Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Navigating the Cancer Information Environment: The Reciprocal Relationship Between Patient–Clinician Information Engagement and Information Seeking from Nonmedical Sources

Prior theory has argued and empirical studies have shown that cancer patients rely on information from their health care providers as well as lay sources to understand and make decisions about their disease. However, research on the dynamic and interdependent nature of cancer patients’ engagement with different information sources is lacking. This study tested the hypotheses that patient–clinician information engagement and information seeking from nonmedical sources influence one another longitudinally among a representative cohort of 1,293 cancer survivors in Pennsylvania. The study hypotheses were supported in a series of lagged multiple regression analyses. Baseline seeking information from nonmedical sources positively predicted subsequent patient–clinician information engagement at 1-year follow-up. The reverse relationship was also statistically significant; baseline patient–clinician information engagement positively predicted information seeking from nonmedical sources at follow-up. These findings suggest that cancer survivors move between nonmedical and clinician sources in a dynamic way to learn about their disease.
Overcurrent protection strategies for distribution system with distributed energy resources and fault current limiters

With the rapid increase in the demand for power, equipping power systems with distributed energy resources (DERs) has become a trend. In addition, fault current limiters (FCLs) may be installed to prevent the short circuit current from exceeding the current capacity of the power equipment. However, those mentioned above have a strong influence on the protective system. This paper proposes overcurrent protection strategies for distribution systems with DERs and FCLs. Via the proposed approach, the relays with communication ability can determine their own operating states on the basis of a proposed fault index and decision procedure. The performance and effectiveness of the proposed overcurrent protection strategies are verified by implementing three distribution systems. Simulation results reveal that the proposed strategies are effective for the protective schemes of the power systems with DERs and FCLs.
Rescue of thymocytes and T cell hybridomas from glucocorticoid‐induced apoptosis by stimulation via the T cell receptor/CD3 complex: a possible in vitro model for positive selection of the T cell repertoire

Positive and negative selection events are involved in determining useful T cell clones to mature in the thymus. Accumulating evidence suggests that immature self‐reactive thymocytes undergo apoptotic death (negative selection) upon stimulation via the T cell receptors (TcR). A similar phenomenon of activation‐induced death has been reported in T cell hybridomas. On the other hand, little is known about the mechanism of the positive selection. Apoptosis in rodent thymocytes or T cell hybridomas is also known to be induced by glucocorticoids in vitro at concentrations within the physiologic range. We report here that the TcR/CD3‐mediated stimulation and glucocorticoids mutually inhibit the apoptosis in T cell hybridomas. The production of interleukin 2 by the rescued cells indicated that the TcR/CD3‐mediated signal was transduced into the cells. Thymocytes were also rescued from glucocorticoid‐induced apoptosis by the stimulation with antibodies to TcR/CD3 molecules. The rescue of thymocytes, however, was observed only at a narrow concentration range of each of the antibodies, suggesting that the proper stimulation via the TcR/CD3 is required for the rescue. If thymocytes in situ are differentially stimulated according to the affinity of the TcR towards self, only the thymocytes whose TcR have proper affinity towards self may be rescued from glucocorticoid‐induced apoptosis. Therefore, we propose a hypothesis that the positive selection of the T cell repertoire is based on the inhibition of glucocorticoid‐induced apoptosis in immature thymocytes bearing TcR with proper affinity for self by the TcR‐mediated signals in situ. Furthermore, the selection may be influenced by the peak level of glucocorticoid concentration, since the proper concentration range of the anti‐TcR/CD3 antibody for the rescue was variable depending on the glucocorticoid concentration.
Generalized Gas Dynamic Equations

In an early approach, we proposed a kinetic model with multiple translational temperature [K. Xu, H. Liu and J. Jiang, Phys. Fluids 19, 016101 (2007)] to simulate nonequilibrium flows. In this paper, instead of using three temperatures in the x , y , and z-directions, we further define the translational temperature as a second-order symmetric tensor. Based on a multiple stage BGK-type collision model and the Chapman-Enskog expansion, the corresponding macroscopic gas dynamics equations in three-dimensional space will be derived. The zeroth-order expansion gives the 10 moment closure equations of Levermore [C.D. Levermore, J. Stat. Phys 83, pp.1021 (1996)]. The derived gas dynamic equations can be considered as a regularization of Levermore’s 10 moments equations in the first-order expansion. Our new gas dynamic equations have the same structure as the Navier-Stokes equations, but the stress-strain relationship in the Navier-Stokes equations is replaced by an algebraic equation with temperature differences. At the same time, the heat flux, which is absent in Levermore’s 10 moment closure, is recovered. As a result, both the viscous and the heat conduction terms are unified under a single anisotropic temperature concept. In the continuum flow regime, the new gas dynamic equations automatically recover the standard Navier-Stokes equations. Our gas dynamic equations are natural extensions of the Navier-Stokes equations to the near continuum flow regime and can be used for microflow computations. Two examples, the force-driven Poiseuille flow and the Couette flow in the transition flow regime, are used to validate the model. Both analytical and numerical results are encouraging.
Controlling model error of underdamped forecast models in sparse observational networks using a variance‐limiting Kalman filter

