Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Long‐term digital mobile phone use and cognitive decline in the elderly

Research on long‐term exposure to electromagnetic fields on cognition is lacking. We investigated the associations between frequent digital mobile phone use and global and domain‐specific cognitive changes in older persons, a vulnerable group experiencing age‐associated cognitive decline. We assessed 871 non‐demented Chinese participants in the Singapore Longitudinal Ageing Studies cohort on the frequency of digital mobile phone use, neurocognitive performance and confounding variables at baseline, and neurocognitive performance at the 4‐year follow‐up. Findings showed that digital mobile phone users were typically self‐selected to possess characteristics favoring better cognitive functioning and concomitantly demonstrate better performance on cognitive tasks. There was evidently no significant deleterious effect of digital mobile phone use on cognitive functioning in older people. Findings suggest, however, that digital mobile phone use may have an independent facilitating effect on global and executive functioning. Bioelectromagnetics 33:176–185, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A Long-Short Term Memory Recurrent Neural Network Based Reinforcement Learning Controller for Office Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning Systems

Energy optimization in buildings by controlling the Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system is being researched extensively. In this paper, a model-free actor-critic Reinforcement Learning (RL) controller is designed using a variant of artificial recurrent neural networks called Long-Short-Term Memory (LSTM) networks. Optimization of thermal comfort alongside energy consumption is the goal in tuning this RL controller. The test platform, our office space, is designed using SketchUp. Using OpenStudio, the HVAC system is installed in the office. The control schemes (ideal thermal comfort, a traditional control and the RL control) are implemented in MATLAB. Using the Building Control Virtual Test Bed (BCVTB), the control of the thermostat schedule during each sample time is implemented for the office in EnergyPlus alongside local weather data. Results from training and validation indicate that the RL controller improves thermal comfort by an average of 15% and energy efficiency by an average of 2.5% as compared to other strategies mentioned.
Women's Perceptions and Beliefs About the Genesis of Their Breast Cancer

A person's belief is seen as a set of assumptions, depending on perceptions, and formed with the influence of experiences and social culture. With the aim of understanding the beliefs about the genesis of their illness, 118 (59 + 59) women with different stages of breast cancer were interviewed. Half of the sample had chosen complementary care in an anthroposophical hospital, and the other half was a matched group. Qualitative content analysis was used. Three themes emerged: (1) belief in a link to life lived (71%), (2) heredity as the sole genesis (4%), and (3) rejection of the question (25%). Under beliefs in a link to life lived, external aspects to the patient's own life (eg, diet and lifestyle) were cited, as well as inner aspects such as psychosocial problems and stress. The findings show that women are well informed about medical facts, although their beliefs reveal a holistic approach. The women's beliefs, where inner psychosocial factors are uppermost, point to a reverse of the causal ranking of medical advisors. The difference between the groups was that the matching sample was more likely to reject the influence of possible causes from life lived. In a caring perspective, women's perceptions of the genesis of their illness are in some cases turned to creative health activities that may increase well-being.
Myrtaceae revisited: a reassessment of infrafamilial groups.

Cladistic analyses are presented of matK sequence data as well as a nonmolecular database for an identical set of exemplar species chosen to represent the core genera or groups of genera in Myrtaceae. Eleven robust clades are recognized on the molecular data. Polyphyly of the previously recognized Metrosideros and Leptospermum alliances is confirmed, and several smaller informal taxonomic groupings are recognized from among the members of the former alliance, i.e., the Tristania, Tristaniopsis, Metrosideros, and Lophostemon groups. The nonmolecular analysis provides only limited resolution of relationships. A degree of congruence exists between the two analyses in that two separate fleshy-fruited clades, the Acmena and Myrtoid groups, are identified, as are the Eucalypt and Tristania groups, and Psiloxylon and Heteropyxis are the first lineages to diverge in both analyses. A combined analysis recognized all 11 clades that received strong support from the molecular data. A high level of homoplasy is revealed in many of the nonmolecular characters when they are examined against the combined estimate of phylogeny.
A Persistent High-Energy Flux from the Heart of the Milky Way: INTEGRAL’s View of the Galactic Center

