Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Novel associations of bile acid diarrhoea with fatty liver disease and gallstones: a cohort retrospective analysis

Background Bile acid diarrhoea (BAD) is a common cause of chronic diarrhoea with a population prevalence of primary BAD around 1%. Previous studies have identified associations with low levels of the ileal hormone fibroblast growth factor 19 (FGF19), obesity and hypertriglyceridaemia. The aim of this study was to identify further associations of BAD. Methods A cohort of patients with chronic diarrhoea who underwent 75selenohomocholic acid taurate (SeHCAT) testing for BAD was further analysed retrospectively. Additional clinical details available from the electronic patient record, including imaging, colonoscopy, chemistry and histopathology reports were used to calculate the prevalence of fatty liver disease, gallstones, colonic neoplasia and microscopic colitis, which was compared for BAD, the primary BAD subset and control patients with diarrhoea. Findings Of 578 patients, 303 (52%) had BAD, defined as a SeHCAT 7d retention value <15%, with 179 (31%) having primary BAD. 425 had an alanine aminotransferase (ALT) recorded, 184 had liver imaging and 176 had both. Overall, SeHCAT values were negatively associated with ALT (rs=−0.19, p<0.0001). Patients with BAD had an OR of 3.1 for an ALT >31 ng/mL with imaging showing fatty liver (p<0.001); similar figures occurred in the primary BAD group. FGF19 was not significantly related to fatty liver but low levels were predictive of ALT >40 IU/L. In 176 subjects with gallbladder imaging, 27% had gallstones, 7% had a prior cholecystectomy and 34% either of these. The median SeHCAT values were lower in those with gallstones (3.8%, p<0.0001), or gallstones/cholecystectomy (7.2%, p<0.001), compared with normal gallbladder imaging (14%). Overall, BAD had an OR of 2.0 for gallstones/cholecystectomy (p<0.05). BAD was not significantly associated with colonic adenoma/carcinoma or with microscopic colitis. Interpretation The diagnosis of BAD is associated with fatty liver disease and with gallstones. The reasons for these associations require further investigation into potential metabolic causes.
Image-Guided Percutaneous Splenic Biopsy and Drainage

Abstract Percutaneous splenic biopsy and drainage are relatively safe and accurate procedures. The risk of major complication (1.3%) following percutaneous splenic biopsy does not exceed that of other solid intra-abdominal organ biopsies, and it has less morbidity and mortality than splenectomy. Both computed tomography and ultrasound can be used to provide image guidance for biopsy and drainage. The safety profile of fine-needle aspiration cytology is better than core needle biopsy, but core biopsy has superior diagnostic accuracy.
Matrix exponential based algorithm for electromagnetic transient modeling and simulation of large-scale induction generator wind farms

Large-scale wind farm integration poses challenges to the modeling and simulation of power system electromagnetic transients. In this paper, state space modeling of typical induction generator wind farms is demonstrated using a subsystem assembly process, and a novel matrix exponential based simulation algorithm is applied, which is efficient, stable, and especially suitable for high dimensional nonlinear problems like wind farms. Numerical performance of the proposed algorithm is demonstrated through case studies.
The Lisp Machine manual

This 471-page, softcover manual describes the programming language and software environment of the Lisp Machine developed at M.I. T. 's Artificial Intelligence Laboratory over the past 8 years. The Lisp Machine is the result of a successful experiment in computer science: a distributed computing system consisting of a network of powerful 32-bit personal computers, implemented with custom hardware and software as complete, interactive graphical workstations. Each machine consists of a 32-bit computer with 64 megabytes of virtual memory, 1 to 16 megabytes of main memory, 80 megabytes (or larger) disk, 800x900 graphics display (color optional), mouse, keyboard, speaker and 4 million bit/second local network interface, which allows connections to other Lisp Machines, primers and file servers.
Significance and popularity in music production

Creative industries constantly strive for fame and popularity. Though highly desirable, popularity is not the only achievement artistic creations might ever acquire. Leaving a longstanding mark in the global production and influencing future works is an even more important achievement, usually acknowledged by experts and scholars. ‘Significant’ or ‘influential’ works are not always well known to the public or have sometimes been long forgotten by the vast majority. In this paper, we focus on the duality between what is successful and what is significant in the musical context. To this end, we consider a user-generated set of tags collected through an online music platform, whose evolving co-occurrence network mirrors the growing conceptual space underlying music production. We define a set of general metrics aiming at characterizing music albums throughout history, and their relationships with the overall musical production. We show how these metrics allow to classify albums according to their current popularity or their belonging to expert-made lists of important albums. In this way, we provide the scientific community and the public at large with quantitative tools to tell apart popular albums from culturally or aesthetically relevant artworks. The generality of the methodology presented here lends itself to be used in all those fields where innovation and creativity are in play.
Alzheimer disease

