Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Automated collection of quality-of-life data: a comparison of paper and computer touch-screen questionnaires.

PURPOSE To evaluate alternative automated methods of collecting data on quality of life (QOL) in cancer patients. After initial evaluation of a range of technologies, we compared computer touch-screen questionnaires with paper questionnaires scanned by optical reading systems in terms of patients' acceptance, data quality, and reliability. PATIENTS AND METHODS In a randomized cross-over trial, 149 cancer patients completed the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30, version 2.0 (EORTC QLQ-C30), and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) on paper and on a touch screen. In a further test-retest study, 81 patients completed the electronic version of the questionnaires twice, with a time interval of 3 hours between questionnaires. RESULTS Fifty-two percent of the patients preferred the touch screen to paper; 24% had no preference. The quality of the data collected with the touch-screen system was good, with no missed responses. At the group level, the differences between scores obtained with the two modes of administration of the instruments were small, suggesting equivalence for most of the QOL scales, with the possible exception of the emotional, fatigue, and nausea/vomiting scales and the appetite item, where patients tended to give more positive responses on the touch screen. At the individual patient level, the agreement was good, with a kappa coefficient from 0.57 to 0.77 and percent global agreement from 61% to 97%. The electronic questionnaire had good test-retest reliability, with correlation coefficients between the two administrations from 0.78 to 0.95, kappa coefficients of agreement from 0.55 to 0.90, and percent global agreement from 56% to 100%. CONCLUSION Computer touch-screen QOL questionnaires were well accepted by cancer patients, with good data quality and reliability.
Identification of various exon-deleted progesterone receptor mRNAs in human endometrium and ovarian endometriosis.

We demonstrated the expression of various exon-deleted progesterone receptor (PR) variant mRNAs in human uterine endometrium and ovarian endometriosis using the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction-DNA sequencing analyses. In addition to PR wild-type mRNA, various exon-deleted PR variant mRNAs were identified in all samples analyzed. The sequence of these variants showed a perfect junction between exons surrouding the deletion area. PR wild-type, exon 6-deleted, exon 4-deleted, exon 5, 6-deleted and exon 4, 5, 6-deleted PR variant mRNAs were observed in all samples analyzed. Exon 4, 6-deleted PR mRNA was observed only in ovarian endometriosis. This is the first study to demonstrate the coexpression of various PR exon-deleted variant mRNAs with the wild-type in uterine endometrium and ovarian endometriosis. All resulting variant proteins might indicate functional diversity and modify the progestational action of wild-type PR, and thus be involved in the pathophysiology of ovarian endometriosis.
Neuroimaging in trauma

Purpose of reviewDevelopments in imaging following traumatic brain injury are outlined. Numerous techniques have evolved over the past several years giving us more information about the injury and prognosis for recovery. Some of these techniques are in clinical use while others are used primarily in research but have the potential to become clinically useful. Recent findingsComputed tomography (CT) scanning is the primary imaging technique for acute brain injury, giving rapid information and being part of a general trauma work up in the emergency situation. It has supplanted plain films in the immediate management of brain injury. Following stabilization, MRI is the method of choice for evaluating the full extent of brain injury. Information on diffuse axonal injury is obtained by several MRI sequences. Diffusion tensor imaging is able to show long tract damage and relates to prognosis. There are several techniques which are best suited to research in brain injury, including single photon emission CT, PET and xenon CT. SummaryCT and MRI are now the imaging techniques for acute and subacute brain injury, respectively. Diffusion tensor imaging is being developed to provide more information on structural damage in brain injury. There are several research techniques available for brain injury, particularly relating to cerebral blood flow and metabolism.
Pseudo-Industrial Random SAT Generators

