Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluating a Brief, Internet-Based Intervention for Co-Occurring Depression and Problematic Alcohol Use in Young People: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

Background Depression and alcohol misuse represent two of the major causes of disease burden in young adults. These conditions frequently co-occur and this co-occurrence is associated with increased risks and poorer outcomes than either disorder in isolation. Integrated treatments have been shown to be effective, however, there remains a significant gap between those in need of treatment and those receiving it, particularly in young people. The increased availability of Internet-based programs to complement health care presents a unique opportunity in the treatment of these conditions. Objective The objective of our study was to evaluate whether a brief, Internet-based, self-help intervention (the DEAL [DEpression-ALcohol] Project) can be effective in treating co-occurring depression and problematic alcohol use in young people (18-25 years old). Methods The evaluation will take the form of a randomized controlled trial (RCT), comparing the DEAL Project with an attention-control condition (HealthWatch). The RCT will consist of a four-week intervention phase and a 24-week follow-up. It will be entirely Internet-based and open Australia-wide to young people 18 to 25 years old. The primary outcomes will be change in depression symptoms and alcohol use at 5, 12, and 24 weeks post baseline. Secondary outcomes include change in general functioning and quality of life, anxiety/stress symptomatology, and a number of other depression/alcohol related outcomes. Process analysis will also measure engagement across the conditions. Results This study is currently ongoing with preliminary results expected in late 2014. Conclusions This study, to our knowledge, will be the first RCT of a Internet-based treatment for comorbid depression and problematic alcohol use in any age group. If successful, the program represents a novel and innovative approach to addressing the significant harms associated with these conditions and will be an invaluable resource to those not receiving help elsewhere. Trial Registration Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry; ACTRN12613000033741; https://www.anzctr. org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx? id=363461 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6Mrg9VFX4).
Patient characteristics associated with GP referral to the Access to Allied Psychological Services Program: A case-control study

Background: GPs have referred patients for psychological treatment under the Better Outcomes in Mental Health Care, Access to Allied Psychological Services (ATAPS) Program since 2003. It is not known how GPs might select patients for referral. We explored which characteristics identified ATAPS patients compared to usual GP patients. Methods: The study was conducted in GP Access, a Division of General Practice (Newcastle and Lower Hunter) in NSW, Australia. It was a case-control design with 63 cases (ATAPS patients), and 64 controls (GP patients never referred to ATAPS). Unadjusted and sequentially adjusted logistic regressions were used to identify independent predictors of being an ATAPS case based on official referral guidelines: ICD-10 diagnosis of depression or anxiety and scores on the K-10 (psychological distress) and DASS-21 (psychological symptoms). A multivariable logistic regression was also used to determine the best minimum set of predictor variables. Results: Eight-three per cent of ATAPS cases had anxiety or depression. In unadjusted models, any mood disorder, OR 7.68 (95% CI: 3.47, 17.01), any anxiety disorder, OR 2.88 (95% CI: 1.37, 6.05), higher K-10 score, OR 1.06 (95% CI: 1.04, 1.14) and higher DASS-21 score, OR 1.06 (95% CI: 1.03, 1.09) were associated with being an ATAPS case. Any mood disorder, any anxiety disorder, K-10 score and DASS-21 scores remained significant in most adjusted analyses and all models showed change when adjusted for mental disability and physical disability. Three variables predicted being an ATAPS case in the multivariable regression: greater mental disability, lesser physical disability and greater number of substances misused. Conclusion: Cases had higher levels of mental disability and greater substance misuse, but lower levels of physical disability. This may reflect GP referral decision making and have implications for policy development.
Motivation to Retrain: An Empirical Study

The rapid pace of IT change is rendering the skill-sets of many IT professionals obsolete. Organizations are retraining software developers with proficiencies in legacy systems to Internet-based and object-oriented proficiencies. This type of retraining is not incremental, but entails discontinuous cognitive and procedural shifts. Given its importance and cost, processes that impact the effectiveness of retraining should be considered. Trainee motivation is one such process. Our research proposes and tests a model of motivational intentions and antecedents in the IT retraining context.
Characterization of Bucolome N-Glucuronide Formation: Tissue Specificity and Identification of Rat UDP-Glucuronosyltransferase Isoform (s)

