Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Patient-Disease Characteristics and Coping Strategies Predict Hospitalization in Emergency Psychiatry

Objective: The goal of this study was to analyze how far patient-disease characteristics (sociodemographic variables, previous psychiatric treatment, way of referral, the patient's current diagnosis), and the patient's coping strategies are connected with the consecutive disposition for inpatient or outpatient treatment. Methods: Data from a one-year intake of the psychiatric emergency service at a University Hospital (N = 1439) were monitored and analyzed with regard to the decision on treatment. Four hundred eighty-one patients were hospitalized and 530 were assigned to outpatient treatment. Two subsamples of twenty-eight patients from each group filled out the Bernese Coping Modes questionnaire before the decision with regard to the treatment disposition was taken. Results: The patient's psychiatric history, the way of referral as well as the current axis I diagnosis made a significant contribution to the treatment decision. Overall, patient-disease characteristics allowed for correct classification of 69.3 percent of cases. However, coping was a comparable predictor of hospitalization. Conclusions: It is argued that the search for patient-disease characteristics in the psychiatric emergency room should be complemented by a more extensive monitoring of the patients' way of coping with their current crisis.
Immunohistochemical Analysis of Advanced Human Breast Carcinomas Reveals Downregulation of Protein Kinase Cα

Forty-six advanced-stage human breast carcinoma specimens were evaluated by immunohistochemistry for PKCα expression and compared with 25 samples of normal adjacent breast tissue. For normal tissue, the median staining of ductal epithelia was of moderate intensity. No staining was observed for 67% of tumor specimens, and only 4% showed intensities greater than the median observed in normal tissue. Faint to moderate PKCα staining was observed in the stroma, inflammatory cells, and fibroblasts of tumors but was absent in normal tissue. These findings demonstrate that downregulation of PKCα protein occurs in epithelial cells of advanced breast tumors (p<0.001).
Reliability of the ALPHA environmental questionnaire and its association with physical activity in female fibromyalgia patients: the al-Ándalus project

Abstract Physical activity attenuates the symptoms of fibromyalgia, and its level is oftentimes associated with the perceived environment of fibromyalgia patients. Within this context, we aimed to study the reliability of the Spanish version of the Assessing Levels of Physical Activity (ALPHA) environmental questionnaire and the mode of commuting questionnaire. We also studied the association between the perceived environment and mode of commuting with physical activity levels among female fibromyalgia patients in Spain. Test–retest reliability was judged by the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC), weighted kappa statistic, Spearman correlations and the proportion of agreement. We calculated bivariate Pearson’s correlations between environmental sum scores and physical activity measured by both International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and accelerometry. More than 70% of the scales and items showed a good reliability regarding the ICC, the weighted kappa, the Spearman correlation and the percentage of inter-agreement (higher than 50%). The perceived environment assessed with the ALPHA showed a low correlation with both IPAQ and accelerometry. The Spanish version of the ALPHA environmental questionnaire proved to be reliable and showed a weak degree of association with physical activity in female fibromyalgia patients.
Forging a Double-Edged Sword: Resource Synergies and Dependencies in Complex IT Project Portfolios

These days, due to the high level of interactions between individual projects, IT project portfolios are best described as IT project networks. While varied and frequent interactions between single IT projects create additional risks, they also generate the possibility of additional synergistic effects. This, however, is not reflected in current methods for IT project portfolio evaluation and project portfolio selection, which neither account for specific network characteristics nor do they clearly distinguish between the types of interaction and their effects. In this paper, we model resource synergies and dependencies within IT project networks by means of weighted, undirected and directed graphs and describe how alpha centrality allows for an assessment of both. We further illustrate the importance of accounting for network characteristics and the equal importance of distinguishing between resource synergies and resource dependencies. Our model can therefore be applied to gain practical insights on IT project portfolios.
Does sulfur-hexafluoride tamponade, as an adjunct to vitrectomy and internal-limiting-membrane peeling, suffice for the treatment of retinal detachment associated with macular hole?

