Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The risk of colorectal cancer in ulcerative colitis: a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Controversy surrounds the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) in ulcerative colitis (UC). Many studies have investigated this risk and reported widely varying rates. METHODS A literature search using Medline with the explosion of references identified 194 studies. Of these, 116 met our inclusion criteria from which the number of patients and cancers detected could be extracted. Overall pooled estimates, with 95% confidence intervals (CI), of cancer prevalence and incidence were obtained using a random effects model on either the log odds or log incidence scale, as appropriate. RESULTS The overall prevalence of CRC in any UC patient, based on 116 studies, was estimated to be 3.7% (95% CI 3.2–4.2%). Of the 116 studies, 41 reported colitis duration. From these the overall incidence rate was 3/1000 person years duration (pyd), (95% CI 2/1000 to 4/1000). The overall incidence rate for any child was 6/1000 pyd (95% CI 3/1000 to 13/1000). Of the 41 studies, 19 reported results stratified into 10 year intervals of disease duration. For the first 10 years the incidence rate was 2/1000 pyd (95% CI 1/1000 to 2/1000), for the second decade the incidence rate was estimated to be 7/1000 pyd (95% CI 4/1000 to 12/1000), and in the third decade the incidence rate was 12/1000 pyd (95% CI 7/1000 to 19/1000). These incidence rates corresponded to cumulative probabilities of 2% by 10 years, 8% by 20 years, and 18% by 30 years. The worldwide cancer incidence rates varied geographically, being 5/1000 pyd in the USA, 4/1000 pyd in the UK, and 2/1000 pyd in Scandinavia and other countries. Over time the cancer risk has increased since 1955 but this finding was not significant (p=0.8). CONCLUSIONS Using new meta-analysis techniques we determined the risk of CRC in UC by decade of disease and defined the risk in pancolitics and children. We found a non-significant increase in risk over time and estimated how risk varies with geography.
Does Maltreatment Beget Maltreatment? A Systematic Review of the Intergenerational Literature

In this article, the authors critically review the literature testing the cycle of maltreatment hypothesis which posits continuity in maltreatment across adjacent generations. That is, the authors examine whether a history of maltreatment victimization is a significant risk factor for the later perpetration of maltreatment. The authors begin by establishing 11 methodological criteria that studies testing this hypothesis should meet. They include such basic standards as using representative samples, valid and reliable measures, prospective designs, and different reporters for each generation. The authors identify 47 studies that investigated this issue and then evaluate them with regard to the 11 methodological criteria. Overall, most of these studies report findings consistent with the cycle of maltreatment hypothesis. Unfortunately, at the same time, few of them satisfy the basic methodological criteria that the authors established; indeed, even the stronger studies in this area only meet about half of them. Moreover, the methodologically stronger studies present mixed support for the hypothesis. As a result, the positive association often reported in the literature appears to be based largely on the methodologically weaker designs. Based on this systematic methodological review, the authors conclude that this small and methodologically weak body of literature does not provide a definitive test of the cycle of maltreatment hypothesis. The authors conclude that it is imperative to develop more robust and methodologically adequate assessments of this hypothesis to more accurately inform the development of prevention and treatment programs.
Evaluation of Alloys Synthesized by Mechanical Alloying as Potential Anode Materials for Lithium-Ion Batteries

Several alloys (Mg 2 Si, Li 4 Mg 2 Si, Sn 0.66 Sb 0.34 , and Li 4 Sn 0.72 Sb 0.28 ) have been synthesized by mechanical alloying and characterized for their performance as anode materials for Li-ion batteries. Sn 0.66 Sb 0.34 shows a better cycling performance than Mg 2 Si, whose higher initial capacities fade after a few cycles only. The pre-lithiated materials Li 4 Mg 2 Si and Li 4 Sn 0.72 Sb 0.28 give good cycling stabilities, however, at much smaller capacities than exhibited by their unlithiated counterparts.
A demonstration of a low cost approach to security at shipping facilities and ports

