Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Patient Participation in Decision Making During Nursing Care in Greece--A Comparative Study.

AIM To describe patient participation in decision making during nursing care from patients' and nursing staff' perspectives. METHODS The sample consisted of medical and surgical patients (n = 300) and the nursing staff (n = 118) working in the respective wards in three general hospitals. A questionnaire was used for the study; data were collected from April 2009 to September 2010. Data were analyzed by an exploratory factor analysis. RESULTS Patient participation was recorded at a medium level during nursing care, although it was rated as important from both patients and nursing staff. Exploratory factor analysis revealed the factor structure for the planning and implementation of the nursing care. Providers and receivers of nursing care perceived participation in a similar way. Interpersonal interaction was supported from older and less educated patients, as well as from university-educated nurses. Patient participation was greater in practical aspects of care and limited in technical medical issues and supportive services. CONCLUSIONS Patient participation, although moderate, was evident during nursing care in hospital settings. Paternalism in the decision-making process was the dominant trend, whereas interpersonal interaction between the parties was recognized as a prerequisite for planning nursing care.
Fixed-Point FastICA Algorithms for the Blind Separation of Complex-Valued Signal Mixtures

In this paper, we derive new fixed-point algorithms for the blind separation of complex-valued mixtures of independent, possibly non-circularly-symmetric, and non-Gaussian source signals. Leveraging recent results in complex independent component analysis, we construct iterative procedures for complex signal mixtures whose evolutionary characteristics are identical to those of the real-valued FastICA algorithm with kurtosis contrast. Our methods are fast, computationally simple, and easy to use. For extracting multiple sources, symmetric and asymmetric signal deflation procedures can be employed. Simulations for both noiseless and noisy mixtures indicate that the proposed algorithms often have equal or better finite-sample performance than existing separation methods for complex-valued mixtures.
Endonasal endoscopic repair of cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea in a series of 69 patients

We presented our experiences in treatment of Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea with an endoscopic endonasal surgery approach, and showed the severe postoperative complications and failures we experienced, in order to outline some of the characteristic problems that can occur. We performed a retrospective analysis of all of the patients with CSF rhinorrhea. All of the patients were managed with an endonasal endoscopic procedure. Data collected included the site of leakage, the surgical interventions, and the postoperative complications. Sixty-nine patients (33 females and 36 males) were included in this study. All patients underwent an endoscopic repair approach with a multilayer reconstructive technique. The success rates of the first attempt in our study were 89%. Four patients presented with postoperative meningitis and brain abscess and one of these patients died of the brain abscess. Our results indicate that an endoscopic endonasal surgery approach provides a wide, safe, and direct route for treatment of CSF rhinorrhea. The precise location of leakage prior to surgery and proper patient selection, eliminating those with large leakages, are helpful in ensuring a successful endoscopic CSF repair with minimal mortality.
Quantitation in Positron Emission Computed Tomography: 5. Physical–Anatomical Effects

The effect of neuroanatomical structure size, shape, and position versus spatial tomographic resolution on quantitation in positron computed tomography was investigated. For neuroanatomical structures, voxel sizes in excess of 3 ml exceeded the volume of most structures examined. When the voxel size exceeded structure volume, calculated recovery coefficient (fraction of the true isotope concentration measured in the image) fell to ≤ 42%. Partial volume effects in the plane of section analyzed by computer simulation produced errors that were largest for small, thin, irregularly shaped structures whose averaged pixel values were most different from neighboring structures. Smallest errors occurred in large, circular structures surrounded by regions of similar pixel values. Computer simulation of regional cerebral asymmetries of pixel values demonstrated that the measurement of these asymmetries was often predominated (enhanced or obliterated) by partial volume effects related to structure size and shape. Large, circular, and widely separated regional asymmetries were more easily detected at a given spatial resolution than small, thin, adjacent regions. Recommendations for error reduction and possible correction factors are provided and discussed.
An internally consistent dataset of δ 13 C-DIC in the North Atlantic Ocean - NAC13v1

Abstract. The stable carbon isotope composition of dissolved inorganic carbon (δ13C-DIC) can be used to quantify fluxes within the carbon system. For example, knowing the δ13C signature of the inorganic carbon pool can help in describing the amount of anthropogenic carbon in the water column. The measurements can also be used for evaluating modeled carbon fluxes, for making basin-wide estimates of anthropogenic carbon, and for studying seasonal and interannual variability or decadal trends in interior ocean biogeochemistry. For all these purposes, it is not only important to have a sufficient amount of data, but these data must also be internally consistent and of high quality. In this study, we present a δ13C-DIC dataset for the North Atlantic which has undergone secondary quality control. The data originate from oceanographic research cruises between 1981 and 2014. During a primary quality control step based on simple range tests, obviously bad data were flagged. In a second quality control step, biases between measurements from different cruises were quantified through a crossover analysis using nearby data of the respective cruises, and values of biased cruises were adjusted in the data product. The crossover analysis was possible for 24 of the 32 cruises in our dataset, and adjustments were applied to 11 cruises. The internal accuracy of this dataset is 0.017 ‰. The dataset is available via the Carbon Dioxide Information Analysis Center (CDIAC) at http://cdiac.ornl. gov/oceans/ndp_096/NAC13v1.html , doi:10.3334/CDIAC/OTG.NAC13v1 .
Evolving open and independent ontologies

