Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Randomized Trial of a Family‐Support Intervention in Intensive Care Units

Background Surrogate decision makers for incapacitated, critically ill patients often struggle with decisions related to goals of care. Such decisions cause psychological distress in surrogates and may lead to treatment that does not align with patients' preferences. Methods We conducted a stepped‐wedge, cluster‐randomized trial involving patients with a high risk of death and their surrogates in five intensive care units (ICUs) to compare a multicomponent family‐support intervention delivered by the interprofessional ICU team with usual care. The primary outcome was the surrogates' mean score on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) at 6 months (scores range from 0 to 42, with higher scores indicating worse symptoms). Prespecified secondary outcomes were the surrogates' mean scores on the Impact of Event Scale (IES; scores range from 0 to 88, with higher scores indicating worse symptoms), the Quality of Communication (QOC) scale (scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating better clinician–family communication), and a modified Patient Perception of Patient Centeredness (PPPC) scale (scores range from 1 to 4, with lower scores indicating more patient‐ and family‐centered care), as well as the mean length of ICU stay. Results A total of 1420 patients were enrolled in the trial. There was no significant difference between the intervention group and the control group in the surrogates' mean HADS score at 6 months (11.7 and 12.0, respectively; beta coefficient, ‐0.34; 95% confidence interval [CI], ‐1.67 to 0.99; P=0.61) or mean IES score (21.2 and 20.3; beta coefficient, 0.90; 95% CI, ‐1.66 to 3.47; P=0.49). The surrogates' mean QOC score was better in the intervention group than in the control group (69.1 vs. 62.7; beta coefficient, 6.39; 95% CI, 2.57 to 10.20; P=0.001), as was the mean modified PPPC score (1.7 vs. 1.8; beta coefficient, ‐0.15; 95% CI, ‐0.26 to ‐0.04; P=0.006). The mean length of stay in the ICU was shorter in the intervention group than in the control group (6.7 days vs. 7.4 days; incidence rate ratio, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.81 to 1.00; P=0.045), a finding mediated by the shortened mean length of stay in the ICU among patients who died (4.4 days vs. 6.8 days; incidence rate ratio, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.52 to 0.78; P<0.001). Conclusions Among critically ill patients and their surrogates, a family‐support intervention delivered by the interprofessional ICU team did not significantly affect the surrogates' burden of psychological symptoms, but the surrogates' ratings of the quality of communication and the patient‐ and family‐centeredness of care were better and the length of stay in the ICU was shorter with the intervention than with usual care. (Funded by the UPMC Health System and the Greenwall Foundation; PARTNER ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01844492.)
Clima, fuego y humanos en América Austral

La historia del fuego, en la region austral americana, ha sido analizada a traves de los estudios paleoambientales, sin considerar en profundidad los sistemas de subsistencia que desarrollaron los grupos humanos que habitaron sus distintos ambientes, en el pasado. Este trabajo se propone entregar informacion cultural relevante en torno al origen del fuego e intenta ademas relacionar la variada informacion cultural y ambiental vinculada al tema
Identification of Critical Spans for Monitoring Systems in Dynamic Thermal Rating

Dynamic thermal rating (DTR) has been seen as an important tool for planning and operation of power systems, and recently, for smart-grid applications. To implement an effective DTR system, it is necessary to install monitoring stations along the studied lines, with a tradeoff between accurate estimations and equipment investments. In this paper, a novel heuristic is developed for identifying the number and locations of critical monitoring spans for the implementation of DTR. The heuristic is based on the use of historical-simulated weather data, obtained from a Mesoscale Weather Model, and the statistical analysis of the thermal capacities computed in each span along the line. The heuristic is applied to a line that is 325 km long in North Chile. Optimal monitoring sets, including the number and location of required monitoring stations, are determined for different confidence levels in all line segments. The results are compared to an equidistant monitoring strategy. The proposed heuristic shows robustness since it outperforms the equidistant monitoring strategy in all of the analyzed cases, especially for the longer line segments, which are subject to more complex weather patterns.
Refining Research on Older Adults' Leisure: Implications of Selection, Optimization, and Compensation and Socioemotional Selectivity Theories

