Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Organisation collective du dépistage des cancers et réduction des inégalités sociales de santé

Conformement au constat de l’OMS, il existe en France, comme ailleurs, des differences de sante entre differents groupes de population, qui decoulent des conditions sociales dans lesquelles les gens naissent, grandissent, vivent, travaillent et vieillissent». En France, la reduction des inegalites sociales de sante est une priorite politique affichee, au travers notamment, des plans cancers successifs, les cancers etant les principales pathologies pourvoyeuses d’inegalites. Ces plans ont permis la mise en place du depistage organise du cancer colorectal et du cancer du sein, pour lesquels les inegalites sociales et territoriales de participation ainsi que les facteurs de non adhesion sont bien documentes et constituent autant de cibles potentielles pour des interventions. Cette these a pour objectif d’apporter des connaissances et des preuves nouvelles afin d’orienter les politiques et l’organisation du depistage des cancers en se basant sur des elements fondes, en particulier pour la reduction des inegalites sociales et territoriales. Elle presente deux etudes. PRADO est une etude d’intervention a unite de randomisation collective (Ilots Regroupes pour l’Information Statistique (IRIS)) multicentrique, stratifiee sur le caractere urbain/rural et la precarite des IRIS et conduite en deux groupes paralleles (Intervention vs Temoin), de 2011 a 2013 en Picardie. Dans le bras intervention, en complement des modalites usuelles du depistage organise du cancer colorectal un accompagnateur au depistage a contacte par telephone les sujets n’ayant pas realise le test de depistage sur les deux campagnes precedentes. L’etude a montre que cette intervention a permis d’augmenter la participation et a identifie les conditions dans lesquelles ce type d’intervention pourrait reduire les inegalites sociales. La deuxieme etude evalue l’interet d’un senographe mobile (le mammobile) dans le cadre du depistage organise du cancer du sein. Une analyse retrospective du mammobile de l’Orne sur 5 campagnes de depistage montre que ce dispositif permet de reduire les inegalites sociales et territoriales de participation au depistage. Le principe d’universalisme proportionne, le caractere multiniveau et intersectoriel de l’intervention, l’application du principe de litteracie et le respect du choix eclaire apparaissent comme les fondements d’une politique de sante publique visant a reduire les inegalites sociales dans le domaine du cancer. Le mode optimal d’evaluation de ces interventions dites complexes reste un enjeu de recherche majeur.
Effect of Fermented Bean Paste on Serum Lipids in Rats Fed a Cholesterol-Free Diet

We examined the effects of fermented bean pastes derived from bean vinegar by-products on serum cholesterol in rats. The rats were fed boiled paste from adzuki (A), kintoki (K), or tebou (T), or fermented paste from adzuki (AP), kintoki (KP), or tebou (TP) for 4 weeks. The serum non-high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels in all the experimental groups, except for A group, were significantly lower than in the control (CN) group. Likewise, the serum triglyceride levels in K and all the fermented bean groups were significantly lower than in the CN group. The levels of hepatic 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) reductase mRNA in all the experimental groups except for A were significantly lower than in the CN group. These findings indicate that fermented bean pastes also suppress cholesterol synthesis, resulting in a reduced serum cholesterol concentration. These effects might be related not only to the resistant starch but also to the protein or peptide in the fermented bean paste.
Why and How Investors Use ESG Information: Evidence from a Global Survey

Using survey data from mainstream investment organizations, we provide insights into why and how investors use reported environmental, social, and governance (ESG) information. Relevance to investment performance is the most frequent motivation, followed by client demand, product strategy, and then, ethical considerations. An important impediment to the use of ESG information is the lack of reporting standards. Among the various ESG investment styles, negative screening is perceived to be the least beneficial to investments and is driven by product and ethical considerations. Full integration and engagement are considered more beneficial and are driven by relevance to investment performance.
Deriving and improving CMA-ES with information geometric trust regions

