Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Exploring Psychosocial Support Online: A Content Analysis of Messages in an Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Community

The increased usage of online cancer support groups as a resource for health-related information and social support has sparked numerous discussions about the role of online support in healthcare. However, little is known about the role of social-networking groups focused on supporting adolescents and young adults (AYAs) dealing with cancer. The current investigation report findings from a content analysis designed to explore how AYAs use an online support group to meet their psychosocial needs. Overall, members of the community focused on exchanging emotional and informational support, coping with difficult emotions through expression, describing experiences of being an AYA dealing with cancer through language (metaphors), enacting identity through evaluations of the new normal (life with and after cancer), and communicating membership as an AYA with cancer. This study highlights the unique needs of the AYA cancer community and offers a preliminary roadmap for practitioners, and network members, such as family and friends, to attempt to meet the needs of this unique community.
Study of interaction between monopole antenna operating in TM mode and human tissue

In the paper, we describe the effect of human tissue on the behavior of a monopole antenna with a conical convex reflector operating in TM mode. We focus on two possible situations. First, we place the monopole antenna horizontally to the human tissue. Second, we turn the antenna so that the main lobe direction is oriented vertically to the human tissue. In both situations, we observe changes of antenna behavior depending on the distance of the antenna from the human tissue. We concentrate on the depth of the signal penetration into the human tissue. Therefore, we designed the monopole antenna for the ISM radio band 5.725-5.875 GHz (ITU 5.138 and 5.150). Finally, we discuss the comparison of simulation results of different antenna locations with respect to the human tissue.
Une meilleure capacité à faire face au stress pour une réduction de l'agressivité réactive chez les élèves du secondaire : évaluation du programme In vivo

Ce memoire s'interesse a l'agressivite reactive et au developpement des competences a faire face au stress. L'etude presentee dans cet ouvrage s'est deroulee de janvier a juin 2016 dans une ecole secondaire reguliere de type polyvalente avec des classes d'adaptation scolaire. Elle consiste a evaluer le modele d'action du programme In vivo (Bluteau et Julien, 2015) en contexte scolaire aupres d'adolescents manifestant de l'agressivite reactive par l'evaluation de la fidelite de l'implantation. Elle vise aussi l'exploration du modele de changement par l'analyse des differences entre les resultats des participants du groupe experimental et du groupe controle suite a l'intervention sur les variables du sentiment d'auto-efficacite, des strategies d'adaptation positives, du stress percu, de l'agressivite reactive et des comportements problematiques exteriorises. Six adolescents ont suivi ce programme de dix semaines et ont repondu a cinq questionnaires a la suite de l'intervention, en plus de participer a une entrevue semi-structuree sur leur appreciation du programme. Six autres adolescents aux caracteristiques similaires n'ayant pas recu l'intervention ont repondu aux memes questionnaires afin de servir de groupe controle. De plus, les parents et enseignants des participants ont repondu a un questionnaire a propos des comportements de ces derniers et ceux dont l'adolescent a participe au programme ont egalement participe a une entrevue semi-structuree. Aussi, les animatrices du programme ont rempli un journal de bord concernant la fidelite de l'intervention et elles ont ete interviewees. Les resultats des questionnaires ne demontrent pas d'amelioration significative des variables mentionnees plus tot, sauf pour les problemes d'attention selon les resultats des enseignants. Les adolescents ont mentionne en entrevue qu'ils avaient apprecie leur participation et qu'ils se sentaient plus aptes a faire face au stress. Les parents ont observe peu d'amelioration chez leur adolescent, mais certains ont remarque l'utilisation d'une technique apprise dans le programme lors de situations stressantes. ______________________________________________________________________________ MOTS-CLES DE L’AUTEUR : agressivite reactive, adolescence, stress, cortisol.
Clusterin expression in elastofibroma dorsi.