Recent advances in SAT are focused on efficiently solving real-world or industrial problems. However, the reduced number of industrial SAT instances and the high cost of solving them condition the development and debugging processes of new techniques. This problem can be solved by defining new models of random SAT instance that capture realistically the main features of the real-world SAT instances. In this work, we review some of these models, and we define a new model in which we are working on. The Classical Random model [8] was popularized to study the SAT/UNSAT phase transition phenomena, and the easy-hard-easy associated pattern, both dependent on the clause/variable ratio. In this model, k-CNF formulas consist of m independent clauses among the 2k ( n k ) clauses with k literals on n variables that are neither simplifiable nor tautologies. This model does not capture the main features of real-world problems, and SAT solvers perform very differently on random and industrial SAT instances. One important feature of industrial SAT instance is the scale-free structure [2]. This means that the number of variables occurrences follows, in general, a power-law distribution p(k) ∝ k−α, and these distributions are scale-free. This implies that there exists a big variability in the number of occurrences of variables. This kind of structure is very characteristic in real-world networks. Preferential Attachment [6] was proposed as a model to explain this behavior in growing networks. Scale-free random SAT formulas [3] were proposed as an alternative model that also reproduce this feature. This model is parametric in the exponent α, and generates formulas as set of independent clauses, where the clause with variables {i1, . , ik} ⊆ {1, . , n} has probability P (i1 ∨ . . . ∨ ik) ∼ ∏k j=1(ij) 1 α−1 . Another important feature shared by the majority of industrial benchmarks is the community structure (or high modularity) [4, 5], meaning that they are characterized by a partition of communities of highly connected variables, i.e., they usually appear in clauses with variables of the same community. The Community Attachment model [7] was proposed to generate instances with this structure. It is parametric on a modularity Q and number of communities c. Formulas are also sets of independent clauses, where, with probability Q+ 1/c, all their literals belong to the same community; otherwise, all of them belong to distinct communities. This generates formulas with modularity at least Q.
Diameter of inferior caval vein (VCD) and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) for the analysis of hydration status in patients on hemodialysis.

BACKGROUND Vena cava diameter (VCD) measurement is an accepted method to evaluate hydration status in patients on hemodialysis. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is a less laborious method to assess hydration variables and more suitable for routine patient care. However, BIA has not yet been validated in dialysis patients. We investigated whether BIA can replace VCD in patients on hemodialysis. METHODS In 20 stable hemodialysis patients [age (+/-SD): 47+/-17 yrs, dialysis duration (+/-SD): 76+/-59 months] hydration status was evaluated by VCD. Impedance variables such as resistance, reactance and phase angle were provided by BIA. They were used to calculate intracellular water (ICW), extracellular water (ECW) and total body water (TBW). RESULTS VCD did not correlate with TBW-BIA, but correlated with ECW/TBW (r = 0.46; p<0.025), ECW/m2 (r = 0.42; p<0.005) and ICW/ECW (r = -0.49; p<0.005). Hemodialysis decreased TBW with 2.7+/-1.91. The difference in ECW before and after dialysis (8.9+/-1.3 and 7.4+/-1.41, respectively) was significant (p = 0.001). The same did not hold true for ICW (13.3+/-1.4 and 13.1+/-1.41). Major underhydration (n = 9; VCD <6.5 mm/m2) revealed sharp limits for ICW/ECW (>1.80) and ECW/TBW (<0.35), whereas these BIA-variables were significantly (p<0.005) different from those in minor underhydration (n = 8; 6.6 < VCD <8.0 mm/m2), normohydration (n = 15; 8 11.5 mm/m2). CONCLUSION BIA can replace VCD only in major underhydration (VCD < 6.5 mm/m2). Fluid loss during hemodialysis is caused by a decrease of ECW, compatible with the postulation that excess fluid volume is carried by the extracellular compartment.
Notch2 Haploinsufficiency Results in Diminished B1 B Cells and a Severe Reduction in Marginal Zone B Cells 1

Recent studies have implicated a role for Notch in the generation of marginal zone (MZ) B cells. To further investigate the role of Notch in the B cell lineage, we have analyzed the effects of reduced Notch2 signaling in mice expressing one functional allele of Notch2 (Notch2+/−). Notch2+/− mice have reduced B1 B cells of the peritoneal cavity and show a severe reduction in MZ B cells of the spleen. The reduction in MZ B cells was not due to the disruption of splenic architecture, disregulated terminal differentiation, nor to increased apoptosis within the MZ B cell compartment. Rather, our data suggest that Notch2 haploinsufficiency leads to impaired development of MZ B cells, possibly by impacting the formation of immediate MZ B precursors. These results provide evidence that Notch2 plays a determining role in the development and/or the maintenance of B1 B and MZ B cells.
The incidence of intestinal parasites in amebic and bacillary dysentery.

