Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bridging the Digital Divide Among Racial and Ethnic Minority Men Who Have Sex With Men to Reduce Substance Use and HIV Risk: Mixed Methods Feasibility Study

Background Ecological momentary assessment (EMA) is a promising data collection tool for mobile health interventions targeting episodic health behaviors. For substance-using men who have sex with men (SUMSM), EMA is becoming more widely utilized in efforts to characterize substance use and sexual risk factors for HIV transmission. However, recent literature demonstrates emerging concerns over compliance and lower EMA engagement and data concordance among racial and ethnic minority SUMSM. Objective This study aimed to provide a qualitative evaluation of the barriers and facilitators of EMA as a data collection tool among racial and ethnic minority SUMSM. Methods Between October and November 2017, 45 racial and ethnic minority SUMSM were recruited from a list of prior research participants at the San Francisco Department of Public Health to participate in daily EMA surveys on their substance use and sexual health behaviors for 1 week, followed by in-person focus groups (FGs). A total of 4 FGs explored the participants’ experiences with the surveys, issues regarding privacy and confidentiality, and suggestions for improvement. Qualitative analysis was performed using content analysis. Descriptive statistics and Fisher exact tests were used to assess the associations between demographics or substance use behaviors and EMA completion. Results Overall, 93.9% (295/314) of all delivered surveys were initiated, and of those, 98.0% (289/295) were completed. Neither participant demographics, including race (P=.65) or age (P=.43), nor substance use behaviors, including the frequency of alcohol (P=.40) or methamphetamine (P=.91) use or any cocaine (P=.28), crack (P=.99), or polysubstance use (P=.24), were found to be associated with survey completion. Overall, participants were receptive to the text message–based EMA surveys. Facilitators included survey timing, user-friendly survey design, survey-stimulated self-reflection, coding of sensitive phrases, and other privacy benefits of a mobile survey. Barriers included an inability to correct texting errors and participants’ perception of judgment or stigmatization related to questions about condomless sex. To improve EMA compliance and uptake, participants suggested adding response confirmations, clarifying survey language, and continuing to diversify the study audience. Conclusions EMA appears to be feasible and acceptable among this sample of racial and ethnic minority SUMSM. Close attention to EMA study design and the development of nonjudgmental, contextualized questions regarding stigmatized health behaviors may be critical to further improve EMA compliance.
COMPARATIVO HISTOPATOLÓGICO DA REPARAÇÃO INTESTINAL E MUSCULAR DE COELHOS (Oryctolagus cuniculus) APÓS SUTURA COM FIOS DE QUITOSANA OU POLIGLECAPRONE: resultados parciais

A quitosana é um biomaterial que está em ascensão nas áreas biomédicas, sendo utilizado com diversos fins, devido seu potencial cicatrizante, antimicrobiano e indutor de pouca reação tecidual. Entretanto há poucos estudos sobre sua eficiência no ramo da cirurgia. Objetivou-se analisar, microscopicamente, o processo cicatricial intestinal e muscular, após o uso de fio de quitosana ou poliglecaprone empregados na cecorrafia e laparorrafia em coelhos (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Foram utilizados 42 coelhos, alocados em dois grupos, Quitosana ou Poliglecaprone, contendo 21 animais cada. Os lagomorfos foram então submetidos aos procedimentos cirúrgicos acima citados, utilizando-se os fios que nomeiam seu grupo nas suturas do intestino, musculatura e subcutâneo. No 5°, 15° e 25° dias pós-operatório, sete animais de cada grupo eram eutanasiados a fim de se colher amostras para análise histopatológica. As lâminas foram coradas com Hematoxilina & Eosina, visando avaliar semi-quantitativamente a intensidade da reação tecidual cicatricial presente nas amostras. Na análise histológica, a cicatrização muscular diferiu entre os grupos quanto a intensidade do tecido de granulação ao 15º dia pós-operatório (p=0,014), bem quanto a quantidade de células mononucleares (p=0,024) e tecido de granulação (p=0,006) ao 25° dia pós-operatório. Na análise intestinal, os grupos se diferenciaram, em todos os tempos de avaliação, quanto a intensidade do tecido de granulação (5º dia p=0,031; 15° dia p=0,027; 25° dia p=0,019). Adiciona-se que no 15° dia também se evidenciou diferença estatística na quantidade de células mononucleares (p=0,020). Por fim ao 25º dia houve diferença na quantidade de células gigantes (p=0,045). Conclui-se que o fio de quitosana estimulou de maneira mais intensa a proliferação de tecido de granulação, e assim como, o fio de poliglecaprone, foi eficaz em garantir a cicatrização do ceco e da parede do abdômen, mostrando que o primeiro fio possui potencial futuro para utilização em cirurgias que envolvam essas regiões anatômicas.
Development and Real World Use of a Vibratory Haptic Feedback System for Upper-Limb Prosthetic Users

