Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Singer or the Singing: Who Sings Individually to Persons With Dementia and What Are the Effects?

‘‘Live’’ singing to persons with dementia (PWDs) may be an underused but highly accessible resource for their caregivers, regardless of qualifications. A systematic literature review sought to illuminate who sings to PWDs, and with what objectives and effects, to address the question of whether it is the singer or the singing which is effective. The literature revealed that music therapists seek to address cognitive, behavioral, physiological, and social factors through one-to-one singing, whereas other caregivers are more broadly concerned with quality of life, often through facilitating activities of daily living. All included studies concurred that individual singing to PWDs can be effective in a variety of ways, depending on contexts and goals. PWD’s perceptions of situations may influence the effectiveness of singing interventions. Music therapists are urged to empower professional caregivers to sing sensitively to PWDs during caregiving activities.
Amitriptyline, but not lorazepam, relieves postherpetic neuralgia

In a double-blind, randomized, crossover study, 58 patients with postherpetic neuralgia received 6-week courses of amitriptyline, 12.5 to 150 mg/d; lorazepam, 0.5 to 6 mg/d; or lactose placebo. Doses were titrated to the maximum level tolerated. Patients rated pain in a diary, using lists of verbal descriptors. Forty-seven percent of patients reported moderate or greater relief with amitriptyline, 16% with placebo, and 15% with lorazepam. Mean amitriptyline dose was 65 mg/d. Greater relief was associated with higher amitriptyline doses, up to the maxiumum dose of 150 mg/d, and with higher serum tricyclic levels. Lorazepam did not relieve pain and was associated with severe depressive reactions in four patients.
Bioengineered Vascular Scaffolds: The State of the Art

To date, there is increasing clinical need for vascular substitutes due to accidents, malformations, and ischemic diseases. Over the years, many approaches have been developed to solve this problem, starting from autologous native vessels to artificial vascular grafts; unfortunately, none of these have provided the perfect vascular substitute. All have been burdened by various complications, including infection, thrombogenicity, calcification, foreign body reaction, lack of growth potential, late stenosis and occlusion from intimal hyperplasia, and pseudoaneurysm formation. In the last few years, vascular tissue engineering has emerged as one of the most promising approaches for producing mechanically competent vascular substitutes. Nanotechnologies have contributed their part, allowing extraordinarily biostable and biocompatible materials to be developed. Specifically, the use of electrospinning to manufacture conduits able to guarantee a stable flow of biological fluids and guide the formation of a new vessel has revolutionized the concept of the vascular substitute. The electrospinning technique allows extracellular matrix (ECM) to be mimicked with high fidelity, reproducing its porosity and complexity, and providing an environment suitable for cell growth. In the future, a better knowledge of ECM and the manufacture of new materials will allow us to “create” functional biological vessels - the base required to develop organ substitutes and eventually solve the problem of organ failure.
Model based fault detection using unknown input observer- state dependent H∞ filter

This paper presents an approach for robust fault detection (FD) for discrete-time non-linear systems by employing a modified version of the unknown input observer (UIO) to form a nonlinear stochastic observer using state dependent H∞ filter (SDHF). The new Nonlinear UIO-SDHF structure for detecting faults in the presence of external disturbances and uncertainties are applied to a nonlinear biological process. Simulation results are given to show the effectiveness of the approach to discriminate disturbance and detect sensor and actuator faults.
LATERAL BRANCHING OXIDOREDUCTASE acts in the final stages of strigolactone biosynthesis in Arabidopsis