Continuity and activity theories are often used to study leisure behavior but have limitations that hinder their application to older adults. Two theories from Lifespan Development Psychology—selection, optimization, and compensation (SOC) and socioemotional selectivity—are increasingly used in interdisciplinary research on older adults and are likely to contribute to the study of leisure behavior. Selection, optimization, and compensation theory describes how older adults set and pursue goals. Socioemotional selectivity theory describes continuity and change in social relationships. Both theories are empirically robust but have only been applied to leisure research in a few instances. Despite limited attention by leisure researchers, these theories provide a unique perspective on later life that may enhance the explanation and prediction of older adults' leisure pursuits and related relationships. If SOC or socioemotional selectivity theories are used to guide leisure research, the mechanisms that older adults use to adapt to changes in later life and their sources of social support must be addressed. The following article describes SOC and socioemotional selectivity theories, their relevance to leisure research, and provides guidance for using them in research on leisure behavior.
Characteristics of Microorganisms Isolated from Blood Cultures at Nine University Hospitals in Korea during 2009

Department of Laboratory Medicine & Genetics, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Health Sciences, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine, Jinju, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Paik Institute for Clinical Research, Inje University College of Medicine, Busan, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Asan Medical Center and University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, School of Medicine, Keimyung University, Daegu, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul, College of Medicine, Wonkwang University, Iksan, Korea
HR environment and regional attraction: An empirical study of industrial clusters in China

This study seeks to explain why talent tends to gravitate to industrial clusters (ICs) and how the human resources (HR) environment affects regional attraction and retention of talent. Regional attraction is defined as a region’s ability to attract and retain workers and immigrants. Data were collected from four ICs in China. A region’s HR environment was measured at five levels. A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), hierarchical regression, and the structural equation modeling (SEM) were conducted to analyse the data. The results of the one-way ANOVA showed that there were statistically significant differences in the regional attraction of the four ICs in this study. The results of the hierarchical regression and SEM suggest that elements in the macro-HR environment directly affect talent growth and regional attraction, and talent growth partly mediates the relation between three levels of the HR environment (economic environment, HR policy environment, and the enterprise’s HR management) and regional attraction. The results infer that the HR environment in an IC is the ultimate cause of talent concentrating to a given IC. This paper helps us understand why talent clusters to ICs and offers theoretical support for how governments can make policies and programs to attract talent. This study illustrates how the HR environment affects talent growth. It also examines the immediate role of talent growth in the relationship between HR environment and regional attraction. These findings enhance the literature on HR environments, regional attraction, and the concentration of talent.
Restricted Spatial Windows of Visibility in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME)

Myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) is a devastating disorder marked by debilitating fatigue. It not well understood and its diagnosis is controversial. It is very important therefore that significant clinical features are investigated. Visual symptoms in ME represent a group of distinct, quantifiable, clinical features that could significantly improve diagnosis and provide insights into underlying pathology. The purpose of the present study was therefore to explore the effect of ME on spatial windows of visibility using the spatial contrast sensitivity function. Contrast sensitivity was determined for stationary luminance-defined sinusoidal gratings spanning a five-octave range of spatial frequencies (0.5 to 16 c/deg) in a group of 19 individuals with ME and a group of 19 matched (age, gender) controls. Compared to controls, the ME group exhibited a restricted spatial window of visibility for encoding stimulus contrast. This was characterised principally by a contrast sensitivity deficit at lower spatial frequencies and a narrower bandwidth. Our findings suggest that contrast sensitivity deficits may represent a visual marker of ME, and be indicative of abnormal visual processing at the level of the retina and in the cortical and subcortical visual pathways.
Victimization and Violence: An Exploration of the Relationship Between Child Sexual Abuse, Violence, and Delinquency

ABSTRACT Child sexual abuse (CSA) continues to be a major public health issue with significant short- and long-term consequences. However, little contemporary research has examined the relationship between CSA and delinquent and violent behavior in adolescence. Children who have been sexually abused experience a unique form of victimization compared to children who have endured other forms of maltreatment, as CSA can result in feelings of shame, powerlessness and boundary violations. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of CSA on delinquent and violent behavior in adolescence. We examined self-report data at the age 18 interview from the Longitudinal Studies of Child Abuse and Neglect (LONGSCAN) on measures of sexual abuse experience, and engagement in delinquent and violent behavior in the past year. All participants reported either a history of maltreatment or were identified at-risk based on demographic risk factors. Participants included 368 males and 445 females who self-reported experiences of CSA and delinquent and violent behavior (N = 813). Findings indicated that, when controlling for gender and race, the odds of engagement in delinquent and violent behavior for those who have experienced CSA are 1.7 times higher than for those who have not. Additionally, female victims of CSA were . 52 times less likely to engage in violent and delinquent behavior compared to their male counterparts. Further efforts are needed to examine the effects of CSA on violent and delinquent behavior to better guide treatment efforts that prevent juvenile justice involvement.
Semi-Random Graphs with Planted Sparse Vertex Cuts: Algorithms for Exact and Approximate Recovery