Bucolome N-glucuronide (BCP-NG, main metabolite of bucolome (BCP) is the first N-glucuronide of barbituric acid derivatives isolated from rat bile. The objective of this study was to identify the main tissue producing BCP-NG and the molecular species of BCP-NG-producing UGT. Four target tissues were investigated: the liver, small and large intestines, and kidney. To identify the UGT molecular species responsible for BCP-NG formation, yeast microsomes expressing each rat UGT isoform were prepared. BCP-NG formation was detected in all microsomal fractions of the 4 tissues. The liver microsomal BCP-NG-producing activity was the highest, followed by that in the small intestinal microsomes, showing about 41% of the liver microsomal activity level. BCP-NG-producing activity (min-1) was determined in yeast microsomal fractions expressing rat UGT isoforms, and the activity was detected in UGT1A1 (0.059), UGT1A2 (0.318), UGT1A3 (0.001), UGT1A7 (0.003), UGT2B1 (0.004), UGT2B3 (0.091), and UGT2B6 (0.031), showing particularly high levels for UGT1A1 and UGT1A2 among the UGT1A isoforms. It was clarified that UGT1A1, widely distributed in rat tissues, is the molecular species responsible for BCP-NG formation.
A smart sensor to detect the falls of the elderly

Falls are a major health hazard for the elderly and a major obstacle to independent living. The estimated incidence of falls for both institutionalized and independent persons aged over 75 is at least 30 percent per year. In the SIMBAD (Smart Inactivity Monitor using Array-Based Detectors) project, we've developed an intelligent fall detector based on a low-cost array of infrared detectors. A field trial and user research indicate that SIMBAD could significantly enhance the functionality and effectiveness of existing monitoring systems and community alarm systems.
Methods for incorporating covariate adjustment, subgroup analysis and between-centre differences into cost-effectiveness evaluations.

BACKGROUND Overall assessments of cost-effectiveness are now commonplace in informing medical policy decision making. It is often important, however, also to investigate how cost-effectiveness varies between patient subgroups. Yet such analyses are rarely undertaken, because appropriate methods have not been sufficiently developed. METHODS We propose a coherent set of Bayesian methods to extend cost-effectiveness analyses to adjust for baseline covariates, to investigate differences between subgroups, and to allow for differences between centres in a multicentre study using a hierarchical model. These methods consider costs and effects jointly, and allow for the typically skewed distribution of cost data. The results are presented as inferences on the cost-effectiveness plane, and as cost-effectiveness acceptability curves. RESULTS In applying these methods to a randomised trial of case management of psychotic patients, we show that overall cost-effectiveness can be affected by ignoring the skewness of cost data, but that it may be difficult to gain substantial precision by adjusting for baseline covariates. While analyses of overall cost-effectiveness can mask important subgroup differences, crude differences between centres may provide an unrealistic indication of the true differences between them. CONCLUSIONS The methods developed allow a flexible choice for the distributions used for cost data, and have a wide range of applicability--to both randomised trials and observational studies. Experience needs to be gained in applying these methods in practice, and using their results in decision making.
Database Support for Haptic Exploration in Very Large Virtual Environments

The efficient management of complex objects has become an enabling technology for modern multimedia information systems as well as for many novel database applications. Unfortunately, the integration of modern database systems into human centered virtual reality applications including multimodal simulations fails to achieve the indispensably required interactive response times. In this paper, we present an approach which achieves efficient query processing along with industrial-strength database support for real time haptic rendering systems which compute force feedback (haptic display). Our approach externalizes and accelerates the approved main-memory Voxmap-PointShellTM (VPS) approach. We group numerous independent database queries together according to a cost model which takes statistical information reflecting the actual data distribution into account. The performance of our approach is experimentally evaluated using a realistic data-set CAR, provided by our industrial partner, a German car manufacturer. Our results show that we can achieve satisfying rendering frame rates using the presented access techniques.
A 4,103 marker integrated physical and comparative map of the horse genome

A comprehensive second-generation whole genome radiation hybrid (RH II), cytogenetic and comparative map of the horse genome (2n = 64) has been developed using the 5000rad horse × hamster radiation hybrid panel and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). The map contains 4,103 markers (3,816 RH; 1,144 FISH) assigned to all 31 pairs of autosomes and the X chromosome. The RH maps of individual chromosomes are anchored and oriented using 857 cytogenetic markers. The overall resolution of the map is one marker per 775 kilobase pairs (kb), which represents a more than five-fold improvement over the first-generation map. The RH II incorporates 920 markers shared jointly with the two recently reported meiotic maps. Consequently the two maps were aligned with the RH II maps of individual autosomes and the X chromosome. Additionally, a comparative map of the horse genome was generated by connecting 1,904 loci on the horse map with genome sequences available for eight diverse vertebrates to highlight regions of evolutionarily conserved syntenies, linkages, and chromosomal breakpoints. The integrated map thus obtained presents the most comprehensive information on the physical and comparative organization of the equine genome and will assist future assemblies of whole genome BAC fingerprint maps and the genome sequence. It will also serve as a tool to identify genes governing health, disease and performance traits in horses and assist us in understanding the evolution of the equine genome in relation to other species.
Identification of a new ribose methylation in the 18S rRNA of S. cerevisiae

