Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cancer patient disclosure and patient-doctor communication of complementary and alternative medicine use: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE To explore the nondisclosure of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use among cancer patients, including reasons for and outcomes from nondisclosure of CAM use, within the context of patient-doctor communication. METHOD A systematic review was conducted exploring investigations surrounding the communication of CAM use for patients with cancer published until August 2011. RESULTS A total of 21 studies were located, which reported a prevalence of CAM use among patients with cancer ranging between 11% and 95%; of these patients, 20% to 77% did not disclose their CAM use. The main reasons for nondisclosure were the doctor's lack of inquiry; patient's anticipation of the doctor's disapproval, disinterest, or inability to help; and patient's perception that disclosure of CAM use is irrelevant to their conventional care. There is some evidence to suggest that patient-doctor communication about the use of CAM was associated with an enhanced patient-doctor relationship and higher patient satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS Although the use of CAM by patients with cancer is high, patients frequently fail to disclose its use to their health professionals for reasons emanating from both sides of the dyadic patient-doctor relationship. Because a substantial proportion of patients with cancer may use CAM and there is potential for herb- or vitamin-drug interactions, further research in patient-doctor communication about CAM is necessary to maintain patient safety and wellbeing. The development of effective interventions to improve the disclosure of CAM use should be an integral part of this future research.
Learning Web Categorization with Controlled Generation of Context Features

Automatic categorization of Web pages is an important area of study due to the rapidly growing amount of Web data. Efficient and accurate classification would greatly facilitate finding what one needs in the sea of information. Context-sensitive techniques have been proven to be effective in the classification task. However, the feature space for context feature that one can explore in these techniques is enormous. To consider these features comprehensively often become prohibitive in terms of resource requirements. In this paper, we propose an approach to intelligently control generating context features for the classification learning process. We present our investigation of this approach in the context of Web page categorization using the sleeping-experts technique.
Chronic allograft nephropathy uniformly affects recipients of cadaveric, nonidentical livingrelated, and living-unrelated grafts1

Background. Chronic allograft nephropathy (CAN) remains a major barrier to long-term allograft survival. The authors retrospectively compared the development of CAN in recipients of cadaveric (CAD), living-related donor (LRD), and living-unrelated donor (LURD) transplants at their center. Methods. The authors retrospectively examined the impact of various factors on the incidence of CAN using univariate and multivariate proportional hazards analysis in a single-center kidney transplant population. Results. Between 1 January 1990 and 31 May 2000, 2,140 kidney-alone transplants were performed at the authors’ center. The overall 5-year incidence of biopsy-proven CAN was 12.2% (n=203). Risk factors for CAN included the number of transplants (P =0.0001), acute rejection (P =0.0001), panel reactive antibody (P =0.0001), discharge creatinine (P =0.0001), 1-year creatinine (P =0.0015), delayed graft function (P =0.007), total human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B and -DR mismatches (P =0.0005), recipient age (P =0.003), black donor race (P =0.001), black recipient race (0.0457), donor age (P =0.0053), cold storage time (P =0.019), and cytomegalovirus infections (P =0.002). Interestingly, although the LRD HLA-identical recipients had a significantly lower incidence of CAN (P =0.0015), the incidence of CAN in CAD and HLA-nonidentical LRD recipients did not differ. Graft survival was significantly worse in CAD recipients compared with all other groups (P <0.001). Conclusions. These results demonstrate the importance of immunologic and nonimmunologic factors on the development of CAN. The disparities in overall graft survival, despite the similarities in CAN rates, suggests that other factors, in addition to CAN, influence the increase in graft loss in CAD transplant recipients.
Coordenação desacoplada tolerante a faltas bizantinas

Os sistemas distribuídos atuais requerem mecanismos de comunicação que atendam requisitos como anonimato e desconexão temporária. Neste contexto, a comunicação generativa vêm se afirmando como um dos modelos de coordenação capazes de atender esses requisitos uma vez que é desacoplada no tempo e no espaço. Este trabalho apresenta a primeira proposta da literatura a considerar a construção de uma infra-estrutura de coordenação generativa tolerante a faltas bizantinos. Esta construção se dá através da aplicação de replicação por sistemas de quóruns bizantinos.
Simulation of Ca2+ persistent inward currents in spinal motoneurones: mode of activation and integration of synaptic inputs

