Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The burden of multiple sclerosis in Japan

Abstract Aims: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disabling autoimmune disease affecting the central nervous system. Few studies have examined the effect of MS on patient outcomes in Japan. The study aim was to quantify MS burden in Japan by comparing MS respondents to matched controls on patient outcomes. Materials and methods: Data from seven administrations of the nationally representative Japan National Health and Wellness Survey (2009–2014 and 2016) were used (n = 181,423). Respondents self-reporting MS diagnosis were compared with respondents not reporting MS. Matched controls were selected using propensity scores. Respondents with MS and matched controls were compared on health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL), work productivity and activity impairment, healthcare resource utilization, and costs. Comparisons were made using Chi-square tests or one-way ANOVAs. Results: A total of 96 respondents with MS and 480 matched controls were included in the analyses. MS respondents reported worse mental (44.35 vs 47.51, p < .05), physical (33.11 vs 49.04, p < .001), and role (37.78 vs 47.11, p < .001) component summary scores (minimally important difference is 3.0). Additionally, MS respondents reported decrements on every health profile sub-scale (p < .001) and 5-Level EuroQoL-5 Dimensions outcome (p < .01). MS respondents also reported more healthcare provider visits (13.78 vs 6.13) and hospitalizations (3.02 vs 0.70; both, p < .001), leading to higher direct costs. For work productivity and activity impairment, MS respondents reported more absenteeism (17.50% vs 5.57%), presenteeism (38.11% vs 21.62%), overall work impairment (46.68% vs 25.27%), and activity impairment (46.88% vs 24.90%, all, p < .001), leading to higher indirect costs. Limitations: Japan NHWS data are cross-sectional, and causal relationships cannot be established. Due to the self-reported nature of the data, responses could not be independently verified. Conclusions: Results suggest MS in Japan is associated with poorer HRQoL and greater work and activity impairment, healthcare resource use, and costs. Improved MS management could benefit both patients and society.
Social Media: A Tool for Open Innovation

Despite the exponential rise of social media use in external stakeholder engagement, academic research and managerial practice have paid little attention to how it can be used for open innovation across the entire innovation funnel, spanning ideation, R&D, and commercialization. As a result, there is little understanding of how companies can organize for and implement social media for open innovation. Utilizing a multiple case study design, this article examines its application across the entire innovation process. It proposes a range of organizational and technological adaptations that managers can implement to ensure they realize the innovative benefits of social media application.
Transfer Impedance Measurement of Shielded Cables Through Localized Injection

This letter presents a method to determine experimentally the transfer impedance of electrically short shielded cables up to 100 or 150 MHz (depending on the cable length). The proposed method aims to create a disturbance along the cable shield with a localized injection device as for instance a toroidal magnetic probe. Two different experimental setups referred as “scalar” and “vectorial” setups are proposed. The validations are performed on cables of known transfer impedance with respect to other experimental techniques and theoretical formulations. The presented results exhibit the advantages and drawbacks of both setups with respect to the existing experimental methods.
Robotic wheelchair controlled through a vision-based interface

SUMMARY In this work, a vision-based control interface for commanding a robotic wheelchair is presented. The interface estimates the orientation angles of the user's head and it translates these parameters in command of maneuvers for different devices. The performance of the proposed interface is evaluated both in static experiments as well as when it is applied in commanding the robotic wheelchair. The interface calculates the orientation angles and it translates the parameters as the reference inputs to the robotic wheelchair. Control architecture based on the dynamic model of the wheelchair is implemented in order to achieve safety navigation. Experimental results of the interface performance and the wheelchair navigation are presented.
Parametrization in Models of Subcritical Glass Fracture: Activation Offset and Concerted Activation

