Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mortality among US adult Asians and Pacific Islanders: findings from the National Health Interview Surveys and the National Longitudinal Mortality Study.

OBJECTIVES To assess the mortality of the adult Asian and Pacific Islander population in the United States. METHODS Cohort study using data from the National Health Interview Survey (1986 to 1994) and the National Longitudinal Mortality Study. Deaths were ascertained by matching the National Death Index with average follow-ups of 5.3 and 9 years, respectively, for the two studies. RESULTS Respondents from the pooled National Health Interview Surveys included 532,794 non-Hispanic whites, 94,242 blacks, 52,725 Hispanics, and 16,936 Asians and Pacific Islanders, all of whom were at least 18 years of age at baseline. The National Longitudinal Mortality Study included 373,397 non-Hispanic whites, 41,262 blacks, 23,356 Hispanics, and 8,390 Asians and Pacific Islanders. Overall age-standardized mortality was the lowest in Asians/Pacific Islanders, whose risk of death was about 40% lower than whites'. Adjustment for differences in education levels had a minimal influence on the mortality advantage in Asians/Pacific Islanders. CONCLUSIONS Longitudinal cohorts provide an important source of health status information on Asians and Pacific Islanders. These two studies from representative national samples suggest that overall mortality is substantially lower among Asians and Pacific Islanders than in all other major ethnic groups.
Intensive psychotherapy with bipolar disorder

Adding to an emerging literature on individual psychotherapy with bipolar disorder, this case study describes intensive psychotherapy with a 39-year-old woman who had a rapid cycling disorder. She had been treated over several years with a range of psychotropic medications, cognitive psychotherapy, and several courses of electroconvulsive therapy, but her illness had remained severe and relapsing with predominantly depressive episodes. Psychotherapy brought significant improvement that was sustained over long-term follow-up. The theoretical framework presented here draws on psychodynamic and trauma and attachment theories with a focus on secure attachment and the capacity to self-sooth and to mentalize.
A New Strategy in Trust-Based Recommender System using K-Means Clustering

Recommender systems are among the most important parts of online systems, including online stores such as Amazon, Netflix that have become very popular in the recent years. These systems lead users to finding desired information and goods in electronic environments. Recommender systems are one of the main tools to overcome the problem of information overload. Collaborative filtering (CF) is one of the best approaches for recommender systems and are spreading as a dominant approach. However, they have the problem of cold-start and data sparsity. Trust-based approaches try to create a neighborhood and network of trusted users that demonstrate users’ trust in each other’s opinions. As such, these systems recommend items based on users’ relationships. In the proposed method, we try to resolve the problems of low coverage rate and high RMSE rate in trust-based recommender systems using k-means clustering and ant colony algorithm (TBRSK). For clustering data, the k-means method has been used on MovieLens and Epinion datasets and the rating matrix is calculated to have the least overlapping.
The review of administration at The University of Sydney: a case study

Abstract Australian higher education institutions have, since the late 1980s, been subjected to strong internal and external pressures. They face increased competition for education and research activities, coupled with greater demands for accountability from governments. These pressures, which began with the Dawkins white paper in 1988, culminated at the University of Sydney in 1992 in an extensive review of the activities of its central administration. Thereview, assisted by the Boston Consulting Group, resulted in significant recommendations which challenged traditional assumptions about the role of university administration. A controversial implementation phase resulted, during which the University struggled with the recommendations. Whilst the review process itself is over, the changes the review precipitated are still unfolding. As the first major attempt at comprehensive reform within the University of Sydney, the review processes and outcomes merit detailed examination.
Plastic Clashes: Competition Among Closed and Open Payment Systems

This paper analyses market competition between two different types of payment schemes: card associations and proprietary systems. The main focus is on the role of the collective setting of the interchange fee by members of the association. We describe the sterilising role of the interchange fee: when the interchange fee is set so as to maximise the sum of issuers' and acquirers' profits, the equilibrium values of platforms' profits, of the sum of the fees charged by each platform and their market shares are independent of the competitive conditions within the associated members on the two sides of the market and are affected by the strength of inter-platform competition. We also show that the privately set interchange fee is socially inefficient, although this is not due to anticompetitive reasons.
Polyhedral surface smoothing with simultaneous mesh regularization

A computer graphics object reconstructed from real-world data often contains undesirable noise and small-scale oscillations. An important problem is how to remove the noise and oscillations while preserving desirable geometric features of the object. We develops methods for polyhedral surface smoothing and denoising with simultaneous increasing mesh regularity. We also propose an adaptive smoothing method allowing to reduce possible oversmoothing. Roughly speaking, our smoothing schemes consist of moving every vertex in the direction defined by the Laplacian flow with speed equal to a properly chosen function of the mean curvature at the vertex.
Preclinical Pharmacology, Antitumor Activity, and Development of Pharmacodynamic Markers for the Novel, Potent AKT Inhibitor CCT128930