CMA-ES is one of the most popular stochastic search algorithms. It performs favourably in many tasks without the need of extensive parameter tuning. The algorithm has many beneficial properties, including automatic step-size adaptation, efficient covariance updates that incorporates the current samples as well as the evolution path and its invariance properties. Its update rules are composed of well established heuristics where the theoretical foundations of some of these rules are also well understood. In this paper we will fully derive all CMA-ES update rules within the framework of expectation-maximisation-based stochastic search algorithms using information-geometric trust regions. We show that the use of the trust region results in similar updates to CMA-ES for the mean and the covariance matrix while it allows for the derivation of an improved update rule for the step-size. Our new algorithm, Trust-Region Co-variance Matrix Adaptation Evolution Strategy (TR-CMA-ES) is fully derived from first order optimization principles and performs favourably in compare to standard CMA-ES algorithm.
Effects of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor on the development of NADPH‐diaphorase/nitric oxide synthase‐positive amacrine cells in the rodent retina

Amacrine neurons expressing nitric oxide synthase (NOS) contain brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) receptors and respond to exogenous BDNF [Klöcker, N. , Cellerino, A. & Bähr, M. (1998) J. Neurosci. , 18, 1038–1046]. We analysed the effects of BDNF on the development of neurons which express NOS in the mouse and rat retina. Rat pups received a total of three intraocular injections of BDNF at intervals of 48 h, starting at postnatal day 16 (P16), and were killed at P22. The retinas were stained for NADPH‐diaphorase, a histological marker of NOS. NOS‐expressing neurons were found in both the inner nuclear layer (INL) and the ganglion cell layer (GCL). Two classes of NOS‐expressing neurons, type I and type II, had already been distinguished in the INL [Koistinaho, J. & Sagar, S.M. (1995) In Osborne, N.N. & Chader, G.J. (eds), Progress in Retinal and Eye Research, Vol. 15. Oxford University Press, pp. 69–87] and a third one in the GCL. Up‐regulation of NADPH‐diaphorase activity was observed after BDNF treatment. The number of type I neurons remained stable, whereas the number of type II neurons and NOS‐positive neurons in the GCL increased significantly (P < 0.001). Type I and type II neurons were significantly larger in BDNF‐treated retinas. Double‐labelling experiments revealed that BDNF induces NADPH‐diaphorase in dopaminergic neurons and amacrine cells displaced to the GCL, but not in retinal ganglion cells. In mice homozygous for a null mutation of the bdnf gene, the intensity of NADPH‐diaphorase labelling in both somata and processes was reduced, but the number of labelled neurons was not dramatically reduced. These findings indicate that BDNF regulates the neurotransmitter phenotype of NOS‐expressing amacrine neurons under physiological conditions, but is not required for their survival.
Usage of neck circumference as novel indicator of erectile dysfunction: a pilot study in Turkish population

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the most common male sexual problem worldwide. The association between ED and components of metabolic syndrome (MtS) is well established. This study examined neck circumference (NC) as a possible indicator of MtS and also of ED. Ninety‐two patients were included and divided into two groups. Group 1 consisted of 47 patients with ED and Group 2 consisted of 45 healthy volunteers. Questionnaires, differences in anthropometric and laboratory measurements between patients with ED and the control group, and a cut‐off value for NC were investigated. The mean NC in ED patients was higher in Group 1 than in Group 2 (P = 0.001), and Group 1 also demonstrated more MtS criteria than Group 2 (P < 0.001). The cut‐off point of NC was defined as 34.75 cm for ED and MtS. The cut‐off values of waist circumference for ED and MtS were 105.5 and 102.5 cm respectively. In the light of these findings, NC may be a new component of MtS in ED patients. Additionally, NC may be a novel indicator of central obesity and ED. We suggest that NC values of 35 cm and over may predict ED in patients with MtS.
On the Impact of Dynamic Spectrum Sharing Techniques on Legacy Radio Systems

