Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bias Associated with Mining Electronic Health Records

Large‐scale electronic health record research introduces biases compared to traditional manually curated retrospective research. We used data from a community‐acquired pneumonia study for which we had a gold standard to illustrate such biases. The challenges include data inaccuracy, incompleteness, and complexity, and they can produce in distorted results. We found that a naïve approach approximated the gold standard, but errors on a minority of cases shifted mortality substantially. Manual review revealed errors in both selecting and characterizing the cohort, and narrowing the cohort improved the result. Nevertheless, a significantly narrowed cohort might contain its own biases that would be difficult to estimate.
Extracting complete and consistent knowledge patterns from data

In this paper, it is shown how extracted patterns from data can be verified using decision tables (DTs). It is demonstrated how a complete and consistent decision table can be automatically modelled even if the extracted patterns contain anomalies. The proposed method is empirically validated on several benchmarking datasets. In addition to modelling a DT that is free of anomalies, it is shown that the DTs are sufficiently small such that the DTs can be consulted easily
Vascular Regeneration by Stem/Progenitor Cells.

Cardiovascular disease is a major cause of death worldwide. Many cardiovascular events, such as stroke and coronary heart disease, strongly correlate with loss of blood supply, leading to loss of cell function, organ failure, and eventually death.1 Vascular regeneration, which includes restoration of normal vascular structure and function, the reversal of vascular senescence, and the growth of new blood vessels may be a promising approach for the treatment of these diseases.2 Stem/progenitor cells are able to differentiate into vascular cell lineages, which may contribute to the regenerative process and could be useful for the disease treatment.3 Recently, several publications in Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology and other journals have demonstrated great progress in research into stem/progenitor cells for vascular regeneration.4–6 In the present article, we will highlight these updated publications, providing insights into the role of stem/progenitor cells in restoration of vascular function under pathophysiological conditions and the contribution of these cells to lesion formation in the vessel wall through the mechanisms of cell migration and differentiation. Since the discovery of hemangiogenic cells in the bone marrow, researchers have been searching for other such pools of circulating progenitors, such as those that may contribute to vascular repair after ischemic injury. The study of circulating endothelial progenitors, termed endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), became an extremely attractive field of research after they were first isolated by Asahara et al7 in 1997, using magnetic bead selection based on expression of specific cell surface antigens. Though a large number of articles have since been published using the term EPCs,8–10 its initial use was a misnomer because the surface markers used for cell isolation and characterization, such as vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) and CD133,11 are …
The Association Between Hypertension and Other Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Young Adult African Americans

Hypertension is a major cause of cardiovascular disease in African Americans. The excess morbidity and mortality due to cardiovascular disease in African Americans compared to Caucasians is not well explained. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between hypertension and other cardiovascular risk factors in young adult African Americans. A risk factor scoring system was developed, based on national guidelines for obesity, smoking, cholesterol levels, glucose tolerance, and blood pressure. Data from a previously studied cohort of 206 women and 117 men were analyzed for the association of hypertension with other risk factors. Among women, risk factor intensification is due to impaired glucose tolerance and obesity. Among men, intensification appears to be related to all major risk factor categories. These findings indicate that among hypertensive African Americans there is an amplification of other risk factors. The data also support the clinical management of multiple risk factors as well as the achievement of blood pressure control.
Fibroblast Growth Factor-2 Is a Downstream Mediator of Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase-Akt Signaling in 14,15-Epoxyeicosatrienoic Acid-induced Angiogenesis*

To determine the efficacy of cytochrome P450 2C9 metabolites of arachidonic acid, viz. 5,6-, 8,9-, 11,12-, and 14,15-epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs), in inducing angiogenesis, we have studied their effects on human dermal microvascular endothelial cell (HDMVEC) tube formation and migration. All four EETs stimulated HDMVEC tube formation and migration in a dose-dependent manner. Because 14,15-EET was found to be slightly more efficacious than 5,6-, 8,9-, and 11,12-EETs in stimulating HDMVEC tube formation and migration, we next focused on elucidation of the signaling mechanisms underlying its angiogenic activity. 14,15-EET stimulated Akt and S6K1 phosphorylation in Src- and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-dependent manner in HDMVECs. Inhibition of Src and PI3K-Akt-mTOR signaling by both pharmacological and dominant-negative mutant approaches suppressed 14,15-EET-induced HDMVEC tube formation and migration in vitro and Matrigel plug angiogenesis in vivo. In addition, 14,15-EET induced the expression of fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) in Src- and PI3K-Akt-dependent and mTOR-independent manner in HDMVECs. Neutralizing anti-FGF-2 antibodies completely suppressed 14,15-EET-induced HDMVEC tube formation and migration in vitro and Matrigel plug angiogenesis in vivo. Together, these results show for the first time that Src and PI3K-Akt signaling via targeting in parallel with FGF-2 expression and mTOR-S6K1 activation plays an indispensable role in 14,15-EET-induced angiogenesis.
Educating Sensibilities

