Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on multitasking performance and oculometrics

ABSTRACT Multitasking is the ability to perform more than one task simultaneously. The need to multitask is common in many industries especially within the military with tasks such as air traffic controllers, cyber defense operators and image analysts. However, as the time on task increases, information throughput can become overwhelming resulting in a performance decrement. Through task prioritizing, the operator is able to maintain performance on specific subtasks in which they selected as high importance while other subtasks experience a decrement. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) applied to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (ldLPFC) on information processing capabilities to improve individual and overall multitasking performance while performing the multi-attribute task battery (MATB). Two groups of 8 participants each received either 2 mA of anodal or sham tDCS while performing MATB. In addition, eye tracking was implemented to record eye movement patterns. In doing so, we were able to determine how much time the operator allocated to each of the subtasks within MATB and how their task priorities changed as workload demands increased. The findings provided evidence that 2 mA of anodal tDCS during MATB significantly improved overall information throughput compared to the sham group. With respect to the individual subtasks, communication and system monitoring displayed the greatest enhancement with anodal tDCS. Our data suggests that tDCS could be a useful tool to enhance information processing capabilities during a multitasking paradigm resulting in improved processing capabilities and information throughput.
Comparison of the Midazolam Transnasal Atomizer and Oral Midazolam for Sedative Premedication in Paediatric Cases Key

InTROduCTIOn Preanaesthetic medication in children should aim at relieving anxiety and the trauma which is associated with their separation from their parents and it should also facilitate the induction of anaesthesia without prolonging the recovery [1]. Numerous premedicants to facilitate the separation of children from their parents and to reduce the anxiety which is associated with unfamiliar persons and the strange operative room environment have been advocated. However, an ideal premedicant should provide good patient and parent acceptance, predictable results and nil/minimal side effects [2].
Attrition and Non-Compliance in Secondary Stroke Prevention Trials

Background: Attrition and non-compliance of subjects in secondary stroke prevention trials due to study drug-induced adverse events and loss to follow-up could lead to bias and loss of information, thus affecting the analysis of study results. Methods: We reviewed results from ten antiplatelet stroke prevention clinical trials: CAN TIA, DUTCH TIA, SWED ASA, SALT, UK TIA, CATS, TASS, ESPS, ESPS-2, and CAPRIE to tabulate the frequencies for total subject discontinuation, voluntary withdrawal, and loss to follow-up. Results: Forty thousand seven hundred and thirty (40,730) subjects participated in the aforementioned secondary stroke prevention trials. The range of outcomes was 11.8–52.0% for subjects discontinued for any reason (n = 9 trials); 3.0–20.9% for study drug-induced adverse events (n = 9 trials), and 4.2–7.8% for voluntary withdrawal (n = 10 trials). Conclusion: There is a substantial discrepancy (up to 20%) between the frequencies of total subject discontinuation for any reason and the sum of study drug-induced adverse events, voluntary withdrawal and loss to follow-up. Underestimation of these important outcomes may limit the ability of clinicians to translate results from clinical trials into medical practice.
Isogeny-Based Certificateless Identification Scheme

In this paper, we propose a new certi(cid:12)cateless identi(cid:12)cation scheme based on isogenies between elliptic curves that is a candidate for quantum-resistant problems. The proposed scheme has the batch veri(cid:12)cation property which allows verifying more than one identity by executing only a single challenge-response protocol.
'One Kind of Democracy' Implementing MGNREGS

Siwan Anderson (siwan.anderson@gmail.com) and Patrick Francois (pfrancois.ubc@gmail.com) are Fellows of the Canadian Institute For Advanced Research, and Ashok Kotwal (kotwal.ashok@gmail.com) is Professor of Economics at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada, and Ashwini Kulkarni (pragati.abhiyan@gmail.com) is Director of Pragati Abhiyan in Nashik, Maharashtra. ‘One Kind of Democracy’ Implementing MGNREGS
Modeling and optimization of monolithic polycrystalline silicon resistors

