Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Moving towards novel multidisciplinary approaches for improving elderly quality of life: The emerging role of telemedicine in Sicily

Introduction Elderly care is a worldwide social and economic challenge for the public health system, and it requires the development of new management strategies. Telemedicine provides an innovative approach towards elderly care, especially for those with chronic diseases. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the potential role of a multidisciplinary telemedicine approach for improving elderly quality of life. Methods Twenty-two participants received weekly vital parameter monitoring and nutritional counselling, biweekly psychological counselling and a monthly consultation with a neurologist. The neuropsychological assessment included the Mini Mental State Examination, the Activities of Daily Living, the Instrumental Activities of Daily Living, the Geriatric Depression Scale and the Short-Form Health Survey, and was administered at enrolment (T0) and at the end of the study (T3). The nutritional evaluation included haematochemical examinations of glycaemia, total cholesterol, and triglycerides at baseline (T0) and every four months (T1, T2, T3). Results Significant differences in Activities of Daily Living, Geriatric Depression Scale and all domains of the Short-Form Health Survey were observed between baseline and the end of the study. The haematochemical parameters showed obvious changes over time, especially in cholesterol values, and the patients with hypercholesterolaemia and hypertriglyceridaemia showed a reduction in body mass index. Moreover, we found that the haematochemical values were moderately correlated with the Activities of Daily Living, Geriatric Depression Scale and Short-Form Health Survey scores. Conclusion Telemedicine can be a suitable tool for caring for elderly people more efficiently by promoting the remission of depressive symptoms and improving social functioning, cognitive levels and nutritional habits to prevent vascular diseases and exacerbations of pre-existing chronic illness.
Screening High‐Resolution Computed Tomography of the Chest to Detect Interstitial Lung Disease in Systemic Sclerosis: A Global Survey of Rheumatologists

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) affects approximately 40-60% of adults with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and is the leading cause of death and hospitalization in this population (1-4). Despite the life-threatening nature of ILD and the availability of existing therapies (5, 6), there are no clinical practice guidelines that recommend screening for ILD in SSc. Although pulmonary function tests (PFTs) are widely used by rheumatologists as a screening test for SSc-ILD, studies have shown that they are neither sensitive nor specific for the detection of ILD in this population (3). This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Prediction of electroconvulsive therapy response and remission in major depression: meta-analysis

Background Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is considered to be the most effective treatment in severe major depression. The identification of reliable predictors of ECT response could contribute to a more targeted patient selection and consequently increased ECT response rates. Aims To investigate the predictive value of age, depression severity, psychotic and melancholic features for ECT response and remission in major depression. Method A meta-analysis was conducted according to the PRISMA statement. A literature search identified recent studies that reported on at least one of the potential predictors. Results Of the 2193 articles screened, 34 have been included for meta-analysis. Presence of psychotic features is a predictor of ECT remission (odds ratio (OR) = 1.47, P = 0.001) and response (OR = 1.69, P < 0.001), as is older age (standardised mean difference (SMD) = 0.26 for remission and 0.35 for response (P < 0.001)). The severity of depression predicts response (SMD = 0.19, P = 0.001), but not remission. Data on melancholic symptoms were inconclusive. Conclusions ECT is particularly effective in patients with depression with psychotic features and in elderly people with depression. More research on both biological and clinical predictors is needed to further evaluate the position of ECT in treatment protocols for major depression. Declaration of interest None.
Prevention and control of malaria in pregnancy – new threats, new opportunities?

