Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Vocalmetrics: an interactive software for visualization and classification of music

Vocalmetrics is an interactive software tool that provides scientific techniques for interactive visualization and classification of musical data. The application supports the classification of music data as a pivotal aim of music education and analysis. The paper, in particular, introduces Vocalmetrics' prototype semantics and the egg cell metaphor. The former provides an intuitive and playful approach for exploring and classifying multidimensional musical data, whereas the latter is a direct manipulative interaction technique for rating features of musical data, particularly suitable for subjective assessments.
Comparing cone-beam computed tomography with periapical radiography for assessing root canal obturation in vivo using microsurgical findings as validation.

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to verify whether there is a difference in the in vivo performance characteristics of CBCT and periapical radiography (PR) in assessing the apical extension of root canal obturation (RCO) and to evaluate the ability of CBCT in void detection using microsurgical findings as validation. METHODS This study included 323 tooth roots that required surgical treatment and for which pre-existing periapical radiographs and CBCT images were available. Three calibrated observers individually analyzed the periapical radiographs, CBCT images and photomicrographs of each root. Performance characteristics of CBCT and PR were compared in terms of their evaluation of the apical extension of the RCOs. The ability of CBCT to detect voids in the RCOs was evaluated using microsurgical findings as validation. Kappa values were used for intraobserver/interobserver agreement. RESULTS Perfect intraobserver/interobserver agreement (1.0) was achieved when using photomicrography. The two agreements of PR were superior to those of CBCT when CBCT was used to detect voids (p < 0.05). The sensitivity of CBCT [0.86, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.76-0.93] was superior to that of PR (0.66, 95% CI 0.54-0.76) in detecting overextension (p < 0.005). CBCT showed a poor sensitivity (0.24, 95% CI 0.19-0.30) and specificity (0.67, 95% CI 0.54-0.78) in void detection. CONCLUSIONS CBCT was better than PR for evaluating the apical extension of RCOs. CBCT, with its poor sensitivity and specificity, might both overestimate and underestimate the proportion of voids in RCOs. CBCT was not suitable for evaluating the quality of RCOs.
The challenge of treating congestion in advanced heart failure

Volume overload is a common manifestation of heart failure decompensation. Interaction between impaired renal and heart function constitutes an important pathophysiologic mechanism that leads to congestion. In addition to improving symptoms and volume status, reduction of rehospitalization rates, maintenance of renal function and improvement of survival are all important goals of every therapeutic strategy. Currently, the use of diuretics, vasodilators, inotropes and ultrafiltration, together with investigational agents such as oral vasopressin antagonists and adenosine A1-receptor antagonists, constitute the main therapeutic options for the congested heart failure patient.
Investigating people: a qualitative analysis of the search behaviours of open-source intelligence analysts

The Internet and the World Wide Web have become integral parts of the lives of many modern individuals, enabling almost instantaneous communication, sharing and broadcasting of thoughts, feelings and opinions. Much of this information is publicly facing, and as such, it can be utilised in a multitude of online investigations, ranging from employee vetting and credit checking to counter-terrorism and fraud prevention/detection. However, the search needs and behaviours of these investigators are not well documented in the literature. In order to address this gap, an in-depth qualitative study was carried out in cooperation with a leading investigation company. The research contribution is an initial identification of Open-Source Intelligence investigator search behaviours, the procedures and practices that they undertake, along with an overview of the difficulties and challenges that they encounter as part of their domain. This lays the foundation for future research in to the varied domain of Open-Source Intelligence gathering.
The epidemiology of breast cancer: review and prospects.

