Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Age, body mass index, and functional illness.

OBJECTIVES This study examines the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and selected measures of functional illness and whether the relationship between BMI and these outcomes is stronger in advanced ages. METHODS Four measures of functional illness were examined in national, longitudinal survey of noninstitutionalized adults. Tobit and Poisson models were used to estimate cross-sectional and longitudinal specifications. RESULTS BMI was related to functional illness but not in a linear form: Both obese and underweight persons manifested higher levels of functional illness on most outcomes during the baseline survey. Results from the change analyses, however, revealed that obesity was associated with more days hospitalized or ill in bed and an increase in functional limitations. DISCUSSION Obesity is associated with functional illness, but there is no evidence from these data that this relationship is stronger for older adults. Rather, the effect of obesity on some measures of functional illness is greater in the younger and middle ages.
Early Atorvastatin Reduces Hemorrhage after Acute Cerebral Ischemia in Diabetic Rats

Ischemic stroke is a leading cause of death in the United States, and diabetes mellitus is a major risk factor for stroke. Our previous work showed that type II diabetic rats [Goto-Kakizaki (GK)] have more bleeding after stroke than their normoglycemic controls (Wistar). Our aim was to evaluate the vascular protective properties of acute atorvastatin therapy after experimental ischemic stroke in diabetes and to explore the effect of stroke in GK rats compared with their normoglycemic controls. Fifty male Wistar and 40 GK rats (270–305 g) underwent 3 h of middle cerebral artery occlusion followed by reperfusion for 21 h. Animals received atorvastatin (5 mg/kg), atorvastatin (15 mg/kg), or vehicle, administered by oral gavage, one dose 5 min after reperfusion and a second dose after 12 h. At 24 h, functional outcome was measured, and brain tissue was analyzed for infarct volume, hemoglobin content, and molecular biomarkers. Plasma was collected for analysis of atorvastatin concentrations. Atorvastatin-treated groups had significantly lower bleeding rates (p = 0.0011) and infarct volume (p = 0.0007) compared with controls. There was a significant reduction in hemoglobin content and infarct volume only in the higher dose group (15 mg/kg) (p < 0.05), and these benefits were more than 4 times greater in the diabetic animals. Atorvastatin (15 mg/kg) improved neurological outcome in both Wistar and GK rats (p = 0.029) at a peak concentration of 27 to 77 ng/ml and was associated with an increase in Akt phosphorylation (p = 0.0007). We concluded that atorvastatin is a vascular protective agent after experimental ischemic stroke, especially in diabetes.
Octreotide in the Management of Hormone-Refractory Prostate Cancer

Patients with advanced or metastatic prostate cancer (PC), a partially hormone-resistant disease, will require some form of hormonal manipulations or some new therapeutic modalities. Octreotide, as somatostatin (SST) analogs, has been found to inhibit the growth of experimental PCs via several mechanisms, as indirect antihormonal and direct antimitogenic actions, mainly due to inhibition of SST receptor subtypes (SSTR-1–5). Sporadic clinical trials with octreotide (alone or with a complete antiandrogen blockade) treatment of patients with advanced stage D2 PC demonstrated promising results. Unfortunately, at present these clinical trials have some disadvantages and leave some uncertainty with regard to the trial design, the SSTR subtype determination and tumor localization with SSTR scintigraphy before the start of a selective SST analog, and finally the randomization in groups according to hormone resistance, dosage regimen and route of administration.
Hyperglycemia has a stronger relation with outcome in trauma patients than in other critically ill patients.

