Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mobile Phone Surveys for Collecting Population-Level Estimates in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Literature Review

Background National and subnational level surveys are important for monitoring disease burden, prioritizing resource allocation, and evaluating public health policies. As mobile phone access and ownership become more common globally, mobile phone surveys (MPSs) offer an opportunity to supplement traditional public health household surveys. Objective The objective of this study was to systematically review the current landscape of MPSs to collect population-level estimates in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Methods Primary and gray literature from 7 online databases were systematically searched for studies that deployed MPSs to collect population-level estimates. Titles and abstracts were screened on primary inclusion and exclusion criteria by two research assistants. Articles that met primary screening requirements were read in full and screened for secondary eligibility criteria. Articles included in review were grouped into the following three categories by their survey modality: (1) interactive voice response (IVR), (2) short message service (SMS), and (3) human operator or computer-assisted telephone interviews (CATI). Data were abstracted by two research assistants. The conduct and reporting of the review conformed to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. Results A total of 6625 articles were identified through the literature review. Overall, 11 articles were identified that contained 19 MPS (CATI, IVR, or SMS) surveys to collect population-level estimates across a range of topics. MPSs were used in Latin America (n=8), the Middle East (n=1), South Asia (n=2), and sub-Saharan Africa (n=8). Nine articles presented results for 10 CATI surveys (10/19, 53%). Two articles discussed the findings of 6 IVR surveys (6/19, 32%). Three SMS surveys were identified from 2 articles (3/19, 16%). Approximately 63% (12/19) of MPS were delivered to mobile phone numbers collected from previously administered household surveys. The majority of MPS (11/19, 58%) were panel surveys where a cohort of participants, who often were provided a mobile phone upon a face-to-face enrollment, were surveyed multiple times. Conclusions Very few reports of population-level MPS were identified. Of the MPS that were identified, the majority of surveys were conducted using CATI. Due to the limited number of identified IVR and SMS surveys, the relative advantages and disadvantages among the three survey modalities cannot be adequately assessed. The majority of MPS were sent to mobile phone numbers that were collected from a previously administered household survey. There is limited evidence on whether a random digit dialing (RDD) approach or a simple random sample of mobile network provided list of numbers can produce a population representative survey.
COMMD7 functions as molecular target in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

Our previous studies provided evidence that COMMD7 was associated with tumor progression in human solid cancer. Herein, we aimed to investigate its expression pattern, clinical significance, and biological function in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). We found that high COMMD7 expression was specifically detected in PDAC tissues and PDAC cell lines. In addition, COMMD7 overexpression positively correlated with histological differentiation and tumor node metastasis (TNM) stage. Patients with high COMMD7 expression had significantly poorer overall survival, and high COMMD7 expression was an independent predictor of poor prognosis. To further explore the regulatory mechanism of COMMD7, we used stable short hairpin RNA (shRNA)‐mediated knockdown and divided the work into in vitro and in vivo experiments. In vitro, the anti‐proliferation effects of COMMD7 inhibition were observed under long‐time stress conditions, which correlated with cyclin D1 and Bcl‐2 downregulation and Bax upregulation. We found that under short‐time stress conditions, decreased COMMD7 expression also inhibited PDAC cell invasion in vitro which decreased the secretion of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP‐2). Moreover, extracellular signal‐regulated kinase1/2 (ERK1/2) was identified as a direct target of COMMD7. The inhibition of ERK1/2 activity under short‐ or long‐time stress conditions using specific inhibitors in COMMD7 inhibition cells all exhibited a strong tumorigenic role. In vivo, COMMD7 was sufficient to impair tumor growth. Our results suggest that COMMD7 plays an important role in the late progression of PDAC and is a potential novel target. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Analog circuits for mixed-signal neuromorphic computing architectures in 28 nm FD-SOI technology