The goal of this study was to investigate the nature of activation of the dendritic calcium persistent inward current (Ca2+ PIC) and its contribution to the enhancement and summation of synaptic inputs in spinal motoneurones. A compartmental cable model of a cat α‐motoneurone was developed comprising the realistic dendritic distribution of Ia‐afferent synapses and low‐voltage‐activated L‐type calcium (Cav1.3) channels distributed over the dendrites in a manner that was previously shown to match a wide set of experimental measurements. The level of synaptic activation was systematically increased and the resulting firing rate, somatic and dendritic membrane potentials, dendritic Cav1.3 channel conductance, and dendritic Ca2+ PIC were measured. Our simulation results suggest that during cell firing the dendritic Ca2+ PIC is not activated in an all‐or‐none manner. Instead, it is initially activated in a graded manner with increasing synaptic input until it reaches its full activation level, after which additional increases in synaptic input result in minimal changes in the Ca2+ PIC (PIC saturated). The range of graded activation of Ca2+ PIC occurs when the cell is recruited and causes a steep increase in the firing frequency as the synaptic current is increased, coinciding with the secondary range of the synaptic frequency–current (F–I) relationship. Once the Ca2+ PIC is saturated the slope of the F–I relationship is reduced, corresponding to the tertiary range of firing. When the post‐spike afterhyperpolarization (AHP) is blocked, either directly by blocking the calcium‐activated potassium channels, or indirectly by blocking the sodium spikes, the PIC is activated in an all‐or‐none manner with increasing synaptic input. Thus, the AHP serves to limit the depolarization of the cell during firing and enables graded, rather than all‐or‐none, activation of the Ca2+ PIC. The graded activation of the Ca2+ PIC with increasing synaptic input results in a graded (linear) enhancement and linear summation of synaptic inputs. In contrast, the saturated Ca2+ PIC enhances synaptic inputs by a constant amount (constant current), and leads to less‐than linear summation of multiple synaptic inputs. These model predictions improve our understanding of the mode of activation of the dendritic Ca2+ PIC and its role in the enhancement and integration of synaptic inputs.
Understanding the Origins of Mobile App Vulnerabilities: A Large-Scale Measurement Study of Free and Paid Apps

This paper reports a large-scale study that aims to understand how mobile application (app) vulnerabilities are associated with software libraries. We analyze both free and paid apps. Studying paid apps was quite meaningful because it helped us understand how differences in app development/maintenance affect the vulnerabilities associated with libraries. We analyzed 30k free and paid apps collected from the official Android marketplace. Our extensive analyses revealed that approximately 70%/50% of vulnerabilities of free/paid apps stem from software libraries, particularly from third-party libraries. Somewhat paradoxically, we found that more expensive/popular paid apps tend to have more vulnerabilities. This comes from the fact that more expensive/popular paid apps tend to have more functionality, i.e., more code and libraries, which increases the probability of vulnerabilities. Based on our findings, we provide suggestions to stakeholders of mobile app distribution ecosystems.
Small Intracerebral Haemorrhages are Associated with Less Haematoma Expansion and Better Outcomes

Background and purpose Haematoma expansion following intracerebral haemorrhage is a major determinant of early neurological worsening and poor clinical outcome. This has created interest in improving patient selection for therapies targeting haematoma expansion. Based on prior observations, we hypothesised that intracerebral haemorrhage volumes under 10 ml would be less likely to expand. We additionally sought to define a baseline haematoma volume below which significant growth was not observed. Methods Patient data were obtained from the Virtual International Stroke Trials Archive. Patients with intracerebral haemorrhage presented within six-hours of symptom onset had baseline clinical, radiological and laboratory data, and computed tomographic scan at 72 h and three-month follow-up. The predictor of interest was baseline haematoma volume. Primary outcomes were absolute and relative haematoma growth. Secondary outcomes were early neurological worsening, good functional outcome, and 90-day mortality. Results The final dataset consisted of 496 patients. Baseline haematoma volumes under 10 ml were associated with much lower odds of absolute expansion compared to larger haematomas. Smaller haematomas were associated with significantly decreased odds of early neurological worsening and three-month mortality, and increased odds of good functional outcome. The smallest haematoma to double in size was 3·97 ml. Among the 34 subjects with very small haematomas (<3 ml), none had early neurological worsening and most had good three-month outcome (73·5%, mRS≤3). Conclusions This study provides observational evidence that very small haematomas are unlikely to expand, by commonly used absolute growth definitions, and may represent a subgroup of patients with intracerebral haemorrhage destined towards good clinical outcomes.
Combined traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine. Relieving effects of Chinese herbs, ear-acupuncture and epidural morphine on postoperative pain in liver cancer.