Significance Strigolactone hormones regulate many plant growth and developmental processes and are particularly important in regulating growth in response to nonoptimal conditions. Plants produce a range of bioactive strigolactone-like compounds, suggesting that the biosynthesis pathway is complex. Despite this complexity, only one type of enzyme, the MORE AXILLARY GROWTH1 (MAX1) cytochrome P450, has been attributed to the diversity of strigolactones. Using transcriptomics and reverse genetics, we discovered a previously uncharacterized gene that encodes a 2-oxoglutarate and Fe(II)-dependent dioxygenase involved in strigolactone production downstream of MAX1. Studies with the corresponding mutant have shown that previously identified strigolactone-type compounds in Arabidopsis are not the major strigolactone-type shoot branching hormone in this model species. Strigolactones are a group of plant compounds of diverse but related chemical structures. They have similar bioactivity across a broad range of plant species, act to optimize plant growth and development, and promote soil microbe interactions. Carlactone, a common precursor to strigolactones, is produced by conserved enzymes found in a number of diverse species. Versions of the MORE AXILLARY GROWTH1 (MAX1) cytochrome P450 from rice and Arabidopsis thaliana make specific subsets of strigolactones from carlactone. However, the diversity of natural strigolactones suggests that additional enzymes are involved and remain to be discovered. Here, we use an innovative method that has revealed a missing enzyme involved in strigolactone metabolism. By using a transcriptomics approach involving a range of treatments that modify strigolactone biosynthesis gene expression coupled with reverse genetics, we identified LATERAL BRANCHING OXIDOREDUCTASE (LBO), a gene encoding an oxidoreductase-like enzyme of the 2-oxoglutarate and Fe(II)-dependent dioxygenase superfamily. Arabidopsis lbo mutants exhibited increased shoot branching, but the lbo mutation did not enhance the max mutant phenotype. Grafting indicated that LBO is required for a graft-transmissible signal that, in turn, requires a product of MAX1. Mutant lbo backgrounds showed reduced responses to carlactone, the substrate of MAX1, and methyl carlactonoate (MeCLA), a product downstream of MAX1. Furthermore, lbo mutants contained increased amounts of these compounds, and the LBO protein specifically converts MeCLA to an unidentified strigolactone-like compound. Thus, LBO function may be important in the later steps of strigolactone biosynthesis to inhibit shoot branching in Arabidopsis and other seed plants.
Drug withdrawal symptoms in children after continuous infusions of fentanyl.

The purpose of this research was to determine the extent to which critically ill infants exhibited signs and symptoms of narcotic withdrawal after receiving continuous infusions of fentanyl. The convenience sample consisted of 12 pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) patients under 25 months of age who received fentanyl infusions for at least 24 hours. Drug withdrawal symptoms were monitored using the Neonatal Abstinence Score Tool (NAST), which assigns a score to each behavior indicative of withdrawal. A score of 8 or greater indicates Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS). Scoring began 4 hours after discontinuation of fentanyl and was conducted once per hour for 8 hours. Six subjects had a NAST score exceeding 8; these infants frequently exhibited tremors with or without stimulation, increased muscle tone, insomnia, and increased respiratory rate and effort. There were significant correlations between fentanyl dosage and NAST score (r = .76, p < 0.01), between length of infusion of fentanyl and NAST score (r = .70, p < 0.05), and between chloral hydrate dosage and NAST score (r = .62, p < 0.05). These findings suggest the need for an observation protocol and a possible weaning regimen after fentanyl is discontinued.
Real-time robot navigation in unstructured environments using a 3D laser rangefinder

In this paper a technique for real-time robot navigation is presented. Off-line planned trajectories and motions are modified in real-time to avoid obstacles, using a reactive behaviour. The information about the environment is provided to the control system of the robot by a rotating 3D laser sensor which have two degrees of freedom. Using this sensor, three dimensional information can be obtained, and can be used simultaneously for obstacle avoidance, robot self-localization and for 3D local map building. In this work we focus the attention in the obstacle avoidance problem with this kind of sensor. Experimental results in different indoor environments are reported, which show the versatility of the proposed technique to carry out typical tasks such as wall following, door crossing and motion in a room with several obstacles.
Technological innovation without R&D: unfolding the extra gains of management innovations on technological performance

This paper analyses how management (organisational and marketing) innovations influence non-R&D technological innovators’ performance. Drawing on Community of Innovation Survey data to examine 5878 non-R&D Spanish firms, results indicate that the joint introduction of management innovations with technological innovations improves technological innovative performance thanks to the creation of complex innovation capabilities. Thus, the joint adoption of management and technological innovations in tandem is linked to a premium effect on performance based on complementarities. Non-R&D technological innovators heavily use organisational and marketing activities in order to compensate for their lack of engagement in R&D activities. This is the first paper that brings the management innovation literature into the non-R&D technological innovators debate, using a resource-based view framework.
Design optimization of interior permanent magnet sychronous machines for traction application over a given driving cycle

