this six-month study of patients under 75 years of age with severe motor complications of Parkinson's disease, neurostimulation of the subthalamic nucleus was more effective than medical management alone. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00196911 [ClinicalTrials.gov].).
A Method for Monitoring Intensity During Aquatic Resistance Exercises

Colado, JC, Tella, V, and Triplett, NT. A method for monitoring intensity during aquatic resistance exercises. J Strength Cond Res 22(6): 2045-2049, 2008-The aims of this study were (i) to check whether monitoring of both the rhythm of execution and the perceived effort is a valid tool for reproducing the same intensity of effort in different sets of the same aquatic resistance exercise (ARE) and (ii) to assess whether this method allows the ARE to be put at the same intensity level as its equivalent carried out on dry land. Four healthy trained young men performed horizontal shoulder abduction and adduction (HSAb/Ad) movements in water and on dry land. Muscle activation was recorded using surface electromyography of 1 stabilizer and several agonist muscles. Before the final tests, the ARE movement cadence was established individually following a rhythmic digitalized sequence of beats to define the alternate HSAb/Ad movements. This cadence allowed the subject to perform 15 repetitions at a perceived exertion of 9-10 using Hydro-Tone Bells. After that, each subject performed 2 nonconsecutive ARE sets. The dry land exercises (1 set of HSAb and 1 set of HSAd) were performed using a dual adjustable pulley cable motion machine, with the previous selection of weights that allowed the same movement cadence to be maintained and the completion of the same repetitions in each of the sets as with the ARE. The average normalized data were compared for the exercises in order to determine possible differences in muscle activity. The results show the validity of this method for reproducing the intensity of effort in different sets of the same ARE, but is not valid for matching the same intensity level as kinematically similar land-based exercises.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation and potential cortical and trigeminothalamic mechanisms in migraine

Migraine affects 1 billion people worldwide, and is the most common cause of neurological disability. Single pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (sTMS) has been shown to be effective for the acute treatment of migraine. Using preclinical models, Andreou, Holland et al . explore thalamocortical mechanisms as a basis for this clinical effect.
Disability and prognosis in multiple sclerosis: demographic and clinical variables important for the ability to walk and awarding of disability pension

Objective: To evaluate disability and prognosis in an untreated population-based incidence cohort of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. Methods: The Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score was recorded in 220 MS patients. Disease progression was assessed by life table analysis with different endpoints and multivariate Cox regression analysis was performed for evaluation of prognostic factors. Results: The probability of being alive after 15 years was 94.8+1.8% (s.e.), of managing without a wheelchair (EDSS57.0) 75.8+3.2%, of walking without walking assistance (EDSS56.0) 60.3+3.6%, and of not being awarded a disability pension 46.0+3.7%. The probability of still having a relapsing-remitting (RR) course after 15 years was 62.0+4.1%. A RR course and long interval between the initial (onset) and second episode (43 years) predicted favorable outcome. There was also a trend towards favorable outcome in patients with optic neuritis, sensory symptoms and low age at onset, but these factors were associated with the RR course. Motor symptoms and high age at onset indicated unfavorable outcome, but these factors were associated with the primary progressive course. Conclusions: A RR course and long inter-episode intervals in the early phase of the disease were associated with a better outcome. Other onset characteristics indicating a favorable outcome were associated with the RR course while characteristics indicating an unfavorable outcome were associated with the PP course.
Alemtuzumab as Induction Therapy in Renal Transplantation

Alemtuzumab is a monoclonal antibody which causes profound lymphocyte depletion. It has gained increasing popularity as an induction agent in solid organ transplantation. The purpose of this article is to examine its mechanisms of action and to evaluate available data supporting its efficacy in this context. We therefore reviewed all published studies in which alemtuzumab was used at induction, the majority of which are non-randomized. Based on our review of the literature, we conclude that alemtuzumab is a useful induction agent, but should be used in combination with a calcineurin inhibitor to prevent early rejection. Alemtuzumab allows the use of a steroid-free maintenance regimen, and in this context, the incidence of acute rejection is at least comparable to that seen with anti-CD25 induction followed by triple therapy. Rejection episodes tend to occur much later in patients treated with alemtuzumab, necessitating ongoing vigilance in follow-up. The incidence of cytomegalovirus infection and post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder does not seem excessive in patients treated with alemtuzumab; however, these patients may develop autoimmunity. (Trends in Transplant. 2008;2:12-2 ) Corresponding author: Menna R. Clatworthy, mrc38@hermes.cam. ac.uk
Load-aware heterogeneous cellular networks: Modeling and SIR distribution

