Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Association of functional and structural social support with medication adherence among individuals treated for coronary heart disease risk factors: Findings from the REasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) study

Background Functional social support has a stronger association with medical treatment adherence than structural social support in several populations and disease conditions. Using a contemporary U.S. population of adults treated with medications for coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors, the association between social support and medication adherence was examined. Methods We included 17,113 black and white men and women with CHD or CHD risk factors aged ≥45 years recruited 2003–2007 from the REasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) study. Participants reported their perceived social support (structural social support: being partnered, number of close friends, number of close relatives, and number of other adults in household; functional social support: having a caregiver in case of sickness or disability; combination of structural and functional social support: number of close friends or relatives seen at least monthly). Medication adherence was assessed using a 4-item scale. Multi-variable adjusted Poisson regression models were used to calculate prevalence ratios (PR) for the association between social support and medication adherence. Results Prevalence of medication adherence was 68.9%. Participants who saw >10 close friends or relatives at least monthly had higher prevalence of medication adherence (PR = 1.06; 95% CI: 1.00, 1.11) than those who saw ≤3 per month. Having a caregiver in case of sickness or disability, being partnered, number of close friends, number of close relatives, and number of other adults in household were not associated with medication adherence after adjusting for covariates. Conclusions Seeing multiple friends and relatives was associated with better medication adherence among individuals with CHD risk factors. Increasing social support with combined structural and functional components may help support medication adherence.
Artificial Neural Network trained by Genetic Algorithm for Smart MIMO Channel Estimation for Downlink LTE-Advance System

Long-Term Evolution (LTE) is the next generation of current mobile telecommunication networks. LTE has a flat radio-network architecture and significant increase in spectrum efficiency, throughput and user capacity. In this paper, performance analysis of robust channel estimators for Downlink Long Term Evolution-Advanced (DL LTE-A) system using three Artificial Neural Networks: Feed-forward neural network (FFNN), Cascade-forward neural network (CFNN) and Layered Recurrent Neural Network (LRN) are trained separately using Back-Propagation Algorithm and also ANN is trained by Genetic Algorithm (GA). The methods use the information got by the received reference symbols to estimate the total frequency response of the channel in two important phases. In the first phase, the proposed ANN based method learns to adapt to the channel variations, and in the second phase it estimates the channel matrix to improve performance of LTE. The performance of the estimation methods is evaluated by simulations in Vienna LTE-A DL Link Level Simulator in MATLAB software. Performance of the proposed channel estimator, ANN trained by Genetic Algorithm (ANN- GA) is compared with traditional Least Square (LS) algorithm and ANN based other estimator like Feed- forward neural network, Layered Recurrent Neural Network and Cascade-forward neural network for Closed Loop Spatial Multiplexing (CLSM)-Single User Multi-input Multi-output (MIMO-2×2 and 4×4) in terms of throughput. Simulation result shows proposed ANN- GA gives better performance than other ANN based estimations methods and LS. Index Terms — LTE-A, MIMO, Artificial Neural Network (ANN), Back-Propagation, Layered Recurrent Neural Network (LRN), Feed-forward neural network (FFNN), Cascade-forward neural network (CFNN), Genetic Algorithm (GA).
Apoptosis Resistance in Rheumatoid Arthritis Synovial Tissue

The pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) evolves from deregulated cellular and humoral immunity resulting in a chronic and systemic inflammatory response. Perpetuating the sustained inflammation in RA synovial joints requires the migration and retention of activated T-lymphocytes, B-lymphocytes, mast cells, neutrophils and antigen presenting cells. The synovial tissue becomes hyperplastic as a result of unrestrained synoviocyte proliferation and the resistance of synoviocytes, immune and inflammatory cells to apoptosis. Synoviocyte proliferation is mainly sustained by the elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the RA synovial joint milieu. Thus, proinflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-(IL)-1β and IL-6, IL-17, interferon-γ, among others, predominantly activate the stress-activated protein kinase/mitogen-activated protein kinase (SAPK/MAPK) and the Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK/STAT) signaling pathways which are known to cause the induction of apoptosis. However, activation of SAPK/MAPK and/or JAK/STAT pathways can also cause ‘cross-talk’ and activation of the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/Akt pathway which generally results in aberrant cell survival. The synovial tissue of RA synovial joints is also characterized by elevated levels of antiapoptosis proteins which suppress the apoptotic response. One of the main clinical responses of RA patients to therapy with methotrexate, sulfasalzine and leflunomide, or disease-modifying anti-rheumatic biological drugs, such as antagonists of tumor necrosis factor-α and the IL-6 receptor is actually to suppress the activation of signal transduction that inhibit apoptosis thereby reducing the survival of T- and B-cells, macrophages and inflammatory cells. In addition, several novel experimental strategies are also being considered with the view towards neutralizing those molecules held responsible for the resistance of synovial tissue to apoptosis. Thus, stimulating apoptosis may ameliorate arthritis. These targets include a group of tumor necrosis factor-related proteins, the BH3-only bcl-2 proteins, Fas ligand, cytokines such as IL-17 and IL-19, p53 up-regulated modulator of apoptosis and survivin.
Impact of a modified version of baby-led weaning on iron intake and status: a randomised controlled trial

