Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Physical activity and its association with quality of life in patients with osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the quality of life and its association with daily physical activity in different contexts of life in osteoarthritis patients referred from Basic Health Care Units to a university-affiliated service. METHODS This is a crosssectional, case series study in which physical activity was evaluated by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), and quality of life was assessed by the Medical Outcomes Study 36 Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Index (WOMAC), and Australian/Canadian Osteoarthritis Hand Index (AUSCAN). To evaluate pain intensity, a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was also used. RESULTS One hundred patients (92 women and eight men; mean age 59.9 ± 9.4 years) were included. The most affected joints were the knees and hands. Ten patients had only a single joint affected, 69 patients had two, eight patients had three, and 13 patients had four joints affected. The IPAQ showed that 70 patients were active or very active, while 30 were insufficiently active or sedentary. Physical activity was positively associated with the SF-36 domains that assess physical health (physical functioning, physical role, pain, general health perceptions). There was an association between physical activity and quality of life assessed by WOMAC, and the more severe the pain, the worse the quality of life. CONCLUSION In most patients in this population, the physical aspects of the quality of life are worse, but they maintain their daily physical activities.
Design of a More Scalable Database System

With the development of cloud computing and internet, e-Commerce, e-Business and corporate world revenue are increasing with high rate. These areas require scalable and consistent databases. NoSQL databases such as HBase has been proven to scalability and well performance on cloud computing platforms. However, the inevitable special data with few increment and frequent access leads to hotspot data and unbalanced accessing distribution between data storage servers. Due to their properties, these data often cannot be stored in multiple tables. Some storage nodes become the bottleneck of the distributed storage system, therefore, it becomes difficult to improve the performance by increasing the number of nodes which severely limits the scalability of the storage system. In order to make the performance of the cluster increases with the size of the cluster simultaneously, we devise a new distributed database storage framework to solve those issues mentioned above by changing the storage and read-write mode of the hotspot data. This structure guarantees that the hotspot data will not aggregate in the same storage node, as it guarantees that the data is not too hot in a single storage node. We implement the scalable database based on Apache HBase, which achieve almost double performance of throughput considering heavy read-write pressure situation only with double reading substites. Besides, heavy load node owing to hotspot data will no longer present in the new distributed database.
Clinical guidance of community physiotherapists regarding people with MS: professional development and continuity of care.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Clinical guidance to community physiotherapists (cPTs) is an integral part of physiotherapy service offered in hospital outpatient (OP) clinics for people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). There is currently a lack of knowledge on the significance of such guidance. The aims of this study were 1) to identify the features that cPTs perceive to be significant in clinical guidance and 2) how this guidance may affect the cPTs' subsequent treatment of PwMS. METHODS A phenomenological-hermeneutical framework was selected, and qualitative research interviews were performed and complemented with non-participating observations of a strategic sample of nine cPTs who received clinical guidance for their patients. The interviews were recorded and transcribed, and content analysis was conducted by using systematic text condensation, using theories of practice knowledge as analytic perspectives. RESULTS The results indicate that cPTs identify participation in authentic movement analysis of a familiar patient as significant for professional development. Vital features are evaluation of the interplay between body parts, exploration of improvement of movement embedded in the OP clinic physiotherapist's explanations, followed by discussion. These elements provide access to dynamic elements in practice knowledge that are available only through first-hand experience and promote clinical reasoning through enhanced reflection during action as well as following action. Such guidance suggests direction for subsequent treatment and may enhance the continuity of care, particularly if the cPTs are experienced. Mutual information flow implementing the cPTs' perspective is requested, as are the use of plain language and supervision of the cPTs handling skills. Professional guidance for cPTs in OP clinics for PwMS should be considered when programmes aiming to develop competency in neurological physiotherapy are designed and when continuity of care for PwMS is discussed. More research regarding potential long-term impact of professional guidance in these clinics is requested.
Comparisons of Complex Sounds across Extended Retention Intervals Survives Reading Aloud

