Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Crowdsourced delivery for last-mile distribution: An agent-based modelling and simulation approach

Crowdsourced delivery is considered a possible solution to the last-mile on-demand delivery challenge. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the performance of the crowdsourced last-mile delivery with regard to service level and assets utilization. An agent-based simulation model is developed and two parameters are studied: (1) supply/demand ratio, the ratio between the number of crowd couriers delivering packages and the number of packages and (2) maximum detour time accepted by crowd couriers. The main findings are twofold. Firstly, high supply/demand ratio enables the crowd to achieve high service level with very little time spent on detour. Secondly, high levels of maximum detour time accepted by the crowd can increase service level when the supply/demand ratio is comparatively low, but it may also create competition among crowd couriers for delivery orders.
Aflibercept for Diabetic Macular Edema in Eyes Previously Treated With Ranibizumab and/or Bevacizumab May Further Improve Macular Thickness.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE To evaluate the short-term anatomic and visual outcomes after aflibercept (Eylea; Regeneron, Tarrytown, NY) in eyes with diabetic macular edema (DME) previously treated with ranibizumab (Lucentis; Genentech, South San Francisco, CA) and/or bevacizumab (Avastin; Genentech, South San Francisco, CA). PATIENTS AND METHODS A single-center, retrospective, noncomparative study of 30 eyes in 23 patients with DME treated with prior ranibizumab and/or bevacizumab before switching to aflibercept. RESULTS Eyes received an average of 16 prior injections (range: three injections to 31 injections; median: 17 injections). The mean central subfoveal thickness (CST) improved from 453 µm at the time of first anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injection (range: 304 µm to 686 µm; median: 429 µm), to 374 µm at the time of the switch to aflibercept (range: 267 µm to 547 µm; median: 361 µm; P = .02), to 332 µm after the first aflibercept injection (range: 242 µm to 545 µm; median: 318 µm; P < .001). Visual acuity improved after switching to aflibercept at the first follow-up visit (logMAR 0.40 [Snellen equivalent 20/50]) to logMAR 0.35 (Snellen equivalent 20/45) (P = .044). CONCLUSIONS In eyes with persistent DME treated with ranibizumab and/or bevacizumab, switching to aflibercept may further improve macular thickness. Given the cost difference between the three drugs, a randomized trial evaluating a stepwise approach may be worthwhile. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2016;47:836-839. ].
Substance Use, Abuse and Dependence in Germany

To provide background information about previous findings about the prevalence of use, abuse and dependence of various substances (nicotine, alcohol, prescription and illicit drugs) findings of available epidemiological studies in Germany from the 1980s and 1990s are summarized and critically evaluated. Focusing on findings of substance use surveys in adolescents and young adults the review indicates: (a) a considerable number of large scale questionnaire surveys in general population samples documenting the frequency of use and patterns of use of most substances; (b) indications of increasing rates of drug use particularly in East Germany; (c) high rates of illicit drug use, mainly of cannabinoids, but also stimulants and hallucinogens, among young age groups. No data are available from substance use surveys or from clinical epidemiological studies allowing the determination of how frequent substance abuse and substance dependence diagnoses are in the general population or in adolescents and young adults. Priorities for future research to ameliorate this unsatisfactory situation are outlined with emphasis on research in adolescents and young adults.
Assessment of the Integration of the Ecological Approach in Health Promotion Programs

Purpose. This article proposes a model of the ecological approach in health promotion programs. Based on system theory, the model identifies intervention settings and targets as two independent dimensions for assessing the integration of this approach in programs. Additional objectives are to present and pretest an analytical procedure that allows the assessment of integration of the ecological approach in programs. Design. This was a descriptive study of the integration of the ecological approach in a sample of health promotion programs. Subjects. Subjects were 44 health promotion programs drawn from the population of Canadian federally funded programs. Measures. Descriptions of programs were obtained by telephone interviews. A coding scheme was applied to the data to identify intervention settings and targets for each program. Using this information, a summative score of the integration of the ecological approach was estimated for each program. Results. Singh-setting programs were the dominant pattern in the sample. Individuals whose health was of concern were very frequently the direct targets of the programs. However, organizational and interpersonal environments were also often directly targeted. Single-setting or single-intervention strategy programs outnumbered ecological programs. Conclusion. The proposed model and analytical procedure is a useful framework for the assessment of integration of the ecological approach in health promotion programs. The pilot test having been conducted on a convenience sample, future work should replicate the study in a representative sample of programs.
Patterns of Efavirenz use as First-Line Antiretroviral Therapy in the United States: 1999–2015