Highly sensitive imaging observations of the Galactic center (GC) at high energies with an angular resolution of order 10' is a very recent development in the field of high-energy astrophysics. The IBIS/ISGRI imager on the INTEGRAL observatory detected for the first time a hard X-ray source, IGR J17456-2901, located within 1' of Sagittarius A* (Sgr A*) over the energy range 20-100 keV. Here we present the results of a detailed analysis of approximately 7 × 106 s of observations of the GC obtained since the launch of INTEGRAL in 2002 October. Two years and an effective exposure of 4.7 × 106 s have allowed us to obtain more stringent positional constraints on this high-energy source and to construct its spectrum in the range 20-400 keV. Furthermore, by combining the ISGRI spectrum with the total X-ray spectrum corresponding to the same physical region around Sgr A* from XMM-Newton data collected during part of the γ-ray observations, we constructed and present the first accurate wideband high-energy spectrum for the central arcminutes of the Galaxy. Our complete and updated analysis of the emission properties of the INTEGRAL source shows that it is faint but persistent with no variability above 3 σ, contrary to what was alluded to in our first paper. This result, in conjunction with the spectral characteristics of the soft and hard X-ray emission from this region, suggests that the source is most likely not pointlike but rather that it is a compact yet diffuse nonthermal emission region. The centroid of IGR J17456-2901 is estimated to be R.A. = 17h45m42. ˢ5, decl. = -28°59′28′′ (J2000.0), offset by 1' from the radio position of Sgr A* and with a positional uncertainty of 1'. Its 20-400 keV luminosity at 8 kpc is L = (5.37 ± 0.21) × 1035 ergs s-1. A 3 σ upper limit on the flux at the electron-positron annihilation energy of 511 keV from the direction of Sgr A* is set at 1.9 × 10-4 photons cm-2 s-1. Very recently, the HESS collaboration presented the detection of a source of ~TeV γ-rays also located within an arcminute of Sgr A*. We present arguments in favor of an interpretation that the photons detected by INTEGRAL and HESS arise from the same compact region of diffuse emission near the central black hole and that the supernova remnant Sgr A East could play an important role as a contributor of very high energy γ-rays to the overall spectrum from this region. There is also evidence for hard emission from a region located between the central black hole and the radio arc near l ~ 0. °1 along the Galactic plane and known to contain giant molecular clouds.
MKK7 and ARF

Sensing, integrating, and processing of stressogenic signals must be followed by accurate differential response(s) for a cell to survive and avoid malignant transformation. The DNA damage response (DDR) pathway is vital in this process, as it deals with genotoxic/oncogenic insults, having p53 as a nodal effector that performs most of the above tasks. Accumulating data reveal that other pathways are also involved in the same or similar processes, conveying also to p53. Emerging questions are if, how, and when these additional pathways communicate with the DDR axis. Two such stress response pathways, involving the MKK7 stress-activated protein kinase (SAPK) and ARF, have been shown to be interlocked with the ATM/ATR-regulated DDR axis in a highly ordered manner. This creates a new landscape in the DDR orchestrated response to genotoxic/oncogenic insults that is currently discussed.
Kaposi's Sarcoma-associated Herpesvirus G Protein-coupled Receptor Signals through Multiple Pathways in Endothelial Cells*

Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV; human herpesvirus 8) encodes a chemokine-like G protein-coupled receptor (KSHV-GPCR) that is implicated in the pathogenesis of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS). Since endothelial cells appear to be targets for the virus, we developed an in vitro mouse lung endothelial cell model in which KSHV-GPCR is stably expressed and KSHV-GPCR signaling was studied. In mouse lung endothelial cells: 1) KSHV-GPCR does not exhibit basal signaling through the phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C pathway but inositol phosphate production is stimulated by growth-related oncogene α (Gro-α) via a pertussis toxin (PTX)-insensitive pathway; 2) KSHV-GPCR signals basally through a PTX-sensitive pathway leading to a lowering of intracellular cAMP level that can be lowered further by Groα and increased by interferon γ-inducible protein 10; 3) KSHV-GPCR stimulates phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase via a PTX-insensitive mechanism; and 4) KSHV-GPCR activates nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) by a PTX-sensitive Gβγ subunit-mediated pathway. These data show that KSHV-GPCR couples to at least two G proteins and initiates signaling via at least three cascades in endothelial cells thereby increasing the complexity of regulation of endothelial cell function by KSHV-GPCR that may occur during viral infection.
Effect of whitening dentifrices on the surface roughness of a nanohybrid composite resin

Objectives: The present study verified the influence of whitening dentifrices on the surface roughness of a nanohybrid composite resin. Materials and Methods: Thirty-two specimens were prepared with Filtek™ Z350 XT (3M/ESPE) and randomly divided into four groups (n = 08) that were subjected to brushing simulation equivalent to the period of 1 month. The groups assessed were a control group with distilled water (G1), Colgate Total 12 Professional Clean (G2), Sensodyne Extra Whitener Extra Fresh (G3), and Colgate Luminous White (G4). A sequence of 90 cycles was performed for all the samples. The initial roughness of each group was analyzed by the Surface Roughness Tester (TR 200-TIME Group Inc., CA, USA). After the brushing period, the final roughness was measured, and the results were statistically analyzed using nonparametric Kruskal–Wallis and Dunn tests for intergroup roughness comparison in the time factor. For intragroup and “Δ Final − Initial” comparisons, the Wilcoxon test and (one-way) ANOVA were, respectively, performed (α = 0.05). Results: The roughness mean values before and after brushing showed no statistically significant difference when the different dentifrices were used. None of the dentifrices analyzed increased significantly the nanohybrid composite resin surface roughness in a 1 month of tooth brushing simulation. Conclusions: These results suggest that no hazardous effect on the roughness of nanohybrid composite resin can be expected when whitening dentifrices are used for a short period. Similar studies should be conducted to analyze other esthetic composite materials.
Incidental Parathyroid Adenoma Mimicking Tumor Recurrence in a Patient With Follicular Thyroid Carcinoma

We report the case of a 59-year-old woman with a history of follicular thyroid cancer who had reoperation for suspected local tumor recurrence as laboratory (tumor marker), imaging findings (ultrasound, I-131 scintigraphy and Tc-99m-MIBI scintigraphy), and also fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology were equivocal. However, postoperative histopathology revealed a parathyroid adenoma.
Overdrainage shunt complications in idiopathic normal-pressure hydrocephalus and lumbar puncture opening pressure.

OBJECT Management of idiopathic normal-pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) is hard because the diagnosis is difficult and shunt surgery has high complication rates. An important complication is overdrainage, which often can be treated with adjustable-shunt valve manipulations but also may result in the need for subdural hematoma evacuation. The authors evaluated shunt surgery overdrainage complications in iNPH and their relationship to lumbar puncture opening pressure (LPOP). METHODS The authors reviewed the charts of 164 consecutive patients with iNPH who underwent shunt surgery at their institution from 2005 to 2011. They noted age, sex, presenting symptoms, symptom duration, hypertension, body mass index (BMI), imaging findings of atrophy, white matter changes, entrapped sulci, LPOP, valve opening pressure (VOP) setting, number of valve adjustments, serious overdrainage (subdural hematoma requiring surgery), radiological overdrainage (subdural hematomas or hygroma seen on postoperative imaging), clinical overdrainage (sustained or postural headache), other complications, and improvements in gait, urine control, and memory. RESULTS Eight patients (5%) developed subdural hematomas requiring surgery. All had an LPOP of greater than 160 mm H2O and an LPOP-VOP of greater than 40 mm H2O. Radiological overdrainage was more common in those with an LPOP of greater than 160 mm H2O than in those with an LPOP of less than 160 mm H2O (38% vs. 21%, respectively; p = 0.024). The BMI was also significantly higher in those with an LPOP of greater than 160 mm H2O (median 30.2 vs. 27.0, respectively; p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS Serious overdrainage that caused subdural hematomas and also required surgery after shunting was related to LPOP and LPOP-VOP, which in turn were related to BMI. If this can be replicated, individuals with a high LPOP should have their VOP set close to the LPOP, or even higher. In doing this, perhaps overdrainage complications can be reduced.
Nuclear matrix proteins as biomarkers in prostate cancer