BACKGROUND Acute hyperglycemia is associated with adverse outcome in critically ill patients. Glucose control with insulin improves outcome in surgical intensive care unit (SICU) patients, but the effect in trauma patients is unknown. We investigated hyperglycemia and outcome in SICU patients with and without trauma. METHODS A 12-year retrospective study was performed at a 12-bed SICU. We collected the reason for admission, Injury Severity Scores (ISS), and 30-day mortality rates. Glucose measurements were used to calculate the hyperglycemic index (HGI), a measure indicative of overall hyperglycemia during the entire SICU stay. RESULTS In all, 5234 nontrauma and 865 trauma patients were studied. Trauma patients were younger, more frequently male, and had both lower median admission glucose (123 versus 133 mg/dL) and HGI levels (8.9 vs. 18.4 mg/dL) than nontrauma patients (p < 0.001). Mortality was 12% in both groups. Area under the receiver-operator characteristic for HGI and mortality was 0.76 for trauma patients and 0.58 for nontrauma patients (p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, HGI correlated better with mortality in trauma patients than in nontrauma patients (p < 0.001). Head-injury and nonhead-injury trauma patients showed similar glucose levels and relation between glucose and mortality. CONCLUSIONS The relation of hyperglycemia and mortality is more pronounced in trauma patients than in SICU patients admitted for other reasons. The different behavior of hyperglycemia in these patients underscores the need for evaluation of intensive insulin therapy in these patients.
Stop to Unlock - Improving the Security of Android Unlock Patterns

Android unlock patterns are among the most common authentication mechanisms on mobile devices. They are fast and easy to use but also lack security as user-chosen gestures are easy to guess and easy to observe. To improve the traditional pattern approach, we propose Stop2Unlock, a usable but more secure modification of the traditional pattern lock. Stop2Unlock allows users to define nodes where they stop for a limited amount of time before swiping to the next node. We performed a lab study (n=40) and a field study (n=14) to show that this small change in user interaction can have a significant impact on security with a minimal impact on usability. That is, user-selected Stop2Unlock patterns are significantly harder to guess while being comparable in terms of usability. Additional analysis showed that users perceived the stop component as a rhythmic and memorable cue which supported the selection of higher entropy patterns.
Characterization of Testicular Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme before and after Semen Cryopreservation and in the Acrosome Reaction of Spermatozoids of Nelore Bulls

The aim of this study was to characterize the testicular isoform of angio-tensin-converting enzyme (tACE) before and after semen cryopreservation, and in the acrosome reaction of sperm from Nelore bulls in vitro. Ejaculates of 10 sexually mature Nelore bulls were used. After semen was collected, 1.0 mL of the ejaculate was used for the analysis and the rest was subjected to cryopreservation. Fresh semen before freezing, and frozen/thawed semen were centrifuged twice and the pellet was resuspended intyrode’s albumin lactate pyruvate (TALP). Thereafter, 100 μL aliquots containing 100 × 106 spermatozoa were prepared. Aliquots of samples were used for western blot analysis, subjected to capacitation, and thereafter, acrosome reaction assays were performed in vitro. With the help of an anti-ACE monoclonal antibody, a 100 kDa protein band was identified in the spermatozoa of Nelore bulls. Cryopreservation reduced the intensity of the protein bands obtained by western blot assay to less than half of that observed prior to freezing (P < 0.05). Inhibition of ACE by captopril (10 μM), decreased the percentage of capacitated spermatozoa with a positive acrosome reaction (P < 0.05), indicating the involvement of ACE in these processes. It is concluded that tACE can be found in the spermatozoa of Nelore bulls, and cryopreservation process decreases the intensity of bands of this enzyme; and that the inactivation of tACE reduces the capacity of spermatozoa to undergo the acrosome reaction.
A review on golden species of Zingiberaceae family around the world: Genus Curcuma

Genus Curcuma has a long history of traditional uses, ranging from folk medicine to its culinary uses. More than 70 species of Curcuma are distributed throughout the world but extensively cultivate in Asian, Australian and Western African counties. Many phytochemical, pharmacological and molecular studies have been conducted on several Curcuma species worldwide. The interest on its medicinal properties have increased due to the discovery of novel bioactive compounds which possessing wide range of bioactivities such as antioxidant, antiviral, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammation activities. Furthermore, this valuable plant is used as natural dye, insecticide and as a repellent. This review focuses on gathering information regarding genus Curcuma including morphological characteristics, phytochemicals and their biological and pharmacological activities which provide information for further advance research studies. Key words: Curcuma, biological activity, morphology, pharmacology, phytochemicals.
SVD tracking algorithm for zero padded block transmission over fading channels