ABSTRACT Introduction: Over 100 million women and their babies are at risk of malaria in pregnancy each year. Malaria prevention in pregnancy relies on long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs), and, in Africa, intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy (IPTp). Increasing resistance of malaria parasites to sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine, the only drug endorsed for IPTp, and increasing mosquito resistance to pyrethroids used in LLINs, threaten the efficacy of these proven strategies, while operational challenges restrict their implementation in areas of great need. Areas Covered: This review summarizes strategies for malaria prevention in pregnancy (both currently used and those undergoing preclinical and clinical evaluation), primarily drawing on publications and study protocols from the last decade. Challenges associated with each strategy are discussed, including the particular problem of HIV and malaria in pregnancy, and areas of further research are highlighted. Expert Commentary: Alternative drugs for IPTp are needed. Dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine is particularly promising, but requires further evaluation, and might contribute to artemisinin resistance. Intermittent screening and treatment in pregnancy (ISTp) is an alternative to IPTp that could reduce unnecessary antenatal drug exposure and resistance risk, but it is not recommended with current, insensitive screening tests. Optimal strategies for areas of low or declining malaria transmission remain to be determined.
Multi-Locus Nonparametric Linkage Analysis of Complex Trait Loci with Neural Networks

Complex traits are generally taken to be under the influence of multiple genes, which may interact with each other to confer susceptibility to disease. Statistical methods in current use for localizing such genes essentially work under single-gene models, either implicitly or explicitly. In genomic screens for complex disease genes, some of the marker loci must be in tight linkage with disease susceptibility genes. We developed a general multi-locus approach to identify sets of such marker loci. Our approach focuses on affected sib pair data and employs a nonparametric pattern recognition technique using artificial neural networks. This technique analyzes all markers simultaneously in order to detect patterns of locus interactions. When applied to previously published sib pair data on type I diabetes, our approach finds the same genes as in the published report in addition to some new loci. For a specific two-locus model of inheritance, the power of our approach is higher than that of the currently used analysis standard.
Compression of old marathi manuscript images using context-based, adaptive, lossless image coding

Lossless compression ensures high computational and coding efficiency with lower model cost. The prediction and residual approach is commonly used to achieve this goal. Context-based Adaptive Lossless Image Coding is abbreviated as CALIC. This proves an efficient scheme of compression for continuous-tone images. The high coding efficiency is achieved in this scheme with relatively low space and time complexity. It uses simple and non linear gradient based prediction scheme GAP. Large numbers of modeling context are used to shape non linear predictor which makes it adaptive through error feedback system. CALIC scheme is used to estimate the expectation of prediction errors which is conditioned on large number of model context. It does not suffer from ‘context dilution’ problem. The core theme of CALIC is discussed here. Compression results of old Marathi manuscript test images prove superior performance of the CALIC compared with predictive Huffman and Arithmetic techniques implemented during experimentation.
Controlling placement of nonspherical (boomerang) colloids in nematic cells with photopatterned director

Placing colloidal particles in predesigned sites represents a major challenge of the current state-of-the-art colloidal science. Nematic liquid crystals with spatially varying director patterns represent a promising approach to achieve a well-controlled placement of colloidal particles thanks to the elastic forces between the particles and the surrounding landscape of molecular orientation. Here we demonstrate how the spatially varying director field can be used to control placement of non-spherical particles of boomerang shape. The boomerang colloids create director distortions of a dipolar symmetry. When a boomerang particle is placed in a periodic splay-bend director pattern, it migrates towards the region of a maximum bend. The behavior is contrasted to that one of spherical particles with normal surface anchoring, which also produce dipolar director distortions, but prefer to compartmentalize into the regions with a maximum splay. The splay-bend periodic landscape thus allows one to spatially separate these two types of particles. By exploring overdamped dynamics of the colloids, we determine elastic driving forces responsible for the preferential placement. Control of colloidal locations through patterned molecular orientation can be explored for future applications in microfluidic, lab on a chip, sensing and sorting devices.
KV channels and the regulation of vascular smooth muscle tone

