Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
We wanted to choose us: how embryo donors choose recipients for their surplus embryos

Abstract Objective: This study aimed to explore factors affecting donors’ choice of recipients for their surplus embryos in the New Zealand context of conditional, known donations. Background: Internationally, embryo donation has a low uptake in spite of large numbers of cryopreserved embryos. Possible reasons include a lack of knowledge about and concern for the future welfare of the resultant offspring. In New Zealand, donors and recipients meet prior to donation and legislation supports disclosure and access to genetic knowledge. Method: Twenty-two embryo donors (10 couples, two individuals) were interviewed between March 2012 and February 2013 about their experiences of donation and factors affecting their donation. Interview data were analysed thematically. Results: In the interests of the welfare of the child resulting from donation, donors were invested in choosing recipients who would make suitable parents. They attempted to choose recipients similar to themselves, as well as those that they trusted to disclose the manner of conception and facilitate agreed-upon information exchange and contact. Conclusion: The interest of donors in ensuring offspring well-being may lend support to conditional forms of open donation, allowing for assessment of recipients’ suitability to parent, and for negotiation around information exchange and contact.
A Bayesian analysis of quantal bioassay experiments incorporating historical controls via Bayes factors

This paper addresses model‐based Bayesian inference in the analysis of data arising from bioassay experiments. In such experiments, increasing doses of a chemical substance are given to treatment groups (usually rats or mice) for a fixed period of time (usually 2 years). The goal of such an experiment is to determine whether an increased dosage of the chemical is associated with increased probability of an adverse effect (usually presence of adenoma or carcinoma). The data consists of dosage, survival time, and the occurrence of the adverse event for each unit in the study. To determine whether such relationship exists, this paper proposes using Bayes factors to compare two probit models, the model that assumes increasing dose effects and the model that assumes no dose effect. These models account for the survival time of each unit through a Poly‐k type correction. In order to increase statistical power, the proposed approach allows the incorporation of information from control groups from previous studies. The proposed method is able to handle data with very few occurrences of the adverse event. The proposed method is compared with a variation of the Peddada test via simulation and is shown to have higher power. We demonstrate the method by applying it to the two bioassay experiment datasets previously analyzed by other authors. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Benefits of V2V Communication for Autonomous and Connected Vehicles

In this paper, we investigate the benefits of vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication for autonomous vehicles and provide results on how V2V information helps reduce employable time headway in the presence of parasitic lags. For a string of vehicles adopting a constant time headway policy and availing the on-board information of predecessor’s vehicle position and velocity, the minimum employable time headway (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$h_{\min }$ </tex-math></inline-formula>) must be lower bounded by <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$2\tau _{0}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> for string stability, where <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\tau _{0}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> is the maximum parasitic actuation lag. In this paper, we quantify the benefits of using V2V communication in terms of a reduction in the employable time headway: 1) If the position and velocity information of <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$r$ </tex-math></inline-formula> immediately preceding vehicles is used, then <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$h_{\min }$ </tex-math></inline-formula> can be reduced to <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${4\tau _{0}}/{(1+r)}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>; 2) furthermore, if the acceleration of ‘<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$r$ </tex-math></inline-formula>’ immediately preceding vehicles is used, then <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$h_{\min }$ </tex-math></inline-formula> can be reduced to <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${2\tau _{0}}/{(1+r)}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>; and 3) if the position, velocity, and acceleration of the immediate and the <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$r$ </tex-math></inline-formula>-th predecessors are used, then <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$h_{\min } \ge {2\tau _{0}}/{(1+r)}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>. Note that cases <xref rid="deqn2" ref-type="disp-formula">(2)</xref> and <xref rid="deqn3" ref-type="disp-formula">(3)</xref> provide the same lower bound on the minimum employable time headway; however, case <xref rid="deqn3" ref-type="disp-formula">(3)</xref> requires much less communicated information.
Tele-rehabilitation service delivery: Journey from prototype to robust in-home use

Tele-rehabilitation refers to the use of information and communication technologies to provide rehabilitation services to people remotely in their homes or other environments. The goal is to improve patient access to care by receiving therapy beyond the physical walls of a traditional healthcare facility, thus expanding continuity of rehabilitation care. The objectives of this paper are (1) to provide data that document the service delivery implemented by ReAbility Online for the past 18 months and (2) to report on the results of a focus group of clients who took part in the service during its initial implementation. We conclude with a short discussion based on the lessons learned during the development, evaluation and service implementation process.
Behavioral Indicators on a Mobile Sensing Platform Predict Clinically Validated Psychiatric Symptoms of Mood and Anxiety Disorders

