Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluating the responsiveness of higher education system in relation to social determinants of health

BACKGROUND AND AIM: To answer the society's health-care needs related to social determinants of health (SDH), higher education system must be responsive in training knowledgeable students and faculty members. Therefore, this study was carried out to determine the responsiveness of higher education system in relation to the SDH. METHODS: This is a content analysis study carried out using qualitative approach. Semi-structured interviews were used to gain access to the knowledge of experts in the fields of health care, education, and SDH. Sampling was carried out until data saturation was achieved during which 15 experts were selected using purposeful sampling method with highest possible variety. Data were categorized using qualitative content analysis approach. RESULTS: In total, 11 themes and 43 categories of codes were identified in semi-structured interviews with experts. A total of two approaches were identified for the training of responsive students including educational–research approach and cultural–social approach; five approaches were identified for the development of faculty members including cognitive development, executive development, evaluation, promotion and incentives, and revisions; two approaches were identified for provision of theoretical and practical education including education in a real and active environment and structural education; and finally, two approaches were identified for evaluation of students and faculty members in regard to their responsiveness to society's health needs and SDH including content and operational approaches. CONCLUSION: In general, the results of the current study indicate the need for the higher education system to use educational, research, and society-based approaches in real and social environments along with an incentive system and use of evaluation for responsiveness to society's health needs and SDH. These results can be useful for the health-care system and the higher education system.
Robustly learning mixtures of k arbitrary Gaussians

We give a polynomial-time algorithm for the problem of robustly estimating a mixture of k arbitrary Gaussians in ℝd, for any fixed k, in the presence of a constant fraction of arbitrary corruptions. This resolves the main open problem in several previous works on algorithmic robust statistics, which addressed the special cases of robustly estimating (a) a single Gaussian, (b) a mixture of TV-distance separated Gaussians, and (c) a uniform mixture of two Gaussians. Our main tools are an efficient partial clustering algorithm that relies on the sum-of-squares method, and a novel tensor decomposition algorithm that allows errors in both Frobenius norm and low-rank terms.
Individually amplified text-to-speech

Text-to-speech (TTS) offers the opportunity to compensate for a hearing loss at the source rather than correcting for it at the receiving end. This removes limitations such as time constraints for algorithms that amplify a sound individually and can lead to higher speech quality for hearing-impaired listeners. We propose an algorithm that restores loudness to normal perception at a high resolution in time, frequency and level, and embed it in a TTS system that uses Tacotron2 and WaveGlow to produce individually amplified speech. Subjective evaluations of speech quality showed that the proposed algorithm led to high-quality audio. Mean opinion scores were predicted well by the STOI metric. Transfer learning led to a quick adaption of the produced spectra from original speech to individually amplified speech and gives us a way to train an individual TTS system efficiently.
Massive MIMO goes Sub-GHz: Implementation and Experimental Exploration for LPWANs

Low-Power Wide-Area Networks operating in the unlicensed bands are being deployed to connect a rapidly growing number of Internet-of-Things devices. While the unlicensed sub-GHz band offers favorable propagation for long-range connections, measurements show that the energy consumption of the nodes is still mostly dominated by the wireless transmission affecting their autonomy. We investigate the potential benefits of deploying massive MIMO technology to increase system reliability and at the same time support low-energy devices with good coverage at sub-GHz frequencies. The impact of different antenna configurations and propagation conditions is analyzed. Both actual average experienced array gain and channel hardening are examined. The assessment demonstrates the effect of channel hardening as well as the potential benefits of the experienced array gain. These measurements serve as a first assessment of the channel conditions of massive MIMO at sub-GHz frequencies and are, to the best of our knowledge, the first of its kind.
Integrated analysis of microRNA and transcription factors in the bone marrow of patients with acute monocytic leukemia

Acutemonocytic leukemia (AMoL) is a distinct subtype of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with poor prognosis. However, the molecular mechanisms and key regulators involved in the global regulation of gene expression levels in AMoL are poorly understood. In order to elucidate the role of microRNAs (miRNAs/miRs) and transcription factors (TFs) in AMoL pathogenesis at the network level, miRNA and TF expression level profiles were systematically analyzed by miRNA sequencing and TF array, respectively; this identified 285 differentially expressed miRNAs and 139 differentially expressed TFs in AMoL samples compared with controls. By combining expression level profile data and bioinformatics tools available for predicting TF and miRNA targets, a comprehensive AMoL-specific miRNA-TF-mediated regulatory network was constructed. A total of 26 miRNAs and 23 TFs were identified as hub nodes in the network. Among these hubs, miR-29b-3p, MYC, TP53 and NFKB1 were determined to be potential AMoL regulators, and were subsequently extracted to construct sub-networks. A hypothetical pathway model was also proposed for miR-29b-3p to reveal the potential co-regulatory mechanisms of miR-29b-3p, MYC, TP53 and NFKB1 in AMoL. The present study provided an effective approach to discover critical regulators via a comprehensive regulatory network in AMoL, in addition to enhancing understanding of the pathogenesis of this disease at the molecular level.
Monitoring the radio emission of Proxima Centauri