In the epidemiology of a disease, which is multifactorial to such an extent as we believe breast cancer to be, attention should be paid even to “weak” factors and an attempt should be made to assign a place to them in an aetiologic system which is biologically sound. Medical knowledge will help us in doing this, and the exercises in “metabolic epidemiology” will be as useful as statistical manipulations and computer programming. Two developments seem to be taking place, one of them being the teamwork between analytic epidemiology and biochemistry; the other is that we are begining to realize that most so-called chronic diseases of relatively high prevalence are like icebergs in the sea with a vast amount of subclinical abnormalities in the “healthy” population (and therefore in our control groups). Epidemilogie du Cancer du sein: Analyse et Perspectives Dans l'epidemiologie d'une maladie a multiples facteurs, comme l'est a notre avis le cancer du sein, il faudrait s'interesser aussi aux facteurs secondaires et essayer de les integrer a un systeme etiologique qui soit biologiquement valable. Nos connaissances medicales nous aideront a le faire et les exercices d' “epidemiologie metabolique” seront aussi utiles que les manipulations statistiques et l'utilisation d'ordinateurs. Une evolution semble en cours, dont l'un des elements est l'esprit d'equipe qui caracterise les travaux de biochimie et d'epidemiologie analytique; en outre, nous commencons a prendre conscience du fait que la plupart des maladies que l'on dit chroniques et dont l'incidence est relativement elevee ressemblent a des icebergs flottant sur la mer et s'accompagnent d'une grande quantite d'anomalies sub-cliniques dans la population “saine” (et par consequent dans nos groupes-temoins).
What We have Learned about the Cardioprotective Effects of Adiponectin from the Adiponectin Knockout Mice

Adiponectin is a protein mainly secreted by adipocytes. Adiponectin couples regulation of insulin sensitivity with energy metabolism. Reduced adiponectin level and impaired adiponectin signaling are associated with various obesity-related disorders, including metabolic syndrome, diabetes, atherosclerosis, hypertension, and coronary artery disease [1]. Adiponectin knockout mice (APN-/-) demonstrate not only severe diet-induced insulin resistance, but also abnormal cardiovascular function. Therefore, the study of APN-/elaborates our knowledge regarding adiponectin deficiency pertaining to obesityrelated cardiovascular diseases.
The concept of "presence" used as a measure for ecological validity in driving simulators

The main contribution of this paper to the Cognitive Ergonomics field is to propose a new approach of the behavioral validity's assessment of driving simulators. In this paper, our ambition is to find a way of measuring "presence" to use it as a measure for ecological validity in driving simulators. The underlying assumption is that a person experiencing a strong sense of presence in the virtual environment will react in this environment as if it would be a real one. We propose to measure "presence" by measuring "attention" toward the driving task". Our objective is to demonstrate that the higher the subject's attention required by the primary driving task will be, the more the spatial presence will be felt. In the experiment we tried to vary "attention" by adding a dual task and by adding traffic and measure driving performance and subjective "presence" (MEC-SPQ; Measurement, Effects, Conditions-Spatial Presence Questionnaire). The main result is a lack of congruence between subjective and behavioral measures.
Perceived Stress and its Social-Individual Predicors among Infertile Couples Referring to Infertility Center of Alzahra Hospital in Tabriz in 2013

Objectives: Infertility is threatening and stressful as a big crisis in life psychologically. Since there still are many ambiguities about the infertility’s being stressful. This study is done for defining the perceived stress among infertile couples and its social-individual predictors. Materials and Methods: This study is a sectional one which was done on 322 infertile couples referring to the infertility center at Alzahra Hospital in Tabriz. Sampling method was available. The gathering data instruments included social-individual particulars questionnaire and perceived stress scale (PSS) questionnaire which was completed as self-completion by the participants. The multivariate linear regression analysis method was used for defining the social-individual predictors of perceived stress. Results: The findings of the research showed that mean (standard deviation) of perceived stress among women was 27.4 (6.0) and 25.9 (5.3) among men out of 0-56 grade range and there was statistically significant difference between men and women due to perceived stress (P<0.001). The variable of monthly income sufficiency for living expenses, occupation, type of current treatment, Method of treatment, Etiology of infertility, methods of contraception were the predictors of perceived stress. Conclusion: The results of this research showed higher perceived stress among women compared to men; therefore it is necessary to provide approaches for reducing the perceived stress focusing on its predictive variables for recovering the couples’ mental status.
Why, when and how should hypertriglyceridemia be treated in the high-risk cardiovascular patient?

