Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Functional Thyroid Disorders Are More Common in Patients on Chronic Hemodialysis Compared with the General Population

Introduction: Thyroid function disorders are common in patients with chronic kidney disease. The aim of this study was to compare thyroid function among patients on chronic hemodialysis (HD) and healthy participants and to assess duration of dialysis on thyroid disorders. Material and methods: Prospective study included 80 participants divided in two groups. Study group included 40 patients on HD who were divided in two subgroups, according to time on dialysis (under and over 72 months). Exclusion critheria were: previous thyroid disorders, systemic illnesses, criticaly ill patients and acute inflamatory diseases. Control group included 40 healthy participants. Blood samples were taken for standard laboratory analysis, total and free thyroid hormone levels. Results: In HD group we found statistycally significant lower mean values of T3 (1,36 ± 0.451, p<0.0001), T4 (80.33 ± 19.167, p= 0.0001), and higher mean values of TSH (3.16 ± 3.168, p= 0.01), higher frequency of low T3 syndrome in 12.5% (n=5) (p=0.01) and subclinical hypothyroidism in 17.5% (n=7) (p=0.021). In the subgroup of patients with time on HD <72 months, significantly, more frequent and low T3 syndrome was found in 19.23% (n = 5) (p = 0.01). In the subgroup of patients with HD >72 months subclinical hypothyroidism was found more frequently in 35.71% (n = 5) (p = 0.04). Conclusion: Thyroid disorders are more common in patients on HD compared to general population. These findings suggest that thyroid function and morphology screening should be performed in HD patients.
Factorial Multi-Task Learning : A Bayesian Nonparametric Approach

Multi-task learning is a paradigm shown to improve the performance of related tasks through their joint learning. However, for real-world data, it is usually difficult to assess the task relatedness and joint learning with unrelated tasks may lead to serious performance degradations. To this end, we propose a framework that groups the tasks based on their relatedness in a subspace and allows a varying degree of relatedness among tasks by sharing the subspace bases across the groups. This provides the flexibility of no sharing when two sets of tasks are unrelated and partial/total sharing when the tasks are related. Importantly, the number of task-groups and the subspace dimensionality are automatically inferred from the data. To realize our framework, we introduce a novel Bayesian nonparametric prior that extends the traditional hierarchical beta process prior using a Dirichlet process to permit potentially infinite number of child beta processes. We apply our model for multi-task regression and classification applications. Experimental results using several synthetic and real datasets show the superiority of our model to other recent multi-task learning methods.
Post‐exposure chemoprophylaxis (PECP) against SIV infection of macaques as a model for protection from HIV infection

We report that simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection in macaques is a valuable animal model for studying post‐exposure chemoprophylaxis (PECP). PECP with the acyclic nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors 9‐(2‐phosphonylmetho‐xyethyl)adenine (PMEA) and (R)‐9‐(2‐phosphonylmethoxypropyl)adenine (PMPA) at early viral infection can provide long‐term protection against subsequent heterologous SIV challenge. Eight macaques previously treated with PECP (called PECP macaques) and four naive controls were challenged intravenously with the most virulent form of SIV, SIVPBj14. All controls showed signs of SIVPBj14‐induced acute disease syndrome on days 6 and 7 post‐inoculation (PI). One had a fatal viral infection and two surviving controls had persistent infection and decreased CD4+cell count. Virologic studies of the three surviving controls revealed SIV in multiple lymphoid tissues and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) at necropsy. In contrast, the PECP macaques showed none to mild signs of acute disease syndrome at day 9 PI and exhibited only transient SIV infection in PBMCs between weeks 1 and 8 PI. In virologic studies of five PECP macaques necropsied, two macaques were SIV‐negative and the other three were SIV‐positive only in either lymph node or bone marrow. Three SIVPBj14‐challenged PECP macaques, that were randomly reserved for a follow‐up study for>4.0 years PI showed extremely low to undetectable levels of PBMC‐associated viremia and normal to increased levels of CD4+ and CD8+ cell counts throughout the study. Our results indicate that early PECP could activate immune responses to protect against subsequent infection with heterologous challenge virus.
An Efficient Student Model Based on Student Performance and Metadata

This paper describes a new student model technology that combines evidences and knowledge about pedagogical and domain structure. Its structure is generated from the metadata available in the content representation of the adaptive web-based learning platform ACTIVEMATH (or other contents). The evidences are processed with Item Response Theory and Transferable Belief Model uncertainty methodologies. We summarize evaluation results for this student model.
Spatial Updating 1 Allocentric and Egocentric Updating of Spatial Memories