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of sulfur hexafluoride tamponade, as an adjunct to vitrectomy and internal-limiting-membrane peeling, for the treatment of retinal detachment (RD) associated with macular hole (MH). Materials and methods: Our study was a retrospective interventional case series. We evaluated 9 phakic eyes of 9 consecutive patients with retinal detachment secondary to macular hole (MHRD) treated with 20-gauge (g) pars plana vitrectomy, which was followed with trypan blue–assisted internal-limiting-membrane peeling, fluid–air exchange, and 20% sulfur hexafluoride tamponade (SF6) gas exchange. All patients underwent optical coherence tomography, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) measurement, and dilated fundus examination with indentation, pre- and postoperatively. Results: The mean (± standard deviation) follow-up time was 13 ± 3 months (range 9–18). Postoperatively, all eyes demonstrated an attached retina, whereas MH closure was achieved in only 1 eye, and in a second eye after additional injection of gas and further posturing. The BCVA improved from 2.2 ± 0.4 logMAR (logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution) at baseline to 2.0 ± 0.5 logMAR at the end of follow-up (p = .05). Conclusion: The failure in MH closure in most of our cases strengthens the view that short-term tamponade with SF6 may not suffice for achieving MH closure, and either prolonged tamponade (with C3F8 or silicone oil) or additional photocoagulation may be a better option for eyes with MHRDs. In addition, it is possible that intravitreal injection of gas might be an option for the treatment of persistent MHs after vitrectomy for MHRD, especially when the MH is small. Further studies are required to evaluate the above findings, although the implementation of large series studies remains a challenge because of the rarity of cases with MHRDs.
Protecting infants against measles in England and Wales: a review

Objective: To establish the most appropriate age ranges for the use of human normal immunoglobulin and MMR vaccine as postexposure prophylaxis. Design: Review of literature and of laboratory confirmed measles cases. Setting: England and Wales and countries with a similar measles epidemiological profile. Patients: Women of childbearing age and infants. Main outcome measures: The risk of measles, maternally derived measles antibody levels and the response to measles containing vaccines in infants. Results: By 4 to 5 months of age, only 28–45% of infants born to women from highly vaccinated populations have protective levels of measles antibody. In the postvaccine era, between 74% and 80% of infants vaccinated between 6 and 9 months respond to vaccine, and around 67% have clinical protection from measles vaccination. Conclusion: This study suggests that many infants being born in the UK will become susceptible to measles before 6 months and will be able to respond to vaccine between 6 and 9 months of age. It is proposed that current guidance is changed to recommend passive immunisation with human normal immunoglobulin for most infants exposed to measles below 6 months of age. For infants aged 6 months or over exposed to measles, vaccination with MMR may be given.
The symptomatic effect of cisapride in patients with irritable bowel syndrome and constipation.

BACKGROUND Cisapride improves symptoms in patients with idiopathic constipation. This trial compares the effect of cisapride with that of placebo in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and constipation. METHODS Seventy patients were randomized to 12 weeks' treatment with 5 mg cisapride three times daily or placebo in a double-blind trial. The dose could be doubled after 4 weeks in patients without satisfactory improvement. The patients scored their symptoms on a 100-mm visual analogue scale (VAS) (0 = best, 100 = worst), and the investigators evaluated the symptomatic effect. RESULTS The dose was doubled in 17 and 23 patients in the cisapride and placebo groups, respectively, after 4 weeks. The patients' mean VAS score for global evaluation of IBS symptoms in the cisapride and placebo groups was 73 and 71 mm, respectively, at the start of treatment and 47 and 41 mm at the end. The difference between cisapride and placebo at the end was 6 mm in favour of placebo (95% confidence interval (CI), -6, 18) (NS). The investigators evaluated the effect as good or excellent in 39.2% and 58.8% in the cisapride and placebo groups, respectively. The difference in favour of placebo was 19.5% (95% CI, -5, 44) (NS). Nor were any statistically significant differences seen between cisapride and placebo in the other effect factors. CONCLUSIONS The trial seems to exclude a clinically significant effect of 15-30 mg cisapride daily in patients with IBS and constipation during a 12-week treatment period.
An inrush current elimination technique for a voltage sag compensator while powering transformer-coupled loads