The problem of computing the vertex expansion of a graph is an NP-hard problem. The current best worst-case approximation guarantees for computing the vertex expansion of a graph are a $O(\sqrt{\log n})$-approximation algorithm due to Feige, Hajiaghayi and Lee [SIAM J. Comp., 2008], and $O(\sqrt{OPT \log d})$ bound in graphs having vertex degrees at most $d$, due to Louis, Raghavendra and Vempala [FOCS 2013]. We study a natural semi-random model of graphs with sparse vertex cuts. For certain ranges of parameters, we give an algorithm to recover the planted sparse vertex cut exactly. For a larger range of parameters, we give a constant factor bi-criteria approximation algorithm to compute the graph's balanced vertex expansion. Our algorithms are based on studying a semidefinite programming relaxation for the balanced vertex expansion of the graph. In addition to being a family of instances that will help us to better understand the complexity of the computation of vertex expansion, our model can also be used in the study of community detection where only a few nodes from each community interact with nodes from other communities. There has been a lot of work on studying random and semi-random graphs with planted sparse edge cuts. To the best of our knowledge, our model of semi-random graphs with planted sparse vertex cuts has not been studied before.
Polyphenol oxidase/caffeic acid may reduce the allergenic properties of peanut allergens

Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) catalyzes the oxidation of tyrosine residues of proteins and, therefore, their cross-linking. Previously we demonstrated that cross-links produced by peroxidase (POD), which also catalyzes tyrosine oxidation, led to a reduction in the allergenic properties of peanut allergens.11 We postulated in this study that PPO can also reduce the allergenic properties by cross-linking the allergens. Because caffeic acid, a phenolic compound, can cross-link proteins, its effect on peanut allergens was also examined. In the experiments, peanut extracts were treated with and without PPO, PPO/caffeic (pH 8, 37 °C for 1 h) and caffeic acid (pH 10.5, overnight), respectively. The samples were then analyzed for cross-links and IgE binding by SDS-PAGE, Western blots, and competitive inhibition ELISA. Results showed that, in all cases, cross-links and a decrease of the levels of two peanut major allergens, Ara h 1 and Ara h 2, were observed. Of the three treatments, PPO/caffeic was the most effective in reducing IgE binding or the allergenic properties of peanut allergens. The availability of tyrosine residues was also demonstrated in a POD-treated system, using a monoclonal antibody against dityrosine. We concluded that PPO/caffeic acid reduced the allergenic properties of Ara h 1 and Ara h 2 by cross-linking and decreasing the levels of allergens. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry
The Effects of Certain Polymers on Tensile strength and Tension Relaxation of Wet Web

The trend in papermaking has been towards lower basis weights, decreased amounts of softwood kraft pulp and an increased use of fillers and recycled fibers. All these changes tend to result in lower strengths of both wet and dry web. To maintain necessary strength in the papers, a greater quantity of strength additives is often required. The effect of different polymers on the dry paper strength has been widely studied and the action of mechanism of different polymers is quite well known. There is much less information of their effect on wet web properties, and especially on the tensile strength and relaxation characteristics. In this laboratory scale study, the effects of adding different polymers by spraying on wet web tensile and relaxation characteristics at high strain rate were examined. The sprayings were done on wet paper sheets before wet pressing. The results showed that spraying of polymers significantly improves wet and dry paper tensile strength without any increase in dry paper density. The effect of different polymers on wet web mechanical properties was characteristic for each polymer. Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and chitosan improved wet web tensile strength at dryness levels higher than 55%, while polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) improved wet web tensile strength also at lower dryness levels. The most prominent increase in dry and wet web tensile strength was obtained by sequential application of oppositely charged polymers. However, the relative increase of tensile strength was significantly higher for the wet web (80% increase) than for the dry paper (35% increase) compared to the reference without added polymer. Also the mode of polymer addition had a significant effect on wet web tensile strength. Despite a significant increase in the wet web strength, only minor effects on the residual tension (tension after 0.475 s relaxation) was observed. Based on this result, it was concluded that spray addition of the polymers used in this study increased molecular level interactions between fibers but had no effect on the fiber network activation.
Cytotoxic Effect of Snake (Echis Carinatus) Venom on Human Embryonic Kidney Cells (HEK 293)

