Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Experimental Evaluation of Semantic Depth of Field , a Preattentive Method for Focus + Context Visualization

We introducethe SemanticDepth of Field (SDOF) technique,which is analternati ve focus+context methodfor informationvisualisation.SDOFblursobjectswhich arecurrently out of focus, i.e., not interestingfor the user. In the experimentalstudy describedin this paper , we found that SDOFsupportsthe preattenti ve perceptionof sharptargets andthenumericalestimationof theamountof databeingin focus. We investigatedthe influenceof distractingencodings (color andorientation),aswell asthresholdvaluesfor humanperception.We alsotestedapplicationsof SDOF(a textviewer anda scatterplot)with regard to their effectivenessin guiding theuser’s attentionandwith highlightingof dataitems.
Obesity costs UK economy £2bn a year

The direct cost of obesity to the NHS is £0.5bn ($0.9bn; €;0.7bn), while the indirect cost to the UK economy is at least £2bn, Liam Donaldson, England's chief medical officer, told a conference in London last week. The obesity epidemic affects all the developed countries to different degrees, with the prevalence reaching more than 25% in some states in the United States and 20% in Australia. In the United Kingdom 22% of men and 24% of women are obese, he said. Professor Donaldson was speaking at a conference organised by the Westminster Diet and Health Forum, a private organisation with parliamentary support that facilitates cross party debate on public policy issues. Speakers attributed the growth in obesity to a variety of causes. Mike Kelly, director of research and information at the Health Development …
Abstract PD01-01: Cetuximab + Cisplatin in Estrogen Receptor-Negative, Progesterone Receptor-Negative, HER2-Negative (Triple-Negative) Metastatic Breast Cancer: Results of the Randomized Phase II BALI-1 Trial

Background: The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) plays a role in triple-negative (estrogen receptor-, progesterone receptor-, HER2-negative) breast cancer (TNBC). This randomized, phase II study investigated the combination of the EGFR monoclonal antibody cetuximab and cisplatin in the treatment of metastatic (m) TNBC. Methods: Patients (pts) with mTNBC who had received ≥1 prior chemotherapy regimen for metastatic disease, were randomized 2:1 to treatment with either: cetuximab (400 mg/m 2 initial dose then 250 mg/m 2 weekly) + ≥6x 3-weekly cycles of cisplatin (75 mg/m 2 , d1); or ≥6x 3-weekly cycles of cisplatin alone. In the cisplatin arm, pts with disease progression (PD) during the 6 cisplatin cycles could switch to cetuximab plus cisplatin and those with PD after the 6 cycles could receive cetuximab alone. The primary endpoint was best overall response. Simultaneous null hypotheses assumed that the overall response rate (ORR) in the combination arm was ≥20% and that the ORRs were equal in both arms. Secondary endpoints included progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) and safety. All statistical tests were performed at alpha-level 0.1 Results: 173 pts were included in the intention-to-treat population: 115 were randomized to cetuximab/cisplatin and 58 to cisplatin. The cetuximab/cisplatin and cisplatin arms were well balanced for patient and disease characteristics (randomization strata, 73% first and 27% second line in both arms). Differences included: age ≥65 years (19.1% vs 12.1%) and lung metastases (55.7% vs 44.8%). 30 pts receiving cisplatin alone switched to cetuximab/cisplatin after first PD. 79.6% of patients on cetuximab/cisplatin and 73.7% on cisplatin received ≥90% of the relative dose intensity of cisplatin. Adverse events (AEs) were manageable and in line with what was expected from the different agents (grade 3/4 AEs are shown in the Table). Grade 3/4 AEs (%) Adding cetuximab to cisplatin nearly doubled the ORR: 20.0% (95% CI 13.1%, 28.5%) vs 10.3% (95% CI 3.9%, 21.2%) (p=0.5 for testing ORR against 20.0%), with an odds ratio of 2.126 (90% CI 0.945, 4.786, p=0.11). Cetuximab/cisplatin was associated with a significant 32.5% reduction in the risk of disease progression compared with cisplatin alone HR 0.675 (95% CI 0.470, 0.969, p=0.032). Median PFS times were 3.7 and 1.5 months, respectively. The benefits of cetuximab/cisplatin over cisplatin on ORR and PFS were observed consistently across sub-groups (according to patient, disease and treatment characteristics), but sample sizes were small. OS results will be presented at the meeting. Conclusions: Adding cetuximab to cisplatin increased the ORR compared with cisplatin alone and significantly improved PFS in mTNBC. Safety was manageable. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2010;70(24 Suppl):Abstract nr PD01-01.
Perception of Barriers to Self-care Management Among Diabetic Patients

