Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Encoding "10ness" Improves First-Graders' Estimation of Numerical Magnitudes

Understanding numerical magnitudes is a foundational skill that significantly impacts later learning of mathematics concepts. The current study tested the idea that encoding of “10ness” is crucial to improving children’s estimation of two-digit number magnitudes. We used commercially available base-10 blocks for this purpose. The children in the experimental condition were asked to construct two-digit numbers by laying down the precise combinations of 10- and 1-blocks horizontally (e.g., three 10-blocks and seven 1-blocks for 37). Two control conditions were also included. In one control condition, children used 1-blocks only. In another control condition, children used one 10-block and as many 1-blocks as necessary. After working with the experimenter for only 15 minutes twice, the children in the experimental condition were significantly more accurate on the estimation task than those in the control conditions. The findings confirmed the importance of encoding 10ness as a unit in making accurate estimates of two-digit number magnitudes. The importance of encoding other units in the base-10 system is discussed.
Concise loads and stores: The case for an asymmetric compute-memory architecture for approximation

Cache capacity and memory bandwidth play critical roles in application performance, particularly for data-intensive applications from domains that include machine learning, numerical analysis, and data mining. Many of these applications are also tolerant to imprecise inputs and have loose constraints on the quality of output, making them ideal candidates for approximate computing. This paper introduces a novel approximate computing technique that decouples the format of data in the memory hierarchy from the format of data in the compute subsystem to significantly reduce the cost of storing and moving bits throughout the memory hierarchy and improve application performance. This asymmetric compute-memory extension to conventional architectures, ACME, adds two new instruction classes to the ISA - load-concise and store-concise - along with three small functional units to the micro-architecture to support these instructions. ACME does not affect exact execution of applications and comes into play only when concise memory operations are used. Through detailed experimentation we find that ACME is very effective at trading result accuracy for improved application performance. Our results show that ACME achieves a 1.3x speedup (up to 1.8x) while maintaining 99% accuracy, or a 1.1x speedup while maintaining 99.999% accuracy. Moreover, our approach incurs negligible area and power overheads, adding just 0.005% area and 0.1% power to a conventional modern architecture.
Rhizomucor miehei lipase immobilized on reinforced chitosan–chitin nanowhiskers support for synthesis of eugenyl benzoate