Summary Comparison of the incidence and degree of intestinal parasitism in Durban African males indicates that the incidence of protozoal infection in a control group is similar to that reported elsewhere but there is a significantly lower incidence in patients with bacillary dysentery and an even lower incidence in those with amebic dysentery. There is a high incidence of helminth infection in all three groups but those with amebic dysentery have the highest incidence of Trichuris and Ascaris infections. Heavy loads of Trichuris, Ascaris and hookworm are rare although the two former are slightly commoner in amebic dysentery. It is concluded that, although no positive evidence exists, there is a possibility that the high incidence of Trichuris may predispose to invasion by Entamoeba histolytica although the association between the amebae and Trichuris and Ascaris may merely be due to common epidemiological factors of poor hygiene and lack of sanitation.
CHAPTER 8 Drug Eluting Stents – Do They Address the Problem of Restenosis ?

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has revolutionised the treatment of coronary artery disease, which remains one of the major causes of mortality in developed nations throughout the world. It is used to treat patients with both stable angina and acute coronary syndromes, and is also the treatment of choice in acute STelevation myocardial infarction. PCI is popular with patients when compared with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), as major surgery can be avoided, a shorter hospitalisation is involved, and return to active lifestyle is earlier. Furthermore, the immediate technical success rate is high, and the procedural mortality and morbidity rate is low.
Optically Modulated III–V Nitride-Based Top-Mounted and Flip-Chip IMPATT Oscillators at Terahertz Regime: Studies on the Shift of Avalanche Transit Time Phase Delay Due to Photogenerated Carriers

Extensive simulation experiments are carried out to study the effects of optical illumination on the terahertz (>1.0 THz) characteristics of GaN-based IMPact Avalanche Transit Time (ATT) (IMPATT) oscillator. The shift of ATT phase delay, due to photogenerated carriers, in the top-mounted (TM) and flip-chip (FC) IMPATTs is also studied through a modified simulation scheme, for the first time. The study reveals that, compared to predominant electron photocurrent in TM IMPATT, hole-dominated photoleakage current in FC IMPATT is more important in modulating the high-frequency characteristics of the GaN-based terahertz device. Optically illuminated FC IMPATT shows more pronounced shift of avalanche phase delay, frequency chirping, as well as a decrease of negative conductance and total negative resistance of the device. The inequality in the magnitudes of electron and hole ionization rates in GaN has been found to be correlated with the aforementioned results.
Complexity of multitrophic interactions in a grassland ecosystem depends on plant species diversity.

1. We studied the theoretical prediction that a loss of plant species richness has a strong impact on community interactions among all trophic levels and tested whether decreased plant species diversity results in a less complex structure and reduced interactions in ecological networks. 2. Using plant species-specific biomass and arthropod abundance data from experimental grassland plots (Jena Experiment), we constructed multitrophic functional group interaction webs to compare communities based on 4 and 16 plant species. 427 insect and spider species were classified into 13 functional groups. These functional groups represent the nodes of ecological networks. Direct and indirect interactions among them were assessed using partial Mantel tests. Interaction web complexity was quantified using three measures of network structure: connectance, interaction diversity and interaction strength. 3. Compared with high plant diversity plots, interaction webs based on low plant diversity plots showed reduced complexity in terms of total connectance, interaction diversity and mean interaction strength. Plant diversity effects obviously cascade up the food web and modify interactions across all trophic levels. The strongest effects occurred in interactions between adjacent trophic levels (i.e. predominantly trophic interactions), while significant interactions among plant and carnivore functional groups, as well as horizontal interactions (i.e. interactions between functional groups of the same trophic level), showed rather inconsistent responses and were generally rarer. 4. Reduced interaction diversity has the potential to decrease and destabilize ecosystem processes. Therefore, we conclude that the loss of basal producer species leads to more simple structured, less and more loosely connected species assemblages, which in turn are very likely to decrease ecosystem functioning, community robustness and tolerance to disturbance. Our results suggest that the functioning of the entire ecological community is critically linked to the diversity of its component plants species.
[Effects of monocyte chemotactic protein-3 on ICAM-1, VCAM-1, TF, and TFPI expression and apoptosis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells].

