Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The specification, acceptability and effectiveness of respite care and short breaks for young adults with complex healthcare needs: protocol for a mixed-methods systematic review

Introduction The number of young adults with complex healthcare needs due to life-limiting conditions/complex physical disability has risen significantly as children with complex conditions survive into adulthood. Respite care and short breaks are an essential service, however, needs often go unmet after the transition to adult services, leading to a significant impact on the life expectancy and quality of life for this population. We aim to identify, appraise and synthesise relevant evidence to explore respite care and short breaks provision for this population, and to develop a conceptual framework for understanding service models. Methods and analysis A mixed-methods systematic review conducted in two stages: (1) knowledge map and (2) evidence review. We will comprehensively search multiple electronic databases; use the Citations, Lead authors, Unpublished materials, Google Scholar, Theories, Early examples, and Related projects (CLUSTER) approach, search relevant websites and circulate a ‘call for evidence’. Using the setting, perspective, intervention/phenomenon of interest, comparison and evaluation framework, two reviewers will independently select evidence for inclusion into a knowledge map and subsequent evidence review, extract data relating to study and population characteristics, methods and outcomes; and assess the quality of evidence. A third reviewer will arbitrate where necessary. Evidence will be synthesised using the following approaches: quantitative (narratively/conducting meta-analyses where appropriate); qualitative (framework approach); policy and guidelines (documentary analysis informed approach). An overall, integrated synthesis will be created using a modified framework approach. We will use Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE)/GRADE-Confidence in the Evidence from Reviews of Qualitative Research to assess the strength and confidence of the synthesised evidence. Throughout, we will develop a conceptual framework to articulate how service models work in relation to context and setting. Ethics and dissemination Ethical approval is not required as this is a systematic review. We will present our work in academic journals, at appropriate conferences; we will disseminate findings across networks using a range of media. Steering and advisory groups were established to ensure findings are shared widely and in accessible formats. PROSPERO registration number CRD42018088780.
Early life exposures to perfluoroalkyl substances in relation to adipokine hormone levels at birth and during childhood

1 Background: Birth cohort studies have linked exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) 2 with child anthropometry. Metabolic hormone dysregulation needs to be considered as a 3 potential adverse outcome pathway. We examined the associations between PFAS exposures and 4 concentrations of adipokine hormones from birth to adolescence. 5 Methods: We studied 80 mother-child pairs from a Faroese cohort born in 1997-2000. Five 6 PFASs were measured in maternal pregnancy serum and child serum at ages 5, 7 and 13 years. 7 Leptin, adiponectin and resistin were analyzed in cord serum and child serum at the same ages. 8 We fitted multivariable-adjusted generalized estimating equations to assess the associations of 9 PFASs at each age with repeated adipokine concentrations at concurrent and subsequent ages. 10 Results: We observed tendencies of inverse associations between PFASs and adipokine 11 hormones specific to particular ages and child sex. Significant associations with all adipokines 12 were observed for maternal and child 5-year serum PFAS concentrations, whereas associations 13 for PFASs measured at ages 7-13 years were mostly null. The inverse associations with leptin 14 and adiponectin were mainly seen in females, whereas the inverse PFAS associations with 15 resistin levels were mainly seen in males. Estimates for significant associations (at p-value<0.05) 16 suggested mean decreases in hormone levels (range) by 38%-89% for leptin, 16%-70% for 17 adiponectin, and 33%-62% for resistin for each 2-fold increase in serum-PFAS concentrations. 18 Conclusions: These findings suggest adipokine hormone dysregulation in early life as a potential 19 pathway underlying PFAS-related health outcomes, and underscore the need to further account 20 for susceptibility windows and sex-dimorphic effects in future investigations.
Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Ukrainian version of the ABILHAND-Kids questionnaire