ABSTRACT An alternative environmentally benign support was prepared from chitosan–chitin nanowhiskers (CS/CNWs) for covalent immobilization of Rhizomucor miehei lipase (RML) to increase the operational stability and recyclability of RML in synthesizing eugenyl benzoate. The CS/CNWs support and RML-CS/CNWs were characterized using X-ray diffraction, fluorescent microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Efficiency of the RML-CS/CNWs was compared to the free RML to synthesize eugenyl benzoate for parameters: reaction temperature, stirring rate, reusability, and thermal stability. Under optimal experimental conditions (50°C, 250 rpm, catalyst loading 3 mg/mL), a twofold increase in yield of eugenyl benzoate was observed for RML-CS/CNWs as compared to free RML, with the former achieving maximum yield of the ester at 62.1% after 5 hr. Results demonstrated that the strategy adopted to prepare RML-CS/CNWs was useful, producing an improved and prospectively greener biocatalyst that supported a sustainable process to prepare eugenyl benzoate. Moreover, RML-CS/CNWs are biodegradable and perform esterification reactions under ambient conditions as compared to the less eco-friendly conventional acid catalyst. This research provides a facile and promising approach for improving activity of RML in which the resultant RML-CS/CNWs demonstrated good operational stability for up to eight successive esterification cycles to synthesize eugenyl benzoate.
Adherence to AHA Guidelines When Adapted for Augmented Reality Glasses for Assisted Pediatric Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background The American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) are nowadays recognized as the world’s most authoritative resuscitation guidelines. Adherence to these guidelines optimizes the management of critically ill patients and increases their chances of survival after cardiac arrest. Despite their availability, suboptimal quality of CPR is still common. Currently, the median hospital survival rate after pediatric in-hospital cardiac arrest is 36%, whereas it falls below 10% for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Among emerging information technologies and devices able to support caregivers during resuscitation and increase adherence to AHA guidelines, augmented reality (AR) glasses have not yet been assessed. In order to assess their potential, we adapted AHA Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) guidelines for AR glasses. Objective The study aimed to determine whether adapting AHA guidelines for AR glasses increased adherence by reducing deviation and time to initiation of critical life-saving maneuvers during pediatric CPR when compared with the use of PALS pocket reference cards. Methods We conducted a randomized controlled trial with two parallel groups of voluntary pediatric residents, comparing AR glasses to PALS pocket reference cards during a simulation-based pediatric cardiac arrest scenario—pulseless ventricular tachycardia (pVT). The primary outcome was the elapsed time in seconds in each allocation group, from onset of pVT to the first defibrillation attempt. Secondary outcomes were time elapsed to (1) initiation of chest compression, (2) subsequent defibrillation attempts, and (3) administration of drugs, as well as the time intervals between defibrillation attempts and drug doses, shock doses, and number of shocks. All these outcomes were assessed for deviation from AHA guidelines. Results Twenty residents were randomized into 2 groups. Time to first defibrillation attempt (mean: 146 s) and adherence to AHA guidelines in terms of time to other critical resuscitation endpoints and drug dose delivery were not improved using AR glasses. However, errors and deviations were significantly reduced in terms of defibrillation doses when compared with the use of the PALS pocket reference cards. In a total of 40 defibrillation attempts, residents not wearing AR glasses used wrong doses in 65% (26/40) of cases, including 21 shock overdoses >100 J, for a cumulative defibrillation dose of 18.7 Joules per kg. These errors were reduced by 53% (21/40, P<.001) and cumulative defibrillation dose by 37% (5.14/14, P=.001) with AR glasses. Conclusions AR glasses did not decrease time to first defibrillation attempt and other critical resuscitation endpoints when compared with PALS pocket cards. However, they improved adherence and performance among residents in terms of administering the defibrillation doses set by AHA.
Beyond Hyperglycemia, Evidence for Retinal Neurodegeneration in Metabolic Syndrome.

Purpose We evaluated the retinal effects of systemic metabolic changes clustered under the umbrella of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in comparison with age-matched healthy subjects. Methods Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) retinal segmentation analysis of 29 patients with MetS and 36 control subjects was performed. Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), uncontrolled hypertension, retinopathy, high myopia or hyperopia, and posterior segment surgery, were excluded from analysis. The control group (CG) was selected from age- and sex-matched healthy lean subjects. Mean thickness values of individual retinal layers in nine macular early treatment of diabetic retinopathy study (ETDRS) subfields were determined. Results The MetS group had a significantly thinner ganglion cell layer in two (MetS, 52.4 ± 5.1 μm; CG, 54.8 ± 3.8 μm; P = 0.030), thinner inner plexiform layer in three (MetS, 39.8 ± 4.4 μm; CG, 43.0 ± 3.5 μm; P = 0.003), thinner photoreceptor layer in seven (MetS, 79.4 ± 2.9 μm; CG, 81.1 ± 2.9 μm; P = 0.009) of nine ETDRS subfields. No difference was found in nerve fiber, inner nuclear, outer plexiform, and outer nuclear layers. Conclusions The patients with MetS had thinner inner retinal layers and photoreceptor layer in OCT segmentation analysis, which suggests that inherent factors of MetS, such as insulin resistance and adipose tissue-derived inflammation, might have a neurodegenerative effect independent of the hyperglycemic levels associated with DM. Therefore, beyond glycemic control measures, weight reduction also might be advised to overweight patients with type 2 DM and MetS to prevent the occurrence of retinal neurodegeneration.
Patient preferences toward an interactive e-consent application for research using electronic health records