Interior permanent magnet synchronous machine (IPMSM) has been widely used in traction application due to high efficiency and high power density. Nowadays, in electric vehicle application, the average efficiency over a driving cycle (AEDC) is more attractive than the efficiency over single working point. The paper deals with the design optimization of the average efficiency over a given driving cycle for IPMSM. Thousands of working points obtaining from the given driving cycle are equivalent to a set of work points, several points are chosen as the representative working point, which has top weight coefficient. A design optimization procedure is proposed to evaluate the AEDC by means of several representative working points, and analytical calculation of efficiency, copper loss and iron loss are used. The effectiveness of the design optimization is validated by comparison to the base point optimization.
Genetic imbalances in 26 cases of penile squamous cell carcinoma

To obtain more information on chromosomal changes in the up‐to‐now poorly studied tumor class of penile squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), we performed a comparative genomic hybridization study of 26 cases of this rare tumor. DNA sequence copy number alterations (CNAs) very similar to those detected in other SCC types, such as oral and esophageal SCC, were noted. The most common copy number gains were found in 8q24, 16p11–12, 20q11–13, 22q, 19q13, and 5p15, and the most common deletions were detected in 13q21–22, 4q21–32, and along the X chromosome. Classifying the patients according to the number of CNAs showed a possible correlation with clinical outcome. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The second messenger.

Folate is an important dietary component needed for nervous tissue development, maintenance of neuronal communication, neurotransmitter production, and epigenetic modulation of gene expression. When folate metabolism goes awry, there are often serious consequences for neural development and susceptibility to psychiatric disorders. Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is an enzyme involved in folate metabolism. Polymorphisms in this important enzyme have been associated with several different psychiatric disorders. Psychiatric Disorders: A Messed Up MTHFR Debbi Ann Morrissette, PhD Medical Writer, Neuroscience Education Institute Issue Polymorphisms in the gene for methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) have been linked to several different psychiatric disorders. Action This article discusses how genetic polymorphisms in MTHFR can influence folate metabolism and ultimately lead to increased susceptibility to psychiatric disorders. Several pharmacological treatments to correct aberrant folate metabolism and its downstream consequences are currently under investigation.
Physical Activity Participation of Disabled Children: A Systematic Review of Conceptual and Methodological Approaches in Health Research

Physical activity (PA) participation is widely recognized as a critical component of health and development for disabled and non-disabled children. Emergent literature reflects a paradigm shift in the conceptualization of childhood PA as a multi-dimensional construct, encompassing aspects of physical performance, and self-perceived engagement. However, ambiguity remains around how participation as a health construct is integrated into PA research. The primary objective of the present mini-review is to critically examine current conceptual and methodological approaches to evaluating PA participation among disabled children. We conducted a systematic review of contemporary literature (published between 2000 and 2016). Seventeen articles met inclusion criteria, and their research approach was classified into guiding framework, definition of the key construct, and measurement used. The primary guiding framework was the international classification of functioning, disability and health. An explicit definition of PA participation was absent from all studies. Eight studies (47%) operationalized PA and participation as independent constructs. Measurements included traditional performance-based aspects of PA (frequency, duration, and intensity), and alternative participation measures (subjective perception of involvement, inclusion, or enjoyment). Approximately 64% of included articles were published in the past 2 years (2014–2016) indicating a rising interest in the topic of PA participation. Drawing from the broader discussion of participation in the literature, we offer a working definition of PA participation as it pertains to active, health-associated behaviors. Further description of alternative approaches to framing and measuring PA participation are offered to support effective assessment of health status among disabled children.
School feeding for improving the physical and psychosocial health of disadvantaged elementary school children.