Heterogeneous cellular networks (HCNs) are characterized by cells whose coverage areas may vary by orders of magnitude. It is natural therefore that their user populations (and hence traffic loads) will vary similarly. Yet, to date, random spatial models developed for HCNs generally assume that all base stations (BSs) are always transmitting and hence implicitly have the same load. This paper incorporates a flexible notion of BS load by conditionally thinning the interference field, conditional on the connection of a typical mobile to its serving BS. We derive the coverage probability - i.e. the Signal-to-Interference-Ratio (SIR) distribution - for a typical mobile in a K-tier HCN where each tier has an arbitrary load characterized by a traffic factor pk ∈ [0, 1], where pk = 1 is fully loaded. Fully-loaded models are observed to be extremely pessimistic in terms of coverage, and the analysis shows that adding lightly loaded access points (e.g. pico or femtocells) to the macrocell network always increases the coverage probability.
Microbial Quality of Ready-to-Eat Salad Sold in Benin City, Southern Nigeria

This paper examines the microbial quality of ready-to-eat vegetable salads obtained from three fast food centres in Benin City, Edo state, Nigeria. Across the counter samples of salad were collected from randomly selected locations within the city and subjected to microbial culture in Nutrient and MacConkey agar media for isolation of bacteria. Three bacteria species were isolated, namely; Salmonella spp. Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus . The total colony count ranged from 3.01 x 101 cfu/g to 1.5 x 103 cfu/g. The order of increasing colony count of the bacteria isolates was Salmonella > E. Coli > Staphylococcus aureus . Results from the study shows that ready-to-eat-salad samples obtained from fast food centres in Benin City have high microbial load and as such do not meet bacteriological quality standards. Consumption of such products may pose public health problem. It is recommended that the total hygiene and sanitary conditions under which these fast food centres operate should be monitored by the relevant government agencies and stringent supervision of processing methods are applied. Key words : Salads, Microbial quality, food- borne infections, Benin City
Pointwise Error Estimates and Asymptotic Error Expansion Inequalities for the Finite Element Method on Irregular Grids: Part II. Interior Estimates

This part contains new interior pointwise error estimates for the finite element method for second order elliptic problems in $\mathbb R^N$. Global estimates were considered in Part I. In the sense to be discussed below, these sharpen known interior quasi-optimal $L_\infty$ and $W^1_\infty$ estimates in that they indicate a more local dependence of the error at a point on the derivatives of the solution near the point. The higher the order of the finite element the more local the behavior of the finite element approximation. As a consequence of these estimates, new types of local error expansions will be derived which are in the form of inequalities. These expansion inequalities are valid for large classes of finite elements defined on irregular grids in $\mathbb R^N$ and have applications to superconvergence, extrapolation, and a posteriori estimates for both smooth and nonsmooth problems.
Comminuted fractures of the radial head

Background There have been few reports on the long-term outcome of comminuted radial head fractures in adults. Method 10 women and 9 men with a mean age of 45 (21–65) years when they sustained a comminuted fracture of the radial head were re-evaluated after 15–25 years. 6 patients had been nonoperatively (NO) treated while 13 had had a radial head excision. The uninjured elbow served as a control. Results At follow-up, 11 patients (4 NO patients) rated their fractured elbow as being without deficits, 7 (1 NO) as being slightly impaired, and 1 (NO) as being severely impaired. Range of motion and elbow strength were not impaired, and even though there were more degenerative changes such as cysts, osteophytes, and sclerosis in the injured elbows by radiography, the prevalence of joint space reduction was not higher. Interpretation Most patients with an isolated comminuted fracture of the radial head treated nonoperatively or with a radial head excision report no or only minor long-term complaints.
Comparison of Euler‐Euler Approach and Euler–Lagrange Approach to Model Gas Injection in a Ladle