Objective The purpose of this study was to assess patient perceptions of using an interactive electronic consent (e-consent) application when deciding whether or not to grant broad consent for research use of their identifiable electronic health record (EHR) information. Materials and Methods For this qualitative study, we conducted a series of 42 think-aloud interviews with 32 adults. Interview transcripts were coded and analyzed using a modified grounded theory approach. Results We identified themes related to patient preferences, reservations, and mixed attitudes toward consenting electronically; low- and high-information-seeking behavior; and an emphasis on reassuring information, such as data protections and prohibitions against sharing data with pharmaceutical companies. Participants expressed interest in the types of information contained in their EHRs, safeguards protecting EHR data, and specifics on studies that might use their EHR data. Discussion This study supports the potential value of interactive e-consent applications that allow patients to customize their consent experience. This study also highlights that some people have concerns about e-consent platforms and desire more detailed information about administrative processes and safeguards that protect EHR data used in research. Conclusion This study contributes new insights on how e-consent applications could be designed to ensure that patients' information needs are met when seeking consent for research use of health record information. Also, this study offers a potential electronic approach to meeting the new Common Rule requirement that consent documents contain a "concise and focused" presentation of key information followed by more details.
Transitions in Loneliness Among Older Adults: A 5-Year Follow-Up in the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project

A substantial portion of the older adult population suffers from frequent feelings of loneliness, but a large proportion remains relatively unscathed by loneliness. To date, research examining both protective and risk factors for loneliness has not included data from the United States. The present study used the first two waves of data from the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project to examine sociodemographic, structural, and functional factors thought to be associated with loneliness in older adults. Functional limitations and low family support were associated with an increase in loneliness frequency (as were more strained friendships) and with transitioning from nonlonely to lonely status. Better self-rated health, higher levels of socializing frequency, and lower family strain were associated with transitioning from lonely to nonlonely status. Interventions that target these factors may be effective in preventing and reducing loneliness and its effects on health and well-being in older adults.
The prevalence and clinical relevance of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast

Background Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) are a robust prognostic adjunct in invasive breast cancer, but their clinical role in ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) has not been ascertained. Patients and methods We evaluated the prevalence and clinical relevance of TILs in a well annotated series of 1488 consecutive DCIS women with a median follow-up of 8.2 years. Detailed criteria for TILs evaluation were pre-defined involving the International Immuno-Oncology Biomarker Working Group. TILs percentage was considered both as a continuous and categorical variable. Levels of TILs were examined for their associations with ipsilateral breast event (IBE), whether in situ or invasive. Results Of the 1488 patients with DCIS under study, 35.1% had <1%, 58.3% 1-49% and 6.5% ≥50% peri-ductal stromal lymphocytes. The interobserver agreement in TILs evaluation, measured by the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was 0.96 (95% CI 0.95-0.97). At univariable analysis, clinical factors significantly associated with TILs (P ≤0.001) were intrinsic subtype, grade, necrosis, type of surgery. Her-2 positive DCIS were more frequently associated with TILs (24% of patients with TILs ≥50%), followed by the triple negative (11%), Luminal B/Her-2 positive (9%) and Luminal A/B subtypes (1%) (P < 0.0001). We did not find any association between TILs as a continuous variable and the risk of IBEs. Likewise, when patients were stratified by TILs percentage (<1%, between 1% and 49.9%, and ≥50%), no statistically significant association was observed (10-year cumulative incidence of IBEs: 19%, 17.3%, and 18.7% respectively, P = 0.767). Conclusion TILs occur more frequently in the Her-2 positive DCIS. Although we did not find a significant association between TILs and the 10-year risk of IBE, our data suggest that immunotherapies might be considered in subsets of DCIS patients.
Pentraxin 3 Gene Polymorphisms and Pulmonary Aspergillosis in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients

Background Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) plays an important role in resistance to Aspergillus infections. Previous studies have suggested that PTX3 polymorphisms influence the risk of invasive aspergillosis among transplantation recipients. This study investigated the association between PTX3 gene polymorphisms and pulmonary aspergillosis in a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) population. Methods We included 173 consecutive inpatients with COPD. Thirty-six case patients were finally diagnosed with pulmonary aspergillosis. Among these, 25 case patients had invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA), and 11 case patients had chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA). Three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs; rs2305619, rs3816527, and rs1840680) in the PTX3 gene were detected by polymerase chain reaction direct sequencing, and their associations with aspergillosis were evaluated. Plasma PTX3 levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results Three SNPs were consistent with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The recessive model for SNP rs1840680 suggests that the AA homozygote is associated with a higher risk for pulmonary aspergillosis (both IPA and CPA) in COPD patients. However, for genotypic and allele frequencies of rs2305619 and rs3816527, no association was observed. The distribution of haplotypes (rs2305619 and rs3816527) also showed no significant differences. Plasma PTX3 levels significantly increased in IPA patients. In the IPA group, the rs1840680 AA genotype subjects showed lower plasma PTX3 levels than those harboring AG and GG genotypes. Conclusions This study showed a significant association between PTX3 rs1840680 polymorphisms and the susceptibility of pulmonary aspergillosis in patients with COPD. Plasma PTX3 levels may be potentially used as indicators for the diagnosis of IPA in COPD patients.
Moderating Effects of Prevention-Focus on the Paths from Two Insecure Attachment Dimensions to Depression

ABSTRACT The present study investigated the moderating effects of prevention-focus on the paths from the dimensions of insecure attachment (attachment avoidance and attachment anxiety) to depression. Two hundred twenty eight Korean college students completed the Experience in Close Relationship – Revised Scale; the Regulatory Focus Strategies Scale; and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Results revealed a significant moderating effect for prevention-focus on the path from attachment avoidance to depression, but not on the path from attachment anxiety to depression. They further suggest that different interventions are needed for different combinations of persons' insecure attachment dimensions and levels of prevention-focus. Counseling implications and suggestions for future research are discussed.
PGC-1alpha Down-Regulation Affects the Antioxidant Response in Friedreich's Ataxia

Background Cells from individuals with Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA) show reduced activities of antioxidant enzymes and cannot up-regulate their expression when exposed to oxidative stress. This blunted antioxidant response may play a central role in the pathogenesis. We previously reported that Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptor Gamma (PPARγ) Coactivator 1-alpha (PGC-1α), a transcriptional master regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis and antioxidant responses, is down-regulated in most cell types from FRDA patients and animal models. Methodology/Principal Findings We used primary fibroblasts from FRDA patients and the knock in-knock out animal model for the disease (KIKO mouse) to determine basal superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) levels and the response to oxidative stress induced by the addition of hydrogen peroxide. We measured the same parameters after pharmacological stimulation of PGC-1α. Compared to control cells, PGC-1α and SOD2 levels were decreased in FRDA cells and did not change after addition of hydrogen peroxide. PGC-1α direct silencing with siRNA in control fibroblasts led to a similar loss of SOD2 response to oxidative stress as observed in FRDA fibroblasts. PGC-1α activation with the PPARγ agonist (Pioglitazone) or with a cAMP-dependent protein kinase (AMPK) agonist (AICAR) restored normal SOD2 induction. Treatment of the KIKO mice with Pioglitazone significantly up-regulates SOD2 in cerebellum and spinal cord. Conclusions/Significance PGC-1α down-regulation is likely to contribute to the blunted antioxidant response observed in cells from FRDA patients. This response can be restored by AMPK and PPARγ agonists, suggesting a potential therapeutic approach for FRDA.
Neither creatinine- nor cystatin C-estimated glomerular filtration rate is optimal in oncology patients treated with targeted agents