Government funding for the security at shipping facilities and ports is limited so there is a need for low cost scalable security systems. With over 20 million sea, truck, and rail containers entering the United States every year, these facilities pose a large risk to security. Securing these facilities and monitoring the variety of traffic that enter and leave is a major task. To accomplish this, the authors have developed and fielded a low cost fully distributed building block approach to port security at the inland Port of Catoosa in Oklahoma. Based on prior work accomplished in the design and fielding of an intelligent transportation system in the United States, functional building blocks, (e.g. Network, Camera, Sensor, Display, and Operator Console blocks) can be assembled, mixed and matched, and scaled to provide a comprehensive security system. The following functions are demonstrated and scaled through analysis and demonstration: Barge tracking, credential checking, container inventory, vehicle tracking, and situational awareness. The concept behind this research is "any operator on any console can control any device at any time. "
New results on the single molecule localization problem in two and three dimensions

Fluorescence microscopy is an optical microscopy technique which has been extensively used to study specifically- labeled subcellular objects, such as proteins, and their functions. The best possible accuracy with which an object of interest can be localized when imaged using a fluorescence microscope is typically calculated using the Cramer- Rao lower bound (CRLB). The calculation of the CRLB, however, so far relied on an analytical expression for the image of the object. This can pose challenges in practice since it is often difficult to find appropriate analytical models for the images of general objects. Even if an appropriate analytical model is available, the lack of knowledge about the precise values of imaging parameters might also impose difficulties in the calculation of the CRLB. To address these challenges, we have developed an approach that directly uses an experimentally collected image set to calculate the best possible localization accuracy for a general subcellular object in two and three dimensions. In this approach, we fit smoothly connected piecewise polynomials, known as splines, to the experimentally collected image set to provide a continuous model of the object. This continuous model can then be used for the calculation of the best possible localization accuracy.
EEG-Based Music Mood Analysis and Applications

Music is known to be a powerful elicitor of emotions. Music with different moods induces various emotions, each of which corresponding to certain pattern of EEG signals. In this paper, based on current music mood categories, we discuss how the music belonging to different mood types affect the pattern EEG activity. We review several literatures verifying that certain characteristics of EEG differ from each other induced by different types of music. Such differences make it possible for emotion recognition through EEG signals. We also introduce some applications of emotional music such as improvement of human emotions and adjuvant treatment of diseases.
Introducing Scrum in Companies in Norway: A Case Study

This paper describes a case study about introducing, implementing, and using Scrum in three software development companies in Norway. The study is based on several interviews and the data was analyzed using grounded theory practices. The motivation for this case study is to increase knowledge on the process of adopting Scrum in a company. In addition, we wanted to identify problematic issues regarding introduction and adoption of Scrum, issues that will be used to formulate further studies. The elements described in this paper are aspects of Scrum that the companies consider important. Specifically, we describe how Scrum was introduced in the companies, how it affected overtime, how self-organizing teams were handled, how the roles in Scrum functioned, and the relationship of the Scrum Team to the rest of the organization. The findings indicate that sudden implementation of Scrum is a painful process and that the role of the Scrum Master is unclear. Furthermore, there may be a lack of common understanding of the concept of self-organizing teams. In addition the companies did not experience the productivity gain they expected and finally, introducing Scrum implies large changes in organizational culture and work practices that may be difficult to adapt to.
Calpain Inhibitor Protects Cells against Light-Induced Retinal Degeneration