Four experiments investigated spatial updating in a familiar environment. Participants learned locations of objects in a rectangular or a round room from a single stationary viewing position, walked to the center of the layout, and turned to appropriate facing directions before making pointing judgments. Locomotion was visually guided. Participants made judgments of relative direction (e.g., "Imagine you are standing at X and facing Y. Point to Z.") or egocentric pointing judgments (e.g., "You are facing Y. Point to Z."). The experiments factorially manipulated (a) the angular difference between the learning heading and the imagined heading and (b) the angular difference between the actual heading and the imagined heading. Pointing performance was best when the imagined heading was parallel to the learning view, even when participants were facing in other directions. Pointing performance was also better when the actual and the imagined headings were the same than when they were different. Room geometry did not affect these results. These findings indicated that spatial reference directions in memory were not updated during locomotion. Results are interpreted in terms of a new theory of human spatial memory and navigation.
Multisystem failure: the story of anti-influenza drugs

Last year the Cochrane team, with the help of the BMJ’s open data campaign, finally got access to full clinical study reports on neuraminidase inhibitors. Tom Jefferson and Peter Doshi explain what the new systematic review found and how a series of failures meant that decisions about these drugs were made without the full evidence
Understanding the Intention of using Mobile Social Networking Apps

Understanding the user acceptance of mobile social networking apps can provide powerful insights for managers and marketers of social networking apps to design effective strategies to attract users. Following the Theory of Planned Behavior, this study develops a research model of privacy concern, privacy risk, and perceived enjoyment as attitudinal beliefs, subjective norm as normative belief, and self-efficacy as control belief to predict users’ intention to use mobile social networking apps. The research model was validated by survey data collected from 151 participants in U.S. The results show that perceived enjoyment and subjective norm are the most important drivers behind users’ intention to use mobile social networking apps. Implications of the findings upon theory and practice are discussed.
Electrical Potential Differences and Electromotive Forces in Epithelial Tissues

Dear Sir: Studies on intracellular electrical potentials in a variety of epithelial tissues which are involved in transmural Na transport have resulted in an apparent dichotomy. In tissues characterized by high transmural resistances such as isolated frog skin (1, 2), toad skin (3), and toad urinary bladder (4), the cell interior is electrically positive with respect to the outer or mucosal solution; the electrical potential profile across these tissues consists of two or more steps in the same direction that sum to give the total transmural potential difference (PD). In contrast, low resistance tissues such as rabbit ileum (5), bullfrog small intestine (6), rat colon (7), and renal tubular epithelium (8) are characterized by intracellular potentials that are electrically negative with respect to the mucosal solution; the electrical potential profile across these tissues consists of two steps in opposite directions that sum to give the transmural PD. These two types of profiles are illustrated in Fig. 1 using data obtained on frog skin (2) (Fig. I a) and rabbit ileum (5) (Fig. 1 b). All of the tissues mentioned above are engaged in active Na transport from the mucosal (outer) to the serosal (inner) solution and share other similarities with respect to ion transport and intracellular ion composition. Thus, it is reasonable to inquire whether the differences in electrical potential profile necessarily reflect fundamentally different properties of the transporting cells. In particular, do these different profiles necessarily imply that the electromotive forces across the mucosal or outer membranes of high resistance epithelia are oriented in a direction opposite to those characteristic of low resistance epithelia? An analysis of the equivalent electrical circuit model illustrated in Fig. 2 provides an answer to this question. In this circuit, Em designates an electromotive force operating across the mucosal or outer membrane, R is the internal resistance of this battery, and R2 is a shunt resistance across this membrane. E, R3 , and R4 are the respective parameters for the serosal or inner membrane. R5 designates the resistance of a transepithelial, extracellular shunt; m, c, and s represent the mucosal, intracellular, and serosal electrodes. All electrical potential differences are given with reference to the potential of the mucosal solution which is taken as zero. The solutions of this circuit for the electrical PD across the mucosal membrane (me) and the transmural PD (m) are:
Context Matters: The Illusive Simplicity of Macaque V1 Receptive Fields

Even in V1, where neurons have well characterized classical receptive fields (CRFs), it has been difficult to deduce which features of natural scenes stimuli they actually respond to. Forward models based upon CRF stimuli have had limited success in predicting the response of V1 neurons to natural scenes. As natural scenes exhibit complex spatial and temporal correlations, this could be due to surround effects that modulate the sensitivity of the CRF. Here, instead of attempting a forward model, we quantify the importance of the natural scenes surround for awake macaque monkeys by modeling it non-parametrically. We also quantify the influence of two forms of trial to trial variability. The first is related to the neuron’s own spike history. The second is related to ongoing mean field population activity reflected by the local field potential (LFP). We find that the surround produces strong temporal modulations in the firing rate that can be both suppressive and facilitative. Further, the LFP is found to induce a precise timing in spikes, which tend to be temporally localized on sharp LFP transients in the gamma frequency range. Using the pseudo R2 as a measure of model fit, we find that during natural scene viewing the CRF dominates, accounting for 60% of the fit, but that taken collectively the surround, spike history and LFP are almost as important, accounting for 40%. However, overall only a small proportion of V1 spiking statistics could be explained (R2∼5%), even when the full stimulus, spike history and LFP were taken into account. This suggests that under natural scene conditions, the dominant influence on V1 neurons is not the stimulus, nor the mean field dynamics of the LFP, but the complex, incoherent dynamics of the network in which neurons are embedded.
Prenatal Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) Exposure and Child Behavior at Age 6–7 Years