The biggest challenge faced by dynamic spectrum sharing (SS) systems is the design of SS schemes that do not adversely impact existing legacy systems in the absence of perfect knowledge. We address this issue by developing a framework to evaluate the interference profile at a legacy receiver under different system scenarios which include the hidden node and imperfect-sensing problems. By analyzing the interference distributions and by comparing the two basic approaches to SS - interference-avoidance-based overlay and interference averaging-based underlay - we identify desirable characteristics for SS radio systems.We then leverage this knowledge to motivate the use of a hybrid SS approach that combines the benefits of the two basic approaches and substantially reduces the impact to the legacy system. The advantage provided by this approach is shown to increase with an increase in the bandwidth available to the SS system. In addition, the approach is more robust to imperfect information. The inclusion of log-normal shadowing is shown to further accentuate these performance trends.
Beneficial effect of ghee consumption over mustard oil on lipid profile: A study in North Indian adult population

Abstract Background Ghee (G) is attributed with numerous health benefits in Ayurveda. However, due to the high saturated fat content, it has been predicted to increase the cardiovascular disease risk. Hence, the current study was performed to evaluate the effect of G consumption as compared to mustard oil (MO) on lipid profile. Methods Two hundred (100 males) apparently healthy adults (≥40 years) were randomly selected out of the total individuals interviewed in a house-to-house survey. They were divided into three groups based on G and MO consumption: (A) MO >1 L/month, G<0.5 kg/month; (B) MO 1–0.5 L/month, G 1.25–0.5 kg/month; and (C) MO <0.5–0.2 L/month, G>1.25 kg/month. Serum lipid parameters were compared among the groups. Results Group C had the significantly lowest triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), TC/HDL and LDL/HDL and highest high-density lipoprotein (HDL). A similar finding was found when analysis was done separetely for male and female. Conclusions A favorable lipid profile might suggest a possible beneficial effect of predominantly G consumption over MO.
Developing an Action Model for Integration of Health System Response to HIV/AIDS and Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) in Developing Countries

Introduction: Although there are several models of integrated architecture, we still lack models and theories about the integration process of health system responses to HIV/AIDS and NCDs. Objective: The overall purpose of this study is to design an action model, a systematic approach, for the integration of health system responses to HIV/AIDS and NCDs in developing countries. Methods: An iterative and progressive approach of model development using inductive qualitative evidence synthesis techniques was applied. As evidence about integration is spread across different fields, synthesis of evidence from a broad range of disciplines was conducted. Results: An action model of integration having 5 underlying principles, 4 action fields, and a 9-step action cycle is developed. The INTEGRATE model is an acronym of the 9 steps of the integration process: 1) Interrelate the magnitude and distribution of the problems, 2) Navigate the linkage between the problems, 3) Testify individual level co-occurrence of the problems, 4) Examine the similarities and understand the differences between the response functions, 5) Glance over the health system’s environment for integration, 6) Repackage and share evidence in a useable form, 7) Ascertain the plan for integration, 8) Translate the plan in to action, 9) Evaluate and Monitor the integration. Conclusion: Our model provides a basis for integration of health system responses to HIV/AIDS and NCDs in the context of developing countries. We propose that future empirical work is needed to refine the validity and applicability of the model.
Disparities in Electronic Health Record Patient Portal Use in Nephrology Clinics.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Electronic health record (EHR) patient portals allow individuals to access their medical information with the intent of patient empowerment. However, little is known about portal use in nephrology patients. We addressed this gap by characterizing adoption of an EHR portal, assessing secular trends, and examining the association of portal adoption and BP control (<140/90 mmHg). DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS Patients seen between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2012, at any of four university-affiliated nephrology offices who had at least one additional nephrology follow-up visit before June 30, 2013, were included. Sociodemographic characteristics, comorbidities, clinical measurements, and office visits were abstracted from the EHR. Neighborhood median household income was obtained from the American Community Survey 2012. RESULTS Of 2803 patients, 1098 (39%) accessed the portal. Over 87% of users reviewed laboratory results, 85% reviewed their medical information (e.g., medical history), 85% reviewed or altered appointments, 77% reviewed medications, 65% requested medication refills, and 31% requested medical advice from their renal provider. In adjusted models, older age, African-American race (odds ratio [OR], 0.50; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 0.39 to 0.64), Medicaid status (OR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.77), and lower neighborhood median household income were associated with not accessing the portal. Portal adoption increased over time (2011 versus 2010: OR, 1.38 [95% CI, 1.09 to 1.75]; 2012 versus 2010: OR, 1.95 [95% CI, 1.44 to 2.64]). Portal adoption was correlated with BP control in patients with a diagnosis of hypertension; however, in the fully adjusted model this was somewhat attenuated and no longer statistically significant (OR, 1.11; 95% CI, 0.99 to 1.24). CONCLUSION While portal adoption appears to be increasing, greater attention is needed to understand why vulnerable populations do not access it. Future research should examine barriers to the use of e-health technologies in underserved patients with CKD, interventions to address them, and their potential to improve outcomes.
Fabian Herweg : The Expectation-Based Loss-Averse Newsvendor

