Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Multidisciplinary rehabilitation for follow-up of women treated for breast cancer.

BACKGROUND Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women worldwide. Multidisciplinary rehabilitation aims to improve outcomes for women but the evidence base for its effectiveness is yet to be established. OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of organised multidisciplinary rehabilitation during follow-up in women treated for breast cancer. SEARCH METHODS We searched the Cochrane Breast Cancer Group Specialised Register, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library), MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, AMED, PEDro and LILACS in December 2011. SELECTION CRITERIA Randomised and controlled clinical trials (RCTs, CCTs, respectively) that compared multidisciplinary rehabilitation with some form of control intervention (such as a lower level or different type of intervention, minimal intervention, waiting list controls or no treatment, interventions given in different settings). DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS The type of data retrieved did not allow for quantitative synthesis and therefore a narrative synthesis was provided. The methodological quality of the included studies was evaluated by three authors using the risk of bias tool. MAIN RESULTS Two RCTs, including 262 participants, met the inclusion criteria. Both trials scored poorly for methodological quality. There was 'low level' evidence that multidisciplinary rehabilitation produced short-term gains at the levels of impairment (that is range of shoulder movement), psychosocial adjustment and quality of life after breast cancer treatment (up to 12 months). No evidence was available for the longer-term functional outcomes for caregivers or the cost effectiveness of these programmes. It was not possible to suggest the most appropriate frequency and duration of therapy or choice of one type of intervention over another. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS There was 'low level' evidence that multidisciplinary rehabilitation can improve the outcomes of people with breast cancer in terms of functional ability, psychosocial adjustment and participation in social activities. There was no evidence available on functional gain at the level of activity. This review highlights the limitations of RCTs in rehabilitation settings and the need for high-quality trial-based research in this area. Regular evaluation and assessment of breast cancer survivors for rehabilitation is recommended.
Predictability of disease progression in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

The aim of this study was to determine the predictors of disease progression in a group of 832 patients with the diagnosis of definite or probable amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Disease progression was defined as the time to 20‐point change in Appel ALS (AALS) score. The effects of individual prognostic factors on disease progression were assessed with the Kaplan–Meier life‐table method. In addition, the prognostic value of each factor was estimated using both univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard analyses. The median time to a 20‐point change in AALS score in our patient population was 9 months. Age, site of symptom onset, time between first symptom and first examination, total AALS score at first examination, and AALS preslope (rate of disease progression between first symptom and first examination) were significant and independent covariates of disease progression in our population. Identification of predictors of disease progression will facilitate better design of therapeutic trials, permitting the use of disease progression as a primary endpoint and improving baseline stratification of patient populations. Muscle Nerve, 2006
Evaluation of Prostaglandin Analogue Effects on Corneal Keratocyte Density Using Scanning Laser Confocal Microscopy

PurposeTo determine if treatment with prostaglandin (PG) analogues affects keratocyte density as an indirect measure of extracellular matrix in the corneal stroma. Patients and MethodsIn this case control study, 129 eyes from 68 patients were examined: 52 eyes had only PG analogue therapy for at least 3 years, 37 eyes had only &bgr;-adrenergic blocker therapy for at least 3 years, and 40 control eyes were without therapy. Scanning laser confocal microscopy was carried out, and each corneal stroma was subdivided into the anterior, midstroma, and posterior stroma. Keratocyte density was determined from the images by manual counting. ResultsKeratocyte densities in the entire stroma and in 2 stromal layers were significantly higher in patients with PG analogue therapy compared with control patients (entire stroma, P<0.001; anterior stroma, P=0.001; posterior stroma, P=0.016). Keratocyte density in the PG analogue therapy patients was also greater compared with the &bgr;-adrenergic blocker patients (entire stroma, P<0.001; anterior stroma, P<0.001; mid-stroma P=0.023, posterior stroma P=0.007). There were no significant differences between the control and &bgr;-adrenergic blocker groups. Overall, the density increase for the PG analogue group was greatest in the anterior stroma. ConclusionsPG analogue therapy increased the keratocyte density in each layer of corneal stroma, but more significantly in the anterior stroma than in the midstroma or the posterior stroma. The increased keratocyte density might be the result of diminished extracellular matrix, possibly owing to the known activation of matrix metalloproteinases and inhibition of tissue inhibitors of the metalloproteinases.
The Economic Importance of Rare Earth Elements Volatility Forecasts