Abstract Purpose To develop and cross-culturally validate the Ukrainian version of the ABILHAND-Kids questionnaire by testing its psychometric properties in a sample of Ukrainian children with cerebral palsy. Methods The ABILHAND-Kids questionnaire was translated into Ukrainian, cross-culturally adapted, and administered to 113 parents of children with cerebral palsy. The psychometric properties of the Ukrainian version and its cross-cultural validation were investigated through the Rasch rating scale model. Results One major misfit has been found for the item “Rolling up a sleeve of a sweater” that further was removed. The item “Putting on a backpack/schoolbag” was split into gender-specific items, separately for girls and for boys, as it was systematically easier for Ukrainian girls. All remaining items contributed to the definition of a unidimensional measure of manual ability. The internal consistency reliability of the scale was high (R = 0.95). No significant floor (4%) and ceiling effects (5%) were observed. Three major differential item functioning items were found across Belgium and Ukraine, highlighting the need to use the Ukrainian calibration of ABILHAND-Kids in Ukraine. Conclusion The Ukrainian ABILHAND-Kids questionnaire has good psychometric properties for assessing manual ability in Ukrainian children with cerebral palsy, holding potential to be implemented in clinical practice nationwide. Implications for rehabilitation Cerebral palsy impairs manual ability leading to decreased quality of life and participation. Professionals need valid and reliable tools to detect small changes of manual ability during rehabilitation. Metric properties and availability of the Ukrainian version of the ABILHAND-Kids questionnaire make it a useful tool in the assessment of children with cerebral palsy.
Decoding both intention and learning strategies from EEG signals

Despite the fact that a majority of Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) studies have focused on decoding signals related to movement, decoding intention underlying movement might be equally important. Fundamental properties of electroencephalography (EEG) constrain temporal resolutions for directly decoding movement kinematics, so estimating intention pertaining to movement, which would help us predict both long and short term human behaviors, may be an alternative solution for overcoming this issue. To estimate movement intention, recent studies found it helpful to consider hierarchical control between two distinctive learning strategies in reinforcement learning: a goal-directed and a habitual strategy. In the previous study, we suggested a proof of concept, called a model-based BCI framework, that can distinguish different learning strategies from electroencephalography (EEG) data. To advance this concept, we proposed intention decoders based on simple long short-term memory models (LSTM). To test the effect of intention estimation on prediction performance, we trained two versions of intention decoders: one with and the other without making use of underlying learning strategies decoded by the model-based BCI. The simulation results demonstrated that estimation performance of intention decoders with model-based BCI is significantly better (84%) than the one without model-based BCI (77%). We argued that by using model-based BCI, we can not only estimate learning strategy but also improve decoding performance of movement intention with high accuracy.
Aberrant MicroRNA Expression and Its Implications for Uveal Melanoma Metastasis

Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most frequently found primary intra-ocular tumor in adults. It is a highly aggressive cancer that causes metastasis-related mortality in up to half of the patients. Many independent studies have reported somatic genetic changes associated with high metastatic risk, such as monosomy of chromosome 3 and mutations in BAP1. Still, the mechanisms that drive metastatic spread are largely unknown. This study aimed to elucidate the potential role of microRNAs in the metastasis of UM. Using a next-generation sequencing approach in 26 UM samples we identified thirteen differentially expressed microRNAs between high-risk UM and low/intermediate-risk UM, including the known oncomirs microRNA-17-5p, microRNA-21-5p, and miR-151a-3p. Integration of the differentially expressed microRNAs with expression data of predicted target genes revealed 106 genes likely to be affected by aberrant microRNA expression. These genes were involved in pathways such as cell cycle regulation, EGF signaling and EIF2 signaling. Our findings demonstrate that aberrant microRNA expression in UM may affect the expression of genes in a variety of cancer-related pathways. This implies that some microRNAs can be responsible for UM metastasis and are promising potential targets for future treatment.
Deriving control parameter settings from process models to control capsule fillers integrated into continuous manufacturing

