Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Professional support for next of kin of patients receiving chronic haemodialysis treatment: a content analysis study of nursing documentation.

AIM AND OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to examine the content of nursing documentation with a focus on professional support for next of kin (NoK) of patients receiving chronic haemodialysis treatment. BACKGROUND Professional support in nursing focuses on promotion, maintenance and restoration of health and prevention of illness. DESIGN The study had a descriptive design and qualitative content analysis was used to search for themes based on descriptions contained in the collected nursing documentation. METHODS The total number of nursing records of patients receiving chronic haemodialysis treatment (n = 50) for the 5-year period 1998-2002 was included. All nursing documentation was systematic in accordance with the VIPS-documentation model. RESULTS The professional support could be described within the framework of three themes: to explore NoK's supportive resources, to enable NoK' readiness in caring for the patient and to co-operate with NoK in the care of the patient in the home, captured by the core theme which described the professional support as a continuous process. CONCLUSIONS Next of kin are a supportive resource in the nursing care of patients receiving chronic haemodialysis treatment and professional support for NoK focuses on planning their participation in the care of patients in the home. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE Professional support for NoK should be documented in family focused nursing diagnoses, which would make it possible to search for different types of support. Future research might explore nurses' or NoK's views on carer support.
Cerebrovascular Disorders in the Prenatal Period

Fetal stroke can occur between the 14th week of pregnancy and the beginning of labor. The incidence is approximately 17-35 of 100 000 live births. Risk factors are correlated to the mother, the pregnancy, or the factors associated with the fetus itself. Computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are the most commonly used imaging techniques. The authors studied 3 cases with neurological symptoms by magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance-angiography. In these cases, the authors found massive involvement of the left hemisphere that was presumptively correlated with the persistence of the oval foramen. Magnetic resonance-angiography showed a flow reduction in the left cerebral vessels, and in 1 case, there was also persistence of the fetal primitive trigeminal artery. The discrepancy between the extent of the cerebral lesions and the neurological symptoms is associated with cerebral plasticity, which is greater in damage occurring early in fetal life.
Effect of olanzapine treatment on platelet glutamine synthetase-like protein and glutamate dehydrogenase immunoreactivity in schizophrenia

According to contemporary views, the glutamatergic system is implicated in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia, and atypical neuroleptics exert their effects (at least partially) through the glutamatergic system. Immunoreactive glutamate-metabolising enzymes, such as glutamine synthetase-like protein (GSLP) and two glutamate dehydrogenase isoenzymes (GDH), have been discovered in human platelets. The amount of GSLP in the platelets of 40 chronic patients with schizophrenia was found to be significantly higher than in 33 controls (consistent with our previous finding of increased amounts of GSLP in the prefrontal cortex of chronic schizophrenia patients). Moreover, survival analysis of the group of patients treated with olanzapine for 28 weeks showed that the larger amount of GSLP measured in platelets before treatment, the shorter the treatment time needed to achieve a positive clinical response (defined a priori as ≥20% reduction in PANSS total score from the initial level before the treatment). Hence, GSLP level may serve as a predictor of the treatment duration to achieve a positive outcome with olanzapine. Both GSLP and GDH were found significantly changed in the course of treatment; hence, treatment with olanzapine influences the amounts of glutamate-metabolising enzymes in the platelets of chronic schizophrenia patients.
An illumination perspective on visible light communications

Visible light communications are the offspring of well studied infrared wireless systems and can form a promising enhancement of future illumination infrastructures with communication functionalities. However, supporting data rates of hundreds of megabits per second cannot come for free with respect to lighting system costs. This article addresses the limitations that lighting requirements impose on VLC systems in terms of modulation bandwidth, received power, and cost constraints. The achievable data rates of joint VLC and illumination systems are discussed, and examples of possible applications are provided.
Social insect genomes exhibit dramatic evolution in gene composition and regulation while preserving regulatory features linked to sociality