The nuclear matrix (NM) is the structural framework of the nucleus that consists of the peripheral lamins and pore complexes, an internal ribonucleic protein network, and residual nucleoli. The NM contains proteins that contribute to the preservation of nuclear shape and its organization. These protein components better known as the NM proteins have been demonstrated to be tissue specific, and are altered in many cancers, including prostate cancer. Alterations in nuclear morphology are hallmarks of cancer and are believed to be associated with changes in NM protein composition. Prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in American men and many investigators have identified unique NM proteins that appear to be specific for this disease. These NM protein changes are associated with the development of prostate cancer, as well as in some cases being indicative of cancer stage. Identification of these NM proteins specific for prostate cancer provides an insight to understanding the molecular changes associated with this disease. This article reviews the role of NM proteins as tumor biomarkers in prostate cancer and the potential application of these proteins as therapeutic targets in the treatment of this disease. J. Cell. Biochem. 86: 213–223, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
European panel on the appropriateness of gastrointestinal endoscopy II guidelines help in selecting and prioritizing patients referred to colonoscopy – a quality control study

Abstract Objective. To use information from the referral letters to assess the appropriateness of colonoscopies in a primary open-access referral center, according to the criteria from the European Panel on the Appropriateness of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (EPAGE) II, and to compare with the first EPAGE guidelines. Second, to evaluate how the appropriateness and other patient- or doctor-related factors affected the diagnostic yield (DY). Material and methods. A set of variables; symptoms, referring physician and final diagnosis, for 323 referrals accepted for colonoscopy were recorded prospectively and later on assessed using the EPAGE and EPAGE II criteria, respectively. Patients with incomplete visualization of the entire colon or colonoscopic findings as indication were excluded. Results. EPAGE and EPAGE II criteria were applicable in 287 (95.3%) and 295 (98.0%) referrals, respectively. A total of 166 (57.8%) patients were considered appropriate by EPAGE and 240 (81.4%) patients were considered appropriate by EPAGE II. DY for appropriate versus uncertain/inappropriate referrals was 34.9% versus 17.4% for EPAGE (odds ratio [OR] = 2.5, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.8–4.4, p = 0.003) and 31.3% versus 10.9% for EPAGE II (OR = 3.5, 95% CI: 1.4–8.9, p = 0.007). Sensitivity was higher for EPAGE II (92.6% vs. 73.4%). According to EPAGE II, 68 (23.1%) patients were referred due to lesions identified on other diagnostic procedures, producing a DY of 39.7%. In this group, 70% presented symptoms appropriate for a primary referral to colonoscopy. Conclusions. The majority of colonoscopies were found appropriate by EPAGE II. There was a clear association between high appropriateness of the indication and a high DY. EPAGE II is a guideline-improvement that may be useful for both referring physicians and gastroenterologists when considering referrals.
Incidence of cardiovascular outcomes and diabetes mellitus among users of second-generation antipsychotics.