AKT is frequently deregulated in cancer, making it an attractive anticancer drug target. CCT128930 is a novel ATP-competitive AKT inhibitor discovered using fragment- and structure-based approaches. It is a potent, advanced lead pyrrolopyrimidine compound exhibiting selectivity for AKT over PKA, achieved by targeting a single amino acid difference. CCT128930 exhibited marked antiproliferative activity and inhibited the phosphorylation of a range of AKT substrates in multiple tumor cell lines in vitro, consistent with AKT inhibition. CCT128930 caused a G1 arrest in PTEN-null U87MG human glioblastoma cells, consistent with AKT pathway blockade. Pharmacokinetic studies established that potentially active concentrations of CCT128930 could be achieved in human tumor xenografts. Furthermore, CCT128930 also blocked the phosphorylation of several downstream AKT biomarkers in U87MG tumor xenografts, indicating AKT inhibition in vivo. Antitumor activity was observed with CCT128930 in U87MG and HER2-positive, PIK3CA-mutant BT474 human breast cancer xenografts, consistent with its pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties. A quantitative immunofluorescence assay to measure the phosphorylation and total protein expression of the AKT substrate PRAS40 in hair follicles is presented. Significant decreases in pThr246 PRAS40 occurred in CCT128930-treated mouse whisker follicles in vivo and human hair follicles treated ex vivo, with minimal changes in total PRAS40. In conclusion, CCT128930 is a novel, selective, and potent AKT inhibitor that blocks AKT activity in vitro and in vivo and induces marked antitumor responses. We have also developed a novel biomarker assay for the inhibition of AKT in human hair follicles, which is currently being used in clinical trials. Mol Cancer Ther; 10(2); 360–71. ©2010 AACR.
Estimating the spectral envelope of voiced speech using multi-frame analysis

This paper proposes a novel approach for estimating the spectral envelope of voiced speech independently of its harmonic structure. Because of the quasi-periodicity of voiced speech, its spectrum indicates harmonic structure and only has energy at frequencies corresponding to integral multiples of . I t is hence impossible to identify transfer characteristics between the adjacent harmonics. In order to resolve this problem, Multiframe Analysis (MFA) is introduced. The MFA estimates a spectral envelope using many portions of speech which are vocalised using the same vocal-tract shape. Since each of the portions usually has a different and ensuing different harmonic structure, a number of harmonics can be obtained at various frequencies to form a spectral envelope. The method thereby gives a closer approximation to the vocal-tract transfer function.
Morphologic Clues to the Origins of Iron Oxide–Cemented Spheroids, Boxworks, and Pipelike Concretions, Navajo Sandstone of South-Central Utah, U.S.A.

Concretions cemented by iron oxide are abundant and diverse in the Jurassic Navajo Sandstone of southern Utah. Some of these structures are considered terrestrial analogs for concretions imaged on Mars. The Navajo concretions can be spheroidal, pipelike, or tabular with multicompartmented boxworks. These iron oxide concretions typically display a rinded structure: dense sandstone rinds cemented by iron oxide surround pale, iron-poor sandstone cores. Within a single structure, the iron-rich rinds may be single or multiple. Pseudomorphs of siderite are present in local residual, iron-rich cores of boxworks. Workers in the late nineteenth through mid-twentieth centuries, many of whom found evidence for siderite precusors, concluded that many spherical, rinded, iron oxide-cemented concretions were formed by centripetal precipitation of iron oxide inward from the perimeter of the concretion; in contrast, the walls of pipelike concretions of iron oxide grew centrifugally outward. We interpret the Navajo spheroids and boxworks as centripetal products of the oxidation of siderite-cemented (precursor) concretions that were very similar in both size and shape to the current concretions: rinds grew (thickened) inward toward the internal source of Fe(II). Siderite pseudomorphs appear to be absent from spheroids and many boxworks because all siderite was dissolved. In the cores of the larger boxworks some siderite was oxidized in situ; the Fe(II) did not migrate away from the original siderite crystals. The oxidation process was mediated by iron-oxidizing microbes and began at concretion perimeters when oxidizing groundwater started to displace the CO2- and methane-bearing water that had precipitated the siderite. In contrast, pipelike concretions are centrifugal—rinds formed around a cylindrical reaction front and thickened outward toward Fe(II) and away from the oxygenated water flowing within the cylinders. The cylindrical shape of the reaction front was produced by self-organizing feedbacks between dissolution of dispersed siderite cement and focused flow through a heterogeneous sandstone matrix.
A privacy framework: indistinguishable privacy

In this paper we illustrate a privacy framework named Indistinguishable Privacy. Indistinguishable privacy could be deemed as the formalization of the existing privacy definitions in privacy preserving data publishing as well as secure multi-party computation. We introduce three variants of the representative privacy notions in the literature, Bayes-optimal privacy for privacy preserving data publishing, differential privacy for statistical data release, and privacy w.r. t. semi-honest behavior in the secure multi-party computation setting, and prove they are equivalent. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first work that illustrates the relationships of these privacy definitions and unifies them through one framework.
Effects of insulin-like growth factor-I administration on radiation enteritis in rats.