Sags are the foremost power quality problem encountered by industrial consumers since they frequently causes the interruption of manufacturing processes that can result in significant economic loss. To resolve such problems, a voltage sag compensator is often installed by industrial consumers within critical industrial applications. However, the operation of the compensator takes a few milliseconds when a sag occurs. Hence the transformer, which is usually mounted in front of the critical load, is likely to be exposed to the sag voltages during this time interval. As a result, when the compensator reinstates the load voltage, a serious magnitude of transient current starts flowing towards the sensitive load. This inrush current can either damage the equipment or activate the protective devices of the compensator. In either case, compensation will eventually fail. To eliminate the inrush current phenomenon and to obtain seamless compensation for sensitive loads, this paper proposes a sag compensator based upon a customary current regulated voltage source inverter (CRVSI). This compensator employs a current control scheme implemented in a stationary frame of reference to regulate the current for the load by connecting it to the secondary of the load transformer. The operation of the proposed system is validated through laboratory test results obtained during different possible sag types.
Post-Adoption of Social Network sites: a literature Review and a Process Framework

This article provides a comprehensive literature review about the post-adoption stage of social network sites (SNS) usage with the special focus on habitual use and terminating stages. The extant research has examined this topic mainly from two perspectives: namely, intentional and habitual. Findings from each of these two perspectives are synthesized and used to build a process model to better understand how different intentions and behaviors of users manifest in different stages of SNS post-adoption phase. The process model suggests that disturbances such as technical glitches and privacy leaks trigger users’ awareness of the ‘dark sides’ of habitual SNS use . In addition, the awareness of negative impacts of addictive use, which are perceived as threats, motivates people to switch from or quit SNS. This paper contributes to SNS research by synthesizing fragmented theoretical explanations and providing a visual tool that helps researchers to develop a deeper understanding of the dynamics in the SNS post-adoption phase. Practitioners will gain insights into how to retain existing users and better manage processes related to users who wish to quit.
Amino acid losses during hemodialysis: effects of high-solute flux and parenteral nutrition in acute renal failure.

BACKGROUND During standard hemodialysis, amino acid losses are substantial, amounting to 6 to 9 g per treatment. When these nutritional supplements are infused during dialysis, losses are increased, but a net positive balance can be achieved if the infusion rate is high enough. High-flux dialyzers, used with increasing frequency in modern dialysis centers because of their more permeable synthetic membranes, should cause further amino acid losses; however, the increase has not been measured, and the effect on plasma levels has not been examined. Assessment of net balance requires measurement of blood concentrations as well as of clearance. METHODS To quantitate the effect of high-flux dialysis on amino acid balance, we measured clearances, plasma levels, and losses of individual amino acids during hemodialysis in patients with acute renal failure who required daily parenteral nutrition. RESULTS Nearly all predialysis amino acid levels in plasma were within the normal range, probably because of control of uremia with prior dialyses and from continuous infusion. In paired studies, clearances were higher (150 +/- 15 mL/min vs 107 +/- 11 mL/min, p < .01), and levels fell more at mid-dialysis with high-flux membranes (28% +/- 5%) than with conventional cellulosic membranes (4 +/- 5%, p < .05). Mean losses of amino acid were 5.2 +/- 0.6 g per conventional dialysis, representing 60% of the total infused, and 7.3 +/- 1.8 g per high-flux dialysis, or 80% of the simultaneous infusion. Fractional losses decreased at higher infusion rates, but losses of individual amino acids varied from one fourth to more than 10 times the amount infused. Compared with other small solutes, plasma levels were relatively well maintained even during high-flux dialysis, a factor that enhanced removal by the dialyzer. Total balance depended more on the infusion rate than on the dialysis membrane. CONCLUSIONS These studies show that positive balance can be achieved with concurrent infusion during dialysis, especially at higher amino acid delivery rates. High-flux dialysis causes a greater disturbance of amino acid equilibrium than conventional dialysis does, but 24-hour gains far exceeded losses in the dialysate for most of the amino acids.
Detection and recognition of wood defects based on gray transformation and BP neural network.