The problem of controlling covariance overestimation due to underdamped forecast models and sparsity of the observational network in an ensemble Kalman filter setting is considered. It is shown in a variational setting that limiting the analysis‐error covariance to stay below the climatological value and driving the mean towards the climatological mean for the unobserved variables can significantly improve analysis skill over standard ensemble Kalman filters. These issues are explored for a Lorenz‐96 system. It is shown that, for large observation intervals, the climatological information assures that the statistical properties of the unobserved variables are recovered, providing superior analysis skill. This skill improvement is increased for larger observational noise. Copyright © 2012 Royal Meteorological Society
Research on the state-owned enterprise operators demand analysis

The qualitative methods and quantitative methods were used in this study, the state-owned enterprise operators demand characteristics were discussed. Through literature review, the theoretical of the state-owned enterprises operators demand were analysed, by adopting the methods of questionnaire surveys to state-owned enterprise operators. According to the questionnaire survey results, thirty-eight items about operators demand characteristics were extracted, and the original scale was designed. Through exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis, a six dimensionality measurement tool of state-owned enterprise operators demands was established, it contains: “achievement demand ", "self value compensation demand" and "respect demand ", "career development demand", "power demand" and "occupational safety demand ". A preliminary exploration was proceed for establish the state-owned enterprise operators demand characteristics model.
ON THE INTERACTION OF ADENINE WITH IONIZING RADIATION: MECHANISTICAL STUDIES AND ASTROBIOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS

The molecular inventory available on the prebiotic Earth was likely derived from both terrestrial and extraterrestrial sources. A complete description of which extraterrestrial molecules may have seeded early Earth is therefore necessary to fully understand the prebiotic evolution which led to life. Galactic cosmic rays (GCRs) are expected to cause both the formation and destruction of important biomolecules—including nucleic acid bases such as adenine—in the interstellar medium within the ices condensed on interstellar grains. The interstellar ultraviolet (UV) component is expected to photochemically degrade gas-phase adenine on a short timescale of only several years. However, the destruction rate is expected to be significantly reduced when adenine is shielded in dense molecular clouds or even within the ices of interstellar grains. Here, biomolecule destruction by the energetic charged particle component of the GCR becomes important as it is not fully attenuated. Presented here are results on the destruction rate of the nucleobase adenine in the solid state at 10 K by energetic electrons, as generated in the track of cosmic ray particles as they penetrate ices. When both UV and energetic charged particle destructive processes are taken into account, the half-life of adenine within dense interstellar clouds is found to be ∼6 Myr, which is on the order of a star-forming molecular cloud. We also discuss chemical reaction pathways within the ices to explain the production of observed species, including the formation of nitriles (R–C≡N), epoxides (C–O–C), and carbonyl functions (R–C=O).
CMOS Low-Distortion High-Frequency Variable-Gain Amplifier

This paper describes the principle and design of a CMOS variable-gain amplifier for high-frequency applications. The operation of the differential circuit is based on a linear voltage-to-current conversion by means of a digitally controlled conversion impedance. Experimental results of the circuit show total harmonic distortion figures better than ¿60 dB and a gain accuracy of 0.05 dB over the ¿2 to + 12 dB gain range.
Predictive factors of hospitalization for acute exacerbation in a series of 64 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Hospitalizations for acute exacerbation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have a great impact on health care expenditure. The aim of this study was to look at predictive factors of hospitalization for acute exacerbation in a group of patients with moderate to severe COPD. During the year 1994, we included 64 patients with COPD in this study. At inclusion, the patients being in a stable state, we performed a complete evaluation of their clinical, spirometric, gasometric, and pulmonary hemodynamic characteristics. All patients were followed during a period of at least 2.5 yr. We recorded the intervals free of hospitalization for exacerbation and realized an analysis of the proportional hazards not to be hospitalized using the Kaplan-Meier method. Univariate analysis using the log-rank test showed that the risk of being hospitalized was significantly increased in patients with COPD with a low body mass index (BMI <= 20 kg/m2, p = 0.015) and in patients with a limited 6-min walk distance (<= 367 m, p = 0. 045). But above all, the risk of hospitalization for acute exacerbation was significantly increased by gas exchange impairment and pulmonary hemodynamic worsening: PaO2 <= 65 mm Hg versus PaO2 > 65 mm Hg, p = 0.005; PaCO2 > 44 mm Hg versus PaCO2 <= 44 mm Hg, p = 0.005; and mean pulmonary artery pressure ( Ppa) at rest > 18 mm Hg versus Ppa <= 18 mm Hg, p = 0.0008. Neither age, nor the association of one or more comorbidities with COPD, nor the smoking habits had a significant impact on the risk of hospitalization in our study. Multivariate analysis showed that only PaCO2 and Ppa were independently related to the risk of hospitalization for acute exacerbation of COPD. We conclude that chronic hypercapnic respiratory insufficiency and pulmonary hypertension are predictive factors of hospitalization for acute exacerbation in COPD patients.
Exploration-path generation of multiple mobile robots using reaction-diffusion equation on a graph

