Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of passive and active movement on vibrotactile detection thresholds of the Pacinian channel and forward masking

Abstract We investigated the gating effect of passive and active movement on the vibrotactile detection thresholds of the Pacinian (P) psychophysical channel and forward masking. Previous work on gating mostly used electrocutaneous stimulation and did not allow focusing on tactile submodalities. Ten healthy adults participated in our study. Passive movement was achieved by swinging a platform, on which the participant’s stimulated hand was attached, manually by a trained operator. The root-mean-square value of the movement speed was kept in a narrow range (slow: 10–20 cm/s, fast: 50–60 cm/s). Active movement was performed by the participant him-/herself using the same apparatus. The tactile stimuli consisted of 250-Hz sinusoidal mechanical vibrations, which were generated by a shaker mounted on the movement platform and applied to the middle fingertip. In the forward-masking experiments, a high-level masking stimulus preceded the test stimulus. Each movement condition was tested separately in a two-interval forced-choice detection task. Both passive and active movement caused a robust gating effect, that is, elevation of thresholds, in the fast speed range. Statistically significant change of thresholds was not found in slow movement conditions. Passive movement yielded higher thresholds than those measured during active movement, but this could not be confirmed statistically. On the other hand, the effect of forward masking was approximately constant as the movement condition varied. These results imply that gating depends on both peripheral and central factors in the P channel. Active movement may have some facilitatory role and produce less gating. Additionally, the results support the hypothesis regarding a critical speed for gating, which may be relevant for daily situations involving vibrations transmitted through grasped objects and for manual exploration.
The 2015 upper gastrointestinal “Be Clear on Cancer” campaign: its impact on gastroenterology services and malignant and premalignant diagnoses

Objective To assess the impact of the upper gastrointestinal ‘Be Clear on Cancer’ campaign launched by Public Health England between January and February 2015 on open-access gastroscopy referrals, incidence of target diagnoses (oesophagogastric cancer and Barrett’s oesophagus), cancer staging at presentation, 1-year survival and cost per additional diagnosis. Design We performed a retrospective study of patients referred for 2-week-wait (2WW), open-access endoscopy 3 months following the campaign with diagnoses, endoscopic findings, staging and 12-month survival compared with data from corresponding months in 2014. Setting Three adjacent National Health Service trusts in the West Midlands with a combined population of 1.34 million in 2015. Results 2WW open-access referrals increased by 48% (95% CI 1.35 to 1.61, p<0.001). The proportion of target diagnoses fell from 6.7% to 6.1% (p=0.62). There were no significant overall increases in target diagnoses (OR 1.35, 95% CI 0.95 to 1.92, p=0.11) or cancer (OR 1.30, 95% CI 0.80 to 2.07, p=0.36). There was no change in tumour, node, metastasis (TNM) staging for oesophageal or gastric cancer. Overall 1-year survival did not alter significantly (HR 1.10, 95% CI 0.56 to 2.19, p=0.76). Discussion The ‘Be Clear on Cancer’ campaign led to a 48% increase in demand for 2WW gastroscopies but did not significantly affect the incidence of target diagnoses, cancer staging or 1-year survival.
Attitudes Toward Patient Safety and Tendencies to Medical Error Among Turkish Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery Nurses

Background Patient safety and medical errors are among the most discussed topics in recent years. Identifying and reporting medical errors is one of the most significant steps toward the adoption of measures to increase patient safety. Objectives The goal of this descriptive, cross-sectional study was to evaluate attitudes toward patient safety and the tendencies to medical error among cardiology and cardiovascular surgery nurses in Turkey. Methods The study sample consisted of nurses who worked in the cardiology and cardiovascular surgery departments of a University Hospital in Izmir, the third largest city in Turkey. A total of 103 nurses working in the day shift of the mentioned departments volunteered and participated in the study. A “Nurse Information Form,” a “Patient Safety Attitude Questionnaire (PSAQ),” and a “Malpractice Tendency Scale in Nursing-(MTSN)” were used as data collection instruments. Results The mean ± 1 standard deviation of the nurses’ PSAQ scores were 141.86 ± 18.39, whereas their MTSN scores were 237.20 ± 18.12. Although no statistically significant difference could be evidenced between cardiology and cardiovascular surgery nurses in their total MTSN scores (t = −0.99, P = 0.32), their PSAQ scores showed a significant difference (t = 2.34, P = 0.02). Conclusions This study showed that the tendencies to medical error among cardiology and cardiovascular surgery nurses working in a Turkish facility were low, whereas their attitudes toward patient safety were not at a particularly satisfactory level. The cardiology nurses were found to have a more positive attitude toward patient safety than their colleagues in cardiovascular surgery.
Public Attitudes to Environmental Change: a selective review of theory and practice, A Research Synthesis for The Living Within Environmental Change Programme.

