Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Neurotherapy of fibromyalgia?

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy of a novel variant of electroencephalograph biofeedback, the Low Energy Neurofeedback System (LENS), that utilizes minute pulses of electromagnetic stimulation to change brainwave activity for the amelioration of fibromyalgia (FM) symptoms. DESIGN Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. SETTING Tertiary referral academic medical center, outpatient. PATIENTS Thirty-four patients diagnosed with FM according to 1990 American College of Rheumatology classification criteria. INTERVENTIONS Active or sham LENS, depending on randomization, for 22 treatment sessions. OUTCOME MEASURES Primary outcome measure was the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire total score. Secondary outcome measures included number of tender points (TPs) and pressure required to elicit TPs on physical examination, quantitative sensory testing heat pain threshold, and self-reported cognitive dysfunction, fatigue, sleep problems, global psychological distress, and depression obtained at baseline, immediate post-treatment, and 3- and 6-month follow-up. RESULTS Participants who received the active or sham interventions improved (Ps < 0.05) on the primary and a variety of secondary outcome measures, without statistically significant between group differences in evidence at post-treatment or 3- or 6-month follow-up. Individual session self-reported ratings of specific symptoms (cognitive dysfunction, fatigue, pain, and sleep, and overall activity level) over the course of the 22 intervention sessions indicated significant linear trends for improvement for the active intervention condition only (Ps < 0.05). CONCLUSION LENS cannot be recommended as a single modality treatment for FM. However, further study is warranted to investigate the potential of LENS to interact synergistically with other pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic therapies for improving symptoms in FM.
Observational Visual Analog Scale in Pediatric Pain Assessment: Useful Tool or Good Riddance?

DesignThe authors reviewed the available pediatric pain literature and selected those studies that reported quantitative information on the reliability and validity of, and the optimal cutoff points for, the visual analog scale (VAS) when used as an observational pediatric pain tool. ResultsAvailable psychometric findings concerning the observational VAS (VASobs) are limited. The estimated interrater reliability of the VASobs from 9 studies ranged from 0.36 to 0.91. The correlation between self-report and the VASobs was variable and ranged 0.23 to 0.83 in 6 studies. The concurrent validity of the VASobs and other pain instruments ranged from 0.42 to 0.86. ConclusionsFurther psychometric testing needs to be conducted on intraobserver reliability, responsiveness, and optimal cutoff points. Future research may guide the choice between VASobs and the numerous behavioral pain instruments.
CT colonography in senior versus nonsenior patients: extracolonic findings, recommendations for additional imaging, and polyp prevalence.

PURPOSE To retrospectively evaluate the frequency of recommendations for additional imaging (RAIs) for important extracolonic findings and polyp prevalence among a cohort of seniors (age ≥ 65 years) and nonseniors (age < 65 years) undergoing low-dose computed tomographic (CT) colonography. MATERIALS AND METHODS Institutional review board approval was obtained for this HIPAA-compliant retrospective study. Four hundred fifty-four patients (204 nonseniors: mean age, 52 years; 250 seniors: mean age, 69 years) underwent CT colonography at an outpatient facility. Cases were prospectively reported by one of four abdominal radiologists with expertise in CT colonography. The dictated reports were reviewed to determine the frequency of polyps (≥6 mm), the number of extracolonic findings, and the number of RAIs generated. The Fisher exact test was used to compare the percentage of seniors and nonseniors with at least one reported polyp, with at least one extracolonic finding, as well as the frequency of RAIs. RESULTS The percentage of patients with at least one reported polyp was 14.2% (29 of 204) for the nonsenior group and 13.2% (33 of 250) for seniors, which was not significantly different (P = .772). The percentage of patients with at least one extracolonic finding was 55.4% (113 of 204) for nonseniors and 74.0% (185 of 250) for seniors (P < .0001). The percentage of patients in which an RAI was suggested was 4.4% (nine of 204) for nonseniors and 6.0% (15 of 250) for seniors, which was not significantly different (P = .450). CONCLUSION Extracolonic findings were more frequent in seniors than in nonseniors; however, there was no significant difference in the frequency of RAIs between the two groups. SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL http://radiology.rsna. org/lookup/suppl/doi:10.1148/radiol.11102144/-/DC1.
The use of temperature and the isotopes of O , H , C , and noble gases to determine the pattern and spatial extent of groundwater flow

Isotopic tracer and temperature measurements at large volume cold springs in the central Oregon Cascades are used to understand the pattern of groundwater flow. Standard oxygen and hydrogen isotope interpretations are used to determine the mean recharge elevation for springs. Carbon and helium isotopes are used to measure the component of dissolved magmatic gas in the spring waters. Inferences from isotopic measurements are compared with temperature measurements made at the springs to determine whether groundwater circulates to shallow or deep depths in the subsurface. Integrating the measurements of tracers derived at the surface, tracers derived from the subsurface, and temperature measurements can thus be used to derive a three dimensional picture of groundwater flow. q 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Improving the Surgeon's participation in research: is It a problem of training or priority?

