Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Validity and Reliability of Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile II in the Iranian Elderly

Background: With increasing age, the prevalence of chronic diseases increases. Since health-promoting behaviors (HPB) are considered a basic way of preventing diseases, especially chronic diseases, it is important to assess HPB. This study examines the validity and reliability of the Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile II (HPLP-II). Methods: This is a cross-sectional study which is conducted on 502 elderly individuals aged 60 and over in Tehran, Iran. In order to determine the validity, content and construct validity were used. The content validity index (CVI) was used to assess the content validity and to assess construct validity, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and item-total correlations were employed. For reliability, test-retest analysis was used, and the internal consistency of the HPLP-II was confirmed by Cronbach's alpha. For data analysis, SPSS-18 and Amos-7 software was used. Results: The mean age of the subjects was 66.3 ± 5.3 years. The CVI for the revised HPLP-II and all its subscales was higher than 0.82. The CFA confirmed a six-factor model aligned with the original HPLP-II. Pearson correlation coefficients between the revised HPLP-II and their items were in range of 0.27–0.65. Cronbach's alpha of the revised HPLP-II was obtained as 0.78 and for their subscales were in the range of 0.67–0.84. Intraclass correlation coefficient was obtained 0.79 (95% confidence interval: 0.59–0.86, P < 0.001). Conclusions: The Iranian HPLP-II scale is an appropriate tool for assessing HPBs of the Iranian elderly.
A systematic review and meta-analysis

Backgound:Little information regarding to the survival advantage of third-line chemotherapy in advanced gastric cancer patients is available. The current study is designed to systematically review and perform meta-analysis on the effect of third-line chemotherapy on progressive or recurrent gastric cancer treatment. Methods: After thorough searching of online databases, total 20 articles were included into qualitative systematic review and 6 of them were used to conduct qualitative meta-analysis. Results: It was found that the third-line chemotherapy was superior to placebo or best supportive care in terms of prolonging median oval survival (OS) length and progress free survival (PFS) length (Hedges’s g for OS= 0.315±0.077, P< .001; and for PFS= 0.382±0.098, P< .001). In addition, the third-line chemotherapy was favored (Hedges’s g=0.848, P< .001) in terms of overall survival rate (Hazard ratio=0.679, 95% confidence interval: 0.565–0.816, P< .001) or tumor free survival rate (Hazard ratio= 0.561, 95% confidence interval: 0.444–0.709, P< .001). Conclusion:The third-line chemotherapy is superior to the best supportive care in advanced gastric cancer patients who had been pretreated with first-line and second-line chemotherapy. Abbreviations: BSC = best supportive care, HIPEC = hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy, OS = oval survival, PFS = progress free survival, VPA = valproic acid.
Are Decentralized Regions Ruled Better? Evidence from European Regions Using a Dose-Response Approach

This paper investigates the relationship between regional autonomy and the quality of governments in 171 European regions. We employ a novel dose-response approach that allows us to identify the distribution of the effect of decentralization on quality of governments. We find that the relationship between the level of decentralization and the quality of regional governments is not monotonic, but it has a u-shaped form. Both low autonomous regions and high autonomous regions exhibit higher levels of the quality of their governments. Policy recommendations based on the view that ‘more decentralization is better’ should therefore be disregarded. We also find evidence of horizontal competition, in that the quality of regional governments depends also on the quality of neighbours’ governments; this effect is amplified in decentralized countries.
Near-linear Time Algorithms for Approximate Minimum Degree Spanning Trees

Given a graph $G = (V, E)$, $n=|V|, m=|E|$, we wish to compute a spanning tree whose maximum vertex degree is as small as possible. Computing the exact optimal solution is known to be NP-hard, since it generalizes the Hamiltonian path problem. For the approximation version of this problem, a $\tilde{O}(mn)$ time algorithm that computes a spanning tree of degree at most $\Delta^* +1$ is previously known [F\"urer, Raghavachari 1994]; here $\Delta^*$ denotes the optimal tree degree. In this paper we give the first near-linear time algorithm for this problem. Specifically speaking, we first propose a simple $\tilde{O}(m)$ time algorithm that achieves an $O(\Delta^*\log n)$ approximation; then we further improve this algorithm to obtain a $(1+\delta)\Delta^* + O(\frac{1}{\delta^2}\log n)$ approximation in $\tilde{O}(\frac{1}{\delta^6}m)$ time.
Feasibility and efficacy of high-speed gait training with a voluntary driven exoskeleton robot for gait and balance dysfunction in patients with chronic stroke: nonrandomized pilot study with concurrent control