Background: Airborne polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are widespread urban air pollutants from fossil fuel burning and other combustion sources. We previously reported that a broad spectrum of combustion-related DNA adducts in cord blood was associated with attention problems at 6–7 years of age in the Columbia Center for Children’s Environmental Health (CCCEH) longitudinal cohort study. Objectives: We evaluated the relationship between behavioral problems and two different measures of prenatal exposure—both specific to PAH—in the same cohort. Methods: Children of nonsmoking African-American and Dominican women in New York City (NYC) were followed from in utero to 6–7 years. Prenatal PAH exposure was estimated by personal air monitoring of the mothers during pregnancy as well as by the measurement of DNA adducts specific to benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), a representative PAH, in maternal and cord blood. At 6–7 years of age, child behavior was assessed using the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) (n = 253). Generalized linear models were used to test the association between prenatal PAH exposure and behavioral outcomes. Results: In multivariate analyses, high prenatal PAH exposure, whether characterized by personal air monitoring (greater than the median of 2.27 ng/m3) or maternal and cord adducts (detectable or higher), was positively associated with symptoms of Anxious/Depressed and Attention Problems (p ≤ 0.05). Conclusion: These results provide additional evidence that environmental levels of PAH encountered in NYC air can adversely affect child behavior.
Optimal Training Sequence Design for Channel Estimation in MIMO systems

in this paper we try to review recent works on optimal training sequence design for MIMO and MIMO OFDM systems. We also classify these works, according to assuming MIMO channel model, into two main categories. First, works that assume MIMO channel are independent identically distributed. Second group assumes MIMO channel are correlated. Simulation results are presented. It has been illustrated that it is helpful to make full use of the knowledge of channel correlation at the transmitter to realize optimal training.
A randomized study of computerized working memory training and effects on functioning in everyday life for patients with brain injury

Abstract Background: Working memory (WM) problems influence most activities of daily living. The aim was to evaluate if computerized working memory training after brain injury has a significant effect on functioning in daily life. Method: Outpatients with WM deficits, aged 22–63 years, were randomized to either intervention group (IG, n = 20) or control group (CG, n = 18) and received 5 weeks standard rehabilitation. The IG also received WM training with the Cogmed QM training program. Assessments were made before (A1), immediately (A2) and 3 months (A3) after intervention. After follow-up, the CG was offered the computerized training and assessed after this (A4; n = 8). Assessments included the WAIS-III Digit span reversed, Fatigue Impact Scale (FIS), Assessment of Motor and Process Skills (AMPS), Rivermead Behavioural Memory Test-II (RBMT-II) and a WM questionnaire. Results: The IG improved on digit span and FIS, A1–A2, and significantly more than the CG on the WM questionnaire, A1–A3. Both groups improved in AMPS motor skill and the AMPS process skill score tended towards significant improvement in the IG, from A1–A3. After training (A3–A4), the CG improved in digit span and RBMT-II. Conclusion: The WM training seems to have a generalized effect on functional activity and lessens fatigue.
Experiences of care by Australians with a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder

Accessible summary Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a complex and challenging mental health condition for the person and service providers who support them. This paper reports on the results of a survey of 153 people with a diagnosis of BPD about their experiences of attempting to receive support in managing this mental health condition. It provides their perceptions of a range of experiences not reported in the existing literature, including general practitioner roles, urban and rural differences, public and private hospital differences, and comparison of usefulness of support across multiple support types. People with a diagnosis of BPD continue to experience significant discrimination when attempting to get their needs met within both public and private health services. Further education for nurses and other health professionals is indicated to address pervasive negative attitudes towards people with a diagnosis of BPD. Abstract There is limited understanding of the experience of seeking and receiving treatment and care by people with a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder (BPD), their perceptions of barriers to care and the quality of services they receive. This study aimed to explore these experiences from the perspective of Australians with this diagnosis. An invitation to participate in an online survey was distributed across multiple consumer and carer organizations and mental health services, by the Private Mental Health Consumer Carer Network (Australia) in 2011. Responses from 153 people with a diagnosis of BPD showed that they experience significant challenges and discrimination when attempting to get their needs met within both public and private health services, including general practice. Seeking help from hospital emergency departments during crises was particularly challenging. Metropolitan and rural differences, and gender differences, were also apparent. Community supports were perceived as inadequate to meet their needs. This study provides data on a range of experiences not reported in existing literature, including general practitioner roles, urban and rural differences, public and private hospital differences, and comparison of usefulness of support across multiple support types. Its findings can help inform better training for health professionals and better care for this population.
Multiweek resting EEG cordance change patterns from repeated olfactory activation with two constitutionally salient homeopathic remedies in healthy young adults.

