Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bayesian belief networks for dementia diagnosis and other applications: a comparison of hand-crafting and construction using a novel data driven technique

The Bayesian network (BN) formalism is a powerful representation for encoding domains characterised by uncertainty. However, before it can be used it must first be constructed, which is a major challenge for any real-life problem. There are two broad approaches, namely the hand-crafted approach, which relies on a human expert, and the data-driven approach, which relies on data. The former approach is useful, however issues such as human bias can introduce errors into the model. We have conducted a literature review of the expert-driven approach, and we have cherry-picked a number of common methods, and engineered a framework to assist non-BN experts with expert-driven construction of BNs. The latter construction approach uses algorithms to construct the model from a data set. However, construction from data is provably NP-hard [45]. To solve this problem, approximate, heuristic algorithms have been proposed; in particular, algorithms that assume an order between the nodes, therefore reducing the search space. However, traditionally, this approach relies on an expert providing the order among the variables — an expert may not always be available, or may be unable to provide the order. Nevertheless, if a good order is available, these orderbased algorithms have demonstrated good performance. More recent approaches attempt to “learn” a good order then use the order-based algorithm to discover the structure. To eliminate the need for order information during construction, we ii propose a search in the entire space of Bayesian network structures — we present a novel approach for carrying out this task, and we demonstrate its performance against existing algorithms that search in the entire space and the space of orders. Finally, we employ the hand-crafting framework to construct models for the task of diagnosis in a “real-life” medical domain, dementia diagnosis. We collect real dementia data from clinical practice, and we apply the data-driven algorithms developed to assess the concordance between the reference models developed by hand and the models derived from real clinical data.
Characteristics of suicidal ideation that predict the transition to future suicide attempts in adolescents.

BACKGROUND The present study sought to examine characteristics of suicidal ideation (SI) that predict a future suicide attempt (SA), beyond psychiatric diagnosis and previous SA history. METHODS Participants were 506 adolescents (307 female) who completed the Columbia Suicide Screen (CSS) and selected modules from the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children (C-DISC 2.3) as part of a two-stage high school screening and who were followed up 4-6 years later to assess for a SA since baseline. At baseline, participants who endorsed SI on the CSS responded to four questions regarding currency, frequency, seriousness, and duration of their SI. A subsample of 122 adolescents who endorsed SI at baseline also completed a detailed interview about their most recent SI. RESULTS Thinking about suicide often (OR = 3.5, 95% CI = 1.7-7.2), seriously (OR = 3.1, 95% CI = 1.4-6.7), and for a long time (OR = 2.3, 95% CI = 1.1-5.2) were associated with a future SA, adjusting for sex, the presence of a mood, anxiety, and substance use diagnosis, and baseline SA history. However, only SI frequency was significantly associated with higher odds of a future SA (OR = 3.6, 95% CI = 1.4-9.1) when also adjusting for currency, seriousness, and duration. Among ideators interviewed further about their most recent SI, ideating 1 hr or more (vs. less than 1 hr) was associated with a future SA (OR = 3.6, 95% CI = 1.0-12.7), adjusting for sex, depressive symptoms, previous SA history, and other baseline SI characteristics, and it was also associated with making a future SA earlier. CONCLUSIONS Assessments of SI in adolescents should take special care to inquire about frequency of their SI, along with length of their most recent SI.
Drinking Water Quality and the Geospatial Distribution of Notified Gastro-Intestinal Infections