From the executive summary: This research synthesis summarises a selection of the notable academic and non-academic evidence relevant to public attitudes to environmental change in the UK. The aim is to inform the UK cross-research council programme Living With Environmental Change (LWEC), and particularly public engagement under LWEC. The focus is on the public as citizens and consumers rather than other stakeholders, except where the latter are closely involved in shaping or mediating public attitudes. Environmental change is understood as change to aspects of the global environment and the UK? s ? natural? and manufactured environment, acknowledging that most of the UK terrestrial environment, and much of the marine environment, is to some extent managed or altered by humans. There is a focus on the particular forms of environmental change specified by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC): climate change; ecosystem management; human, plant and animal health alteration due to climate change; energy and associated infrastructure.The main value of the report lies in its collation, summary of and inference from key references relating to the UK social science of environmental change, particularly public engagement in this. Some 60 UK organisations contributed reference material, supplying over 150 reports. In total, nearly 600 items of literature have been referenced, primarily relatively recent material. The review focuses primarily on theories and studies from the environmental psychology and (more briefly) the environmental sociology literature. We also make some reference to the multi-disciplinary risk perception and science and technology studies literatures. With a small number of notable exceptions, we do not review the literature on monetary valuation of environmental features.
Just one more level: Identifying and addressing internet gaming disorder within primary care.

BACKGROUND For most people, playing video games is a passionate leisure pursuit: a source of relaxation, fun, socialisation and culture. Moderate play has been associated with greater wellbeing and cognitive abilities in some studies. Yet, for a small subgroup, gaming can become excessive and problematic. OBJECTIVE This article presents an overview of the world of video games and the recently proposed internet gaming disorder (IGD), as well as advice regarding relevant treatment approaches within primary care. DISCUSSION Similar to other addictive disorders (including problem gambling), IGD is characterised by excessive use despite negative consequences, with associated difficulties in reducing or stopping. Studies that have examined individuals with IGD have identified multiple harms, including lower psychosocial wellbeing, greater levels of psychopathology and diminished functioning. As yet, few studies have rigorously examined effective treatment options, but adapting psychological interventions used in the treatment of other addictions (eg motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioural therapy) that incorporate harm minimisation approaches, and addressing underlying issues and associated problems, are recommended.
Exploring Factors Affecting Persistence of First-Year Student Success at the University of the District of Columbia

Exploring Factors Affecting Persistence of First-Year Student Success at the University of the District of Columbia Twyla L. Jones This study examined four elements within the university environment that may provide a connection to the success of students’ initial year on campus. The four elements are: freshman orientation course; academic advising and interaction with an advisor; involvement in student organizations, clubs, and athletics; and utilization of the university counseling center. This study was based upon a survey administered during the months of March through May 2010 that examined the four areas of the university environment and the extent to which each student participated in each area. The population was 200 first-year students who had entered the university during the fall 2009 or spring 2010 semesters. Log-linear regression, chi-square, and frequency analysis were used to test four hypotheses related to student success and retention during the students’ initial year. Of the four null hypotheses tested, three were accepted, and one was rejected (freshman orientation course). Overall, there was high persistence for students who participated in each of the elements as well as for those who did not. Ultimately, none of the elements researched in this study were valid factors in predicting a student’s persistence from their initial year to the fall 2010 semester. Although this study did not identify those elements of the first-year experience that influence retention to the second year for UDC students, it does highlight the need for a better understanding of what students need in the academic environment in order to persist. Future research could include data relevant to student success in the course as opposed to mere enrollment in the course. Future research may include a review of student achievement prior to enrollment. Further research on how to target services for retention may be a better way of improving retention and to have a better understanding of student satisfaction, student motivation, and student integration into the life of the institution. Although the factors that help students to persist from their first semester to their second semester were not identified in this study, this does not mean that the exploration should not continue. Attention must be directed to the students’ intent and expectations of the college experience and the services provided. For institutions, having a better understanding of what helps and what hinders students in their quest for success can assist in creating better road maps for students on their journey to degree completion.
Spending targets for health: no magic number

