Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Patient Portals and Patient Engagement: A State of the Science Review

Background Patient portals (ie, electronic personal health records tethered to institutional electronic health records) are recognized as a promising mechanism to support greater patient engagement, yet questions remain about how health care leaders, policy makers, and designers can encourage adoption of patient portals and what factors might contribute to sustained utilization. Objective The purposes of this state of the science review are to (1) present the definition, background, and how current literature addresses the encouragement and support of patient engagement through the patient portal, and (2) provide a summary of future directions for patient portal research and development to meaningfully impact patient engagement. Methods We reviewed literature from 2006 through 2014 in PubMed, Ovid Medline, and PsycInfo using the search terms “patient portal” OR “personal health record” OR “electronic personal health record”. Final inclusion criterion dictated that studies report on the patient experience and/or ways that patients may be supported to make competent health care decisions and act on those decisions using patient portal functionality. Results We found 120 studies that met the inclusion criteria. Based on the research questions, explicit and implicit aims of the studies, and related measures addressed, the studies were grouped into five major topics (patient adoption, provider endorsement, health literacy, usability, and utility). We discuss the findings and conclusions of studies that address the five topical areas. Conclusions Current research has demonstrated that patients’ interest and ability to use patient portals is strongly influenced by personal factors such age, ethnicity, education level, health literacy, health status, and role as a caregiver. Health care delivery factors, mainly provider endorsement and patient portal usability also contribute to patient’s ability to engage through and with the patient portal. Future directions of research should focus on identifying specific populations and contextual considerations that would benefit most from a greater degree of patient engagement through a patient portal. Ultimately, adoption by patients and endorsement by providers will come when existing patient portal features align with patients’ and providers’ information needs and functionality.
Bill-Pay Control : An Interactive User Interface to Select IP Service Quality

The future Internet may be built to deliver better service to traffic that is accompanied by additional payments. In such a scenario, changes in payment s and the resulting performance impact could be realized on very fine timescales, such as with in seconds. Thus, users would benefit from (1) a desktop instrument that measures and prese nts their applications’ Internet traffic in a user-friendly fashion and (2) desktop controls t hat allow the adjustment of desired service level, and corresponding payment, for their applic ation traffic in real time. In this paper we present Bill-Pay Control, an interactive, web-based user interface that we designed and implemented as part of Bill-Pay Sim, a simulation system that emulates the performance that such a future Internet might exhibit. Bill -Pay Control runs on a user’s workstation, continually displays application-level network traffic statistics, and allows the user to select accompanying service levels. This functionality pr ovides the user with the flexibility to improve network and application performance by controll ing payments tied to the chosen traffic. We also report our initial experience with the syste m and make observations about its efficacy as an evaluation environment for proposed Internet billing schemes.
The challenges and beauty of peripheral nerve regrowth

This review provides an overview of selected aspects of peripheral nerve regeneration and potential avenues to explore therapeutically. The overall coordinated and orchestrated pattern of recovery from peripheral nerve injury has a beauty of execution and progress that rivals all other forms of neurobiology. It involves changes at the level of the perikaryon, coordination with important peripheral glial partners, the Schwann cells, a controlled inflammatory response, and growth that overcomes surprising intrinsic roadblocks. Both regenerative axon growth and collateral sprouting encompass fascinating aspects of this story. Better understanding of peripheral nerve regeneration may also lead to enhanced central nervous system recovery.
Correlation of diffusion tensor imaging with executive function measures after early childhood traumatic brain injury.

OBJECTIVE Examine relationships of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) fractional anisotropy (FA) to executive function (EF) and attention measures following early childhood (3-7 years) traumatic brain injury (TBI). DESIGN Exploratory correlation and comparison study. SETTING Children's hospital outpatient facilities. PARTICIPANTS 9 children with a history of TBI (age = 7.89 ± 1.00 years; Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) = 10.11 ± 4.68) were compared to 12 children with OI (age = 7.51 ± 0.95). All children were at least 12 months post injury at time of evaluation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES FA in various regions of interest (ROI), EF and attention measures. RESULTS FA values primarily in the frontal white matter tracks correlated with EF measures. Separate tasks of inhibition and switching correlated significantly with FA in bilateral frontal lobes. Tasks combining both inhibition and switching correlated significantly with FA values in the left frontal lobe. Tasks of attention negatively correlated with FA values in the right frontal white matter and the superior longitudinal fasciculus. CONCLUSIONS Associations between late measurement of FA and EF measures following early childhood TBI suggest that persistent white matter changes, especially in the frontal white matter, may provide an index of EF deficits.
PAC-Bayesian Theorems for Domain Adaptation with Specialization to Linear Classifiers