Genomes of eusocial insects code for dramatic examples of phenotypic plasticity and social organization. We compared the genomes of seven ants, the honeybee, and various solitary insects to examine whether eusocial lineages share distinct features of genomic organization. Each ant lineage contains ∼4000 novel genes, but only 64 of these genes are conserved among all seven ants. Many gene families have been expanded in ants, notably those involved in chemical communication (e.g., desaturases and odorant receptors). Alignment of the ant genomes revealed reduced purifying selection compared with Drosophila without significantly reduced synteny. Correspondingly, ant genomes exhibit dramatic divergence of noncoding regulatory elements; however, extant conserved regions are enriched for novel noncoding RNAs and transcription factor–binding sites. Comparison of orthologous gene promoters between eusocial and solitary species revealed significant regulatory evolution in both cis (e.g., Creb) and trans (e.g., fork head) for nearly 2000 genes, many of which exhibit phenotypic plasticity. Our results emphasize that genomic changes can occur remarkably fast in ants, because two recently diverged leaf-cutter ant species exhibit faster accumulation of species-specific genes and greater divergence in regulatory elements compared with other ants or Drosophila. Thus, while the “socio-genomes” of ants and the honeybee are broadly characterized by a pervasive pattern of divergence in gene composition and regulation, they preserve lineage-specific regulatory features linked to eusociality. We propose that changes in gene regulation played a key role in the origins of insect eusociality, whereas changes in gene composition were more relevant for lineage-specific eusocial adaptations.
Osteoprotegerin and sclerostin in chronic kidney disease prior to dialysis: potential partners in vascular calcifications.

BACKGROUND Osteoprotegerin (OPG), sclerostin and DKK1 constitute opposite bone turnover inhibitors, OPG inhibiting osteoclastogenesis while sclerostin and DKK1 exerting their inhibitory effects on osteoblastogenesis. Both proteins have been recognized as strong risk factors of vascular calcifications in non-dialysis chronic kidney disease (ND-CKD) patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between these inhibitors and coronary artery calcifications (CAC) in this population. METHODS A total of 241 ND-CKD patients [143 males; 69.0 (25.0-95.0) years; median estimated glomerular filtration rate using CKD-EPI 35.1 (6.7-120.1) mL/min/1.73 m(2)] were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. All underwent chest multidetector computed tomography for CAC scoring. OPG, sclerostin, DKK1 and mineral metabolism markers including PTH and bone alkaline phosphatase were measured. Logistic regression analyses were used to study the relationships between CAC and these markers. RESULTS Decline in renal function was associated with a significant increase in OPG and sclerostin while a slight but significant decrease in DKK1 was observed. The main crude associations with presence of CAC were a high level of OPG [OR = 2.55 95% confidence interval (95% CI) (1.35-4.82) for a level ranging from 6.26 to 9.15 pmol/L and OR = 5.74 95% CI (2.87-11.5) for a level ≥9.15 pmol/L; P < 0.0001] and a high level of sclerostin [OR = 2.64 95% CI (1.39-5.00) for a level ranging from 0.748 to 1.139 ng/mL and OR = 3.78 95% CI (1.96-7.31) for a level ≥1.139 ng/mL; P = 0.0002]. A logistic regression model clearly showed that the risk to present CAC was significantly increased when both OPG (≥6.26 pmol/L) and sclerostin (≥0.748 ng/mL) levels were high [crude model: OR = 11.47 95% CI (4.54-29.0); P < 0.0001; model adjusted for age, gender, diabetes, body mass index and smoking habits: OR = 5.69 95% CI (1.76-18.4); P = 0.02]. No association between DKK1 and presence of CAC was observed. CONCLUSIONS Our results strongly suggest that bone turnover inhibitors, OPG and sclerostin, are independently associated with CAC with potential additive effects in ND-CKD patients.
Application of distributed MIMO waterfilling algorithm for broadband channels and its performance in the presence of CSI errors

A method for the application of the MIMO iterative waterfilling algorithm for broadband channels is presented. The modified game-theoretic problem formulation and its Nash equilibrium are presented, along with conditions for its existence and uniqueness and for the convergence of the distributed algorithm. The method is verified using a simple design example. The performance of the MIMO iterative waterfilling algorithm in the presence of errors in the channel state information (CSI) is also presented.
Estimation of active force-length characteristics of human vastus lateralis muscle.