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of monocyte chemotactic protein-3 (MCP-3) on the expressions of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), tissue factor (TF, and tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) and cell apoptosis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). METHODS Cultured HUVECs were treated with MCP-3 at the optimal concentration determined previously 1 h after treatments with or without MCP-3 antibody (20 ng/ml), PI3K inhibitor, or LY-294002 (5 mmol/ml). The expressions of ICAM-1, VCAM-1, TF and TFPI were analyzed using RT-PCR and Western blot after the treatments. MCP-3 mRNA and protein expressions were detected in HUVECs exposed to 50 µg/ml ox-LDL for 24 h. The cell apoptosis and caspase-3 protein production in HUVECs treated with MCP-3 or with MCP-3 plus CCR2 antagonist for 24 h and 48 h were evaluated by flow cytometry and Western blotting. RESULTS At the optimal concentration of 0.3 ng/ml, MCP-3 treatment for 24 h caused significantly increased ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and TF expressions with lowered expression of TFPI in HUVECs (P<0.05), and such effects were significantly inhibited by the application of MCP-3 antibody, PI3K inhibitor, or LY-294002 (P<0.05). Ox-LDL exposure significantly increased the expression of MCP-3 in HUVECs (P<0.05). HUVECs showed a significantly increased apoptosis rate after treatment with MCP-3 or with MCP-3 plus CCR2 antagonist (P<0.05), and the apoptosis rate increased significantly as the treatment time prolonged (P<0.05); caspase-3 protein expression in the cells showed a similar pattern of alterations following the treatments. CONCLUSION ox-LDL can induce MCP-3 expression in HUVECs. MCP-3 induces apoptosis of HUVECs and significantly affects the cellular function partially through the PI3K signaling pathway.
Parkinson's disease dementia: Definitions, guidelines, and research perspectives in diagnosis

Cognitive impairment is common in Parkinson's disease (PD) and involves attentional, executive, visuospatial, and memory dysfunctions. Dementia is more frequently encountered in PD than in age‐matched control populations, and whereas operational definitions of Alzheimer's disease and dementia with Lewy bodies have been developed, Parkinson's disease dementia (PD‐D) has remained undefined. The Movement Disorder Society developed a task force to define and develop diagnostic guidelines for PD‐D. This effort was based on existing descriptive studies with special emphasis on drawing distinction among Alzheimer's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies and PD‐related cognitive impairment without dementia whenever possible. The second goal was to provide practical diagnostic procedures to diagnose PD‐D. This effort emphasized available bedside tools that do not require neuropsychological expertise to administer or interpret. This work recently has been completed, and two primary articles have been published. The suggested clinical diagnostic criteria for PD‐D involve four domains and are anchored in core features, associated clinical features, features that make the diagnosis uncertain, and features that are not compatible with the diagnosis of PD‐D. When all four criteria are satisfactorily met, probable PD‐D is designated; when the first and last criteria are met, but clinical characteristics are atypical or uncertainty factors exist, possible PD‐D is designated. Whereas these definitions are operative and subject to change based on future data, they are based on widely available tests. The inclusion criteria can be applied internationally and in multicenter research on treatment interventions, clinicopathological correlations, and studies of cognitive and other nonmotor elements of PD. Ann Neurol 2008;64 (suppl):S81–S92
Using forecasts of earnings to simultaneously estimate growth and the rate of return on equity investment

We develop a method for simultaneously estimating the cost of equity capital and the growth in residual earnings that are implied by current stock prices, current book value of equity, and short-term forecasts of accounting earnings. We demonstrate the use of our method by calculating the expected equity risk premium. Our estimate is higher than estimates in extant studies that are based on the same earnings forecast data. The main difference between our study and these papers is that while they provide arguments supporting an assumed rate of growth beyond the forecast horizon, we estimate this rate.
Genetic variation on chromosome 16 is associated with abdominal aortic aneurysm.

