Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
EPPRD: An Efficient Privacy-Preserving Power Requirement and Distribution Aggregation Scheme for a Smart Grid

A Smart Grid (SG) facilitates bidirectional demand-response communication between individual users and power providers with high computation and communication performance but also brings about the risk of leaking users’ private information. Therefore, improving the individual power requirement and distribution efficiency to ensure communication reliability while preserving user privacy is a new challenge for SG. Based on this issue, we propose an efficient and privacy-preserving power requirement and distribution aggregation scheme (EPPRD) based on a hierarchical communication architecture. In the proposed scheme, an efficient encryption and authentication mechanism is proposed for better fit to each individual demand-response situation. Through extensive analysis and experiment, we demonstrate how the EPPRD resists various security threats and preserves user privacy while satisfying the individual requirement in a semi-honest model; it involves less communication overhead and computation time than the existing competing schemes.
Child Sleep and Socioeconomic Context in the Development of Cognitive Abilities in Early Childhood.

Despite a robust literature examining the association between sleep problems and cognitive abilities in childhood, little is known about this association in toddlerhood, a period of rapid cognitive development. The present study examined the association between various sleep problems, using actigraphy, and performance on a standardized test of cognitive abilities, longitudinally across three ages (30, 36, and 42 months) in a large sample of toddlers (N = 493). Results revealed a between-subject effect in which the children who had more delayed sleep schedules on average also showed poorer cognitive abilities on average but did not support a within-subjects effect. Results also showed that delayed sleep explains part of the association between family socioeconomic context and child cognitive abilities.
‘Because my brain isn’t as active as it should be, my eyes don’t always see’: a qualitative exploration of the stress process for those living with posterior cortical atrophy

Objectives To explore the stress process for individuals living with posterior cortical atrophy (PCA) and their families. Design A qualitative study using in-depth semi-structured dyadic and individual interviews with people living with a diagnosis of PCA and a family carer. Interview transcripts were thematically analysed. Setting Participants’ homes. Participants 20 individuals in the mild to moderate stages of PCA and 20 family carers. Findings Three major themes were identified: (1) the diagnostic journey: mostly an unsettling and convoluted process, owing to the early age of onset, rarity and atypical symptom profile of PCA. (2) Interactions with the physical environment: profound difficulties with functional and leisure activities were usually compensated for with adaptations maximising familiarity or simplicity. (3) Implications within the psychosocial environment: symptoms impacted individuals’ sense of independence and identity and required reallocations of roles and responsibilities. Ongoing uncertainties and the progressive nature of PCA caused most dyads to take a ‘one day at a time’ approach to coping. Relatively well-preserved insight and memory were a benefit and burden, as individuals shared the illness experience with family members and also compared their current situation to pre-diagnosis. The experience was framed by background and contextual factors and understood within an ever-changing temporal context. Conclusion The stress process in PCA is characterised by uncertainty and unpredictability from diagnosis through to ongoing management. The provision of tailored information about cortical visual problems and associated functional difficulties, time-sensitive environmental adaptations to help those with PCA to identify what and where things are and psychosocial interventions for the marital/family unit as a whole would be useful to improve both functional status and psychological well-being. Future research exploring (1) stress and coping in the later stages of PCA and (2) the nature and impact of visual impairment(s) in typical Alzheimer’s disease would be worthwhile.
Biochemical and biomechanical properties of the pacemaking sinoatrial node extracellular matrix are distinct from contractile left ventricular matrix

Extracellular matrix plays a role in differentiation and phenotype development of its resident cells. Although cardiac extracellular matrix from the contractile tissues has been studied and utilized in tissue engineering, extracellular matrix properties of the pacemaking sinoatrial node are largely unknown. In this study, the biomechanical properties and biochemical composition and distribution of extracellular matrix in the sinoatrial node were investigated relative to the left ventricle. Extracellular matrix of the sinoatrial node was found to be overall stiffer than that of the left ventricle and highly heterogeneous with interstitial regions composed of predominantly fibrillar collagens and rich in elastin. The extracellular matrix protein distribution suggests that resident pacemaking cardiomyocytes are enclosed in fibrillar collagens that can withstand greater tensile strength while the surrounding elastin-rich regions may undergo deformation to reduce the mechanical strain in these cells. Moreover, basement membrane-associated adhesion proteins that are ligands for integrins were of low abundance in the sinoatrial node, which may decrease force transduction in the pacemaking cardiomyocytes. In contrast to extracellular matrix of the left ventricle, extracellular matrix of the sinoatrial node may reduce mechanical strain and force transduction in pacemaking cardiomyocytes. These findings provide the criteria for a suitable matrix scaffold for engineering biopacemakers.
Relationship between processing method and microstructural and mechanical properties of poly(ethylene terephthalate)/short glass fiber composites