The length and angles of fascicles were determined for the vastus lateralis muscle (VL) using ultrasonography in 6 subjects performing ramp isometric knee extension. The subject increased torque from zero (relax) to maximum (MVC) with the knee positioned every 15 degrees, from 10 degrees to 100 degrees flexion (0 degrees = full extension). As the knee was positioned closer to extension, fascicle length was shorter [116 +/- 4.7 (mean +/- SEM) mm at 100 degrees vs. 88 +/- 4.1 mm at 10 degrees (relax)]. The fascicle length of the VL decreased with increasing torque at each knee position [116 +/- 4.7 (relax) to 92 +/- 4.3 mm (MVC) at 100 degrees]. On the other hand, fascicle angles increased with an increase in torque. These changes reflected the compliance of the muscle-tendon complex which increased as the knee reached a straight position. The estimated muscle force of the VL was maximal (2,052 +/- 125 N) for a fascicle length of 78 +/- 2.7 mm (i.e. optimum length) with the knee positioned at 70 degrees of flexion. The relationship between muscle force and fascicle length indicated that the VL uses the ascending (knee < 70 degrees), plateau (70 degrees), and descending regions (> 70 degrees) of the force-length curve.
Clinical Sociology and Religion

Although religious concerns are generally not clients' primary presenting problems in secular therapists' practices, religious beliefs and values can have a strong influence on clients' behavior and clinical progress. For this reason, knowledge about religion and its impact can be useful in intervention work. Three case studies illustrate how sociology of religion can be a substantive resource in clinical sociology and sociological practice. In this paper, religion is defined as a belief system of denominational, sectarian or secular values which explains natural and supernatural phenomena. As the concept of a supreme being is central in most Western belief systems, the three clients' perceptions of their relationships with a supreme being are examined. Clients' concepts of God are used to demonstrate the process by which clinical strategies can increase the meaningfulness of clients' choices of secular and religious values and their awareness of the consequences of holding specific beliefs for their everyday behavior. The three clinical examples are based on life history data of contrasting patterns of behavior resulting from individual allegiances to different religious belief systems. These contrasts are summarized as patterns of "Deference/Fatalism," "Self as Equal to God," and "Copartner with Powerful God. " It is proposed that sociology of religion can effectively inform principles and strategies for clinical intervention, as well as strengthen and enrich basic propositions of clinical sociology. Religion was intensively studied by nineteenth century and early twentieth century sociologists, as well as by philosophers before that time (Birnbaum An earlier version of this paper was presented at the 1990 annual meeting of the Sociological Practice Association.
Interobserver variation in the interpretation of Nugent scoring method for diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common form of vaginal infection and an important cause of morbidity in women of reproductive age. This study was carried out to examine the interobserver variation on interpretation of Nugent scoring method in the diagnosis of BV. METHODS This prospective study was conducted in a rural primary health care center of north India from May 2003 to April 2004 and included 601 married, sexually active women between 18-49 yr of age presented with self-reported symptoms of vaginal discharge and/or genital itching and/or genital burning. Specimens collected from the lateral wall of vagina were subjected to Gram staining and the microscope slide smears were examined by 3 independent observers. Each of the three observers scored and interpreted the slides for diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis using the Nugent method. RESULTS Complete agreement amongst the three observers was found in 76.2 per cent of cases. In 22.13 per cent cases, two observers were in agreement while interpretation of the slides were in complete disagreement only in 1.66 per cent of cases. The interrater reproducibility was found to be excellent between observers 1 and 3, while between observers 1 and 2, and 2 and 3 it was good to fair. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSIONS Nugent scoring system appears to be a reliable and convenient method for laboratory evaluation of cases of bacterial vaginosis. At the same time, one must be aware of the factors that might lead to discrepant results.
Randomized controlled trial of a primary care and home-based intervention for physical activity and nutrition behaviors: PACE+ for adolescents.