In this paper we present a method for cooperative exploration by multiple mobile robots in a restricted working area. By generating and sharing the minimal-length path for each mobile robot in which mobile robots go through several observation points to explore the working area. The observation points should be arranged at a fixed distance from at least one corresponding observation point. Therefore, mobile robots can obtain the complete information of the working area by only moving along all of the observation points. To reduce the redundancy of exploration task, the number of observation points and the length of observation paths for each mobile robot are to be minimized. To ensure the advantages from using multiple mobile robots, exploration path must be equally assigned to each mobile robot. Simulations had proved the efficiency of cooperating mobile robots using our proposed method. The feasible of our method is real world with actual mobile robots was demonstrated in cooperative exploration experiment.
Nutritional and physiological role of medium-chain triglycerides and medium-chain fatty acids in piglets

Abstract Medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) are found at higher levels in milk lipids of many animal species and in the oil fraction of several plants, including coconuts, palm kernels and certain Cuphea species. Medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) and fatty acids are efficiently absorbed and metabolized and are therefore used for piglet nutrition. They may provide instant energy and also have physiological benefits beyond their energetic value contributing to several findings of improved performance in piglet-feeding trials. MCTs are effectively hydrolyzed by gastric and pancreatic lipases in the newborn and suckling young, allowing rapid provision of energy for both enterocytes and intermediary hepatic metabolism. MCFAs affect the composition of the intestinal microbiota and have inhibitory effects on bacterial concentrations in the digesta, mainly on Salmonella and coliforms. However, most studies have been performed in vitro up to now and in vivo data in pigs are still scarce. Effects on the gut-associated and general immune function have been described in several animal species, but they have been less studied in pigs. The addition of up to 8% of a non-esterified MCFA mixture in feed has been described, but due to the sensory properties this can have a negative impact on feed intake. This may be overcome by using MCTs, allowing dietary inclusion rates up to 15%. Feeding sows with diets containing 15% MCTs resulted in a lower mortality of newborns and better development, particularly of underweight piglets. In conclusion, MCFAs and MCTs offer advantages for the improvement of energy supply and performance of piglets and may stabilize the intestinal microbiota, expanding the spectrum of feed additives supporting piglet health in the post-weaning period.
West Nile Virus in the New World: Trends in the Spread and Proliferation of West Nile Virus in the Western Hemisphere

The observed patterns and variations in the ecology, epidemiology, distribution and prevalence of the West Nile Virus (WNV) in different areas of the Western Hemisphere make this pathogen of particular importance as a model for understanding the potential risk factors associated with emerging pathogens worldwide, particularly those involving zoonotic pathogens whose epidemiology involves the potential for vertical transmission in arthropod vector species, and horizontal and vertical transmission within and among vertebrate host species. Record numbers of human WNV cases were recorded in Canada during 2007, with >50% more cases than documented in any previous year. Although overall numbers of human infections recorded in the United States were not exceptionally high during 2007 relative to epidemic levels reported in 2002 and 2003, the state of Oklahoma reported that the highest‐ever number of human WNV cases and the numbers of human cases recorded in Canada were 50% higher than previous record levels recorded in 2003. The record and near‐record numbers of human WNV infections recorded in several regions of North America during 2007 have important implications for the future management and surveillance of WNV vectors and reservoirs in North America. The spatiotemporal distribution of WNV infections in humans and animals recorded during 2007 in North America and South America have important implications for the surveillance and management of public health threats from WNV in the Western Hemisphere. Serological surveys conducted in areas of intense WNV transmission in the United States have reported low prevalence of antibodies to WNV in human s populations, indicating that additional epidemic outbreaks of human disease from WNV can be expected in the future.
Evoking Affordances in Virtual Environments via Sensory-Stimuli Substitution