Objective To determine the iron intake and status of infants following a version of baby-led weaning (BLW) modified to prevent iron deficiency (Baby-Led Introduction to SolidS; BLISS) compared with those of infants following traditional spoon-feeding. Design, participants and intervention This randomised controlled trial included 206 participants assigned to control (n=101) or BLISS (n=105) groups. Both groups received standard midwifery and ‘Well Child’ care. BLISS participants received eight additional visits (from before birth to 9 months) providing education and support on the BLISS approach to complementary feeding (ie, BLW modified to increase iron intake). The primary outcome of the BLISS study (growth) has been previously reported. This paper reports the key prespecified secondary outcomes, iron intake and iron status. Outcome measures Intake of iron and key absorption modifiers were assessed using weighed 3-day diet records at 7 and 12 months. A venipuncture blood sample was collected at 12 months to determine plasma ferritin, haemoglobin, soluble transferrin receptor, C-reactive protein and α1-acid glycoprotein concentrations; and body iron was calculated. Results Differences in median dietary iron intakes between the control and BLISS groups were not significant at 7 (difference 0.6 mg/day; 95% CI −1.0 to 2.3) or 12 (−0.1 mg/day; −1.6 to 1.4) months of age. Similarly, there were no significant differences in plasma ferritin concentration (difference −2.6 µg/L; 95% CI −10.9 to 5.8), body iron (0.04 mg/kg; −1.1 to 1.2) or the prevalence of depleted iron stores, early functional iron deficiency or iron deficiency anaemia (all p≥0.65) at 12 months of age. Conclusions A baby-led approach to complementary feeding does not appear to increase the risk of iron deficiency in infants when their parents are given advice to offer ‘high-iron’ foods with each meal. Trial registration number ACTRN12612001133820; Pre-results.
Are Group Consensus in LMX and Shared Work Values Related to Organizational Outcomes?

Leader-Member Exchange (LMX) refers to the relationship quality between leader and follower. In most cases, LMX is rated individually and set in relation to individually-rated outcomes. In this study, however, focus is placed on consensus in the perception of LMX within a team. In line with balance theory, it is argued here that consensus is an important influential factor in the development of followers’ attitudes. Yet, in terms of group performance, the relevance of shared work values need also be considered. The fact that a team has high consensus in their perception of their leaders does not necessarily mean that its performance is in line with company expectations. Consequently, in this study, it is proposed that high work values would moderate the relationship between consensus and performance. The hypotheses were tested using a sample of employees in German banks and insurances. Results indicate that there is some support for the proposed relationship between consensus in contribution and job satisfaction as well as the relationship between consensus in contribution and commitment. In addition, moderating effects of work values emerged. This indicates that consensus with respect to LMX is influential in organizations, and suggests that leaders should strive towards having a similar relationship with all followers.
Despite high levels of expression in thymic epithelial cells, miR-181a1 and miR-181b1 are not required for thymic development

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been shown to be key modulators of post-transcriptional gene silencing in many cellular processes. In previous studies designed to understand the role of miRNAs in thymic development, we globally deleted miRNA exclusively in thymic epithelial cells (TECs), which are critical in thymic selection. This resulted in the loss of stromal cells that instruct T cell lineage commitment and affect thymocyte positive selection, required for mature T cell development. Since murine miR-181 is expressed in the thymus and miR-181 deficiency disrupts thymocyte development, we first quantified and thereby demonstrated that miR181a1 and miR181b1 are expressed in purified TECs. By generating mice with TEC targeted loss of miR-181a1 and miR-181b1 expression, we observed that neither TEC cellularity nor thymocyte number nor differentiation was adversely affected. Thus, disrupted thymopoiesis in miR-181 deficient mice was not due to miR-181 loss of expression in TECs. Importantly, in mice with restricted TEC deficiency of miR-181a1 and miR-181b1, there were similar numbers of mature T cells in the periphery in regards to frequencies, differentiation, and function as compared to controls. Moreover miR-181a1 and miR-181b1 were not required for maintenance of thymus integrity over time, as thymic involution was not accelerated in gene-targeted mice. Taken together our data indicate that miR-181a1 and miR-181b1 are dispensable for TEC differentiation, their control of thymocyte development and mature T cell export to and homeostasis within the periphery.
Object grasping and arrangements extracted from virtual reality for a household robot

