Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An Individualized Dyadic Problem-Solving Education Intervention for Patients and Family Caregivers During Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: A Feasibility Study

Background: Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) generates multiple problems that vary in complexity and create significant distress for both patients and their caregivers. Interventions that address patient and family caregiver distress during allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) have not been tested. Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of conducting an individualized dyadic problem-solving education (PSE) intervention during HSCT and estimate a preliminary effect size on problem-solving skills and distress. Methods: The PSE intervention consisted of 4 sessions of the Prepared Family Caregiver PSE model. Data were collected with an interventionist log, subject interviews and standardized questionnaires. Results: Of the 34 adult dyads screened, 24 were ineligible primarily because of being non-English-speaking (n = 11) and inconsistent caregivers (n = 10). Ten dyads (n = 20) were enrolled, and 8 dyads (n = 16) completed the intervention. Of the 31 sessions, 29 were completed (94%). Worsening patient condition was the primary reason for sessions to be incomplete. Patients attended 90% of the sessions; caregivers attended 74%. Reasons for missed sessions included patient symptom distress and limited caregiver availability. Dyads reported being very satisfied (mean, 4.8 [SD, 1.8]; range, 1-5), stating "an opportunity to talk" and "creative thinking" were most beneficial. Conclusion: Results suggest that dyads can participate in PSE during HSCT and view it as beneficial. Participants identified the active process of solving problems as helpful. Implications for Practice: Targeted interventions that promote effective, meaningful behaviors are needed to guide patients and caregivers through HSCT. Future research recommendations include testing a version of PSE with fewer sessions, including spousal and nonspousal caregivers and those who are non-English speaking.
C-Reactive Protein Levels Increase During HIV-1 Disease Progression in Rakai, Uganda, Despite the Absence of Microbial Translocation

Introduction:Microbial translocation has been implicated as a contributing factor to the heightened immune activation observed during HIV-1 disease progression. When examined in a longitudinal study of HIV-1 seroconverters in Rakai, Uganda, microbial translocation was not associated with HIV-1 disease progression. However, the role of general immune activation in HIV disease progression in this population was not fully examined. Methods:Longitudinal serum samples of HIV-1 seroconverters in three HIV-1 disease progression groups [long-term nonprogressors (LTNP), standard progressors (SP), and rapid progressors (RP)] from Rakai, Uganda, were tested for levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker for immune activation. Results:CRP levels significantly increased in the SP group (P < 0.0001) but not in the RP group or the LTNP group. CRP levels during the first year post-HIV seroconversion in the RP group were significantly higher than those observed in the LTNP group (P < 0.05). For the entire population, CRP levels negatively correlated with lipopolysaccharide levels (P < 0.05) and were not associated with endotoxin antibody levels. Conclusions:This study suggests that in this population, increased immune activation is significantly associated with HIV-1 disease progression but not microbial translocation.
Community development and local governments in nigeria: A discourse

This paper examined the Role and Challenges of Local Government in Community Development in Nigeria. Local government since its creation in Nigeria has been and is still involved in the process of community development which ultimately translates increased standard of living among rural dwellers. Though there is glaring evidence of serious inadequacies in basic social services and amenities to the rural community, emphasis in this regard has been placed on mobilization for sustainable community development. Research and studies have shown that local government plays a variety of roles to meet-up with the challenges of community development. The paper is made up of Introduction; Conceptual Clarification; local government and Community Development; Approaches to Community Development, challenges to community development, Conclusion and Recommendations. It concluded that local governments have not been able to play their constitutional roles, let alone making attempts at rural development due in the main to the fact that they have been emasculated by other tiers of government. It suggested the Integrated Rural Development approach in view of its comprehensiveness for sustainable rural development. The paper strongly recommended autonomy for local governments. It further canvassed fiscal and political reforms as avenues for strengthening governance in the Nigerian local government system.
Targeting EGFR signalling in chronic lung disease: therapeutic challenges and opportunities