Abstract Introduction. Even brief episodes of fecal contamination of drinking water can lead directly to illness in the consumers. In water-borne outbreaks, the connection between poor microbial water quality and disease can be quickly identified. The impact of non-compliant drinking water samples due to E. coli taken for regular monitoring on the incidence of notified acute gastrointestinal infections has not yet been studied. Methods. The objective of this study was to analyse the geographical distribution of notified acute gastrointestinal infections (AGI) in Slovenia in 2010, with hotspot identification. The second aim of the study was to correlate the fecal contamination of water supply system on the settlement level with the distribution of notified AGI cases. Spatial analysis using geo-information technology and other methods were used. Results. Hot spots with the highest proportion of notified AGI cases were mainly identified in areas with small supply zones. The risk for getting AGI was drinking water contaminated with E. coli from supply zones with 50-1000 users: RR was 1.25 and significantly greater than one (p-value less than 0.001). Conclusion. This study showed the correlation between the frequency of notified AGI cases and noncompliant results in drinking water monitoring. Izvleček Uvod. Tudi kratkotrajna obdobja fekalne kontaminacije pitne vode lahko pri uporabnikih povzročijo bolezen. Povezavo med slabo mikrobiološko kvaliteto pitne vode in boleznijo lahko hitro odkrijemo med hidričnimi izbruhi. Vpliv zaradi prisotnosti E.coli neskladnih vodnih vzorcev, odvzetih v okviru rednega monitoringa, na incidence akutnih gastroenterokolitisov še ni raziskan. Metode. Cilj raziskave je bil analizirati geografsko razporeditev prijavljenih akutnih gastroenterokolitisov (AGI) v Sloveniji v letu 2010 in določiti mesta, kjer se ti kopičijo. Drugi cilj raziskave je bil ugotoviti, ali obstaja korelacija med fekalno kontaminacijo vodnih virov in porazdelitvijo prijavljenih primerov AGI. V ta namen smo naredili prostorsko analizo ter uporabili geoinformacijsko tehnologijo in druge metode. Rezultati. Mesta kopičenja z najvišjim deležem prijavljenih primerov AGI so na območjih z majhnimi vodooskrbnimi sistemi. Tveganje, da zbolimo za AGI, če smo pili vodo, kontaminirano z E.coli, na vodooskrbnih območjih s 50-1000 uporabniki, je znašalo 1,25 in je bilo signifikantno višje od 1 (p ≤ 0,001). Zaključek. Raziskava je pokazala korelacijo med pogostostjo prijavljenih primerov AGI in neskladnimi vzorci pitne vode v okviru monitoringa pitne vode.
Impact of an international workplace learning placement on personal and professional development

BACKGROUND/AIM Workplace learning (WPL) placements are a mandatory part of occupational therapy courses. There is some evidence that suggests WPL placements in international settings are beneficial for students' learning, and personal and professional development. The aim of this study was to explore the impact an international WPL placement in Vietnam had on the perceived personal and professional development of a group of Australian occupational therapy graduates. METHODS Interpretative phenomenological analysis was used to explore the perceptions of how participation in the Charles Sturt University School of Community Health's Vietnam placement influenced the personal and professional development of occupational therapy graduates. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine graduates who participated in the Vietnam placement when they were final year occupational therapy students. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and individually analysed to identify key themes. FINDINGS Two major themes emerged from the analysis: becoming resourceful, resilient and confident, and becoming respectful of difference. The participants indicated that participation in the Vietnam placement had a positive impact on their personal and professional development. CONCLUSION Participants indicated that the Vietnam placement enabled them to develop their resourcefulness, resilience, reasoning skills, cultural competence, confidence and independence, beyond what they felt would have achieved on a domestic placement. For these reason these participants found the placement a beneficial and worthwhile experience.
The participation of a putative cell surface receptor for laminin and fibronectin in peripheral neurite extension

