Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Insights into the impact of clinical encounters gained from personal accounts of living with advanced cancer

Aim To describe the impact of interactions with health care professionals revealed by people’s accounts of living and dying with cancer; to explore reasons for the observed effects; and thus, to consider the implications for practice. Background The importance of practitioner–patient interactions is enshrined within professional values. However, our understanding of how and why the consultation impacts on outcomes remains underdeveloped. Stories recounted by people living and dying with cancer offer important insights into illness experience, including the impact of contact with health services, framed within the context of the wider social setting in which people live their lives. From our recent study of distress in primary palliative care patients, we describe how people’s accounts revealed both therapeutic and noxious effects of such encounters, and discuss reasons for the observed effects. Method A qualitative study with a purposive sample of 19 primary palliative care patients: (8 men, 11 at high risk of depression). In-depth interviews were analysed using the iterative thematic analysis described by Lieblich. Findings Living with cancer can be an exhausting process. Maintaining continuity of everyday life was the norm, and dependent on a dynamic process of balancing threats and supports to people’s emotional well-being. Interactions with health care professionals were therapeutic when they provided emotional, or narrative, support. Threats arose when the patient’s perception of the professional’s account of their illness experience was at odds with the person’s own sense of their core self and what was important to them. Our findings highlight the need for a framework in which clinicians may legitimately utilize different illness models to deliver a personalized, patient-centred assessment of need and care. The work provides testable hypotheses supporting development of understanding of therapeutic impact of the consultation.
Long-Term Effect of Dust Control on Blood Lead Concentrations

Background. Dust control is recommended to prevent children's exposure to residential lead hazards, but the long-term effect of dust control on children's exposure to environmental lead is unknown. Objective. To determine the effect of dust control on children's exposure to lead, as measured by blood lead concentration at 48 months of age. Design. A randomized, controlled trial. Setting. Rochester, New York. Participants. A total of 275 urban children were randomized at 6 months of age; 189 (69%) were available for the 48-month follow-up blood test. Intervention. Children and their families were randomly assigned to an intervention group that received cleaning equipment and up to 8 visits by a trained lead hazard control advisor or to a control group. The intervention was terminated when the children were 24 months of age. Outcome Measures. Geometric mean blood lead concentration and prevalence of elevated blood lead concentration (ie, ≥10 μg/dL, ≥15 μg/dL, and ≥20 μg/dL), by group assignment. Results. For children with 48-month blood tests, baseline geometric mean blood lead concentrations were 2.8 μg/dL (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.6,3.0); there were no significant differences in baseline characteristics or lead exposure by group assignment. At 48 months of age, the geometric mean blood lead was 5.9 μg/dL (95% CI: 5.3,6.7) for the intervention group and 6.1 μg/dL (95% CI: 5.5,6.9) for the control group. The percentage of children with a 48-month blood lead ≥10 μg/dL, ≥15 μg/dL, and ≥20 μg/dL was 19% versus 19%, 2% versus 9%, and 1% versus 2% in the intervention and control groups, respectively. Conclusions. We conclude that dust control, as performed by families and in the absence of lead hazard controls to reduce ongoing contamination from lead-based paint, was not effective in preventing children's exposure to residential lead hazards.
Socio-economic Mobility among Patients with Schizophrenia or Major Affective Disorder a 17-Year Retrospective Follow-Up

Background Social mobility among patients with schizophrenia or major affective disorder was compared with that among the general population. Method Mobility was studied retrospectively from 1970 to 1987. Socio-economic status (SES) was defined by occupation as in the population census (upper white-collar, lower white-collar, blue-collar, entrepreneur, farmer, unemployed). All patients aged 30–60 years at discharge (2901 men and 3620 women) in 1987–88 in Finland were included in the study. The SES structure of the general population was used for comparisons. Results Among patients with schizophrenia there was a constant downward drift, commonly to unemployment. This risk was higher among men than women. In the youngest age group a marked decline from the parents' social status was observed. Among patients with major affective disorder the distribution of SES in 1970 was similar to that of the general population. By 1987, a downward drift was again observed, mainly to unemployment regardless of the initial SES group. The number of patients in occupational categories were usually 30–50% lower than expected. Conclusions Schizophrenic patients had a high risk of social drop-out. Among patients with major affective disorder the downward drift was much less.
CiAO: An Aspect-Oriented Operating-System Family for Resource-Constrained Embedded Systems