We investigate the performance of filterbank transceivers in the presence of a dispersive time-variant channel. It is well-known that filterbank transceivers can be adapted to the channel transfer function to yield intersymbol interference (ISI) cancellation. When the channel is time-variant, several problems arise, since the transceiver should be changed whenever the channel evolves. We allow both the transmitter and the receiver to change and satisfy the ISI-free condition, under the assumption of a zero padded block transmission. In this case, the transmitter-receiver pair can be computed by using a singular value decomposition (SVD) of the channel matrix. A fast receiver adaptation based on SVD tracking is presented. Simulation results show that minimum performance loss can be achieved for our reduced complexity receiver.
Moving the Research Agenda Forward for Children and Adolescents With Cancer

The articles in this volume reflect the content of the August 2003 working group, “Moving the Research Agenda Forward for Children with Cancer. ” Taken together they illustrate participants’ views that pediatric cancer research must focus on the child’s entire life course and not on discrete events such as diagnosis, treatment, cure, or death. In this view, developing the science is equally critical for all aspects of care for the child or adolescent with cancer and the family. The needs of each member of the affected families and the human connections linking the patient and family to the broader community and other social networks are the central values underlying a research agenda based on the life course perspective. At the conclusion of the working group, participants used the content to attempt a broad view of the field of pediatric oncology research while remaining mindful of the biobehavioral and sociocultural themes that dominated the presentations. Through written exercises and verbal brainstorming, participants identified major challenges and opportunities associated with the research topics discussed. This conclusion documents the major points shared at that time, in particular those that deal with approaches to carrying out this evolving research agenda. Again, it must be noted that these points are not those of NINR, other NIH Institutes, or other organizations. Instead, these points are the result of the synergy created in the working group environment.
TrkC expression predicts favorable clinical outcome in invasive ductal carcinoma of breast independent of NT-3 expression.

BACKGROUND TrkC, a member of neurotrophin receptor family, functions not only as an oncogene, but also act as a tumor suppressor via a manner of dependence receptor in human malignant tumors. Little is known on the action of TrkC for the clinical prognosis and the progression of breast cancer according to the availability of its ligand NT-3. We sought to investigate the prognostic relevance of NT-3-TrkC axis in breast cancer and estimate its role during the process of breast cancer progression. METHODS 236 cases of invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC), 60 pure ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and 30 normal breast tissue (NBT) between 2004 and 2005 were included in the study. Spearman's rank correlation test was used to analyze the association of NT-3-TrkC expression and breast cancer progression. The Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazards model were performed to identify the relevant prognostic factors. RESULTS 50.4% IDC tumors displayed absent or low TrkC expression, while 49.6% was high TrkC expression. TrkC expression was negatively associated with lymph node metastasis (P = 0.029) and tumor proliferation (P = 0.015). Patients with lower TrkC expressing tumors had a higher risk of recurrence (odds ratio, 0.401; 95% confidence interval, 0.207-0.778; P = 0.007). The layered analysis indicated that patients with high TrkC expression tumors had a favor disease-free survival whether NT-3 and TrkC were co-expressed or solitarily expressed in the tumor (P = 0.000). NT-3 was demonstrated to be not a predictor of IDC patients' prognosis. But NT-3 expression was inversely correlated with the progression of breast cancer (r = -0.341, P = 0.000), since more IDC tumors showed high NT-3 expression than DCIS tumors (51.7% vs. 25.9%), while no NBT showed high NT-3 expression, as well. CONCLUSION The study indicates TrkC expression reduces tumor relapse independent of NT-3 availability in the IDC. Elevated NT-3 expression contributes to the progression of breast cancer.
Multi-model approach for predicting the value function in the game of Heathstone: Heroes of Warcraft