Background Efavirenz has been a mainstay of antiretroviral therapy (ART) for over 15 years in the US. Its association with neuropsychiatric side effects may influence clinical prescribing and management. Methods We included HIV-infected adults enrolled in care at seven sites across the US, who initiated combination ART between 1999 and 2015. We examined the proportion initiating and continuing on efavirenz, overall and by mental health status. Log binomial and Cox models were used to estimate associations between mental health, clinical and sociodemographic characteristics and initiating or switching from efavirenz as first-line ART. Results Of the 8,230 participants included, 3,710 (45%) initiated efavirenz. In multivariable analyses, prior mono-or dual-ART, ART initiation after 2006, being female, intravenous drug use, antidepressant prescription, previous mental health diagnosis and baseline CD4+ T-cell count >350 cells/mm3 were inversely associated with initiating efavirenz. Participants initiating efavirenz had a faster time to a regimen switch, compared with those initiating an efavirenz-free regimen (P-value <0.01). Among efavirenz initiators, starting efavirenz in more recent time periods and a previous mental health diagnosis were associated with faster time to switching from efavirenz. Despite this, 40–50% of participants with a previous mental health diagnosis initiated and continued on efavirenz for much of the follow-up period. Conclusions Multiple clinical factors, including mental health diagnoses, appeared to influence efavirenz use. While mental health diagnosis status and more recent treatment starts were associated with shorter duration of efavirenz therapy, a previous mental health diagnosis did not preclude efavirenz initiation or continuation in many participants.
Laparoscopy versus Laparotomy:Compari son of Adhesion-Formation after Bowel Resection in a Canine Model

Aim: The purpose of the study was to compare adhesions following laparoscopic and conventional operations. Methods: In 14 dogs cecal resection and a deserosation of the abdominal wall were performed laparoscopically (n = 7) or by laparotomy (n = 7). After 8 days all dogs were reexamined and the adhesions were quantified by computer-aided measurements. The significance of any differences were tested using Student’s t test. Results: The extent of adhesions after laparoscopy (630 ± 360 mm2) and after laparotomy (3,300 ± 1,007 mm2) differed significantly (p < 0.0001). Extensive adhesions to the abdominal incision and interenteric adhesions were found after conventional operations. Identical manipulations, such as cecal resection or deserosation of the lateral wall, led to the same frequency and extent of adhesions in both operation groups. Conclusion: Laparoscopic procedures are associated with significantly less adhesions in comparison to conventional operations. Therefore the risk of adhesion-related complications should be reduced after laparoscopic operations.
Prevalence of mild behavioral impairment in mild cognitive impairment and subjective cognitive decline, and its association with caregiver burden