We compare the suitability of short-memory models (ARMA), long-memory models (ARFIMA), and a GARCH model to describe the volatility of rare earth elements (REEs). We find strong support for the existence of long-memory effects. A simple long-memory ARFIMA (0, d, 0) baseline model shows generally superior accuracy both in- and out-of-sample, and is robust for various subsamples and estimation windows. Volatility forecasts produced by the baseline model also convey material forward-looking information for companies in the REEs industry. Thus, an active trading strategy based on REE volatility forecasts for these companies significantly outperforms a passive buy-and-hold strategy on both an absolute and a risk-adjusted return basis.
Camelimonas abortus sp. nov., isolated from placental tissue of cattle.

A gram-negative, rod-shaped, non-spore-forming bacterium, isolated from placental tissue of a cow, was investigated for its taxonomic position. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities, strain UK34/07-5(T) was shown to belong to the class Alphaproteobacteria, closely related to the type strain of Camelimonas lactis (96.0 % sequence similarity). The polyamine pattern showed the major compound spermidine and moderate amounts of putrescine. The major quinone was ubiquinone Q-10. The polar lipid profile was composed of the major compounds phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine and moderate amounts of diphosphatidylglycerol, three unidentified aminolipids and an unidentified phospholipid. The profile of major fatty acids, consisting of C(19 : 0) cyclo ω8c and C(18 : 1)ω7c, with C(18 : 0) 3-OH as the hydroxylated fatty acid, was very similar to that of C. lactis M 2040(T). The results of DNA-DNA hybridization and physiological and biochemical tests allowed both genotypic and phenotypic differentiation of the isolate from C. lactis. The relatively low 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 96.0 % to C. lactis M 2040(T) and marked differences in the polar lipid profiles as well as the results of physiological tests and the DNA-DNA hybridization data support the creation of a novel species, for which the name Camelimonas abortus sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain UK34/07-5(T) ( = CIP 110303(T) = CCUG 61094(T) = DSM 24741(T) = CCM 7941(T)).
RECONSTRUCTING POLITICAL LEGITIMACY IN ASIA: GLOBALIZA TION AND POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT

Robert Compton earned his doctorate in Political Science from the State University of New York at Binghamton. Currently, as Assistant Professor of Government at Western Kentucky University, he teaches courses in international relations and comparative politics, including International Political Economy, Politics of East Asia, and Model United Nations. Compton's research interests include East Asian political development. He is author of East Asian Democratization: Impact of Globalization, Culture, and Economy, and editor and contributor to Transforming East Asian Domestic and International Politics, forthcoming. He has participated on various television and radio programs, including Kentucky Tonight and Western's National Public Radio Mid-Day Edition.
Corneal Sensitivity and Slit Scanning In Vivo Confocal Microscopy of the Subbasal Nerve Plexus of the Normal Central and Peripheral Human Cornea

Purpose: To determine the subbasal nerve density and tortuosity at 5 corneal locations and to investigate whether these microstructural observations correlate with corneal sensitivity. Method: Sixty eyes of 60 normal human subjects were recruited into 1 of 3 age groups, group 1: aged <35 years, group 2: aged 35-50 years, and group 3: aged >50 years. All eyes were examined using slit-lamp biomicroscopy, noncontact corneal esthesiometry, and slit scanning in vivo confocal microscopy. Results: The mean subbasal nerve density and the mean corneal sensitivity were greatest centrally (14,731 ± 6056 μm/mm2 and 0.38 ± 0.21 millibars, respectively) and lowest in the nasal mid periphery (7850 ± 4947 μm/mm2 and 0.49 ± 0.25 millibars, respectively). The mean subbasal nerve tortuosity coefficient was greatest in the temporal mid periphery (27.3 ± 6.4) and lowest in the superior mid periphery (19.3 ± 14.1). There was no significant difference in mean total subbasal nerve density between age groups. However, corneal sensation (P = 0.001) and subbasal nerve tortuosity (P = 0.004) demonstrated significant differences between age groups. Subbasal nerve density only showed significant correlations with corneal sensitivity threshold in the temporal cornea and with subbasal nerve tortuosity in the inferior and nasal cornea. However, these correlations were weak. Conclusions: This study quantitatively analyzes living human corneal nerve structure and an aspect of nerve function. There is no strong correlation between subbasal nerve density and corneal sensation. This study provides useful baseline data for the normal living human cornea at central and mid-peripheral locations.
A New Approach to the Link Budget Concept for an OAM Communication Link