Introduction Sensory feedback is largely unavailable for persons with upper-limb amputation with conventional prostheses. The current study created a portable vibratory haptic feedback system integrated into the prosthesis to test its usefulness in gripping objects during daily life. Materials and Methods Development involved optimizing a mapping algorithm between the force sensor and the feedback tactor vibration, developing a custom process for mounting a wireless force sensor onto the prosthetic thumb with reliable output, and developing an instrumented object for testing grip force accuracy. Clinical testing involved optimizing tactor placement, measuring grip force accuracy, measuring the ability to perform daily gripping tasks, and surveying prosthetic users' opinion of the system after using the vibratory haptic device at home. A total of six individuals with unilateral transradial amputation participated in this study. Results The results demonstrated optimal tactor placement more proximal versus distal on the forearm. Accuracy with haptic versus no haptic feedback demonstrated that haptic feedback improved the grip force accuracy by 129% (adjusted P = 0.041) for light grip force target (2 lb or 0.9 kg) in the nonportable system and 21% (adjusted P = 0.051) for medium grip force target (10 lb or 4.5 kg) in the portable system. Haptic feedback did not statistically improve grip accuracy at strong grip forces (20 lb or 9.1 kg). Haptic feedback improved the gripping technique during the Assessment of Capacity for Myoelectric Control (ACMC) by 1.22 points, although this was not statistically significant (P = 0.27, n = 4). The participants provided specific positive examples of how the vibratory haptic system was useful at home. The overall usability score was 3.6 where 4 indicated excellent and 0 indicated poor. Conclusions This kind of system has potential to improve the lives of upper-limb prosthetic users.
Comparison of the immediate effect of hamstring stretching techniques on hamstring muscle range of motion, pressure pain threshold and muscle tone

Objective: This study was conducted to compare the immediate effect of hamstring stretching techniques of static stretching, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) hold-relax and PNF irradiation on the hamstring muscle. Design: Three-group pretest-posttest design. Methods: Fifty-one subjects with shortened hamstrings were randomly assigned to the static stretching group (n=17), PNF hold-relax group (n=17), and the PNF irradiation group (n=17). All subjects performed an active knee extension (AKE) test to assess for the lower extremity with a shortened hamstring. The static stretching group performed stretches by lifting their leg to the maximum extent (3 times, 30 seconds). The PNF hold-relax group performed maximal isometric contraction against the experi-menter’s resistance (3 times, 10 seconds). The PNF irradiation group performed maximum isometric contraction against the ex-perimenter’s resistance toward the direction of the body (5 times, 5 seconds). The pre and post-tests measured range of motion (ROM), pressure pain thresholds (PPT) and muscle tone. Results: There were significant differences in ROM and PPT between pre and post intervention in each group ( p <0.05). There was a significant difference only in the ROM among groups ( p <0.05). Post-hoc analysis showed that the changes in ROM occurred in the order of the PNF hold-relax group, static stretching group and PNF irradiation group ( p <0.05). Conclusions: The findings of this study suggest that the PNF irradiation technique may improve ROM and may be used to improve ROM similar to other stretching techniques. Therefore, the PNF irradiation technique could be included in stretching pro-grams and can be used as a suitable stretching method depending on the situation.
Exploring the influence of developmental kindergarten attendance on later literacy and social-emotional outcomes: A records review investigation in one Michigan school district

