Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Understanding the Disclosure of Private Healthcare Information within Online Quantified Self 2.0 Platforms

The quantified self-movement encourages a continuous tracking of data points regarding a person’s daily activities through wearable sensors, and thus has important implications for health and wellness. With the advent of sophisticated low-cost wearable computing devices, online communities that facilitate social interaction and exchange of wearable data (Quantified Self 2.0 platforms) have also emerged. Although security and privacy disclosure has been studied within online social networks and online health communities, little has been done to understand how individual and group characteristics influence the disclosure behaviour regarding highly sensitive personal information gathered from wearable sensors (e.g., sleep, nutrition, mood, performance, ambient conditions). Using data collected from 43 Fitbit groups which consist of 5300 Asian users within the Fitbit online community, we examine the influence of group characteristics (size, posts, average steps) and individual attributes on privacy disclosure behaviour. Results from our hierarchical linear modelling analysis suggests that attributes such as group size and individual posts are associated with increased privacy data disclosure, whilst we surprisingly find that when other group members have higher health performance or are more active, individuals are more likely to disclose less healthcare information. Based on these findings, theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Um Ambiente Seguro de Vida Assistida na Web das Coisas (WoT) para Assistência Médica e Monitoramento Remoto de Paciente

The concept of ambient assisted living (AAL) covers whole medical assistance to patients in their houses, trying to keep them independent of the health infrastructures, like hospitals. This work describes a secure AAL environment that enables personal medical devices monitoring and the remote medical assistance of patients. The proposed solution uses smart gateways to make patients health data available on the Web of Things and the OpenId Connect to provide authentication and authorization for users and devices.
Single-Till Versus Dual-Till Regulation of Airports

Most airports operate under public ownership, while some are privatized and economically regulated. Only a few airports are privately owned and experience little or no ex-ante regulation of airport charges. On the other hand, airports nowadays earn as much revenue from transport-related activities as from commercially-oriented business activities. Taken together, these two observations lead to a natural question: How to optimally integrate profits derived from commercial activities into the regulation of airport infrastructure charges? This question is addressed in this paper. We discuss basic issues that are relevant for the design of regulatory regimes for airports and how these issues can be tackled by using airport profits derived from commercial activities for infrastructure cost recovery. The main insights are summarized at the end of each section and then are further summarized in the conclusions section.
Agritourism and local economic development in South Africa

Abstract The role of tourism for local economic development (LED) is a topic of critical importance for geographers. In the case of South Africa tourism is a priority sector for national economic development. The significance of research issues around tourism and LED is underlined by the ‘developmental’ mandate of local governments. Although tourism has received attention in a growing body of LED writings on South Africa issues around agritourism so far have been overlooked. Agritourism represents an evolving form of rural tourism which is targeted at mainly urban consumers. Against the background of a review of international scholarship on agritourism this article explores its potential implications for LED planning in South Africa. A national audit of agritourism is presented which shows its uneven geographical distribution. Agritourism is of special significance for small town economic development in South Africa’s intermediate tourism spaces. Policy suggestions are offered for strengthening agritourism as a driver for LED in South Africa.
LINKING SERVICE ENCOUNTERS TO FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE: AN EXTENDED APPROACH TO VALUATION

OF DISSERTATION Carla Yvonne Childers The Graduate School University of Kentucky 2009 LINKING SERVICE ENCOUNTERS TO FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE: AN EXTENDED APPROACH TO VALUATION ABSTRACT OF DISSERTATIONOF DISSERTATION A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the College of Business and Economics at the University of Kentucky By Carla Yvonne Childers
Replication of Minute Virus of Mice in Murine Cells Is Facilitated by Virally Induced Depletion of p21

ABSTRACT The DNA damage response to infection with minute virus of mice (MVM) leads to activated p53; however, p21 levels are reduced via a proteasome-mediated mechanism. This loss was sustained, as virus replicated in infected cells held at the G2/M border. Addition of the cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor roscovitine after S-phase entry reduced MVM replication, suggesting that CDK activity was critical for continued viral replication and virus-induced reduction of p21 may thus be necessary to prevent inhibition of CDK.
Quality of Postoperative Pain Using an Intraoperatively Placed Epidural Catheter after Major Lumbar Spinal Surgery