In this paper, we provide two main contributions in PAC-Bayesian theory for domain adaptation where the objective is to learn, from a source distribution, a well-performing majority vote on a different target distribution. On the one hand, we propose an improvement of the previous approach proposed by Germain et al. (2013), that relies on a novel distribution pseudodistance based on a disagreement averaging, allowing us to derive a new tighter PAC-Bayesian domain adaptation bound for the stochastic Gibbs classifier. We specialize it to linear classifiers, and design a learning algorithm which shows interesting results on a synthetic problem and on a popular sentiment annotation task. On the other hand, we generalize these results to multisource domain adaptation allowing us to take into account different source domains. This study opens the door to tackle domain adaptation tasks by making use of all the PAC-Bayesian tools.
A resource-based framework for interactive composition of multimedia documents

Interactive document composition requires users to launch complex programs, interleaving editing, integration, and formatting activities. Moreover, access to the document fragments may require specialised programs, possibly using proprietary formats. We propose a light-weight interaction framework for document composition, based on a notion of resource, where document construction amounts to selecting fragments, possibly generated via simple in-place editors or extracted from existing rich format documents. Actual document generation uses style sheets to produce different renderings for the same content.
Analysis of Critical Points for IP Address Auto-Configuration in Ad-Hoc Networks

The IETF working group’s aim is to speed up development of the standard for the IP address auto-configuration in Ad-Hoc networks. Many studies have been investigated to complete an automatic configuration, but IP address autoconfiguration remains an unresolved issue in Ad-Hoc networks. The approaches taken in these studies differ. We provide a framework to compare factors of Ad-Hoc networks. This paper arranges existing solutions in two categories and analyzes the critical points of these schemes.
Searching for Conservation Laws in Brain Dynamics - BOLD Flux and Source Imaging

Blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD) imaging is the most important noninvasive tool to map human brain function. It relies on local blood-flow changes controlled by neurovascular coupling effects, usually in response to some cognitive or perceptual task. In this contribution we ask if the spatiotemporal dynamics of the BOLD signal can be modeled by a conservation law. In analogy to the description of physical laws, which often can be derived from some underlying conservation law, identification of conservation laws in the brain could lead to new models for the functional organization of the brain. Our model is independent of the nature of the conservation law, but we discuss possible hints and motivations for conservation laws. For example, globally limited blood supply and local competition between brain regions for blood might restrict the large scale BOLD signal in certain ways that could be observable. One proposed selective pressure for the evolution of such conservation laws is the closed volume of the skull limiting the expansion of brain tissue by increases in blood volume. These ideas are demonstrated on a mental motor imagery fMRI experiment, in which functional brain activation was mapped in a group of volunteers imagining themselves swimming. In order to search for local conservation laws during this complex cognitive process, we derived maps of quantities resulting from spatial interaction of the BOLD amplitudes. Specifically, we mapped fluxes and sources of the BOLD signal, terms that would appear in a description by a continuity equation. Whereas we cannot present final answers with the particular analysis of this particular experiment, some results seem to be non-trivial. For example, we found that during task the group BOLD flux covered more widespread regions than identified by conventional BOLD mapping and was always increasing during task. It is our hope that these results motivate more work towards the search for conservation laws in neuroimaging experiments or at least towards imaging procedures based on spatial interactions of signals. The payoff could be new models for the dynamics of the healthy brain or more sensitive clinical imaging approaches, respectively.
What is the meaning of the statistical hadronization model

The statistical model of hadronization succeeds in reproducing particle abundances and transverse momentum spectra in high energy collisions of elementary particles as well as of heavy ions. Despite its apparent success, the interpretation of these results is controversial and the validity of the approach very often questioned. In this paper, we would like to summarize the whole issue by first outlining a basic formulation of the model and then comment on the main criticisms and different kinds of interpretations, with special emphasis on the so-called "phase space dominance". While the ultimate answer to the question why the statistical model works should certainly be pursued, we stress that it is a priority to confirm or disprove the fundamental scheme of the statistical model by performing some detailed tests on the rates of exclusive channels at lower energy.
The Beckman Report on Database Research

Every few years a group of database researchers meets to discuss the state of database research, its impact on practice, and important new directions. This report summarizes the discussion and conclusions of the eighth such meeting, held October 14- 15, 2013 in Irvine, California. It observes that Big Data has now become a defining challenge of our time, and that the database research community is uniquely positioned to address it, with enormous opportunities to make transformative impact. To do so, the report recommends significantly more attention to five research areas: scalable big/fast data infrastructures; coping with diversity in the data management landscape; end-to-end processing and understanding of data; cloud services; and managing the diverse roles of people in the data life cycle.
Molecular Mechanisms Responsible for the Differential Effects of ApoE3 and ApoE4 on Plasma Lipoprotein–Cholesterol Levels