Abstract The aim of this work was to investigate the mean fill weight control of a continuous capsule-filling process, whether it is possible to derive controller settings from an appendant process model. To that end, a system composed out of fully automated capsule filler and an online gravimetric scale was used to control the filled weight. This setup allows to examine challenges associated with continuous manufacturing processes, such as variations in the amount of active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) in the mixture due to fluctuations of the feeders or due to altered excipient batch qualities. Two types of controllers were investigated: a feedback control and a combination of feedback and feedforward control. Although both of those are common in the industry, determining the optimal parameter settings remains an issue. In this study, we developed a method to derive the control parameters based on process models in order to obtain optimal control for each filled product. Determined via rapid automated process development (RAPD), this method is an effective and fast way of determining control parameters. The method allowed us to optimize the weight control for three pharmaceutical excipients. By conducting experiments, we verified the feasibility of the proposed method and studied the dynamics of the controlled system. Our work provides important basic data on how capsule filler can be implemented into continuous manufacturing systems.
The Ensemble of Conformations of Antifreeze Glycoproteins (AFGP8): A Study Using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy

The primary sequence of antifreeze glycoproteins (AFGPs) is highly degenerate, consisting of multiple repeats of the same tripeptide, Ala–Ala–Thr*, in which Thr* is a glycosylated threonine with the disaccharide beta-d-galactosyl-(1,3)-alpha-N-acetyl-d-galactosamine. AFGPs seem to function as intrinsically disordered proteins, presenting challenges in determining their native structure. In this work, a different approach was used to elucidate the three-dimensional structure of AFGP8 from the Arctic cod Boreogadus saida and the Antarctic notothenioid Trematomus borchgrevinki. Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), a non-native solvent, was used to make AFGP8 less dynamic in solution. Interestingly, DMSO induced a non-native structure, which could be determined via nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The overall three-dimensional structures of the two AFGP8s from two different natural sources were different from a random coil ensemble, but their “compactness” was very similar, as deduced from NMR measurements. In addition to their similar compactness, the conserved motifs, Ala–Thr*–Pro–Ala and Ala–Thr*–Ala–Ala, present in both AFGP8s, seemed to have very similar three-dimensional structures, leading to a refined definition of local structural motifs. These local structural motifs allowed AFGPs to be considered functioning as effectors, making a transition from disordered to ordered upon binding to the ice surface. In addition, AFGPs could act as dynamic linkers, whereby a short segment folds into a structural motif, while the rest of the AFGPs could still be disordered, thus simultaneously interacting with bulk water molecules and the ice surface, preventing ice crystal growth.
Individual metabolomic signatures of circadian misalignment during simulated night shifts in humans

Misalignment of the daily sleep-wake and fasting-feeding cycles with the endogenous circadian timing system is an inevitable consequence of night shift work and is associated with adverse metabolic health effects. However, a detailed characterisation of the effects of night shifts on 24-h rhythms in the metabolome is missing. We performed targeted metabolomic profiling on plasma samples collected every 2 h from healthy human subjects during two 24-h measurement periods at baseline and on the fourth day of a simulated night shift protocol, in which the habitual sleep-wake cycle was delayed by 10 h. Thirty-two out of the 130 detected metabolites showed a 24-h rhythm both at baseline and during the night shift condition. Among these, 75% were driven by sleep-wake and fasting-feeding cycles rather than by the endogenous circadian clock, showing an average phase delay of 8.8 h during the night shift condition. Hence, the majority of rhythmic metabolites were misaligned relative to the endogenous circadian system during the night shift condition. This could be a key mechanism involved in the increased prevalence of adverse metabolic health effects observed in shift workers. On the individual level, the response to the night shift protocol was highly diverse, with phase shifts of rhythmic metabolite profiles ranging from a 0.2-h advance in one subject to a 12-h delay in another subject, revealing an individual metabolomic signature of circadian misalignment. Our findings provide insight into the overall and individual responses of the metabolome to circadian misalignment associated with night schedules and may thereby contribute to the development of individually tailored strategies to minimise the metabolic impacts of shift work.
A Smart Advisor for Software Delivery - A Bot Framework for Awareness, Alerts and Advice