In the context of discussions on health spending targets, this paper analyses not only how much countries spend on health, but how they perform in terms of universal health coverage (UHC) relative to that spending. The paper highlights the limited use of spending targets to inform country policy dialogue and decision making. In each of the 83 low and middle income countries for which verified data were available, we looked at UHC performance for selected agreed tracer indicators. For service coverage we use five indicators: Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis immunization coverage among 1-year-olds. Family planning coverage with modern methods. Tuberculosis treatment coverage. Antiretroviral therapy coverage. Live births attended by skilled health personnel - doctors, nurses or midwives. In terms of how countries perform on financial protection, a key element of UHC, we look at the level of public spending on health as a percentage of total health spending; this is a proxy measure given the lack of widespread country estimates of catastrophic and impoverishing expenditures on health. This analysis brings two key perspectives; first, we look simultaneously at how countries perform in terms of both service coverage and financial protection and, secondly, we look at “UHC performance” relative to levels of public spending on health per capita. A number of observations and finding come out of the analysis: there are high levels of variation in UHC performance across countries with similar but very low levels of public spending on health i.e. < PPP$ 40 per capita; some countries achieve a performance less than half of others despite a similar level of spending. This variation between countries reduces as levels of public spending on health increase, a trend driven primarily by improvements in service coverage rather than financial protection; significant improvement in financial protection is observed across countries only once their public spending is greater than PPP$ 200 per capita; even at higher levels of public spending there remains significant variation in how well countries ensure financial protection for their citizens; whilst the analysis is descriptive, and draws no conclusions in terms of causality, the suggestion is that all countries can make progress towards UHC, including those with very low levels of public spending on health (<40 PPP$ per capita). Despite this, absolute levels of public spending are clearly central to UHC progress, with service coverage improving rapidly with relatively small increases in public spending. Financial protection does not appear to systematically improve across countries until far higher levels of public spending; and clearly a range of non-health systems factors, including for example female literacy and population density, will explain some of the variation observed. How well health systems are organized, and how limited funds are spent, are also important however, and this analysis provides a focus for further research to understand and explain why low-spending countries with similar levels of public spending have such wide variations in performance.
Multicenter phase II study of oral bexarotene for patients with metastatic breast cancer.

PURPOSE Bexarotene is a retinoid X receptor-selective retinoid that has preclinical antitumor activity in breast cancer. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of oral bexarotene in the treatment of patients with metastatic breast cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS The following three groups of patients were treated: hormone-refractory, chemotherapy-refractory, and tamoxifen-resistant patients. Patients in the first two groups were treated with bexarotene alone, whereas the tamoxifen-resistant patients received both tamoxifen and bexarotene. Patients in all groups were randomly assigned to receive bexarotene at either 200 or 500 mg/m(2)/d. RESULTS One hundred forty-eight patients were randomized; 145 patients were treated. Of 48 hormone-refractory patients, there were two partial responses (6%) and 10 patients with stable disease lasting more than 6 months; of 47 chemotherapy-refractory patients, there were two partial responses (6%) and five patients with stable disease; and of 51 tamoxifen-resistant patients, there was one partial response (3%) and 11 patients with stable disease. All partial responses occurred at the 200-mg/m(2)/d dose. The projected median time to progression across all of the arms was 8 to 10 weeks. There were no drug-related deaths, and only two patients had drug-related serious adverse events. The most common drug-related adverse events were hypertriglyceridemia (84%), dry skin (34%), asthenia (30%), and headache (27%). There were no cases of pancreatitis. CONCLUSION The efficacy of bexarotene in patients with refractory metastatic breast cancer is limited. However, it is an oral agent with minimal toxicity and a unique mechanism of action, which produced clinical benefit in approximately 20% of patients. Future efforts should define populations likely to benefit from this agent.
Characterization of the efficacies of osimertinib and nazartinib against cells expressing clinically relevant epidermal growth factor receptor mutations