EXPLORING THE INFLUENCE OF DEVELOPMENTAL KINDERGARTEN ATTENDANCE ON LATER LITERACY AND SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL OUTCOMES: A RECORDS REVIEW INVESTIGATION IN ONE MICHIGAN SCHOOL DISTRICT By Erin Seif The transition to kindergarten from previous early childhood experiences is a milestone and challenge for both children and parents. Developmental kindergarten (DK) is a specific type of early childhood educational intervention that is designed to ease the transition to kindergarten. However, very little research is published in peer-reviewed journals pertaining to the effects of DK as an early education intervention for five-year old children. Five years of archival data from one suburban school district in Michigan was used to better understand the influence of DK attendance on long-term academic social-emotional growth. The sample consisted of 1082 students ranging in age from five years to twelve years old. Thirty percent (30%) of the sample attended DK. Students were divided into cohorts based on current grade level. A two-level hierarchical linear model was used to compare the literacy and social-emotional growth trajectory of students who did versus did not attend DK. Results indicated that children who received the DK intervention and their peers who did not receive the intervention experienced similar literacy and social-emotional growth trajectories across time. Implications of this study are relevant to researchers and educators interested in the short and long-term effects of DK on typically developing children from advantaged backgrounds.
On the alleged anticancer efficacy of phosphoethanolamine pill, weakness of the scientific evidence and ethical concerns

Anecdotal reports say that cancer patients improved after taking “synthetic phosphoethanolamine” (syn-PEA), anticancer pills produced and distributed by chemists from a Brazilian university. Notwithstanding the fact that syn-PEA pill inventors disseminated in the lay press the information that their drug is effective against different types of malignant tumors, they showed no clinical documentation or case reports to corroborate this statement. Moreover, syn-PEA failed to exhibit a consistent anticancer response in in vitro assays with human and murine cancer cell lines, and in in vivo xenograft tumor rodent assays. Despite the lack of nonclinical and clinical evidence of drug efficacy and safety, a bill authorizing production, prescription and consumption of syn-PEA pill passed the Congress and the president signed it into law (Law 13269/2016) on April 13, 2016. Astonishingly, the National Committee for Ethics in Research approved (April 19, 2016) syn-PEA trials in cancer patients in the absence of scientifically valid indications of a probable efficacy and without an adequate preclinical safety evaluation. It is unlikely that syn-PEA will eventually play a role in cancer therapy. Nonetheless, syn-PEA sad story unavoidably damaged country’s reputation as far as drug regulation and human research ethical standards are concerned.
Applying Tangram Modules on Geometry

Research in mathematics education has long proven that the difficulty of learning mathematics becomes an important problem for students at all levels.The process of learning mathematics does not encourage students to think mathematics.Students directly use the formula without being taught how to analyze and apply it in everyday life.Understanding concepts is an important foundation for thinking mathematics in solving everyday problems.Students can show an understanding of mathematical concepts that have been learned, explain the interrelationships between concepts, and apply concepts flexibly, accurately, efficiently, and precisely in problem solving.Therefore, the researcher wants to know the effectiveness of the application of tangram modules on geometry in class IV SDI Surya Buana Malang City. Researchers conducted two trials, namely initial trials and field trials.The test is carried out by comparing the experimental class and the control class. Data collection instruments used were questionnaires, interviews, observation sheets, and learning outcomes. Data analysis was used to see the effectiveness of the tangram module, the researcher used a description test. Assessment refers to the scoring formula that is commonly done in schools. Tangram module on geometry can effectively improve the learning outcomes of IVC graders at SDI Surya Buana Malang. The average control class was smaller than the experimental class at the posttest, 73 <91. The students' responses were also very positive towards the tangram module on three aspects: ease, attractiveness, and usefulness. All students stated that this teaching material was very useful in learning.
The Sasang Constitutional Approach for Health Preservation of Cancer Survivors