The aim of this pilot study was to investigate the feasibility of high-speed gait training with an exoskeleton robot hybrid assistive limb (HAL) in patients with chronic stroke, and to examine the efficacy of eight sessions (8 weeks) of gait training with a HAL compared with conventional physical therapy. Eighteen patients with chronic stroke were included in this study (nine each in the HAL and control groups). The HAL group underwent high-speed gait training with the HAL once a week for 8 weeks (20 min/session). The control group underwent conventional physical therapy for gait disturbance. Outcome measures were walking speed, number of steps, and cadence during a 10 m walking test, a timed up and go test, a functional reach test, and the Berg Balance Scale. Assessments were performed in the absence of the HAL before training and after the fourth and eighth training sessions. All patients in the HAL group completed the high-speed gait training without adverse events. The HAL group improved significantly in walking speed (55.9% increase, P<0.001), number of steps (17.6% decrease, P<0.01), and cadence (32.8% increase, P<0.001) during the 10 m walking test. The patients also exhibited significant improvements in the timed up and go test, the functional reach test, and the Berg Balance Scale after HAL training (P<0.01 in all). No statistical time-dependent changes were observed in any parameter in the control group. For chronic stroke patients, high-speed gait training with a HAL appears to be feasible and effective in improving gait and balance dysfunction despite the limitations of this nonrandomized pilot study.
Menopause-specific quality of life of a group of urban women, West Bengal, India

Abstract Objective To find out the association of menopause-specific quality of life of women with menopausal status. Methods In this cross-sectional study, we involved 250 Bengali-speaking women of Hindu ethnic group (118 perimenopausal and 132 postmenopausal), aged 40–65 years from urban areas of North 24 Paraganas, a district of West Bengal, India. The Menopause-Specific Quality of Life questionnaire (MENQOL) consisting of 29 menopausal symptoms, grouped under four menopausal domains (vasomotor, psychosocial, physical and sexual), was used to assess menopause-specific quality of life. Scores of four menopausal domains generated a composite score of ‘Quality of Life’. Additionally, participants were also interviewed for their sociodemographic characteristics. Results Bivariate analyses showed significant difference in all the domains of menopause-specific quality of life (barring vasomotor domain) when compared for menopausal status. Results of ANCOVA showed that menopausal status was significantly associated only with the physical domain after removing the effects of sociodemographic characteristics. Conclusion Menopausal status had a significant association with the physical domain of menopause-specific quality of life of women.
Diagnosis and management of Munchausen's Syndrome by Proxy

A systematic literature review was conducted to identify and synthesise the relevant literature on the epidemiology, presentation, assessment and management of Munchausen's Syndrome by Proxy (MSP). This included collating information from published and unpublished sources. The purpose of the review was to provide an overview of the status of research into MSP. The results indicated that there are common areas of research and theorising on MSP. These areas were divided up into the following categories: definitions of MSP, diagnosis and recognition of MSP and management of MSP. The results of the literature review were summarised using the above-mentioned categories. The most widely accepted definitions of MSP included the International Classification of Diseases (10th edition) (ICD-10), (1994), Rosenberg (1987), The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (4th edition) (1994) and Kelly and Loader (1997). The most common presentations of MSP identified included seizures, diarhhea, apnea and fevers. The most common forms of assault identified included suffocation, giving of drugs and poisoning. Mother–perpetrator features, child–victim features and family features were identified as categories used to help with the identification of MSP. Appropriate management of MSP included careful consideration of child protection factors with the emphasis on comprehensive assessment and management.
Solid Lipid Nanoparticle: A Review

– Solid lipid nanoparticles are at the forefront of the rapidly developing field of nanotechnology with several potential applications in drug delivery, clinical medicine and research as well as in othervaried sciences. Solid lipid nanoparticle (SLN) dispersions have been proposed as a new type of colloidal drug carrier system suitable for intravenous administration. The system consists of spherical solid lipid particles in the nanometer ranges, which are dispersed in water or in aqueous surfactant solution. It is identical to an oil-in-water emulsion for parenteral nutrition but the liquid lipid (oil) of the emulsion has been replaced by a solid lipid, i.e., yielding Solid Lipid Nanoparticles. Different production methods which are suitable for large scale production and applications of solid lipid nanoparticles are described. Appropriate analytical techniques for characterization of solid lipid nanoparticles like photon correlation spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry are highlighted. Aspects of solid lipid nanoparticles route of administration and their biodistribution are also incorporated. If appropriately investigated, solid lipid nanoparticles may open new vistas in therapy of complex diseases. Keywords–– Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN), colloidal drug carriers, homogenization.
Sterically blocking adhesion of cells to biological surfaces with a surface-active copolymer containing poly(ethylene glycol) and phenylboronic acid.