ABSTRACT Background: Mild behavioral impairment (MBI) describes later life acquired, sustained neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) in cognitively normal individuals or those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), as an at-risk state for incident cognitive decline and dementia. We developed an operational definition of MBI and tested whether the presence of MBI was related to caregiver burden in patients with subjective cognitive decline (SCD) or MCI assessed at a memory clinic. Methods: MBI was assessed in 282 consecutive memory clinic patients with SCD (n = 119) or MCI (n = 163) in accordance with the International Society to Advance Alzheimer's Research and Treatment – Alzheimer's Association (ISTAART–AA) research diagnostic criteria. We operationalized a definition of MBI using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire (NPI-Q). Caregiver burden was assessed using the Zarit caregiver burden scale. Generalized linear regression was used to model the effect of MBI domains on caregiver burden. Results: While MBI was more prevalent in MCI (85.3%) than in SCD (76.5%), this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.06). Prevalence estimates across MBI domains were affective dysregulation (77.8%); impulse control (64.4%); decreased motivation (51.7%); social inappropriateness (27.8%); and abnormal perception or thought content (8.7%). Affective dysregulation (p = 0.03) and decreased motivation (p=0.01) were more prevalent in MCI than SCD patients. Caregiver burden was 3.35 times higher when MBI was present after controlling for age, education, sex, and MCI (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: MBI was common in memory clinic patients without dementia and was associated with greater caregiver burden. These data show that MBI is a common and clinically relevant syndrome.
Rootstocks resistant to Meloidogyne incognita and compatibility of grafting in net melon

Due to the few studies about grafting in net melon, in order to obtain better control of soil pathogens, the aim of the present study was to evaluate 16 genotypes of Cucurbitaceae: Benincasa hispida, Luffa cylindrica, pumpkin 'Jacarezinho', pumpkin 'Menina Brasileira', squash 'Exposicao', squash 'Coroa', pumpkin 'Canhao Seca', pumpkin 'Squash', pumpkin 'Enrrugado Verde', pumpkin 'Mini Paulista', pumpkin 'Goianinha', watermelon 'Charleston Gray', melon 'Rendondo Gaucho', melon 'Redondo Amarelo', cucumber 'Caipira HS' and cucumber 'Caipira Rubi', regarding to compatibility of grafting in net melon and resistance to Meloidogyne incognita, based on the reproduction factor (RF), according to Oostenbrink (1966). To assess resistance, the seedlings were transplanted to ceramic pots and inoculated with 300/mL eggs and/or second stage juveniles of M. incognita. At 50 days after transplanting, the plants were removed from the pots and the resistance was evaluated. The compatibility between resistant rootstock and grafts of net melon was determined by performing simple cleft grafting, in a commercial net melon hybrid of great market acceptance and susceptible to M. incognita (Bonus no. 2). The genotypes Luffa cylindrica, pumpkin 'Goianinha', pumpkin 'Mini-Paulista', melon 'Redondo Amarelo', watermelon 'Charleston Gray' are resistant to the nematode M. incognita. The better compatibilities occurred with the rootstocks melon 'Amarelo', which presented 100% of success, followed by pumpkin 'Mini-Paulista' with 94%. On the other hand, Sponge gourd, watermelon 'Charleston Gray' and pumpkin 'Goianinha' showed low graft take percentages of 66%, 62% and 50%, respectively.
Short- and long-term effects of divorce and separation on housing tenure in England and Wales

This paper investigates the effects of marital and non-marital separation on individuals’ housing tenure in England and Wales. We apply competing risks event history models to data from the British Household Panel Survey and the UK Household Longitudinal Study to analyse the risk of a residential move to different tenure types, for single, married, cohabiting, and separated men and women. Separated individuals are more likely to move and experience a tenure change than those who are single or in a relationship. Among separated people, private renting is the most common outcome of a move; however, women are also likely to move to social renting, whereas men tend to move to homeownership. This pattern persists when we account for time since separation and order of move, indicating a potential long-term effect of separation on housing tenure. This long-term effect is especially pertinent to separated women who cannot afford homeownership.
The conceptual framework of ontogenetic trajectories: parallel transport allows the recognition and visualization of pure deformation patterns