BACKGROUND Elastofibroma dorsi is a benign soft tissue lesion composed of abnormal elastic fibers. Degenerated elastic fibers in skin and liver are associated with clusterin, an apoprotein that shares functional properties with small heat shock proteins. We evaluated the staining pattern and possible role of clusterin in elastofibroma dorsi. MATERIAL AND METHODS Twenty-one subcutaneous elastofibromas from the scapular region were evaluated with Elastica van Gieson and Orcein stains, immunohistochemically with antibodies to clusterin, smooth muscle actin, S-100, vimentin and CD34 and correlated with clinical data with respect to physical trauma. RESULTS Clusterin correlated with the staining pattern of Elastica van Gieson and labelled abnormal broad coarse fibrillar and globular elastic fibers in all elastofibromas. Orcein stains additionally identified fine oxytalan fibers which were not stained by clusterin. Clusterin staining was observed only on the outside of the elastin fibers, while the cores of fibers and globules were unstained. 4/21 elastofibromas showed cellular nodules with a myxoid/collagenous stroma. The round to oval cells showed cytoplasmic staining with vimentin and clusterin; CD34 labelled mostly cell membranes. The cells lacked SMA and S-100 expression. The central areas of the nodules were devoid of elastic fibers, but the periphery contained coarse fibers and globules. 9/ 11 patients, for whom clinical data were available, reported trauma to the scapular region. CONCLUSION Many investigated ED were associated with trauma, which supports a reactive/degenerative etiology of ED. The abnormal large elastic fibers in all ED were enveloped by clusterin. Clusterin deposition may protect elastic fibers from degradation and thus contribute indirectly to the tumor-like presentation of ED.
Correlation between Facial Morphology and Esthetics in Patients with Repaired Complete Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine if there were correlations between anthropometric nasolabial measurements and subjective assessments of nasal esthetics in individuals with repaired complete unilateral cleft lip and palate (CUCLP). Participants: The sample consisted of 28 individuals with repaired CUCLP and 20 age- and gender-matched individuals without clefts. Outcome Measures: Nasolabial morphology was assessed using 2D and 3D measurements made on frontal photographs, lateral cephalometric radiographs, and plaster nose casts. A panel of orthodontists rated nasal esthetics from frontal, lateral, three-quarter, and basal view photographs and plaster nose casts using visual analog scales, and they also order ranked the nose casts. Based on the nasal esthetics ratings and rankings, two groups that had the best and the worst esthetics representing the extremes of nasolabial esthetics were statistically identified. Measurements were compared between the cleft and noncleft and the best and worst groups using t tests and analysis of variance. Results: Differences in anthropometric measurements between the groups were identified. The columellar width and nose base and nasolabial angles significantly differed between the best and worst groups (p < .05). Differences in panel ratings of nasolabial esthetics between the best and worst groups were statistically detected using lateral and three-quarter view photographs (p < .05). Conclusions: Although morphologic differences between the cleft and noncleft and between the best and worst groups were identified, the slight morphologic differences noted were not sufficient to explain the subjective esthetic evaluation by the panel.
Functional and Postural Lateral Preferences in Humans: Interrelations and Life-Span Age Differences

This study aimed to provide data on lateral preferences among older subjects, to analyze age differences, and to determine interrelations between lateral preferences. Four functional preferences (handedness, footedness, eyedness, earedness) and three postural lateral preferences (hand-clasping, arm-folding, leg-crossing) were assessed in 628 Germans (252 men, 376 women) aged between19 and 90 years. Sex differences, age differences, and associations between lateralities were analyzed applying chi-square tests. Logistic regression analyses considering age, sex, and interactions between variables were applied to analyze combined effects on laterality measures. Right-sided preference for handedness, footedness, eyedness, earedness, and leg-crossing characterized 86.8%, 77.1%, 70.9%, 67.8%, and 56.6%, respectively, of subjects, while a left-sided preference for hand-clasping and arm-folding characterized 56.4% and 60.2%, respectively, of all participants. Results are within the range of other populations. Only footedness differed between the sexes: there were more left-footed men. Older cohorts showed a rightward shift in handedness, eyedness, earedness, and leg-crossing, the opposite for arm-folding. No age-related differences exist in footedness or hand-clasping. Logistic regression models indicate no interaction between age and sex for each laterality measure. The four functional lateralities are significantly interrelated. All also are positively associated with leg-crossing. Conversely, the postural lateralities generally are not correlated, although leg-crossing and arm-folding are, inversely. The observed relationships among lateralities support the hypothesis that handedness, footedness, leg-crossing, and earedness might be aspects of a larger phenotype that is independent of hand-clasping and arm-folding.
Obesity, overweight and ethnicity.

OBJECTIVES This article describes the prevalence of self-reported overweight and obesity, based on body mass index (BMI), by ethnicity and examines the influence of time since immigration within and between ethnic groups. DATA SOURCES Results are based on data from two cycles of Statistics Canada's Canadian Community Health Survey, conducted in 2000/01 and 2003. ANALYTICAL TECHNIQUES Weighted prevalences of overweight (BMI > or =25) and obesity (BMI > or =30) were calculated by sex and ethnicity for the population aged 20 to 64. Multiple logistic regression models were used to examine associations between overweight/obesity and ethnicity, and within and between ethnic groups based on time since immigration, controlling for age, household income, education and physical activity. MAIN RESULTS Aboriginal men and women had the highest prevalences of overweight and obesity; East/Southeast Asians, the lowest. Independent of age, household income, education and physical activity, Aboriginal people had elevated odds of overweight and obesity, compared with Whites; South Asians and East/Southeast Asians had significantly lower odds. Recent immigrants (10 years or less) had significantly lower prevalences of overweight, compared with non-immigrants, but this difference tended to disappear over time.
Forming Neural Networks by Means of Assembler Encoding-Preliminary Report