In this paper, we address the problem of evolving open and independent ontologies, by proposing a novel ontology evolution methodology called H-CHANGE and a set of related techniques. After providing a formal definition of distributed concept, we describe; change detection techniques based on semantic matchmaking for determining the semantics of change; assimilation techniques for evolving ontology metadata according to new incoming external knowledge at different integration levels, ranging from concept merging to concept alignment. Examples of evolving OWL ontologies according to H-CHANGE are also provided.
Building a Small-Animal Model for AIDS, Block by Block

A few labs have been plugging away for years to develop cheap, malleable animal models for AIDS, say, a rat or a mouse, to help speed up research, but HIV stubbornly refuses to infect animals other than humans and chimpanzees. Recent findings have brought the goal closer, but some AIDS researchers remain skeptical that it can be done. Some even argue that the whole effort is an exercise in futility, because by the time researchers engineer both the animal and the virus to produce a model, it will no longer bear enough resemblance to the actual disease.
Fish and omega-3 fatty acid intake and risk of coronary heart disease in women.

CONTEXT Higher consumption of fish and omega-3 fatty acids has been associated with a lower risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) in men, but limited data are available regarding women. OBJECTIVE To examine the association between fish and long-chain omega-3 fatty acid consumption and risk of CHD in women. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Dietary consumption and follow-up data from 84 688 female nurses enrolled in the Nurses' Health Study, aged 34 to 59 years and free from cardiovascular disease and cancer at baseline in 1980, were compared from validated questionnaires completed in 1980, 1984, 1986, 1990, and 1994. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Incident nonfatal myocardial infarction and CHD deaths. RESULTS During 16 years of follow-up, there were 1513 incident cases of CHD (484 CHD deaths and 1029 nonfatal myocardial infarctions). Compared with women who rarely ate fish (<1 per month), those with a higher intake of fish had a lower risk of CHD. After adjustment for age, smoking, and other cardiovascular risk factors, the multivariable relative risks (RRs) of CHD were 0.79 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.64-0.97) for fish consumption 1 to 3 times per month, 0.71 (95% CI, 0.58-0.87) for once per week, 0.69 (95% CI, 0.55-0.88) for 2 to 4 times per week, and 0.66 (95% CI, 0.50-0.89) for 5 or more times per week (P for trend =.001). Similarly, women with a higher intake of omega-3 fatty acids had a lower risk of CHD, with multivariable RRs of 1.0, 0.93, 0.78, 0.68, and 0.67 (P<.001 for trend) across quintiles of intake. For fish intake and omega-3 fatty acids, the inverse association appeared to be stronger for CHD deaths (multivariate RR for fish consumption 5 times per week, 0.55 [95% CI, 0.33-0.90] for CHD deaths vs 0.73 [0.51-1.04]) than for nonfatal myocardial infarction. CONCLUSION Among women, higher consumption of fish and omega-3 fatty acids is associated with a lower risk of CHD, particularly CHD deaths.
A decision model of three — Endpoint interval method based on grey theory

Based on the three-terminal interval number and the project risk theory, this paper discusses the problem of risk weighting in uncertain market decision-making, and puts forward the method of combining the grey system theory and the three-terminal interval number to determine the weight of decision-making. The best-selling weight, the unsalable weight and the normal weight are calculated by expert preference. The final mathematical expectation of the product is used to sort the decision-making plan. The results of case analysis show that the grey three-terminal interval decision model proposed in this paper has good feasibility and rationality.
A Predictive Channel Assignment Method (PCAM) for Interference Avoidance in IEEE 802.15.3 WPANs

This paper studies communication channel assign- ment in IEEE 802.15. 3 WPANs. We clarify the channel inter- ference problems as well as introduce an interesting channel interference caused by a hidden PNC in IEEE 802.15. 3 WPANs. In this paper, we propose a predictive channel assignment method (PCAM) to efficiently avoid the channel interference among piconets and to minimize throughput degradation by channel interference. The basic idea of the proposed method is to synchro- nize the communication channel time among the piconets residing in the channel interference area, to predict the future channel interference time and to make a schedule of the communication channel time to minimize throughput degradation. The obtained results show that the proposed PCAM highly improves the system throughput by avoiding channel interference compared to the existing method of IEEE 802.15. 3 WPANs. Index Terms—IEEE 802.15. 3, WPAN, channel interference, hidden PNC, PCAM
Evolution and divergence of sodium channel genes in vertebrates