We have used the CSAT (cell substrate attachment) monoclonal antibody (Mab), which is directed against a putative laminin and fibronectin receptor, to examine its role in the adhesive phenomena of neurons. This antibody was previously found to disturb the adhesion of several classes of fibroblasts and muscle. Here we report its effects upon neuronal-substrate adhesion. Two sources of neurons were investigated-- the dorsal root and ciliary ganglia. Both responded similarly. Neurons plated in the presence of the CSAT Mab did not adhere to the substratum and process formation was inhibited completely for at least 24–48 hr. In explant cultures, when neurons were first allowed to extend processes prior to addition of the CSAT Mab, the results depended on the particular substrate. With some substrates, the neurites bundled and detached from the substratum; with others, they retracted and regrew to form large fascicles or bundles of processes. In dissociated cultures that already had extended processes, neurites fasciculated and cell bodies aggregated in response to the presence of the CSAT Mab. The magnitude of this response varied, depending upon the substrate. The antigen was localized, using immunofluorescence, on neuronal cell bodies, axons, and growth cones. This distribution correlated with its biological effects on all parts of the neuron. The antigen was isolated from neuronal cultures by immunoaffinity purification. It migrated in the molecular weight range of 140 kDa on reducing SDS-PAGE. This antigen is very similar to that isolated from fibroblasts, which is an integral membrane glycoprotein complex. The data presented implicate the participation of the CSAT antigen in neurite extension and fasciculation.
Understanding the Postgraduate Education Market for Better Marketing and Decision Making: A Clustering Analysis

Enhancing the educational corporations is truly challenging mission due to the highly competitive nature of the business. Currently, there is emerging development within organizations to capitalize on their internal resources. This paper is taking data mining approach to strategize marketing for postgraduate studies by means of cluster analysis. The experiments were carried out using Oracle Data Miner tool, results are analyzed and discussed.
Differentiating methane source areas in Arctic environments with multitemporal ERS-1 SAR data

An assessment using ERS-1 SAR data to differentiate methane source (wetland) and nonsource (nonwetland) areas was undertaken based on radar backscatter modeling and empirical observations of 24 scenes collected over Barrow, AK, in 1991 and 1992. Differences in backscatter between source and nonsource areas were dependent on surface hydrology and air temperature. Differential freezing of surface materials on daily to seasonal time scales greatly enhanced the separability of wetlands and nonwetlands with ERS-1 SAR. Radar return for nonwetlands decreased dramatically whereas backscatter from wetlands decreased little when freezing air temperatures coincided with the SAR overpass. Maximum separability between wetlands and nonwetlands, as determined from observed and modeled radar backscatter, were the result of changes in the dielectric constant of the plant and surface materials with phase change during freezing. This study has indicated the need to consider air temperature at the time of acquisition in selecting ERS-1 SAR scenes for differentiating methane source and nonsource areas.
CRITERIA TO MONITOR THE POVERTY ALLEVIATION, EMPOWERMENT AND INSTITUTIONAL PERFORMANCE OF EQUITY-SHARE SCHEMES IN SOUTH AFRICAN AGRICULTURE

Abstract This paper extends a previous study in South Africa aimed at developing methodology for assessing the performance of equity-share schemes. The previous study proposed four broad criteria to measure performance: poverty alleviation; empowerment and participation; institutional arrangements and governance; and financial performance. This paper does not aim to assess the performance of existing equity-share schemes but to develop a methodology for the first three criteria based on empirical analysis of data gathered in 2004 from a land reform project in the Midlands of KwaZulu-Natal and seven established equity-share schemes in the Western Cape. Poverty alleviation is measured using a transition matrix of households grouped by four different symptoms of poverty: current income, wealth, health and a principal component index of housing quality. Eight categories of indicators are recommended for empowerment and participation: control and ownership; skills transfer; understanding; information; outcomes; trust; outreach; and participation. A scorecard applying norms based on empirical evidence gathered at the equity-share schemes in the Western Cape is used to test the indicators. A scorecard approach is also applied to institutional arrangements and governance, which are measured using three categories of indicators: accountability, transparency and property rights. The proposed performance measures are relevant, manageable in number and have feasible norms based on empirical evidence. These indicators and their norms need to be tested on a wider scale and monitored over time. Future research should be undertaken to determine weights for the empowerment and institutional indicators.
Prevalence and Characteristics of Upper or Mid-Back Pain in Finnish Men