The processing parameters of monolithic polycrystalline silicon resistors are examined, and the effect of grain size on the sensitivity of polysilicon resistivity versus doping concentration is studied theoretically and experimentally. Because existing models for polysilicon do not accurately predict resistivity dependence on doping concentration as grain size increases above 600 Å, a modified trapping model for polysilicon with different grain sizes and under various applied biases is introduced. Good agreement between theory and experiments demonstrates that an increase in grain size from 230 to 1220 Å drastically reduces the sensitivity of polysilicon resistivity to doping levels by two orders of magnitude. Such an increase is achieved by modifications of the integrated-circuit processes. Design criteria for the optimization of monolithic polysilicon resistors have also been established based on resistivity control, thermal properties, and device geometry.
LIEN ENTRE LE COURANT INDUIT ET LE DEBIT D'ABSORPTION SPECIFIQUE DE 1 A 30 MHZ

Des normes internationales definissent des limites en champ electrique, magnetique, courant induit, densite de courant (J) et debit d'absorption specifique (DAS) afin de garantir la securite des personnes en cas de surexposition electromagnetique. Nous proposons dans cet article une formule etablissant un lien entre les courants induits le long du corps et les J/DAS dans le corps pour un fantome homogene de l'humain. Les courants induits permettant de calculer les J et DAS sont issus de resultats de simulations pour un fantome homogene. Nos resultats montrent que les DAS calcules par notre formule via les courants induits donnent de tres bonnes estimations des DAS calcules en simulation pour trois types d'illumination du fantome. Les ecarts sont notamment inferieurs a 1,5 dB pour les DAS corps entier (DAS CE) et de ± 3 dB pour les DAS 10g max membres et tete & tronc. Cela permet d'envisager un moyen non invasif de mesure des DAS grâce aux courants induits le long du corps.
Current medical treatment for the exacerbation of chronic heart failure resulting in hospitalization.

Discharges for patients hospitalized with heart failure rose from 377,000 in 1979 to 978,000 in 1998, making heart failure the leading discharge diagnosis in the Medicare population in the United States. Currently, 4,800,000 Americans are living with this disease. Approximately 550,000 new cases are diagnosed each year and 200,000 deaths related to heart failure occur annually. Patients admitted to a hospital for the treatment of this disease have readmission rates as high as 30% to 60% within 3 to 6 months after initial discharge. The Survival and Ventricular Enlargement (SAVE) trial demonstrated that once patients with heart failure were hospitalized because of an acute exacerbation, their mortality rate after 4 years increased from 25% to nearly 60%, despite optimal medical management. Inpatient admissions for the treatment of heart failure are increasing in prevalence and are associated with an increased risk of both readmission and subsequent death. The presentations of heart failure that require hospitalization may be classified into 3 categories: 1) newonset heart failure secondary to a precipitating factor such as a large anterior wall myocardial infarction (MI); 2) acute decompensation of chronic heart failure (ADHF); and 3) end-stage or refractory heart failure that responds poorly to medical therapy. This review focuses on acute exacerbations of chronic heart failure (CHF) resulting in hospitalization and discusses medical therapy for and clinical outcomes in patients with this complex clinical syndrome.
Defining HIV-1 transmission clusters based on sequence data

&NA; Understanding HIV-1 transmission dynamics is relevant to both screening and intervention strategies of HIV-1 infection. Commonly, HIV-1 transmission chains are determined based on sequence similarity assessed either directly from a sequence alignment or by inferring a phylogenetic tree. This review is aimed at both nonexperts interested in understanding and interpreting studies of HIV-1 transmission, and experts interested in finding the most appropriate cluster definition for a specific dataset and research question. We start by introducing the concepts and methodologies of how HIV-1 transmission clusters usually have been defined. We then present the results of a systematic review of 105 HIV-1 molecular epidemiology studies summarizing the most common methods and definitions in the literature. Finally, we offer our perspectives on how HIV-1 transmission clusters can be defined and provide some guidance based on examples from real life datasets.
The Descriptive Epidemiology of Second Primary Breast Cancer