Invertebrate species possess one or two Na+ channel genes, yet there are 10 in mammals. When did this explosive growth come about during vertebrate evolution? All mammalian Na+ channel genes reside on four chromosomes. It has been suggested that this came about by multiple duplications of an ancestral chromosome with a single Na+ channel gene followed by tandem duplications of Na+ channel genes on some of these chromosomes. Because a large-scale expansion of the vertebrate genome likely occurred before the divergence of teleosts and tetrapods, we tested this hypothesis by cloning Na+ channel genes in a teleost fish. Using an approach designed to clone all of the Na+ channel genes in a genome, we found six Na+ channel genes. Phylogenetic comparisons show that each teleost gene is orthologous to a Na+ channel gene or gene cluster on a different mammalian chromosome, supporting the hypothesis that four Na+ channel genes were present in the ancestors of teleosts and tetrapods. Further duplications occurred independently in the teleost and tetrapod lineages, with a greater number of duplications in tetrapods. This pattern has implications for the evolution of function and specialization of Na+ channel genes in vertebrates. Sodium channel genes also are linked to homeobox (Hox) gene clusters in mammals. Using our phylogeny of Na+ channel genes to independently test between two models of Hox gene evolution, we support the hypothesis that Hox gene clusters evolved as (AB) (CD) rather than {D[A(BC)]}.
Fabrication of Langmuir–Blodgett chiral films from cationic (L)-proline-porphyrin derivatives

Stable porphyrin films expressing specific chirality at a supramolecular level have been achieved by Langmuir–Blodgett (LB) deposition of two inherently chiral (L)-proline porphyrin derivatives. Spectroscopic measurements (UV-vis, CD and fluorescence) evidenced that the stereogenic center stored on the peripheral proline residue dictates the specific supramolecular organization of the macrocycles at the air/water interface, which is found to be significantly different from that observed in solution ([Formula: see text] EtOH/H2O 25/75, v/v solvent mixture). In the case of free-base porphyrin, the firmness as well as the homogeneity of the corresponding chiral LB films are not optimal for a number of layers below 10. For the zinc derivative, thermal annealing helps to make the films more oriented and produces an amplification of the chirality of the treated films. The results described are of relevance, for example, for the development of stereoselective sensors, where the fabrication of chiral surfaces with specific and reproducible stereochemistry represents a crucial issue.
Treatment of small bowel subocclusive Crohn's disease with infliximab: an open pilot study.

UNLABELLED Stricturing subocclusive small bowel Crohn's disease (CD) is often an indication for surgery. We embarked on an open label pilot study to assess the safety and efficacy of infliximab in patients with stricturing subocclusive CD. PATIENTS AND METHODS A cohort of patients with a documented and symptomatic small bowel stricture caused by CD was studied. Patients had to be refractory to corticosteroids and/or immunosuppressives, and not in need for immediate surgery. The patients were treated by a single infusion of infliximab 5 mg/kg and followed up at w1, w2, w4 and w8. RESULTS After the 6th patients, the study was prematurely discontinued because the predefined safety thresholds of more than 2 surgeries within the first 5 patients was reached. Only two patients completed the 8 weeks study, with a positive response to infliximab and improvement of inflammation confirmed by the CRP and CT scan. Two patients had to be operated early and the last two patients first did well but worsened after one month and were operated 35 and 42 days after infliximab, respectively. No surgical complications occurred in the 4 operated patients. In conclusion, a subset of patients with subocclusive small bowel stricturing CD may benefit from infliximab.
Molecular engineering of epoxide hydrolase and its application to asymmetric and enantioconvergent hydrolysis

Safety and regulatory issues favor increasing use of enantiopure compounds in pharmaceuticals. Enantiopure epoxides and diols are valuable intermediates in organic synthesis for the production of optically active pharmaceuticals. Enantiopure epoxide can be prepared using epoxide hydrolase (EH)‐catalyzed asymmetric hydrolysis of its racemate. Enantioconvergent hydrolysis of racemic epoxides by EHs possessing complementary enantioselectivity and regioselectivity can lead to the formation of enantiopure vicinal diols with high yield. EHs are cofactor‐independent and easy‐to‐use catalysts. EHs will attract much attention as commercial biocatalysts for the preparation of enantiopure epoxides and diols. In this paper, recent progress in molecular engineering of EHs is reviewed. Some examples and prospects of asymmetric and enantioconvergent hydrolysis reactions are discussed as supplements to molecular engineering to improve EH performance. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2007;98: 318–327. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Accurate reconstruction algorithm of the complex conductivity distribution in three dimensions