We present results from the most comprehensive radio monitoring campaign towards the closest star to our Sun, Proxima Centauri. We report 1.1–3.1 GHz observations with the Australia Telescope Compact Array over 18 consecutive days in April 2017. We detected radio emission from Proxima Centauri for most of the observing sessions, which spanned ~1.6 orbital periods of the planet Proxima b. The radio emission is stronger at the low-frequency band, centered around 1.6 GHz, and is consistent with the expected electron-cyclotron frequency for the known star’s magnetic field intensity of ~600 gauss. The 1.6 GHz light curve shows an emission pattern that is consistent with the orbital period of the planet Proxima b around the star Proxima, with its maxima of emission happening near the quadratures. We also observed two short-duration flares (a few minutes) and a long-duration burst (about three days) whose peaks happened close to the quadratures. We find that the frequency, large degree of circular polarization, change in the sign of circular polarization, and intensity of the observed radio emission are all consistent with expectations from electron cyclotron-maser emission arising from sub-Alfvénic star–planet interaction. We interpret our radio observations as signatures of interaction between the planet Proxima b and its host star Proxima. We advocate for monitoring other dwarf stars with planets to eventually reveal periodic radio emission due to star–planet interaction, thus opening a new avenue for exoplanet hunting and the study of a new field of exoplanet–star plasma interaction.
Identification of afzelin potential targets in inhibiting triple-negative breast cancer cell migration using reverse docking

Abstract Background: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) tends to be aggressive and metastatic, characteristics attributable to its cellular migration capabilities. Afzelin is a chemical compound with anti-metastatic potentials. This study aimed to predict proteins involved in TNBC cell migration which could be inhibited by afzelin. Methods: The protein database was constructed from the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways collection which related to cell motility, then screened for druggability using SuperTarget and Therapeutic Target Database. The involvement of druggable proteins in the TNBC metastasis process was investigated through existing publications in The National Center for Biotechnology Information PubMed database. Inhibitory potential of afzelin toward target proteins was compared to the proteins’ known-inhibitor, using the reverse docking method. Results: Ten proteins identified as potential targets of afzelin, with the top 3 being ERK2, KRas, and FAK, respectively. Afzelin's 3-O-rhamnoside group played a dominant role in forming hydrogen bonds with the target proteins. Further analysis with STRING suggested that afzelin might be able to inhibit chemotaxis and haptotaxis of TNBC cells. Conclusions: Afzelin was predicted to inhibit TNBC cell motility, by targeting ERK2, KRas, and FAK activation.
Refinement of the CS6-expressing enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli strain B7A human challenge model: A randomized trial

Background Human challenge models for enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) facilitate vaccine down-selection. The B7A (O148:H28 CS6+LT+ST+) strain is important for vaccine development. We sought to refine the B7A model by identifying a dose and fasting regimen consistently inducing moderate-severe diarrhea. Methods An initial cohort of 28 subjects was randomized (1:1:1:1) to receive B7A following an overnight fast at doses of 108 or 109 colony forming units (cfu) or a 90-minute fast at doses of 109 or 1010 cfu. A second cohort included naïve and rechallenged subjects who had moderate-severe diarrhea and were given the target regimen. Immune responses to important ETEC antigens were assessed. Results Among subjects receiving 108 cfu of B7A, overnight fast, or 109 cfu, 90-minute fast, 42.9% (3/7) had moderate-severe diarrhea. Higher attack rates (71.4%; 5/7) occurred in subjects receiving 109 cfu, overnight fast, or 1010 cfu, 90-minute fast. Upon rechallenge with 109 cfu of B7A, overnight fast, 5/11 (45.5%) had moderate-severe diarrhea; the attack rate among concurrently challenge naïve subjects was 57.9% (11/19). Anti-CS6, O148 LPS and LT responses were modest across all groups. Conclusions An overnight fast enabled a reduction in the B7A inoculum dose; however, the attack rate was inconsistent and protection upon rechallenge was minimal.
In vivo selection of the MDA-MB-231br/eGFP cancer cell line to obtain a clinically relevant rat model for triple negative breast cancer brain metastasis