Background: It is well established that the incidence rates of first primary breast cancer have been increasing over time. In contrast, the incidence rates of second primary breast cancer are largely undocumented. This study describes the epidemiology of second primary breast cancer among a population-based cohort of 305,533 U.S. women diagnosed with breast cancer between 1973 and 1998 Methods: We compared age-specific incidence rates for overall and second primary breast cancer according to year of diagnosis and demographic and tumor characteristics Results: Overall, age-specific rates of breast cancer increased with increasing age and year of diagnosis, whereas incidence of second primary breast cancer peaked among young women and declined after 1988. Consistent with what is known about genetic susceptibility to breast cancer, at every age the rate of second primaries was greater than the overall rate; among women age 20 to 29 years the rate of second primary was more than 100 times greater. Although overall age-specific rates of breast cancer for African-American women were lower than for whites, rates of second primaries were higher. Women with a first primary that was either lobular or medullary had a greater likelihood of developing a second primary, although, there were relatively few with these histologic types Conclusions: The pattern of incidence rates for first and second primary breast cancer differ markedly over time and by age.
Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Expression and Activation in Neuroendocrine Tumours

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is expressed in many cancers and is associated with poor prognosis. EGFR activation pathways have been well characterised using tumour cell lines and are known to involve EGFR activation through autophosphorylation. Phosphorylation of downstream signalling molecules, such as ERK1/2 (extra‐cellular regulated kinase 1 and 2) and PKB/Akt (protein kinase B), leads to enhanced tumour cell survival and proliferation. Although EGFR expression has been determined in neuroendocrine tumour tissue, its activation and subsequent effects on the downstream signalling molecules, ERK1/2 and Akt, have not been studied. We therefore planned to determine the role of EGFR in neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) by determining its pattern of expression and activation, and the subsequent activation of downstream signalling molecules ERK1/2 and Akt. Paraffin‐embedded tumour tissue was available from 98 patients with NETs (39 foregut, 42 midgut, four hindgut, five paragangliomas, and four of unknown origin). Immunohistochemical evaluation was performed for the expression of EGFR, p‐EGFR, p‐Akt, and p‐ERK1/2. Ninety‐six percent of tumour samples were positive for EGFR expression; 63% were positive for activated EGFR; 76% were positive for activated Akt; and 96% were positive for activated ERK1/2. Importantly, the histological score for the activation of Akt and ERK1/2 correlated with the histological score for activated EGFR. These data provide a rationale for considering EGFR inhibitors in the treatment of NETs. Additionally, direct inhibition of Akt and ERK1/2 may provide further therapeutic options in the treatment of NETs in the future.
Squelette hiérarchique pour la description de formes

Le squelette permet de decrire efficacement une forme de facon globale et locale. Neanmoins, en l'etat, il est difficile de distinguer les branches representant l'allure generale de celles issues de details. Nous proposons donc d'exploiter la hierarchie naturelle du squelette en quantifiant l'importance de ses branches. Notre methode est basee sur une succession de lissages de la forme et sur la deformation du squelette pour qu'il s'adapte a chaque forme lissee.
How the Role-Plays Can Be Increased Students’ Self-Confidence in Using English for Communication Arts

This study was aimed to investigate how the role-play can be increased students’ selfconfidence in using English for Communication Arts-Comm. Arts, as well as, the students’ attitudes towards the use of role-play in English for Communication Arts class. There are 64 students who registered in second semester 2008 at Rambhai Barni Rajabhat University--RBRU.
Conceptual and methodological issues in nurse case management research

Conceptual and methodological issues facing researchers who are studying the process and outcomes of nurse case management are identified. The evolution of a research program designed to understand and evaluate one model of nurse case management is described as an example of responding to these issues. The development of a body of knowledge around nurse case management is essential to assure the expansion of this role and to justify reimbursement through current and evolving insurance mechanisms.
Patient Awareness, Prevalence, and Risk Factors of Chronic Kidney Disease among Diabetes Mellitus and Hypertensive Patients at Jimma University Medical Center, Ethiopia