Alzheimer disease (AD) has traditionally been thought to involve the misfolding and aggregation of two different factors that contribute in parallel to pathogenesis: amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides, which represent proteolytic fragments of the transmembrane amyloid precursor protein, and tau, which normally functions as a neuronally enriched, microtubule-associated protein that predominantly accumulates in axons. Recent evidence has challenged this model, however, by revealing numerous functional interactions between Aβ and tau in the context of pathogenic mechanisms for AD. Moreover, the propagation of toxic, misfolded Aβ and tau bears a striking resemblance to the propagation of toxic, misfolded forms of the canonical prion protein, PrP, and misfolded Aβ has been shown to induce tau misfolding in vitro through direct, intermolecular interaction. In this review we discuss evidence for the prion-like properties of both Aβ and tau individually, as well as the intriguing possibility that misfolded Aβ acts as a template for tau misfolding in vivo.
Innovate with Complex Information Technologies: A Theoretical Model and Empirical Examination

Complex information technologies (CITs), such as ERP packages, have become the core component of modern organizations. Corporate investments in CITs have soared to a record high. Firms need to creatively apply the technologies in order to adapt to the ever-changing environments and realize the full potential of the technologies. We approach this issue from the perspective of ‘Innovate with IT’, a post-acceptance usage behavior that describes innovative use of information technologies to support individual task performances. Drawing upon the IS Continuance (ISC) model, as well as the managerial and individual factors that facilitate higher level IT use, a model is theoretically developed to understand employees' novel use of CITs. A field study was conducted in a large manufacturing firm using ERP packages to empirically validate the model. The results suggest that the ISC model, personal propensity toward IT innovations, and management support jointly nurture employees' creative use of complex technologies.
Serum interleukin‐5 in aspirin‐induced asthma

Background Eosinophilopoetic cytokine IL‐5 enhances cysteinyl‐leukotriene (cys‐LT) synthesis in eosinophils in vitro. In patients with aspirin‐induced asthma (AIA) bronchial biopsies revealed eosinophil infiltration and a marked increase in IL‐5 positive cells.
Online professional development: An analysis of instructor beliefs and instructional strategies for the facilitation of learning with adult educators

ONLINE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: AN ANALYSIS OF INSTRUCTOR BELIEFS AND INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES FOR THE FACILITATION OF LEARNING WITH ADULT EDUCATORS by Kathi L. Vanderbilt The purpose of this qualitative case study was to examine the beliefs of 5 experienced instructors about the ways adults learn in online professional development (OPD) courses, beliefs about creating online learning environments, and beliefs about instructional strategies for facilitating adult learning. The following questions guided this study: 1. What are the instructor’s beliefs about the ways that adults learn in online professional development courses? 2. What are the instructor’s beliefs about creating an online learning environment for adult learners? 3. What are the instructor’s beliefs about the use of instructional strategies to facilitate online learning with adults? The setting for the study was the professional development program of a large metropolitan school district in the southeastern United States. Data were collected through interviews, discussion board postings, and instructor journals and analyzed using a constant comparative method (Glaser & Strauss, 1967; Strauss & Corbin, 1998). The following themes emerged from the data: • Adult learning in OPD courses is an active process of making connections and applying knowledge and skills. • Learning for adults in OPD courses must be useful, meaningful, relevant, practical, adaptable, and applicable to the work setting. • Learning for adults in an OPD course requires more effort and commitment than learning in face-to-face professional development settings. • Adult learners in OPD courses need a comfort zone where they can feel “safe” communicating and interacting with learners and the instructor. • Adult learners need varying amounts of encouragement, support, guidance, and nurturing within a positive online learning environment (OLE) that supports and sustains them. • Instructors believe that collaboration is an effective strategy for facilitating learning with adults in OPD courses, yet existing barriers limit collaboration. • The OPD instructor is a flexible facilitator of learning who uses different types of feedback to confirm, correct, and inform learning with adults. ONLINE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: AN ANALYSIS OF INSTRUCTOR BELIEFS AND INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES FOR THE FACILITATION OF LEARNING WITH ADULT EDUCATORS by Kathi L. Vanderbilt
Effects of chronotype, age, and shift preference on nurses' tolerance of night shift

Abstract: The ability to tolerate night shift is an ongoing difficulty for nurses who work night shift. For most night shift workers, the inversion of the usual daytime working pattern with one of nighttime wakefulness and activity, followed by daytime sleep, is disruptive to their biological circadian rhythms. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of chronotype, age, and shift preference on the tolerance of night shift in nurses working permanent night shift at Bozeman Deaconess Hospital to ascertain if similar to those in other populations. Circadian factors, sleep factors, as well as social factors have a role in the degree of tolerance experienced by the night shift employee. The difficulties related to working at night are well documented in the literature.
Nanoindentation of Functionally Graded Polymer Nanocomposites: Assessment of the Strengthening Parameters through Experiments and Modeling