Abstract This paper presents anew neural network encoding method called Assembler Encoding. The method was tentatively tested in the predator-prey problem. In the experiments, neural networks created by means Assembler Encoding, were used to control predators whose task was to capture a fast moving prey behaving according to a simple strategy. To compare Assembler Encoding with another neural network encoding method, in the experiments, a co-evolutionary version of simple connectivity matrix was also applied. The results of the experiments are included in the final part of the paper.
Design of a Wideband Antenna With Stable Omnidirectional Radiation Pattern Using the Theory of Characteristic Modes

In this communication, the design procedure of a wideband antenna with omnidirectional radiation pattern is demonstrated based on the theory of characteristic modes. Consisting of a dipole and a loop antenna, the antenna has a very simple structure. A wide impedance bandwidth is obtained because of the simultaneous excitation of the antenna’s first two modes. Meanwhile, due to the fact that these two modes share a similar omnidirectional radiation pattern, a stable radiation pattern is also achieved across the operating frequency band. In order to identify the antenna’s different modes, a characteristic mode analysis of the antenna is carried out first. Then, a feed configuration is specifically designed to excite the desired modes. To validate the antenna design, a prototype was fabricated and tested. Measured results agree well with the simulated ones. Measurement shows that a wide impedance bandwidth of 44.2% with $\vert {\text{S}_{11}}\vert < -10$ dB (1.85–2.9 GHz) and stable radiation patterns at both E-plane and H-plane were achieved over the operating frequency band.
Recruitment of participants to a clinical trial of botanical therapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia.

OBJECTIVES The timely recruitment of study participants is a critical component of successful trials. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a common nonmalignant urologic condition among older men, is characterized by lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Successful recruitment methods for a trial of medical therapy for BPH, Medical Therapy of Prostate Symptoms (MTOPS), were mass mailing and advertising. The Complementary and Alternative Medicines Trial for Urological Symptoms (CAMUS) was designed to evaluate a botanical therapy, saw palmetto, for the treatment of BPH. The objective of this study was to evaluate recruitment strategies for CAMUS and to contrast the baseline characteristics of CAMUS participants with those recruited to a similar trial using conventional medical therapy. DESIGN CAMUS is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial designed to evaluate the effects of saw palmetto given at escalating doses over an 18-month period on relief from LUTS. SUBJECTS The target enrollment goal was 350 men with LUTS from 11 clinical centers over a 12-month period. The recruitment techniques used and participants contacted, screened, and randomized through each technique were obtained from the clinical centers. Baseline characteristics of the CAMUS participants were compared with participants in the MTOPS trial who met the CAMUS eligibility criteria for LUTS. RESULTS The target enrollment goal was achieved in 11 months. The overall monthly recruitment rate per site was 3.7 and ranged from 2.4 to 8.0. The most successful recruitment methods were mass mailing and advertising, which accounted for 39% and 35% of the study participants, respectively. In comparison to MTOPS participants, CAMUS participants were younger, more highly educated, more diverse, and had less severe urinary symptoms. CONCLUSIONS Successful recruitment methods for CAMUS were similar to those in MTOPS. The use of botanical therapy attracted a less symptomatic and more educated study population.
A CASE OF CLEAR CELL ADENOCARCINOMA OF THE VAGINA IN PREGNANCY

The case is described of a 20 year old pregnant woman with clear cell adenocarcinoma of the vagina who had been exposed to diethyl stilboestrol in utero. This is the second of three cases known to have occurred in Britain. The importance of radical treatment is discussed. Neither cervical nor vaginal intra‐epithelial neoplasia were seen histologically, although squamous metaplasia was widespread, and in some areas was immature and showed atypical features which could be misinterpreted as intra‐epithelial neoplasia. An area of atypical adenosis was noticed, a hitherto rarely observed feature.
Health Care Practitioners’ Perspectives on Deprescribing Anticholinergic and Sedative Medications in Older Adults