Study Design. Descriptive epidemiologic study. Objectives. To examine the 1-year prevalence, severity, and frequency of mid-back pain in a general population sample of men, with comparisons to neck and low back pain. Summary of Background Data. No previous studies reporting the characteristics of mid-back pain in a general population were found. Methods. A total of 600 Finnish men 35 to 70 years of age were drawn from a population-based twin sample and interviewed with standardized pain questions. Results. The 1-year prevalence of mid-back pain was 17.0% (95% confidence interval, 14.3–19.7) compared to 64.0% (95% confidence interval, 60.6–67.5) for neck and 66.8% (95% confidence interval, 63.4–70.3) for low back pain. The frequency of pain over the previous year among those with mid- and low back pain was less than for neck pain. The mean severity of the worst pain episode was highest for low back pain followed by mid-back and neck pain, which were similar. Associated disability tended to be less frequent from mid-back pain (23.5% vs. 30.3%–41.1%). Odds ratios for neck and low back pain when mid-back pain was reported were 2.32 and 2.86, respectively. Conclusion. The prevalence of mid-back pain was approximately one fourth that of neck and low back pain and was somewhat less likely to be disabling. In cases of mid-back pain, spinal comorbidity was nearly always reported.
Long-Term Effect of Whole Body Vibration Training on Jump Height: Meta-analysis

Abstract Manimmanakorn, N, Hamlin, MJ, Ross, JJ, and Manimmanakorn, A. Long-term effect of whole body vibration training on jump height: meta-analysis. J Strength Cond Res 28(6): 1739–1750, 2014—Whole body vibration (WBV) is widely promoted as a means of improving muscle strength, but the evidence of a performance benefit is unclear with some reporting improvements and others finding none. The objective of this study was to analyze the current evidence for the effectiveness of WBV on jump height. We included randomized controlled trials or matched design studies comparing the effect of WBV training on countermovement and squat jump (SJ) height, which were gathered from MEDLINE, Web of Knowledge, Sciencedirect, Proquest, Scopus, Google Scholar, and SPORTDiscus databases. The overall effect of WBV training (from the 15 studies included) compared with having no additional exercise on countermovement jump height yielded a positive standardized mean difference of 0.77 (95% confidence interval, 0.55–0.99). The effect of WBV training on SJ height was 0.68 (0.08–1.11). Vibration exercise consisting of a higher frequency (>30 Hz, 0.86, 0.62–1.10), higher amplitude (>3 mm, 0.84, 0.52–1.17), longer exposure duration (>10 minutes per session, 0.92, 0.48–1.36), longer training period (>12 weeks, 0.87, 0.56–1.19) and among nonathletes (0.96, 0.63–1.30) had greater benefit for jump height improvement than a lower frequency (⩽30 Hz, 0.56, 0.13–0.99), lower amplitude (⩽3 mm, 0.66, 0.35–0.98), shorter exposure duration (⩽10 minutes per session, 0.68, 0.45–0.92), intermediate training period (4–12 weeks, 0.72, 0.35–1.09), shorter training period (<4 weeks, 0.58, −0.08 to −1.23) and in athletes (0.59, 0.31–0.88). The effect of WBV training compared with a standard cardiovascular-type exercise group from 4 studies was 0.63 (0.10–1.15). In conclusion, WBV training produces a moderate-to-large effect on jump height. Vibration training protocols with higher frequencies, higher amplitudes, longer exposures per session, and longer training periods are more likely to enhance muscle power.
Ultra High Field MRI at 8 Tesla of Subacute Hemorrhagic Stroke