BACKGROUND Acute radiation-induced damage to the small bowel occurs frequently during abdominal radiotherapy. Since the small intestine is selectively responsive to the growth-promoting effects of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), we investigated the effects of IGF-I administration on mucosal recovery from radiation enteritis in the rat. METHODS Rats received a single 10-Gy dose of total abdominal irradiation followed by implantation of mini-pumps infusing either IGF-I or vehicle for 4 days. After the rats had been killed, gut organs were weighed before light microscopic and biochemical examination. RESULTS Irradiated rats receiving IGF-I lost less body weight than vehicle-treated rats, whereas the wet weights of the stomach, small intestine, and colon were increased by 10%, 19%, and 21%, respectively, and crypt depth was increased in the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. CONCLUSIONS IGF-I administration after abdominal irradiation increased small-intestinal mass and improved indicators of mucosal integrity, suggesting acceleration of small-intestinal mucosal recovery from radiation injury.
Trazodone in Treatment-resistant Depression: An Open Study

Trazodone was well tolerated and reasonably effective in a group of 25 treatment-resistant depressed patients. Three patients dropped out of the study during the first week because of side effects. Of the 22 patients who completed 2 or more weeks on trazodone, 63% showed at least a 50% reduction in Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) score for at least two consecutive weekly rating periods. The group had significant decreases in HAM-D, Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, and Profile of Mood States Depression Factor scores by the end of the first week of treatment. A few patients who did not respond during the initial 4 weeks of the study did so after 2 or 3 months (after 4 weeks, ratings were done monthly). Side effects were not generally a problem. Sedation occurred in 46% of the patients but was easily managed. Anticholinergic side effects were absent, and hypotension was present only if patients took large doses on an empty stomach. Perhaps because the trazodone dosage was generally not raised rapidly, three more severely depressed patients did not respond. The three patients on stable maintenance lithium prior to starting trazodone also failed to improve. On the other hand, no exacerbation of psychosis or precipitation of mania or hypomania occurred on trazodone.
What Did Latino Family Caregivers Expect and Learn From Education Intervention “Caregivers Like Me”?

Objective: US Latinos historically have underutilized end-of-life (EOL) resources. This study reports the views of family caregivers before and after education intervention Caregivers Like Me geared to improve knowledge and attitudes regarding EOL resources among Latino caregivers. Methods: This is a qualitative substudy within a multicentered cross-sectional study design. Educational intervention was offered to family caregivers of Latino elders from 3 different communities, using an audiovisual presentation, including a case-based video telenovela and pre–posttest questionnaires with open-ended questions. This study pertains to the qualitative results for the open-ended questions before and after education intervention. Results: Participants (N = 145) were mostly females (79%) with a mean age of 56 ± 15 years and reported (92%) active learning from intervention. The pretest open-ended question on expected learning identified 2 themes, care for the sick and self-care. It included 5 subthemes and the most common one was how to help the sick. The posttest question on actual learning identified the same 2 themes and 4 subthemes that were similar but different from the pretest. Accepting help and knowledge of services available were the most common. Conclusion: The education intervention Caregivers Like Me was able to improve attitudes toward EOL care because participants who wanted to help their loved ones realized that they need to accept professional help and were made aware of the services available.
Epidemiology and antifungal susceptibility of Candida species in a tertiary care hospital, Kolkata, India