Ontogeny is usually studied by analyzing a deformation series spanning over juvenile to adult shapes. In geometric morphometrics, this approach implies applying generalized Procrustes analysis coupled with principal component analysis on multiple individuals or multiple species datasets. The trouble with such a procedure is that it mixes intra‐ and inter‐group variation. While MANCOVA models are relevant statistical/mathematical tools to draw inferences about the similarities of trajectories, if one wants to observe and interpret the morphological deformation alone by filtering inter‐group variability, a particular tool, namely parallel transport, is necessary. In the context of ontogenetic trajectories, one should firstly perform separate multivariate regressions between shape and size, using regression predictions to estimate within‐group deformations relative to the smallest individuals. These deformations are then applied to a common reference (the mean of per‐group smallest individuals). The estimation of deformations can be performed on the Riemannian manifold by using sophisticated connection metrics. Nevertheless, parallel transport can be effectively achieved by estimating deformations in the Euclidean space via ordinary Procrustes analysis. This approach proved very useful in comparing ontogenetic trajectories of species presenting large morphological differences at early developmental stages.
Magnetic resonance only workflow and validation of dose calculations for radiotherapy of prostate cancer

Abstract Background: Current state of the art radiotherapy planning of prostate cancer utilises magnetic resonance (MR) for soft tissue delineation and computed tomography (CT) to provide an electron density map for dose calculation. This dual scan workflow is prone to setup and registration error. This study evaluates the feasibility of an MR-only workflow and the validity of dose calculation from an MR derived pseudo CT. Material and methods: Thirty prostate cancer patients were CT and MR scanned. Clinical treatment plans were generated on CT using a single 18 MV arc volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) with a prescription of 78 Gy/39 fractions. Dose was recalculated on pseudo CT and assuming uniform water density. Pseudo CT and uniform density based dose calculations were compared to CT dose calculations by gamma analysis. One patient was treated with a plan based solely on MR and pseudo CT including daily image guided radiotherapy (IGRT) performed by manual match of implanted gold markers. Results: A pseudo CT was generated for 29 of the 30 patients. Median gamma pass rates for 1%/1 mm passing criteria for dose calculated on pseudo CT when compared to CT were 100% for most evaluated structures. Dose calculated on uniform density also yielded high median pass rates, but with a higher occurrence of pass rates below 95%. Cases of pass rate below 95% on pseudo CT proved to originate from the presence of rectal air on CT, not represented by the pseudo CT. Treatment based on MR alone was successfully delivered to one patient, including manually performed daily IGRT. Conclusions: Median gamma pass rates were high for pseudo CT and proved superior to uniform density. Local differences in dose calculations were concluded not to have clinical relevance. Feasibility of the MR-only workflow was demonstrated through successful delivery of a treatment course planned based on MR alone.
Evaluation of Solvent/Detergent-Treated Plasma in Patients with a Prolonged Prothrombin Time

Objectives: To compare the laboratory and clinical outcome of patients who received solvent/detergent-treated plasma (SDP) and fresh-frozen plasma (FFP). Methods: A randomized, double-blinded study to assess the ability of SDP and FFP to reduce a prolonged prothrombin time (PT) to ≤15 s in patients with acquired coagulation deficits. Results: 45 patients (22 SDP vs. 23 FFP) were treated with 71 infusions. There were no significant differences in mean dose of plasma infused (7.8 ml/kg for SDP vs. 8.0 ml/kg for FFP, p = 0.46), percentage of patients who corrected their PT to ≤15 s (32% for SDP vs. 26% for FFP, p = 0.67), or percentage of patients whose bleeding ceased (27% for SDP vs. 22% for FFP). Conclusion: No clinical or statistically significant differences were observed after infusion with SDP or FFP in patients with acquired coagulation deficits.
CCL20 Expression by Tumor-Associated Macrophages Predicts Progression of Human Primary Cutaneous Melanoma