NNanoindentation tests were carried out on the surface of polymer nanocomposites exhibiting either graded or homogeneous distributions of Fe3O4@silica core-shell nanoparticles in a photocurable polymeric matrix. The results reveal a complex interplay between graded morphology, indentation depth and calculated modulus and hardness values, which was elucidated through numerical simulations. First, it was experimentally shown how for small (1 µm) indentations, large increases in modulus (up to +40%) and hardness (up to +93%) were obtained for graded composites with respect to their homogeneous counterparts, whereas at a larger indentation depth (20 µm) the modulus and hardness of the graded and homogeneous composites did not substantially differ from each other and from those of the pure polymer. Then, through a Material Point Method approach, experimental nanoindentation tests were successfully simulated, confirming the importance of the indentation depth and of the associated plastic zone as key factors for a more accurate design of graded polymer nanocomposites whose mechanical properties are able to fulfill the requirements encountered during operational life.
The Achievement of Conflict-Related Goals Leads to Satisfaction with Conflict Outcomes

Interpersonal conflict, a process involving perceptions of differences and opposition, is often an undesired but inevitable consequence of interaction between individuals. Multiple goals (internal representations of desired states) can be present in interpersonal conflict. Past studies identify four major categories of conflict-related goals: content goals, relationship goals, identity goals, and process goals; the last three may be classified together as social goals. Several hypotheses were tested in an online experiment in which adult members of evangelical churches (N = 276) imagined themselves in various church-related conflict situations. Participants were assigned to one of two conditions; in one condition, participants read scenarios where their content goals were achieved and in the other condition, participants read scenarios where their content goals were not achieved. Each participant read a series of three scenarios involving the different types of social goals. For each of the three scenarios, they imagined how satisfied they would be with two different outcomes. In the first outcome, in addition to achieving or not achieving their content goal (depending on the condition), they did not achieve the social goal that was made salient (e.g., the relationship is damaged or they lose face); in the second outcome, they achieved this social goal. In addition, participants completed individual difference measures of dominance, sociability, face threat sensitivity, and justice sensitivity. This study found support for the hypothesis that the achievement of each type of conflict-related goal leads to greater satisfaction with the conflict outcome than not achieving the goal. It also found support for the hypothesis that the achievement of two conflict-related goals (specifically, a content goal and a social goal) interact to lead to greater satisfaction with the conflict outcome beyond the main effects of achieving each goal individually. Additionally, this study tested hypotheses that individual differences (dominance, sociability, face threat sensitivity, and justice sensitivity) moderate the relationship between conflict-related goal achievement and conflict outcome satisfaction. Support was only found for the hypothesis that individuals higher in sociability report greater differences in satisfaction when their relationship goals are achieved (relative to not achieved) than those who score lower in sociability.
Emotional and Behavioral Disorders in the New Millennium: The Future is Now

In assessing the prospects for the future of the field of behavioral disorders, we examine our current knowledge base related to two critical areas: (1) early intervention for prevention and (2) inclusion and the preparation of teachers. We consider these against the backdrop of two issues that have limited our progress: (1) establishing appropriate expectations and realistic outcomes for students with emotional and behavioral disorders and (2) the changing relationship between science and education. We conclude with several suggestions for directions in which movement may hold promise for the future of our field. In particular, we call for action based upon our current knowledge and increased attention to scientific, data-based decision making in the areas of early intervention, teacher preparation, and the establishment of realistic expectations.
Interactions between soil thermal and hydrological dynamics in the response of Alaska ecosystems to fire disturbance

Soil temperature and moisture are important factors that control many ecosystem processes. However, interactions between soil thermal and hydrological processes are not adequately understood in cold regions, where the frozen soil, fire disturbance, and soil drainage play important roles in controlling interactions among these processes. These interactions were investigated with a new ecosystem model framework, the dynamic organic soil version of the Terrestrial Ecosystem Model, that incorporates an efficient and stable numerical scheme for simulating soil thermal and hydrological dynamics within soil profiles that contain a live moss horizon, fibrous and amorphous organic horizons, and mineral soil horizons. The performance of the model was evaluated for a tundra burn site that had both preburn and postburn measurements, two black spruce fire chronosequences (representing space-for-time substitutions in well and intermediately drained conditions), and a poorly drained black spruce site. Although space-for-time substitutions present challenges in model-data comparison, the model demonstrates substantial ability in simulating the dynamics of evapotranspiration, soil temperature, active layer depth, soil moisture, and water table depth in response to both climate variability and fire disturbance. Several differences between model simulations and field measurements identified key challenges for evaluating/improving model performance that include (1) proper representation of discrepancies between air temperature and ground surface temperature; (2) minimization of precipitation biases in the driving data sets; (3) improvement of the measurement accuracy of soil moisture in surface organic horizons; and (4) proper specification of organic horizon depth/properties, and soil thermal conductivity.
Motivating students or teaching pure science