Background There is an alarming rise of chronic kidney disease (CKD) prevalence globally, which is associated with significant morbidity and mortality necessitating special attention as one of the major public health problems. The burden of CKD disproportionately impacts low-income countries like Ethiopia where hypertension and diabetes mellitus, the two most important risk factors for CKD growth rate, are greatest. Objective The aim of this study is to assess patient awareness, prevalence, and risk factors of chronic kidney disease among hypertensive and diabetes mellitus patients. Methods Hospital based cross-sectional study design was conducted at Jimma University Medical Center among adult (≥18 years) hypertensive and diabetes mellitus patients. Informed written consent was obtained from each participant and data was collected by interview and chart review; blood and urine samples were collected for CKD screening. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was estimated from serum creatinine using CKD epidemiology collaboration (CKD-EPI) equation, and CKD was defined using estimated GFR (e-GFR) and albuminuria. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify independent predictors of CKD and p-value <0.05 considered statistically significant. Result Mean (±SD=standard deviation) age of participants was 54.81 ± 12.45 years and 110 (52.9%) of them were male. Only 59 (28.4%) of the participants had awareness about CKD and its risk factors. The prevalence of CKD was 26% (95% CI; 20.3%-31.8%). Factors associated with chronic kidney disease were uncontrolled blood pressure (adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=2.22,95% CI=1.01-4.76), fasting blood sugar ≥ 150 mg/dl, (AOR=3.70,95% CI=1.75-7.69), angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) nonusers, (AOR=4.35 ,95% CI=1.96-10.0), poor knowledge of CKD (AOR=3.69, 95% CI=1.48-9.20), and long duration of hypertension (AOR=4.55, 95%CI=1.72-11.11). Conclusion Our study found out low level of patient awareness and high prevalence of CKD. The predictors of CKD were uncontrolled blood pressure, fasting blood sugar> 150 mg/dl, long duration of hypertension, ACEIs nonusers, and poor knowledge about CKD.
Semisimple Frobenius structures at higher genus

In the context of equivariant Gromov-Witten theory of tori actions with isolated fixed points, we compute genus g > 1 Gromov-Witten potentials and their generalizations with gravitational descendents. Both formulas, with and without descendents, are stated in a form applicable to any semisimple Frobenius structure and therefore can be considered as definitions in the axiomatic context of Frobenius manifolds. In (nonequivariant) Gromov-Witten theory, they become conjectures expressing higher genus GW-invariants in terms of genus 0 GW-invariants of symplectic manifolds with generically semisimple quantum cup-product.
Madin–Darby canine kidney cells are increased in aerobic glycolysis when cultured on flat and stiff collagen‐coated surfaces rather than in physiological 3‐D cultures

We investigate the influence of the dimensionality and the biochemistry of the culture system on the cellular functionality by analyzing the protein expression levels in Madin–Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells grown in 3‐D and 2‐D substrates. We cultured MDCK cells on a hard and flat 2‐D uncoated plastic surface, on a 2‐D collagen‐coated plastic surface and in 3‐D collagen gel and employed 2‐D gel electrophoresis, MALDI‐TOF‐MS, and LC‐MS/MS analysis to identify the differentially regulated proteins. We found significant differences in the expression of antioxidant proteins, actin‐binding proteins, glycolytic enzymes, and heat‐shock proteins/chaperons among the three types of cultures. While MDCK cells cultured in 3‐D collagen up‐regulate antioxidant proteins and proteins involved in the dynamic remodeling of the actin cytoskeleton, 2‐D collagen‐coated plastic surfaces induce the up‐regulation of glycolytic enzymes. Our data shows that the culture conditions have profound effects on the physiology of the cell. Culture in 3‐D collagen induces a differentiated polarized phenotype. In contrast, collagen‐coated 2‐D substrates favor a tumor‐like phenotype with increased glycolysis. Thus, the suitability of 2‐D cultures to study the physiological behavior of cells, especially in drug discovery, bioprocessing, and toxicology, should be carefully reconsidered.
Cyber-Victimization of People With Chronic Conditions and Disabilities: A Systematic Review of Scope and Impact