Melanoma tumor cells interact synergistically with pro-metastatic macrophages through a CCR6/CCL20 paracrine signaling loop. Stromal expression of CCL20 in primary melanomas may be a useful tool for assessing patient risk, making treatment decisions, and planning clinical trials. The chemokine axis CCR6/CCL20 is involved in cancer progression in a variety of tumors. Here, we show that CCR6 is expressed by melanoma cells. The CCR6 ligand, CCL20, induces migration and proliferation in vitro, and enhances tumor growth and metastasis in vivo. Confocal analysis of melanoma tissues showed that CCR6 is expressed by tumor cells, whereas CCL20 is preferentially expressed by nontumoral cells in the stroma of certain tumors. Stromal CCL20, but not tumoral CCR6, predicted poor survival in a cohort of 40 primary melanoma patients. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAM), independently of their M1/M2 polarization profile, were identified as the main source of CCL20 in primary melanomas that developed metastasis. In addition to CCL20, TAMs expressed TNF and VEGF-A protumoral cytokines, suggesting that melanoma progression is supported by macrophages with a differential activation state. Our data highlight the synergistic interaction between melanoma tumor cells and prometastatic macrophages through a CCR6/CCL20 paracrine loop. Stromal levels of CCL20 in primary melanomas may be a clinically useful marker for assessing patient risk, making treatment decisions, and planning or analyzing clinical trials. Cancer Immunol Res; 6(3); 267–75. ©2018 AACR.
Stabilization of golden cages by encapsulation of a single transition metal atom

Golden cage-doped nanoclusters have attracted great attention in the past decade due to their remarkable electronic, optical and catalytic properties. However, the structures of large golden cage doped with Mo and Tc are still not well known because of the challenges in global structural searches. Here, we report anionic and neutral golden cage doped with a transition metal atom MAu16 (M = Mo and Tc) using Saunders ‘Kick' stochastic automation search method associated with density-functional theory (DFT) calculation (SK-DFT). The geometric structures and electronic properties of the doped clusters, MAu16q (M = Mo and Tc; q = 0 and −1), are investigated by means of DFT theoretical calculations. Our calculations confirm that the 4d transition metals Mo and Tc can be stably encapsulated in the Au16− cage, forming three different configurations, i.e. endohedral cages, planar structures and exohedral derivatives. The ground-state structures of endohedral cages C2v Mo@Au16−-(a) and C1 Tc@Au16−-(b) exhibit a marked stability, as judged by their high binding energy per atom (greater than 2.46 eV), doping energy (0.29 eV) as well as a large HOMO–LUMO gap (greater than 0.40 eV). The predicted photoelectron spectra should aid in future experimental characterization of MAu16− (M = Mo and Tc).
Long Noncoding RNA LINC00657 Acting as a miR-590-3p Sponge to Facilitate Low Concentration Oxidized Low-Density Lipoprotein–Induced Angiogenesis

Angiogenesis in atherosclerotic plaque promotes plaque growth, causes plaque hemorrhage, and violates plaque stability. LINC00657 is a long noncoding RNA highly conserved and abundantly expressed in vascular endothelial cells. The present study was designed to investigate the effects and mechanisms of LINC00675 on low concentrations of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL)–induced angiogenesis. Cell proliferation, transwell, wound healing, and tube formation assays were conducted to detect the effects of low concentrations of oxLDL on angiogenesis; the results discovered that oxLDL promoted cell proliferation, migration, and tube formation. oxLDL also upregulated LINC00657 expression. Inhibition of LINC00657 by siRNA significantly suppressed oxLDL-induced endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and tube formation. Bioinformatic assay indicated six binding sites in the LINC00657 sequence to miR-590-3p. The upregulation of LINC00657 was related to the downregulation of miR-590-3p in oxLDL-treated endothelial cells; while downregulation of LINC00657 resulted in upregulation of miR-590-3p. The antiangiogenesis effects of si-LINC00657 were partly abrogated by miR-590-3p inhibitor. Further dual-luciferase assay found miR-590-3p inhibited the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) by binding to the position of 689-696 in HIF-1α 3′-untranslated region directly. MiR-590-3p also inhibited the oxLDL-induced upregulation of HIF-1α, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9). These results suggested that in oxLDL-treated endothelial cells, LINC00657 acted as a miR-590-3p sponge to attenuate the suppression of miR-590-3p on HIF-1α, and to promote angiogenesis through VEGF, MMP-2, and MMP-9. The present study provided new insight into the roles of LINC00657 and miR-590-3p in preventing oxLDL-induced angiogenesis and may provide a novel strategy for atherosclerosis treatment.