Software engineers typically rely on mental models of their project and peers for project-specific insights important to their work. Ever expanding software size and complexity makes it strenuous to maintain such mental models and leads to subjectivity. At the same time, consistent peer interactions lead to interrupts, thereby hampering productivity. Moreover, due to client mandates, typical project environments employ a plethora of heterogeneous tools, thus making the information retrieval process fairly complex. We believe that 'digital coworkers' leveraging Human-AI collaboration, have huge potential here to help out with such challenges. In this paper, we introduce the concept of Smart Advisor, an intelligence augmentation bot that employs domain and knowledge modeling and in-process analytics to automatically provide important insights (alerts and advice) and answer queries (awareness), using a conversational and interactive user interface.
Cross Linguistic Variations in Discourse Relations among Indian Languages

This paper summarizes our work on analysis of cross linguistic variations in discourse relations for Indo-Aryan language Hindi and Dravid ian languages Malayalam and Tamil. In this paper we have also presented an automat ic discourse relation identifier, which gave encouraging results. Analysis of the results showed that some complex structural inter-dependencies existed in these three languages. We have described in detail the structural inter-dependencies that occurred. Discourse relations in the three languages thus exhibited complex nature due to the structural inter-dependencies.
Women with Metabolic Syndrome and General Obesity Are at a Higher Risk for Significant Hyperuricemia Compared to Men

Hyperuricemia is an emerging potential biomarker for metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its complications. This study aimed to investigate the risk factors of hyperuricemia, particularly, the association of hyperuricemia with MetS and general obesity according to sex. We performed multivariate logistic regression analyses using the 2016 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data. Hyperuricemia was defined by a serum uric acid level ≥7.0 mg/dL for men and ≥6.0 mg/dL for women. General obesity was based on a body mass index (BMI) ≥25 kg/m2. Among a total of 5591 Korean adult participants, 685 (12.3%) individuals had hyperuricemia. Hyperuricemia was significantly associated with MetS in men (odds ratio (OR): 2.38, 95% CI: 1.84–3.08) and in women (OR: 4.15, 95% CI: 2.75–6.28) after adjustments. General obesity was also independently related to hyperuricemia in both sexes (OR: 2.17, 95% CI: 1.76–2.68 in men, OR: 3.80, 95% CI: 2.82–5.12 in women). In subgroup analyses, the presence of concomitant MetS and general obesity posed a strikingly higher risk for hyperuricemia among women (OR: 7.24, 95% CI: 4.56–11.50) when compared to men (OR: 2.90, 95% CI: 2.12–3.96). More attention should be paid to the increased risk of hyperuricemia for females with both MetS and general obesity.
Colorectal cancer screening in Australia: An update

Background Colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer in Australia. The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) has introduced new recommendations for the prevention, early detection and management of colorectal cancer. General practitioners play a key part in the advocacy, risk stratification and implementation of colorectal cancer screening on the basis of a patient’s individual risk. Objective The aim of this paper is to summarise the NHMRC recommendations pertaining to screening so that they may be applied in general practice. Discussion The recommended strategy for population screening in Australia remains the immunochemical faecal occult blood test, commencing at age 50 years in asymptomatic individuals with no family history of colorectal cancer. This test is to be performed every two years to age 74 years. Individuals with a family history of colorectal cancer will need appropriate risk stratification. Aspirin should now be considered for all patients aged 50–70 years in the prevention of colorectal cancer.
Efficient 2-D analysis/synthesis filter banks for directional image component representation