Objective—The goal of this study was to understand the molecular basis of how the amino acid substitution C112R that distinguishes human apolipoprotein (apo) E4 from apoE3 causes the more proatherogenic plasma lipoprotein–cholesterol distribution that is known to be associated with the expression of apoE4. Approach and Results—Adeno-associated viruses, serotype 8 (AAV8), were used to express different levels of human apoE3, apoE4, and several C-terminal truncation and internal deletion variants in C57BL/6 apoE-null mice, which exhibit marked dysbetalipoproteinemia. Plasma obtained from these mice 2 weeks after the AAV8 treatment was analyzed for cholesterol and triglyceride levels, as well as for the distribution of cholesterol between the lipoprotein fractions. Hepatic expression of apoE3 and apoE4 induced similar dose-dependent decreases in plasma cholesterol and triglyceride to the levels seen in control C57BL/6 mice. Importantly, at the same reduction in plasma total cholesterol, expression of apoE4 gave rise to higher very low-density lipoprotein–cholesterol (VLDL-C) and lower high-density lipoprotein–cholesterol levels relative to the apoE3 situation. The C-terminal domain and residues 261 to 272 in particular play a critical role, because deleting them markedly affected the performance of both isoforms. Conclusions—ApoE4 possesses enhanced lipid and VLDL-binding ability relative to apoE3, which gives rise to impaired lipolytic processing of VLDL in apoE4-expressing mice. These effects reduce VLDL remnant clearance from the plasma compartment and decrease the amount of VLDL surface components available for incorporation into the high-density lipoprotein pool, accounting for the more proatherogenic lipoprotein profile (higher VLDL-C/high-density lipoprotein–cholesterol ratio) occurring in apoE4-expressing animals compared with their apoE3 counterparts.
Deep Holes and MDS Extensions of Reed–Solomon Codes

We study the problem of classifying deep holes of Reed–Solomon codes. We show that this problem is equivalent to the problem of classifying maximum distance separable (MDS) extensions of Reed–Solomon codes by one digit. This equivalence allows us to improve recent results on the former problem. In particular, we classify deep holes of Reed–Solomon codes of dimension greater than half the alphabet size. We also give a complete classification of deep holes of Reed–Solomon codes with redundancy three in all dimensions.
Set-Valued Sliding-Mode Control of Uncertain Linear Systems: Continuous and Discrete-Time Analysis

In this paper we study the closed-loop dynamics of linear time-invariant systems with feedback control laws that are described by set-valued maximal monotone maps. The class of systems considered in this work is subject to both, unknown exogenous disturbances and parameter uncertainty. It is shown how the design of conventional sliding mode controllers can be achieved using maximal monotone operators (which include the set-valued signum function). Two cases are analyzed: continuous-time and discrete-time controllers. In both cases well-posedness together with stability results are presented. In discrete time we show how the implicit scheme proposed for the selection of control actions makes sense resulting in the chattering effect being almost suppressed even with uncertainty in the system.
Development of Performance Properties of Ternary Mixtures and Concrete Pavement Mixture Design and Analysis (MDA): Effect of Paste Quality on Fresh and Hardened Properties of Ternary Mixtures

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of cement paste quality on the concrete performance, particularly fresh properties, by changing the water-to-cementitious materials ratio (w/cm), type and dosage of supplementary cementitious materials (SCM), and air-void system in binary and ternary mixtures. In this experimental program, a total matrix of 54 mixtures with w/cm of 0.40 and 0.45; target air content of 2%, 4%, and 8%; a fixed cementitious content of 600 pounds per cubic yard (pcy), and the incorporation of three types of SCMs at different dosages was prepared. The fine aggregate-to-total aggregate ratio was fixed at 0.42. Workability, rheology, air-void system, setting time, strength, Wenner Probe surface resistivity, and shrinkage were determined. The effects of paste variables on workability are more marked at the higher w/cm. The compressive strength is strongly influenced by the paste quality, dominated by w/cm and air content. Surface resistivity is improved by inclusion of Class F fly ash and slag cement, especially at later ages. Ternary mixtures performed in accordance with their ingredients. The data collected will be used to develop models that will be part of an innovative mix proportioning procedure.
A New Rapidly Absorbed Paracetamol Tablet Containing Sodium Bicarbonate. II. Dissolution Studies and In Vitro/In Vivo Correlation