Developing mixed-signal analog-digital neuromorphic circuits in advanced scaled processes poses significant design challenges. We present compact and energy efficient sub-threshold analog synapse and neuron circuits, optimized for a 28 nm FD-SOI process, to implement massively parallel large-scale neuromorphic computing systems. We describe the techniques used for maximizing density with mixed-mode analog/digital synaptic weight configurations, and the methods adopted for minimizing the effect of channel leakage current, in order to implement efficient analog computation based on pA-nA small currents. We present circuit simulation results, based on a new chip that has been recently taped out, to demonstrate how the circuits can be useful for both low-frequency operation in systems that need to interact with the environment in real-time, and for high-frequency operation for fast data processing in different types of spiking neural network architectures.
Reduced Growth Hormone Secretion is Associated with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Obese Children

Abstract The purpose of the study was to evaluate the relationship between arginine-levodopa-induced growth hormone (GH) secretion and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in obese children. This study includes a total of 84 obese and 43 normal weight children. The obese subjects are divided into two groups based on the presence or absence of NAFLD. Clinical examination, anthropometric and laboratory examinations, and liver ultrasonography are assessed for all participants. The obese group had significantly lower peak stimulated GH (p<0.001) and lower insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) (p<0.001) compared with the control group. Children with NAFLD had significantly lower peak stimulated GH (p<0.001) and lower IGF-1 (p=0.022) compared with non-NAFLD group. Results from logistic regression model showed that only peak GH after stimulation test was inversely associated with NAFLD (p=0.015), while body mass index (BMI) was positively associated with NAFLD (p=0.03). Among 84 obese children and adolescents, peak stimulated GH was negatively associated with alanine aminotransferase (r=–0.394, p<0.001), BMI (r=–0.571, p<0.001), systolic blood pressure (r=–0.223, p=0.041), diastolic blood pressure (r=–0.272, p=0.012), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (r=–0.369, p=0.001), insulin (r=–0.382, p<0.001), and positively associated with high density lipoprotein cholesterol (r=0.275, p=0.011). Our study confirms a significant inverse relationship between NAFLD and GH response to standard stimulation testing in obese children without known hypothalamic/pituitary disease.
Estimating Accuracy at Exercise Intensities: A Comparative Study of Self-Monitoring Heart Rate and Physical Activity Wearable Devices

Background Physical activity tracking wearable devices have emerged as an increasingly popular method for consumers to assess their daily activity and calories expended. However, whether these wearable devices are valid at different levels of exercise intensity is unknown. Objective The objective of this study was to examine heart rate (HR) and energy expenditure (EE) validity of 3 popular wrist-worn activity monitors at different exercise intensities. Methods A total of 62 participants (females: 58%, 36/62; nonwhite: 47% [13/62 Hispanic, 8/62 Asian, 7/62 black/ African American, 1/62 other]) wore the Apple Watch, Fitbit Charge HR, and Garmin Forerunner 225. Validity was assessed using 2 criterion devices: HR chest strap and a metabolic cart. Participants completed a 10-minute seated baseline assessment; separate 4-minute stages of light-, moderate-, and vigorous-intensity treadmill exercises; and a 10-minute seated recovery period. Data from devices were compared with each criterion via two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance and Bland-Altman analysis. Differences are expressed in mean absolute percentage error (MAPE). Results For the Apple Watch, HR MAPE was between 1.14% and 6.70%. HR was not significantly different at the start (P=.78), during baseline (P=.76), or vigorous intensity (P=.84); lower HR readings were measured during light intensity (P=.03), moderate intensity (P=.001), and recovery (P=.004). EE MAPE was between 14.07% and 210.84%. The device measured higher EE at all stages (P<.01). For the Fitbit device, the HR MAPE was between 2.38% and 16.99%. HR was not significantly different at the start (P=.67) or during moderate intensity (P=.34); lower HR readings were measured during baseline, vigorous intensity, and recovery (P<.001) and higher HR during light intensity (P<.001). EE MAPE was between 16.85% and 84.98%. The device measured higher EE at baseline (P=.003), light intensity (P<.001), and moderate intensity (P=.001). EE was not significantly different at vigorous (P=.70) or recovery (P=.10). For Garmin Forerunner 225, HR MAPE was between 7.87% and 24.38%. HR was not significantly different at vigorous intensity (P=.35). The device measured higher HR readings at start, baseline, light intensity, moderate intensity (P<.001), and recovery (P=.04). EE MAPE was between 30.77% and 155.05%. The device measured higher EE at all stages (P<.001). Conclusions This study provides one of the first validation assessments for the Fitbit Charge HR, Apple Watch, and Garmin Forerunner 225. An advantage and novel approach of the study is the examination of HR and EE at specific physical activity intensities. Establishing validity of wearable devices is of particular interest as these devices are being used in weight loss interventions and could impact findings. Future research should investigate why differences between exercise intensities and the devices exist.
How Does Survey Context Impact Self-reported Fraud Victimization?