VSMCs in resistance arteries and arterioles express a diverse array of KV channels with members of the KV1, KV2 and KV7 families being particularly important. Members of the KV channel family: (i) are highly expressed in VSMCs; (ii) are active at the resting membrane potential of VSMCs in vivo (−45 to −30 mV); (iii) contribute to the negative feedback regulation of VSMC membrane potential and myogenic tone; (iv) are activated by cAMP‐related vasodilators, hydrogen sulfide and hydrogen peroxide; (v) are inhibited by increases in intracellular Ca2+ and vasoconstrictors that signal through Gq‐coupled receptors; (vi) are involved in the proliferative phenotype of VSMCs; and (vii) are modulated by diseases such as hypertension, obesity, the metabolic syndrome and diabetes. Thus, KV channels participate in every aspect of the regulation of VSMC function in both health and disease.
Assessment of mental health literacy in patients with breast cancer

Introduction Psychosocial distress is often underdiagnosed and undertreated among breast cancer patients due to the poor recognition of the associated symptoms and inadequate knowledge of the treatments available. Objective To evaluate the mental health literacy of breast cancer patients by assessing (1) their ability to recognize the symptoms of anxiety, fatigue, depression, and cognitive disturbances, and (2) their knowledge of help-seeking options and professional treatments. Methods In this multi-center, cross-sectional study, early-stage breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy underwent four assessments to measure their levels of anxiety, depression, fatigue, and cognitive disturbances. With the aid of cancer-specific vignettes, a questionnaire was administered to evaluate their mental health literacy. Results Fifty-four patients were recruited (77.7% Chinese, aged 52.7 ± 8.5 years). Clinically significant anxiety (15.1%), fatigue (27.8%), and cognitive disturbances (25.9%) were more prevalent than depression (5.6%). Although the majority of the patients could recognize the symptoms of fatigue accurately (75.9%), less than half could identify those of anxiety (35.2%), depression (48.1%), and cognitive disturbances (48.1%). Patients were more receptive to help from their family members (score: 3.39 out of 4.00) and oncologists (score: 3.13) than from other mental health specialists, such as psychiatrists (score: 2.26) and psychologists (score: 2.19) in the management of their psychosocial distress. Approximately half of the patients indicated that embarrassment and fear were their main barriers to seeking professional treatment (55.6%). Conclusions Our results suggest that the mental health literacy of breast cancer patients was inadequate. Intervention and management strategies could be implemented to teach these patients about evidence-based treatments and professional help that are specific to mental disorders.
Prevalence and Penetrance of Major Genes and Polygenes for Colorectal Cancer

Background: Although high-risk mutations in identified major susceptibility genes (DNA mismatch repair genes and MUTYH) account for some familial aggregation of colorectal cancer, their population prevalence and the causes of the remaining familial aggregation are not known. Methods: We studied the families of 5,744 colorectal cancer cases (probands) recruited from population cancer registries in the United States, Canada, and Australia and screened probands for mutations in mismatch repair genes and MUTYH. We conducted modified segregation analyses using the cancer history of first-degree relatives, conditional on the proband's age at diagnosis. We estimated the prevalence of mutations in the identified genes, the prevalence of HR for unidentified major gene mutations, and the variance of the residual polygenic component. Results: We estimated that 1 in 279 of the population carry mutations in mismatch repair genes (MLH1 = 1 in 1,946, MSH2 = 1 in 2,841, MSH6 = 1 in 758, PMS2 = 1 in 714), 1 in 45 carry mutations in MUTYH, and 1 in 504 carry mutations associated with an average 31-fold increased risk of colorectal cancer in unidentified major genes. The estimated polygenic variance was reduced by 30% to 50% after allowing for unidentified major genes and decreased from 3.3 for age <40 years to 0.5 for age ≥70 years (equivalent to sibling relative risks of 5.1 to 1.3, respectively). Conclusions: Unidentified major genes might explain one third to one half of the missing heritability of colorectal cancer. Impact: Our findings could aid gene discovery and development of better colorectal cancer risk prediction models. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 26(3); 404–12. ©2016 AACR.
Eradication and Follow-Up of Helicobacter pylori Infection in Hemodialysis Patients