Chronic respiratory diseases, including pulmonary fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer, are the second leading cause of death among Europeans. Despite this, there have been only a few therapeutic advances in these conditions over the past 20 years. In this review we provide evidence that targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signalling pathway may represent a novel therapeutic panacea for treating chronic lung disease. Using evidence from human patient samples, transgenic animal models, and cell and molecular biology studies we highlight the roles of this signalling pathway in lung development, homeostasis, repair, and disease ontogeny. We identify mechanisms underlying lung EGFR pathway regulation and suggest how targeting these mechanisms using new and existing therapies has the potential to improve future lung cancer, COPD and pulmonary fibrosis patient outcomes. Deregulated EGFR pathway signalling is a common event and an important therapeutic target for many chronic lung diseases http://ow.ly/rH74p
Advances in Signal Transforms: Theory and Applications

Contents Preface ix 1. Wavelet and frame transforms originated from continuous and discrete splines, Amir Z. Averbuch and Valery A. Zheludev 1 1.1. Introduction 1 1.2. Preliminaries 4 1.3. Prediction filters originated from splines 9 1.4. Biorthogonal wavelet transforms generated by filter banks with downsampling factor N = 2 (diadic transforms) 17 1.5. Application of spline-based wavelet transforms to image compression 24 1.6. Wavelet frames (framelets) generated by 3-channel filter banks with downsampling factor N = 2 28 1.7. Erasure recovery properties of the designed wavelet frames 37 1.8. Biorthogonal wavelet transforms generated by filter banks with downsampling factor N = 3 (triadic transforms) 42 Appendix 52 Bibliography 54 2. Recent developments in Haar wavelet transform for application to switching and multivalued logic functions representations, Radomir S. Stankovi´c, Karen Egiazarian, and Jaakko Astola 57 2.1. Introduction: logic design and spectral transforms 57 2.2. Discrete Haar functions 58 2.3. Decision diagrams and their optimization 60 2.4. Haar expressions for discrete functions 61 2.5. Haar spectral diagrams 63 2.6. Haar spectral transform decision diagrams 69 2.7. HSTDDs with the minimal number of paths 71 2.8. Experimental results 77 2.9. Multivalued Haar functions 81 2.10. Closing remarks 88 Bibliography 89 3. Discrete transforms, fast algorithms, and point spread functions of numerical reconstruction of digitally recorded holograms,
Quasi-gray coding scheme for a (3×22m'+1)-ary QAM with two-time dimensions

As the conventional QAM has a square constellation, PAPR is high due to the corner signal points. To overcome this, the (3 × 2m)-ary QAM with even m was proposed recently. For odd m, the rectangular constellation has high PAPR and perfect Gray code, while the diamond constellation has low PAPR and imperfect Gray code. In this paper, we propose a scheme assigning quasi-Gray code to the diamond constellation for the QAM with two-time dimensions and provide its generating equation which reduces the hardware complexity. Numerical results show BER performances for the AWGN and Rayleigh fading channels and that the diamond constellation has the lowest PAPR.
Giving off mixed signals—Distinct functions of α5β1 and αvβ3 integrins in regulating cell behaviour

The formation, maturation, and dissolution of focal adhesions are basic prerequisites of cell migration and rely on the recruitment, signalling, and endocytosis of integrins. In many instances, extracellular matrix molecules are recognised by a number of integrins, and it is the sequential involvement of different integrins that allows establishment of cell polarity and migration towards a matrix stimulus. In this review, we consider both the similarities and differences between two key fibronectin receptors, αvβ3 and α5β1 integrin. By considering the GTPase and kinase signalling and trafficking of two such closely‐related receptors, we begin to understand how cell migration is coordinated. © 2009 IUBMB IUBMB Life 61(7): 731–738, 2009
Crystal Vibes feat. Ott: A psychedelic musical virtual reality experience utilising the full-body vibrotactile haptic synesthesia suit

Immersive media technology such as virtual reality provides the unique opportunity to place participants in multi-sensory hyper-connected universes where auditory and visual senses are intimately connected, and worlds can be built out of fractal geometries. Crystal Vibes is an artistic piece that combines spatial audio, endless fractal geometries, full-body haptic vibration feedback and sound-to-colour visualisation based on empirical biological functions related to human auditory and visual perception. Exhibited at Sundance Film Festival New Frontier in January 2017, and at Kaleidoscope Showcase Vol. 2 in 10 cities across the world, in this paper we report on insights from user feedback, as well as details of the technical implementation, including real-time rendering of seemingly infinite fractal-like structures, the haptic design philosophy and the sound-visualisation technique. Finally, we comment on the psychology and utility of such virtual environments.
Learning, Culture and Evolution in the Origin of Linguistic Constraints