Theoretical work in the sociology of punishment (especially since Garland's influential introduction of the notion of penal `sensibilities') increasingly recognizes the importance of the cultural aspects of the topic. Yet surprisingly little examination exists of how penal questions actually figure in people's everyday consciousness or conversations. We address penal culture from the perspective of conversation. Specifically, we discuss a number of conversations that we have had with 9-year old children. By considering the dynamic aspects of these conversations we seek (a) to demonstrate one method for investigating sensibilities-in-action and (b) to indicate some ways in which the terms of penal culture are mobilized, assimilated or subverted among children. Such analysis discloses a quite high degree of ambiguity and semantic density in ordinary language discussions of punishing. We exemplify this inter alia by indicating the varying uses of the expression `teach someone a lesson'. The children's dominant idea of the `lesson' suggests that punishment is an intractable problem, and that people are not particularly tractable to its corrective or suasive force. On the other hand the `lesson' can also suggest communication of a different kind with more radical and hopeful implications.
Innovation in therapeutic practice with ‘violent youth’: A discourse analysis of the non-violent resistance approach

Introduction: The introduction of the innovative non-violent resistance approach (NVR) at a multi-agency service in east Kent, UK, has presented challenges in terms of the recruitment of the necessary wider professional support for the family, with some professionals seeing the approach as not child-focused. Aims and objectives: To identify child-focused themes among professionals, and to compare these with discourses used in NVR and, for comparison, in the Webster-Stratton approach, to elucidate possible obstacles to the acceptance by professionals of NVR. Methods and analysis: A focus group of experienced professionals was convened to discuss what it means to be child-focused, and a thematic analysis was conducted. Key texts from NVR and the Webster-Stratton approach were selected and analysed using Foucauldian discourse analysis. Results: Being child-focused was considered to require the child's voice being heard, at least by the parents. Power differentials and developmental issues were also highlighted in the discussion. The key text analyses suggests that the Webster-Stratton approach is communicated through familiar 'biomedical' and 'missionary' discourses, while surprisingly NVR is communicated through a discourse of 'war' as well as the more familiar and child-focused 'family values' discourse. Implications: The 'war' discourse used by NVR, in which violent young people are seen as aggressors and oppressors, challenges the traditional discourses of childhood formed around notions of innocence. The implications of these findings are discussed in relation to furthering the adoption of NVR as an effective way of working to help violent children of all ages.
Vision-based formation control of mobile robots with relative motion states

In this paper, a formation control algorithm for mobile robots is developed based on a relative motion sensory system such as a pan/tilt camera vision system, without the need for global sensing and communication between robots. This is achieved by employing the velocity variations, instead of actual velocities, as the control inputs. Simulations and experimental results have demonstrated the effectiveness of the proposed control methods
Peer Relationships of the Academically Gifted: A Review

After Terman (1925) first challenged the folk notion that gifted children are social isolates, peer relationships among the gifted has received greater attention, especially since the 1940s. These studies have not been in agreement: many studies support Terman’s contention of gifted popularity; others refute or modify this social picture. In addition to the inconsistency in the data we do have, there are age groups of gifted children that have hardly been studies, e.g., preschoolers and adolescents. Most of what we know about
Applied Science in the English school curriculum: the meaning and significance of ‘vocationalization’

This paper is concerned with a specific example of an emerging international tendency within secondary education: the process of ‘vocationalization’. It begins with an account of the wider international and historical context and then focuses on an empirical study of a recent reform of the late‐secondary curriculum in England: the creation of ‘Applied Science’ as a so‐called ‘vocational subject’. This reform derives from an attempt to reconfigure the 14–19 curriculum, aiming to make it more relevant to future occupations and to break down institutional and status‐related divisions between ‘academic’ and ‘vocational’ subjects. The paper draws on school‐based fieldwork, national questionnaires, and other sources. It shows that the rationale for applied science was not clear, its support systems rudimentary, and the challenges it posed for schools considerable. Nevertheless it enjoyed some success, in part through its congruence with teachers established views of how science should be taught. The paper concludes with a broader analysis of the innovation and its applications for ‘vocational’ reform, focusing on: whether Applied Science constituted a ‘resource’ for schools; its differential social and intellectual ‘positioning’ across students; and the disciplinary meaning (in a neo‐Foucaldian sense) of its progressivist pedagogy and assessment regime.
The Role of Theory in Learning Disabilities Research Part II. A Selective Review of Current Theories of Learning and Reading Disabilities