The gas injection in a ladle using a porous plug is simulated using both the Euler‐Euler and Euler‐Lagrange approaches. The effects of various forces, bubble sizes, and bubble injection frequencies on the flow pattern are modeled. For predicting axial velocity and turbulent kinetic energy, the Euler‐Lagrange approach fits better than Euler‐Euler approach with the measured data. In the Euler‐Euler approach, differences in axial velocities and turbulent kinetic energies for various bubble sizes mainly appears in the plume zone. In the Euler‐Lagrange approach, different bubble sizes with the same injection frequency have a small impact on the turbulence dissipation. Furthermore, the turbulent dispersion from the gas phase to the liquid phase has an important effect on the plume structure and spout eye formation. For both modeling, the smaller the bubble diameter is, the larger the axial velocity and turbulent kinetic dissipation are in the central zone. For the bubble coalescence and breakup, according to the comparison of two modeling approaches, the Euler‐Lagrange approach is more accurate in predicting the flow pattern for gas injection with a porous plug in the ladle.
Swash overtopping and sediment overwash on a truncated beach

New experimental laboratory data are presented on swash overtopping and sediment overwash on a truncated beach, approximating the conditions at the crest of a beach berm or inter-tidal ridge-runnel. The experiments provide a measure of the uprush sediment transport rate in the swash zone that is unaffected by the difficulties inherent in deploying instrumentation or sediment trapping techniques at laboratory scale. Overtopping flow volumes are compared with an analytical solution for swash flows as well as a simple numerical model, both of which are restricted to individual swash events. The analytical solution underestimates the overtopping volume by an order of magnitude while the model provides good overall agreement with the data and the reason for this difference is discussed. Modelled flow velocities are input to simple sediment transport formulae appropriate to the swash zone in order to predict the overwash sediment transport rates. Calculations performed with traditional expressions for the wave friction factor tend to underestimate the measured transport. Additional sediment transport calculations using standard total load equations are used to derive an optimum constant wave friction factor of fw=0.024. This is in good agreement with a broad range of published field and laboratory data. However, the influence of long waves and irregular wave run-up on the overtopping and overwash remains to be assessed. The good agreement between modelled and measured sediment transport rates suggests that the model provides accurate predictions of the uprush sediment transport rates in the swash zone, which has application in predicting the growth and height of beach berms. D 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Plasticity during Sleep Is Linked to Specific Regulation of Cortical Circuit Activity

Sleep is thought to be involved in the regulation of synaptic plasticity in two ways: by enhancing local plastic processes underlying the consolidation of specific memories and by supporting global synaptic homeostasis. Here, we briefly summarize recent structural and functional studies examining sleep-associated changes in synaptic morphology and neural excitability. These studies point to a global down-scaling of synaptic strength across sleep while a subset of synapses increases in strength. Similarly, neuronal excitability on average decreases across sleep, whereas subsets of neurons increase firing rates across sleep. Whether synapse formation and excitability is down or upregulated across sleep appears to partly depend on the cell’s activity level during wakefulness. Processes of memory-specific upregulation of synapse formation and excitability are observed during slow wave sleep (SWS), whereas global downregulation resulting in elimination of synapses and decreased neural firing is linked to rapid eye movement sleep (REM sleep). Studies of the excitation/inhibition balance in cortical circuits suggest that both processes are connected to a specific inhibitory regulation of cortical principal neurons, characterized by an enhanced perisomatic inhibition via parvalbumin positive (PV+) cells, together with a release from dendritic inhibition by somatostatin positive (SOM+) cells. Such shift towards increased perisomatic inhibition of principal cells appears to be a general motif which underlies the plastic synaptic changes observed during sleep, regardless of whether towards up or downregulation.
Analysis of Creep in Functionally Graded Cylinder

Creep is the tendency of a solid material to slowly move or deform permanently under the influence of stresses when subjected to high temperatures for long duration of time. So creep is one of the major considerations while analyzing the materials which are used for high temperature for long durations. Functionally Graded Materials (FGM) is the materials meant for high temperatures. FGM cylinders are used under high temperatures mainly in petroleum industry and nuclear power plants. So creep analysis of FGM cylinders has a wide scope for research. In this research work the radial and circumferential stress analysis of the FGM cylinders when subjected to internal and external pressures at high temperatures for long durations of time is done with the help of Ansys Software. The validation of the results is proved by matching the results with Jian Jun Chen et al. [16]. Further the effect of increasing internal pressure on the radial and circumferential stresses is seen. From the results obtained it is clear that they are in accordance with the results obtained by Jian Jun Chen et al. [16]. The results of the stress analysis showed that by increasing the internal pressure the radial and circumferential stresses increases directly proportional to internal pressure. INDEX S. No. Topic Page No. Declaration i Acknowledgement ii Abstract iii Index iv-v List of figures vi-vii List of tables viii Chapter