Background:Major spinal surgery is associated with high postoperative pain scores and opioid requirement. The aim of the current prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study was to assess the reduction of opioid requirement and pain scores using an intraoperatively placed epidural catheter with infusion of 0.1% ropivacaine during the postoperative period. Methods:Thirty patients undergoing major lumbar spinal surgery from a dorsal approach were included in this study. Before wound closure, the orthopedic surgeon inserted an epidural catheter. Postoperatively, patients were randomly assigned to receive an infusion of 12 ml/h ropivacaine, 0.1% (group R), or 12 ml/h saline (group N) after an initial bolus of 10 ml of the respective study solution. Additional pain relief was provided using an intravenous patient-controlled analgesia pump with the opioid piritramide. Patients were assessed with respect to pain scores (visual analog scale of 0–100), cumulative opioid requirement, side effects, and satisfaction with pain management. Results:Demographic data, duration of surgery, and type of surgery were comparable between groups. Pain scores were assessed as follows (group R vs. group N: 6 h: 24 ± 20 vs. 51 ± 20, P = 0.002; 24 h: 33 ± 19 vs. 53 ± 27, P = 0.04; 48 h: 21 ± 17 vs. 40 ± 26, P = 0.04; 72 h: 14 ± 13 vs. 38 ± 25, P = 0.02). The cumulative piritramide requirement after 72 h was 97 ± 23 mg in group R and 157 ± 72 mg in group N (P = 0.03). The incidence of side effects was comparable between groups, and patient satisfaction was always higher in group R (P < 0.05). Conclusion:Continuous epidural infusion of 0.1% ropivacaine results in lower pain scores and opioid consumption and higher patient satisfaction when compared with placebo. Application of ropivacaine using an epidural catheter seems to be a highly effective treatment for postoperative pain after major lumbar spinal surgery.
Suicide as an indicator of mental health

EDITOR, - A paper and subsequent correspondence on epiglottitis in adults prompt us to highlight related issues. *RF 1–5* Since routine immunisation against Haemophilus influenzae type b began in October 1992 for infants aged under 48 months we have seen two cases of invasive disease due to the organism, both in children too old to receive routine immunisation. These cases illustrate the changing epidemiology of the infection. Case 1 — A British born 7 year old Afro-Caribbean girl, who had not been immunised against H influenzae type b, presented …
Insulin-like growth factor I affects the intraovarian interleukin-1 system : evidence for suppression of type I interleukin-1 receptor expression and enhancement of secretory phospholipase A 2 expression and activity

Shahar Kol1,4, Izhar Ben-Shlomo1,2, Motomu Ando1,3 and Eli Y.Adashi1,3 1Division of Reproductive Endocrinology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA 2Current address: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Haemek Medical Center, Afula, Israel 3Current address: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA 4To whom correspondence should be addressed at the author’s current address: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Rambam Medical Center, POB 9602, Haifa, Israel 31096
SMART Syndrome (Stroke-Like Migraine Attacks After Radiation Therapy) in Adult and Pediatric Patients

SMART syndrome (stroke-like migraine attacks after radiation therapy) is a rare condition that involves complex migraines with focal neurologic findings in patients following cranial irradiation for central nervous system malignancies. Little is known about the mechanisms behind the disorder, making successful treatment challenging. We report 2 new cases of SMART syndrome in pediatric patients as well as review all documented cases of the syndrome. Each of our 2 pediatric patients suffered multiple episodes. Attacks were characterized by severe headache, visual disturbance, aphasia, and weakness. Recovery occurred over several days to weeks. The data from all documented reports of SMART syndrome indicate a greater prevalence for male gender. An age-dependent pattern of onset was also observed, with a greater variability of syndrome onset in patients who received cranial irradiation at a younger age. SMART appears to be a reversible, recurrent long-term complication of radiation therapy with possible age- and gender-related influences.
Ultra‐rapid, simple, sensitive, and economical silica method for extraction of dengue viral RNA from clinical specimens and mosquitoes by reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction

A rapid, simple and efficient single‐tube procedure is described for the isolation of dengue virus RNA from small amount of serum (10 μl) followed by a reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR). Recovery of RNA is based on the lysing and nuclease‐inactivating properties of guanidinium thiocyanate in the presence of silica. The silica RT‐PCR can be completed within 5 hours starting from RNA extraction to agarose gel electrophoresis. All of the 63 dengue‐3 culture‐positive sera were RT‐PCR positive (virus titres: <102 to 1110.69). Of 33 culture‐ negative acute sera from serologically confirmed dengue fever patients collected during dengue‐3 epidemic, 4 were RT‐PCR‐positive. RT‐PCR was also positive in 29 of 30 dengue‐1 culture‐ positive sera (virus titres range: <102 to 108.69). Dengue‐1 virus was also detected in fieldcaught Aedes aegypti mosquitoes by silica RT‐PCR. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A Classification of Tourism Offerings Based on Intrinsic Attributes

The purpose of this study is to explore intrinsic attributes that can be used in the classification of tourism offerings for an academic understanding of their immutable natures. Mixed approach of visitor attractions classification was used as a theoretical underpinning, group discussions for data collection and content analysis for data examination. Findings of this study indicate that every offering category has a set of immutable attributes separating it from the rest and offers a structured way of profiling offerings at a destination. The results highlight the peculiar importance of experiential consumption means and values in achieving the objective.
Distribution of urinary hippuric acid concentrations by ALDH2 genotype.