This paper presents a computational model of language learning, transmission, and evolution. We contrast two explanations for the observed t of language universals with language function that are prominent in the linguistics literature, and which appear to rely on very diierent explanatory mechanisms | innate constraints on the one hand, and parsing innuenced language change on the other. We show using our model that both explanations can be subsumed under one mechanism of diierential take up of competing forms in the language community and subsequent evolution of the learning mechanism to eeciently learn regularities in the input.
In Vivo and In Vitro Effects of ATM/ATR Signaling Pathway on Proliferation, Apoptosis, and Radiosensitivity of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Cells.

AIM The study investigated the ability of ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM)/Rad3-related (ATR) signaling pathway to influence the proliferation, apoptosis, and radiosensitivity of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS NPC tissues and corresponding adjacent normal tissues were collected from 143 NPC patients. The NPC CNE2 cells were assigned into a control group, X-ray group, CGK-733 group, and X-ray+CGK-733 group. The mRNA levels of ATM and ATR were evaluated using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and the protein levels of ATM and ATR using western blotting. The positive expression of ATM and ATR in tissues and nude mouse tumor tissues was determined by immunohistochemistry. Cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis rates were analyzed by the 3-(4,5)-dimethylthiahiazo (-z-y1)-3,5-di- phenytetrazoliumromide (MTT) assay, scratch test, transwell assay, and flow cytometry, respectively. A nude mouse model of NPC was established to observe tumor volume and growth. RESULTS The mRNA levels of ATR and ATM and the expression of ATR and ATM protein in NPC tissues were significantly higher than those in adjacent normal tissues. The colony formation assay showed that the colony-forming rate decreased, showing radiation dose-dependent and CGK-733 concentration-dependent manners. Expression of ATM, ATR, Chk1, and Chk2 was evidently increased in the X-ray, CGK-733, and X-ray+CGK-733groups compared with the control group, and the aforementioned expression was highest in the X-ray+CGK-733 group among the four groups. The cell proliferation, invasion, and migration were decreased, tumor volume decreased and cell apoptosis increased in the X-ray, CGK-733, and X-ray+CGK-733 groups compared with the control group; the X-ray+CGK-733 group exhibited lowest cell proliferation, invasion and migration, smallest tumor volume, and highest cell apoptosis among the four groups. CONCLUSIONS Inhibition of ATM/ATR signaling pathway reduces proliferation and enhances apoptosis and radiosensitivity of NPC cells.
Consolidated Requirement Analysis for Data Mining, Analysis and the Visualization Environment

The present document provides an overview of the contributions of individual partners in ACGT WP6. The contributions are as follows: SIB provides datasets based on actual clinical-trial for testing, FhG addresses data mining tools and use of R in a grid environment, LundU addresses database developments and analysis tools based on pathway information, Biovista proposes a literature-based analysis tool, INRIA develops new clustering algorithms, UPM addresses the use of ontologies in the clinical data analysis, and UvA proposes a framework for interactive visualization. KEYWORD LIST: Knowledge and data management, discovery tools, data mining. ACGT D6.1 – Consolidated Requirements for Data Mining, Analysis and Visualisation 30/03/2007 Page 3 of 85 MODIFICATION CONTROL Version Date Status Author 0.1 07.07. 2006 Draft WP6 Partners (ed. Thierry Sengstag) 0.2 12.07. 2006 Draft WP6 Partners (ed. Thierry Sengstag) 0.4 15.10.2006 Draft Stefan Rüping 0.5 27.10.2006 Draft Thierry Sengstag (shuffling paragraphs) 1.0 24.11. 2006 Draft Stefan Rüping 2.0 24.01. 2007 Final Stefan Rüping List of Contributors − Stefan Rüping, FhG (editor) − Alberto Anguita, UPM − Tallur Basavanepa, INRIA − Robert Belleman, UvA − Francesca Buffa, UOXF − Federico García, UMA − Jari Häkkinen, LundU − Israël Cesar Lerman, INRIA − Andreas Persidis, Biovista − Thierry Sengstag, SIB − Alejandro Sola, UMA − Oswaldo Trelles, UMA ACGT D6.1 – Consolidated Requirements for Data Mining, Analysis and Visualisation 30/03/2007 Page 4 of 85
Incidence of Major Clinical Reproductive Health Problems of Dairy Cows at Bako Livestock Research Farm over a Two-Year Period (September 2008-December 2010)