There are two established but fundamentally different empirical approaches to parametrize the rate of subcritical fracture in brittle materials. While both are relying on a thermally activated reaction of bond rupture, the difference lies in the way as to how the externally applied stresses affect the local energy landscape. In the consideration of inorganic glasses, the strain energy is typically taken as an off-set on the activation barrier. As an alternative interpretation, the system’s volumetric strain-energy is added to its thermal energy. Such an interpretation is consistent with the democratic fiber bundle model. Here, we test this approach of concerted activation against macroscopic data of bond cleavage activation energy, and also against ab initio quantum chemical simulation of the energy barrier for cracking in silica. The fact that both models are able to reproduce experimental observation to a remarkable degree highlights the importance of a holistic consideration towards non-empirical understanding.
Understanding knowledge-sharing behaviour in Wikipedia

Wikipedia is the world's largest multilingual free-content encyclopaedia written by users collaboratively. It is interesting to investigate why individuals have willingness to spend their time and knowledge to engage in it. In this study, we try to explore the influence of self-concept-based motivation and individual attitudes towards Wikipedia on individual's knowledge-sharing intention in Wikipedia. Members from Wikipedia were invited to participate in the investigation. An online questionnaire and structural equation modelling technology was utilised to test the proposed model and hypotheses. Analytical results indicate that internal self-concept-based motivation significantly influences individual's knowledge-sharing intention. Further, both information and system quality have significant effects on individual's attitude towards Wikipedia, and therefore, influence the intention to share knowledge in it.
The electrically evoked response of the visual system (EER).

(1) A technique is described for recording with scalp electrodes the occipital response to electrical stimulation of the globe. This "electrically evoked response of the visual system" has been labeled EER. (2) The amplitude of EER is a function of the amount of stimulus current. (3) There is an apparent difference in EER caused by electrode polarity. (4) There is little difference in EER to square pulses of varying durations. However, sawtooth stimuli cause increase of latency of response equivalent to duration of the sawtooth. (5) Although there is considerable variation of EER from individual to individual the response for any one subject appears to be quite constant. (6) The EER differs from the VER to stimuli of the same subjective brightness in several ways. The amplitude of the EER is greater but only when measured at the occipital pole; the latency of the VER is greater. These findings suggest that the EER represents activation of many collateral circuits not directly connected with brightness perception. They also suggest that the electrical stimulus acts on structures between the receptor inner segments and the ganglion cell body.
Screening for Developmental Delay in High-Risk Users of an Urban Pediatric Emergency Department

Objective: To determine whether screening children in an urban pediatric emergency department (PED) would lead to identification of previously undiagnosed developmental delay. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of families presenting to an urban public hospital PED with children 6 to 36 months and no history of developmental delay. Children were screened for possible developmental delay using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire; parents completed an instrument that assesses 5 domains: communication, gross motor, fine motor, problem solving, and personal-social. Sociodemographic data were also obtained. Results: One hundred thirty-eight children were enrolled, all accompanied by their mothers. Mean age of the children was 18.9 months; 51.5% were female; 56.8% of the mothers were high-school graduates; 59.9% were immigrants; 75.4% were Latino. Twenty-one percent did not have a regular source of primary care; 26.8% (95% confidence interval, 20.1%-34.8%) screened positive in at least 1 domain, with a trend toward the highest percentage of positive screens on the communication domain (z = 1.89, P = 0.059). In a simultaneous multiple logistic regression model including all predictor variables, child age of 12 to 30 months was associated with increased adjusted odds of positive screen (adjusted odds ratio, 8.4; 95% confidence interval, 1.4-48.9). Having a primary caregiver born in the United States was statistically significant for screening positive in at least 1 Ages and Stages Questionnaire domain (P = 0.03). Conclusions: Almost 30% of 6- to 36-month-old children presenting to an urban PED without prior developmental concerns screened positive for possible delay, suggesting the utility of performing routine developmental screening in the PED. Pediatric emergency department use alone may be an indication for screening. Further study is needed for feasibility of screening for delay in the PED.
The metabolic puzzle during the evolution of HIV infection.