OBJECTIVES--To clarify the relation between the genetic polymorphism of ALDH2 (low Km aldehyde dehydrogenase) and toluene metabolism. METHODS--The study subjects were 253 toluene workers (192 men and 61 women with an age range of 18-66). The genotypes of ALDH2 were classified by artificial restriction fragment length polymorphism into the homozygous genotype of normal ALDH2 (NN), the homozygous genotype of an inactive ALDH2 (DD), and the heterozygous genotype of normal and inactive ALDH2 (ND). The concentrations of hippuric acid (HA), the main metabolite of toluene, was determined in urine specimens of 253 toluene workers. The HA measurements in previous occupational health examinations were also referenced. The HA concentrations corrected for creatinine (HA/C) were compared with the biological exposure index (BEI) for toluene, which is 2.5 g/g creatinine. To estimate the toluene exposures, urinary o-cresol concentrations were also determined and compared with another BEI for toluene--that is, 1.0 mg urinary o-cresol/g creatinine. RESULTS--Incidence of each genotype in the toluene workers was almost the same as that in non-exposed controls who lived in the same area as the toluene workers. The incidence of each of the three genotypes also did not differ by smoking habit. Mean urinary HA concentrations were not significantly different in the groups with the different genotypes of ALDH2. The HA concentrations of > 70% of the 890 total samples were < 1.0 g/l. The number of urine samples > 3.0 g/l was 28 (5.4%) in the NN group and 19 (6.4%) in the ND group. No urine samples in the DD group were > 3.0 g/l HA. The distribution of urinary HA in the DD group was significantly different from those in both the NN and ND groups (P < 0.05). Seven (4.9%) of the 136 total specimens in the NN group and four (4.7%) of the 82 total specimens in the ND group exceeded the BEI. There were, however, no urine specimens that exceeded the BEI in the DD group. The maximum HA concentration after correction for creatinine in the DD group was 1.86 g/g creatinine. The percentages of urine specimens in which o-cresol concentrations exceeded this BEI were 14.3% in the NN group, 9.1% in the ND group, and 15.4% in the DD group. Therefore, the exposure rate for all three genotypic groups of workers was almost the same. CONCLUSIONS--The HA concentrations of toluene workers with ALDH2 DD genotype were lower than those of the NN and ND genotypes when they were exposed to relatively high concentrations of toluene. The exposures of the DD group were suspected to be underestimates because they were based on the BEI for the NN genotype.
Living Dangerously: A Survey of Software Download Practices

Client software, such as Windows . exe files, poses security risks but also adds important functionality that cannot yet be replicated with web applications. These risks can be mitigated by running client software inside a sandbox. Virtual machines offer an easily deployed mechanism to create such a sandbox. This motivates two key questions: Are today’s virtual machine mechanisms sufficient to prevent harm from malicious software? Even if they are sufficient, does it matter – is it the case that everyone has moved on to web applications? We address these questions by carrying out a survey of three populations of computer users: two within Microsoft and one drawn from U.S. users of the Amazon Mechanical Turk service. We note three key findings: First, all three populations download and run client software regularly: Over 70% of respondents in all three popluations download and run client software monthly or more often. Second, use of virtual machines for sandboxing is rare and inconsistently applied: 68% of respondents in all three populations say they use virtual machines “occasionally” or less often. Third, of those who gave a reason for not using VMs, 44% say it is “too hard. ” We conclude that today’s users are exposed to risk from client software and that today’s sandboxing mechanisms are inadequate to protect them.
A study of mobile proxy for privacy enhancement

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is a promising technology for identifying physical objects in an automated manner, but raises privacy infringement problems significantly in the real world. The low-cost RFID tags are much more vulnerable, meaning traceable, than active tags due to their restricted (poor) capabilities. In this paper, we present a practical method for enhancing the privacy of consumers, who may hold low-cost tags in everyday life, through a mobile phone. We set the mobile phone as a mobile proxy, which registers and renames RFID tags, monitors radio communications, and simulates the low-cost tags for privacy enhancement, along with providing a user setting mechanism for privacy levels.
Retrieving Similar Cases from the Medical Literature - The ImageCLEF experience