Purpose Optimal treatment strategies and neurologic outcome after stroke depend on an accurate characterization of the lesion. There is a need for high resolution noninvasive imaging for assessment of the infarct size, perfusion, and vascular territory. MRI at the ultra high field (UHF) of 8 T offers unprecedented resolution, but its utility for stroke evaluation has not been determined yet. Method A 55-year-old man with hypertension experienced sudden onset of speech arrest and right-sided hemiparesis that resolved in <24 h with minimal neurologic deficit. MRI at 1.5 T showed initially a left posterior frontal lesion with subacute infarct (hyperintense on T2-weighted spin echo images) and right-sided frontal and periventricular lesions consistent with chronic infarct. There were many smaller white matter lesions. Delayed studies showed high signal changes involving the gray matter only on T1-weighted images. Results Gradient echo and rapid acquisition with relaxation enhancement (RARE) multislice images revealed a serpentine area of low signal in the left posterior frontal lobe gray matter suggestive of a hemorrhagic infarct, right-sided frontal lesion also showing iron deposits, multiple periventricular and cortical areas with abnormal high signal regions that were consistent with old infarcts, and numerous small vessels readily visible, more prominent on the right. Conclusion MRI at 8 T displays lesions with a high resolution and striking anatomic details. Susceptibility to iron and sensitivity to detect blood products are increased at 8 T. The imaging characteristics at high field are different from those at low field, but both represent findings of iron products.
Symplectic Transformation Based Analytical and Numerical Methods for Linear Quadratic Control with Hard Terminal Constraints

Feedback gain and feedforward input of conventional linear quadratic (LQ) hard terminal controllers tend to infinity at terminal time, so that the conventional controllers have to go open-loop for a short interval before the final time. This short interval is called blind time. To avoid the terminal infinite feedback control gain and feedforward input, new optimal control laws are proposed for hard terminal control of linear time-varying systems. Furthermore, a structure-preserving numerical method is also presented to evaluate the time-varying optimal feedback and feedforward control gains and corresponding optimal trajectory. The analytical and numerical methods being developed here are based on the application of symplectic (canonical) transformation and generating functions of Hamiltonian systems. Different from the existing generating function method for optimal control, the first type of generating function plays a key role in solving the associated Hamiltonian two-point boundary-value problem (TPBVP), while the second generating function is employed to recover the first type. This note uses the second and third types of generating functions to find novel optimal control laws by solving the Hamiltonian TPBVP, which eliminates the infinite control gains of conventional optimal control laws near terminal time. Since the optimal trajectory of the closed-loop system is a solution of the Hamiltonian TPBVP, by using symplecticity of the solution operator of the linear Hamiltonian system, this paper also derives a structure-preserving matrix recursive algorithm for the computation of time-varying optimal control gains and the systems optimal trajectories. Numerical simulations show that this structure-preserving algorithm gives accurate results for relative large discrete steps and keeps geometric properties of the solutions.
Isolated hepatic caudate lobectomy.

BACKGROUND Isolated caudate lobectomy is a challenging surgical procedure for which safe and reliable techniques have yet to be developed. METHODS Isolated caudate lobectomy was performed by initial inflow control of the caudate lobe, full mobilization of the liver from the inferior vena cava by dividing all short hepatic veins, and parenchymal division dorsal to the major hepatic veins with a clockwise rotation of the liver while the liver was selectively devascularized by Pringle's maneuver and occlusion of the confluence of the major hepatic veins flush with the inferior vena cava. RESULTS Two patients with cirrhosis underwent this procedure successfully without intraoperative hemodynamic instability or postoperative liver dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS This technique allows safe and truly selective excision of the caudate lobe without the need for occlusion of the inferior vena cava or venovenous bypass.
Antipsychotics-containing regimen as an alternative to standard antiemetics for delayed nausea induced by highly emetogenic chemotherapy.

double-blind randomized clinical trial to determine the efficacy of the addition of dexamethasone on days 2 and 3, a secondgeneration 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor antagonist (5-HT RA; palonosetron), and a neurokinin-1-receptor antagonist (aprepitant) for delayed nausea. This study failed to show the benefit of palonosetron and aprepitant compared with a standard regimen that included prochlorperazine. The authors commented that most randomized trials reporting the efficacy of aprepitant did not use effective alternative medication, such as prochlorperazine, for delayednausea.Amongthe5-HTRAs,theeffectsofpalonosetronand granisetron for controlling delayed nausea are similar, provided that prochlorperazineisused. 1 Prochlorperazine,anantipsychotic,actson