Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Quality of life in the GLARIUS trial randomizing bevacizumab/irinotecan versus temozolomide in newly diagnosed, MGMT-nonmethylated glioblastoma

Background The GLARIUS trial, which investigated the efficacy of bevacizumab (BEV)/irinotecan (IRI) compared with standard temozolomide in the first-line therapy of O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT)-nonmethylated glioblastoma, showed that progression-free survival was significantly prolonged by BEV/IRI, while overall survival was similar in both arms. The present report focuses on quality of life (QoL) and Karnofsky performance score (KPS) during the whole course of the disease. Methods Patients (n = 170) received standard radiotherapy and were randomized (2:1) for BEV/IRI or standard temozolomide. At least every 3 months KPS was determined and QoL was measured using the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer 30-item Core Quality of Life and 20-item Brain Neoplasm questionnaires. A generalized estimating equation (GEE) model evaluated differences in the course of QoL and KPS over time. Also, the time to first deterioration and the time to postprogression deterioration were analyzed separately. Results In all dimensions of QoL and KPS, GEE analyses and time to first deterioration analyses did not detect significant differences between the treatment arms. At progression, 82% of patients receiving second-line therapy in the standard arm received BEV second-line therapy. For the dimensions of motor dysfunction and headaches, time to postprogression deterioration was prolonged in the standard arm receiving crossover second-line BEV in the vast majority of patients at the time of evaluation. Conclusions GLARIUS did not find indications for a BEV-induced detrimental effect on QoL in first-line therapy of MGMT-nonmethylated GBM patients. Moreover, GLARIUS provided some indirect corroborative data supporting the notion that BEV may have beneficial effects upon QoL in relapsed GBM.
Models for Translation Domain Adaptation

Topic models, an unsupervised technique for inferring translation domains improve machine translation quality. However, previous work uses only the source language and completely ignores the target language, which can disambiguate domains. We propose new polylingual tree-based topic models to extract domain knowledge that considers both source and target languages and derive three different inference schemes. We evaluate our model on a Chinese to English translation task and obtain up to 1.2 BLEU improvement over strong baselines.
On the Achievability of Interference Alignment for Three-Cell Constant Cellular Interfering Networks

For a three-cell constant cellular interfering network, a new property of alignment is identified, i.e., an interference alignment (IA) solution obtained in a user-cooperation scenario can also be applied to a non-cooperation environment. By using this property, an algorithm is proposed by jointly designing transmit and receive beamforming matrices. Analysis and simulation results show that more degrees of freedom (DoF) can be achieved compared with conventional schemes in most cases.
The Bee Microbiome: Impact on Bee Health and Model for Evolution and Ecology of Host-Microbe Interactions

ABSTRACT As pollinators, bees are cornerstones for terrestrial ecosystem stability and key components in agricultural productivity. All animals, including bees, are associated with a diverse community of microbes, commonly referred to as the microbiome. The bee microbiome is likely to be a crucial factor affecting host health. However, with the exception of a few pathogens, the impacts of most members of the bee microbiome on host health are poorly understood. Further, the evolutionary and ecological forces that shape and change the microbiome are unclear. Here, we discuss recent progress in our understanding of the bee microbiome, and we present challenges associated with its investigation. We conclude that global coordination of research efforts is needed to fully understand the complex and highly dynamic nature of the interplay between the bee microbiome, its host, and the environment. High-throughput sequencing technologies are ideal for exploring complex biological systems, including host-microbe interactions. To maximize their value and to improve assessment of the factors affecting bee health, sequence data should be archived, curated, and analyzed in ways that promote the synthesis of different studies. To this end, the BeeBiome consortium aims to develop an online database which would provide reference sequences, archive metadata, and host analytical resources. The goal would be to support applied and fundamental research on bees and their associated microbes and to provide a collaborative framework for sharing primary data from different research programs, thus furthering our understanding of the bee microbiome and its impact on pollinator health.
Distributed Caching in Wireless Cellular Networks Incorporating Parallel Processing

Distributed caching is a promising technique for reducing redundant data traffic and user content access delay in telecommunications systems. This article explores caching technologies with a focus on the processing of content requests in todays hierarchical wireless cellular networks. The authors observed that, as the number of caches at different layers of the network increases, the disadvantage of the hierarchical architecture in terms of processing delay gradually emerges. They introduce a parallel-processing strategy in order to improve the efficiency of cache servers. Theoretical analysis and numerical simulations show the potential of the proposed scheme in terms of reducing both the content access delay and redundant data traffic in the core network. The authors also carry out cost assessments for the proposed scheme. Future research on related technologies is discussed at the end of this article.
Random forest ensemble classification based fuzzy logic