We modify the classic single-period inventory management problem by assuming that the newsvendor is expectation-based loss averse according to Kőszegi and Rabin (2006, 2007). Expectation-based loss aversion leads to an endogenous psychological cost of leftovers as well as stockouts. If there are no monetary stockout costs, then the loss-averse newsvendor orders a quantity lower than the quantity ordered by a profit-maximizing newsvendor. If there are positive monetary costs associated with stockouts, then the loss-averse newsvendor places suboptimal orders, which can be either too high or too low.
Strategy for development of Maestros of silence company up to 2016

5 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS . ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. INTRODUCTION . 11 1.1 Business Context . 11 1.2 Identified Problem . 11 1.3 Aim and questions . 12 CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW . 13 2.1 Essentials of Strategy . 13 2.2 Structure of Strategic Plan . 16 CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY . 21 3.1 General Methods of Data Collection. 21 3.2 General Methods of Data Analysis . 23 3.3 Methods of Strategic Planning . 24 CHAPTER 4: PRESENTATION OF DATA AND ANALYSIS . 33 4.1 Analysis of Macroenvironment . 33 4.1.1 Politics . 33 4.1.2 Economy . 33 4.1.3 Society . 35 4.1. 4 Technologies . 36 4.1. 5 Results of PEST Analysis . 37 4.2 Analysis of Microenvironment . 38 4.2.1 Market Trends . 38
Spatial distribution of urban policy funds in Germany and its determinants

Abstract Area-based interventions are one of the ways of addressing problems of disadvantaged urban neighbourhoods. In this paper we take the example of the German urban development support scheme (Städtebauförderung) with the purpose of determining the factors behind the spatial distribution of funds from this policy. The results show a positive association with unemployment rate, and a negative one with the dynamics of population and jobs. This suggests that the allocation of funds to a large extent resembled the distribution of structurally weak areas in Germany. Using geographically weighted regression, we found spatial differences in the goodness of fit of the model as well as in coefficients of explanatory variables. Finally, we also point out some differences between specific programmes forming part of the urban development support scheme.
Secondary Control Strategies for Frequency Restoration in Islanded Microgrids with Consideration of Communication Delays

— One of the well-known methods to share active and reactive power in microgrids, is droop control. A disadvantage of this method is that in steady state the frequency of the microgrid deviates from the nominal value, and has to be restored using a Secondary Control System (SCS). The signal obtained at the output of the SCS is transmitted using a communication channel to the generation sources in the microgrid, correcting the frequency. However, communication channels are prone to time delays which should be considered in the design of the SCS; otherwise, the operation of the microgrid could be compromised. In this paper, two new SCSs control schemes are discussed to deal with this issue: a Model Predictive Controller (MPC) and a Smith predictor based controller. The performance of both control methodologies are compared to that obtained using a conventional PI-based SCS using simulation work. Stability analysis based on small signal models and participation factors is also realised. It is concluded that in terms of robustness, the MPC has better performance.
Glutamate Stimulates Oligodendrocyte Progenitor Migration Mediated via an αv Integrin/Myelin Proteolipid Protein Complex