This paper evaluates aspect-oriented programming (AOP) as a first-class concept for implementing configurability in system software for resource-constrained embedded systems. To compete against proprietary special-purpose solutions, system software for this domain has to be highly configurable. Such fine-grained configurability is usually implemented "in-line" by means of the C preprocessor. However, this approach does not scale - it quickly leads to "#ifdef hell" and a bad separation of concerns. At the same time, the challenges of configurability are still increasing. AUTOSAR OS, the state-of-the-art operating-system standard from the domain of automotive embedded systems, requires configurability of even fundamental architectural system policies. On the example of our CiAO operating-system family and the AUTOSAR-OS standard, we demonstrate that AOP - if applied from the very beginning - is a profound answer to these challenges. Our results show that a well-directed, pragmatic application of AOP leads to a much better separation of concerns than does #ifdef-based configuration - without compromising on resource consumption. The suggested approach of aspect-aware operating-system development facilitates providing even fundamental system policies as configurable features.
Neuronal circuitry regulates the response of Caenorhabditis elegans to misfolded proteins

The consequence of chronic protein misfolding is the basis of many human diseases. To combat the deleterious effects of accumulated protein damage, all cells possess robust quality-control systems, specifically molecular chaperones and clearance machineries, that sense and respond to protein misfolding. However, for many protein conformational diseases, it is unclear why this quality-control system does not efficiently counter protein aggregation. Previous findings that the heat shock response in Caenorhabditis elegans is regulated by thermosensory neurons led us to consider whether neuronal activity could also be responsible for the inadequate response of an organism to chronic protein misfolding. Here we show, in animals expressing polyglutamine expansion proteins and mutant SOD-1G93A in intestinal or muscle cells, that the nervous system does indeed control the cellular response to misfolded proteins. Whereas polyglutamine expansion-expressing animals with WT thermosensory neurons readily express protein aggregates, leading to cellular dysfunction without concomitant up-regulation of molecular chaperones, modulation of the nervous system results in chaperone up-regulation that suppresses aggregation and toxicity. The neuronal signal is transmitted through calcium-activated dense core vesicle neurosecretion. Cell-nonautonomous control of chaperone expression by the thermosensory neurons allows C. elegans to respond differently to acute stress such as heat shock, and chronic stress caused by the expression of misfolded proteins, suggesting that neuronal signaling determines the course of cellular proteotoxicity.
A DETERMINATION OF THE SPIN OF THE BLACK HOLE PRIMARY IN LMC X-1

The first extragalactic X-ray binary, LMC X-1, was discovered in 1969. In the 1980s, its compact primary was established as the fourth dynamical black hole candidate. Recently, we published accurate values for the mass of the black hole and the orbital inclination angle of the binary system. Building on these results, we have analyzed 53 X-ray spectra obtained by RXTE and, using a selected sample of 18 of these spectra, we have determined the dimensionless spin parameter of the black hole to be a* = 0.92+0.05−0.07. This result takes into account all sources of observational and model-parameter uncertainties. The standard deviation around the mean value of a* for these 18 X-ray spectra, which were obtained over a span of several years, is only Δa* = 0.02. When we consider our complete sample of 53 RXTE spectra, we find a somewhat higher value of the spin parameter and a larger standard deviation. Finally, we show that our results based on RXTE data are confirmed by our analyses of selected X-ray spectra obtained by the XMM-Newton, BeppoSAX, and Ginga missions.
Automatically Created Concept Graphs Using Descriptive Keywords in the Medical Domain