Composites of recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) reinforced with short glass fiber (GF) (0, 20, 30, and 40 wt %) were compounded in a single-screw extruder (SSE) and in a intermeshing corotating twin-screw extruder (TSE). An SSE fitted with a barrier double-flight screw melting section in between two single-flight sections and a TSE with a typical screw configuration for this purpose were used. The composites were subsequently injection molded at two different mold temperatures (10 and 120°C), with all other operative molding parameters kept constant. The effects of processing conditions on composite microstructure, PET degree of crystallinity, and composite mechanical properties were evaluated. Appropriate dispersive and distributive mixing of the glass fiber throughout the PET matrix as well as fine composite mechanical and thermal-mechanical properties were achieved regardless of whether the composites were prepared in the SSE or TSE. The performance of the SSE was attributed to the efficiency of the barrier screw melting section in composite mixing. The mold temperature influenced the mechanical properties of the composites, by controlling of the degree of crystallinity of the PET in the composites. For a good balance of mechanical and thermal-mechanical properties, high mold temperatures are desirable, typically, 120°C for a mold cooling time of 45 s. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2008
Neurologic music therapy in upper-limb rehabilitation in children with severe bilateral cerebral palsy: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND After receiving neurologic music therapy, functional improvements in children with severe bilateral cerebral palsy have not been found in the literature. Musical training with instruments allows interrelationships between movement, emotions and cognition for task-based learning, in order to improve motor control. AIM To understand whether neurologic music therapy has an impact on the functionality of children with severe cerebral palsy. DESIGN A randomized controlled assessor-blind trial was carried out. SETTING Children were recruited and treated in their own community center. POPULATION Eighteen children with severe bilateral cerebral palsy between 4 and 16 years old were studied. METHODS The intervention group (N.=18) received music therapy for 16 weeks, in addition to its usual physiotherapy input. Two music therapists implemented a neurologic music therapy program of therapeutic instrumental music performance. The control group (N.=9) received its usual therapeutic input, similar to the intervention group, but not neurologic music therapy. Overall and specific "Chailey levels of Ability" were quantified, as well as the locomotor stages. RESULTS Significant improvements in the overall and specific "arm and hand position" as well as "activities" from the Chailey Levels of Ability and the locomotor stages were observed (P<0.05) in the group which received the music therapy. All these improvements persisted after 4 months. The control group showed no improvements after a four-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS Optimized intervention of neurologic music therapy can improve the functionality of children with severe bilateral cerebral palsy. CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT Music therapy is a useful tool in rehabilitation and its positive effects remain four months after completing the treatment.
The safety and tolerability of inhaled treprostinil in patients with pulmonary hypertension and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

The primary aim was to explore the safety and tolerability of inhaled treprostinil when used in patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH) with concomitant chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Patients with a diagnosis of pre-capillary PH (defined as pulmonary artery mean pressure of ≥ 25 mmHg and pulmonary artery wedge pressure or left ventricular end diastolic pressure of ≤ 15 mmHg) who were being initiated on inhaled treprostinil and had concomitant COPD (defined as FEV1/FVC ratio ≤ 70% with FEV1 ≥ 40% predicted) were considered for inclusion in this pilot study. Assessments included adverse events, physical exam, World Health Organization (WHO) functional class, 6-minute walk test (6MWT), modified Borg dyspnea score, and concomitant medication. At baseline and week 16 St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), arterial blood gas (ABG), and pulmonary function test (PFT) were assessed. The median age was 65 years (age range, 56–80 years) and five patients (56%) were men. Among the nine patients, a majority had an increase in 6MWT from baseline to week 16 (median change, 19 m). Only three of the nine patients (33%) had an increase in A-a gradient at week 16 (median change, –7). There was no difference in any of the following: arterial blood gases, WHO functional class, 6MWT results, or SGRQ scores from baseline to week 16. There was a statistically significant decline in several of the PFT measures, including FEV1 (median change, –0.18 L; P = 0.004; median change, –7% of predicted; P = 0.016), FVC (median change, –0.23 L; P = 0.027), and diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) (median change, –5% of predicted; P = 0.023). The small number of patients limits firm conclusions; however, inhaled treprostinil did not seem to adversely impact oxygenation in the majority of the study patients with pre-capillary PH and COPD. While there may have an adverse impact on some pulmonary function parameters, the clinical significance is unclear.
When Darwin's Special Difficulty Promotes Diversification in Insects