All countries want their young people to enjoy, appreciate and benefit from their science education, both for its general educational value and also so that sufficient of their most able students decide to continue with their science into scientific and technological careers. This article analyses this need and reports on research which identifies factors, both inside and outside the school curriculum, that influence students in choosing whether or not to continue with science. Different groups of factors are considered and their implications for school science teaching. The article challenges some of the 'accepted wisdom' in science teaching and emphasises the importance of those motivational factors that challenge and stimulate the imagination and commitment of students.
Ecological Momentary Intervention [EMI]: Incorporating Mobile Technology into a Disordered Eating Treatment Program for College Women

Psychosocial and health behavior treatments can be extended beyond research and clinical settings by using mobile technology to provide Ecological Momentary Interventions [EMI] to individuals as they go about their daily lives. This study integrates the assessment (i.e., Ecological Momentary Assessment; EMA) and intervention (i.e., EMI) capacities of palmtop computers to provide individually tailored EMI to participants in real time. The feasibility and efficacy of using EMI to augment a disordered eating treatment intervention for college women was evaluated. Participants were randomized to view psychoeducational videos on a computer (attention control), complete an interactive CD-ROM-based intervention aimed at reducing body dissatisfaction and disordered eating behaviors (CD), or receive the CD-ROM supplemented with EMI (CD+EMI). The content and timing of EMI was individually tailored in real time and provided on palmtop computers for one week following the CD intervention. Very high compliance rates with the EMA/EMI protocol were demonstrated and women were generally satisfied with the intervention, suggesting it is feasible to implement tailored EMI. An evaluation of treatment efficacy revealed the computerized CD-ROM intervention did not reliably produce significant improvements in body-related constructs and there was no unique or added benefit of EMI. This study was innovative in that it used palmtop computers to combine ambulatory assessment and intervention strategies to provide tailored and contextually sensitive EMI. As such, it adds to the relatively young, but growing EMI literature by identifying challenges and opportunities for ambulatory assessment and intervention methods in psychosocial and health behavior treatments. Ecological Momentary Intervention [EMI]: Incorporating mobile technology into a disordered eating treatment program for college women By Kristin E. Heron B.A. State University of New York at Binghamton, 2004 M.S. Syracuse University, 2006
Impact of Cell-Free Fetal DNA Screening on Patients’ Choice of Invasive Procedures after a Positive California Prenatal Screen Result

Until recently, maternal serum analyte levels paired with sonographic fetal nuchal translucency measurement was the most accurate prenatal screen available for Trisomies 18 and 21, (91% and 94% detection and false positive rates of 0.31% and 4.5% respectively). Women with positive California Prenatal Screening Program (CPSP) results have the option of diagnostic testing to determine definitively if the fetus has a chromosomal abnormality. Cell-free fetal (cff-) DNA screening for Trisomies 13, 18, and 21 was first offered in 2012, allowing women with positive screens to choose additional screening before diagnostic testing. Cff-DNA sensitivity rates are as high as 99.9% and 99.1%, with false positive rates of 0.4% and 0.1%, for Trisomies 18 and 21, respectively. A retrospective chart review was performed in 2012 on 500 CPSP referrals at the University of California, San Diego Thornton Hospital. Data were collected prior to and after the introduction of cff-DNA. There was a significant increase in the number of participants who chose to pursue additional testing and a decrease in the number of invasive procedures performed after cff-DNA screening was available. We conclude that as fetal aneuploidy screening improves, the number of invasive procedures will continue to decrease.
Direct Electron Acceleration with Radially Polarized Laser Beams

In the past years, there has been a growing interest in innovative applications of radially polarized laser beams. Among them, the particular field of laser-driven electron acceleration has received much attention. Recent developments in high-power infrared laser sources at the INRS Advanced Laser Light Source (Varennes, Qc, Canada) allowed the experimental observation of a quasi-monoenergetic 23-keV electron beam produced by a radially polarized laser pulse tightly focused into a low density gas. Theoretical analyses suggest that the production of collimated attosecond electron pulses is within reach of the actual technology. Such an ultrashort electron pulse source would be a unique tool for fundamental and applied research. In this paper, we propose an overview of this emerging topic and expose some of the challenges to meet in the future.