Purpose The purpose of this study was to explore individual, educational, and system barriers that limit low-income diabetes patients’ ability to achieve optimal diabetes self-management. Methods Economically disadvantaged patients with diabetes who used the Diabetes Clinic of Grady Health System in Atlanta, Georgia, participated in 3 focus group discussions. Results The discussions were held with mostly African Americans (n = 35) to explore barriers to achieving optimal diabetes self-management. Most participants were not married, approximately one-third had less than high school level reading skills, and 40% were not currently working. In terms of individual barriers, the emotional toll from the diagnosis of and lifestyle changes to treat diabetes was a recurrent theme, and included stress, frustration, social isolation, interpersonal conflicts, depression, and fear. Denial was often mentioned as the key factor that inhibited adherence to a healthy mode of living. The educational barriers were failure to recognize the risks and consequences of an asymptomatic condition. Many participants did not understand A1C. Finally, several system barriers were identified. The participants identified needed services, including follow-up and refresher courses, support group discussions, nutrition and medication education, availability of different education modalities, and expanded clinic hours. Conclusions The focus group discussions identified both barriers to diabetes management and opportunities for improving care for underserved patients with diabetes. The results are useful to improve the delivery of care and to develop quantitative studies to explore particular areas of interest. Based on these results, the current system needs to provide more support and education to patients with diabetes.
Assessing the Value of Diabetes Education

Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of diabetes self-management education/training (DSME/T) on financial outcomes (cost of patient care). Methods Commercial and Medicare claims payer-derived datasets were used to assess whether patients who participate in diabetes education are more likely to follow recommendations for care than similar patients who do not participate in diabetes education, and if claims of patients who participate in diabetes education are lower than those of similar patients who do not. Results Patients using diabetes education have lower average costs than patients who do not use diabetes education. Physicians exhibit high variation in their referral rates to diabetes education. Conclusions The collaboration between diabetes educators and physicians yields positive clinical quality and cost savings. The analysis indicates that quality can be improved, and cost reduced, by increasing referral rates to diabetes education among low-referring physicians, specifically among men and people in disadvantaged areas. More needs to be done to inform physicians about ways to increase access to diabetes education for underserved populations.
Chronic renal failure as a complication of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome in 17 years’ old boy

Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) is an acute infective multisystemic disease that commonly presents with fever, hemorrhage and acute renal failure. A 17-year-old boy presented with thrombocytopenia, profuse subconjunctival hemorrhage and anuric renal failure with fluid overload. The patient required continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. He developed diuresis but did not recover renal function during reconvalescent period. Hantaan, Puumala, Seoul, Belgrade virus infection with haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome was confirmed by serologic test.
Segmental, Synaptic Actions of Commissural Interneurons in the Mouse Spinal Cord