Summary Objectives: Besides keyword search, navigational search is an important means to find relevant information in digital object collections. Such navigation is often supported by categorization systems or thesauri, which provide a hierarchical view on a particular domain and allow for browsing digital collections. Existing categorization systems, however, require large and expensive efforts for the manual creation and maintenance. Our Semantic GrowBag algorithm fully automatically creates concept graphs, i.e. directed graphs similar to categorization systems but without strong subsumption semantics. This article sketches our algorithm and evaluates it for the medical domain. Methods: Our Semantic GrowBag algorithm uses descriptive keywords and exploits higher-order cooccurrences between them to create concept graphs (so-called GrowBag graphs) from annotated object collections. In this study, we have automatically created more than 2000 GrowBag graphs based on the Medline data set to show the applicability of our algorithm in the medical domain. For the evaluation, we first compared our algorithm to a baseline algorithm that does not take higher-order co-occurrences into account, and then compared the resulting GrowBag graphs systematically against the manually crafted MeSH thesaurus. Results: Our experiments revealed that the Semantic GrowBag approach essentially increases the number of relevant relationships in comparison to a baseline approach by about 50%. Furthermore, the identified relations usually correspond to and hardly ever contradict to relationships as stated by MeSH. Conclusions: The Semantic GrowBag algorithm allows creating concept graphs fully automatically. While it does not systematically exploit specifics of a domain (such as the fundamental separation between ‘drugs’ and ‘therapy’ in MeSH), the resulting GrowBag graphs are nevertheless well-suited to support navigation in digital object collections. Moreover, they can also be used to help maintaining existing categorization systems based on the actual usage of categories.
Autologous Platelet-rich Plasma Eye Drops Accelerate Re-epithelialization of Post-keratoplasty Persistent Corneal Epithelial Defects

Purpose: To investigate whether autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) eye drops accelerate re-epithelialization of post-keratoplasty persistent corneal epithelial defects (PEDs). Methods: A total of 34 eyes with PEDs after keratoplasty (24 penetrating keratoplasty and 10 deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty) that were refractory to conventional medical treatments were treated with PRP eye drops every 3 hours. PRP eye drops were prepared with a low- and high-speed centrifugation method and final platelet counts were 700,000-800,000 plt/μl. The mean treatment duration for complete re-epithelialization was compared with the mean treatment duration of conventionally treated corneal defects before the PRP treatment by paired t-test. The mean treatment duration was also statistically analyzed between age groups, gender, indications for keratoplasty, and types of keratoplasty using analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: Treatment with autologous PRP eye drops led to rapid re-epithelialization in all eyes. The mean treatment duration for complete re-epithelialization was 2.47 ± 1.21 weeks, which was significantly shorter than the mean treatment duration of conventionally treated corneal defects before PRP treatment (6.82 ± 1.24 weeks) (P = 0.0001). There was no significant correlation between re-epithelialization time and patients' age, sex, indications for keratoplasty, and techniques of corneal transplantation. Conclusion: Treatment with autologous PRP eye drops is an effective and reliable approach that accelerates re-epithelialization of post-transplantation PEDs.
CramÉr-rao Bound for DOA Estimators under the Partial Relaxation Framework

In this paper, the Cramér-Rao Bound for the Direction-ofArrival parameter under the partial relaxation framework is derived. We introduce a non-redundant parameterization of the signal model corresponding to the partial relaxation framework, in which the array structure in part of the steering matrix is neglected while the rank of the relaxed steering matrix is maintained. We prove that the stochastic Cramér-Rao Bound for the Direction-of-Arrival parameter under the partial relaxation signal model is lower-bounded by that of the conventional stochastic Cramér-Rao Bound. Furthermore, we prove that the partial relaxation estimator for the Weighted Subspace Fitting criterion asymptotically achieves the conventional Cramér-Rao Bound in the case of uncorrelated source signals.
Measuring Meaningful Work