BACKGROUND Although numerous important contributions have originated from basic science research performed by surgeons, it seems that such dedicated work is becoming increasingly difficult to accomplish. What are the reasons for this change and what improvements can be made? This study aims to characterize the basic research training and careers of senior academic surgeons to assess and devise strategies for sustaining productive and quality surgical research. METHODS A 25-item survey was sent to 850 senior-level members of academic societies, including the Association of Academic Surgeons, Society of University Surgeons, and American Surgical Association. It addressed each surgeon's clinical and research training and career, as well as opinions concerning surgical research. RESULTS Three hundred seventy-seven (44%) surveys were received. Mean age was 64 years, and 73% were full professors. Seventy-two percent of respondents performed basic science research during training, and for 71% of this group, research was a significant reason for choosing a clinical specialty. Ninety-one percent performed research in the same specialty area during and after training. Of those who performed research during training, a full 99% continued to perform research on completion of training. However, 38% stopped performing basic research by age 39. Seventeen and twenty-three percent stopped basic research between 40 and 49 and between 50 and 59 years of age, respectively. The most common factors causing them to stop were increased clinical load (40%) and increased administrative duties (38%). For respondents who had stopped research prior to age 40, 73% cited increased clinical load as the primary reason. Eighty-five percent felt a dedicated research period should be included in surgery training. CONCLUSIONS Most respondents had participated in basic research during training, and continued similar research after training. However, an overwhelming clinical practice at the junior faculty level seemed to hinder research. We conclude: (1) the majority consensus is that research training is integral to the development of academic surgeons; (2) such research training opportunities appear adequate; however, (3) faculty performing research, particularly at the junior level, need to be better protected from other academic duties, such as clinical practice and administration. The challenge to the leadership of academic surgery will be to enhance such research productivity in the context of increasing academic demands.
First morning standing up may be risky in acutely ill older inpatients

Information about orthostatic hypotension (OH) among elderly patients hospitalized for acute conditions in short‐term facilities is scarce. Many older inpatients carry various predisposing factors for OH. However, its existence goes frequently unrecognized. In this context, first morning standing up following admission for an acute disease may be dangerous. The aim of this study was to investigate OH and associated manifestations in this situation. OH (⩾20 mmHg systolic and/or ⩾10 mmHg diastolic blood pressure fall), heart rate, arrhythmias and appearance of dizziness or palpitations were recorded in 121 sequential inpatients aged >65 years, prior to and 1, 3 and 5 min following first morning standing. OH occurred in 64.5% of patients, while dizziness and/or palpitations appeared in 76%. Severe adverse effects were registered in 11.5% of OH patients. Significantly associated with OH were: bed rest lasting 9–24 h (vs ⩽8 h, p<0.001), appearance of dizziness or palpitations (p<0.001 and p = 0.005, respectively), heart failure (p = 0.02) and renal dysfunction (p = 0.04). OH and/or associated symptoms are frequent in acutely ill older inpatients on first morning standing up following nocturnal bed rest. The ominous potential consequences call for alertness to this phenomenon and application of appropriate preventive measures.
The Association Between Bangladeshi Adults’ Demographics, Personal Beliefs, and Nutrition Literacy: Evidence From a Cross-Sectional Survey

Background Poverty and health illiteracy, combined with inappropriate systems to track disease and infection rates, contribute to children-and-mothers’ poor adherence to nutrient-rich foods intake in Bangladesh. Although risk factors for child and pregnant women malnutrition have been explored, the relationship between Bangladeshi adults’ nutrition literacy and their demographics and personal beliefs remains unknown. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between adults’ nutrition literacy, demographics and personal beliefs in a large sample of Bangladeshi adults. Methods Four hundred adults from two districts (Dhaka and Chattogram) of Bangladesh participated in a cross-sectional survey. Data were collected by interviews using a structured questionnaire containing the Nutrition Literacy Scale. Multiple linear regression models were employed to analyze associations between nutrition literacy and related factors. Results The mean nutrition literacy score was 21.6 (SD: 3.7; range: 11–32) on a scale of 32. Multiple linear regression revealed that being a businessman (β = 1.66, p = 0.013) or private employee (β = 1.08, p = 0.030), having a higher family income (β = 1.17, p = 0.009), and a higher educational level were positively associated with higher nutrition literacy scores compared to their counterparts. Participants who had ever completed a nutrition-related course (β = 4.95, p < 0.001), and who perceived themselves as having a need for accessing nutrition-related information were positively associated with the higher nutrition literacy compared to their counterparts. Conclusion Findings from this study suggest the need for an integrated response plan involving educational interventions and accessible dietary plans targeting adult populations to enhance their nutritional literacy.
Histone-like protein HU is required for recA gene-dependent DNA repair and SOS induction pathways in UV-irradiated Escherichia coli.