In the evaluation of Chinese herbs (A), ear-acupuncture (B) and epidural morphine (C) to relieve postoperative pain and abdominal distension, sixteen male patients with primary liver cancer were observed. This study was conducted by means of orthogonal experiment and double blind, randomized design. The patients received various treatments according to the display of the orthogonal table L16(2)15 which corresponds to 2(3) factorial experiment design. C+ (morphine 2 mg) was given before the peritoneum was sutured. A+ (orally administered) and B+ were given 24 hours after operation. 50-100 mg of pethidine was given when the pain intensity VAS (0-100) exceeded 50-70. The observation parameters included plasma leucine enkephalin (LEK), postoperative total dosage of narcotics administered for 5 days, VAS for pain and pain reliever, abdominal distension, urinary retention, constipation, etc. The results were as follows: a. Patients who had received A (A+B+C+, A+B+C-, A+B-C-, A+B-C+); C (C+A+B+, C+A+B-, C+A-B+, C+A-B-), or B (B+A+C+, B+A+C-, B+A-C+, B+A-C-) produced better analgesic effects than those who had received placebo. The A, B, and C reduced narcotics 650, 450 and 550 mg respectively when compared with placebo. The effects of A and C were of statistical significance (P < 0.05), while AB, BC, and AC interactions were not found; b. A and B minimized abdominal distension and urinary retention, while C prolonged them. As compared with the placebo, A and B accelerated restoration of bowel peristalsis (P < 0.05, ANOVA). Both A and B decreased it for 165 hours, while epidural morphine prolonged it for 49 hours; and c. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
RX-Band Noise Reduction in All-Digital Transmitters With Configurable Spectral Shaping of Quantization and Mismatch Errors

This paper describes the first purely digital approach to reduce the receive band noise in digitally-intensive RF transmitters. The proposed solution applies bandpass delta-sigma modulation and dynamic element matching (DEM) to the receive band (RX-band) instead of the transmit band. This enables selective attenuation of the noise originating from amplitude quantization and static mismatches of the digital-to-analog converter (DAC), which would otherwise reach the transmitter output almost unattenuated. A highly configurable 4th-order noise transfer function is designed to achieve optimum attenuation in the programmable RX-band, while ensuring negligible degradation of the transmitted signal quality as well as stable operation of the tree structure DEM encoder. A general validation of DEM, independent from the duration of the DAC impulse response, is also presented. The proposed solution is verified through system-level simulations with LTE signals. In the presence of typical amplitude and timing mismatches, the RX-band noise can be reduced below -160 dBc/Hz without filtering after the DAC, thus potentially enabling SAW-less operation of all-digital transmitters.
Nutritional factors and gastric cancer in Zhoushan Islands, China.

AIM To investigate the association between nutrient intakes and high incidence rate of gastric cancer among residents in Zhoushan Islands. METHODS A frequency-matched design of case-control study was used during the survey on dietary factors and gastric cancer in Zhoushan Islands, China. A total of 103 cases of gastric cancer diagnosed in 2001 were included in the study and 133 controls were randomly selected from the residents in Zhoushan Islands. A food frequency questionnaire was specifically designed for the Chinese dietary pattern to collect information on dietary intake. A computerized database of the dietary and other relative information of each participant was completed. Total calories and 15 nutrients were calculated according to the food composition table and their adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated by gender using unconditional logistic regression models. RESULTS High intakes of protein, saturated fat, and cholesterol were observed with the increased risk of gastric cancer particularly among males (OR(Q4 vs Q1) were 10.3, 3.24, 2.76 respectively). While carbohydrate was a significant high-risk nutrient (OR(Q4 vs Q1) = 14.8; P for linear trend = 0.024) among females. Regardless of their gender, the cases reported significantly higher daily intake of sodium mainly from salts. As to the nutrients of vitamins A and C, an inversed association with the risk of GC was found. Baseline characteristics of participants were briefly described. CONCLUSION The findings from this study confirm the role of diet-related exposure in the etiology of gastric cancer from the point of view of epidemiology. An increased risk of gastric cancer is associated with high intakes of protein, saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium, while consumption of polyunsaturated fat, vitamin A and ascorbic acid may have a protective effect against gastric cancer.
Exploring the Role of PGC‐1α in Defining Nuclear Organisation in Skeletal Muscle Fibres

Muscle fibres are multinucleated cells, with each nucleus controlling the protein synthesis in a finite volume of cytoplasm termed the myonuclear domain (MND). What determines MND size remains unclear. In the present study, we aimed to test the hypothesis that the level of expression of the transcriptional coactivator PGC‐1α and subsequent activation of the mitochondrial biogenesis are major contributors. Hence, we used two transgenic mouse models with varying expression of PGC‐1α in skeletal muscles. We isolated myofibres from the fast twitch extensor digitorum longus (EDL) and slow twitch diaphragm muscles. We then membrane‐permeabilised them and analysed the 3D spatial arrangements of myonuclei. In EDL muscles, when PGC‐1α is over‐expressed, MND volume decreases; whereas, when PGC‐1α is lacking, no change occurs. In the diaphragm, no clear difference was noted. This indicates that PGC‐1α and the related mitochondrial biogenesis programme are determinants of MND size. PGC‐1α may facilitate the addition of new myonuclei in order to reach MND volumes that can support an increased mitochondrial density. J. Cell. Physiol. 232: 1270–1274, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Energy Based Limit Cycle Control of Rigid and Elastic Joint Robots