Background There is a critical need for real-time tracking of behavioral indicators of mental disorders. Mobile sensing platforms that objectively and noninvasively collect, store, and analyze behavioral indicators have not yet been clinically validated or scalable. Objective The aim of our study was to report on models of clinical symptoms for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression derived from a scalable mobile sensing platform. Methods A total of 73 participants (67% [49/73] male, 48% [35/73] non-Hispanic white, 33% [24/73] veteran status) who reported at least one symptom of PTSD or depression completed a 12-week field trial. Behavioral indicators were collected through the noninvasive mobile sensing platform on participants’ mobile phones. Clinical symptoms were measured through validated clinical interviews with a licensed clinical social worker. A combination hypothesis and data-driven approach was used to derive key features for modeling symptoms, including the sum of outgoing calls, count of unique numbers texted, absolute distance traveled, dynamic variation of the voice, speaking rate, and voice quality. Participants also reported ease of use and data sharing concerns. Results Behavioral indicators predicted clinically assessed symptoms of depression and PTSD (cross-validated area under the curve [AUC] for depressed mood=.74, fatigue=.56, interest in activities=.75, and social connectedness=.83). Participants reported comfort sharing individual data with physicians (Mean 3.08, SD 1.22), mental health providers (Mean 3.25, SD 1.39), and medical researchers (Mean 3.03, SD 1.36). Conclusions Behavioral indicators passively collected through a mobile sensing platform predicted symptoms of depression and PTSD. The use of mobile sensing platforms can provide clinically validated behavioral indicators in real time; however, further validation of these models and this platform in large clinical samples is needed.
Thermal delay of drop coalescence

We present the results of a combined experimental and theoretical study of drop coalescence in the presence of an initial temperature difference $\unicode[STIX]{x0394}T_{0}$ between a drop and a bath of the same liquid. We characterize experimentally the dependence of the residence time before coalescence on $\unicode[STIX]{x0394}T_{0}$ for silicone oils with different viscosities. Delayed coalescence arises above a critical temperature difference $\unicode[STIX]{x0394}T_{c}$ that depends on the fluid viscosity: for $\unicode[STIX]{x0394}T_{0}>\unicode[STIX]{x0394}T_{c}$ , the delay time increases as $\unicode[STIX]{x0394}T_{0}^{2/3}$ for all liquids examined. This observed dependence is rationalized theoretically through consideration of the thermocapillary flows generated within the drop, the bath and the intervening air layer.
Energy for two: New archaeal lineages and the origin of mitochondria

Metagenomics bears upon all aspects of microbiology, including our understanding of mitochondrial and eukaryote origin. Recently, ribosomal protein phylogenies show the eukaryote host lineage – the archaeal lineage that acquired the mitochondrion – to branch within the archaea. Metagenomic studies are now uncovering new archaeal lineages that branch more closely to the host than any cultivated archaea do. But how do they grow? Carbon and energy metabolism as pieced together from metagenome assemblies of these new archaeal lineages, such as the Deep Sea Archaeal Group (including Lokiarchaeota) and Bathyarchaeota, do not match the physiology of any cultivated microbes. Understanding how these new lineages live in their environment is important, and might hold clues about how mitochondria arose and how the eukaryotic lineage got started. Here we look at these exciting new metagenomic studies, what they say about archaeal physiology in modern environments, how they impact views on host‐mitochondrion physiological interactions at eukaryote origin.
Molecular Characterization of Melanoma Cases in Denmark Suspected of Genetic Predisposition

Both environmental and host factors influence risk of cutaneous melanoma (CM), and worldwide, the incidence varies depending on constitutional determinants of skin type and pigmentation, latitude, and patterns of sun exposure. We performed genetic analysis of CDKN2A, CDK4, BAP1, MC1R, and MITFp.E318K in Danish high-risk melanoma cases and found CDKN2A germline mutations in 11.3% of CM families with three or more affected individuals, including four previously undescribed mutations. Rare mutations were also seen in CDK4 and BAP1, while MC1R variants were common, occurring at more than twice the frequency compared to Danish controls. The MITF p.E318K variant similarly occurred at an approximately three-fold higher frequency in melanoma cases than controls. To conclude, we propose that mutation screening of CDKN2A and CDK4 in Denmark should predominantly be performed in families with at least 3 cases of CM. In addition, we recommend that testing of BAP1 should not be conducted routinely in CM families but should be reserved for families with CM and uveal melanoma, or mesothelioma.
The Effect of Viscoelasticity on Creep Behavior of Double-Lap Adhesively Bonded Joints