In the mammalian CNS, oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) express most neurotransmitter receptors, but their function remains unclear. The current studies suggest a physiological role for glutamate (AMPA and/or kainate) receptors in OPC migration. AMPA stimulated αv integrin-mediated OPC migration by increasing both the rate of cell movement and the frequency of Ca2+ transients. A protein complex containing the myelin proteolipid protein (PLP) and αv integrin modulated the AMPA-stimulated migration, and stimulation of OPC AMPA receptors resulted in increased association of the AMPA receptor subunits themselves with the αv integrin/PLP complex. Thus, after AMPA receptor stimulation, an αv integrin/PLP/neurotransmitter receptor protein complex forms that reduces binding to the extracellular matrix and enhances OPC migration. To assess the extent to which PLP was involved in the AMPA-stimulated migration, OPCs from the myelin-deficient (MD) rat, which has a PLP gene mutation, were analyzed. OPCs from the MD rat had a normal basal migration rate, but AMPA did not stimulate the migration of these cells, suggesting that the PLP/αv integrin complex was important for the AMPA-mediated induction. AMPA-induced modulation of OPC migration was abolished by pertussis toxin, although baseline migration was normal. Thus, G-protein-dependent signaling is crucial for AMPA-stimulated migration of OPCs but not for basal OPC migration. Other signaling pathways involved in this AMPA-stimulated OPC migration were also determined. These studies highlight novel signaling determinants of OPC migration and suggest that glutamate could play a pivotal role in regulating integrin-mediated OPC migration.
Sensorless Field Oriented Control with Matrix Converters and Surface Mount Permanent Magnet Synchronous Machines

This paper deals with the rotor angle estimation for further sensorless field oriented control of permanent magnet synchronous machines using voltage matrix converters test vectors. The Angle estimation is based on the machine saliency (difference between Ld and Lq), which is properly tracked by the application of pulse voltage test vectors. For all injection methods to function, some level of machine saliency is necessary. This makes the technique straightforward for salient machines such as interior Permanent Magnet Synchronous Machines. Surface Mount Permanent Magnet Machines, on the other hand, only have a saliency due to stator tooth saturation and it is generally of small magnitude, which makes the technique prone to interference from distorting effects. The novelty of this paper is the fact that a matrix converter is used instead of the conventional voltage source inverter. The paper presents a brief summary of the position signals for Matrix Converters and addresses different possibilities of the test voltage vectors placement. Finally, some simulation results with proper angle estimation, when speed reversal and load impact at zero speed, confirms the proper functionality for further sensorless field oriented control.
Identification and subspecific differentiation of Mycobacterium scrofulaceum by automated sequencing of a region of the gene (hsp65) encoding a 65-kilodalton heat shock protein

Mycobacterium scrofulaceum is most commonly recovered from children with cervical lymphadenitis, although it also accounts for approximately 2% of the mycobacterial infections in AIDS patients. Species assignment of M. scrofulaceum isolated by conventional techniques can be difficult and time-consuming. To develop a strategy for rapid species assignment of these organisms, a 360-bp region of the gene (hsp65) encoding a 65-kDa heat shock protein in 37 isolates from diverse sources was sequenced. Eight hsp65 alleles were identified, and these sequences formed phylogenetic clusters and lineages largely distinct from other Mycobacterium species. There was incomplete correlation between serovar designation and hsp65 allele assignment. The hsp65 data correlated strongly with the results of sequence analysis of the gene coding for 16S rRNA. Automated DNA sequencing of a 360-bp region of the hsp65 gene provides a rapid and unambiguous method for species assignment of these acid-fast organisms for diagnostic purposes.
methGraph A genome visualization tool for PCR-based methylation assays

DNA hypermethylation is frequently observed at promoter regions of both coding and non-coding genes and induces silencing of these genes. This naturally occurring mechanism is involved in X-inactivation, and genetic imprinting, and occurs during mammalian development and differentiation. However, in cancer cells abnormal CpG island promoter methylation may cause transcriptional repression of tumor suppressor genes. PCR-based methylation assays such as methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP) and bisulfite sequencing (BiSeq) have become the gold standards over the last few years to gain insights in the patterns of aberrant methylation. These methods make use of bisulfite converted DNA whereby unmethylated cytosines are deaminated to uracils, while 5-methylcytosines are protected and remain unchanged. Primer similarity search tools, such as methBLAST methGraph A genome visualization tool for PCR-based methylation assays