Left–right alternation depends on activity in commissural interneurons (CINs) that have axons crossing in the midline. In this study, we investigate the CIN connectivity to local motor neurons using a newly developed preparation of the in vitro neonatal mouse spinal cord that allows us to identify all classes of CINs. Nineteen of 29 short-range CINs with axonal projections <1.5 segments (sCINs) directly excited, directly inhibited, or indirectly inhibited contralateral motor neurons in the quiescent spinal cord. Excitation was glutamatergic and inhibition was mixed glycinergic and/or GABAergic. Long-range CINs were also found to have input to local, contralateral motor neurons. Thirteen of 29 descending CINs had similar synaptic connectivity to contralateral motor neurons as the sCINs, including direct excitation and direct and indirect inhibition. Some (9 of 23) rostrally projecting ascending CINs, and a few (2 of 10) CINs with bifurcating axons that both ascend and descend, indirectly inhibited local, contralateral motor neurons. Rhythmic firing during locomotor-like activity was observed in a number of CINs with segmental synaptic effects on contralateral motor neurons. This study outlines the basic connectivity pattern of CINs in the mouse spinal cord on a segmental level. Our study suggests that, based on observed synaptic connectivity, both short- and long-range CINs are likely involved in segmental left–right coordination and that the CIN system is organized into a dual-inhibitory and single-excitatory system. These systems are organized in a way that they could provide appropriate coordination during locomotion.
Examining Patient Risk Factors, Comorbid Conditions, Participation, and Physician Referrals to a Rural Diabetes Self-management Education Program

Purpose The purpose of this study was to examine patients’ diabetes risk factors, comorbid conditions, and patient participation in and primary care practitioner (PCP) referrals to a rural diabetes self-management education (DSME) program. Methods A total of 295 patients in a rural community were identified by their PCP as having type 2 diabetes (T2D). Using patient information that was collected and entered into a diabetes data management system, patients’ risk factors, comorbid conditions, and patient participation in and PCP referral patterns to a DSME program were examined. Results Of the 295 patients with T2D, 162 (65%) reported that they had never received any DSME services. Despite educator efforts to improve patient participation and PCP awareness of local DSME services, 123 (76%) of the 162 patients never received a subsequent referral for DSME. Those patients who did receive a referral had a higher number of risk factors and comorbid conditions than those who did not receive a referral. Eighty-three percent of the patients who received a PCP referral attended the DSME program. Conclusions The findings reaffirm concerns that DSME patient participation and PCP referral practices are poor. Advocacy efforts should force policies and procedures that will make DSME a mandatory service and universally accessible. Unless referral practices are attended to, it is doubtful that the United States will reach the Healthy People 2010 objective for diabetes education.
Community-based Diabetes Education for Latinos

Purpose The purpose of this study was to conduct a diabetes education program delivered by community health workers (CHWs) in community settings and to evaluate its effectiveness in improving glycemic control and self-management skills in Hispanics/Latinos with type 2 diabetes. Methods Trained CHWs recruited Hispanic/Latino community residents with self-reported type 2 diabetes, implemented intervention in nonclinical locations, and collected data on diabetes knowledge, self-care behaviors, self-efficacy, depression, A1C, weight, and blood pressure. Classes applied participatory techniques and were delivered in 2-hour group sessions over 10 weeks. Two focus groups collected qualitative postintervention data. Results Seventy participants enrolled, and 47 completed pretest and posttest data. Improvements were significant for A1C (P = .001) and systolic blood pressure (P = .006). Other positive outcomes were diabetes knowledge, physical activity, spacing carbohydrates, following a healthy eating plan, and eating fruits and vegetables. Improved behaviors also included foot care, glucose self-monitoring, and medication adherence. Depressive symptoms showed a positive trend in intent-to-treat analysis (P = .07), but self-efficacy did not change significantly (P = .142). Qualitative information reported an increase in participants’ perceived competence in self-care and a positive influence of CHWs in participants’ compliance with the program. Conclusions A diabetes self-management education program for Hispanics/Latinos led by CHWs can be implemented in community settings and may effectively improve behavioral skills and glycemic control.
Vertebral Osteomyelitis: An Under-Recognized Infectious Complication in Patients on Home Parenteral Nutrition