A simple experimental arrangement is designed to foil verbal rehearsal during an extended (from 5 to 30 s) retention interval across which participants attempt to discriminate two periodic complex sounds. Sounds have an abstract timbre that does not lend itself to verbal labeling, they differ across trials so that no ‘standard’ comparison stimulus is built up by the participants, and the spectral change to be discriminated is very slight and therefore does not shift the stimulus into a new verbal category. And, crucially, in one experimental condition, participants read aloud during most of the retention interval. Despite these precautions, performance is robust across the extended retention interval. The inference is that one form of auditory memory does not require verbal rehearsal. Nevertheless, modest forgetting occurred. Whatever form memory takes in this situation, it is not totally secure from disruption.
The speechdat-car multilingual speech databases for in-car applications: some first validation results

The main objective of SpeechDat-Car is to develop a set of speech databases to support training and testing of multilingual speech recognition applications in the car environment. SpeechDat-Car started in April 1998 in the 4th EC framework under project code LE4-8334. The duration of the project is 30 months. Equivalent and similar resources for nine languages will be created: Danish, English, Finnish, Flemish/Dutch, French, German, Greek, Italian and Spanish. For each language 600 sessions will be recorded from at least 300 speakers. SpeechDat-Car commits itself to a strict validation protocol to ensure optimal quality and exchangeability of the databases. The first milestone in this respect is the validation of the recording platform and of a small subset of initial recordings. This paper briefly describes the database design and the recording platforms; next, it focuses on the objectives, the procedure, and some of the results of the early validation stage.
Evolutionary multiobjective optimization with a segment based external memory support for the multiobjective quadratic assignment problem

Multiobjective evolutionary optimization has been demonstrated to be an efficient method for some difficult multiobjective optimization problems; particularly the quadratic assignment problem which is a provably difficult NP-complete problem with a multitude of real-world applications. This paper introduces the use of a segment-based external memory in evolutionary multiobjective optimization. In principle, variable-size solution segments taken from a number of previously promising solutions are stored in an external memory whose elements are used in the construction of new solutions. In the construction of a solution, a solution segment is retrieved from the external memory and used in the construction of complete solutions through evolutionary recombination operators. The aim is to provide further intensification around promising solutions without weakening the exploration capabilities. Different instances of the multiobjective quadratic assignment problem are used for performance evaluations and, almost in all trials, the proposed external memory strategy provided significantly better results than the multiobjective genetic algorithm (MOGA).
Positive Fragments of Coalgebraic Logics

Positive modal logic was introduced in an influential 1995 paper of Dunn as the positive fragment of standard modal logic. His completeness result consists of an axiomatization that derives all modal formulas that are valid on all Kripke frames and are built only from atomic propositions, conjunction, disjunction, box and diamond.
Wireless Power Transmission: R&D Activities Within Europe

Wireless power transmission (WPT) is an emerging technology that is gaining increased visibility in recent years. Efficient WPT circuits, systems and strategies can address a large group of applications spanning from batteryless systems, battery-free sensors, passive RF identification, near-field communications, and many others. WPT is a fundamental enabling technology of the Internet of Things concept, as well as machine-to-machine communications, since it minimizes the use of batteries and eliminates wired power connections. WPT technology brings together RF and dc circuit and system designers with different backgrounds on circuit design, novel materials and applications, and regulatory issues, forming a cross disciplinary team in order to achieve an efficient transmission of power over the air interface. This paper aims to present WPT technology in an integrated way, addressing state-of-the-art and challenges, and to discuss future R&D perspectives summarizing recent activities in Europe.
Synergistic action of starch and honey against Candida albicans in correlation with diastase number

To evaluate the synergistic action of starch on the antifungal activity of honey, a comparative method of adding honey with and without starch to culture media was used. Candida albicans has been used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of five varieties of honey. In a second step, lower concentrations of honey than the MIC were incubated with a set of concentrations of starch added to media to determine the minimum synergistic inhibitory concentration (MSIC). The MIC for the five varieties of honey without starch against C. albicans ranged between 40% and 45% (v/v). When starch was incubated with honey and then added to media, a MIC drop has been noticed with each variety. It ranged between 7% and 25%. A negative correlation has been established between the MIC drop and the diastase number (DN).
Development of a new toxic-unit model for the bioassessment of metals in streams.