Wood defect and rot debase wood quality badly. X-ray as a method of measurement was adopted to detect wood defects nondestructively. Due to the changed intensity of x-ray which crossed the object, defects in wood were detected by the differences of X-ray absorption parameters. Therefore images were processed and analyzed by computer. Gray transformation could enhance the contrast of the image obviously and the position of rot could be highlighted. Binary processing was employed for the image after gray transformation. The defects areas of the binary images were filled. On the basis of image processing of nondestructive testing and characteristic construction, defects mathematic models were established through using characteristic parameters. The feature parameters were preprocessed and were input into BP neural network, and then the wood defects could be recognized. The experimental results show that the detection rate can be up to 90% and the performance shows that this method is very successful for detection and classification of wood defects. This study provides a new method for automatic detection of wood defects. It is useful for the scientific selection and effective utilization of wood resources.
Generation of Orbital Angular Momentum Beams for Electromagnetic Vortex Imaging

The vortex electromagnetic (EM) wave, which carries orbital angular momentum (OAM), may provide extra rotational degree of freedom and can potentially be exploited in microwave staring imaging. Based on the concentric uniform circular array, the generation method of OAM beams for the EM vortex imaging is studied. The array radius and excitation signal for each ring are carefully designed to ensure that the main lobes of beams with different topological charges can simultaneously illuminate the area where the target may exist. Subsequently, the imaging model based on the linear frequency modulation signal is established. The fast Fourier transform (FFT) and other spectrum estimation methods are applied to obtain the cross-range profile of the target. Results demonstrate that the algorithms of power spectrum density estimation based on autoregressive model can achieve much higher resolution than the FFT method. Moreover, the imaging performance of the proposed method is robust against the noise influence. The work and results can benefit the development of remote sensing as well as the research on microwave staring imaging.
Alcoholism is associated with hepatitis C but not hepatitis B in an urban population.

OBJECTIVES Previous studies have suggested an association of viral hepatitis with alcoholism, although the role of confounding risk factors (e.g. i.v. drug use) has not been adequately excluded. We therefore compared the seroprevalences of hepatitis B and C in alcoholic patients to that of a nonalcoholic control group. METHODS Hepatitis B surface antigen, hepatitis B core antibody, hepatitis B surface antibody, and hepatitis C virus antibody testing (second generation ELISA and a confirmatory recombinant immunoblot assay) was performed in 150 consecutive alcoholics admitted for detoxification and in 166 randomly selected patients attending a general medical clinic who were screened for alcoholism. RESULTS Hepatitis B and C seropositivities in actively drinking alcoholics are 49.3 and 35.3%, respectively, and were significantly associated with a history of i.v. drug abuse. Out of 166 general medicine clinics patients, 93 were classified as nonalcoholic (by both self-report and collateral verification), 46 patients had a history of alcoholism , and 27 were indeterminate. In the subgroup of patients without known viral hepatitis risk factors, there was no significant difference in hepatitis B seropositivity among nonalcoholic general medicine clinic patients, alcoholic general medicine clinic patients, and alcoholic patients admitted for detoxification (22.1%, 30.3%, and 27.6%, respectively). In contrast, anti-HCV recombinant immunoblot assay seropositivity in alcohol patients admitted for detoxification without risk factors was significantly greater than in nonalcoholic general medicine patients without risk factors (10 vs 0%, p >0.01). Stepwise logistic regression analysis revealed that alcoholism requiring detoxification was a significant risk factor for hepatitis C but not for hepatitis B seropositivity. CONCLUSIONS The increased seroprevalence of hepatitis C in actively drinking alcoholic patients without known risk factors suggests that alcoholism, in some way, is a predisposing factor for HCV infection.
The bounds and realization of spatial compliances achieved with simple serial elastic mechanisms