Calpains are activated by excessive light exposure and related to retinal degeneration. We investigated the protective effects of ((1S)-1-((((1S)-1-benzyl-3-cyclopropylamino-2,3-di-oxopropyl)amino)carbonyl)-3-methylbutyl)carbamic acid 5-methoxy-3-oxapentyl ester (SNJ-1945), a calpain inhibitor, against light-induced retinal degeneration in mice. SNJ-1945 was orally administrated at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg at 30 min before and just after light exposure. Light-induced calpain activation was evaluated by using proteolysis of α-spectrin and p35 (a neuron-specific activator for cyclin-dependent kinase 5). The effects of SNJ-1945 against light-induced retinal damage were examined by the thickness of the outer nuclear layer (ONL). Photoreceptor apoptosis was assessed by counting terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL)-positive cells in ONL. Retinal functions were measured in terms of a- and b-wave amplitudes by using an electroretinogram. As the mechanism of SNJ-1945, caspase-3/7 measurement was carried out. SNJ-1945 inhibited the proteolysis of α-spectrin and p35 by light exposure and presented a decrease in the numbers of TUNEL-positive cells and ONL atrophy. Furthermore, SNJ-1945 presented a decrease in a- and b-wave amplitude and caspase-3/7 activation induced by light exposure. These findings suggest that the activation of calpain plays a pivotal role in photoreceptor degeneration by light exposure, and SNJ-1945 may be a candidate for effectively treating diseases related to photoreceptor degeneration.
Intra-Arterial Therapy for Acute Stroke and the Effect of Technological Advances on Recanalization

BACKGROUND Recent randomized controlled studies have shown improvement in recanalization outcomes when physicians use the latest intra-arterial therapy devices in patients with acute, large-vessel, intracranial occlusions. The goal of this study was to explore how new procedures affected degree of and time to recanalization at a single center over the past 12 years as technology has improved. METHODS Patients were included in the study if they had a large or medium intracranial vessel occlusion and had undergone intra-arterial therapy for acute stroke during the period 2002–2013. Therapies were categorized as intra-arterial thrombolysis with tissue plasminogen activator (IA tPA), mechanical thrombectomy using 1st-generation devices (Merci and Penumbra), or mechanical thrombectomy using 2nd-generation devices (stent-trievers). Recanalization was defined using a modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (TICI) scale. RESULTS Primary treatment was IA tPA in 24 (12.4%) patients, 1st-generation devices in 128 (66.0%) patients, and 2nd-generation devices in 42 (21.6%) patients. TICI 2b was achieved in 7 (29.2%) patients treated with IA tPA, in 79 (61.7%) patients treated with 1st-generation devices, and in 38 (90.5%) patients treated with 2nd-generation devices. Compared to patients treated with IA tPA, patients treated with 2nd-generation devices were more likely to reach TICI 2b recanalization (odds ratio, 11.66; 95% CI, 1.56–87.01), and they did so in shorter times. CONCLUSION Technological advances over 12 years in endovascular stroke treatments significantly improved the chance of and reduced time to achieving TICI 2b recanalization in our community hospital. This shows the importance of adopting new technologies in a rapidly evolving field in order to provide the best-practice standard of care for the people of our region.
Robust Downlink Beamforming With Partial Channel State Information for Conventional and Cognitive Radio Networks

We address the problem of robust multiuser downlink beamforming under the assumption that the transmitter has partial covariance-based channel state information (CSI). In our approach, the uncertainty on the channel covariance matrices is assumed to be confined in an ellipsoid of given size and shape, where prior knowledge about the statistical distribution of the CSI mismatch is taken into account. The goal is to minimize the transmitted power under the worst-case quality-of-service (QoS) constraints. We extend the developed robust problem to downlink beamforming in cognitive radio (CR) networks where QoS constraints apply to the users of the secondary network (SN) and interference leaked to the primary users (PUs) is required to be below a given interference threshold. We avoid the coarse approximations used by previous solutions and obtain exact reformulations for both worst-case problems based on Lagrange duality. The resulting problems can then be approximated using semidefinite relaxation (SDR). Further, we consider a popular alternative robust approach that is based on probabilistic QoS and interference constraints and show that both approaches are generally equivalent. Computer simulations show that the proposed techniques provide substantial performance improvements over earlier robust downlink beamforming techniques for both the conventional and the CR scenarios.
Timeliness-based wait-freedom: a gracefully degrading progress condition

We introduce a simple progress condition for shared object implementations that is gracefully degrading depending on the degree of synchrony in each run. This progress property, called timeliness-based wait-freedom, provides a gradual bridge between obstruction-freedom and wait-freedom in partially synchronous systems. We show that timeliness-based wait-freedom can be achieved with synchronization primitives that are very weak. More precisely, every object has a timeliness-based wait-free implementation that uses only abortable registers (which are weaker than safe registers). As part of this work, we present a new leader election primitive that processes can use to dynamically compete for leadership such that if there is at least one timely process among the current candidates for leadership, then a timely leader is eventually elected among the candidates. We also show that this primitive can be implemented using abortable registers.
Common Contaminants in Next-Generation Sequencing That Hinder Discovery of Low-Abundance Microbes