Two toxic-unit models that estimate the toxicity of trace-metal mixtures to benthic communities were compared. The chronic criterion accumulation ratio (CCAR), a modification of biotic ligand model (BLM) outputs for use as a toxic-unit model, accounts for the modifying and competitive influences of major cations (Ca²(+), Mg²(+), Na(+), K(+), H(+)), anions (HCO₃⁻, CO²⁻₃ ,SO²⁻₄, Cl⁻, S²⁻) and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in determining the free metal ion available for accumulation on the biotic ligand. The cumulative criterion unit (CCU) model, an empirical statistical model of trace-metal toxicity, considers only the ameliorative properties of Ca²(+) and Mg²(+) (hardness) in determining the toxicity of total dissolved trace metals. Differences in the contribution of a metal (e.g., Cu, Cd, Zn) to toxic units as determined by CCAR or CCU were observed and attributed to how each model incorporates the influences of DOC, pH, and alkalinity. Akaike information criteria demonstrate that CCAR is an improved predictor of benthic macroinvertebrate community metrics as compared with CCU. Piecewise models depict great declines (thresholds) in benthic macroinvertebrate communities at CCAR of 1 or more, while negative changes in benthic communities were detected at a CCAR of less than 1. We observed a 7% reduction in total taxa richness and a 43% decrease in Heptageniid abundance between background (CCAR = 0.1) and the threshold of chronic toxicity on the basis of continuous chronic criteria (CCAR = 1). In this first application of the BLM as a toxic-unit model, we found it superior to CCU.
Cold-related cardiorespiratory symptoms among subjects with and without hypertension: the National FINRISK Study 2002.

BACKGROUND Exposure to cold weather increases blood pressure (BP) and may aggravate the symptoms and influence the prognosis of subjects with a diagnosis of hypertension. We tested the hypothesis that subjects with hypertension alone or in combination with another cardiovascular disease (CVD) experience cold-related cardiorespiratory symptoms more commonly than persons without hypertension. This information is relevant for proper treatment and could serve as an indicator for predicting wintertime morbidity and mortality. METHODS A self-administered questionnaire inquiring of cold-related symptoms was obtained from 6591 men and women aged 25-74 yrs of the FINRISK Study 2002 population. BP was measured in association with clinical examinations. Symptom prevalence was compared between subjects with diagnosed hypertensive disease with (n = 395) or without (n = 764) another CVD, untreated diagnosed hypertension (n = 1308), measured high BP (n = 1070) and a reference group (n = 2728) with normal BP. RESULTS Hypertension in combination with another CVD was associated with increased cold-related dyspnoea (men: adjusted odds ratio 3.94, 95% confidence interval 2.57-6.02)/women: 4.41, 2.84-6.86), cough (2.64, 1.62-4.32/4.26, 2.60-6.99), wheezing (2.51, 1.42-4.43/;3.73, 2.08-6.69), mucus excretion (1.90, 1.24-2.91/2.53, 1.54-4.16), chest pain (22.5, 9.81-51.7/17.7, 8.37-37.5) and arrhythmias (43.4, 8.91-211/8.99, 3.99-20.2), compared with the reference group. Both diagnosed treated hypertension and untreated hypertension and measured high BP resulted in increased cardiorespiratory symptoms during the cold season. CONCLUSION Hypertension alone and together with another CVD is strongly associated with cold-related cardiorespiratory symptoms. As these symptoms may predict adverse health events, hypertensive patients need customized care and advice on how to cope with cold weather.
A meta-analysis of immunosuppression withdrawal trials in renal transplantation.