We address the spatial elastic behavior that can be achieved through the use of a serial chain of revolute and prismatic elastic joints. We show that, regardless of the number of joints or the configuration of the links, there exists a subspace within the 21-dimensional compliance matrix space that cannot be reached by a simple serial elastic mechanism. This restriction is shown to be dual to the restriction on the stiffness matrices associated with simple parallel mechanisms. Although analogous to each other, the two restrictions correspond to different elastic behaviors. A procedure to synthesize any realizable compliance matrix with a simple serial mechanism is provided. The dualities and differences between the parallel and serial cases are discussed.
Aceh : verandah of lost opportunities

Major donors and governments involved in Aceh tend to deem both the post-tsunami reconstruction and the peace process quite positively. After the recent local elections in which the conservative ex-GAM leaders’ Partai Aceh (Aceh Party, PA) won a landslide victory, an editorial in Jakarta Post (April 25, 2012) summarised what mainstream actors seem to agree on: ‘Such a significant percentage of support from the Acehnese should be more than enough (.) to start programs and most importantly keep the province peaceful and stable. ’ Accordingly, for instance, the European Union has concluded its engagement in the peace process; and the Crisis Management Centre (that brokered the peace talks chaired by President Ahtisaari), has ‘lauded Aceh’s “stable” peace’ (Jakarta Post May 25, 2012).
Physical Activity, Obesity, Nutritional Health and Quality of Life in Low-Income Hispanic Adults With Diabetes

The study examined relationships among age, body mass index (BMI), physical activity, nutritional health, quality of life, and health-related quality of life in Hispanic adults with diabetes (N = 59) using the PRECEDE-PROCEED planning model as a framework. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews at clinics and communities. A regression model with predisposing factors (age, BMI), and behavior (nutritional health and physical activity) significantly predicted quality of life (R 2 = 0.21, F = 3.63, p < .05) explaining 21% of variance. Physical activity and nutrition were the strongest predictors. Culturally competent intervention strategies must include factors that improve and enhance quality of life.
Treatment of Epstein-Barr virus-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (EBV-HLH) in young adults: a report from the HLH study center.

BACKGROUND Epstein-Barr virus-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (EBV-HLH), also known as EBV-associated hemophagocytic syndrome, develops mostly in children and young adults and may be fatal. Early etoposide treatment has been confirmed to be effective in children. However, it is unclear whether the same treatment is useful in adults. PROCEDURE To assess whether etoposide is effective in treating young adult cases, we retrospectively studied the therapeutic measures taken and outcomes in 20 young adult cases of EBV-HLH. Eleven cases were registered in our HLH study center in Kyoto and nine derived from the literature. The patients were between 17 and 33 years old and eight were males. The influence of gender, cell lineage (T- or natural killer-), EBV serology pattern, jaundice and treatment on the outcome was assessed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS Patients receiving etoposide within four weeks after diagnosis had a good prognosis as five of the seven patients survived compared to one of 13 not treated with etoposide or treated late (chi-square test for survival, P = 0.0095). The Kaplan-Meier analysis showed the 2.5-year survival of 85.7 +/- 13.2% in the early etoposide-treated patients, compared to 10.3 +/- 9.4% in the remaining patients (log-rank test, P = 0.0141). Thus, early etoposide treatment is effective in treating EBV-HLH in young adults as well as in children.