This paper presents a selective review of current alternative conceptualizations of learning disabilities and reading disability. Generally these new frameworks are devoid of the conceptual and methodological problems that plagued the earlier theories of learning disabilities. Altogether they present an exciting array of diverse ways of conceptualizing the causes of learning disabilities. More importantly they hold exciting heuristic promise. Through theory-based and programmatic research, important knowledge will accrue to our understanding of the causes of learning disabilities. This knowledge will enable us to serve the learning disabled more profitably.
From tokenism to social justice: rethinking the bottom line for sustainable community development

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) has become the new flagship programme of businesses and corporations. Much as the idea and practice of social responsibility is good and appreciated in most communities, it is the manner in which they are carried out, especially in voiceless communities that call for a critical evaluation of the discourse. In the current era of globalization and neoliberalism, where sustainable development has also become a global quest, it is imperative that CSR practices are located within the wider discourse of social justice. In doing so, the bottom line needs to be redefined; this paper, therefore, calls for approaches that are knowledge based and have the potential to enhance the capabilities of local people to pursue transformative and emancipatory possibilities for sustainable development.
Efficient security sequencing problem over insecure channel based on homomorphic encryption

In the field of sequencing of secret number, an important problem is how to establish an efficient and secure protocol for sorting the secret number. As a powerful tool in solving privacy sequencing problems, secure multipart computation is more and more popular in anonymous voting and online auction. In the present study, related secure computation protocol for sequencing problem is not many by far. In order to improve the efficiency and safety, we propose a security sequencing protocol based on homomorphic encryption. We also give analysis of correctness and security to highlight its feasibility.
Scientific workflow applications on Amazon EC2

The proliferation of commercial cloud computing providers has generated significant interest in the scientific computing community. Much recent research has attempted to determine the benefits and drawbacks of cloud computing for scientific applications. Although clouds have many attractive features, such as virtualization, on-demand provisioning, and “pay as you go” usage-based pricing, it is not clear whether they are able to deliver the performance required for scientific applications at a reasonable price. In this paper we examine the performance and cost of clouds from the perspective of scientific workflow applications. We use three characteristic workflows to compare the performance of a commercial cloud with that of a typical HPC system, and we analyze the various costs associated with running those workflows in the cloud. We find that the performance of clouds is not unreasonable given the hardware resources provided, and that performance comparable to HPC systems can be achieved given similar resources. We also find that the cost of running workflows on a commercial cloud can be reduced by storing data in the cloud rather than transferring it from outside.
Image Mosaic for On-machine Measurement of Large-Scale Workpiece

At present, the large-scale workpiece need to be measured on the coordinate measuring machine(CMM) in the manufacturing process resulting in low efficiency and hard quality controlling. In this paper, an image mosaic method for on-machine vision measurement of large-scale workpiece was presented. The camera was mounted on the numerical controlled milling machine to acquire multi-images by controlling the moving of working table. Rule of image taking, definition of overlapped image pairs, feature point detection and projective matrix computation were discussed. Image mosaic of large-scale workpiece with high precision was realized. Size measurement result proved the effectiveness and high efficiency of this method.
Molecular beacons with intrinsically fluorescent nucleotides

We report the design, synthesis and characterization of a novel molecular beacon (MB-FB) which uses the fluorescent bases (FB) 2-aminopurine (AP) and pyrrolo-dC (P-dC) as fluorophores. Because the quantum yield of these FB depend on hybridization with complementary target, the fluorescent properties of MB-FB were tuned by placing the FB site specifically within the MB such that hybridization with complementary sequence switches from single strand to double strand for AP and vice versa for P-dC. The MB-FB produces a ratiometric fluorescence increase (the fluorescence emission of P-dC over that of AP in the presence and absence of complementary sequence) of 8.5 when excited at 310 nm, the maximum absorption of AP. This ratiometric fluorescence is increased to 14 by further optimizing excitation (325 nm). The fluorescence lifetime is also affected by the addition of target, producing a change in the long-lived component from 6.5 to 8.7 ns (Exc. 310 nm, Em. 450 nm). Thermal denaturation profiles monitored at 450 nm (P-dC emission) show a cooperative denaturation of the MB-FB with a melting temperature of 53°C. The thermal denaturation profile of MB-FB hybridized with its target shows a marked fluorescence reduction at 53°C, consistent with a transition from double stranded helix to random coil DNA.
Work-in-Progress: Design-Space Exploration of Multi-Core Processors for Safety-Critical Real-Time Systems