PURPOSE Escherichia coli HU protein exists as a heterodimer composed of two highly homologous subunits, HU-1 and HU-2, encoded by the hupB and hupA genes, respectively. It introduces negative supercoils into a relaxed circular DNA. Various roles of HU have been suggested in cellular processes such as DNA replication and transcription. The present experiments were designed to understand the role of HU in DNA repair processes in E. coli. MATERIALS AND METHODS The sensitivity of hupA/hupB mutants of E. coli to the lethal and mutagenic effects of UV was compared with that of a wild-type strain. The effect of the hupAhupB mutations in SOS induction was also examined. RESULTS The hupAhupB mutations increased the UV sensitivity of E. coli. Nucleotide excision repair was unaffected by the deficiency of HU. On the other hand, E. coli hupAhupB mutants were sensitive to UV in the recA+recB+recF background but not in the recArecB+recF+ or recA+recBrecF+ background. The frequency of UV-induced mutation to rifampicin resistance was significantly reduced in the hupAhupB mutants, and the induction of the recA::lacZ and umuC::lacZ fusion genes was also suppressed in the mutants. CONCLUSIONS HU protein plays a critical role in the recA, recB-dependent recombinational DNA repair and SOS induction pathways in UV-irradiated E. coli.
A comparison of the equivalent weights particle filter and the local ensemble transform Kalman filter in application to the barotropic vorticity equation

Data assimilation methods that work in high-dimensional systems are crucial to many areas of the geosciences: meteorology, oceanography, climate science and so on. The equivalent weights particle filter (EWPF) has been designed for, and recently shown to scale to, problems that are of use to these communities. This article performs a systematic comparison of the EWPF with the established and widely used local ensemble transform Kalman filter (LETKF). Both methods are applied to the barotropic vorticity equation for different networks of observations. In all cases, it was found that the LETKF produced lower root mean–squared errors than the EWPF. The performance of the EWPF is shown to depend strongly on the form of nudging used, and a nudging term based on the local ensemble transform Kalman smoother is shown to improve the performance of the filter. This indicates that the EWPF must be considered as a truly two-stage filter and not only by its final step which avoids weight collapse.
IS MINING THE MAIN CAUSE OF SILICOSIS? CASE SERIES

Background: Silicosis is an irreversible progressive lung disease which leads to ultimate death. This study aimed to describe characteristics of individuals affected by silicosis, evaluate the prevalence of silicosis in miners and also introduce preventive policies. Materials and Methods: Cases with pathologic diagnosis of silicosis were retrieved from archive of pathology department of national research institute of tuberculosis and lung disease (NRITLD) during 2000-2009. All hematoxylin and eosin stained slides were reviewed by two pathologists independent of clinical and imaging findings. Occupational history, clinical information, imaging findings, history of associated disease, method of biopsy and pathologic diagnosis were reviewed. Results: During 2000 and 2009, 29 cases had pathologic diagnosis of silicosis, 4 of them were excluded due to unavailable occupational history. The disease presented among patients in the age range of 22-80 years. The most common occupation was sandblasting while mining was in the second position. The male patients who were miners were old except for one who was a 28-year old car painter whose previous job was mining. Most sandblasters were young except one who was 55. The most prevalent radiologic finding was pulmonary nodules. Restrictive pattern was the most common finding in pulmonary function test (PFT). Of patients, 28% had current tuberculosis. Transbronchial lung biopsy was the method of choice in 14 cases. The most prevalent pathologic finding was early silicotic nodules. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that mining was not the main occupational history in our understudy cases. We also observed the change in the age range of patients suffering from silicosis which may be due to the prevalence of sandblasting and job demands in young patients. It is recommended that protective measures be applied not only in mining industries, but also in small workshops and studios. It is also necessary that working conditions in these workplaces be evaluated regularly by the occupational safety and health administration. (Tanaffos2010; 9(3): 37-43)
Mitochondria Dysfunction-Mediated Molecular Subtypes and Gene Prognostic Index for Prostate Cancer Patients Undergoing Radical Prostatectomy or Radiotherapy