OBJECTIVE Many adolescents do not meet national guidelines for participation in regular moderate or vigorous physical activity (PA); limitations on sedentary behaviors; or dietary intake of fruits and vegetables, fiber, or total dietary fat. This study evaluated a health care-based intervention to improve these behaviors. DESIGN Randomized controlled trial. SETTING Primary care with follow-up at home. PARTICIPANTS Eight hundred seventy-eight adolescent girls and boys aged 11 to 15 years. INTERVENTIONS Two experimental conditions: (1) Primary care, office-based, computer-assisted diet and PA assessment and stage-based goal setting followed by brief health care provider counseling and 12 months of monthly mail and telephone counseling and (2) a comparison condition addressing sun exposure protection. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Minutes per week of moderate plus vigorous PA measured by self-report and accelerometer; self-report of days per week of PA and sedentary behaviors; and percentage of energy from fat and servings per day of fruits and vegetables measured by three 24-hour diet recalls. Body mass index (calculated as weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters) was a secondary outcome. RESULTS Compared with adolescents in the sun protection condition, girls and boys in the diet and PA intervention significantly reduced sedentary behaviors (intervention vs control change, 4.3 to 3.4 h/d vs 4.2 to 4.4 h/d for girls, respectively [P = .001]; 4.2 to 3.2 h/d vs 4.2 to 4.3 h/d for boys, respectively [P = .001]). Boys reported more active days per week (intervention vs control change: 4.1 to 4.4 d/wk vs 3.8 to 3.8 d/w, respectively [P = .01]), and the number of servings of fruits and vegetables for girls approached significance (intervention vs control change, 3.5 to 4.2 servings/d vs 3.5 to 3.9 servings/d, respectively [P = .07]). No intervention effects were seen with percentage of calories from fat or minutes of PA per week. Percentage of adolescents meeting recommended health guidelines was significantly improved for girls for consumption of saturated fat (intervention vs control change, 23.4% to 41.0% vs 18.5% to 31%, respectively [relative risk, 1.33; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-1.68]) and for boys' participation in d/wk of PA (intervention vs control change, 45.3% to 55.4% vs 41.9% to 38.0%, respectively [relative risk, 1.47; 95% confidence interval, 1.19-1.75]). No between-group differences were seen in body mass index. CONCLUSIONS Improvements in some diet, PA, and sedentary behaviors in adolescents can be enabled through the use of a 1-year, integrated intervention using the computer, health provider counseling, mail, and telephone. The amount of intervention received may contribute to its efficacy.
Reduced foot pain after spasticity control with alcohol block in a patient with chronic hemiparetic stroke: a case report

[Purpose] This study report a case of a patient with hemiparetic stroke who showed significantly reduced foot pain when ankle spasticity was reduced using nerve and motor point blocks with 20% ethyl alcohol. [Subject and Methods] A 58-year-old woman with left hemiparesis following intracranial hemorrhage five years previously presented with pain in the left fifth metatarsal head for two years (numeric rating scale[NRS]: 8). Erythema and edema were observed on the lateral aspect of the head of the fifth metatarsal bone. She was diagnosed with a Tailor’s bunion. Spasticity was observed in the left ankle plantar flexor and ankle supinator (Modified Ashworth Scale: 1+). Using 20% ethyl alcohol, a block in the medial and lateral motor branches to the gastrocnemius muscle of the left tibial nerve and the motor point of the left posterior tibialis muscle was performed. [Results] After the alcohol block, spasticity had almost disappeared and foot pain was significantly reduced (NRS: 1). Results from the foot pressure measurement system test showed foot contact pressure was highly distributed to the lateral forefoot pre-block. After the block, the distribution of foot contract pressure was similar to normal distribution. [Conclusion] Clinicians should consider the possibility that spasticity can contribute to foot pain.
Ictal stuttering