Young triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients are at high risk for developing very aggressive brain metastases associated with a poor prognosis and a high mortality rate. Preclinical models that allow follow-up by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can contribute to the development of new therapeutic approaches for brain metastasis. To date, preclinical brain tumor research has almost exclusively relied on xenograft mouse models. Yet, rats are an ideal model for imaging of brain metastasis as their larger brain offers better relative spatial resolution compared to a mouse brain. For the development of a clinically relevant rat model for TNBC brain metastasis, the MDA-MB-231br/eGFP cancer cell line can be used. However, as a result of species-dependent extracranial features, the propensity of the MDA-MB-231br/eGFP cancer cell line to metastasize exclusively to the brain needs to be enhanced by in vivo selection. In this study, repeated sequential passages of metastatic cancer cells obtained from brain metastases in nude rats were performed. Brain metastasis formation was evaluated using preclinical MRI, while bone metastasis formation was assessed using high-resolution computed tomography (CT) and 2-deoxy-2-[18F] fluoro-D-glucose ([18F] FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. Our results demonstrated that the metastatic tumor burden in the rat brain (number and volume) significantly increased with increasing passage, while the metastatic tumor burden in the skeleton (i.e., number of metastasis-affected bones) significantly decreased with increasing passage. However, bone metastasis development was not reduced to a negligible amount. Consequently, despite in vivo selection, our rat model is not recommended for investigating brain metastasis as a single disease. Our findings highlight the importance of well-reasoned selection of both the preclinical model and the cancer cell line in order to obtain reliable and reproducible scientific results.
Pediatric health-related quality of life and school social capital through network perspectives

Background Despite their importance in population health among children and adolescents, our understanding of how individual items mutually interact within and between pediatric health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and school social capital is limited. Methods We employed network analysis in a general population sample of 7759 children aged 9–15 years to explore the network structure of relations among pediatric HRQOL and school social capital items measured using validated scales. Furthermore, network centrality was examined to identify central items that had stronger and more direct connections with other items in the network than others. Network structure and overall strength of connectivity among items were compared between groups (by sex and age). Results Our analysis revealed that the item related to school/academic functioning and the item related to shared enjoyment among students had the highest strength centrality in the network of HRQOL and school social capital, respectively, underpinning their critical roles in pediatric HRQOL and school social capital. Additionally, the edge connecting “I trust my friends at school” and “trouble getting along with peers” had the strongest negative edge weight among ones connecting school social capital and pediatric HRQOL constructs. Network comparison test revealed stronger overall network connectivity in middle schoolers compared to elementary schoolers but no differences between male and female students. Conclusion The network approach elucidated the complex relationship of mutually influencing items within and between pediatric HRQOL and school social capital. Addressing central items may promote children’s perceived health and school social capital.
Solventless synthesis of thiohydantoins over K2CO3

Potassium carbonate supported solventless synthesis of thiohydantoins under microwave irradiation is described. The use of K2CO3 not only eliminates the need for external base to neutralize HCl evolved but enables aqueous work up, thus rendering the reaction procedure free of organic solvents in both the reaction step and work-up, procedure.
Overexpression of exogenous biuret hydrolase in rice plants confers tolerance to biuret toxicity

Abstract Biuret, a common impurity in urea fertilizers, is toxic to plants, but little is known about the physiological mechanisms underlying its toxicity. Here, we analyzed biuret toxicity in rice (Oryza sativa) plants. We carried out uptake experiments using 15N‐labelled biuret and demonstrated that biuret could reach sub millimolar concentrations in rice plants. We also demonstrated that the hydrolysis of biuret in plant cells could confer biuret tolerance to rice plants. This occurred because transgenic rice plants that overexpressed an exogenous biuret hydrolase cloned from a soil bacterium gained improved tolerance to biuret toxicity. Our results indicate that biuret toxicity is not an indirect toxicity caused by the presence of biuret outside the roots, and that biuret is not quickly metabolized in wild‐type rice plants. Additionally, it was suggested that biuret was used as an additional nitrogen source in transgenic rice plants, because biuret hydrolase‐overexpressing rice plants accumulated more biuret‐derived N, as compared to wild‐type rice.
Self-optimizing adaptive optics control with reinforcement learning

Current and future high-contrast imaging instruments require extreme Adaptive Optics (XAO) systems to reach contrasts necessary to directly image exoplanets. Telescope vibrations and the temporal error induced by the latency of the control loop limit the performance of these systems. Optimization of the (predictive) control algorithm is crucial in reducing these effects. We describe how model-free Reinforcement Learning can be used to optimize a Recurrent Neural Network controller for closed-loop adaptive optics control. We verify our proposed approach for tip-tilt control in simulations and a lab setup. The results show that this algorithm can effectively learn to suppress a combination of tip-tilt vibrations. Furthermore, we report decreased residuals for power-law input turbulence compared to an optimal gain integrator. Finally, we demonstrate that the controller can learn to identify the parameters of a varying vibration without requiring online updating of the control law. We conclude that Reinforcement Learning is a promising approach towards data-driven predictive control; future research will apply this approach to the control of high-order deformable mirrors.
Yoga and perceived stress, self-compassion, and quality of life in undergraduate nursing students