Methylation of ribose sugars at the 2′-OH group is one of the major chemical modifications in rRNA, and is catalyzed by snoRNA directed C/D box snoRNPs. Previous biochemical and computational analyses of the C/D box snoRNAs have identified and mapped a large number of 2′-OH ribose methylations in rRNAs. In the present study, we systematically analyzed ribose methylations of 18S rRNA in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, using mung bean nuclease protection assay and RP-HPLC. Unexpectedly, we identified a hitherto unknown ribose methylation at position G562 in the helix 18 of 5′ central domain of yeast 18S rRNA. Furthermore, we identified snR40 as being responsible to guide snoRNP complex to catalyze G562 ribose methylation, which makes it only second snoRNA known so far to target three ribose methylation sites: Gm562, Gm1271 in 18S rRNA, and Um898 in 25S rRNA. Our sequence and mutational analysis of snR40 revealed that snR40 uses the same D′ box and methylation guide sequence for both Gm562 and Gm1271 methylation. With the identification of Gm562 and its corresponding snoRNA, complete set of ribose methylations of 18S rRNA and their corresponding snoRNAs have finally been established opening great prospects to understand the physiological function of these modifications.
A Model of Probabilistic Choice Satisfying First-Order Stochastic Dominance

This paper presents a new model of probabilistic binary choice under risk. In this model, a decision maker always satisfies first-order stochastic dominance. If neither lottery stochastically dominates the other alternative, a decision maker chooses in a probabilistic manner. The proposed model is derived from four standard axioms (completeness, weak stochastic transitivity, continuity, and common consequence independence) and two relatively new axioms. The proposed model provides a better fit to experimental data than do existing models. The baseline model can be extended to other domains such as modeling variable consumer demand. This paper was accepted by Peter Wakker, decision analysis.
In Vitro Susceptibilities of Mycoplasma putrefaciens Field Isolates

ABSTRACT MICs were determined for 15 antimicrobial agents against 37 Mycoplasma putrefaciens isolates. The most effective antimicrobial drug classes were the fluoroquinolones, the tetracyclines, the lincosamide lincomycin, and the macrolides. The susceptibility profile of the isolates correlated with the geographic origin. This is the first report of decreased susceptibility to the macrolides, lincomycin, and the tetracyclines in M. putrefaciens strains.
Clinical Evaluation of Rega 8: An Updated Genotypic Interpretation System That Significantly Predicts HIV-Therapy Response

Introduction Clinically evaluating genotypic interpretation systems is essential to provide optimal guidance in designing potent individualized HIV-regimens. This study aimed at investigating the ability of the latest Rega algorithm to predict virological response on a short and longer period. Materials & Methods 9231 treatment changes episodes were extracted from an integrated patient database. The virological response after 8, 24 and 48 weeks was dichotomized to success and failure. Success was defined as a viral load below 50 copies/ml or alternatively, a 2 log decrease from the baseline viral load at 8 weeks. The predictive ability of Rega version 8 was analysed in comparison with that of previous evaluated version Rega 5 and two other algorithms (ANRS v2011.05 and Stanford HIVdb v6.0.11). A logistic model based on the genotypic susceptibility score was used to predict virological response, and additionally, confounding factors were added to the model. Performance of the models was compared using the area under the ROC curve (AUC) and a Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results Per unit increase of the GSS reported by Rega 8, the odds on having a successful therapy response on week 8 increased significantly by 81% (OR = 1.81, CI = [1.76–1.86]), on week 24 by 73% (OR = 1.73, CI = [1.69–1.78]) and on week 48 by 85% (OR = 1.85, CI = [1.80–1.91]). No significant differences in AUC were found between the performance of Rega 8 and Rega 5, ANRS v2011.05 and Stanford HIVdb v6.0. 11, however Rega 8 had the highest sensitivity: 76.9%, 76.5% and 77.2% on 8, 24 and 48 weeks respectively. Inclusion of additional factors increased the performance significantly. Conclusion Rega 8 is a significant predictor for virological response with a better sensitivity than previously, and with rules for recently approved drugs. Additional variables should be taken into account to ensure an effective regimen.
Integrating privacy requirements considerations into a security requirements engineering method and tool

In this paper we examine a method for identifying privacy requirements within the context of a security requirements engineering method. We briefly describe the security quality requirements engineering (SQUARE) methodology. Next we discuss our definition of privacy and the associated privacy concerns. We discuss the challenges of privacy requirements engineering and the need for incorporating privacy considerations into security requirements engineering approaches. We describe a novel modification to the SQUARE method and tool to incorporate privacy considerations, and identify future work that will lead to a more integrated method for security and privacy requirements engineering.
Topological local principal component analysis