Since the publication of previous meta-analyses of cyclosporine (CsA) and prednisone withdrawal in renal transplant recipients, several additional randomized controlled trials with longer follow-up have been reported. Currently, in nine prednisone withdrawal trials (n = 1461), the proportion of patients with acute rejection was increased by 0.14 (95% confidence interval = 0.10 to 0. 17, P < 0.001). In nine prednisone withdrawal trials (n = 1899), the relative risk (RR; RR = 1.0 indicates no risk) of graft failure after withdrawal was also increased (RR = 1.40; range, 1.09 to 1.70, P = 0.012). There was no evidence of between-study heterogeneity for either acute rejection or graft failure in the prednisone withdrawal trials by a chi(2) test (P > 0.05). In 10 CsA withdrawal trials (n = 1049), the proportion of patients with acute rejection was increased by 0.11 (0.07 to 0.15, P < 0.001). In 12 trials (n = 1151), the RR of graft failure after CsA withdrawal was 1.06 (95% confidence interval, 0.82 to 1.29, P = 0.646), but a chi(2) test indicated that there was study heterogeneity. However, there was no evidence of heterogeneity in the six studies (n = 632) with at least 4.0 yr (5.8 +/- 1.7) of follow-up (RR = 0.92; range, 0.64 to 1.20, P = 0.569) or in the seven trials (n = 962) published in peer-reviewed journals (RR = 0.95; range, 0.70 to 1.20 P = 0.682). Finally, in three trials (n = 259) that compared CsA and prednisone withdrawal, there was a nonsignificant trend for less graft failure with CsA withdrawal (RR = 0.63; range, 0.08 to 1.16, P = 0.190). Thus, unlike prednisone withdrawal, CsA withdrawal in select patients seems to impart little risk of long-term graft failure.
Generalizing behavior obtained from sparse demonstration

Here we describe a parameter-driven solution for generating novel yet similar movements from a sparse example set obtained through observation. In our experiments, a humanoid learns to represent movement trajectories demonstrated by a person with intuitive parameters describing the start and end points of different motion trajectory segments. These segments are automatically produced based on changes in curvature. After rebinning to equate similar segments across the samples, we use a linear approximation framework to build a representation based on relevant task features (segment start and end points) where radial basis functions(RBFs) are used to approximate the unknown non-linear characteristics describing a trajectory. The solution is accomplished on-line and requires no interaction. With this approach a humanoid can learn from only a few examples, and quickly produce new movements.
Nomogram basing pre-treatment parameters predicting early response for locally advanced rectal cancer with neoadjuvant chemotherapy alone: a subgroup efficacy analysis of FOWARC study

Objective To develop an accurate model with pre-treatment parameters to predict tumor regression and down-staging in locally advanced rectal cancer patients, basing the cohort of preoperative chemotherapy alone in FOWARC study. Patients and Methods From Jan 2011 to Feb 2015, complete data was available for 137 out of 165 patients who received preoperative chemotherapy alone. All pre-treatment clinical parameters were collected. Tumor regression grade (TRG) 0-1 was defined as good regression, and pathological TNM stage (ypTNM) 0-I after neoadjuvant treatment was defined as good down-staging. Nomogram was established to predict tumor regression and down-staging. The predictive performance of the model was assessed with concordance index and calibration plots. Results Of the 137 patients, 10 had TRG 0 (complete regression); 32 patients, TRG 1; and 95 patients, TRG 2 and 3 (poor regression); 56 (40.9%) patients were classified as good down-staging with ypTNM stage 0-I. The predictive nomograms were developed to predict the probability of TRG 0-1 and good down-staging with a C-index of 0.72 (95% CI: 0.604-0.797) and 0.76 (95% CI: 0.681-0.844). Calibration plots showed good statistical performance on internal validation. Predictive factors in the models included tumor length, tumor circumferential extent, age, and ApoA1. Conclusions The model based on available clinical parameters could accurately predict early efficacy with neoadjuvant mFOLFOX6 chemotherapy alone, which might help in patient selection for optimized treatment.
Endurance Characteristics of Amorphous-InGaZnO Transparent Flash Memory With Gold Nanocrystal Storage Layer