BACKGROUND Early malnutrition and/or micronutrient deficiencies can adversely affect physical, mental, and social aspects of child health. School feeding programs are designed to improve attendance, achievement, growth, and other health outcomes. OBJECTIVES The main objective was to determine the effectiveness of school feeding programs in improving physical and psychosocial health for disadvantaged school children. SEARCH STRATEGY We searched a number of databases including CENTRAL (2006 Issue 2), MEDLINE (1966 to May 2006), EMBASE (1980 to May 2006), PsycINFO (1980 to May 2006) and CINAHL (1982 to May 2006). Grey literature sources were also searched. Reference lists of included studies and key journals were handsearched and we also contacted selected experts in the field. SELECTION CRITERIA Data from randomized controlled trials (RCTs), non-randomised controlled clinical trials (CCTs), controlled before and after studies (CBAs), and interrupted time series studies (ITSs) were included. Feeding had to be done in school; the majority of participants had to be socio-economically disadvantaged. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two reviewers assessed all searches and retrieved studies. Data extraction was done by one of four reviewers and reviewed by a second. Two reviewers independently rated quality. If sufficient data were available, they were synthesized using random effects meta-analysis, adjusting for clustering if needed. Analyses were performed separately for RCTs and CBAs and for higher and lower income countries. MAIN RESULTS We included 18 studies. For weight, in the RCTs and CBAs from Lower Income Countries, experimental group children gained an average of 0.39 kg (95% C.I: 0.11 to 0.67) over an average of 19 months and 0.71 kg (95% C.I.: 0.48 to 0.95) over 11.3 months respectively. Results for weight were mixed in higher income countries. For height, results were mixed; height gain was greater for younger children. Attendance in lower income countries was higher in experimental groups than in controls; our results show an average increase of 4 to 6 days a year. Math gains were consistently higher for experimental groups in lower income countries; in CBAs, the Standardized Mean Difference was 0.66 (95% C.I. = 0.13 to 1.18). In short-term studies, small improvements in some cognitive tasks were found. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS School meals may have some small benefits for disadvantaged children. We recommend further well-designed studies on the effectiveness of school meals be undertaken, that results should be reported according to socio-economic status, and that researchers gather robust data on both processes and carefully chosen outcomes.
Plasma homocysteine levels and mortality in patients with coronary artery disease.

A BSTRACT Background Elevated plasma homocysteine levels are a risk factor for coronary heart disease, but the prognostic value of homocysteine levels in patients with established coronary artery disease has not been defined. Methods We prospectively investigated the relation between plasma total homocysteine levels and mortality among 587 patients with angiographically confirmed coronary artery disease. At the time of angiography in 1991 or 1992, risk factors for coronary disease, including homocysteine levels, were evaluated. The majority of the patients subsequently underwent coronary-artery bypass grafting (318 patients) or percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (120 patients); the remaining 149 were treated medically. Results After a median follow-up of 4.6 years, 64 patients (10.9 percent) had died. We found a strong, graded relation between plasma homocysteine levels and overall mortality. After four years, 3.8 percent of patients with homocysteine levels below 9 m mol per liter had died, as compared with 24.7 percent of those with homocysteine levels of 15 m mol per liter or higher. Homocysteine levels were only weakly related to the extent of coronary artery disease but were strongly related to the history with respect to myocardial infarction, the left ventricular ejection fraction, and the serum creatinine level. The relation of homocysteine levels to mortality remained strong after adjustment for these and other potential confounders. In an analysis in which the patients with homocysteine levels below 9 m mol per liter were used as the reference group, the mortality ratios were 1.9 for patients with homocysteine levels of 9.0 to 14.9 m mol per liter, 2.8 for those with levels of 15.0 to 19.9 m mol per liter, and 4.5 for those with levels of 20.0 m mol per liter or higher (P for trend 5 0.02). When death due to cardiovascular disease (which occurred in 50 patients) was used as the end point in the analysis, the relation between homocysteine levels and mortality was slightly strengthened. Conclusions Plasma total homocysteine levels are a strong predictor of mortality in patients with angiographically confirmed coronary artery disease. (N Engl J Med 1997;337:230-6.)
Phase I trial of UCN-01 in combination with topotecan in patients with advanced solid cancers: a Princess Margaret Hospital Phase II Consortium study.