Abnormalities in energy, protein, lipid and glucose metabolism have been described in HIV patients since the beginning of the epidemic. With the new antiretroviral agents, nutritional status and survival have improved dramatically. However, since these therapies were introduced, there have been more descriptions of metabolic abnormalities, some of which were similar to and others of which were in conflict with those reported in previous years. This paper reviews the complexity of the metabolic abnormalities in HIV infections before and after the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy, and discusses such etiopathogenic mechanisms as secondary infections, antiretroviral drugs and persistent immune activation, which may be involved in these derangements.
Prevention of colitis‐associated carcinogenesis in a mouse model by diet supplementation with ursodeoxycholic acid

Bile acids in the intestinal lumen contribute to the homeostatic regulation of proliferation and death of the colonic epithelial cells: Deoxycholic acid (DCA) appears to enhance and ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) to attenuate the process of chemically induced carcinogenesis. We studied the effects of UDCA on colitis‐related colorectal carcinogenesis. Three groups of 25 mice were given 0.7% dextran sulphate in drinking water for 7 days and pure water for 10 days and were fed a standard diet containing double iron concentration. In 2 groups, the diet was supplemented with 0.2% cholic acid (CA), the precursor of DCA, or with 0.4% UDCA. After 15 cycles, the histology, the expression of MUC2, β‐catenin, p27 and p16 and the fecal water concentration of DCA and UDCA were investigated. All animals showed colitis with similar severity and histologic as well as immunophenotypic alterations, resembling those of human colitis. Among the animals fed the nonsupplemented diet, 46% developed colorectal adenocarcinomas and 54% anal‐rectal squamous cell carcinomas. The prevalence of dysplasia and carcinomas did not change significantly in the animals given CA. Among the mice fed with UDCA, none developed adenocarcinomas and 20% squamous carcinomas. Dysplastic lesions were found in 88%, 67% and 40% of each group, respectively. The prevalence of dysplasia as well as of carcinoma showed an inverse relationship to the UDCA concentration in the fecal water. These data indicate that UDCA suppresses colitis‐associated carcinogenesis. This model is suitable for investigation of the mechanism of the anticarcinogenic effect of UDCA in vivo. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Understanding buyers' loyalty to a C2C platform: the roles of social capital, satisfaction and perceived effectiveness of e‐commerce institutional mechanisms

Drawing upon social capital theory, this study aims to investigate how different dimensions of social capital affect online buyers' satisfaction and ultimately boost their loyalty to a Consumer‐to‐Consumer (C2C) platform. Specifically, we propose that three dimensions of social capital (i.e., cognitive, structural and relational capital) contribute positively to the two types of online buyers' satisfaction (i.e., economic and social satisfaction). In addition, we posit that perceived effectiveness of e‐commerce institutional mechanisms (PEEIM) moderates the relationships between economic and social satisfaction and buyers' loyalty to the platform. Three hundred buyers on the Consumer‐to‐Consumer platform, TaoBao, were surveyed to test the proposed model. The results suggest that buyers' evaluation of social capital with the community of sellers can enhance their satisfaction with the sellers, which subsequently affect their loyalty to the platform. Furthermore, perceived effectiveness of e‐commerce institutional mechanisms negatively moderates the effect of economic satisfaction and positively moderates the effect of social satisfaction on buyers' loyalty to the platform. The theoretical contributions and practical implications are discussed.
Prevalence of human papillomavirus 16 in esophageal cancer among the Chinese population: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND AND AIM No firm evidence of HPV infection in esophageal cancer has been established to date. The aim of this meta-analysis was to investigate the prevalence of HPV 16 in esophageal cancer in China, which had a high burden of the disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS Studies on HPV infection and esophageal cancer were identified and a random-effects model was used to pool the summary prevalence and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS A total of 3,429 esophageal cancer cases were evaluated from 26 eligible studies in this meta-analysis. The summary estimate for HPV16 prevalence was 0.381 (95% CI: 0.283, 0.479). The prevalence varied by geographical areas of the study, publication year, HPV detection method and types of specimen. In sensitivity analysis, HPV 16 prevalence ranged from 0.368 (95% CI: 0.276, 0.460) to 0.397 (95% CI: 0.286, 0.508). CONCLUSIONS The results indicate a relatively high level of HPV 16 prevalence in esophageal cancer among Chinese population, although there was variation between different variables. Further studies are needed to elucidate the role of HPV in esophageal carcinogenesis with careful consideration of study design and laboratory detection method, providing more accurate assessment of the HPV status in esophageal cancer.
A novel bicomponent hemolysin from Bacillus cereus