The Sasang Constitutional Approach for Health Preservation of Cancer Survivors Objectives There is growing interest in the management of cancer survivors due to the increase in long-term survivors. But no literature research focusing on the management of cancer survivors has been done in Sasang Constitutional Medicine despite the superiority in comprehensive management of patients. Therefore, we planned to look into the perspective of health preservation in Sasang Constitutional Medicine. Methods We investigated the 󰡔 Donguisusebowon-Sasangchobongwon( 東醫壽世保元 四象草本卷 ) 󰡕 . We classified the contents which might be applicable to cancer patients. After classifying, we compared the contents with clinical experience and health preservation methods of Western Medicine. there is a difference in the prognosis and management. Cancer patients can be regarded as being in the stages of Noeok( 牢獄 ) and Wiegyeong( 危傾 ). In these stages, patient’s health preservation is important. In order to achieve long-term survival and to prevent disease progression, it is important to maintain requisite energy( 保命之主 ). The attitudes that patient must have are simplicity( 簡約 ), attentiveness( 勤幹 ), vigilance( 警戒 ), knowledgeability( 聞見 ) for keeping one’s own health and fulfilling the social obligations of human relations. The concept of health preservation in Sasang Constitutional Medicine covers the wide range of health. But detailed methods for patients to understand and practice are lacking. Moreover, it is hard for cancer patients to access the information. Therefore, further researches should be done to make the concept more specific and easy to access for cancer patients.
Recent Evidence on International Stock Market’s Overreaction

Investors are told to be overreacting when their sentiment drives the price of a certain security up (down) enough to make it the biggest winners (loser), in most cases considering this overreaction period as long as 3 or 5 years. This paper studies the overreaction hypothesis in market indices. Using end of month data from December 1970 to December 2018 from 49 Morgan Stanley Capital International Indices we studied the overreaction hypothesis on Market Indices for 3- and 5-years’ investment periods. Instead of Cumulative Average Returns the returns were computed as Holding Period Returns to avoid the upward bias. We found strong return reversals for 3-year investment periods, which were statistically significant at a 5% significant level. However, the returns might be weaker depending on the time period we consider. When implemented only in developed markets there is still evidence which supports the overreaction hypothesis, although the excess returns are economically weaker. Evidence for the overreaction hypothesis was also found when 5-year investment periods were considered. Not only did losers outperform winners, but they were also less risky than winners. Regardless of the market, investment period and/or time-period considered, losers’ portfolio beta was always smaller than the winners’ portfolio beta. Notwithstanding these results, the overreaction strategy is sensitive to the time periods considered which highlights the possibility that the overreaction strategy success it’s not time stationary.
Simulation of a Lower Extremity Assistive Device for Resistance Training in a Microgravity Environment

Lower extremity assistive devices (LEADs) have been developed in various fields, such as rehabilitation, military, and industry, in the form of exoskeleton robots or treadmills, and most of them are aimed at supporting muscle strength. However, unlike the aforementioned fields, the objective of LEADs developed in the space field is to provide resistance training to prevent muscle atrophy, which is a problem that arises in astronauts during long-duration space flights. Because the purpose of a LEAD is different from those of systems that are intended for use under Earth gravity (1 g) condition, other factors should be considered for the system design. In this study, the appropriate locations and types of actuators for reproducing the kinematics and muscle-related state variables observed in 1 g normal walking in a microgravity environment were proposed, and the corresponding control inputs obtained using a dynamic optimization simulation method. In detail, two actuation types were proposed, considering the characteristics of a microgravity environment in which both the magnitude of the gravitational acceleration and the ground reaction force were decreased. Moreover, by using the proposed actuating system, the control inputs required to track kinematics data and muscle activity were obtained. A human lower-limb model, with six degrees of freedom, i.e., an 18-muscle model with the pelvis fixed, was used with ideal actuators to apply torques or forces to joints or soles. Dynamic optimization was performed to solve these problems using direct collocation with OpenSim and MATLAB. Using the two proposed types of actuation, the results agreed with the kinematics and muscle activity of 1 g normal walking, and the total joint torques by the muscles also exhibited similar curves to that of the net joint torques under 1 g normal walking. The results of this study suggested an actuation method and its control input that can be used in the design of a LEAD for resistance training in microgravity.
Importance of Cadmium Sulfides for Biogeochemical Cycling of Cd and Its Isotopes in Oxygen Deficient Zones—A Case Study of the Angola Basin