Purpose of the Study This study examines the effect of survey context on self-reported rates of personal fraud victimization, and explores if the effect is influenced by age and gender. Design and Methods Participants (3,000U.S. adults) were randomly assigned to 1 of the 3 versions of a fraud victimization questionnaire: questions about fraud were identical across conditions, however, the context varies. One questionnaire asked about crime, one about consumer buying experiences, and a third focused only on fraud. Results Participants who were asked about fraud victimization in the context of crime reported significantly less victimization (p < .05) than those in the fraud-alone condition, yet the number of reports from those asked within the context of a consumer survey did not differ from the fraud-alone condition. The effect of the crime context interacted with age (p < .05), such that there was no effect of survey context for the middle age group (35-64), and a strong effect for younger (25-34) and older (65 plus) adults. The combined effect of being female and older was associated with the greatest effect of crime context on self-reported fraud victimization. Implications These findings inform the production of new surveys and guide the development of effective social and health policies.
A Deconvolution Technology of Microwave Radiometer Data Using Convolutional Neural Networks

Microwave radiometer data is affected by many factors during the imaging process, including the antenna pattern, system noise, and the curvature of the Earth. Existing deconvolution methods such as Wiener filtering handle this degradation problem in the Fourier domain. However, under complex degradation conditions, the Wiener filtering results are not accurate. In this paper, a convolutional neural network (CNN) model is proposed to solve the degradation problem. The deconvolution procedure is defined as a regression problem in the spatial domain that can be solved with deep learning. For the real inverse process of microwave radiometer data, the CNN model has a more powerful reconstruction ability than Wiener filtering due to the multi-layer structure of the CNN, which enables the multiple feature transform of the data. Additionally, the complex degradation factor during the imaging process of a microwave radiometer can be solved with general framework-based learning. Experimental results demonstrated that the CNN model gains about 5 dB at the peak signal-to-noise ratio compared to the Wiener filtering deconvolution method, and can better distinguish the measured data.
HW/SW Co-design of TA/SPA-resistant Public-key Cryptosystems

This paper proposes a hardware/software (HW/SW) co-design methodology for secure Public-Key Cryptosystems. Our design flow allows to assess the risk for simple side-channel attacks including Timing Analysis (TA) and Simple Power Analysis (SPA) at an early design stage. It also allows to evaluate the quality of countermeasures against these attacks. The HW/SW co-design is illustrated with an Elliptic Curve Cryptosystem (ECC) over GF(p). By balancing the execution time in SW and HW, a first order sidechannel-resistant design can be obtained with a 15% increase in latency for a point multiplication.
Estimation of the effects of medical diagnostic radiation exposure based on DNA damage

Abstract X-rays are widely applied in the medical field for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. Among the uses of X-rays in diagnosis, computed tomography (CT) has been established as one of the most informative diagnostic radiology examinations. Moreover, recent advances in CT scan technology have made this examination much easier and more informative and increased its application, especially in Japan. However, the radiation dose of CT scans is higher than that of simple X-ray examinations. Therefore, the health risk of a CT scan has been discussed in various studies, but is still controversial. Consequently, the biological and cytogenetic effects of CT scans are being analyzed. Here, we summarize the recent findings concerning the biological and cytogenetic effects of ionizing radiation from a CT scan, by focusing on DNA damage and chromosome aberrations.
Multi-objective optimal control of biochemical processes using genetic algorithms through ANN assisted reformulation