OBJECTIVE To examine the risk of cardiovascular outcomes and diabetes mellitus in patients prescribed second-generation antipsychotics. METHOD From the MarketScan claims database, nondiabetic adults prescribed aripiprazole between July 2003 and March 2010 were propensity score-matched with patients prescribed olanzapine, quetiapine, risperidone, and ziprasidone. Patients were followed through the claims for International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision codes indicating myocardial infarction, stroke, heart failure, coronary bypass/angioplasty procedures, and incident diabetes. Incidence rates of each outcome were calculated and compared between aripiprazole and the other second-generation antipsychotics using Cox models. RESULTS Aripiprazole initiators were matched 1:1 to 9,917 olanzapine, 14,935 quetiapine, 10,192 risperidone, and 5,696 ziprasidone initiators. Increased risk was found with olanzapine for stroke (hazard ratio = 1.43; 95% confidence interval, 1.05-1.95) and any cardiovascular event (1.28; 1.05-1.55); with quetiapine for stroke (1.58; 1.19-2.09), heart failure (1.55; 1.15-2.11), and any cardiovascular event (1.50; 1.25-1.79); and with risperidone for stroke (1.54; 1.12-2.12), heart failure (1.43; 1.02-1.99), and any cardiovascular event (1.49; 1.21-1.83). Ziprasidone showed no significant difference in risk from aripiprazole for any outcome. Incidence of diabetes ranged from 18 to 21 events per 1,000 person-years in each cohort and did not differ significantly between second-generation drugs. CONCLUSIONS This analysis of real-world data found lower risk of some cardiovascular events with aripiprazole than with olanzapine, quetiapine, or risperidone, but no differences were found with ziprasidone. There were no significant differences in risk of diabetes. Limitations include use of claims data and inability to adequately control for differential prescribing of second-generation antipsychotics to patients at higher risk of diabetes.
The mechanics of coordination and the evolution of cooperation : from computational modeling to evolutionary robotics design. (Les mécanismes de la coordination et l'évolution de la coopération : de la modélisation computationnelle à la conception en robotique évolutionniste)

Cooperation is a behaviour that is prevalent in living beings and is central to most of the major transitions in evolution. Yet explaining its origin is a challenge. In particular, the evolution of mutualistic behaviours, where every individual benefits from this behaviour, has been relatively ignored. In this thesis, we are interested in the role of coordination in the evolution of mutualistic cooperation. To that end, we use tools from evolutionary robotics. First, we model the evolution of cooperation in a collective hunting task with evolutionary robotics. We want to study the influence of the underlying mechanisms of coordination behaviours on the evolution of cooperation. We reveal that it is necessary to consider modeling techniques that account for the more practical aspects of behaviours. Then, we are interested in the design of cooperative robots with evolutionary robotics. We study the influence of genetic team composition on the efficiency of coordination behaviours. Therefore, this thesis contributes to the general subject of the evolution of cooperation in two different manners: modeling biological problems and designing collective robots.
The Decision-making Model for the Stock Market Under Uncertainty

The main purpose of this research is developing methods and models of decision-making to assess the stock market state, and predict the possible changes in the RTS index value. This article shows that the analytical models for assessing the stock market state do not give reliable results. The absence of the reliable estimates associated with the high degree of uncertainty, random, nonlinear and non-stationary process with a significant degree of aftereffect. In this paper, to formalize the securities market parameters it’s proposed the fuzzy sets method. To assess the stock market current state and make decisions the fuzzy situational analysis model (situational model) is applied. The analytical prediction results of the stock market and graph of the RTS index expected return changes in 2014-2016 are showed. The model of calculating the fuzzy inference rules truth degree to predict the RTS index is developed. The market parameters linguistic definition is given and the expert’s rules construction to predict the RTS index growth is shown. The program in Matlab environment is designed to perform research. The study result showed that the model allows for the RTS index prediction in the condition of incomplete initial data with a confidence level about 90%.
PREDICTION OF THE COMPLETE GROWTH PATTERN OF HUMAN MULTIPLE MYELOMA FROM RESTRICTED INITIAL MEASUREMENTS

A method is presented for predicting the complete growth pattern of human IgG multiple myeloma from a few initial measurements of tumour cell number. This permits identification of patterns of undisturbed neoplastic growth in individual patients whose therapy cannot ethically be withheld for long periods. Since the unperturbed growth pattern is a necessary part of the information required for the prediction of individual patient response to alternative treatment schedules, the prospects for improved treatment of human multiple myeloma by optimal scheduling of drug administration are greatly increased.