The effect of viscoelasticity of epoxy adhesive on creep behavior in the adhesive layer of a double-lap joint is studied in this paper. The joint is comprised of three elastic single isotropic adherend layers joined by an epoxy adhesive that is under shear loading. Prony series is used to modeling the relaxation modulus of epoxy adhesive. The differential equation is derived in Laplace domain, and numerical inversion from the Laplace domain to the time domain is achieved by the Fixed Talbot method. Results show that for an impulse load of 100N, maximum shear stress in the adhesive layer is reduced to 38% of its initial value after almost 12 days and 79% of its initial value over a very long time. The rate of increase in tensile load P has a direct effect on peak shear stress developed in the adhesive layer and holding P0 as a constant, increasing tp will lower the induced peak shear stress in the joint. Also, an increase in the thickness of the adhesive layer reduced the induced peak shear stress and strain in the joint.
Outcomes of perventricular off-pump versus conventional closure of ventricular septal defects: a prospective randomized study†

OBJECTIVES Perventricular device closure (PVDC) of ventricular septal defects (VSDs) has demonstrated excellent clinical results. However, no prospective studies have compared PVDC with the conventional approach (CA). METHODS Between June 2012 and August 2014, 640 consecutive patients with isolated VSD were enrolled in the study, and randomized into the PVDC group ( n = 320) and the CA group ( n = 320). The mean ages were 36.2 (10; 36) months and 36.2 (10; 36) months, respectively. The average weights were 13.9 (8.1; 15.0) kg and 14.5 (6.9; 13.8) kg, respectively. The mean follow-up was 24.9 (standard deviation 1.8) months. RESULTS No early or late deaths occurred in either group. The procedural success rate reached 96.6% in the PVDC group, with a 3.4% conversion rate to CA. Mean procedure time was 56.9 (30; 70) min in the PVDC group and 162 (120; 180) min in the CA group ( P = 0.000). Thirteen (3.9%) patients in the CA group and only 4 (1.3%) in the PVDC group required postoperative blood transfusion in the intensive care unit ( P = 0.040). At the final follow-up, significantly more residual shunts were found in the CA group. No rhythm or conduction disorders occurred in any patient of either group. CONCLUSIONS According to the mid-term follow-up results, PVDC has similar efficacy to CA for VSD closure. The off-pump PVDC technique reduces blood product transfusion and the procedural time and minimizes surgical trauma while providing excellent cosmetic results.
Cost-effectiveness of food, supplement and environmental interventions to address malnutrition in residential aged care: a systematic review

Background observational studies have shown that nutritional strategies to manage malnutrition may be cost-effective in aged care; but more robust economic data is needed to support and encourage translation to practice. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review is to compare the cost-effectiveness of implementing nutrition interventions targeting malnutrition in aged care homes versus usual care. Setting residential aged care homes. Methods systematic literature review of studies published between January 2000 and August 2017 across 10 electronic databases. Cochrane Risk of Bias tool and GRADE were used to evaluate the quality of the studies. Results eight included studies (3,098 studies initially screened) reported on 11 intervention groups, evaluating the effect of modifications to dining environment (n = 1), supplements (n = 5) and food-based interventions (n = 5). Interventions had a low cost of implementation (<£2.30/resident/day) and provided clinical improvement for a range of outcomes including weight, nutritional status and dietary intake. Supplements and food-based interventions further demonstrated a low cost per quality adjusted life year or unit of physical function improvement. GRADE assessment revealed the quality of the body of evidence that introducing malnutrition interventions, whether they be environmental, supplements or food-based, are cost-effective in aged care homes was low. Conclusion this review suggests supplements and food-based nutrition interventions in the aged care setting are clinically effective, have a low cost of implementation and may be cost-effective at improving clinical outcomes associated with malnutrition. More studies using well-defined frameworks for economic analysis, stronger study designs with improved quality, along with validated malnutrition measures are needed to confirm and increase confidence with these findings.
A Cross-Sectional Study on the Hearing Threshold Levels Among People in Qinling, Qinghai, and Nanjing, China.

Purpose This study aimed to investigate the hearing threshold among different age groups, genders, and geographic areas in China to provide some insight into the appropriate clinical interventions for hearing loss. Method Using a systematic random sampling technique, 562 participants from Qinling, Qinghai, and Nanjing were included. Participants in the same area were divided into 3 groups according to their age. Pure-tone audiometric thresholds were measured at octave and interoctave frequencies of 0.125-16 kHz for each subject. Results There were significant differences in auditory thresholds at nearly all frequencies among young, middle-aged, and elderly people, and hearing thresholds increased with increasing age. People generally had the best hearing ability in Nanjing, better hearing ability in Qinghai, and the worst hearing ability in Qinling. Significant differences in hearing thresholds were found between males and females at several frequencies in Qinling. Conclusion People living in the rural area of Qinling in China had higher hearing threshold levels, particularly males, and hearing thresholds increased with age.
Progress in Neuropsychopharmacology & Biological Psychiatry Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation of the right dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder: A randomized, double-blind sham controlled clinical trial