It is currently accepted that Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection is crucial in the pathogenesis of peptic ulcer. Therefore, we developed a prospective study to assess the prevalence of Hp infection by the 13C Urea Breath Test (13C UBT) in 52 hemodialysis patients, and we evaluated the efficacy of two consecutive eradication regimens in 23 positive patients with dyspepsia and/or on a transplantation list. The correlation between anti-Hp serology and 13C UBT results was also analyzed in 34 patients who were followed up during 18 months. The Hp prevalence by 13C UBT was 63.5% (33/52). The eradication rate after the first cycle of therapy (amoxicillin 500 mg/8 h and omeprazole 20 mg/12 h, 14 days) was 60.8% (14/23). After the second cycle (clarithromycin 500 mg/ 12 h plus omeprazole 20 mg/12 h, 14 days), the eradication rate reached 82.6% (19/23). The serological procedure showed a good correlation with 13C UBT (about 80% sensitive and specific) when very restrictive diagnostic and eradication criteria were adopted. We conclude that an eradication rate higher than 80% can be reached after two consecutive cycles of dual therapy in hemodialysis patients. Anti-Hp serological tests must be cautiously interpreted in these patients.
Enhanced decision tree algorithm using genetic algorithm for heart disease prediction

In today's present scenario, heart disease has greater impact on our lives and identified fatal due to its high mortality rate. The diagnosis of heart disease is more challenging due to its vulnerability. Gone to limitation of previous work of literature survey, enhanced decision tree algorithm is introduced and applied on University of California, Irvine data sets. In order to predict heart disease, enhanced decision tree algorithm generates the decision rules which are later optimised by genetic algorithm. By then we examine the methods and operators of the algorithm. Finally our proposed algorithm is compared with decision tree (C4.5) and support vector machine algorithm, the proposed algorithm shows high accuracy, and its simplicity makes ideal for pattern recognition applications.
Optimal execution of virtualized network functions in a multi-data-center cloud

Provisioning services for applications in networks of large data-centers is carried out as service function chaining (SFC) by linking ordered list of functions. With the development of software defined network (SDN) and network function virtualization (NFV), SFC has gained more attention in the industry for deploying larger applications. Provisioning different virtualized functions (VFs) of an SFC in different data-centers in a multi data-center environment is a challenging task. Existing works on serving SFC select a service function path (SFC) along which the VFs are executed. However, none of the works provide the optimal solutions considering both the execution and data transfer delay along with optic electric optic (OEO) conversion delay. In this work, a global optimal solution for SFP selection has been developed considering queuing, processing, transmission and OEO conversion delay. The proposed dynamic solution can work in a heterogeneous environment. Performance evaluation of the proposed algorithm shows that, significant performance improvement in respect of total execution delay of an SFC can be achieved compared to state-of-the-art works.
Optimized Packet Filtering Honeypot with Snooping Agents in Intrusion Detection System for WLAN

Wireless LAN networks are considered to be widely used and efficient infrastructure used in different domains of communication. In this paper, we worked on Network Intrusion Detection System (NIDS) to prevent intruder's activities by using snooping agents and honeypot on the network. The idea behind using snooping agents and honeypot is to provide network management in term of monitoring. Honey pot is placed just after the Firewall and intrusion system have strongly coupled synchronize with snooping agents Monitoring is considered at packet level and pattern level of the traffic. Simulation filtered and monitor traffic for highlight the intrusion in the network. Further attack sequence has been created and have shown the effects of attack sequence on scenario which have both honey pot and snoop agent with different network performance parameters like throughput, network load, queuing delay, retransmission attempt and packet. The simulation scenario shows the impact of attack on the network performance.
Inclusion financiera y sus determinantes: el caso argentino

El presente estudio pretende analizar, desde un punto de vista microeconomico, las tres dimensiones que determinan la inclusion financiera para el caso de Argentina. Desde el lado de la oferta se tiene que el acceso a los servicios financieros formales se basa en los canales tradicionales: sucursales y ATMs y la regulacion para la inclusion financiera es todavia incipiente, a diferencia de lo que ocurre en paises vecinos. En lo que respecta al uso, el nivel educativo, el ingreso y la edad son variables importantes que determinan la tenencia de diferentes productos financieros como cuentas, tarjetas de credito y debito, credito formal o pagos electronicos. Finalmente, los factores que afectan a la percepcion de diferentes barreras de exclusion involuntaria son el nivel de ingreso y la edad.
Adenylate control contributes to thermal acclimation of sugar maple fine-root respiration in experimentally warmed soil.