In this paper, we treat the supervised data classification, while using the fuzzy random forests that combine the hardiness of the decision trees, the power of the random selection that increases the diversity of the trees in the forest as well as the flexibility of the fuzzy logic for noise. We will be interested in the construction of a forest of fuzzy decision trees. Our system is validated on nine standard classification benchmarks from UCI repository and have the specificity to control some data, to reduce the rate of mistakes and to put in evidence more of hardiness and more of interoperability.
Evidence for Transcript Networks Composed of Chimeric RNAs in Human Cells

The classic organization of a gene structure has followed the Jacob and Monod bacterial gene model proposed more than 50 years ago. Since then, empirical determinations of the complexity of the transcriptomes found in yeast to human has blurred the definition and physical boundaries of genes. Using multiple analysis approaches we have characterized individual gene boundaries mapping on human chromosomes 21 and 22. Analyses of the locations of the 5′ and 3′ transcriptional termini of 492 protein coding genes revealed that for 85% of these genes the boundaries extend beyond the current annotated termini, most often connecting with exons of transcripts from other well annotated genes. The biological and evolutionary importance of these chimeric transcripts is underscored by (1) the non-random interconnections of genes involved, (2) the greater phylogenetic depth of the genes involved in many chimeric interactions, (3) the coordination of the expression of connected genes and (4) the close in vivo and three dimensional proximity of the genomic regions being transcribed and contributing to parts of the chimeric RNAs. The non-random nature of the connection of the genes involved suggest that chimeric transcripts should not be studied in isolation, but together, as an RNA network.
Loneliness, Social Integration, and Incident Dementia Over 6 Years: Prospective Findings From the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing

Abstract Objectives Social relationships are important for the maintenance of cognitive function at older ages, with both objective features of social networks and perceived social connections (loneliness) being relevant. There is limited evidence about how different aspects of social experience predict diagnosed dementia. Methods The sample comprised 6,677 dementia-free individuals at baseline (2004) from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing. Baseline information on loneliness, number of close relationships, marital status, and social isolation (contact with family and friends and participation in organizations) was analyzed in relation to incident dementia over an average 6.25 years using Cox regression, controlling for potential confounding factors. Results Two hundred twenty participants developed dementia during follow-up. In multivariable analyses, dementia risk was positively related to greater loneliness (hazard ratio 1.40, 95% confidence interval 1.09–1.80, p = .008), and inversely associated with number of close relationships (p < .001) and being married (p = .018). Sensitivity analyses testing for reverse causality and different criteria for diagnosing dementia confirmed the robustness of these findings. There was no association with social isolation. Discussion Dementia risk is associated with loneliness and having fewer close relationships in later life. The underlying mechanisms remain to be elucidated, but efforts to enhance older peoples’ relationship quality may be relevant to dementia risk.
Understanding Environmental and Contextual Influences of Physical Activity During First-Year University: The Feasibility of Using Ecological Momentary Assessment in the MovingU Study

Background It is well established that drastic declines in physical activity (PA) occur during young adults’ transition into university; however, our understanding of contextual and environmental factors as it relates to young adults’ PA is limited. Objective The purpose of our study was to examine the feasibility of using wrist-worn accelerometers and the use of ecological momentary assessment (EMA) to assess the context and momentary correlates of PA on multiple occasions each day during first-year university. Methods First-year university students were asked to participate in the study. The participants completed a brief questionnaire and were subsequently asked to wear an ActiGraph GT9X-Link accelerometer and respond to a series of EMA prompts (7/day) via their phones for 5 consecutive days. Results A total of 96 first-year university students with smartphones agreed to participate in the study (mean age 18.3 [SD 0.51]; n=45 females). Overall, there was good compliance for wearing the accelerometers, with 91% (78/86) of the participants having ≥2 days of ≥10 hours of wear time (mean=3.53 valid days). Students were generally active, averaging 10,895 steps/day (SD 3413) or 1123.23 activity counts/min (SD 356.10). Compliance to EMA prompts was less desirable, with 64% (55/86) of the participants having usable EMA data (responding to a minimum of ≥3 days of 3 prompts/day or ≥4 days of 2 prompts/day), and only 47% (26/55) of these participants were considered to have excellent EMA compliance (responding to ≥5 days of 4 prompts/day or ≥ 4 days of 5 prompts/day). Conclusions This study represents one of the first studies to use an intensive real-time data capture strategy to examine time-varying correlates of PA among first-year university students. These data will aim to describe the physical and social contexts in which PA occurs and examine the relationships between momentary correlates of PA among the first-year university students. Overall, current results suggest that wrist-worn accelerometers and EMA are feasible methods for data collection among the young adult population; however, more work is needed to understand how to improve upon compliance to a real-time data capture method such as EMA.
On Trapped-Particle Effect on Shielding in Collisionless Plasmas