Background and Purpose: The incidence of fungal infection as well as candidemia has increased significantly, contributing to morbidity and mortality in the developed countries. The alarming increase in infections with multidrug resistant bacteria is due to overuse of a broad spectrum antimicrobials, which leads to over growth of Candida spp. ; thus, enhancing its opportunity to cause the disease. A shift has been observed in the relative frequency of each Candida spp. Antifungal agents available for the treatment of systemic and invasive candidiasis are restricted to polyenes, allylamines, azoles, and the recent echinocandin class of molecules. In the past few decades, the incidence of resistance to antifungal treatment of Candida spp. has increased rapidly, which is of serious concern for healthcare professionals. Studies on prevalence of infections and antifungal susceptibility testing can help with deciding on clinical strategies to manage this problem. Herein, we aimed to identify the epidemiology of Candida spp. among blood culture isolates and to investigate the susceptibility pattern of these species to antifungal agents. Materials and Methods: Candida spp. were isolated from blood cultures from 70 patients in a tertiary care hospital, Kolkata, India. The growth of Candida spp. on sabouraud dextrose agar was confirmed by Gram staining, where gram-positive budding fungal cells were observed. The species identification as well as antifungal susceptibility testing were performed with VITEK 2 compact automated system using VITEK-2 cards for identification of yeast and yeast-like organisms) ID-YST card). Antifungal susceptibility testing was carried out with VITEK 2 fungal susceptibility card (AST-YS07 kit). Results: Out of 70 samples, Candida albicans were isolated from 34 (%48.57) samples. The remaining 36 (%51.43) were non-albicans Candida ) NAC). Out of 34 C. Albicans, antifungal susceptiblity was detected in 28 isolates, all of which were sensitive to fluconazole (FLC .( Resistance to amphotericine B) AMP), flucytosine (5FC), voriconazole (VRC), and itraconazole (ITC) was observed in, %44.12 , %52.94 , %8.82 and %17.65 of the cases, respectively. For other Candida spp. (other than C. Albicans ,( antifungal susceptibility was evaluated for 36 isolates, among which resistance to AMP, FLC , 5FC, VRC , and ITC was found in, %30.56 , %61.11 , %33.33 , %19.44 and %38.89 cases, respectively. Conclusion: Species-level identification of Candida and their antifungal sensitivity testing should to be performed to achieve better clinical result and to select an appropriate and effective antifungal therapy. High resistance to antifungal agents is an alarming sign to the healthcare professionals.
Topology‐aware moving least square deformation for 2D characters

Deformation method based on moving least squares (MLS) allows the user to manipulate 2D characters using either sets of points or line segments in real time. However, the traditional MLS deformation spreads the deformation of the controls with respect to the spatial distance, but oblivious to the shape topology, which would possibly lead to distortion. In this paper, we present a topology‐aware MLS deformation approach for 2D characters. First, a Laplace equation is solved to obtain a set of weights, which are called harmonic weights. Then, the MLS deformation is performed by using the harmonic weights as the deformation influence of the user‐specified controls. Finally, the possible distortion in the traditional MLS deformation can be effectively avoided, as the harmonic weights spread the deformation of the controls in a localized and topology‐aware way. In addition, a simple but effective area‐preserving variant of MLS deformation is proposed, which is suitable for the editing of incompressible objects. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Response to Letter to the Editor: Melanocortin-4 (MC4) Receptor Antagonists Will Be Better Used in the Future

We thank Dr. Kapoor for the insightful comments [1]. Melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) is extensively expressed in the central nervous system and has many biological effects [2], as you mentioned MC4R antagonists can allay depression and anxiety, which are often seen as co-existent morbidities in patients with chronic pain [3]. Recently some new studies regarding the MC4R mechanism of action have been done. MC4R activation was also shown to regulate food intake by inducing the release of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the hypothalamus [4], suggesting that BDNF is a downstream mediator of MC4R action. An in vitro study demonstrated that MC4R activation in astrocytes induces BDNF expression through the cAMP-PKACREB pathway [5]. Another study demonstrates the orally active MC4R antagonist BL-6020/979 will be a promising candidate for the treatment of cancer cachexia [6]. MC4R was found to be involved in neuropathic pain and has been a target in treating neuropathic pain recently. The mechanism of action of MC4R in neuropathic pain will soon be more clearly understood. We believe that MC4R antagonists will be an effective approach in treating neuropathic pain in the near future.
Phylogenetic Relationships among Populations of Northern Swordtails (Xiphophorus) as Inferred from Allozyme Data

Abstract Twenty-nine populations of Xiphophorus fishes representing nine species of northern swordtails, one southern swordtail and a platyfish were assayed electrophoretically for allozyme variation. Phylogenetic relationships were inferred using parsimony and likelihood analysis of gene frequency characters, as well as Fitch-Margoliash, minimum evolution and neighbor-joining analyses of genetic distances. The phylogenetic relationships among species that were well supported in all analyses included (1) monophyly of the northern swordtails, (2) the pygmaeus clade of Xiphophorus nigrensis, X. multilineatus, and X. pygmaeus, and (3) the clade of X. nigrensis and X. multilineatus. Of those species represented by more than one population, all analyses supported monophyly of X. montezumae and weakly supported monophyly of X. nezahualcoyotl and X. birchmanni. Only the distance analyses supported monophyly of X. cortezi, and the support was weak. Finally, all analyses supported a clade including X. nezahualcoyotl from the Río Tamesí drainage and some populations from the Río Pánuco drainage, that is, nonmonophyly of the set of populations from the Río Pánuco drainage. Previously published trees based on morphology, behavior and randomly amplified DNAs were generally congruent with the optimal trees for the allozyme data and were not rejected by those data; in contrast, trees based on DNA sequences were more incongruent with the optimal trees for the allozyme data and were rejected by those data.