BACKGROUND: Student nurses' experience of stress while enrolled in educational programs is well-documented; however, complementary and alternative therapies to alleviate or prevent nursing program-related stressors are not. The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of a yoga intervention on stress, self-compassion, and quality of life in undergraduate nursing students. METHODS: Seventy-three undergraduate nursing students participated in this two-group, quasi-experimental, repeated-measures, study. Students self-selected participation in a one-hour yoga class, offered each week for 12 weeks, and completed Stress, Self-Compassion, and QOL scales at baseline, week 6, and week 12. Information on intervention participation and yoga practice outside the intervention was also solicited. Descriptive statistics and mixed-model analysis of variance were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences between groups over time on perceived stress or QOL. There were statistically significant differences between groups on self-kindness (F3, 69 = 3.86, P = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS: Further research on the effects of yoga for stress reduction in nursing students using randomized controlled trials is recommended.
The problematic use of mobile phone and mental health: A review study in Iran

There is growing evidence that the problematic use of mobile phone is an evolving problem. Although some studies have noted a greater prevalence in the Middle East, intercultural differences have not been sufficiently studied to date. The present study, therefore, aims at reviewing Iranian published studies on the problematic use of mobile phone in Iran. This study was conducted as a review study. For this purpose, we searched all published studies in this field that were conducted in Iran and reviewed all of the articles by studying the prevalence of the problematic use of cell phone in Iran, the adopted measuring instruments, the employed terms, predictors of the problematic use of cell phone, and the consequences of the problematic use of cell phone. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 47 articles were selected for evaluation. Among the problematic consequences, sleep disturbance was the most studied factor. Additionally, gender, feeling of loneliness, attachment stiles and age were mostly referred to as predictors. In addition, the reported prevalence varied from 0.9% to 64.5%, depending on the studied population and the measuring instruments. The diversity of reported prevalence rate of problematic use of mobile phone in Iran can be related to the ambiguity of the concept of “problematic use” and the diversity of the employed measuring tools. Thus, care should be taken in generalizing and interpreting the results.
Knowledge, attitudes, and acceptability of direct-acting antiviral hepatitis C treatment among people incarcerated in jail: A qualitative study

Introduction While U.S. jails are critical sites for engagement in HCV care, short lengths-of-stay often do not permit treatment in jail. Therefore, linkage to HCV care after incarceration is crucial. However, little is known about HCV treatment acceptability among justice-involved individuals in U.S. jails. The goal of this study was to understand knowledge, attitudes, and acceptability of HCV treatment among people living with HCV in the New York City (NYC) jail system. Methods We recruited 36 HCV-antibody-positive individuals in the NYC jails using clinical data reports and performed semi-structured interviews to explore participants’ attitudes toward HCV treatment in jail and following return to the community. We continued interviews until reaching thematic saturation and analyzed interviews using an inductive, thematic approach. Results Participants were mostly male, Latina/o, with a mean age of 40 years. Nearly all were aware they were HCV antibody-positive. Two thirds of participants had some awareness of the availability of new HCV therapies. Key themes included: 1) variable knowledge of new HCV therapies affecting attitudes toward HCV treatment, 2) the importance of other incarcerated individuals in communicating HCV-related knowledge, 3) vulnerability during incarceration and fear of treatment interruption, 4) concern for relapse to active drug use and HCV reinfection, 5) competing priorities (such as other medical comorbidities, ongoing substance use, and housing), 6) social support and the importance of family. Conclusions Patient-centered approaches to increase treatment uptake in jail settings should focus on promoting HCV-related knowledge including leveraging peers for knowledge dissemination. In addition, transitional care programs should ensure people living with HCV in jail have tailored discharge plans focused on competing priorities such as housing instability, social support, and treatment of substance use disorders.
Development of and First Experiences with a Framework (EASI) for Options and Implementation Opportunities for Online Clinical and Communication Skills Learning

A preparatory framework called EASI (Evaluate, Align, Student-centred, Implement and Improve) was developed with the aim of creating awareness about interim options and implementation opportunities for online Clinical and Communication Skills (CCS) learning. The framework, when applied requires faculty to evaluate current resources, align sessions to learning outcomes with student-centred approaches and to continuously improve based on implementation experiences. Using the framework, we were able to generate various types of online CCS learning sessions for implementation in a short period of time due to the recent Covid-19 pandemic. Importantly we learnt a few lessons post-implementation from both students and faculty perspective that will be used for planning and delivery of future sessions. In summary, the framework was useful for creating or redesigning CCS sessions which were disrupted during the pandemic, however post-implementation experience suggests the framework can also be used for future solutions in online CCS learning as healthcare systems and delivery are increasingly decentralised and widely distributed.