BACKGROUND 7-Hydroxystaurosporine (UCN-01) inhibits serine-threonine kinases including the Ca2+ and phospholipid-dependent protein kinase C (PKC), CDKs 2, 4, 6, Chk-1 and PDK1. UCN-01 mediates distinct effects in vitro/in vivo: cell cycle arrest in G1, abrogation of G2 arrest by inhibiting chk1, induction of apoptosis and potentiation of cytotoxicity of S-phase-active chemotherapeutics including the topoisomerase 1 inhibitor topotecan (T). This phase I study was designed to determine the maximal tolerated dose (MTD), recommended phase 2 dose (RPTD), toxicity profile, pharmacokinetics and antitumor activity of T and UCN-01 in patients with refractory solid tumors. DESIGN Both agents were administered every 21 days intravenously through central venous access in escalating doses to eligible patients. On day 1, following antiemetic prophylaxis with dexamethasone and a serotonin type 3(A) receptor (5HT3) inhibitor, UCN-01 was infused over 3 h, followed by T infused over 30 min. On days 2-5, patients received T only. UCN-01 doses were reduced by 50% in cycles 2 and beyond because of its prolonged half-life. RESULTS Thirty-three patients were entered in three cohorts: Dose Level (DL) 1 (UCN-01 70 mg/m2, T 0.75 mg/m2), three patients; DL 2 (UCN-01 70 mg/m2, T 1.0 mg/m2), 24 patients; DL 3 (UCN-01 90 mg/m2, T 1.0 mg/m2), six patients. All but three patients were PS 0 or 1, median age was 54 years (range, 29-72), 91% were female. Primary tumor types: ovary/peritoneal (23 patients), colon (three patients), salivary gland (two patients), others (five patients). All patients were eligible for adverse event (AE) analysis and 22 patients were eligible for survival and tumor response analysis. Two of six patients had dose limiting toxicity (DLT) at DL 3 (grade 3 N/V; grade 4 neutropenia with infection). One DLT was seen in one patient at DL 2, consisting of grade 4 leukopenia. This cohort was expanded and no further DLTs were observed. Most common drug-related AEs were mild (grade 1-2). Non-hematological grade 3-4 AEs consisted of transient hyperglycemia (4), infection (3), coagulation, fatigue, hypotension, nausea (2), hypomagnesemia, vomiting, headache (1). Hematologic toxicities occurred in 100% of patients. Grade 3-4 hematologic abnormalities included neutropenia (16, including three with infection), leukopenia (11), lymphopenia (7), thrombocytopenia (5). Best response for 22 evaluable patients was PD (8), SD for at least six cycles (12), PR (1: carcinoma of ovary, dose level 2) and one not assessable. Pharmacokinetic analysis confirmed the prolonged half-life of UCN-01 of approximately 15 days. CONCLUSIONS DLT was observed at DL 3 and RPTD was determined to be DL 2. To date, this combination has been relatively well tolerated with some preliminary evidence of efficacy. A phase II study of this combination in patients with ovarian cancer is underway.
APPLICATION OF CONDOMS ON MALE CLIENTS BY FEMALE SEX WORKERS IN YEREVAN, ARMENIA: PREVALENCE AND CORRELATES

Summary This study sought to assess the prevalence of consistent condom application on male clients by female sex workers (FSWs) in Armenia and its association with demographic, psychosocial and behavioural factors. In this cross-sectional study, 120 street-based FSWs aged 20–52 completed an interviewer-administered questionnaire. The primary outcome measure was consistent application of condoms by FSWs on their male clients. A total of 21.7% of participants reported consistently applying condoms on clients. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that higher condom use self-efficacy (Adjusted Odds Ratio, AOR=1.1; p=0.01), lower perceived condom use barriers (AOR=0.9; p=0.04) and not using douching as a method to prevent STI/HIV (AOR=4.8; p=0.04) significantly predicted consistent condom application. Higher HIV/AIDS knowledge was a marginally significant predictor of condom application (AOR=1.3; p=0.05). Future interventions should address these modifiable factors to encourage FSWs to apply condoms on clients themselves, which may reduce condom failure and exposure to HIV transmission.