This document describes the problem presented at AAIA'17 Data Mining Challenge and my approach to solving it. In terms of reinforcement learning the task was to build an algorithm that predicts a value function for the game of Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft. I used an ensemble of 85 models trained on different features to build the final solution which scored the 36th place on the final leaderboard.
An analysis of geometric modeling in database systems

The data-modeling and computational requirements for integrated computer aided manufacturing (CAM) databases are analyzed, and the most common representation schemes for modeling solid geometric objects in a computer are described. The primitive instancing model, the boundary representation, and the constructive solid geometry model are presented from the viewpoint of database representation. Depending on the representation scheme, one can apply geometric transformations to the stored geometric objects. The standard transformations, scaling, translation, and rotation, are outlined with respect to the data structure aspects. Some of the more recent developments in the area of engineering databases with regard to supporting these representation schemes are then explored, and a classification scheme for technical database management systems is presented that distinguishes the systems according to their level of object orientation: structural or behavioral object orientation. First, several systems that are extensions to the relational model are surveyed, then the functional data model DAPLEX, the nonnormalized relational model NF2, and the database system R2D2 that provides abstract data types in the NF2 model are described.
Factors Related to Postoperative Pain Trajectories following Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Longitudinal Study of Patients Admitted to a Russian Orthopaedic Clinic

This study explores sociodemographic, clinical, and surgical factors in relation to pain trajectories during the first 3 days following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). 100 patients (mean age 63.5 ± 7.8 years and 93% female) consecutively admitted for uncomplicated primary TKA were prospectively included. Postoperative pain was assessed using pain diaries. Measures of preoperative pain, symptoms, daily functioning, quality of life, comorbidities, knee function, perioperative characteristics, and physical/biochemical parameters were also evaluated. All pain ratings decreased in the three days following surgery (p < .001) as well as the reported number of daily hours in moderate/severe pain (p < .001). Women reported more pain than men (p = .009). Pain trajectories did not differ by education, employment, cohabitation, or any patient clinical and biochemical characteristics but were significantly related to preoperative anxiety (p = .029). Patients reporting moderate/severe pain prior to surgery also reported more hours in moderate/severe pain on days 0–3 postoperatively (p = .029). Patients with surgeries longer than 90 min reported more hours of moderate/severe pain compared with patients who had shorter surgeries (p = .008), and similar results were observed for ratings of pain with activity (p = .012). In this sample, only female gender, higher levels of preoperative pain and anxiety, and longer surgical duration were associated with increased pain after TKA.
Clinical and Educational Uses of Handheld Computers

Handheld computers, also known as personal digital assistants (PDAs), are becoming an increasingly valuable aid to physicians at the point of care. We review the use of handheld computers and their impact in clinical practice and medical education. Clinicians commonly use PDAs to access patient data and as a clinical reference tool. In medical education, handheld computers are most frequently used to track patient encounters and procedures done during medical school rotations and residency training. This report describes some interesting applications for present and future use of PDAs in inpatient care and medical education. Physicians and educational programs not using PDAs may wish to consider incorporating this technology.
Neutralization of TGF-β by Anti-TGF-β Antibody Attenuates Kidney Hypertrophy and the Enhanced Extracellular Matrix Gene Expression in STZ-Induced Diabetic Mice

Diabetic nephropathy is characterized by renal hypertrophy, thickening of basement membranes, and accumulation of extracellular matrix in the glomerular mesangium and the interstitium. Our previous investigations have shown that high glucose concentration increases transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 mRNA in mesangial and proximal tubule cells and that treatment with anti-TGF-β antibody results in prevention of the effects of high glucose on cell growth (e.g., induction of cellular hypertrophy) and the stimulation of collagen biosynthesis. We evaluated in vivo the functional role of the renal TGF-β system in diabetic kidney disease by treatment of streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice with either a neutralizing monoclonal antibody against TGF-β1, -β2, and -β3 (αT) or nonimmune murine IgG for 9 days. Diabetic mice given IgG demonstrated total kidney and glomerular hypertrophy, significantly elevated urinary TGF-β1 protein, and increased mRNAs encoding TGF-β1, type II TGF-β receptor, α1(IV) collagen, and fibronectin. Treatment of diabetic mice with αT prevented glomerular hypertrophy, reduced the increment in kidney weight by ∼ 50%, and significantly attenuated the increase in mRNA levels without having any effect on blood glucose. The antibody was without significant effect on mRNA levels in nondiabetic mice. This is the first demonstration that the early characteristic features of diabetic renal involvement, which include hypertrophy and increased matrix mRNAs, are largely mediated by increased endogenous TGF-β activity in the kidney and that they can be significantly attenuated by treatment with neutralizing anti-TGF-β antibodies.
Perinatal mortality and other severe adverse pregnancy outcomes associated with treatment of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia: meta-analysis