A filter bank for the directional decomposition of images is described. The filter bank represents a union of two powerful image processing tools: directional decomposition and subband decomposition. The directional components correspond to wedge-shaped regions in the frequency spectrum. The filter bank is implemented in a tree structure where each two-band system is maximally decimated and provides either exact or aliasing free reconstruction. The design of the analysis/synthesis filter is such that the filter bank can be implemented in an extremely efficient computational form. The design method described uses conventional 1-D analysis/synthesis filters as prototypes and thereby circumvents designing 2-D filters. <<ETX>>
Disseminated Metacestode Versteria Species Infection in Woman, Pennsylvania, USA

A patient in Pennsylvania, USA, with common variable immunodeficiency sought care for fever, cough, and abdominal pain. Imaging revealed lesions involving multiple organs. Liver resection demonstrated necrotizing granulomas, recognizable tegument, and calcareous corpuscles indicative of an invasive cestode infection. Sequencing revealed 98% identity to a Versteria species of cestode found in mink.
Anosognosia Is Associated With Greater Caregiver Burden and Poorer Executive Function in Huntington Disease

Background: Anosognosia, or unawareness of one’s deficits, is estimated to occur in 25% to 50% of Huntington disease (HD). The relationship between anosognosia and increased caregiver burden found in other dementias has not been determined in HD. Methods: Patient–caregiver dyads presenting to a statewide HD clinic were assessed using the Anosognosia Scale and grouped into “anosognosia” and “no anosognosia. ” Caregiver burden, measured by Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) and Caregiver Burden Inventory (CBI), demographic data, and Unified Huntington’s Disease Rating Scale, including Mini-Mental State Examination, Stroop, Trail Making, Verbal Fluency, and Symbol Digit Modalities Tests, were compared between groups. Results: Of the 38 patients recruited, 10 (26.3%) met criteria for anosognosia. Patients with anosognosia elicited higher caregiver burden ratings on both the ZBI (mean difference 16.4 [12.1], P < .001) and CBI (16.7 [15.0], P < .005) while also demonstrating poorer executive function. Except for CAG burden score, between-group characteristics did not differ significantly. Stroop Interference predicted both anosognosia and caregiver burden. Conclusions: In HD, anosognosia is associated with greater caregiver burden and executive deficits. Its occurrence should prompt further patient assessment and increased caregiver support.
Diagnostic value of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin in diabetic nephropathy: a meta-analysis

Abstract Purpose: This meta-analysis aimed to determine the diagnostic performance of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) in diabetic nephropathy (DN). Methods: We searched the PubMed, Embase, Wanfang, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases for articles published up to 24 April 2019. The meta-analyses were conducted by Stata 11.0, and diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, negative and positive likelihood ratios (NLR and PLR), diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve data were pooled. Moreover, heterogeneity and small trials bias were evaluated. Results: Six cross-sectional studies were included in the meta-analysis. For the studies of microalbuminuria versus normoalbuminuria, the estimates (95% confidence interval) were as follows: sensitivity, 0.75 (0.51–0.89); specificity, 0.78 (0.70–0.84); PLR, 3.37 (2.49–4.56); NLR, 0.33 (0.16–0.69); DOR, 10.31 (4.05–26.25); and area under the ROC curve (AUC), 0.81 (0.77–0.84). For the studies of microalbuminuria + macroalbuminuria versus normoalbuminuria, the results were as follows: sensitivity, 0.83 (0.66–0.93); specificity, 0.88 (0.67–0.97); PLR, 7.20 (1.97–26.31); NLR, 0.19 (0.08–0.46); DOR, 37.83 (4.84–295.65); AUC, 0.92 (0.90–0.94). Deeks’ funnel plot suggested that small trials bias was insignificant in this study. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that NGAL is a potential diagnostic marker for patients with DN and that its diagnostic value for microalbuminuria + macroalbuminuria is superior to that for microalbuminuria. Highlights The first meta-analysis to investigate NGAL diagnostic role in DN. NGAL is valuable for the early diagnosis of DN. The diagnostic value of NGAL in microalbuminuria + macroalbuminuria was much higher.