In electrical impedance tomography, an inverse problem has to be solved to reconstruct the complex conductivity distribution /spl kappa/=/spl sigma/+j/spl omega//spl epsiv/. The problem is ill posed, and therefore, a regularization has to be used. The aim is to reconstruct, as accurately as possible, both the electric conductivity /spl sigma/ and the electric permittivity /spl epsiv/ in three dimensions using finite elements of the second order for solving the forward problem. To this end, a new reconstruction algorithm based on a priori information has been developed.
Développement de méthodes d’IRM avancées pour l’étude longitudinale de la Sclérose en Plaques

Bien qu'outil de reference pour le diagnostic et le suivi de la SEP, l'IRM conventionnelle ne reste que moderement correlee a l'etat clinique du patient. Afin de mieux caracteriser les alterations pathologiques, nous employons dans ce travail les techniques d'IRM dites non conventionnelles que sont la spectroscopie par resonance magnetique (SRM) et l'IRM de diffusion. Un premier suivi hebdomadaire, a permis de mettre en evidence la sensibilite des metriques de diffusion et la specificite de la SRM pour detecter les processus initiaux de la formation d'une lesion.Un second suivi a permis de mettre en evidence des modifications de la diffusivite dans plusieurs faisceaux de substance blanche, avec notamment une diminution de la fraction d'anisotropie et une augmentation de diffusivite radiale, s'aggravant avec l'avancee de la maladie et plus marquee dans les formes progressives.Enfin, l'application de la theorie des graphes a permis de caracteriser la connectivite cerebrale dans les quatre formes cliniques et d'etudier leur evolution. Cette etude a permis de mettre en evidence des alterations dans tous les phenotypes cliniques, avec notamment une diminution de la densite du reseau cerebral, plus importante dans les formes progressives de la maladie et tendant a s'accentuer avec la progression de la maladie.Ce travail montre la sensibilite des techniques avancees d'IRM pour la caracterisation des alterations pathologiques et de leur evolution dans la SEP
Partitioning the contributions of minerogenic particles and bioseston to particulate phosphorus and turbidity

Abstract Protocols to partition the contributions of bioseston and minerogenic particles to turbidity (Tn) and particulate phosphorus (PP), as described by summations of the 2 components, are developed, tested, and applied. The analysis is based on coincident observations of Tn, PP, chlorophyll a (Chl), and the summation of the projected areas of individual minerogenic particles per unit volume (PAVm) for the wide variations encountered in time and between near-shore and pelagic sites over an 8-year study of Cayuga Lake, New York. PAVm was determined from an individual particle analysis technique, scanning electron microscopy interfaced with automated image, and X-ray analyses (SAX). The partitionings are based on a stoichiometric approach that adopts Chl and PAVm as the metrics of bioseston and minerogenic particles, respectively, and estimates developed here for stoichiometric ratios that relate Tn and PP to these 2 components. The systematically higher Tn and PP levels at the near-shore site, particularly following runoff events, are demonstrated to be a result of elevated PAVm associated with allochthonous inputs. A reasonably good match of the partitioned 2-component summations with bulk observations is reported. Application of the 2-component PP model establishes minerogenic particles made, on average, noteworthy (~10%) to substantial (≥20%) contributions to PP. The minerogenic particle component of PP was largely responsible for the greater summer average total phosphorus (TP) concentrations at the near-shore versus the pelagic site, the interannual variations in the differences between these sites, and exceedance of the TP water quality limit at the near-shore site. Minerogenic particles were the dominant component of Tn, a finding that is demonstrated to be consistent with optical theory, based on the much greater efficiency of side-scattering for minerogenic versus organic particles.
Uploaders' definition of the networked public on YouTube and their feedback preferences: a multi-method approach

Since its launch in 2005, video-sharing service YouTube has become one of the most popular Web 2.0 platforms with a daily increment of over 150,000 videos. Still, despite the large research body on the platform, it remains unclear for whom ordinary YouTube users upload their videos. A first qualitative study indicates that uploaders distinguish three types within YouTube's networked public. First, videos are uploaded for a select group of people with whom the uploader shares an offline bond (offline-identified public). Second, uploaders define part of their potential viewers as people with whom they are unfamiliar, but with whom they share a similar interest, opinion or practice (online-identified public). Third, uploaders also take into account the YouTube platform as a whole (online-unidentified public). A second, quantitative study of 450 recent uploaders validates these findings and tests the proposed associations with the importance that is attributed to receiving different types of feedback. As hypothesised, the expectancy of an offline-identified public positively predicts both offline and online off-platform feedback, while expecting an online-identified public positively predicts both on- and off-platform online feedback. However, the expectancy of an online-unidentified public yields a negative prediction for on-platform feedback.