Recent epidemiology attests that hypertriglyceridemia may be a causal risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). The specific atherogenicity of hypertriglyceridemia relates to the accumulation in plasma of triglyceride-rich lipoprotein remnants. Hypertriglyceridemia also drives a ‘global’ atherogenic dyslipidemic profile, which is frequent in high-risk cardiovascular patients, such as Type 2 diabetics. Elevated triglyceride in fasting or nonfasting blood samples should be a trigger for assessing atherogenic components of the lipid profile, particularly HDL-cholesterol, non-HDL-cholesterol and apoB. Residual risk of CVD remains high in statin-treated diabetic patients owing to persistent atherogenic dyslipidemia, which is not fully corrected by these agents nor by the addition of ezetimibe. Hypertriglyceridemia may then be targeted with niacin, fibrates or n-3 fatty acids, after correcting aggravating factors, especially obesity and hyperglycemia. Fibrates consistently decrease coronary events in dyslipidemic patients in outcome studies. New evidence supports adding fenofibrate to a statin in Type 2 diabetics with residual hypertriglyceridemia and low HDL-cholesterol; extrapolating from a recent meta-analysis, a 15% reduction in triglycerides could translate into a further 15% reduction in coronary events. Ongoing clinical trials may provide new evidence for adding niacin to a statin. The value of higher doses of n-3 fatty acids in reducing CVD risk remains to be demonstrated. The high triglyceride/low HDL nexus is an under-recognized risk factor for CVD that merits more detailed clinical assessment and treatment, particularly in patients with Type 2 diabetes already receiving a statin.
El uso de diferentes poblaciones referenciales en el diagnóstico de los principales problemas nutricionales en niños y adolescentes Different reference populations use in children and adolescents main nutritional problems diagnosis

Introduction: The existence of different reference populations for overweight and obesity diagnosis in children warrants comparative analysis. Objectives: To determine existing differences in nutritional diagnosis using different reference populations. Design: Descriptive, comparative and transversal study. Setting: Hospital Dos de Mayo Growth and Development Section and a Lima Metropolitan State School. Participants: Male and females children aged between 2 and 17 years. Interventions: Two hundred and nineteen children 2 to 5 year-old were studied, as well as 1141 girls and adolescents between 9 to 17 years. In the first group chronic malnutrition (height / age +2 SD) diagnosis was done according to the 1983 National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) and 2005 World Health Organization (WHO) references. In the second group body mass index (BMI) was used for overweight and obesity diagnosis, based on Must, Cole and WHO references, and using between 85 and 95 and greater than 95 percentile for overweight and obesity diagnosis criteria. Main outcome measures: Prevalence of chronic malnutrition, overweight and obesity. Results: In children between 2 and 5 years, chronic malnutrition prevalence was respectively 1,8% (NCSH) and 5,9% (WHO), and 4,6% (NCSH) and 9,1% (WHO) for obesity. In the 9 to 17 years group, the above 85p prevalence was 30,3% (Must), 33% (Cole) and 35,2% (WHO); for overweight, respectively 21% (Must), 26,3% (Cole) and 18% (WHO), and for obesity 9,3% (Must), 6,7% (Cole) and 17,2% (WHO). Conclusions: The results differ depending on the reference used. The WHO reference identifies higher prevalence of chronic malnutrition and obesity in the preschool group. The same applies to the group of girls and adolescents in regard to overweight and obesity. All differences found reflect a statistical approach rather than a biological criterion.
Role of biomarkers in the diagnosis and prognosis of acute kidney injury in patients with cardiorenal syndrome

Cardiac and renal disease frequently coexist but have long been difficult to diagnose in a timely manner and treat effectively. Noninvasive and cost-effective biomarkers are needed to help identify cardiac patients who are at risk of acute kidney injury early in the course of disease. Biomarkers can provide insights into underlying mechanisms and lead to a better understanding of complex disease states such as the cardiorenal syndrome, which can lead to better therapies and, ultimately, to improved patient outcomes. The natriuretic peptides are established biomarkers in heart failure and have set the standard for how a well-validated biomarker can be useful for diagnosis/prognosis, monitoring response to therapy and chronic disease management. For patients with acute kidney injury in the setting of cardiac disease, new biomarkers such as neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin, cystatin C, kidney injury molecule-1 and IL-18 are emerging as early signals of renal dysfunction prior to any elevations in serum creatinine. Other promising candidate biomarkers for the early diagnosis of acute kidney injury include osteopontin, N-acetyl-b-d-glucosaminidase, stromal cell-derived factor-1 and exosomes. More research with all of these novel biomarkers is needed; however, the early results are very promising.
Exposición a riesgos psicosociales entre la población asalariada en España (2004-05): valores de referencia de las 21 dimensiones del cuestionario COPSOQ ISTAS21