OBJECTIVES Electroencephalography (EEG) offers psychophysiologic tools to improve sensitivity for detecting objective effects in complementary and alternative medicine. This current investigation extended prior clinical research studies to evaluate effects of one of two different homeopathic remedies on resting EEG cordance after an olfactory activation protocol on healthy young adults with remedy-relevant, self-perceived characteristics. METHODS Ninety-seven (7) young adults (N=97, mean age 19 years, 55% women) with good self-rated global health and screened for homeopathic constitutional types consistent with one of two remedies (either Sulphur or Pulsatilla) underwent three weekly laboratory sessions. At each visit, subjects had 5-minute resting, eyes-closed EEG recordings before and after a placebo-controlled olfactory activation task with their constitutionally relevant verum remedy. One remedy potency (6c, 12c, or 30c) used per week, was presented in a randomized order over the 3 sessions. Prefrontal resting EEG cordance values at Fp1 and Fp2 were computed from artifact-free 2-minute EEG samples from the presniffing and postsniffing rest periods. Cordance derives from an algorithm that incorporates absolute and relative EEG values. RESULTS The data showed significant two-way oscillatory interactions of remedy by time for ß, α, θ, and δ cordance, controlling for gender and chemical sensitivity. CONCLUSIONS EEG cordance provided a minimally invasive technique for assessing objective nonlinear physiologic effects of two different homeopathic remedies salient to the individuals who received them. Time factors modulated the direction of effects. Given previous evidence of correlations between cordance and single-photon emission computed tomography, these findings encourage additional neuroimaging research on nonlinear psychophysiologic effects of specific homeopathic remedies.
Preservice Teachers and Blogs: An Invitation to Extended Reflection and Conversation

47 Because of technology, we live in what sometimes feels like a borderless learning environment. We coexist with technology. Our world is filled with reciprocal interactions involving technology and multiple disciplines working to connect schools, artists, and viewers together in order to make meaningful connections (Taylor & Carpenter, 2007). As teachers, we wanted to capitalize on our students’ desire to be virtually connected outside of the classroom and part of a participatory dialog shared with others interested in art and teaching. Blogging offers a way for our students to connect with each other and maintain that connection across the miles of cornfields, wind-swept prairies, country roads, small towns, and interstates. A blog is an online diary or journal that is open for anyone to read. It is chronologically organized and authors can add links, videos, photos, and sound elements to enhance the experience of readers. Blogs, unlike other social media, offer writers a chance to write lengthy posts and moderate the comments of others. We both teach preservice art teachers at public universities in Iowa. In the summer of 2009, we spent time collaborating and composing a series of common readings and field experiences for our secondary methods courses. The primary focus of our courses was to share with preservice art educators various methods of instruction, artmaking, and theories. Blogging was a major component in our course design. We sought to answer the following questions: Would blogging enhance the experiences of our students through extended reflections about their praxis? Would our students embrace the idea of creating a professional identity through blogging that was somewhat different from their social networking identity via Facebook, Twitter, e-mail, and Skype? Is blogging a rigorous reflection tool that we can use effectively to enhance learning in a post-secondary education classroom? We required student reflections in the form of weekly blog entries about the assigned readings. We felt we needed to designate specific deadlines for students to post their individual blogs in order to allow time for comments from peers and professors on individual blogs. Every Sunday by midnight, students’ blog entries were due. This allowed students time from Sunday night until Tuesday morning to leave at least two comments on the blogs of their peers. Since the entries are date stamped, it was easy for us to see when students posted. We created a list of blogging Preservice Teachers and Blogs: An Invitation to Extended Reflection and Conversation
Use of Technology to Accommodate Differences Associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder in the General Curriculum and Environment

Without appropriate instructional supports, differences associated with autism spectrum disorder affect successful access to the general curriculum. Individuals who have autism without comorbid intellectual disabilities and language deficits require specific accommodations appropriate to their individual needs. Assistive technology and Universal Design for Learning are approaches appropriate for accommodating the needs of this population. The review examines the empirical research on technology-based accommodations targeting differences that manifest as a result of autism spectrum disorder. Results indicate that specific technologies include effective accommodations for social communication, restricted interests, and cognitive differences. Research on technology-based accommodations for motor and sensory differences is limited; however, practice implications and future research needs are discussed.