1. There is a familial tendency to abdominal aortic aneurysms. We have followed up a previous report of a weak association between the haptoglobin 2-1 phenotype and aortic aneurysm and investigated polymorphisms of the haptoglobin gene and neighbouring cholesterol ester transfer protein gene on the long arm of chromosome 16 in patients with atherosclerotic abdominal aortic aneurysm, patients with stenosing aortic atherosclerosis and healthy control subjects. The protein polymorphism of haptoglobin results from variant alpha-chains, alpha 1 and alpha 2, the phenotype nomenclature describing the two alpha-chains. We have also investigated whether the different haptoglobin phenotypes influence the degradation of aortic connective tissue. 2. The frequency of the haptoglobin alpha 1 allele was increased in patients with aneurysms compared with healthy control subjects (0.51 versus 0.35, P less than 0.05). Patients homozygous for the alpha 2 allele had the highest mean age at aneurysm resection. The frequency of a rare polymorphism at the cholesterol ester transfer protein locus was also increased in aneurysm patients (0.15 versus 0.05 in control subjects, P less than 0.01). These two genetic markers appear to act independently. Haptoglobins containing an alpha 1-chain accelerated two- to four-fold the degradation by elastases of aortic elastin in vitro. 3. Genetic variation in the haptoglobin and cholesterol ester transfer protein genes appears to influence dilatation of the abdominal aorta. Variation at the haptoglobin locus could have a direct effect on the degradation of elastin in atherosclerotic aorta, whereas variation at the cholesterol ester transfer protein locus could affect lipid metabolism and promote atherosclerosis. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
An integrated thermal and visual camera system for 3D reconstruction

In this article a new approach for 3D reconstruction of thermal scene is presented. The system consists of two cameras: thermal and visual. The reconstructed object is observed from at least two different viewpoints by the two cameras. The two images either from thermal camera or visual one constitute a stereoscopic set. By means of corresponding feature points extracted from the pair of either thermal or visual images, the relative position of the two viewpoints is evaluated. Then the images are rectified and the standard stereo reconstruction is performed on either thermal or visual images depending on the scene conditions, i.e. depending on the number and quality of feature points extracted from the thermal and visual pairs. The relative position of the two viewpoints is established only up to some scalar factor. To establish the relative position with respect to some metric value two approaches were applied: (a) based on a known distance between two points in 3D space and (b) based on an additional approximate 3D reconstruction of a given point by the thermal and visual camera pair treated as a stereoscopic set. The designed application which performs the calibration of the system and 3D scene reconstruction is described and the obtained results are presented.
Storage unit and load management in photovoltaic inverters for residential application

The European policies are encouraging self-consumption and energetic autarchy of the distributed generation system. This is calling for the development of a next-generation of photovoltaic (PV) inverters for residential applications, equipped with battery storage unit and load management embedded tools. This paper presents the results of a system-level analysis realized by means of a model and a dedicated algorithm, aimed at investigating the efficacy of high-level battery energetic management rules and load allocation strategies. In particular, the behavior of a residential PV inverter equipped with a battery system and load manager is analyzed in the framework of incentive policies peculiar of European countries. The effects of constraints on the load management and of battery sizing are also highlighted.
Compression-designs of SAR imagery used as prior knowledge

The signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR) performance of SAR imagery knowledge-aided (KA) airborne moving target indicator (AMTI) radar subjected to severely taxing environmental disturbances is investigated for radar-blind and radar-seeing highly compressed SAR imagery. Radar-seeing schemes are found to greatly outperform radar-blind techniques.