Objective: To determine if ictal stuttering (IS) is more common among patients with psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) than patients with epileptic seizures (ES). Methods: The authors prospectively reviewed the medical records, EEG-video recordings, and Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) scores of consecutive adults of normal intelligence diagnosed with either PNES or ES. Results: A total of 230 (117 PNES and 113 ES) patients were studied. PNES patients were older (p = 0.029), more likely to be female (p < 0.001), and had a shorter duration of seizure disorder (p < 0.001) than ES cases. Ten (8.5%) PNES subjects and no ES cases demonstrated IS. The proportion of patients with IS in these two groups was significantly different (p = 0.004). PNES patients with IS were of similar age as but had an even shorter (p = 0.010) duration of seizure disorder (mean = 3.0 years) than those without IS. Scores on the hypochondriasis, depression (D), and hysteria scales of the MMPI-2 were significantly higher among PNES subjects than in ES patients (p ≤ 0.002). However, seven PNES patients with IS had a lower mean score on the D scale than did 98 PNES cases without stuttering (p = 0.005). This produced a more sharply defined “conversion V” appearance on the MMPI-2 graph in the stutterers. Conclusions: Ictal stuttering was present in 8.5% of 117 consecutive patients with psychogenic nonepileptic seizures, but was not observed in a consecutive series of 113 adults with epileptic seizures. Patients with psychogenic nonepileptic seizures with ictal stuttering had a shorter duration of seizure disorder and a more prominent conversion profile on the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory than either patients with psychogenic nonepileptic seizures without stuttering or subjects with epileptic seizures.
Evaluating Locality Sensitive Hashing for Matching Partial Image Patches in a Social Media Setting

Images posted to a social media site can employ image completion techniques to efficiently and seamlessly remove sensitive content and safeguard privacy. Image completion algorithms typically employ a time consuming patch matching stage derived nearest neighbour search algorithms. Typical patch matching processes perform poorly in the social media context which performs once-off edits on a range of high resolution images with plentiful exemplar material. We make use of hash tables to accelerate the matching stage. Our refinement is the development of a set of perceptually inspired hash functions that can exploit locality and provide a categorization consistent across any exemplar image. Descriptors derived from principal component analysis (PCA), after training on exemplar database, are used for comparison. Aggregation of descriptors improves accuracy and we adapt a probabilistic approach using randomly oriented hyperplanes to employ multiple descriptors in a single hash table. Hash table strategies demonstrate a substantial improvement in performance over a brute force strategy, and perceptually inspired features provide levels of accuracy comparable with those trained on the data using PCA descriptors. The aggregation strategies further improve accuracy although measurement of this is confounded by non-uniform distribution of the aggregated keys. Evaluation with increasing levels of missing data demonstrates that the use of hashing continues to perform well relative to the Euclidean metric benchmark. The patch matching process using aggregated perceptually inspired descriptors produces comparable results with substantial reduction in matching time when used for image completion in photographic images. While sensitivity to structural elements is identified as an issue, the complexity of the resulting process is well suited to bulk manipulation of high resolution images for use in social media.
Locating objects using the Hausdorff distance

The Hausdorff distance is a measure defined between two point sets representing a model and an image. In the past, it has been used to search images for instances of a model that has been translated or translated and scaled by finding transformations that bring a large number of model features close to image features, and vice versa. The Hausdorff distance is reliable even when the image contains multiple objects, noise, spurious features, and occlusions. We apply it to the task of locating an affine transformation of a model in an image; this corresponds to determining the pose of a planar object that has undergone weak perspective projection. We develop a rasterised approach to the search and a number of techniques that allow us to quickly locate all transformations of the model that satisfy two quality criteria; we can also quickly locate only the best transformation. We discuss an implementation of this approach, and present some examples of its use. <<ETX>>