Many people desire work that is meaningful. However, research in this area has attracted diverse ideas about meaningful work (MW), accompanied by an equally disparate collection of ways of assessing MW. To further advance study in this area, the authors propose a multidimensional model of work as a subjectively meaningful experience consisting of experiencing positive meaning in work, sensing that work is a key avenue for making meaning, and perceiving one’s work to benefit some greater good. The development of a scale to measure these dimensions is described, an initial appraisal of the reliability and construct validity of the instrument’s scores is reported using a sample of university employees (N = 370) representing diverse occupations. MW scores correlated in predicted ways with work-related and general well-being indices, and accounted for unique variance beyond common predictors of job satisfaction, days reported absent from work, and life satisfaction. The authors discuss ways in which this conceptual model provides advantages to scholars, counselors, and organizations interested in fostering MW.
Survival activity of troglitazone in rat motoneurones

Troglitazone (TGZ), an antidiabetic drug that improves insulin‐resistance in the peripheral tissues, was tested for neurotrophic activity in motoneurones and other neurones in culture. In rat motoneurones, TGZ had a remarkable effect on survival, which was comparable or superior to that of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor, a known potent neurotrophic factor for rat motoneurones. However, TGZ did not promote the survival of sensory, sympathetic, septal or hippocampal neurones. The effect of TGZ on motoneurones was additive to that of insulin‐like growth factor‐I and both activities were inhibited by phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3‐kinase) inhibitors, wortmannin and LY294002, suggesting the involvement of the activation of PI3‐kinase in the activity of TGZ. Pioglitazone, another antidiabetic drug structurally similar to TGZ, did not show any activity, indicating that the agonistic activity of TGZ for peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐γ is not involved in the survival activity. Chromanol, an antioxidant moiety of TGZ, showed little or no survival activity. These results indicate specific neurotrophic activity of TGZ for motoneurones through the activation of PI3‐kinase and support the applicability of TGZ for the treatment of motor neurone diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
The Role of Internet Service Providers in Botnet Mitigation an Empirical Analysis Based on Spam Data

Botnets, networks of machines infected with malicious software, are widely regarded as a critical security threat. Measures that directly address the owners of the infected machine end users are useful, but have proven insufficient to reduce the overall problem. Recent studies have shifted attention to key intermediaries – most notably, Internet Service Providers (ISPs) – as control points for botnet activity. Surprisingly little empirical information is available to assess the claim that ISPs are an important control point, as well as related claims, for example, that large ISPs are worse cybercitizens than smaller ones. This paper is a first effort to go beyond generalized arguments by dissecting the diversity of ISPs and the number of infected machines in their networks. As most of the current spam is sent through botnets, the origin of spam messages provides us with a proxy for detecting infected machines. Using a global dataset of 138 million unique IP addresses that connected to a spam trap in the period 2005-2008, we have analyzed in detail the geographic patterns, time trends, and differences at the level of countries and ISPs. This data underlines the key position of ISPs as intermediaries. For example, in our dataset just 10 ISPs account for around 30 percent of all unique IP addresses sending spam worldwide; 50 ISPs account for over half of all sources. For the first time, the patterns in infected machines are connected to other data, such as the size of the ISPs and the country in which they are located. Using bivariate and multivariate statistical approaches we investigate empirically the effects of country-level policy measures on the number of unique IP addresses sending spam at the ISP level. The data reveals wide differences between ISPs in the relative number of infected machines, sometimes up to three orders of magnitude. Whereas the overall number of infected machines is largely driven by the size of the user base, we also find limited evidence that public policies to improve cybersecurity have the desired mitigating effects. Our findings confirm some of the claims made in the research literature but refute others.
The Nasoendoscopy Study of Velopharyngeal Closure Patterns in Normal Thai Volunteers