There are two currents in the organization of conceptual knowledge area according to Handjaras et al. [3]. This two currents agree in that the organization of knowledge is based on semantic categories, even though in different levels. By following this idea, I make use of the KnowRob framework introduced by Tenorth and Beetz [8], which includes a knowledge base of semantically annotated concepts and reasoning methods to perform inference about. In this work, humans performing a table setting for breakfast in virtual reality (VR) were recorded following the method presented by Haidu and Beetz [2]. Then, grasping and arrangement order is extracted in order to understand relations between actions and objects. The data includes six manipulated objects, bowl, cereal, glass, juice, milk and spoon inside a kitchen scenario. Some of this objects hold already a semantic relation to each other, e.g. the bowl and glass are containers, the juice and milk are drinks. Which can make us believe that they would be grasped together. However, they also hold another semantic relations regarding to their function, which are more related to actions. One interesting example is the relation between a bowl and cereal, which were grasped and arranged first together more times. In this case a concept usability arises as, in a breakfast scenario, the bowl normally would contain the cereal. Similarly, the second pair juice and glass were grasped together in most of the cases, adding sense to this concept. However, the glass can be also paired with the milk, for the same reason. Some examples of human data used in robots can be found in the literature related to learning from human demonstrations (LfD) or imitation learning. However, the focus of this type of learning is directly from a human demonstrator [1]. As in this work the main focus is reasoning about tasks, imitation is not explored further. There are some works in the object tabletop arrangement area. For example, the system presented by Krontiris and Bekris [5], rearrange objects in a grid from random positions. In the other hand, the work presented by Srivastava et al. [7], solves grasping in a obstructed scenario and then rearrange one object per time. In this work, objects are grasped from a different location, the kitchen counter, and then put down on an almost uncluttered dining table, two objects per round, usually one per hand.
Antigenotoxic potential of boron nitride nanotubes

Abstract Boron and boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) are increasingly used in different industrial fields and, potentially, in some biomedical areas. As occurs with other nanomaterials (NMs), to increase our knowledge on their potential health hazards is a priority. Although in vitro approaches are a routine in getting biological information on the biological effects of NMs, the use of simple in vivo model organisms is receiving an increased interest. In this context, Drosophila melanogaster is widely used as a eukaryotic model for the study of the potential harmful effects associated with various agents, including NMs. The aim of this study is to provide new data on the potential antioxidant/antigenotoxic properties of boron and boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs), as well as on other biological end-points. Our results show changes in the expression of genes involved in the antioxidant defense (CAT and SOD), and in those rel0061ted to the integrity of the intestinal barrier (Duox, Hml, Muc68D, and PPO2), at the highest exposure doses (5, 10 mM). However, non-relevant toxic or genotoxic effects were observed. Interestingly, BNNTs and boron significantly reduced the genotoxic effect of potassium dichromate (PDC), and the intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). This suggest that the observed effects can be linked to the antioxidant properties of BNNTs and boron. This is the first study reporting antigenotoxicity/genotoxicity, and gene expression data, in the somatic cells of D. melanogaster larvae for BNNTs.
Quantum state storage and processing for polarization qubits in an inhomogeneously broadened Λ-type three-level medium

We address the propagation of a single-photon pulse with two polarization components, i.e., a polarization qubit, in an inhomogeneously broadened ''phaseonium''{Lambda}-type three-level medium. We combine some of the nontrivial propagation effects characteristic for this kind of coherently prepared systems and the controlled reversible inhomogeneous broadening technique to propose several quantum information-processing applications, such as a protocol for polarization qubit filtering and sieving as well as a tunable polarization beam splitter. Moreover, we show that by imposing a spatial variation of the atomic coherence phase, an efficient quantum memory for the incident polarization qubit can be also implemented in {Lambda}-type three-level systems.
A Ten Year Review of the Biochemical Profile of Patients Diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Background: Multiple Myeloma is the commonest haematological malignancy in people of African descent. Diagnosis depends on the presence of plasma cells which produce monoclonal proteins or abnormal free light chains. Aims & Methods: The aim was to assess certain biochemical parameters in patients diagnosed with multiple myeloma. This was a ten year retrospective hospital based study. Results: There was a total of 29 patients with a male to female ratio of 1.9:1. Median age at diagnosis was 60 years. There were 75.9% with anaemia and 51.7% had renal impairment (chronic kidney stages 2 – 4). Only 6.7% had hypercalcaemia, while hypocalcaemia was more common (20%). Four cases did not show a monoclonal protein on serum protein electrophoresis while 3 (11.1%) had a biclonalgammopathy. All cases with monoclonal proteins had an M-spike located in the gamma region. Of those that had free light chains assay done, 76.9% had kappa chain involvement while in 23.1% cases the lambda chains were involved. Conclusion: Our study revealed a lower median age of 60 years. There were uncharacteristically more cases with hypocalcaemia than expected hypercalcaemia. More than half had anaemia with renal impairment.
Customizing an Adversarial Example Generator with Class-Conditional GANs