Abstract. — Eusociality, Darwin's special difficulty, has been widely investigated but remains a topic of great debate in organismal biology. Eusocial species challenge existing theories, and the impact of highly integrated societies on diversification dynamics is controversial with opposing assertions and hypotheses in the literature. Here, using phylogenetic approaches in termites—the first group that has evolved eusociality—we assessed the fundamental prediction that eusocial lineages have higher diversification rates than non‐eusocial clades. We found multiple lines of evidence that eusociality provided higher diversification as compared to non‐eusociality. This is particularly exacerbated for eusocial species with “true” workers as compared to species with “false” workers. Because most species with “true” workers have an entirely prokaryotic microbiota, the latter feature is also related to higher diversification rates, but it should be investigated further, notably in relation to angiosperm diversification. Overall, this study suggests that societies with “true” workers are not only more successful at ecological timescales but also over millions of years, which further implies that both organism‐ and species‐level traits act on species selection.
Methods for time‐varying exposure related problems in pharmacoepidemiology: An overview

Lack of control for time‐varying exposures can lead to substantial bias in estimates of treatment effects. The aim of this study is to provide an overview and guidance on some of the available methodologies used to address problems related to time‐varying exposure and confounding in pharmacoepidemiology and other observational studies. The methods are explored from a conceptual rather than an analytical perspective.
Sensitivity and specificity of the lymphocyte transformation test in drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms causality assessment

Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) is a severe delayed hypersensitivity reaction. The determination of drug causality is complex. The lymphocyte transformation test (LTT) has been reported positive in more than 50% of DRESS cases. Nevertheless, the sensitivity and specificity of LTT specifically in DRESS have not yet been established. Rechallenge with the culprit drug is contraindicated and cannot be used as gold standard for sensitivity and specificity determination.
Th17 Inhibitors in Active Psoriatic Arthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Clinical Trials

Background: Several biologics targeting the Th17 pathway have been developed for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis (PsA), a disabling disease with moderate response and an increased incidence of serious infections to first-line biologics (TNF-α antagonists). Th17 inhibitors could replace TNF-α antagonists as first-line biologic agents. We determined the overall treatment effect of Th17 pathway inhibitors compared to placebo or active control on American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 20 response at week 12 (primary objective), risk of infections, discontinuation of treatment due to adverse events, and serious adverse events during the placebo-controlled period (12-24 weeks) in adults with active PsA in published randomized controlled trials. Methods: The SCOPUS database was searched. The Cochrane risk of bias tool was used for assessing quality. The pooled relative risk (RR) was derived from random effects models. Results: Seven randomized controlled trials were included which randomized 1,718 patients to Th17 inhibitors and 840 to placebo. Patients treated with Th17 inhibitors had an RR of 2.04 (95% CI: 1.79-2.33; p < 0.001) for achieving an ACR20 response at week 12 (I2 = 0%; p = 0.89) compared to placebo-treated patients. There was no evidence of publication bias. The result was consistent for study phase and outcome (ACR50/70), mechanism of action and TNF-α naivety. RR of infections was 1.06 (0.91-1.23), that of candida infections was 3.35 (0.75-14.95), that of serious adverse events was 0.82 (0.42-1.59) and that of discontinuation of treatment was 0.54 (0.31-0.93) among treated versus placebo subjects. No incident cases of tuberculosis were reported. Conclusion: In patients with active PsA, biologics targeting the Th17 axis produce a clinically significant improvement in joint disease activity with acceptable safety and tolerability for short-term treatment compared to placebo.
Modulation of Functional Connectivity in Auditory‐Motor Networks in Musicians Compared with Nonmusicians

&NA; Correlation of spontaneous fluctuations at rest between anatomically distinct brain areas are proposed to reflect the profile of individual a priori cognitive biases, coded as synaptic efficacies in cortical networks. Here, we investigate functional connectivity at rest (rs‐FC) in musicians and nonmusicians to test for differences in auditory, motor, and audiomotor connectivity. As expected, musicians had stronger rs‐FC between the right auditory cortex (AC) and the right ventral premotor cortex than nonmusicians, and this stronger rs‐FC was greater in musicians with more years of practice. We also found reduced rs‐FC between the motor areas that control both hands in musicians compared with nonmusicians, which was more evident in the musicians whose instrument required bimanual coordination and as a function of hours of practice. Finally, we replicated previous morphometric data to show an increased volume in the right AC in musicians, which was greater in those with earlier musical training, and that this anatomic feature was in turn related to greater rs‐FC between auditory and motor systems. These results show that functional coupling within the motor system and between motor and auditory areas is modulated as a function of musical training, suggesting a link between anatomic and functional brain features.
Mechanical Analysis of Biodegradable Films from Native and Chemically Modified Potato Starches