Following on from the increasing interest for electromagnetic waves carrying orbital angular momentum (OAM), different configurations of antenna systems able to generate such beams have been proposed. However, in our opinion, a traditional radiation pattern approach does not provide the right picture of an OAM-based communication link. For this reason, we propose a new general concept, the “OAM-link pattern,” which takes into account the peculiar phase structure characterizing these waves. Focusing on OAM transmissions between antenna arrays, we introduce a formula for the link budget evaluation that describes the whole communication link and directly leads to a “classically shaped” main lobe pattern for a proper rephased reception in the case of uniform circular arrays.
Mutations in the interferon sensitivity‐determining region of hepatitis C virus genotype 2a correlate with response to pegylated‐interferon‐alpha 2a monotherapy

The interferon sensitivity‐determining region (ISDR) is thought to be inhibited by the double‐stranded RNA‐dependent protein kinase (PKR). Several studies have reported a relationship between the ISDR and interferon (IFN) responsiveness. However, this relationship is controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate whether genomic heterogeneity of the ISDR among patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 2a affects the response to pegylated‐IFN‐alpha 2a monotherapy. Eighty patients (47 men, 33 women; mean age: 54.2 ± 12.9 years) infected with HCV genotype 2a were evaluated. HCV viral loads were determined by real‐time PCR. The ISDR (amino acids 2193–2228) was examined by direct sequencing. Thirty‐one patients received subcutaneous injections of pegylated‐IFN‐alpha 2a (180 µg) once weekly for 24 weeks, and 35 patients received injections for 48 weeks. Fourteen patients withdrew from treatment. Of the remaining 66 patients, 51 (77.3%) showed a sustained virologic response. Factors related to sustained virologic response on multivariate analysis were rapid virologic response (negative HCV at 4 weeks; odds ratio: 0.033; 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.003–0.363; P = 0.0052) and the number of mutations in the ISDR (odds ratio: 0.025; 95% CI 0.001–0.476; P = 0.0141). There were no significant differences in other factors, including sex, age, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, platelet count, duration of treatment, and HCV viral load. Rapid virologic response and the ISDR sequence variations are significantly associated with response to pegylated‐IFN‐alpha 2a monotherapy in Japanese patients with HCV genotype 2a. J. Med. Virol. 81:459–466, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
An Efficient Approach for Online Diagnosis of Discrete Event Systems

A novel approach to fault diagnosis of discrete event systems is presented in this paper. The standard approach is based on the offline computation of the set of fault events that may have occurred at each reachable state, providing a fast online diagnosis at a price of excessive memory requirements. A different approach is here adopted, which is based on the online computation of the set of possible fault events required to explain the last observed event. This is efficiently achieved by modelling the plant by Petri nets, since their mathematical representation permits to formulate the fault diagnosis problems in terms of mathematical programming, which is a standard tool. Moreover, the graphical representation of the net allows the diagnoser agent to compute off-line reduced portions of the net in order to improve the efficiency of the online computation, without a big increase in terms of memory requirement.
Profiling of Epstein‐Barr virus‐encoded microRNAs in nasopharyngeal carcinoma reveals potential biomarkers and oncomirs

Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) microRNAs are abundant in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) tumors. With recent advances in serum microRNA detection, the distinct presence of EBV microRNAs in serum could aid in screening endemic regions for NPC. A proposed network of genes targeted by these microRNAs could also shed light on EBV‐associated tumorigenesis.
Nitric oxide production is increased in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus of male rats during non‐contact penile erections and copulation