Background In the last decade, there has been an increase in the use of anti-angiogenic drugs as treatment for metastatic malignancies. However, use of these targeted therapies could induce both glomerular and tubular damage. Also during targeted therapy, the lysosomal protease cathepsin D is released from the tumour, which is inhibited by the protease inhibitor cystatin C. The aim of this study is to determine if use of cystatin C-estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) is applicable to a patient cohort treated with targeted agents. Methods A cohort of 80 patients with various malignancies were continuously recruited and prospectively analysed. Serum and urinary biochemical analytes for renal toxicities were assessed at different time points during treatment. The association between serum cystatin C and cathepsin D was also determined. Results A decrease in serum cystatin C concentrations (1.03 versus 0.90 mg/L; P < 0.001), together with an increase in cystatin C-eGFR (71 versus 89 mL/min/1.73 m2; P = 0.002) was observed during therapy, compared with baseline. This decrease in cystatin C concentrations was correlated with cathepsin D (r = 0.307; P < 0.001), which was released from the tumour during targeted therapy. Further analysis demonstrated cathepsin D-mediated proteolysis of cystatin C in serum. Conclusions Cystatin C concentrations were decreased during targeted therapy due to cathepsin D-mediated proteolysis. Cystatin C-eGFR is therefore not considered a suitable marker for assessing kidney function in oncology patients, and other techniques to estimate the GFR have to be applied in this patient population.
Fate of post-procedural malapposition of everolimus-eluting polymeric bioresorbable scaffold and everolimus-eluting cobalt chromium metallic stent in human coronary arteries: sequential assessment with optical coherence tomography in ABSORB Japan trial

Aims The natural course of post-procedural incomplete strut apposition (ISA) after the implantation of bioresorbable scaffolds (BVS) remains unknown. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the fate of post-procedural ISA after everolimus-eluting Absorb BVS in comparison with the second-generation everolimus-eluting cobalt chromium stent (CoCr-EES). Methods and results Fate of post-procedural ISA was evaluated by serial optical coherence tomography (OCT) in the ABSORB Japan randomized trial [OCT-1 subgroup: 110 paired lesions of post-procedure and 2-year follow-up (BVS 73 lesions vs. CoCr-EES 37 lesions)] with respect to ISA distance. Post-procedure ISA struts were categorized into either 'resolved' or 'persistent' by matched OCT imaging at 2-year follow-up. Post-procedure %malapposed strut and ISA area were smaller in BVS than in CoCr-EES (%malapposed strut: 4.8 ± 6.9% vs. 9.9 ± 9.8%, P = 0.002; ISA area 0.10 ± 0.18 mm2 vs. 0.23 ± 0.26 mm2, P = 0.003). At 2-year follow-up, the difference diminished, and majority of the ISA struts spontaneously resolved in both arms (%malapposed strut: 0.10 ± 0.46% vs. 0.24 ± 0.65%, P = 0.183). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis (BVS 661 struts vs. CoCr-EES 807 struts) demonstrated that the best cut-off value of endoluminal ISA distance post-procedure for predicting persistent-ISA at 2-year follow-up was 396 µm for BVS (sensitivity 0.875; specificity 0.851) and 359 µm for CoCr-EES (sensitivity 0.778; specificity 0.881). Conclusion BVS as compared with CoCr-EES allows larger ISA distance at post-procedure, although we should make every effort to minimize post-procedure ISA. The reported cut-off value of OCT-estimated ISA distance at post-stenting for predicting persistent-ISA would be helpful to optimize PCI with BVS and CoCr-EES.
Comparison of The Efficacy and Safety of Palomo, Ivanissevich and Laparoscopic Varicocelectomy in Iranian Infertile Men with Palpable Varicocele

Background This study aimed to compare the effects of three commonly used varicocelectomy techniques namely, open retroperitoneal ligation (Palomo), open inguinal ligation (Ivanissevich) and laparoscopy, in Iranian infertile men. Materials and Methods This retrospective study was conducted on 70 infertile men with palpable varicocele who underwent one of the varicocelectomy techniques namely, Palomo, Ivanissevich, or laparoscopy. Basic information about semen parameters were collected and registered prior to the surgery. Three months after the surgery, semen parameters and surgical complications were investigated in all patients. Results The Palomo technique was significantly associated with fewer complications compared to other techniques (P=0.006). The means of sperm concentration, normal motility and normal morphology were significantly different among the three groups after surgery (P=0.025, 0.023 and 0.047, respectively). However, after adjustment for potential confounders, in addition to the baseline values of semen parameters, significant differences were observed only in sperm concentration among the groups (P=0.040). Conclusion Varicocelectomy improved sperm parameters. The Ivanissevich technique was more effective in improving sperm concentration compared to the laparoscopic method. The lowest rates of complications were related to the Palomo technique.