Artifacts in an environment afford to their observers utility and function directly through specific object characteristics (e.g., mediums, surfaces, substances). Virtual environments (VEs) similarly seek to afford specific utility to their users, whether it is for training, education, or entertainment, thus it seems natural to consider basing VE designs on affordances. Such affordance-based design should yield significant benefits by providing designs that behave in more understandable and intuitive manners. These designs should be easier to learn, adapt better to user tasks, and frustrate users less by allowing use of the same skills acquired via real-world interactions. In order to realize affordance-based VE designs, the types of appropriate affordances and means of realizing these affordances must be identified. Currently, however, affordances lack a theoretical and operational basis for such application. The present paper suggests functions that affordances should support and provides a conceptual model for realizing affordances based on sensory-stimuli-substitution schemes.
New Words in the Mind: Concept-formation and Entrenchment of Neologisms

Abstract So far, the study of new words and the early stages of their lexicalization and institutionalization has focused very much on the structural and semantic changes involved as well as on the gradual spread of words in a speech community. This paper focuses on insights into the concomitant processes taking place in language users' minds. It takes up ideas on concept-formation and hypostatization put forward in the philosophy of language, word-formation and lexical semantics and relates them to recent evidence on the processing and storage of nonce-formations and recently coined complex words collected by psycholinguists and neurolinguists. The role of frequency of exposure and semantic transparency in the increasing entrenchment of concepts in language users' memories is discussed. Effects of hypostatization – the subjective impression that the existence of a word suggests the existence of a class of things denoted by the word – are shown to be very strong even in the early phases of the establishment of new words, and pragmatic exploitations of these effects are explored.
Byzantine glass mosaic tesserae: some material considerations

Issues about the manufacture of Byzantine mosaics and the implications of these in wider terms relating to social and economic questions about the art form have been little discussed. This paper brings together evidence about Byzantine glass mosaic tesserae gathered from archaeology, glass technology and glass analysis, and synthesizes these into a discussion of three aspects: distribution; manufacture; trade and price. It looks to examine how these different elements can be used to form a more detailed composite picture about the production and distribution of Byzantine mosaics. It also proposes ways in which glass analysis can be used in a more coherent way to extend our understanding of mosaic glass production.
Diagnosis of Bridging Defects Based on Current Signatures at Low Power Supply Voltages

Improvement of diagnosis methodologies is a key factor for fast failure analysis and yield improvement. As bridging defects are a common defect type in CMOS circuits, diagnosing this class of defect becomes relevant for present and future technologies. Bridging defects cause two additional current components, the bridge and the downstream current. This work presents the effect of the downstream current on current signatures and its impact on the diagnosis of such defects. The authors demonstrate that the impact of downstream current is minimized at low power supply (Vdd) values. Therefore, current measurements at low power supply voltages are proposed to enhance bridge diagnosis. Experimental evidence of this behaviour is presented for real devices. Furthermore, current signatures measured at VVLV are used for the diagnosis of fifteen failing 0.18mum technology devices, which are demonstrated to contain a bridging defect.
The Competing Demands of Employment and Informal Caregiving to Disabled Elders

The competing demands of work and elder care are the subject of this study. The employment decisions of the informal caregivers of a nationally representative sample of disabled elders were examined using a nested multinomial logit model. Findings from the work accommodation model demonstrated that primary caregivers and those caring for elders with greater care needs are more likely to take unpaid leave, reduce work hours, or rearrange their work schedules to assume elder care responsibilities. Being female, white, and in fair-to-poor health also increased the likelihood of work accommodation. The model predicting employment of a caregiver revealed that the prospect of having to accommodate work to the demands of caregiving keeps some people from work entirely. However, not all caregivers would choose to work in the absence of caregiving responsibilities. After controlling for the probability of work accommodation, need for care, and availability of others to care, it is more likely that younger, white and more highly educated caregivers will be employed. The self-selection of working caregivers observed in this study should be considered when forecasting changes in caregiving costs associated with changes in the labor force participation of caregivers as a result of deliberate policies or social and demographic trends.
Pre-Columbian treponematosis in medieval Britain

There has been much debate regarding the origins of treponemal disease and, in particular, acquired syphilis. Greater numbers of skeletons with apparently diagnostic bone lesions in the New World than in the Old have given rise to the postulate, particularly advanced by American workers, that the disease originated there prior to AD 1492 and was carried back to the Old World by Columbus's sailors. This paper presents evidence for the presence of treponemal disease in medieval Norwich prior to AD 1492, however. The dating of the site is good and the skeleton concerned comes from a well-sealed context. Others in the group have similar lesions and there are four individuals with evidence of leprosy. All were buried in a communal cemetery. The individual has widespread, bilateral, florid periostitis, especially of the tibiae and fibulae, and the radiographic changes support the diagnosis of treponemal disease. Differential diagnosis and geographical situation suggest that this skeleton displays evidence of syphillis.