Background Patients on home parenteral nutrition (HPN) are at high risk of central venous catheter sepsis (CVCS). CVCS can be associated with distant bacterial seeding. However, few cases of vertebral osteomyelitis (VO) related to HPN have been reported. For this reason, we made the hypothesis that the incidence of VO in patients on HPN is probably higher than what is reported. The goal of this study was to evaluate the incidence of infectious complications, and more specifically, the incidence of VO in patients on HPN. Methods A retrospective study of all patients receiving HPN from 2001 to 2006 was conducted. Patients who received HPN for < 1 month were excluded. Infectious complications and, more specifically, cases of VO were searched. Results Thirty-one patients received HPN and were included in the analysis. Forty-four infectious complications occurred (1.302/1,000 CVC-days). The most frequent infectious complication was urinary tract infection (25 cases; 0.740/1,000 CVC-days). Seven CVCS occurred in five different patients (0.207/1,000 CVC-days). In patients with CVCS, 42.9% (three cases) developed a secondary VO. No predictive factors for the development of VO could be identified in univariate analysis. Conclusion We report a very low rate of infectious complications and an even lower rate of CVCS in patients on HPN. However, we report that 42.9% of our cases of CVCS developed a secondary VO. Consequently, VO must be part of the differential diagnosis among patients with HPN who complain of back pain.
Features classification using support vector machine for a facial expression recognition system

Abstract. A methodology for automatic facial expression recognition in image sequences is proposed, which makes use of the Candide wire frame model and an active appearance algorithm for tracking, and support vector machine (SVM) for classification. A face is detected automatically from the given image sequence and by adapting the Candide wire frame model properly on the first frame of face image sequence, facial features in the subsequent frames are tracked using an active appearance algorithm. The algorithm adapts the Candide wire frame model to the face in each of the frames and then automatically tracks the grid in consecutive video frames over time. We require that first frame of the image sequence corresponds to the neutral facial expression, while the last frame of the image sequence corresponds to greatest intensity of facial expression. The geometrical displacement of Candide wire frame nodes, defined as the difference of the node coordinates between the first and the greatest facial expression intensity frame, is used as an input to the SVM, which classify the facial expression into one of the classes viz happy, surprise, sadness, anger, disgust, and fear.
Novel laser spectroscopic technique for continuous analysis of N2O isotopomers--application and intercomparison with isotope ratio mass spectrometry.

RATIONALE Nitrous oxide (N(2)O), a highly climate-relevant trace gas, is mainly derived from microbial denitrification and nitrification processes in soils. Apportioning N(2)O to these source processes is a challenging task, but better understanding of the processes is required to improve mitigation strategies. The N(2)O site-specific (15)N signatures from denitrification and nitrification have been shown to be clearly different, making this signature a potential tool for N(2)O source identification. We have applied for the first time quantum cascade laser absorption spectroscopy (QCLAS) for the continuous analysis of the intramolecular (15)N distribution of soil-derived N(2)O and compared this with state-of-the-art isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS). METHODS Soil was amended with nitrate and sucrose and incubated in a laboratory setup. The N(2)O release was quantified by FTIR spectroscopy, while the N(2)O intramolecular (15)N distribution was continuously analyzed by online QCLAS at 1 Hz resolution. The QCLAS results on time-integrating flask samples were compared with those from the IRMS analysis. RESULTS The analytical precision (2σ) of QCLAS was around 0.3‰ for the δ(15)N(bulk) and the (15)N site preference (SP) for 1-min average values. Comparing the two techniques on flask samples, excellent agreement (R(2)= 0.99; offset of 1.2‰) was observed for the δ(15)N(bulk) values while for the SP values the correlation was less good (R(2 )= 0.76; offset of 0.9‰), presumably due to the lower precision of the IRMS SP measurements. CONCLUSIONS These findings validate QCLAS as a viable alternative technique with even higher precision than state-of-the-art IRMS. Thus, laser spectroscopy has the potential to contribute significantly to a better understanding of N turnover in soils, which is crucial for advancing strategies to mitigate emissions of this efficient greenhouse gas.
Development of an Online Diabetes Prevention Lifestyle Intervention Coaching Protocol for Use in Primary Care Practice