The production of biodegradable films has been studied to be a substitute of conventional plastics. The use of starch in biodegradable films are of great interest and starch modification improves an increase to the mechanical properties the film. The mechanical properties were evaluated by Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA). The aim of this study is to determine the mechanical properties of biodegradable films produced from native and chemically modified potato starch. The starch was extracted and subjected to chemical modification by oxidation in different concentrations of active chlorine. The biodegradable films were prepared with starch and glycerol as plasticizer, and were observed with an optical microscope to evaluate the morphology and their relationship with the strength. The tensile tests were performed at 80oC to evaluate the mechanical properties by means of stress-strain curves. The morphology of biodegradable potato starch films shows that the starch granules were partially gelatinized during the film formation. As the elastic modulus is a property which determines the stiffness of the material, by means of he DMA analysis it can be seen that oxidation results in beneficial changes in the mechanical properties of the films, because the modulus increased from 346.70 MPa for the native starch to 651.75 MPa to oxidized starch with 1.5% of active chlorine, respectively.
Perception and use of complementary and alternative medicine among children and adults with epilepsy: the importance of the decision makers.

The aim of the current study was to assess the extent to which complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has been used in children and adults to treat seizures and to compare the perceptions and usage of CAM between adult patients who decides for themselves and adults who decide for their sick children.In this cross-sectional study, patients who have been treated for epilepsy for at least one year at the outpatient epilepsy clinic at the Shiraz University of Medical Sciences were interviewed from January 2012 through March 2012. The questionnaire collected specific information of CAM perceptions and usage among patients. Pearson Chi-Square and Student's t-test were used to compare variables among children group with adults group. Ninety-eight children (their caregivers) and 158 adults (themselves) participated. Adult patients (53%) more frequently believed that CAM might be useful in treating seizures than adults with sick kids (35%) (P = 0.0004). Herbal drugs, traditional medicine and exercise were more often considered as being helpful in treating seizures among adult patients compared to adults with sick children. CAM usage was not different among adult patients compared to adults with sick kids (P = 0.3). CAM is an option considered by many people with epilepsy to treat seizures. The individual who makes the decision as to use any of these unconventional treatment options is probably not different when it comes to self (the patient himself) vs. non-self (the parents/care-givers), despite the observed difference that adult patients more frequently believed that CAM might be useful in treating seizures than adults with sick kids.
An Evaluation of e-CHECKUP TO GO in Canada: The Mediating Role of Changes in Social Norm Misperceptions

ABSTRACT Background: Alcohol use and related problems are key concerns among colleges, and web-based interventions to mitigate these issues are increasingly popular across campuses. A variety of programs are commercially available and have demonstrated efficacy in reducing alcohol use and consequences; however, little is known about how these programs reduce alcohol outcomes. Objectives: The e-CHECKUP TO GO program (e-CHUG) is the briefest electronic intervention available and over 600 institutions are using it internationally. The present study evaluates the impact of the e-CHUG program on drinking outcomes and examines changes in perceived norms as a potential mediator of intervention efficacy in a sample of first-year Canadian university residence students. This is the first Canadian evaluation of e-CHUG. Methods: First year Canadian university students (N = 245) living in residence in August 2014 participated in a randomized control trial to evaluate the efficacy of e-CHUG program compared to an assessment-only control condition. Follow-up assessments were completed at 3-months and 5-months. Norm misperceptions and drinking outcomes were measured. Results: At 3-month and 5-month follow-up assessments program participants had lower norm misperceptions about peers drinking compared to control participants. Changes in norm misperceptions at 3-months mediated the effect of the program on drinking outcomes at 5-months. There were no sex differences in the associations. Conclusions/Importance: Findings suggest that e-CHECKUP TO GO may be a promising strategy for addressing norm misperceptions and subsequently drinking for Canadian students.
Experiences and Attitudes of Nurses Regarding Complementary Health Approaches Used by Themselves and Their Patients

Nurses’ attitudes and experiences may affect the level of patient exposure to complementary health approaches (CHA), both now and in the future. The purpose of this study was to describe nurses’ experience of CHA and their personal and professional attitudes to the use of CHA. The sample consisted of 220 nurses working at a university hospital in Antalya, Turkey. Data were collected using a questionnaire developed by the researchers. Nurses had a positive attitude toward CHA and reported mixed experiences of CHA for allergies, pain, and stress. This study may contribute to increased awareness of the potentially important role of nurses in delivery of CHAs. Hospital nurses should receive more training on CHA. Nurses should discuss the potential benefits and risks of CHA with patients.