Unbiased high-throughput sequencing of whole metagenome shotgun DNA libraries is a promising new approach to identifying microbes in clinical specimens, which, unlike other techniques, is not limited to known sequences. Unlike most sequencing applications, it is highly sensitive to laboratory contaminants as these will appear to originate from the clinical specimens. To assess the extent and diversity of sequence contaminants, we aligned 57 “1000 Genomes Project” sequencing runs from six centers against the four largest NCBI BLAST databases, detecting reads of diverse contaminant species in all runs and identifying the most common of these contaminant genera (Bradyrhizobium) in assembled genomes from the NCBI Genome database. Many of these microorganisms have been reported as contaminants of ultrapure water systems. Studies aiming to identify novel microbes in clinical specimens will greatly benefit from not only preventive measures such as extensive UV irradiation of water and cross-validation using independent techniques, but also a concerted effort to sequence the complete genomes of common contaminants so that they may be subtracted computationally.
Kinectin-mediated endoplasmic reticulum dynamics supports focal adhesion growth in the cellular lamella

Focal adhesions (FAs) control cell shape and motility, which are important processes that underlie a wide range of physiological functions. FA dynamics is regulated by cytoskeleton, motor proteins and small GTPases. Kinectin is an integral endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane protein that extends the ER along microtubules. Here, we investigated the influence of the ER on FA dynamics within the cellular lamella by disrupting the kinectin–kinesin interaction by overexpressing the minimal kinectin–kinesin interaction domain on kinectin in cells. This perturbation resulted in a morphological change to a rounded cell shape and reduced cell spreading and migration. Immunofluorescence and live-cell imaging demonstrated a kinectin-dependent ER extension into the cellular lamella and ER colocalisation with FAs within the cellular lamella. FRAP experiments showed that ER contact with FAs was accompanied with an increase in FA protein recruitment to FAs. Disruption of the kinectin–kinesin interaction caused a reduction in FA protein recruitment to FAs. This suggests that the ER supports FA growth within the cellular lamella. Microtubule targeting to FAs is known to promote adhesion disassembly; however, ER contact increased FA size even in the presence of microtubules. Our results suggest a scenario whereby kinectin–kinesin interaction facilitates ER transport along microtubules to support FA growth.
Investigation of Medicinal Plants of Togo for Antiviral and Antimicrobial Activities

Methanol extracts were prepared from 19 medicinal plants of Togo and, by means of standard laboratory tests, were analysed for antiviral and antibiotic activities. Ten of the 19 showed significant antiviral activity and all but two displayed antibiotic activity. Extracts of three species, Adansonia digitata (the most potent), Conyza aegyptiaca and Palisota hirsuta , were active against all three test viruses (herpes simplex, Sindbis and poliovirus). The other seven, however, were more selective, showing activity against only one or two viruses. The antibiotic profiles varied considerably. The observation that each extract showed a distinctive permutation of target organisms suggests that different bioactive phytochemicals are present in each species. Only two of the extracts were devoid of bioactivity.
Effect of suxamethonium vs rocuronium on onset of oxygen desaturation during apnoea following rapid sequence induction