Background: Up to 50% of people with GAD fail to respond to ﬁ rst-line pharmacotherapies for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), partly due to poor treatment compliance rates and partly due to the complex physiology underlying GAD. Thus, new non-invasive techniques, like repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) are being investigated. Methods: Participants were recruited from two di ﬀ erent mood disorder sites: Kingston, Ontario, Canada and So ﬁ a, Bulgaria. Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS) scores were reported from patients diagnosed with GAD following treatment with high-frequency (20 Hz) rTMS applied to the right dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). Results: By the end of 25 rTMS treatments, the ACTIVE (n = 15) treatment group showed a clinically signi ﬁ cant reduction in the HARS scores compared to the SHAM (n = 25) group. Hedge's g at visit 4 (following 25 rTMS treatments) was 2.1 between ACTIVE and SHAM treatments. Furthermore, at 2 and 4 weeks follow-up (after the end of treatment) HARS scores of the ACTIVE group remained stable and even slightly improved, demonstrating a sustained e ﬀ ect of the response. Limitations: Relatively small sample size of the ACTIVE group as well as the SHAM procedure may limit the generalizability of the results. Conclusions: Thus, participants receiving rTMS treatment showed a clinically signi ﬁ cant decrease in reported anxiety symptoms as measured by the HARS. rTMS may be a treatment options for patients treatment refractory to pharmacotherapies.
Iridociliary cysts masquerading as neoplasia in cats: a morphologic review of 14 cases

OBJECTIVE To report 14 neoplasia-free feline eyes enucleated for suspected intraocular neoplasia containing only iridociliary cysts. To analyze clinical findings that may have led veterinarians to suspect neoplasia in these globes. PROCEDURES The archives at the Comparative Ocular Pathology Laboratory of Wisconsin (COPLOW) were searched to identify neoplasia-free feline globes enucleated for suspected neoplasia. Clinical data were obtained from medical records, veterinarian surveys, and COPLOW submission forms. All samples were examined grossly and histologically. RESULTS All eyes were free of neoplasia and contained one or more iridociliary cysts. Nine of 14 globes were enucleated by or based on the recommendation of a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist. In eight of 14 cases, the submitting clinician listed melanoma as the only suspected diagnosis; in six of 14 cases, 'tumor' or 'mass' was listed. Clinical examination revealed a darkly pigmented intraocular mass in 11 of 14 cases. The mass was clinically perceived to be within the iris in seven of 14 cases. When examined histologically, 11 of 14 eyes contained multiple cysts, 13 of 14 contained multiloculated cysts, eight of 14 had a hyperplastic iris pigmented epithelium or cysts with thick black walls, and five of 14 had cysts prolapsed into the anterior chamber. CONCLUSIONS Although most iridociliary cysts in cats are easily diagnosed on clinical examination, a subset may be mistaken for neoplasia. In cases of suspected iris melanoma, iridociliary cysts should be considered as a differential diagnosis, especially if a mass appears to emanate from behind the iris, dyscoria is present, or if similar changes are noted in the contralateral eye.
Clinical and Immunological Characteristics of Autoimmune Addison Disease: A Nationwide Swedish Multicenter Study

Context: Studies of the clinical and immunological features of autoimmune Addison disease (AAD) are needed to understand the disease burden and increased mortality. Objective: To provide upgraded data on autoimmune comorbidities, replacement therapy, autoantibody profiles, and cardiovascular risk factors. Design, Setting, and Participants: A cross-sectional, population-based study that included 660 AAD patients from the Swedish Addison Registry (2008–2014). When analyzing the cardiovascular risk factors, 3594 individuals from the population-based survey in Northern Sweden, MONICA (monitoring of trends and determinants of cardiovascular disease), served as controls. Main Outcome Measures: The endpoints were the prevalence of autoimmune comorbidities and cardiovascular risk factors. Autoantibodies against 13 autoantigens were determined. Results: The proportion of 21-hydroxylase autoantibody-positive patients was 83%, and 62% of patients had ≥1 associated autoimmune diseases, more frequently coexisting in females (P < 0.0001). AAD patients had a lower body mass index (P < 0.0001) and prevalence of hypertension (P = 0.027) compared with controls. Conventional hydrocortisone tablets were used by 89% of the patients, with a mean dose of 28.1 ± 8.5 mg/d. The mean hydrocortisone equivalent dose normalized to the body surface was 14.8 ± 4.4 mg/m2/d. A greater hydrocortisone equivalent dose was associated with a greater incidence of hypertension (P = 0.046). Conclusions: Careful monitoring of AAD patients is warranted to detect associated autoimmune diseases. Contemporary Swedish AAD patients did not have an increased prevalence of overweight, hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, or hyperlipidemia. However, high glucocorticoid replacement doses could be a risk factor for hypertension.