Understanding oceanic cadmium (Cd) cycling is paramount due to its micronutrient‐like behavior in seawater, which has been inferred from its similarity to phosphate (PO4) cycling. Cadmium concentrations follow a nutrient‐like consumption‐regeneration cycle in the top of the water column and are mainly controlled by water mass mixing and circulation in the deep ocean. However, an additional scavenging mechanism through cadmium sulfide (CdS) precipitates, occurring within sinking biogenic particles in oxygen deficient zones (ODZ), has been proposed. In this study, we report Cd stable isotope and concentration data for seven vertical seawater profiles sampled during GEOTRACES cruise GA08 in the northern Cape and Angola Basins, which feature a significant ODZ along their eastern margins. Outside the ODZ, Cd cycling is similar to that previously reported for the South Atlantic. While water mass mixing largely controls deep ocean Cd isotope signatures, Cd isotope fractionation in surface waters can be modeled as an open system at steady state buffered by organic ligand complexation. In the ODZ, stronger Cd depletion relative to PO4 is associated with a shift in δ114Cd toward heavier values, which is indicative of CdS precipitation. Our interpretation is supported by experimental CdS precipitation data and a size‐resolved particle model involving bacterial sulfate reduction as a precursor of CdS. Our estimates of the CdS flux to the seafloor (107 to 109 mol/yr) indicate that CdS precipitation is a significant process of Cd removal and constitutes a nonnegligible Cd sink that needs to be better quantified by Cd isotope analyses of marine sediments.
Mid-Air Ultrasonic Stimulations of the Palm - The Influence of Frequency and Stimulus Duration on Perceived Intensity

It is known that the duration of a short stimulus affects the perceived intensity of both visual, auditory, and, vibrotactile events, but it is still unclear whether such a relationship also exists for mid-air ultrasonic inputs to the hand. Here we investigate this issue and show how the perceived intensity of focused ultrasonic stimulations of the palm is indeed systematically related to stimulus duration - a relationship that is, however, independent of modulation frequency. This is an important finding for the overall goal of providing perceptually stronger inputs and enlarging the repertoire of realistic mid-air haptic experiences.
News Frames of Israeli Settlement in the American Newspapers' Websites

تهدف هذه الدراسة إلى تحديد أهم الأطر الإخبارية لقضية الاستيطان الإسرائيلي في مواقع الصحف الأمريكية ، ومعرفة موضوعات الاستيطان الإسرائيلي، التي ركزت عليها هذه المواقع، وأبرز آليات وأدوات التأطير المستخدمة، والكشف عن سمات واتجاهات الأطر الخبرية واتجاهاتها، وأهم الشخصيات الرئيسية، وأطر الأسباب والنتائج. تنتمي هذه الدراسة إلى الأبحاث الوصفية التي تستخدم تحليل محتوى الأخبار المتعلقة بالاستيطان الإسرائيلي في موقعي نيويورك تايمز وواشنطن بوست من 1 يناير 2015 ، وحتى 31 ديسمبر 2017 ، حيث تم تحليل 365 خبرا عن في الموقعين، 175 في نيويورك تايمز و 190 في واشنطن بوست. ومن نتائج الدراسة أن أطر النتائج المتوقعة حصلت على المرتبة الأولى من الأطر الإخبارية لقضية الاستيطان الإسرائيلي، تلاها أطر المسؤولية، وأخيرا أطر الحلول المقترحة، وتبين أن الشخصيات الإسرائيلية الرئيسية فاقت عدد الشخصيات الدولية والفلسطينية في المواقع الإلكترونية للدراسة، وهذا يدل على ضعف الوجود الفلسطيني في هذه القضية الحيوية.
Pay Your Trip for Traffic Congestion: Dynamic Pricing in Traffic-Aware Road Networks

Pricing is essential in optimizing transportation resource allocation. Congestion pricing is widely used to reduce urban traffic congestion. We propose and investigate a novel Dynamic Pricing Strategy (DPS) to price travelers' trips in intelligent transportation platforms (e.g., DiDi, Lyft, Uber). The trips are charged according to their “congestion contributions” to global urban traffic systems. The dynamic pricing strategy retrieves a matching between n travelers' trips and the potential travel routes (each trip has k potential routes) to minimize the global traffic congestion. We believe that DPS holds the potential to benefit society and the environment, such as reducing traffic congestion and enabling smarter and greener transportation. The DPS problem is challenging due to its high computation complexity (there exist kn matching possibilities). We develop an efficient and effective approximate matching algorithm based on local search, as well as pruning techniques to further enhance the matching efficiency. The accuracy and efficiency of the dynamic pricing strategy are verified by extensive experiments on real datasets.