Fundamento. Se calculan valores de referencia para cada una de las 21 dimensiones o escalas (73 items en total) del cuestionario COPSOQ ISTAS21 para la evaluacion de riesgos psicosociales de origen laboral en una muestra representativa de la poblacion asalariada en Espana. Metodos. Se realizo un muestreo polietapico por conglomerados (muestra final:7.612 trabajadores). La informacion se obtuvo entre 2004 y 2005 mediante entrevista domiciliaria con el cuestionario. Se estandarizaron las 21 escalas y se establecieron para cada una tres puntos de corte ("mas favorable para la salud" o verde, "intermedio" o amarillo, y "mas desfavorable para la salud" o rojo) a partir de dos criterios: 1) la distribucion teorica en terciles de las puntuaciones obtenidas en cada escala y 2) equilibrar al maximo las categorias "verde" y "roja". Resultados. La tasa de respuesta fue del 60%. La dimension de Previsibilidad fue la que mostro mayor diferencia entre las proporciones de "verde" y "rojo" (7,14). Claridad de rol agrupo el 35,06 % de la poblacion entre las puntuaciones 100 y 93,75, y Sentimiento de grupo el 29,6% entre 100 y 91,67. Doble presencia y Esconder emociones acumularon el 34,02% y el 27,74% % de la poblacion entre 0 y 12,5 puntos, respectivamente. Conclusiones. Se dispone de distribuciones de referencia representativas para poblacion asalariada en Espana y actualizadas a 2005 para las 21 dimensiones del metodo COPSOQ ISTAS21 de evaluacion de riesgos psicosociales, base necesaria para diagnosticar las situaciones de riesgo y priorizar las acciones preventivas necesarias en las empresas.
Comparação das características e medidas ultrassonográficas das glândulas adrenais de cães e gatos filhotes saudáveis

The aim of the study was to analyze and compare the ultrasound characteristics of adrenal glands between healthy puppies and kittens by establishing standards of normality and references. Fifteen healthy crossbred puppies with mean weight of 3 kg and fifteen healthy crossbred kittens with mean weight of 2 kg, aged between five and six months, participated in the study. The animals were submitted to ultrasound exam of adrenal glands for visualization of their internal characteristics. The frequency of visualization of adrenal glands was 100% in kittens. In puppies the frequency was 75% for the right gland and 100% for the left gland. The puppy’s adrenal gland, both right and left, were bigger in length (1.08 ± 0.01 cm, 1.11 ± 0.01 cm) and width (0.42 ± 0.02 cm, 0.45 ± 0.01 cm) in relation to kittens’ adrenal gland length (0.64 ± 0.01 cm, 0.63 ± 0.01 cm) and width (0.30 ± 0.02 cm, 0.34 ± 0.01 cm). The adrenal gland of puppies and kittens was hypoechogenic to the surrounded fat, delimited by a hyperechogenic line and without distinction of the cortical and medullar region. The ultrasound dimensions of length and width of the adrenal glands, both right and left, were the same in puppies and kittens. The right and left puppies’ adrenal glands were longer and wider than the kittens’ glands. KEYWORDS: Abdomen; adrenal gland; small animals; ultrasound.
The determinants of home based long-term care utilisation in Western European countries