The purpose of this study is to assess patterns of velopharyngeal closure in normal Thai subject. Ten volunteers with normal speech and no history of cranio-maxillo-facial abnormality, injury or surgery were included in this study. Their velopharyngeal closures were reviewed by nasopharyngoscopy. Their articulation and resonation characteristics were also evaluated. The patterns of closure and related anatomy were studied. The results showed that all subjects achieved complete closure without a gap or nasal emission. Three patterns of velopharyngeal closure were found. A circular pattern was found in the majority of the subjects. More specifically, 6 subjects demonstrated circular closure patterns and 1 had a circular closure pattern with the Passavant's ridge. The coronal pattern was found in the last 3 subjects. There was no correlation between patterns of closure and demographic data related to anatomy and resonation characteristics. In conclusion, 3 patterns of velopharyngeal closure were found and the circular type was the common. Further study was recommended with a larger group for gathering a database of Thai people.
Efficiency analysis of German electricity distribution utilities – non-parametric and parametric tests

This study applies non-parametric and parametric tests to assess the efficiency of electricity distribution companies in Germany. Traditional issues in electricity sector benchmarking are addressed, such as the role of scale effects and optimal utility size, as well as new evidence specific to the situation in Germany. Labour, capital, and peak load capacity are used as inputs, and units sold and the number of customers as output. The data cover 307 (out of 553) German electricity distribution utilities. A data envelopment analysis (DEA) is applied with constant returns to scale (CRS) as the main productivity analysis technique, whereas stochastic frontier analysis (SFA) with distance function is the verification method. The results suggest that returns to scale play but a minor role; only very small utilities have a significant cost advantage. Low customer density is found to affect the efficiency score significantly, in particular in the lower third of all observations. Surprisingly, East German utilities feature a higher average efficiency than their West German counterparts. The correlation tests imply a high coherence of the results.
Overexpression of TRPC 1 enhances pulmonary vasoconstriction induced by capacitative Ca 2 entry

Kunichika, Naomi, Ying Yu, Carmelle V. Remillard, Oleksandr Platoshyn, Shen Zhang, and Jason X. -J. Yuan. Overexpression of TRPC1 enhances pulmonary vasoconstriction induced by capacitative Ca entry. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 287: L962–L969, 2004. First published June 25, 2004; doi:10.1152/ ajplung.00452. 2003. —Transient receptor potential (TRP) cation channels are a critical pathway for Ca entry during pulmonary artery (PA) smooth muscle contraction. However, whether canonical TRP (TRPC) subunits and which TRP channel isoforms are involved in store depletion-induced pulmonary vasoconstriction in vivo remain unclear. This study was designed to test whether overexpression of the human TRPC1 gene (hTRPC1) in rat PA enhances pulmonary vasoconstriction due to store depletion-mediated Ca influx. The hTRPC1 was infected into rat PA rings with an adenoviral vector. RT-PCR and Western blot analyses confirmed the mRNA and protein expression of hTRPC1 in the arterial rings. The amplitude of active tension induced by 40 mM K (40K) in PA rings infected with an empty adenoviral vector (647 88 mg/mg) was similar to that in PA rings infected with hTRPC1 (703 123 mg/mg, P 0.3). However, the active tension due to capacitative Ca entry (CCE) induced by cyclopiazonic acid was significantly enhanced in PA rings overexpressing hTRPC1 (91 13% of 40K-induced contraction) compared with rings infected with an empty adenoviral vector (61 14%, P 0.001). Endothelial expression of hTRPC1 was not involved since the CCE-induced vasoconstriction was also enhanced in endotheliumdenuded PA rings infected with the adenoviral vector carrying hTRPC1. These observations demonstrate that hTRPC1 is an important Ca -permeable channel that mediates pulmonary vasoconstriction when PA smooth muscle cell intracellular Ca stores are depleted.