The victimization of individuals with chronic conditions or disabilities is prevalent with severe impact at psychological and physiological levels. With the increasing use of technology these experiences were further reshaped. This systematic review aimed at scoping the experiences of cyber-victimization of people living with chronic conditions or disabilities and examine the documented impact on them. Following a four-stage search strategy in several databases including MEDLINE, Embase, PsychINFO, CINAHL, Cochrane and snowballing of references, a total of 2,922 studies were scanned and 10 studies were eventually included. Quality assessment was done in two phases using tools specific to observational studies and cyber-victimization research. A narrative synthesis of reported results covered a total of 3,070 people. Sample size ranged between 42 and 823 participants, and the age range was 6-71 years with a majority of White ethnic backgrounds. Most studies (n=9) were cross sectional. The prevalence range of cyber-victimization was 2%-41.7% based on variable definitions, duration and methods. Targeted conditions included physical impairments, intellectual disabilities and specific chronic diseases. The most common documented impact was psychological/psychiatric, mainly depression followed by anxiety and distress. Somatic health complaints and self-harm were also reported. We concluded that people with chronic conditions and disabilities were consistently at higher risk of victimization with devastating health complications. Research gaps were identified such as the need to address more conditions and acknowledge differences between heterogeneous health conditions. Other recommendations include allowing flexibility and accountability to patients/victims in research design, education on victimization and health consequences, and improving primary care.
Drosophila MyD88 is an adapter in the Toll signaling pathway

Toll-like receptors comprise a family of cell surface receptors that play a crucial role in the innate immune recognition of both Drosophila and mammals. Previous studies have shown that Drosophila Toll-1 mediates the induction of antifungal peptides during fungal infection of adult flies. Through genetic studies, Tube, Pelle, Cactus, and Dif have been identified as downstream components of the Toll-1 signaling pathway. Here we report characterization of a Drosophila homologue of human MyD88, dMyD88. We show that dMyD88 is an adapter in the Toll signaling pathway that associates with both the Toll receptor and the downstream kinase Pelle. Expression of dMyD88 in S2 cells strongly induced activity of a Drosomycin reporter gene, whereas a dominant-negative version of dMyD88 potently inhibited Toll-mediated signaling. We also show that dMyD88 associates with the death domain-containing adapter Drosophila Fas-associated death domain-containing protein (dFADD), which in turn interacts with the apical caspase Dredd. This pathway links a cell surface receptor to an apical caspase in invertebrate cells and therefore suggests that the Toll-mediated pathway of caspase activation may be the evolutionary ancestor of the death receptor-mediated pathway for apoptosis induction in mammals.
Platelet count decline: an early prognostic marker in critically ill patients with prolonged ICU stays.

BACKGROUND Thrombocytopenia is common in ICU patients. The objective of this study was to evaluate possible links between declining platelet counts early in the ICU stay and survival. METHODS All patients who were admitted to the ICU for at least 5 days and had no thrombocytopenia at the time of admission were included in the study. A multivariable logistic regression model, with hospital mortality as the outcome variable, was built. RESULTS We included 1,077 patients in the study. At ICU admission, the median platelet count was not significantly different in survivors (256 x 10(9) cells/L; interquartile range [IQR], 206 to 330 x 10(9) cells/L) and nonsurvivors (262 x 10(9) cells/L; 211 to 351 x 10(9) cells/L). Median simplified acute physiology scores II (SAPS II) at ICU admission was worse in nonsurvivors than in survivors (50 [IQR, 37 to 63] vs 37 [IQR, 27 to 48], respectively; p < 0.0001), as was the mean (+/- SD) sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score on day 3 (6.3 +/- 3.24 vs 4 +/- 2.8, respectively; p < 0.0001). Absolute platelet counts were lowest on day 4, but differed significantly between survivors and nonsurvivors only on day 7. Conversely, any percentage decline in platelet counts from 10 to 60% on day 4 was significantly associated with mortality. By multivariable analysis, a 30% decline in platelet count independently predicted death (odds ratio, 1.54; 95% confidence interval, 1.12 to 2.14; p = 0.008), in addition to increasing or stable SOFA scores from ICU admission to day 4, older age, male gender, ICU admission for coma, worse SAPS II score at ICU admission, transfer from another ward, and comorbidity. CONCLUSION In patients who spend > 5 days in the ICU and have normal platelet counts at ICU admission, a decline in platelet counts provides prognostic information. This parameter deserves to be included in new scoring systems.