Purpose The translation of an evidence-based lifestyle intervention to an online delivery format has the potential to provide an effective treatment option for obesity in primary care practice. Research is needed, however, to standardize e-counseling procedures to promote the training of health coaches and the dissemination to primary care settings. This article describes the development of an online lifestyle intervention coaching protocol adapted from the Diabetes Prevention Program lifestyle intervention curriculum. Conclusions The delivery of patient counseling via the Internet may enable the dissemination of high-quality lifestyle advice to prevent diabetes in patients whose schedules or geographic constraints prohibit their participation in in-person counseling sessions.
Prenatal Hypoxia Causes Long-Term Alterations in Vascular Endothelin-1 Function in Aged Male, but Not Female, Offspring

Prenatal hypoxia can alter the growth trajectory of the fetus and cause lasting health complications including vascular dysfunction. We hypothesized that offspring that were intrauterine growth restricted (IUGR) because of prenatal hypoxia would exhibit altered vascular endothelin-1 (ET-1) signaling in later life. Isolated mesenteric artery responses to big ET-1 (bET-1) and ET-1 were assessed by using wire myography. Male IUGR offspring had 3-fold greater bET-1–induced vasoconstriction compared with controls (n=7 per group; P<0.001); NO synthase inhibition with L-NG-nitro-arginine-methyl ester potentiated bET-1–induced vasoconstriction, albeit this effect was 2-fold greater (P<0.05) in male control compared with IUGR offspring. Vascular responses to bET-1 were similar between female IUGR and control offspring (n=9–11 per group). In the presence of L-NG-nitro-arginine-methyl ester, pretreatment with the chymase inhibitor chymostatin, the gelatinase inhibitor GM6001, or the neutral endopeptidase inhibitor thiorphan did not alter responses to bET-1; however, the ET-converting enzyme inhibitor CGS35066 almost completely abolished vascular responses to bET-1 in control and IUGR groups. Systolic blood pressure in IUGR male offspring was more responsive to ET-1 antagonism in vivo compared with controls (−9 versus −4 mm Hg; n=5 per group; P=0.02); no such differences were observed in female offspring (n=5–6 per group). These results demonstrate that vascular ET-1 function is programmed by prenatal hypoxia and provide further insights into the sex differences in the long-term vascular effects of developmental stressors.
FRESH Filter-Based Spectrum Sensing in the Presence of Cyclic Frequency Offset

This letter considers the problem of FRESH filter-based spectrum sensing of cyclostationary signals. In such a system, the cyclic frequency of the signal of interest known at the spectrum sensor may differ from its true value causing an offset. The effect of this offset on the FRESH filter performance is derived and a method to compensate for this is proposed. It is then shown via simulations that the proposed method can counter the effect of cyclic frequency offset (CFO).
The Gay World: Male Homosexuality and the Social Creation of Evil

ABSTRACT If Hugh Hefner has not accepted this book for serialization in Playboy, he should look into the possibility. The publisher, in fact, may have had Playboy in mind when he placed at the top of each page a paired male ideogram ([unk]). Ideogrammatic humor is a staple of the Hefner journal.This should not be construed as criticism of either Playboy or the book. The former, on occasion, publishes first-rate journalism, and as journalism the book cannot be faulted. Its description of the "gay world" of San Francisco homosexuals is extraordinarily readable. The vignettes of "Tom" and "Paul" and "Kenny" are fascinating. The language is discreetly racy. No expertise is required to comprehend the speculations about etiology. And the moral (every man to his cup of tea) could have been lifted bodily from Hefner's "Playboy Philosophy. "It is not clear, however, that the book was intended as journalism. A large