A procedure combining isoelectric focusing (Sephadex IEF) and fast protein liquid chromatography (Superose 12; Mono-Q) removed hemolytic activity (presumably a contaminant) from partially purified preparations of the multicomponent diarrheal enterotoxin produced by Bacillus cereus. However, when the separated fractions were recombined, hemolytic activity was restored, suggesting that hemolysis is a property of the enterotoxin components. Combined fractions exhibited a unique ring pattern in gel diffusion assays in blood agar. During diffusion of the hemolysin from an agar well, the erythrocytes closest to the well were not lysed initially. After diffusion, hemolysis was observed as a sharp ring beginning several millimeters away from the edge of the well. With time the cells closer to the well were also lysed. This novel hemolysin consists of a protein (component B) which binds to or alters cells, allowing subsequent lysis by a second protein (component L). Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, isoelectric focusing, and Western blot analysis showed that hemolysin BL has properties similar to those described previously for the enterotoxin and that both components are distinct from cereolysin and cereolysin AB.
Ligand‐Stimulated VEGFR2 Signaling is Regulated by Co‐Ordinated Trafficking and Proteolysis

Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF‐A)‐induced signaling through VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2) regulates both physiological and pathological angiogenesis in mammals. However, the temporal and spatial mechanism underlying VEGFR2‐mediated intracellular signaling is not clear. Here, we define a pathway for VEGFR2 trafficking and proteolysis that regulates VEGF‐A‐stimulated signaling and endothelial cell migration. Ligand‐stimulated VEGFR2 activation and ubiquitination preceded proteolysis and cytoplasmic domain removal associated with endosomes. A soluble VEGFR2 cytoplasmic domain fragment displayed tyrosine phosphorylation and activation of downstream intracellular signaling. Perturbation of endocytosis by the depletion of either clathrin heavy chain or an ESCRT‐0 subunit caused differential effects on ligand‐stimulated VEGFR2 proteolysis and signaling. This novel VEGFR2 proteolysis was blocked by the inhibitors of 26S proteasome activity. Inhibition of proteasome activity prolonged VEGF‐A‐induced intracellular signaling to c‐Akt and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). VEGF‐A‐stimulated endothelial cell migration was dependent on VEGFR2 and VEGFR tyrosine kinase activity. Inhibition of proteasome activity in this assay stimulated VEGF‐A‐mediated endothelial cell migration. VEGFR2 endocytosis, ubiquitination and proteolysis could also be stimulated by a protein kinase C‐dependent pathway. Thus, removal of the VEGFR2 carboxyl terminus linked to phosphorylation, ubiquitination and trafficking is necessary for VEGF‐stimulated endothelial signaling and cell migration.
Socioemotional Functioning in Depression