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to compare the in vitro dissolution profile of a new rapidly absorbed paracetamol tablet containing sodium bicarbonate (PS) with that of a conventional paracetamol tablet (P), and to relate these by deconvolution and mapping to in vivo release. The dissolution methods used include the standard procedure described in the USP monograph for paracetamol tablets, employing buffer at pH 5.8 or 0.05 M HCl at stirrer speeds between 10 and 50 rpm. The mapping process was developed and implemented in Microsoft Excel® worksheets that iteratively calculated the optimal values of scale and shape factors which linked in vivo time to in vitro time. The in vitro–in vivo correlation (IVIVC) was carried out simultaneously for both formulations to produce common mapping factors. The USP method, using buffer at pH 5.8, demonstrated no difference between the two products. However, using an acidic medium the rate of dissolution of P but not of PS decreased with decreasing stirrer speed. A significant correlation (r = 0.773; p<.00001) was established between in vivo release and in vitro dissolution using the profiles obtained with 0.05 M HCl and a stirrer speed of 30 rpm. The scale factor for optimal simultaneous IVIVC in the fasting state was 2.54 and the shape factor was 0.16; corresponding values for mapping in the fed state were 3.37 and 0.13 (implying a larger in vitro–in vivo time difference but reduced shape difference in the fed state). The current IVIVC explains, in part, the observed in vivo variability of the two products. The approach to mapping may also be extended to different batches of these products, to predict the impact of any changes of in vitro dissolution on in vivo release and plasma drug concentration–time profiles.
A Survey on Data Compression Methods for Biological Sequences

The ever increasing growth of the production of high-throughput sequencing data poses a serious challenge to the storage, processing and transmission of these data. As frequently stated, it is a data deluge. Compression is essential to address this challenge—it reduces storage space and processing costs, along with speeding up data transmission. In this paper, we provide a comprehensive survey of existing compression approaches, that are specialized for biological data, including protein and DNA sequences. Also, we devote an important part of the paper to the approaches proposed for the compression of different file formats, such as FASTA, as well as FASTQ and SAM/BAM, which contain quality scores and metadata, in addition to the biological sequences. Then, we present a comparison of the performance of several methods, in terms of compression ratio, memory usage and compression/decompression time. Finally, we present some suggestions for future research on biological data compression.
Depression Drug Treatment Outcomes in Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the comparative benefits and harms in both mother and child of antidepressant treatment for depression in pregnant or postpartum women. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE, the Cochrane Library, CINAHL, Scopus, ClinicalTrials.gov (inception to July 2013), manufacturers, and reference lists. METHODS OF STUDY SELECTION: Two reviewers independently selected studies of pregnant women with depression comparing antidepressants with each other, placebo or no treatment, or nondrug treatments. Studies making comparisons among women taking antidepressants for any reason and those not taking antidepressants (depression status unknown) were used to fill gaps in the evidence. TABULATION, INTEGRATION, AND RESULTS: Dual study data extraction and quality assessment were used. Six randomized controlled trials and 15 observational studies provided evidence. Low-strength evidence suggested neonates of pregnant women with depression taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors had higher risk of respiratory distress than did neonates of untreated women (13.9% compared with 7.8%; P<.001) but no difference in risk of neonatal convulsions (0.14% compared with 0.11%; P=.64) or preterm birth (17% compared with 10%; P=.07). Indirect evidence from studies of pregnant women receiving antidepressants for mixed or unreported reasons compared with pregnant women not taking antidepressants (depression status unknown) suggested future research should focus on congenital anomalies and autism spectrum and attention deficit disorders in the child. In postpartum depression, low-strength evidence suggested symptom response was not improved when sertraline was added to psychotherapy or when cognitive–behavioral therapy was added to paroxetine. Evidence was insufficient for other outcomes, including depression symptoms, functional capacity, breastfeeding, and infant and child development. A serious limitation is the lack of study populations of exclusively depressed pregnant and postpartum women. CONCLUSION: Evidence about the comparative benefits and harms of pharmacologic treatment of depression in pregnant and postpartum women was largely inadequate to allow informed decisions about treatment. Considering the prevalence of depression, filling this gap is essential.
Measurement of permittivity and dielectric loss with a millimetre-wave Fabry-Perôt interferometer

The application of a Fabry-Perot interferometer for the measurement of the permittivities and loss tangents of materials at millimetric and sub-millimetric wavelengths is considered. Theoretical expressions for the fields in the dielectric and air regions of the resonant interferometer are derived for a general position of the sheet between the reflectors. Measurements were made on an interferometer at wavelengths of about 6mm, and the results for the permittivities and loss tangents of Teflon, polystyrene and Plexiglas are given. Values of permittivity are believed to be accurate to well within 1%. The accuracy of the tan δ determinations is dependent on diffraction losses in the interferometer, and on the reading precision. Results obtained show the correct gradation for these dielectric materials, and are in reasonable agreement with other determinations. The method is potentially applicable to many other similar types of measurement, and becomes easier and more accurate at shorter wavelengths.