Background Given the age relevance of prostate cancer (PCa) and the role of mitochondrial dysfunction (MIDS) in aging, we orchestrated molecular subtypes and identified key genes for PCa from the perspective of MIDS. Methods Cluster analysis, COX regression analysis, function analysis, and tumor immune environment were conducted. We performed all analyses using software R 3.6. 3 and its suitable packages. Results CXCL14, SFRP4, and CD38 were eventually identified to classify the PCa patients in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) dataset into two distinct clusters. Patients in the cluster 2 had shorter BCR-free survival than those in the cluster 1 in terms of both TCGA database and GEO dataset. We divided the patients from the TCGA database and the GEO dataset into high- and low-risk groups according to the median of MIDS-related genetic prognostic index. For patients in the TCGA database, the biochemical recurrence (BCR) risk in high-risk group was 2.34 times higher than that in low-risk group. Similarly, for patients in the GEO dataset, the risk of BCR and metastasis in high-risk group was 2.35 and 3.04 times higher than that in low-risk group, respectively. Cluster 2 was closely associated with advanced T stage and higher Gleason score for patients undergoing radical prostatectomy or radiotherapy. For patients undergoing radical prostatectomy, the number of CD8+ T cells was significantly lower in cluster 2 than in cluster 1, while cluster 2 had significantly higher stromal score than cluster 1. For patients undergoing radical radiotherapy, cluster 2 had significantly higher level of CD8+ T cells, neutrophils, macrophages, dendritic cells, stromal score, immune score, and estimate score, but showed lower level of tumor purity than cluster 1. Conclusions We proposed distinctly prognosis-related molecular subtypes at genetic level and related formula for PCa patients undergoing radical prostatectomy or radiotherapy, mainly to provide a roadmap for precision medicine.
Decision Making under Ambiguity

Abstract : Ellsberg's paradox demonstrates that ambiguous or vague probabilities derived from choices between gambles are not coherent. A descriptive model of judgement under ambiguity is developed in which an initial estimate serves as a starting point and adjustments are made for abbiguity. The adjustments involve a mental simulation in which higher and lower probabilities are considered and differentially weighted. Implications of this model include ambiguity avoidance and seeking; sub- and superadditivity of complementary probabilities; dynamic ambiguity; and reversals in the meaning of data. Three experiments involving Ellsberg's paradox and the setting of buying and selling prices for insurance and warranties test the model. A choice rule under ambiguity is developed that implies a lack of independence between ambiguous probabilities and the sign of payoff utility. The applicability of the model to the case where probabilities are explicitly stated is considered, including the handling of context effects. Keywords: Ambiguity, Decision making, Insurance.
Study of slot partial discharges in air-cooled generators

Two laboratory experiments were set up in order to investigate the influence of different parameters on slot partial discharge (PD) activity. The goal of the first experiment was to establish the relative importance of temperature and gap size on slot partial discharges (PDs). The second experiment was used to determine how different stresses (e.g. electrical, thermal and mechanical) influence the discharge mechanisms of stator bars affected by slot PDs. Finally, the results obtained in the laboratory were confirmed when compared with actual field measurements on a generator.
From foodwebs to gene regulatory networks (GRNs) - weak repressions by microRNAs confer system stability

More than 30% of mRNAs are repressed by microRNAs (miRNAs) but most repressions are too weak to have a phenotypic consequence. The diffuse actions have been a central conundrum in understanding the functions of miRNAs. By applying the May-Wigner theory used in foodweb studies, we show that i) weak repressions cumulatively enhance the stability of gene regulatory network (GRN), and ii) broad and weak repressions confer greater stability than a few strong ones. Transcriptome data show that yeast cells, which do not have miRNAs, use strong and non-specific mRNA degradation to stabilize their GRN; in contrast, human cells use miRNAs to increase degradation more modestly and selectively. Simulations indicate that miRNA repressions should be distributed broadly to >25% of mRNAs, in agreement with observations. As predicted, extremely highly expressed genes are avoided and transcription factors are preferred by miRNAs. In conclusion, the diffuse repression by miRNAs is likely a system-level strategy for enhancing GRN stability. This stability control may be the mechanistic basis of “canalization” (i.e., developmental homeostasis within each species), sometimes hypothesized to be a main function of miRNAs.
Maternal Employment, Childcare and Childhood Overweight during Infancy

This paper examines the relationship between maternal employment, childcare during infancy and the overweight status of pre-school children. Using data from the Infant Cohort of the Growing-Up in Ireland Survey, propensity score matching addresses the issue of potential selection bias, quantile regression allows the impact of both maternal employment and childcare to be examined throughout the weight distribution and multiple imputation is used to address the problem of missing data due to item non-response. The results suggest that both full-time and part-time maternal employment when a child is 9 months old increase the likelihood of being overweight at 3 years old, but only for children of mothers with higher levels of education. Informal childcare at 9 months also has harmful effects on child weight, but again only for children of more educated mothers. Quantile regression finds that the children most impacted by maternal employment are those at the upper percentiles of the weight distribution. When selection on observables is used to assess bias arising from selection on unobservables, maternal employment estimates are determined to be a lower bound, while informal childcare results could be attributed to selection bias. Overall findings are consistent with research from North America and the United Kingdom, and are in contrast to recent findings from the rest of Europe, suggesting the possible role of institutional factors.