Background: Anticholinergic and sedative (ACh-Sed) medications are commonly prescribed for older adults and are associated with adverse events. Objectives: (1) To investigate perspectives of health care practitioners (HCPs) surrounding deprescribing (withdrawal) of ACh-Sed medications in older adults; (2) to assess HCPs’ perspectives on the design and implementation of a report on a patient’s exposure to ACh-Sed medications using the Drug Burden Index (DBI) pharmacological tool. Methods: This was a qualitative study using focus groups with purposive samples of accredited pharmacists (APs), general practitioners (GPs), and specialist physicians (SPs). Participants were also asked to comment on a sample DBI report of a hypothetical patient and its potential role in practice. The discussions were audiorecorded, transcribed verbatim, and thematically analyzed to derive conceptual domains. QSR NVivo Version 10 was used for data management. Results: Several barriers and enablers to deprescribing ACh-Sed medications in older adults were identified. The most noteworthy barrier to deprescribing related to devolving responsibility. Predominantly, APs expressed frustration surrounding disregard by GPs of their recommendations to deprescribe medications. GPs expressed that deprescribing should be conducted by SPs and vice versa. The DBI report supported and addressed some of the identified barriers to deprescribing ACh-Sed medications in older adults. The HCPs also identified several opportunities and considerations for implementing the DBI report in practice, mainly highlighting that ACh-Sed medications are not the only high-risk medications for older people. Conclusions: Although HCPs recognize the harms associated with ACh-Sed medication use, they devolve prescribing and management responsibility to other groups of HCPs.
Using Causal Inference to Estimate What-if Outcomes for Targeting Treatments

Individuals often have heterogeneous outcomes after interventions. As a result, clinicians constantly ask themselves, given a patient’s history, what would happen to the patient’s clinical trajectory if they were given one treatment versus another. In order to target care, estimating how outcomes or responses to treatments will vary across individuals is critical. However, in practice it is often unknown how the patient’s signals will change in response to a treatment until that treatment is actually administered. Furthermore, even if we have observed data on the patient for one treatment, the counterfactual, i.e., what would have happened to the patient if the doctor had made a different choice, is unobserved.
Calendar-based short-term forecasting of daily average electricity demand

Short-term electricity demand forecast becomes more and more important due to recent deregulation of electricity market in Turkey. It is affected mainly from several factors that are working days, weekends, feasts, festivals, and temperatures. In the study, contribution of these factors to the consumption is to be analyzed and modeled with nonlinear (quadratic) regression models. First, the variation in Turkey's daily electricity consumption for the years of 2012 and 2013 is determined with respect to actual weather temperatures and calendar events. Then, nonlinear regression models are constructed separately for the demand function of weekends, weekdays, public holidays (feast and festivals), and for the total daily averages. The models are tested on the actual calendar data of the year 2014 for its twelve months period. Mean absolute percentage errors are calculated and compared for each of the regression models. The results indicate that the calendar-based short-term forecasting model slightly outperforms the non-calendar-based forecasting model, and seems more reliable in forecasting the short-term electricity demand.
Genomes of replicatively senescent cells undergo global epigenetic changes leading to gene silencing and activation of transposable elements

Replicative cellular senescence is an important tumor suppression mechanism and also contributes to aging. Progression of both cancer and aging include significant epigenetic components, but the chromatin changes that take place during cellular senescence are not known. We used formaldehyde assisted isolation of regulatory elements (FAIRE) to map genome‐wide chromatin conformations. In contrast to growing cells, whose genomes are rich with features of both open and closed chromatin, FAIRE profiles of senescent cells are significantly smoothened. This is due to FAIRE signal loss in promoters and enhancers of active genes, and FAIRE signal gain in heterochromatic gene‐poor regions. Chromatin of major retrotransposon classes, Alu, SVA and L1, becomes relatively more open in senescent cells, affecting most strongly the evolutionarily recent elements, and leads to an increase in their transcription and ultimately transposition. Constitutive heterochromatin in centromeric and peri‐centromeric regions also becomes relatively more open, and the transcription of satellite sequences increases. The peripheral heterochromatic compartment (PHC) becomes less prominent, and centromere structure becomes notably enlarged. These epigenetic changes progress slowly after the onset of senescence, with some, such as mobilization of retrotransposable elements becoming prominent only at late times. Many of these changes have also been noted in cancer cells.
New approach to the synthesis of sharp transition FIR digital filter

A model is proposed for a linear phase, sharp transition, lowpass FIR filter. The filter model is formulated using sinusoidal functions of frequency to evaluate the impulse response coefficients in closed form. Filter transfer function is evolved in frequency and time domain. This design approach is found to be closely comparable to FRM techniques in terms of arithmetic complexity with added advantage of simpler design and having closed form expressions for impulse response coefficients. Approach can be extended to design sharp transition arbitrary passband highpass, bandpass and bandstop filters.