A prospective follow up study was carried out on 372 dairy cows at Bako Agricultural research center between September 2008 and December 2010 to determine the incidence of reproductive problems and associated risk factors in the cows. The animals were continuously followed from insemination/mating until 45 days postpartum for occurrence of clinical reproductive problems. Data were collected during farm visits by observation and clinical examination of animals. The cumulative incidence of clinically observed major reproductive problems was 35.2% (131/372). No statistically detectable effect (p>0.05) of breed was shown on the occurrence of clinical reproductive problems evaluated. In addition, number of parities, body condition score (BCS), age of dams, calf sex and service type were not found to have a significant influence on the occurrence of reproductive problems in the study farm (p>0.05). The most common reproductive problems recorded in the present study were retained fetal membrane (8.3%), dystocia (6.7%), abortion (5.9%), uterine infections (5.6%) and stillbirths (4.8%). In this study, the incidence of dystocia, uterine infections, stillbirths and repeat breeding were more common in crossbred cows whereas abortion was more common in local cows but the effect of these factors was not significant (p>0.05). This study revealed that nearly one cow out of every three cows encountered at least one type of clinical reproductive problems indicating the widespread occurrence of the problems among dairy cows at Bako Agricultural Research Center. However, considered plausible factors such as breed, parity number, body condition score (BCS), age of dams, calf sex and service type had no significant influence on the occurrence of reproductive problems in the study farm indicating that some other factors are responsible for precipitating the conditions. It is, therefore, recommended that other factors that precipitate the occurrence of the problems in the farm should be investigated and appropriate interventions implemented in order to minimize the occurrence of these problems and associated losses in the farm.
Overexpression of CDC25B and LAMC2 mRNA and Protein in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinomas and Premalignant Lesions in Subjects from a High-Risk Population in China

Molecular events associated with the initiation and progression of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remain poorly understood but likely hold the key to effective early detection approaches for this almost invariably fatal cancer. CDC25B and LAMC2 are two promising early detection candidates emerging from new molecular studies of ESCC. To further elucidate the role of these two genes in esophageal carcinogenesis, we did a series of studies to (a) confirm RNA overexpression, (b) establish the prevalence of protein overexpression, (c) relate protein overexpression to survival, and (d) explore their potential as early detection biomarkers. Results of these studies indicated that CDC25B mRNA was overexpressed (≥2-fold overexpression in tumor compared with normal) in 64% of the 73 ESCC cases evaluated, whereas LAMC2 mRNA was overexpressed in 89% of cases. CDC25B protein expression was categorized as positive in 59% (144 of 243) of ESCC cases on a tumor tissue microarray, and nonnegative LAMC2 patterns of protein expression were observed in 82% (225 of 275) of cases. Multivariate-adjusted proportional hazard regression models showed no association between CDC25B protein expression score and risk of death [hazard ratio (HR) for each unit increase in expression score, 1.00; P = 0.90]; however, several of the LAMC2 protein expression patterns strongly predicted survival. Using the cytoplasmic pattern as the reference (the pattern with the lowest mortality), cases with a diffuse pattern had a 254% increased risk of death (HR, 3.52; P = 0.007), cases with no LAMC2 expression had a 169% increased risk of death (HR, 2.69; P = 0.009), and cases with a peripheral pattern had a 130% greater risk of death (HR, 2.30; P = 0.02). CDC25B protein expression scores in subjects with esophageal biopsies diagnosed as normal (n = 35), dysplastic (n = 23), or ESCC (n = 32) increased significantly with morphologic progression. For LAMC2, all normal and dysplastic patients had a continuous pattern of protein expression, whereas all ESCCs showed alternative, noncontinuous patterns. This series of studies showed that both CDC25B and LAMC2 overexpress RNA and protein in a significant majority of ESCC cases. The strong relation of LAMC2 pattern of protein expression to survival suggests a role in prognosis, whereas the association of CDC25B with morphologic progression indicates a potential role as an early detection marker. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2008;17(6):1424–35)
Agriculture and Its Impact on Land‐Use, Environment, and Ecosystem Services