The contribution of charged particles moving on finite orbits near a charged spherical body to shielding of the body is discussed. By means of a numerical experiment simulating the process of charging of an absorbing sphere in plasma, it is shown that the net charge of the trapped-particle cloud arising around the sphere can reach very high values. The shielding under these conditions becomes strongly nonlinear in contrast to Debye shielding.
Template-dependent, in vitro replication of rotavirus RNA

A template-dependent, in vitro rotavirus RNA replication system was established. The system initiated and synthesized full-length double-stranded RNAs on rotavirus positive-sense template RNAs. Native rotavirus mRNAs or in vitro transcripts, with bona fide 3' and 5' termini, derived from rotavirus cDNAs functioned as templates. Replicase activity was associated with a subviral particle containing VP1, VP2, and VP3 and was derived from native virions or baculovirus coexpression of rotavirus genes. A cis-acting signal involved in replication was localized within the 26 3'-terminal nucleotides of a reporter template RNA. Various biochemical and biophysical parameters affecting the efficiency of replication were examined to optimize the replication system. A replication system capable of in vitro initiation has not been previously described for Reoviridae.
Circulating Fetuin-A and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes: A Mendelian Randomization Analysis

Fetuin-A, a hepatic-origin protein, is strongly positively associated with risk of type 2 diabetes in human observational studies, but it is unknown whether this association is causal. We aimed to study the potential causal relation of circulating fetuin-A to risk of type 2 diabetes in a Mendelian randomization study with single nucleotide polymorphisms located in the fetuin-A–encoding AHSG gene. We used data from eight European countries of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC)-InterAct case-cohort study including 10,020 incident cases. Plasma fetuin-A concentration was measured in a subset of 965 subcohort participants and 654 case subjects. A genetic score of the AHSG single nucleotide polymorphisms was strongly associated with fetuin-A (28% explained variation). Using the genetic score as instrumental variable of fetuin-A, we observed no significant association of a 50 µg/mL higher fetuin-A concentration with diabetes risk (hazard ratio 1.02 [95% CI 0.97, 1.07]). Combining our results with those from the DIAbetes Genetics Replication And Meta-analysis (DIAGRAM) consortium (12,171 case subjects) also did not suggest a clear significant relation of fetuin-A with diabetes risk. In conclusion, although there is mechanistic evidence for an effect of fetuin-A on insulin sensitivity and secretion, this study does not support a strong, relevant relationship between circulating fetuin-A and diabetes risk in the general population.
The difference is more than floating: factors affecting breast cancer survivors’ decisions to join and maintain participation in dragon boat teams and support groups

Abstract Purpose: Peer support can be helpful in rehabilitation from breast cancer, but participation in peer support groups is low. Groups that provide support opportunities in physical activity contexts are an attractive alternative for some survivors. This study examined survivors’ reasons for joining and maintaining participation on a dragon boat team, along with perceptions of barriers and attractions to traditional peer support groups. Materials and methods: Seventeen breast cancer survivors were interviewed on five occasions over their first two seasons of a newly formed dragon boating team to explore their perceptions of peer support groups and dragon boating. Data were inductively analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: Categories surrounding physical, psychological, social and community features were identified with several themes emerging within each. Advantages of dragon boating included opportunities to get a combination of physical, psychosocial and community benefits; health improvement and behavior change; and obtaining social support without the focus being on cancer. Peer support groups were identified as having advantages for forming relationships and avoiding barriers associated with physical activity. Conclusions: While neither type of program meets all needs, practical considerations are identified for incorporating advantages of both programs to improve participation. Implications for rehabilitation Further understanding of perceptions, and attractions and challenges to taking part in group programs will inform development of accessible programs that target multiple rehabilitation needs. Physical activity can provide a positive, alternative focus that takes the emphasis off of cancer, which is more accessible to some survivors. Physical activity also provides opportunities to build relationships around a common, positive goal, which can be a foundation for providing support for coping with cancer.
Cortical Bone Area Predicts Incident Fractures Independently of Areal Bone Mineral Density in Older Men