Male rats put in the presence of a receptive female rat that they can see, hear and smell, but cannot touch, show penile erection episodes. These non‐contact erections occur concomitantly with an increase in nitric oxide production in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, as detected by the increase in the NO2– and NO3– concentration in the paraventricular dialysate obtained from these males by in vivo microdialysis.
Modeling threshold effects in stock price co-movements: a vector nonlinear cointegration approach

Abstract This paper studies the hypothesis of stock price comovements between the US market and three different regions [the G6, BRICS and MENA (Middle East North Africa)] during calm and crisis periods. It extends the study by (Chlibi, S., F. Jawadi, and M. Sellami. 2016. “Analyzing Heterogeneous Stock Price Comovements through Hybrid Approaches.” Open Economies Review 27: 541–559) and models stock price comovements in a nonlinear multivariate framework. In particular, we develop an empirical nonlinear specification to model heterogeneity in stock price comovements, based on the multivariate threshold cointegration framework of (Hansen, B. E., and B. Seo. 2002. “Testing For Two-Regime Threshold Cointegration in Vector Error Correction Models.” Journal of Econometrics 110: 293–318). Our findings point to the presence of significant threshold cointegration relationships that are activated per regime. Specification of these threshold effects in stock price comovements is particularly useful to help investors to rebalance and adjust their portfolios so as to optimize their investment and diversification strategies.
Building a Foundation for Multidisciplinary Design Using Case Studies

The explosion of technological complexity has intensified the struggle between depth and breadth in engineering programs. It is difficult for graduating students to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams. Although multidisciplinary projects and courses can address this, a strong foundation of communication and non-technical skills is also required. Case studies are proposed to help develop these skills within disciplinary courses. A novel approach to the development of diverse case studies based primarily on student work term experience is presented. These cases are very motivating and have proven to be an effective and engaging application of course material.
TWO YEARS‘ FOLLOW‐UP OF ASTHMATIC BOYS PARTICIPATING IN A PHYSICAL ACTIVITY PROGRAMME

Abstract. Graff‐Lonnevig, V. , Bevegård, S. , Eriksson, B. O. , Kraepelien, S. and Saltin, B. (Department of Allergology, Sachs' Children's Hospital and the Department of Clinical Physiology, Södersjukhuset, Stockholm, Sweden). Two years follow‐up of asthmatic boys participating in a physical activity programme. Acta Paediatr Scand, 69: 347, 1980. —Eleven boys with bronchial asthma, mean age 11.2 years, participated in a 20‐month long physical activity programme. The training was performed in an ordinary indoor gymnasium for one hour twice a week. No drugs were given prior to the training sessions. Cardiorespiratory function and dimensions and maximal aerobic capacity were determined before, during and after the training period. The respiratory and circulatory dimensions increased as expected during the observation period and after correction for the influence of growth no changes were seen in the variables studied. Nor did the training group differ significantly in any respect from a group of nine asthmatic boys not trained. There was only a slight but not significant increase in the maximal oxygen uptake and the ventilatory coefficient in the training group as compared to the non training group. After a one‐week winter‐camp with high exercise intensity there was a rise in the total ventilation, the ventilatory coefficient and the maximal work performed but the maximal oxygen uptake was not affected. All boys showed a very good ability to participate in the physical activity programme at approximately the same level as the physical education given at school.
Model predictive control applied to the long-term hydrothermal scheduling of the Brazilian power system

This paper presents a case study concerning the application of model predictive control (MPC) to the long term hydrothermal scheduling of the Brazilian power system. According to MPC, the hydro and thermal generation decisions at each stage are provided by a deterministic nonlinear optimization model considering predicted inflows. The model, which is solved by interior point method, also takes into account tie line constraints between interconnected areas. In order to evaluate the performance of the approach several simulations over historical inflow scenarios were performed, and statistics about operation costs, hydro and thermal generation, power flow interchange, reservoir storage, load shortage, among others, are obtained. General results are compared to those from the stochastic model in use in Brazil and the results have shown substantial decrease in expected operation costs and load shortages, as well as an increase on water storage, both cause and effect of the better management of water resources.
Fructo-oligosaccharide-Induced Transient Increases in Cecal Immunoglobulin A Concentrations in Rats Are Associated with Mucosal Inflammation in Response to Increased Gut Permeability.