We propose a topological local principal component analysis (PCA) in help of Kohonen's self-organizing maps (SOM). The topological local PCA describes one cluster by one neuron such that it is capable of exploiting both the global topological structure and each local cluster structure. We also investigate a newly proposed self-organizing strategy that can enhance the learning speed, as well as an alternative Stiefel manifold based algorithm to ensure the orthonormality constraint of the local PCA.
Analysis and design of metamaterial structures using the theory of characteristic modes

Metamaterial inspired concept is a very promising technique to miniaturize antennas suffering from their small electrical sizes while keeping a good radiation efficiency. In this paper, the theory of characteristic modes is used to perform a study of the powers and Q factors of metamaterial inspired antennas, such as the common 2D electric based monopole antenna with a meander line [1]. The aim of this work is to initiate to a new methodology to be used by antenna designers to address the problem of associating metamaterial inclusions to electrically small antennas in order to enhance their performances. It will be able to find the adequate inclusion in order to match an arbitrary shaped antenna in its electrically small regime and keep high overall efficiency. This will require the solving of the eigenvalue problem with further post-processing of the quantities provided by the theory of characteristic modes.
A Swarm Intelligence Method Applied to Manufacturing Scheduling

—In this paper we present a multi-agent search technique to face the NP-hard single machine total weighted tardiness scheduling problem in presence of sequence-dependent setup times. The search technique is called Discrete Particle Swarm Optimization (DPSO): differently from previous approaches the proposed DPSO uses a discrete model both for particle position and velocity and a coherent sequence metric. We tested the proposed DPSO over a benchmark available online. The results obtained show the competitiveness of our DPSO, which is able to outperform the best known results for the benchmark, and the effectiveness of the DPSO swarm intelligence mechanisms.
Decentralized consensus for linear multi-agent systems under general directed graphs based on event-triggered/self-triggered strategy

In this paper, we study the event-triggered consensus problem for multi-agent systems with general linear dynamics under a general directed graph. We propose a decentralized event-triggered consensus controller (ETCC) for each agent to achieve consensus, without requiring continuous communication among agents. Each agent only needs to monitor its own state continuously to determine when to trigger an event and broadcast its state to its out-neighbors. The agent updates its controller when it broadcasts its state to its out-neighbors or receives new information from its in-neighbors. The ETCC can be implemented in multiple steps. We prove that under the proposed ETCC there is no Zeno behavior exhibited. To relax the requirement of continuous monitoring of each agent's own state, we further propose a self-triggered consensus controller (STCC). Simulation results are given to illustrate the theoretical analysis and show the advantages of the event-triggered and self-triggered controllers in this paper.
Improving the classification of events in tweets using semantic enrichment

Contextual enrichment using external sources has been proposed as a means to deal with the poor textual contents of tweets for event classification. Related work performs contextual enrichment according to specific assumptions about the events. Furthermore, enrichment adds a significant amount of extra features, most of them with no discriminative contribution to the event classification task. In this paper, we propose an enrichment framework targeted at the classification of events in general, of which the key elements are: a) external enrichment using related web pages for extending the conceptual features contained within the tweets; b) semantic enrichment using the DBpedia to add related semantic features, and c) a pruning technique that selects the semantic features with discriminative potential. We compared the proposed approach against two distinct baselines based on textual features only and word embeddings, using seven different event datasets. Our experiments reveal that the proposed framework supports the classification of distinct event types, outperforming the textual baseline in 63.5% of the cases, and the word embeddings baseline in 96.5% of the cases.
Gadolinium-Based Contrast Agent Accumulation and Toxicity: An Update

SUMMARY: In current practice, gadolinium-based contrast agents have been considered safe when used at clinically recommended doses in patients without severe renal insufficiency. The causal relationship between gadolinium-based contrast agents and nephrogenic systemic fibrosis in patients with renal insufficiency resulted in new policies regarding the administration of these agents. After an effective screening of patients with renal disease by performing either unenhanced or reduced-dose-enhanced studies in these patients and by using the most stable contrast agents, nephrogenic systemic fibrosis has been largely eliminated since 2009. Evidence of in vivo gadolinium deposition in bone tissue in patients with normal renal function is well-established, but recent literature showing that gadolinium might also deposit in the brain in patients with intact blood-brain barriers caught many individuals in the imaging community by surprise. The purpose of this review was to summarize the literature on gadolinium-based contrast agents, tying together information on agent stability and animal and human studies, and to emphasize that low-stability agents are the ones most often associated with brain deposition.