Background: The venom of snake (Echis carinatus) induces hemorrhage and necrosis locally at the bite site as well as acute renal failure (ARF) as a consequence of morphological and functional alterations in glomerular and tubular cells. Objectives: It is not clear that ARF results from a direct cytotoxic effect on renal epithelia or from a renal ischemia due to systemic hemodynamic disturbances. This work investigated the in vitro effect of Echis Carinatus crude venom, using cultured Human embryonic kidney (HEK 293) mono layers as a model to see the cytotoxic effect of Echis carinatus venom. Materials and methods: The effect of Echis Carinatus snake venom on HEK 293 cells viability was determined by MTT assay and neutral red uptake assay. The integrity of cell membrane through LDH release was measured with the LDH Kit. Morphological changes of endothelial cells were also evaluated using a phase contrast microscope. Results: In MTT assay, crude venom induced dose dependent cytotoxic effects on HEK 293 cells which were confirmed by neutral red assay. Crude venom caused changes in the integrity of cell membrane determined by rise in LDH release too. Conclusions: Based on the results obtained in the present study it may be concluded that the damage induced by E. carinatus venom on Kidney is probably related to the direct effect as well as indirect effect including hypotension, hemolysis, hemoglobinuria, rhabdomyolysis, and myoglobinuria of this venom on kidney which may lead to Acute renal failure (ARF).
Interpretable and Compositional Relation Learning by Joint Training with an Autoencoder

Embedding models for entities and relations are extremely useful for recovering missing facts in a knowledge base. Intuitively, a relation can be modeled by a matrix mapping entity vectors. However, relations reside on low dimension sub-manifolds in the parameter space of arbitrary matrices – for one reason, composition of two relations M1, M2 may match a third M3 (e.g. composition of relations currency_of_country and country_of_film usually matches currency_of_film_budget), which imposes compositional constraints to be satisfied by the parameters (i.e. M1*M2=M3). In this paper we investigate a dimension reduction technique by training relations jointly with an autoencoder, which is expected to better capture compositional constraints. We achieve state-of-the-art on Knowledge Base Completion tasks with strongly improved Mean Rank, and show that joint training with an autoencoder leads to interpretable sparse codings of relations, helps discovering compositional constraints and benefits from compositional training. Our source code is released at github.com/tianran/glimvec.
Preparation and characterization of TiO 2 nanoparticles surface-modified by octadecyltrimethoxysilane

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles surface-modified by octadecyltrimethoxysilane (commercial name WD-11) are prepared via in situ surface-modification in dehydrated ethanol at room temperature. As-obtained TiO2 nanoparticles are characterized by means of Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, thermogravimetric, X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscope. The tribological properties of TiO2 nanoparticles surface-capped by WD-11 as an additive in liquid paraffin are evaluated with a four-ball friction and wear tester. It is found that WD-11 is chemically bonded to the surface of TiO2 nanoparticles during the surface modification process, resulting in increased dispersibility of TiO2 nanoparticles in various organic solvents. UV-vis transmittance spectra show that the light transmittance of modified TiO2 nanoparticles in liquid paraffin (1%, w/v) is over 99%, which indicates that highly dispersed TiO2 nanoparticles can be obtained. Besides, surface-capped TiO2 nanoparticles are able to significantly improve the antiwear ability of liquid paraffin, showing promising application as a multifunctional lubricating oil additive of steel-steel frictional pair.
The Role of Trade Costs in Global Production Networks: Evidence from China's Processing Trade Regime

In a seminal contribution, Yi (2003) has shown that vertically specialized trade should be more sensitive to changes in trade costs than regular trade. Yet empirical evidence of this remains remarkably scant. This paper uses data from China's processing trade regime to analyze the role of trade costs on trade within global production networks (GPNs). Under this regime, firms are granted duty exemptions on imported inputs as long as they are used solely for export purposes. As a result, the data provide information on trade between three sequential nodes of a global supply chain: the location of input production, the location of processing (in China) and the location of further consumption. This makes it possible to examine the role of both trade costs related to the import of inputs (upstream trade costs) and trade costs related to the export of final goods (downstream trade costs) on intra-GPN trade. The authors show that intra-GPN trade differs from regular trade in that it not only depends on downstream trade costs, but also on upstream trade costs and the interaction of both. Moreover, intra-GPN trade is more sensitive to oil price movements and business cycle movements than regular trade. Finally, the paper analyzes three channels through which intra-GPN trade have amplified the trade collapse during the recent Global Recession.