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a psychiatric syndrome characterized by impaired functioning in multiple domains, including biology, behavior, emotion, and cognition. Investigators working within each of these domains face an ever-expanding corpus of theory, methodology, and empirical findings. Perhaps in part due to these burgeoning literatures, different groups of researchers have typically focused on only one of these domains of functioning. While understandable, the consequence of this situation is that there is a lack of integrative theory and research in which the range of dysfunctions that are associated with depression are synthesized to form a meaningful overall pattern (Gotlib & Hammen, 1992, 2002). For several reasons, the social and emotional dysfunctions observed in depression appear to be particularly good candidates with which to begin to develop such an integrative approach. It is clear, for example, that depressed individuals exhibit striking deficits in both of these domains. And perhaps more important, the social and emotional deficits in MDD appear to be interwoven. It is not difficult to imagine, for instance, that a depressed woman’s inability to experience pleasure (emotion deficit) might lead her to withdraw from pleasant activities involving others (social deficit). Indeed, a growing body of research conducted with “normal” samples reinforces the formulation that there are strong bidirectional linkages between the social and the emotional domains (e.g., Fridja, 1986; Fridlund, 1992). Emotions are critical in coordinating the trajectory of social interactions (Ekman, 1992). In turn, social interactions set the conditions under which the majority of all emotional episodes occur (Scherer et al., 1986). These insights concerning the linkage of social and emotional phenomena have only recently been applied to the understanding of psychopathology (e.g., Keltner & Kring, 1998). We believe that this is an opportune time, therefore, for researchers and theorists in the field of depression to consider the interconnections between the social dysfunctions (e.g., Barnett & Gotlib, 1988) and the emotional dysfunctions (e.g., Rottenberg et al., 2002) that are typically observed in individuals who are experiencing this debilitating disorder.
Effects of disorder in a dilute Bose gas.

We discuss the effects of a weak random external potential on the properties of the dilute Bose gas at zero temperature. The results recently obtained by Huang and Meng for the depletion of the condensate and of the superfluid density are recovered. Results for the shift of the velocity of sound as well as for its damping due to collisions with the external field are presented. The damping of phonons is calculated also for dense superfluids.
Minimizing Cardiovascular Complications During the Treatment of Osteoarthritis

Individuals with osteoarthritis face an increased risk of cardiovascular (CV) disease compared with age-matched control subjects. Both conditions share some common risk factors (eg, age, obesity, and hypertension) and the consequences or treatment of osteoarthritis may increase CV risk by impairing physical activity and exacerbating CV risk factors. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may have prothrombotic and/or hypertensive effects and a negative impact on renal function, all of which contribute to the increased risk of CV disease associated with these agents. The magnitude of these effects differs between agents and is, in part, determined by the relative balance of cyclo-oxygenase-1 or cyclo-oxygenase-2 inhibition. To minimize risk of CV disease in patients with osteoarthritis taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, physicians need to 1) monitor blood pressure and the new appearance or exacerbation of edema; 2) encourage lifestyle changes/nonpharmacologic treatments for pain/risk factor management; 3) choose the lowest effective dose of appropriate drug therapy to achieve adequate pain relief while minimizing CV risk; 4) change nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs as needed to one with lower propensity to aggravate CV risk; and 5) modulate antihypertensive therapy and diuretic management as needed to maintain target blood pressure and weight.
Immunity to change: how to overcome it and unlock the potential in yourself and your organization

Change can be either planned or unplanned. Unplanned change occurs suddenly due to specific circumstances whereas planned change is a longer process that involves planning to achieve a specific goal. Change can be personal or organizational. However, in order for an organization to have positive change, then it begins with you. IMMUNITY TO CHANGE: How to Overcome it and Unlock Potential in Yourself and your Organization.
Escaping Reality: examining the Role of presence and Escapism in User Adoption of Virtual Reality glasses

The development of virtual reality (VR) glasses such as the Oculus Rift has made VR technologies available to the mass market. The rapid diffusion of VR glasses holds the potential to disrupt the way media is consumed. Yet little is known about their acceptance by consumers. This study seeks to explore the user acceptance of VR glasses, considering the specifics of hedonic information systems in consumer settings. Focusing on user personality, namely the users’ desire to escape reality, we developed a framework based on the extended unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT2) and tested it in a laboratory study with 155 participants. The structural equation model results show that VR glasses’ ability to induce presence, a sense of being in another environment, is a key characteristic of the technology that influences the adoption. We found the users’ escapism tendency to be a distinctive user personality trait for determining the adoption of VR glasses. Our study provides insights into the adoption of technology in early diffusion stages and the role of technology characteristics and personality traits in adoption decisions. Finally, our findings have important implications for practitioners in the VR industry.