The amorphous indium-gallium-zinc-oxide (a-IGZO) thin-film transistor (TFT)-based nonvolatile transparent Flash memory devices were fabricated with gold (Au) nanocrystal storage layer. The performance and the reliability of transparent memory devices have been characterized by experiment and technology computer-aided design simulation. This memory device shows a large-enough memory window ΔV = 4.7 V at the program/erase (P/E) voltage <i>V</i><sub>PGM</sub>/<i>V</i><sub>ERS</sub> = 35/-35 V for the P/E time <i>T</i><sub>PGM</sub>/ <i>T</i><sub>ERS</sub> = 3/25 s. The memory window was kept almost the same after 1050 P/E cycles; however, the center voltage of the memory window (<i>VC</i>) was shifted in a negative direction. The cycling effect was explained by the change in the density of states (DOS) and the acceptor-like interface-trap density <i>D</i><sub>itA</sub>(<i>E</i>) in the a-IGZO channel layer with increasing P/E cycles. The main mechanism for the change in <i>VC</i> was found to be the accelerated injection of holes into the gate insulator due to the energy band bending during the erase operation.
Exact Algorithms for the Canadian Traveller Problem on Paths and Trees

AbstractThe Canadian T raveller problem is a stochastic shortest paths problem in which one learns the costof an edge only when arriving at one of its endpoints. The goal is to nd an adapti ve polic y (adjustingas one learns more edge lengths) that minimizes the expected cost of travel. The problem is kno wn to be#P hard. Since there has been no signicant progress on approximation algorithms for several decades,we ha ve chosen to seek out special cases for which exact solutions exist, in the hope of demonstratingtechniques that could lead to further progress. Applying techniques from the theory of Mark ov DecisionProcesses, we give an exact solution for graphs of parallel (undirected) paths from source to destinationwith random tw o-v alued edge costs. W e also offer a partial generalization to traversing perfect binarytrees. MIT Computer Science & AI Lab, Cambridge MA 02139, USA, kar ger@csail.mit. eduy MIT Computer Science & AI Lab, Cambridge MA 02139, USA, enik olo va@csail.mit. edu
Caspase Activation Is Required for T Cell Proliferation

Triggering of Fas (CD95) by its ligand (FasL) rapidly induces cell death via recruitment of the adaptor protein Fas-associated death domain (FADD), resulting in activation of a caspase cascade. It was thus surprising that T lymphocytes deficient in FADD were reported recently to be not only resistant to FasL-mediated apoptosis, but also defective in their proliferative capacity. This finding suggested potentially dual roles of cell growth and death for Fas and possibly other death receptors. We report here that CD3-induced proliferation and interleukin 2 production by human T cells are blocked by inhibitors of caspase activity. This is paralleled by rapid cleavage of caspase-8 after CD3 stimulation, but no detectable processing of caspase-3 during the same interval. The caspase contribution to T cell activation may occur via TCR-mediated upregulation of FasL, as Fas-Fc blocked T cell proliferation, whereas soluble FasL augmented CD3-induced proliferation. These findings extend the role of death receptors to the promotion of T cell growth in a caspase-dependent manner.
Effect of Severe Cold-Rolling and Subsequent Annealing on Microstructure and Properties of in-Situ Composite Steel

In this paper, the process of severe cold-rolling and annealing for Q235 steel with lath martensite has demonstrated a new promising technique for producing in-situ composite multi-nanolayer steel. Cold rolling and subsequent annealing have great impact on microstructure evolution as well as mechanical properties. In the as-rolled state, the strength (b 2112 MPa) is approximately four times increased than as-received material, which is attributed to work hardening and grain refining during cold rolling. As cold-rolled sample subjected to further annealing below 500 °C, deformed microstructure underwent further recovery and recrystallization and finally became refined equiaxed grains; ultraﬁne ferrite grains, nano-carbides precipitated uniformly were seen in the specimen annealed at 500 °C, and the phenomenon of fracture delamination was observed from the specimens, the delamination plane was parallel to the rolling plane, in-situ composite weak interfaces effect has great impact on the fracture surface. Annealing at and above 600 °C resulted in coarse ferrite grains with spheroidized coarse carbides, causing grain growth.