The practical optimal control problems often contain multiple conflicting objectives leading to a set of decision vectors called Pareto Optimal solutions. Population based evolutionary optimizers such as Genetic Algorithms are known to have many advantages over the classical methods when it comes to solving multi-objective optimization problems. However, their applicability in solving large scale optimization problems such as the multi-objective optimal control is severely limited due to the computational time issues. In this paper, we, therefore, present a novel neural network based strategy which reduces the size of optimal control problem (number of decision variables and constraints) by several folds. The reformulation of optimal control problem into a simple weight training exercise allows the implementation of evolutionary solvers to achieve high quality Pareto solutions. We demonstrate our technique for (i) the design of a plug flow reactor with conflicting energy and conversion costs and (ii) the control of a fed batch bioreactor with a conflict between yield and productivity.
Characterization of PVA-IDA Hydrogel Crosslinked with 1.25%, 2.5% and 5% Glutaraldehyde

Hydrogel membranes continue to be investigated for potential use in a number of applications including bioseparations, water purification, controlled drug release, to name a few. The potential of hydrogels to overcome disadvantages typically associated with packed bed chromatography such as low protein loading, elution conditions and regeneration increase their potential applicability and use for biological separations. However, these materials typically provide limited selectivity between proteins of similar size, low protein loading and durability. To overcome these limitations, poly vinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogels were functionalized with metal affinity ligand to provide a selective means to enhance protein loading and improve protein separation characteristics. Additionally, the crosslink ratio was varied from 1.25 % (v/v) to 5.0 % (v/v) to further enhance membrane selectivity while also increasing membrane durability. Characterization and comparison of membranes with varied degrees of crosslinking and examination of structural properties and behaviors of membranes were determined for this study. Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS), Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) were used to characterize and to examine IMAH membranes after functionalization. Results demonstrate successful functionalization of the poly vinyl alcohol membrane with metal affinity ligands. The FTIR results showed different band frequencies for specific groups associated with PVA cross-linked with glutaraldehyde. The presence of the chelator did not impact the swelling properties of the membrane; however, the Bound Copper Content (BCC) was increased by 50% for the IDA-Me2+ membranes as the crosslinking ratio increased from 1.25% to 5% GA (v/v). Moreover, an increase in cross-linking ratio resulted in structural changes that enhanced copper attachment which increased protein solubility.
Curriculum‐Level Strategies That U.S. Occupational Therapy Programs Use to Address Occupation: A Qualitative Study

OBJECTIVE. This study's objective was to describe curriculum‐level strategies used to convey occupation to occupational therapy students. METHOD. The study used a descriptive qualitative research design. Fifteen occupational therapy and 10 occupational therapy assistant programs participated in interviews, submitted curriculum artifacts such as syllabi and assignments, and recorded teaching sessions. Data were coded both inductively and deductively and then categorized into themes. RESULTS. Occupational therapy programs designed strategies on two levels of the curriculum, infrastructure and implementation, to convey knowledge of occupation to students. The degree to which strategies explicitly highlighted occupation and steered instruction fluctuated depending on how differentiated occupation was from other concepts and skills. CONCLUSION. Two arguments are presented about the degree to which occupation needs to be infused in all curricular elements. To guide curriculum design, it is critical for educators to discuss beliefs about how ubiquitous occupation is in a curriculum and whether curricular elements portray occupation to the extent preferred.
Body Mass Index and Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease: A Mendelian Randomization Study of 399,536 Individuals