Objective To assess the relative risk of perinatal mortality, severe preterm delivery, and low birth weight associated with previous treatment for precursors of cervical cancer. Data sources Medline and Embase citation tracking from January 1960 to December 2007. Selection criteria Eligible studies had data on severe pregnancy outcomes for women with and without previous treatment for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. Considered outcomes were perinatal mortality, severe preterm delivery (<32/34 weeks), extreme preterm delivery (<28/30 weeks), and low birth weight (<2000 g, <1500 g, and <1000 g). Excisional and ablative treatment procedures were distinguished. Results One prospective cohort and 19 retrospective studies were retrieved. Cold knife conisation was associated with a significantly increased risk of perinatal mortality (relative risk 2.87, 95% confidence interval 1.42 to 5.81) and a significantly higher risk of severe preterm delivery (2.78, 1.72 to 4.51), extreme preterm delivery (5.33, 1.63 to 17.40), and low birth weight of <2000 g (2.86, 1.37 to 5.97). Laser conisation, described in only one study, was also followed by a significantly increased chance of low birth weight of <2000 g and <1500 g. Large loop excision of the transformation zone and ablative treatment with cryotherapy or laser were not associated with a significantly increased risk of serious adverse pregnancy outcomes. Ablation by radical diathermy was associated with a significantly higher frequency of perinatal mortality, severe and extreme preterm delivery, and low birth weight below 2000 g or 1500 g. Conclusions In the treatment of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, cold knife conisation and probably both laser conisation and radical diathermy are associated with an increased risk of subsequent perinatal mortality and other serious pregnancy outcomes, unlike laser ablation and cryotherapy. Large loop excision of the transformation zone cannot be considered as completely free of adverse outcomes.
Optimal Sizing Procedure for Electric Vehicle Supply Infrastructure Based on DC Microgrid with Station Commitment

The diffusion of electric vehicles (EVs) can be sustained by the presence of integrated solutions offering parking and clean power supply. The recourse to DC systems allows better integration of EV bidirectional energy exchange, photovoltaic panels, and energy storage. In this paper, a methodology for optimal techno-economic sizing of a DC-microgrid for covering EV mobility needs is carried out. It is based on the definition of different scenarios of operation, according to typical EV usage outlooks and environmental conditions. In each scenario, optimal operation is carried out by means of a specific approach for EV commitment on different stations. The sizing procedure is able to handle the modular structure of microgrid devices. The proposed approach is applied to a case study of an envisaged EV service fleet for the Bari port authority.
High Performance and Low Power Monte Carlo Methods to Option Pricing Models via High Level Design and Synthesis

This article compares the performance and energy consumption of GPUs and FPGAs via implementing financial market models. The case studies used in this comparison are the Black-Scholes model and the Heston model for option pricing problems, which are analyzed numerically by Monte Carlo method. The algorithms are computationally intensive but not memory-intensive and thus well suited for FPGA implementation. High-level synthesis was performed starting from parallel models written in OpenCL and then various micro-architectures were explored and optimized on FPGAs. The final implementations of both models to several options on FPGAs achieved the best parallel acceleration systems, in terms of both performance-per-operation and energy-per-operation, compared not only to the kernels on advanced GPUs but also to the RTL implementations found in the literatures.