An increasing number of clinicians, researchers, educators and patients routinely search for relevant medical images using search engines on the internet as well as in image archives and PACS systems. However, image retrieval is far less understood and developed compared to text-based searching. The ImageCLEF medical image retrieval task is an international challenge evaluation that enables researchers to assess and compare techniques for medical image retrieval using test collections. In this paper, we describe the development of the ImageCLEF medical image test collection, consisting of a database of images and their associated annotations, as well as a set of realistic search topics and relevance judgments obtained using a set of experts. 2009 was the sixth year for the ImageCLEF medical retrieval task and had strong participation from research groups across the globe. We will provide results from this year's evaluation and discuss the successes that we have had as well as challenges going forward.
Violence against the medical profession

Violence is increasingly being used against doctors and other medical personnel. More than 75% of doctors face violence during their practice. Almost half of the violent incidents occur in critical care units. Anesthesiologists, especially those working in intensive care units (ICUs), face it almost every day. There are regular reports of doctors being abused, threatened, bullied, manhandled, and even killed. The issue is not restricted to our country but is a worldwide phenomenon. Multiple reviews and studies have been published in contemporary literature, with the largest number originating in China. [1‐3] The World Health Organization has drawn out a global action plan to prevent this violence. [4]
A sulfadimidine model to evaluate pharmacokinetics and residues at various concentrations in laying hen

Low level intake of drugs from the ingestion of contaminated feed may lead to residue problems in food animals. Sulfadimidine (SDD) was used as a model to determine the residue risk at various doses in laying hens. The drug was administered as a single intravenous injection (100 mg kg−1 body weight, BW), as a single oral dose (100, 30, 10, 3, 1 mg kg−1 BW) and via medicated feed for 7 consecutive days (30, 10, 3 mg kg−1 BW). Drug levels were determined with HPLC–UV for plasma, yolk and albumen. Pharmacokinetic values, which were calculated using a first-order one-compartment model, residue levels and transfer rates into the eggs were found to be dose-dependent. Even low doses of 3 and 1 mg kg−1 BW resulted in measurable residues in yolk and albumen 1 day after a single oral administration. After ingestion of medicated feed at 3 mg kg−1 BW, mean drug levels at 0.14 ± 0.01 µg g−1 were found in albumen and at 0.09 ± 0.01 µg ml−1 in plasma. Generally, the residue levels in albumen and plasma were higher than in yolk. These findings demonstrate a residue risk for the consumer even after low level intake of drugs.
Designing Heifer Systems That Work on Your Farm

The nutrition and management of dairy heifers from birth to first calving has attracted substantial research focus, yet management systems on commercial dairy farms have been slow to evolve. Despite the fact that implementing management schemes that decrease the age at first calving (AFC) and concurrently ensure adequate growth will decrease overall rearing costs of replacement heifers, decrease the payback time for the replacement heifer enterprise, and markedly decrease the number of replacements required to maintain herd size, many dairy producers and their herd service providers take a “one size fits all” approach toward heifer nutrition and management across a variety of dairy farms. In our opinion, this approach carries substantial risk of leading to the two major negative outcomes related to suboptimal nutrition and management of heifers on commercial dairy farms: 1) heifers calving at
Techniques to improve function of the arm and hand in chronic hemiplegia.

We evaluated functional improvement in the upper limb of chronic (more than six months' duration) stroke patients who received one of two electrical stimulation treatments, conventional treatment, or no treatment. Twenty-two right-handed patients were assigned to one of four groups studied for 12 months posttreatment. Subjects received (1) EMG-initiated electrical stimulation of wrist extensors (EMG-stim), (2) low-intensity electrical stimulation of wrist extensors combined with voluntary contractions (B/B), (3) proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) exercises, or (4) no treatment. Subjects were treated for three months. Before treatment, upon completion of treatment, and three and nine months after treatment, subjects were evaluated by the Fugl-Meyer (FM) poststroke motor recovery test and by grip strength. Subjects also attempted three Jebsen-Taylor hand function tests and a finger tapping test at the same evaluation sessions, but many were unable to complete these tests. During the course of treatment, FM scores of subjects receiving PNF improved 18%, B/B improved 25%, and EMG-stim improved 42%. The aggregate FM improvement of the treated groups was significant from pretreatment to posttreatment, and the improvement was maintained at three-month and nine-month followups (all p less than .005). The treated subjects' improvement in grip strength was also maintained at both followups (p less than .10). In contrast, the control group showed no significant change in FM scores or grip strength. The four treated subjects who were able to perform the hand function tests and finger tapping at all four evaluations also improved on these tests. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)