This study investigates the effect of suxamethonium vs rocuronium on the onset of haemoglobin desaturation during apnoea, following rapid sequence induction of anaesthesia. Sixty patients were randomly allocated to one of three groups. Anaesthesia was induced with lidocaine 1.5 mg.kg−1, fentanyl 2 μg. kg−1 and propofol 2 mg.kg−1, followed by either rocuronium 1 mg.kg−1 (Group R) or suxamethonium 1.5 mg.kg−1 (Group S). The third group received propofol 2 mg.kg−1 and suxamethonium 1.5 mg.kg−1 only (Group SO). The median (IQR [range]) time to reach SpO2 of 95% was significantly shorter in Group S (358 (311–373 [215–430]) s) than in Group R (378 (370–393 [366–420]) s; p = 0.003), and shorter in Group SO (242 (225–258 [189–370]) s) than in both Group R (p < 0.001) and Group S (p < 0.001). When suxamethonium is administered for rapid sequence induction of anaesthesia, a faster onset of oxygen desaturation is observed during the subsequent apnoea compared with rocuronium. However, time to desaturation is prolonged whenever lidocaine and fentanyl precede suxamethonium.
Cervical Spine Motion Generated With Manual Versus Jackson Table Turning Methods in a Cadaveric C1–C2 Global Instability Model

Study Design. Cadaveric biomechanical study. Objective. To quantify spinal motion created by transfer methods from supine to prone position in a cadaveric C1–C2 global instability model. Summary of Background Data. Patients who have sustained a spinal cord injury remain at high risk for further secondary injury until their spine is adequately stabilized. To date, no study has evaluated the effect of patient transfer methods from supine to prone position in the operating room, on atlantoaxial cervical spine motion. Methods. A global instability was surgically created at the C1–C2 level in 4 fresh cadavers. Two transfer protocols were tested on each cadaver. The log-roll technique entailed performing a standard 180° log-roll rotation of the supine patient from a stretcher to the prone position onto the operating room Jackson table (OSI, Union City, CA). The “Jackson technique” involved sliding the supine patient to the Jackson table, securing them to the table, and then rotating them into a prone position. An electromagnetic tracking device registered motion between the C1 and C2 vertebral segments. Three different head holding devices (Mayfield, Prone view, and blue foam pillow) were also compared for their ability to restrict C1–C2 motion. Six motion parameters were tracked. Repeated measures statistical analysis was performed to evaluate angular and translational motion. Results. For 6 of 6 measures of angulation and translation, manual log-roll prone positioning generated significantly more C1–C2 motion than the Jackson table turning technique. Out of 6 motion parameters, 5 were statistically significant (P < 0.001–0.005). There was minimal difference in C1–C2 motion generated when comparing all 3 head holding devices. Conclusion. The data demonstrate that manual log-roll technique generated significantly more C1–C2 motion compared to the Jackson table technique. Choice of headrest has a minimal effect on the amount of motion generated during patient transfer, except that the Mayfield device demonstrates a slight trend toward increased C1–C2 motion.
About “axial” and “radial” diffusivities

This article presents the potential problems arising from the use of “axial” and “radial” diffusivities, derived from the eigenvalues of the diffusion tensor, and their interpretation in terms of the underlying biophysical properties, such as myelin and axonal density. Simulated and in vivo data are shown. The simulations demonstrate that a change in “radial” diffusivity can cause a fictitious change in “axial” diffusivity and vice versa in voxels characterized by crossing fibers. The in vivo data compare the direction of the principle eigenvector in four different subjects, two healthy and two affected by multiple sclerosis, and show that the angle, α, between the principal eigenvectors of corresponding voxels of registered datasets is greater than 45° in areas of low anisotropy, severe pathology, and partial volume. Also, there are areas of white matter pathology where the “radial” diffusivity is 10% greater than that of the corresponding normal tissue and where the direction of the principal eigenvector is altered by more than 45° compared to the healthy case. This should strongly discourage researchers from interpreting changes of the “axial” and “radial” diffusivities on the basis of the underlying tissue structure, unless accompanied by a thorough investigation of their mathematical and geometrical properties in each dataset studied. Magn Reson Med, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A controller for stable grasping and desired finger shaping without contact sensing

This paper proposes a controller for the stable grasp of an arbitrary-shaped object on the horizontal plane by two robotic fingers with rigid hemispherical fingertips. The controller stabilizes the grasp with optimal force angles and desired finger shaping determined through the choice of a control constant without requiring the utilization of any contact information regarding contact locations and contact angles or any estimates of them. Simulation results demonstrate the performance of the proposed controller and show its clear advantages with respect to other known control schemes.