Human expansion throughout the world caused that agriculture is a dominant form of land management globally. Human influence on the land is accelerating because of rapid population growth and increasing food requirements. To stress the interactions between society and the environment, the driving forces (D), pressures (P), states (S), impacts (I), and response (R) (DPSIR) framework approach was used for analyzing and assessing the influence of agriculture on land use, environment, and ecosystem services. The DPSIR model was used to identify a series of core indicators and to establish the nature of interactions between different driving forces, pressures, states, impacts, and responses. We assessed selected indicators at global, national, and local levels. Driving force indicators describe growing population trend and linking land‐use patterns. The driving forces exert pressure on the environment assessed by indicators describing development in fertilizer and pesticides consumption, by number of livestock, and by intensification joined growing release of ammonia and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from agriculture, and water abstraction. The pressure reflects in the state of environment, mainly expressed by soil and water quality indicators. Negative changes in the state then have negative impacts on landscape, e.g., traditional landscape disappearance, biodiversity, climate, and ecosystem services. As a response, techno‐ logical, economic, policy, or legislation measures are adopted.
Design of modular dual enzyme‐responsive peptides

Dual enzyme‐responsive peptides were synthesized by masking the ɛ‐amine of lysine with various enzyme substrates. Enzymatic cleavage of these sequences unmasked the ɛ‐amine, allowing for further digestion by a second enzyme, which was monitored colorimetrically. This modular peptide design should provide substrates for a large combination of clinically relevant enzymes.
Inflation von falsch-positiven Befunden in der psychologischen Forschung : mögliche Ursachen und Gegenmaßnahmen

In letzter Zeit mehren sich Hinweise darauf, dass gehauft falsch-positive Befunde in wissenschaftlichen Publikationen berichtet werden und so die Forschungsliteratur ein verzerrtes Bild der Realitat widerspiegelt. Das Fachkollegium Psychologie der Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft hat dieses Problem aufgegriffen und die moglichen Ursachen von falsch-positiv Befunden diskutiert. Dieser Artikel gibt den Inhalt dieser Diskussion wieder und mochte Antragssteller auffordern, diese Problematik bei Forschungsantragen starker zu beachten. Auch appellieren wir an Antragsteller, Gutachter und Herausgeber, den Stellenwert von negativen Befunden sowie von Replikationen bei Forschungsantragen und wissenschaftlichen Arbeiten einschlieslich klinischer Studien starker zu berucksichtigen.
The reliability and validity of ultrasound to quantify muscles in older adults: a systematic review

This review evaluates the reliability and validity of ultrasound to quantify muscles in older adults. The databases PubMed, Cochrane, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature were systematically searched for studies. In 17 studies, the reliability (n = 13) and validity (n = 8) of ultrasound to quantify muscles in community‐dwelling older adults (≥60 years) or a clinical population were evaluated. Four out of 13 reliability studies investigated both intra‐rater and inter‐rater reliability. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) scores for reliability ranged from −0.26 to 1.00. The highest ICC scores were found for the vastus lateralis, rectus femoris, upper arm anterior, and the trunk (ICC = 0.72 to 1.000). All included validity studies found ICC scores ranging from 0.92 to 0.999. Two studies describing the validity of ultrasound to predict lean body mass showed good validity as compared with dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (r2 = 0.92 to 0.96). This systematic review shows that ultrasound is a reliable and valid tool for the assessment of muscle size in older adults. More high‐quality research is required to confirm these findings in both clinical and healthy populations. Furthermore, ultrasound assessment of small muscles needs further evaluation. Ultrasound to predict lean body mass is feasible; however, future research is required to validate prediction equations in older adults with varying function and health.