The need for long-term care (LTC) is projected to increase in all European countries due to the ageing of the population. The number of people aged 65 and older will double in EU-15 countries by 2050 under a pure ageing scenario and will increase by more than 30 per cent under the constant disability scenario. The aim of this paper is to see how different individual characteristics and the LTC systems around Western Europe influence the utilisation of formal LTC (in terms of frequency of services received). The data used from this study come from the Survey of Health Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) 2004-2005. We test here the individuals and systems characteristics determining the influence of use professional home-based LTC service (nursing care, domestic home assistance and meals-on-wheals). The frequencies are modelled using a negative binomial regression model. Our findings indicate that utilisation of professional home-based LTC increases significantly with factors like age, education, income and ADL (Activities of Daily Living) score. We found that the utilisation of LTC services is closely linked to the policy priorities, the financing and the organisations of the LTC system. In countries like the Netherlands, where a greater policy emphasis is put on home-based care, the utilisation of home-based LTC is higher compared with most of the other countries in the study.
Effects of the Phramongkutklao model on alcohol-dependent patient: a randomized controlled trial

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of Phramongkutklao (PMK) model at Department of Psychiatry and Neurology, Phramongkutklao Hospital. A randomized trial, assigned into the usual care (n = 53) or PMK model (n = 47) group. One hundred alcohol-dependent patients were assessed by using the 4th Diagnostic and Statistic Manual of Mental Disorder (DSM-IV) to diagnose alcohol dependence and Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) to determine the level of alcohol addiction. There were significant differences between usual care and PMK model groups on reducing or abstaining from alcohol consumption at 6-month follow-ups (p < 0.01). The participants in the PMK model group showed a total moderate quality of life, which was better than those in the usual care group after 6 months. According to the comparison of readiness to change outcome, the results showed a change to reduce or abstain from alcohol consumption in the PMK model group; in contrast, in the usual care group there was no change. The three situations positive, negative and craving drinking demonstrated significant in self-efficacy in the PMK model group. To conclude, the intensive inpatient rehabilitation (PMK model) intervention was more effective than usual care. Accordingly, this study was done in the setting at an inpatient psychiatric department; therefore, it could be generalized to any other similar areas.
Optimizing transitional care for emerging adults with Type 1 diabetes: what needs to be done and by whom?

269 ISSN 1758-1907 10.2217/DMT.12. 24 © 2012 Future Medicine Ltd Diabetes Manage. (2012) 2(4), 269–271 The issue of transition from pediatric to adult care represents a major clinical concern in diabetes care [1,2]. Although the evidence suggests that this is a critical developmental period in the lives of young people with diabetes, in terms of their future health, health behaviors and general psychosocial functioning [3], there is a dearth of clinical programs and research focused on transition issues [4]. Many young people are lost to follow-up during the transition from pediatric to adult care and others struggle to establish and maintain a connection with their adult diabetes providers, like they experienced with their pediatric healthcare teams [5]. Much is at stake during the developmental period corresponding with transition such as increased risk of cigarette smoking, unprotected sexual behavior and illicit drug and alcohol experimentation [3,6]. The evidence suggests that young adults with chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, are more likely to be delayed in achieving autonomy and psychosexual and overall social development [7]. These difficulties make transition more problematic and difficult compared to otherwise healthy peers [8]. Several studies have outlined problems with the transition of youth with diabetes and other chronic illnesses [9]. Kipps et al. observed a marked decline in clinic attendance around transition [10]. Pacaud et al. observed a lapse of greater than 6 months between the last pediatric visit and first adult visit for 31% of their population, with 11% completely lost to follow-up [5]. Pacaud et al. reported that in their study, 46% of adolescents with diabetes who transitioned to adult care reported problems [5]. Participants reported that the transition was abrupt and in adult settings there was less guidance about healthcare decisions, reduced access to adult physicians, longer periods between appointments and less coordination between care professionals (e.g., dietitian, primary care provider and psychologist). Raymond and associates examined the beliefs and behaviors of pediatric patients and their families regarding transition from pediatric to adult care prior to transition [11]. Their data indicated approximately 72% of parents and 75% of patients reported that they had not talked about the eventual need to transition. Approximately 92% of parents and 86% of patients reported that they had not received transition information from their pediatric provider and 90% of parents and pediatric patients reported that they did not have a transition plan. Approximately half of respondents reported that it was the family’s responsibility to organize the transition process, while an almost equal number reported that it was the physician’s responsibility. Both