We investigated the occurrence of and mechanisms responsible for acclimation of fine-root respiration of mature sugar maple (Acer saccharum) after 3+ years of experimental soil warming (+4 to 5 °C) in a factorial combination with soil moisture addition. Potential mechanisms for thermal respiratory acclimation included changes in enzymatic capacity, as indicated by root N concentration; substrate limitation, assessed by examining nonstructural carbohydrates and effects of exogenous sugar additions; and adenylate control, examined as responses of root respiration to a respiratory uncoupling agent. Partial acclimation of fine-root respiration occurred in response to soil warming, causing specific root respiration to increase to a much lesser degree (14% to 26%) than would be expected for a 4 to 5 °C temperature increase (approximately 55%). Acclimation was greatest when ambient soil temperature was warmer or soil moisture availability was low. We found no evidence that enzyme or substrate limitation caused acclimation but did find evidence supporting adenylate control. The uncoupling agent caused a 1.4 times greater stimulation of respiration in roots from warmed soil. Sugar maple fine-root respiration in warmed soil was at least partially constrained by adenylate use, helping constrain respiration to that needed to support work being performed by the roots.
Power waves-based analysis of magnetically coupled resonant wireless power transfer

In this paper, a novel power waves-based method is proposed to analyze the characteristics of the magnetically coupled resonant wireless power transfer system. The ratio of the load power to the maximum output power of the source is used to define the systemic power transmission efficiency (η<inf>S</inf>). Then the η<inf>S</inf> under different coil distances and load impedances are investigated using the power waves-based method. The ‘power matching’ condition is found to be the key to obtain the maximum η<inf>S</inf>. In the end, its feasibility is verified by a case study. The results demonstrate that η<inf>S</inf> is more accurate to represent the efficiency of the WPT system than |S<inf>21</inf>|<sup>2</sup>, and the maximum η<inf>S</inf> can be achieved when both the input port and the output port of the WPT system satisfy the ‘power matching’ condition.
A Mobile App for Synchronizing Glucometer Data: Impact on Adherence and Glycemic Control Among Youths With Type 1 Diabetes in Routine Care

Background: Many individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1D) upload and review blood glucose data between clinic visits. Mobile phone applications that receive data from a “connected” glucometer and that support pattern management are available and have the capacity to make data upload and review less burdensome. Whether mobile apps can improve diabetes self-management among individuals with type 1 diabetes remains unknown. Method: We analyzed retrospective data on 81 youths with T1D who were trained to use a glucometer-connected mobile app in their self-management. To assess the effect of glucometer synchronization (“sync”) rate on hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), mean blood glucose (mBG), and daily frequency of SMBG, we regressed those clinical outcomes on the frequency of glucometer syncs with the mobile app after controlling for other clinical care variables. Results: Median age was 14.0 (IQR 10.4-15.9) years, median duration of diabetes was 4.9 (2.7, 7.5) years, and median baseline HbA1c was 8.6% (7.9, 9.8). The sample was 49% male and 86% white. Youths with T1D synchronized glucometer data with the mobile app an average of 0.22 times per week (range 0-2.25). The glucometer sync rate did not have a statistically significant association with HbA1c or mean BG; in contrast, data sync frequency was associated with the frequency of self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) such that each additional sync was associated with a 2.3-fold increase in SMBG frequency (P < .01). Conclusion: A glucometer-connected mobile app may increase an individual’s engagement with other aspects of care (eg, SMBG frequency). Whether diabetes device-connected mobile apps can improve glycemic control remains to be determined.