Context: Areal bone mineral density (aBMD) measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is used clinically to predict fracture but does not discriminate between trabecular and cortical bone assessment. Objective: This study aimed to investigate whether information on cortical and trabecular bone predict fracture risk independently of aBMD and clinical risk factors. Design and Participants: Cortical area, bone mass, porosity, and trabecular bone volume fraction (BVTV) were measured at the tibia using high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) in 456 men (80.2 ± 3.5 years) recruited from the general population in Gothenburg, Sweden. aBMD was measured using DXA. Incident fractures (71 men) were X-ray verified. Associations were evaluated using Cox regression. Results: Cortical area [hazard ratio (HR) per standard deviation (SD) decrease, 2.05; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.58 to 2.65], cortical bone mass (HR, 2.07; 95% CI, 1.58 to 2.70), and BVTV (HR, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.26 to 2.07), but not cortical porosity, were independently associated with fracture risk. These associations remained after adjustment for femoral neck aBMD and Fracture Risk Assessment risk factors (area: HR 1.96, 95% CI, 1.44 to 2.66; mass: HR 1.99, 95% CI, 1.45 to 2.74; BV/TV: HR 1.46, 95% CI, 1.09 to 1.96). After entering BV/TV and cortical area or bone mass simultaneously in the adjusted models, only the cortical parameters remained important predictors of fracture. Conclusion: HR-pQCT measurement of cortical area and mass might add clinically useful information for the evaluation of fracture risk.
Multifaceted therapeutic benefits of factors derived from stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth for acute liver failure in rats

In acute liver failure (ALF), a poorly controlled innate immune response causes massive hepatic destruction, which elicits a systemic inflammatory response, progressive multiple organ failure and ultimate sudden death. Although the liver has inherent tissue‐repairing activities, its regeneration during ALF fails, and orthotopic liver transplantation is the only curative approach. Here we show that a single intravenous administration of stem cells derived from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHEDs) or of SHED‐derived serum‐free conditioned medium (SHED–CM) into the d‐galactosamine‐induced rat model of ALF markedly improved the condition of the injured liver and the animals’ survival rate. The engraftment of infused SHEDs was very low, and both SHEDs and SHED–CM exerted similar levels of therapeutic effect, suggesting that the SHEDs reversed ALF by paracrine mechanisms. Importantly, SHED–CM attenuated the ALF‐induced pro‐inflammatory response and generated an anti‐inflammatory/tissue‐regenerating environment, which was accompanied by the induction of anti‐inflammatory M2‐like hepatic macrophages. Secretome analysis by cytokine antibody array revealed that the SHED–CM contained multiple tissue‐regenerating factors with known roles in anti‐apoptosis/hepatocyte protection, angiogenesis, macrophage differentiation and the proliferation/differentiation of liver progenitor cells. Taken together, our findings suggest that SHEDs produce factors that provide multifaceted therapeutic benefits for AFL. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Enhanced Humidity Sensitivity with Silicon Nanopillar Array by UV Light

The sensitivity of silicon nanopillar array for relative humidity (RH) with UV illumination was investigated in this work. The silicon nanopillar array was prepared by nanosphere lithography. Electrical measurements were performed on its sensing performance with and without UV irradiation. It was found that UV light improved the humidity sensitivity with different UV light wavelengths and power. The sensor response and recovery time were reduced. Furthermore, the turn-on threshold voltage and the operating voltage both decreased. These sensing characteristics can mainly be attributed to the electron-hole pairs generated by UV light. These electron-hole pairs promote the adsorption and desorption processes. The results indicate that silicon nanopillar array materials with UV irradiation might be competitive as novel sensing materials for fabricating humidity sensors with high performances.
Linking quality indicators to clinical trials: an automated approach

Abstract Objective Quality improvement of health care requires robust measurable indicators to track performance. However identifying which indicators are supported by strong clinical evidence, typically from clinical trials, is often laborious. This study tests a novel method for automatically linking indicators to clinical trial registrations. Design A set of 522 quality of care indicators for 22 common conditions drawn from the CareTrack study were automatically mapped to outcome measures reported in 13 971 trials from ClinicalTrials.gov. Intervention Text mining methods extracted phrases mentioning indicators and outcome phrases, and these were compared using the Levenshtein edit distance ratio to measure similarity. Main Outcome Measure Number of care indicators that mapped to outcome measures in clinical trials. Results While only 13% of the 522 CareTrack indicators were thought to have Level I or II evidence behind them, 353 (68%) could be directly linked to randomized controlled trials. Within these 522, 50 of 70 (71%) Level I and II evidence-based indicators, and 268 of 370 (72%) Level V (consensus-based) indicators could be linked to evidence. Of the indicators known to have evidence behind them, only 5.7% (4 of 70) were mentioned in the trial reports but were missed by our method. Conclusions We automatically linked indicators to clinical trial registrations with high precision. Whilst the majority of quality indicators studied could be directly linked to research evidence, a small portion could not and these require closer scrutiny. It is feasible to support the process of indicator development using automated methods to identify research evidence.