Graft copolymers were designed that could spontaneously bind to biological surfaces and block subsequent recognition and adhesion at those surfaces. Phenylboronic acid (PBA) moieties in the polymer backbone provided binding to surfaces, forming reversible covalent complexes with cis-diols found in many biological molecules. Pendant poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) side chains sterically protected those surfaces from subsequent interactions with other proteins and cells. The PEG and PBA grafting ratios on these poly-L-lysine-graft-(PEG;PBA) copolymers [PLL-g-(PEG;PBA)] were varied, and the polymers were tested in models relevant to undesirable wound-healing responses such as peritoneal adhesion formation and posterior capsule opacification. PLL-g-(PEG;PBA) polymers spontaneously coated tissue culture polystyrene and completely blocked rabbit lens epithelial cell adhesion to the surface over a wide range of PEG grafting ratios. PLL-g-(PEG;PBA)s with optimal grafting ratios were able to coat adsorbed serum proteins or extracellular matrices and block cell spreading on the surfaces at 4 h, although the effect was lost within 24 h. The polymer also enhanced the efficacy of surgical lysis of peritoneal adhesions in rats. The reversible covalent complexes formed by the PBA moieties on the copolymer backbone were more effective at binding biological surfaces than electrostatic interactions formed via a copolymer lacking the PBA moieties, that is, PLL-g-PEG.
An effect of initial distribution covariance for annealing Gaussian restricted Boltzmann machines

In this paper, we investigate an effect that the covariance of an initial distribution for annealed importance sampling (AIS) exertson the estimation accuracy for the partition functions of Gaussian restricted Boltzmann machines (RBMs). A common choicefor an AIS initial distribution is a Gaussian RBM (GRBM) with zero weight connections. Such an initial distribution does notshow any covariance between variables. However, target distributions generally allow a finite covariance between variables. Wepropose a method to design the covariance matrix of an initial distribution for GRBMs. We empirically analyze the effect ofthe initial distribution covariance on the estimation accuracy of AIS. The proposed method for designing initial distributionsoutperforms conventional methods under various conditions.
Shaun de Jager - WP/07/03- A steady state QPM model for the South African economy

Abstract- Policy makers of central banks in an inflation targeting framework need confidence in a model to forecast and analyse the key factors influencing the future rate of inflation. A model does not necessarily need to be sophisticated to ensure forecast consistency, and a great deal of innovative development in simplified modelling methods and techniques has taken place over the last few years. This study describes a small structural Quarterly Projection Model (QPM) as an addition to the South African Reserve Bank’s current suite of models for monetary policy purposes. The model differs from conventional models in that the coefficients are calibrated and the model has well defined steady state properties to generate a balanced growth path for the economy. At its core are four key equations- an aggregate demand or IS curve, a price setting or Phillips curve, an uncovered interest rate parity condition for the effective exchange rate, and a monetary policy reaction rule. The model expresses these variables in terms of their deviation (or gap) from their equilibrium levels and highlights the role of monetary policy in ensuring that the model projection returns to its long run equilibrium steady state. This essentially means that the emphasis in the QPM forecast now shifts to the reaction of monetary policy as it responds to the model’s exchange rate, inflation and real output projections. The study elucidates the use of the model and the calibration of the QPM, thereafter it is put through a battery of hypothetical temporary and permanent shocks to validate its structure. The research paper then concludes with an exercise on how the model can be used for forecasting purposes. The QPM was found to be successful in not only producing a reliable forecast, but also in its ability to provide a consistent explanation or economic coherent interpretation of a shock – i.e. a model characteristic generally considered to be important in an inflation targeting environment.
MONETARY POLICY RESPONSE ON EXCHANGE RATE VOLATILITY IN INDONESIA

High fluctuation of exchange rate in short horizon is obviously making economic activity more risky as uncertainty rises. As it is not good for the economy, then there should be a systematic and measured policy to mitigate the foreign exchange fluctuations and to minimize the fluctuations, as well as to drive it to its fundamental value. In this part this research measures how persistent the exchange rate fluctuation in Indonesia is, and how are thus the central banks able to perform appropriate monetary policy, especially in determining their policy interest rate, or to make foreign exchange intervention to stabilize the exchange rate. In this study, USD/IDR volatility is investigated using TGARCH approach. The result reveals that, USD/IDR volatility in Indonesia is obviously persistent. This study also presents the outcomes of effectiveness of policy response by the Central Bank. Foreign-exchange sale interventions by the Central Bank lead to a slight USD/IDR decrease. Whatever Bank of Indonesia’s efforts to exert a stabilizing effect of foreign exchange interventions, the results are inconclusive.
Identities for finite solvable groups and equations in finite simple groups