Adversarial examples are intentionally crafted data with the purpose of deceiving neural networks into misclassification. When we talk about strategies to create such examples, we usually refer to perturbation-based methods that fabricate adversarial examples by applying invisible perturbations onto normal data. The resulting data reserve their visual appearance to human observers, yet can be totally unrecognizable to DNN models, which in turn leads to completely misleading predictions. In this paper, however, we consider crafting adversarial examples from existing data as a limitation to example diversity. We propose a non-perturbation-based framework that generates native adversarial examples from class-conditional generative adversarial networks.As such, the generated data will not resemble any existing data and thus expand example diversity, raising the difficulty in adversarial defense. We then extend this framework to pre-trained conditional GANs, in which we turn an existing generator into an "adversarial-example generator". We conduct experiments on our approach for MNIST and CIFAR10 datasets and have satisfactory results, showing that this approach can be a potential alternative to previous attack strategies.
Number 11 / 52 Image Inpainting based on coherence transport with Adapted distance functions by Thomas März

We discuss an extension of our method Image Inpainting Based on Coherence Transport. For the latter method the pixels of the inpainting domain have to be serialized into an ordered list. Up till now, to induce the serialization we have used the distance to boundary map. But there are inpainting problems where the distance to boundary serialization causes unsatisfactory inpainting results. In the present work we demonstrate cases where we can resolve the difficulties by employing other distance functions which better suit the problem at hand.
A pilot evaluation of ‘Working Out Dads’: promoting father mental health and parental self-efficacy

ABSTRACT Aim: Approximately one in 10 fathers experience mental health difficulties in the early years of parenting, yet there is a dearth of evidence-based interventions to promote fathers’ mental health at this time. Therefore, the aims of this study were: (1) to obtain preliminary data on the short-term changes in mental health symptoms and parenting self-efficacy for fathers of young children (aged 0–4 years) participating in Working Out Dads (WOD) and (2) to explore fathers’ experiences of participation in WOD. Method: The sample consisted of 57 fathers who had at least one child aged between 0 and 4 years. Participants completed pre- and post- measures to assess the severity of depressive, anxiety and stress symptoms and parenting self-efficacy. A brief survey of fathers’ experiences in WOD was also completed. Results: There was a significant reduction in fathers’ reports of depressive and stress symptoms from pre- to post-intervention, and no significant change in anxiety symptoms. Parenting self-efficacy significantly increased from pre- to post-intervention. All changes were associated with moderate to large effect sizes. Fathers indicated that they were satisfied with the programme and that they were more confident in managing the stress of parenting and in their overall role as a father. Conclusions: This is the first study to evaluate WOD and provides promising preliminary evidence for its short-term effects on fathers’ mental health and parenting self-efficacy. Pilot results are positive and are a critical first step, informing the design of a more robust evaluation in the future.
Comparative assessment of bio-fertiliser quality of cow dung and anaerobic digestion effluent

Abstract The elevated use of inorganic fertilizers due to poor soil quality and the need for an increase in food production to meet the demand of the increasing global population has led to fertility decline in soil. Anaerobic digestion for the production of biogas and digestate is considered a sustainable alternative to non-renewable energy and inorganic fertilisers respectively. In this study, the potential use of anaerobic digestate as an alternative to dung as fertilizer was evaluated. The digestate and dung samples were screened for plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB), the nutrient and heavy metal contents. The dung contained higher concentrations of heavy metals, phosphorus and potassium (p < 0.05). The identified genera from both samples include Acinetobacter, Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Escherichia, Staphylococcus and Micrococcus. The presence of higher amounts of mineralised nitrogen, reduced heavy metal content and PGPB in the digestate highlighted the potential ability of the digestate to enhance soil fertility.
Increased homocysteine plasma levels in breast cancer patients of a Mexican population.

AIM Hyperhomocysteinemia has been associated with different pathologies, including cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, diabetes, and breast cancer (BC). To examine the differences in total homocysteine (tHcy) plasma levels, we compared healthy women to BC patients from a Mexican population. MATERIALS AND METHODS The tHcy plasma levels were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography with a fluorescence detector in 89 female controls and 261 BC patients. RESULTS The observed plasma tHcy levels were significantly higher among the BC patients (11.1019 ± 5.9161 µmol/l) compared to the controls (9.1046 ± 1.3213 µmol/l) (p = 0.002), and these differences were evident when stratified by age (≥ 50 years old), menopause status, overweight and obesity, miscarriages, node metastases, progression, subtype classification (luminal, Her2 and triple negative) and nonresponse to chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS The tHcy plasma levels could be a good marker for the progression and chemosensitivity of BC in the analyzed sample from a Mexican population.