In this paper we outline Design Space Exploration methodology aimed at homogeneous multi-core architectures, where the safety-criticality is the crux of a system design. Multi-core architectures provide better computational abilities, but at the same time complicate the computation of timing bounds. Determining suitable architectures that achieve timing requirements is an important aspect for a system designer. The proposed work conceptualizes ways to automate and explore different design facets of a multi-core processor. The intention is to ensure that the particular application meets its deadlines, while optimizing other objectives such as minimizing hardware costs, energy consumption and floor area. The automated exploration builds upon Mulitcore Response Time Analysis for timing verification and multicube for heuristic search methods. The aim is to generate an architecture design in the end that can be used directly to build a custom application specific processor.
Alcohol and Energy Drinks: Motivations, Drinking Behaviours and Associated Risks

Introduction: Consuming alcohol mixed with energy drinks (AmED) has become a growing and popular trend among young adults worldwide. Although there have been some mixed findings, generally AmED use is associated with heavy drinking, risky behaviours and more negative outcomes, compared to alcohol use alone. Little research has been done outside of college samples and few researchers have investigated motivations for consuming AmED. Purpose: The purpose of the current research was to expand on previous research by investigating motivations for AmED use and the associations between AmED use and heavy drinking, alcohol use disorders, risky behaviours, and negative outcomes in community samples, while controlling for potentially important third variables, like sensation seeking. Methods: Using multivariate regression analyses the associations between AmED use and other variables were investigated in a randomly selected Canadian sample (n = 13,615) and a Canadian community young adult sample (n = 456). As well, an in-depth qualitative investigation of university students’ (n = 465) reported motivations for AmED and energy drink use was investigated using content analysis. Results: Compared to alcohol only, AmED use was found to be associated with heavy alcohol use, increased risk for alcohol use disorders, and increased risky behaviours and negative consequences (e.g., being a passenger in a vehicle with a drunk driver; drinking and driving; being involved in physical aggression; having harmful effects on relationships, health, employment) in both the Canadian and community samples. More frequent AmED use (e.g., weekly or more) was associated with ever having had a sexually transmitted infection. These relationships
Advancing a comprehensive cancer care agenda for children and their families: Institute of Medicine Workshop highlights and next steps

This article highlights key findings from the “Comprehensive Cancer Care for Children and Their Families” March 2015 joint workshop by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) and the American Cancer Society. This initiative convened more than 100 family members, clinician investigators, advocates, and members of the public to discuss emerging evidence and care models and to determine the next steps for optimizing quality‐of‐life outcomes and well‐being for children and families during pediatric cancer treatment, after treatment completion, and across the life spectrum. Participants affirmed the triple aim of pediatric oncology that strives for every child with cancer to be cured; provides high‐quality palliative and psychosocial supportive, restorative, and rehabilitative care to children and families throughout the illness course and survivorship; and assures receipt of high‐quality end‐of‐life care for patients with advancing disease. Workshop outcomes emphasized the need for new pediatric cancer drug development and identified critical opportunities to prioritize palliative care and psychosocial support as an integral part of pediatric cancer research and treatment, including the necessity for adequately resourcing these supportive services to minimize suffering and distress, effectively address quality‐of‐life needs for children and families at all stages of illness, and mitigate the long‐term health risks associated with childhood cancer and its treatment. Next steps include dismantling existing silos and enhancing collaboration between clinical investigators, disease‐directed specialists, and supportive care services; expanding the use of patient‐reported and parent‐reported outcomes; effectively integrating palliative and psychosocial care; and clinical communication skills development. CA Cancer J Clin 2016;66:398–407. © 2016 American Cancer Society.
Acculturation, gender, and views on interracial relationships among Chinese Canadians

Acculturation to mainstream and heritage culture has been shown to influence attitudes and behaviors related to romantic relationships. Few studies have examined its influence on views regarding interracial relationships and whether the psychological processes underlying these relations vary across gender. Among Chinese Canadian participants (N = 248), mainstream acculturation, but not Chinese acculturation, was associated with more personal openness to and less cultural values conflict about interracial relationships. Among men, stronger egalitarian gender role ideology mediated the relations between mainstream acculturation and the above interracial relationship variables. For women, fewer concerns about cultural preservation mediated the relation between mainstream acculturation and less cultural values conflict. The importance of understanding cultural influences on interracial relationships through a gendered lens is discussed.