A new control law for elastic joint robots that allows to regulate an energy function of the system to a desired value is presented in this paper. Being able to either remove energy from the system or inject into it, oscillations can be both damped out and induced. The proposed nonlinear dynamic state feedback controller forces the system to evolve on a submanifold of the configuration space. The reduced dynamics of the system and of the controller itself are similar to a single elastic joint, for which an asymptotically stable limit cycle is obtained regulating an energy function to a positive desired value. When the desired value of the energy function is chosen to be zero, then the asymptotically stable limit cycle reduces to an asymptotically stable equilibrium point. In this case the oscillations are damped out and the desired task-space configuration is reached. The design of the controller extensively uses the concept of conditional stability, so that the limit cycle can be designed for a lower dimensional dynamical system, although it will result to be a limit cycle for the whole system.
Caregiving appraisal and interventions based on the progressively lowered stress threshold model

The purpose of this article is to describe the impact of a theoretically driven, psychoeducational intervention based on the Progressively Lowered Stress Threshold (PLST) model on caregiving appraisal among communitybased caregivers of persons with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders. A total of 241 subjects completed the year-long study in four sites in Iowa, Minnesota, Indiana, and Arizona. Caregiving appraisal was measured using the four factors of the Philadelphia Geriatric Center Caregiving Appraisal Scale: mastery, burden, satisfaction, and impact. Analysis of trends over time showed that the intervention positively affected impact, burden, and satisfaction but had no effect on mastery when measured against the comparison group. The PLST model was influential in increasing positive appraisal and decreasing negative appraisal of the caregiving situation.
Research searching behavior based multi-agent technology

Traditional behavior analysis based on the keywords or server log is so simple that it is difficult to meet the individual requirements of the user information search. This paper introduces the Multi-agent intelligent technology into four kinds of search behavior analysis, including the user search keywords, the server logs information, the user downloading and saving information, the visit time on the web pages. Collaborative analysis is used to constrcuct search behavior algorithms based on the Multi-Agent's intelligence, which can achieve the accurate locating of the users' interest fields, create and maintain the users' interests automatically, express the users' interests better, provide a new method for the realization of user individual services and improve the search engine efficiency.
Sustainable therapies by engineered bacteria

The controlled in situ delivery of biologics (e.g. enzymes, cytokines, antibodies) by engineered bacteria of our microbiome will allow the sustainable production of these complex and expensive drugs locally in the human body, overcoming many of the technical and economical barriers currently associated with the global use of these potent medicines. We provide examples showing how engineered bacteria can be effective treatments against multiple pathologies, including autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, metabolic disorders, diabetes, obesity, infectious diseases and cancer, hence contributing to achieve the Global Sustainable Goal 3: ensure healthy lives and promote well‐being for all at all ages.
Modeling the Dynamics of Online News Reading Interests

Online news readers exhibit a very dynamic behavior. News publishers have been investigating ways to predict such changes in order to adjust their recommendation strategies and better engage the readers. Existing research focuses on analyzing the evolution of reading interests associated with news categories. Compared to these, we study also how relations among news interests change in time. Observations over a 10-month period on a German news publisher indicate that overall, the relations amid news categories change, but stable periods spanning months are also found. The reasons of these changes and how news publishers could integrate this knowledge in their solutions are subject to further investigation.
Exploring the Hindrances to Women Entrepreneurship, Development and Prosperity in Nigeria

There was gender imbalance for a long time in the control of wealth in Nigeria particularly in the north because entrepreneurship used to be male-dominated; only men used to own businesses and controlled factors of production. This infamous trend has however dwindled especially in the last two decades but not at a satisfactory level. This paper aims to examine the core hindrances to female entrepreneurship in Nigeria. Data used were mainly from secondary sources-Federal Office of Statistics (FOS), NDHS (2008), NBS (2007) and Annabel & Mairo (2007) on the variables affecting the growth of female entrepreneurship in Nigeria, particularly in the northern region. Sources of fuel wood, child marriage and educational exposure of Nigerian women were the three main variables used in presenting the available data and how these combine to retard the growth of women entrepreneurship in Nigeria. Also, in-depth interviews were carried out by the authors to complement our secondary data. Sixteen (16) female entrepreneurs were purposively selected from sixteen (16) systematically chosen households at Ota in Ado-Odo Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State and interviewed with a semi-structured questionnaire that centre on various aspects of female entrepreneurship in the State and in Nigeria as a whole. Deductions made from the data and interviews were presented descriptively from where we made our own submissions on female entrepreneurship in Nigeria. The study recommends delaying age at marriage and completing at least secondary education by all girls in order to increase women entrepreneurship and reduce poverty among Nigerian women.