We characterise the class of finite solvable groups by two-variable identities in a way similar to the characterisation of finite nilpotent groups by Engel identities. Let $u_1=x^{-2}y\min x$, and $u_{n+1} = [xu_nx\min,yu_ny\min]$. The main result states that a finite group G is solvable if and only if for some n the identity $u_n(x,y)\equiv 1$ holds in G. We also develop a new method to study equations in the Suzuki groups. We believe that, in addition to the main result, the method of proof is of independent interest: it involves surprisingly diverse and deep methods from algebraic and arithmetic geometry, topology, group theory, and computer algebra (SINGULAR and MAGMA).
GEG Participates in the Regulation of Cell and Organ Shape during Corolla and Carpel Development in Gerbera hybrida

The molecular mechanisms that control organ shape during flower development are largely unknown. By using differential hybridization techniques, a cDNA designated GEG (for Gerbera hybrida homolog of the gibberellin [GA]–stimulated transcript 1 [GAST1] from tomato) was isolated from a library representing late stages of corolla development in Gerbera. GEG expression was detected in corollas and carpels, with expression spatiotemporally coinciding with flower opening. In corollas and styles, GEG expression is temporally correlated with the cessation of longitudinal cell expansion. In plants constitutively expressing GEG, reduced corolla lengths and carpels with shortened and radially expanded stylar parts were found, with concomitant reduction of longitudinal cell expansion in these organs. In addition, in styles, an increase in radial cell expansion was detected. Taken together, these observations indicate a regulatory role for the GEG gene product in determining the shape of the corolla and carpel. The deduced amino acid sequence of the GEG gene product shares high similarity with previously characterized putative cell wall proteins encoded by GA-inducible genes, namely, GAST1, GIP (for GA-induced gene of petunia), and the GASA (for GA-stimulated in Arabidopsis) gene family. Our studies suggest that GEG, the expression of which can also be induced by application of GA3, plays a role in phytohormone-mediated cell expansion.
Salient Object Detection Based on Regional Contrast and Relative Spatial Compactness

In this study, we propose a novel salient object detection strategy based on regional contrast and relative spatial compactness. Our algorithm consists of four basic steps. First, we learn color names offline using the probabilistic latent semantic analysis (PLSA) model to find the mapping between basic color names and pixel values. The color names can be used for image segmentation and region description. Second, image pixels are assigned to special color names according to their values, forming different color clusters. The saliency measure for every cluster is evaluated by its spatial compactness relative to other clusters rather than by the intra variance of the cluster alone. Third, every cluster is divided into local regions that are described with color name descriptors. The regional contrast is evaluated by computing the color distance between different regions in the entire image. Last, the final saliency map is constructed by incorporating the color cluster’s spatial compactness measure and the corresponding regional contrast. Experiments show that our algorithm outperforms several existing salient object detection methods with higher precision and better recall rates when evaluated using public datasets.
Characteristic methylation profile in CpG island methylator phenotype‐negative distal colorectal cancers

Aberrant DNA methylation is involved in colon carcinogenesis. Although the CpG island methylator phenotype (CIMP) is defined as a subset of colorectal cancers (CRCs) with remarkably high levels of DNA methylation, it is not known whether epigenetic processes are also involved in CIMP‐negative tumors. We analyzed the DNA methylation profiles of 94 CRCs and their corresponding normal‐appearing colonic mucosa with 11 different markers, including the five classical CIMP markers. The CIMP markers were frequently methylated in proximal CRCs (p < 0.01); however, RASSF1A methylation levels were significantly higher in distal CRCs, the majority of which are CIMP‐negative (p < 0.05). Similarly, methylation levels of RASSF1A and SFRP1 in the normal‐appearing mucosae of distal CRC cases were significantly higher than those in the proximal CRC cases (p < 0.05). They were also positively correlated with age (RASSF1A, p < 0.01; SFRP1, p < 0.01). Microarray‐based genome‐wide DNA methylation analysis of 18 CRCs revealed that 168 genes and 720 genes were preferentially methylated in CIMP‐negative distal CRCs and CIMP‐positive CRCs, respectively. Interestingly, more than half of the hypermethylated genes in CIMP‐negative distal CRCs were also methylated in the normal‐appearing mucosae, indicating that hypermethylation in CIMP‐negative distal CRCs is more closely associated with age‐related methylation. By contrast, more than 60% of the hypermethylated genes in CIMP‐positive proximal CRCs were cancer specific (p < 0.01). These data altogether suggest that CpG island promoters appear to be methylated in different ways depending on location, a finding which may imply the presence of different mechanisms for the acquisition of epigenetic changes during colon tumorigenesis.
Recruiting Participants for Large-Scale Random Assignment Experiments in School Settings.

SRI Education™ researchers address complex issues in education, learning, and human services. Multidisciplinary teams of education policy researchers, sociologists, psychologists, political scientists, statisticians, and others study education policy issues and develop research-based solutions to improve productivity and quality of life at home and school and in the workplace.120096 from the National Science foundation. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.