Context Recently, data on 2,000,000 people established that low body mass index (BMI) is associated with increased risk of dementia. Whether this observational association reflects a causal effect remains to be clarified. Objective We tested the hypothesis that there is a causal association between low BMI and high risk of Alzheimer's disease. Design, Setting, and Participants Using a Mendelian randomization approach, we studied 95,578 individuals from the Copenhagen General Population Study (CGPS) with up to 36 years of follow-up and consortia data on 303,958 individuals from the Genetic Investigation of Anthropometric Traits (GIANT) and the International Genomics of Alzheimer's Project (IGAP). Main Outcome Measure Risk of Alzheimer's disease. Results The causal odds ratio for a 1-kg/m2 genetically determined lower BMI was 0.98 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.77 to 1.23] for a weighted allele score in the CGPS. Using 32 BMI-decreasing variants from GIANT and IGAP the causal odds ratio for Alzheimer's disease for a 1-standard deviation (SD) lower genetically determined BMI was 1.02 (95% CI, 0.86 to 1.22). Corresponding observational hazard ratios from the CGPS were 1.07 (95% CI, 1.05 to 1.09) and 1.32 (95% CI, 1.20 to 1.46) for a 1-kg/m2 and a 1-SD lower BMI, respectively. Conclusions Genetic and hence lifelong low BMI is not associated with increased risk of Alzheimer's disease in the general population. These data suggest that low BMI is not a causal risk factor for Alzheimer's disease and that the corresponding observational association likely is explained by reverse causation or confounding.
Censorship Detection : a Survey

Internet Censorship is a phenomenon that crosses several study fields, from computer networking and computer security to social sciences; together with censorship detection and censorship circumvention it has impact on Internet infrastructure, protocols and user behaviors. Detection of Internet Censorship is the basis for the study of this phenomenon, and recently it has received focus from a technical point of view. Due to the heterogeneity of study fields and approaches, the scientific corpus on these topics is still in need of an overall analysis, based on coherent framework and lexicon to describe the experimented approaches and findings. In this paper we present a survey on Internet Censorship detection. We propose a reference for censoring techniques and a characterization of censoring systems, with definitions of related concepts. Based on the censoring techniques investigated in literature, we propose an analysis and discussion of censorship detection techniques and architectures and we present a chronological synopsis of the literature adopting or introducing them. Then we collect, study, and discuss available tools and platforms for censorship detection, and propose a characterization scheme to analyze and compare them. Finally, we compare and discuss detection architectures, tools and platforms, and we use the results to infer current challenges and for proposing new directions in the field of censorship detection.
Reduced expression of the DNA glycosylase gene MUTYH is associated with an increased number of somatic mutations via a reduction in the DNA repair capacity in prostate adenocarcinoma

8‐Hydroxyguanine (8OHG), a major oxidative DNA lesion, is known to accumulate in prostate cancer; however, the status of one of its repair enzymes, MUTYH, in prostate cancer remains to be elucidated. In this study, we showed that the expression levels of MUTYH mRNA and protein were significantly lower in prostate cancer than in non‐cancerous prostatic tissue by examining two independent, publicly available databases and by performing an immunohistochemical analysis of prostate cancer specimens obtained at our hospital, respectively. About two‐thirds of the prostate cancers exhibited a reduced MUTYH expression. When the effect of reduced MUTYH expression in prostate adenocarcinoma on the somatic mutation load was examined using data from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, the numbers of total somatic mutations and somatic G:C to T:A mutations were significantly higher in the reduced MUTYH expression group than in the other group (P < 0.0001 and P = 0.0013, respectively). To determine the reason why reduced MUTYH expression leads to somatic mutation loads in prostate adenocarcinoma, we compared the DNA repair capacities between PC‐3 prostatic cell line derived clones with different MUTYH expression levels. Both the capacities to cleave DNA containing adenine:8OHG mispairs and to suppress mutations caused by 8OHG were significantly lower in prostatic cell lines with lower MUTYH expression than in prostatic cell lines with higher MUTYH expression. These results suggested that reduced MUTYH expression is associated with somatic mutation loads via a reduction in DNA repair capacity in prostate adenocarcinoma. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.