Background: The mechanism underlying transient increases in immunoglobulin (Ig) A concentrations in the cecal contents of rats fed fructo-oligosaccharide (FOS) is unclear.Objective: This study was designed to test whether increased IgA concentrations represent one aspect of the inflammatory response to increased permeability induced by FOS in the cecum.Methods: Seven-week-old male Wistar rats were fed a fiber-free semipurified diet (FFP) with or without supplemental FOS (60 g/kg diet) for 9 or 58 d [experiment (expt.) 1], 7 d (expt. 2), or 7 or 56 d (expt. 3). In addition to measuring IgA concentrations in cecal content, we assessed gut permeability, inflammatory responses (expt. 1), the number of IgA plasma cells in the cecal lamina propria, polymeric Ig receptor (pIgR) expression in the cecal mucosa (expt. 2), and the condition of the cecal mucus layer (expt. 3). Results: The cecal IgA concentration in the FOS-fed rats was 15-fold higher than that of the rats fed FFP for 9 d (P < 0.05). Gut permeability estimated by urinary chromium-EDTA excretion, bacterial translocation to mesenteric lymph nodes, myeloperoxidase activity, and expression of inflammatory cytokine genes in the cecal mucosa was greater in the FOS-fed rats than in the rats fed FFP for 9 d. These effects were not observed in the rats fed FOS for 58 d (expt. 1). Accompanying the higher cecal IgA concentration, pIgR protein and the number of IgA plasma cells in the cecal mucosa were higher in the FOS-fed rats than in the rats fed FFP for 7 d (expt. 2). Destruction of the mucus layer on the epithelial surface, as evidenced by Alcian blue staining in the cecal sections, was evident in the rats fed FOS for 7 d, but the mucus layer appeared normal in the rats fed FOS for 56 d (expt. 3). Conclusions: These findings suggest that transient increases in cecal IgA concentrations induced by FOS in rats are associated with mucosal inflammation in response to increased gut permeability; these are presumably evoked by disruption of the cecal mucus barrier. The observed responses could contribute to the maturation of the gut immune system.
Downside Risks and the Cross-Section of Asset Returns

In an intertemporal equilibrium asset pricing model featuring disappointment aversion and changing macroeconomic uncertainty, we show that besides the market return and market volatility, three disappointment-related factors are also priced: a downstate factor, a market downside factor, and a volatility downside factor. We find that expected returns on various asset classes reflect premiums for bearing undesirable exposures to these factors. The signs of estimated risk premiums are consistent with the theoretical predictions. Our most general, five-factor model is very successful in jointly pricing stock, option, and currency portfolios, and provides considerable improvement over nested specifications previously discussed in the literature.
Continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion versus multiple daily insulin injections in type 2 diabetes: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion (CSII) improves HbA1c in type 1 diabetic patients unsatisfactorily controlled by Multiple Daily Injections (MDI). Few trials have explored CSII for basal-bolus therapy in type 2 diabetes. MATERIALS AND METHODS Randomized Clinical Trials (RCTs) comparing CSII and MDI for at least 12 weeks in type 2 diabetic patients were retrieved, assessing between-group differences in HbA1c and insulin daily dose at endpoint, and incidence of hypoglycemia. RESULTS A total of 4 RCTs was included in the analysis. CSII did not produce any significant improvement of HbA1c in comparison with MDI (Standardized difference in mean: 0.09(-0.08;0.26)%; p=0.31). No significant difference was observed in the rate of hypoglycemic episodes. CSII was associated with a nonsignificant trend toward the reduction of insulin doses used at the end of trial. CONCLUSIONS Available data do not justify the use of CSII for basal-bolus insulin therapy in type 2 diabetes.