Third-generation epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) were developed to overcome EGFR T790M-mediated resistance to first- and second-generation EGFR-TKIs. Third-generation EGFR-TKIs, such as osimertinib and nazartinib, are effective for patients with the EGFR T790M mutation. However, there are no direct comparison data to guide the selection of a third-generation EGFR-TKI for patients with different EGFR mutations. We previously established an in vitro model to estimate the therapeutic windows of EGFR-TKIs by comparing their relative efficacies against cells expressing mutant or wild type EGFRs. The present study used this approach to characterize the efficacy of third-generation EGFR-TKIs and compare them with that of other EGFR-TKIs. Treatment efficacy was examined using human lung cancer-derived cell lines and Ba/F3 cells, which were transduced with clinically relevant mutant EGFRs. Interestingly, mutation-related differences in EGFR-TKI sensitivity were observed. For classic EGFR mutations (exon 19 deletion and L858R, with or without T790M), osimertinib showed lower IC50 values and wider therapeutic windows than nazartinib. For less common EGFR mutations (G719S or L861Q), afatinib showed the lowest IC50 values. For G719S+T790M or L861Q+T790M, the IC50 values of osimertinib and nazartinib were around 100 nM, which was 10- to 100-fold higher than those for classic+T790M mutations. On the contrary, osimertinib and nazartinib showed similar efficacies in cells expressing EGFR exon 20 insertions. The findings highlight the diverse mutation-related sensitivity pattern of EGFR-TKIs. These data may help in the selection of EGFR-TKIs for non-small cell lung cancer patients harboring EGFR mutations.
Motion Error Influence on Segmentation and Classification Performance in SAS-Based Automatic Mine Countermeasures

Synthetic aperture sonar (SAS) systems provide capabilities to construct high-resolution images of the seafloor and are, therefore, employed by state-of-the art systems for automatic detection and classification (ADAC) in mine countermeasurement applications. Typically, ADAC systems assume operation on well-focused SAS images. However, in practice, residual motion errors or other errors, e.g., a mismatch in the wave propagation speed, may still be present, leading to a degradation in the quality of SAS images. Consequently, it is of major interest to study the detection and classification behavior of an automatic system under the influence of residual motion and phase errors. First, we train our ADAC system using a database of well-focused SAS images. Subsequently, we use real sonar measurements from different sea trials to build a test database of SAS images where motion errors and sound-speed mismatches are artificially induced into the image reconstruction process to study the impact on segmentation, feature extraction, and classification rate. A relation between the image degradation and the individual tasks of the ADAC system is empirically demonstrated by assessing the image quality using a full-reference method. The obtained results illustrate a severe dependency of the ADAC system performance on the SAS image quality. At the same time, the results highlight the need for both image quality assessment schemes and robust segmentation and feature selection techniques, to improve the reliability of SAS-based target recognition systems under difficult conditions.
Multiobjective energy-aware node selection

This work develops a resource management strategy for a wireless sensor network of bearings-only sensors. Specifically, the resource manager determines which nodes actively sense and communicate during each snapshot in order to achieve a tolerable level of geolocalization accuracy while attempting to maximize the effective lifetime of the network. Unlike other methods that use the total energy consumed for the given snapshot as an energy-based metric, a new energy-based (EB) metric can achieve load balancing of the nodes without resorting to computationally demanding non-myopic optimization. Simulation results show that EB provides longer lifetime than an existing geometry-based (GB) metric. We consider an adaptive transmission range control based upon the remaining battery level and the physical location knowledge of nodes in the network. The activation decision is performed in a decentralized manner over the active set of nodes. Each active node transmits just far enough to reach all the active nodes for information sharing and the potentially active nodes for information handoff. In determining the active set, both global and local approaches are considered. The global approach assumes each node knows the physical location of every other node in the network. On the other hand, the local approach assumes that a node only knows the location of itself, the previous active set, and neighboring nodes
In vivo examination of the genotoxicity of the urban air and surface soil pollutant, 3,6‐dinitrobenzo[e]pyrene, with intraperitoneal and intratracheal administration

3,6‐Dinitrobenzo[e]pyrene (3,6‐DNBeP) was identified as a new potent mutagen toward Salmonella strains in surface soil and airborne particles. Because data of in vivo examination of the genotoxicity of 3,6‐DNBeP are limited, micronucleus test was performed in peripheral blood and bone marrow, and comet assay in the lungs of mice treated with 3,6‐DNBeP. In male ICR mice intraperitoneally (i.p.) injected with 3,6‐DNBeP, the frequency of micronuclated polychromatic erythrocytes (MNPCEs) was increased in the peripheral blood and bone marrow after 24 h in a dose‐dependent manner. Compared to controls, the highest dose of 3,6‐DNBeP (40 mg/kg B.W.) induced 7.3‐ and 8.7‐fold increases of MNPCE frequency in the peripheral blood and bone marrow, respectively. Furthermore, when 3,6‐DNBeP was intratracheally (i.t.) instilled to male ICR mice, 3,6‐DNBeP at the highest dose of 0.1 mg/kg body exhibited 3.1‐fold increase of DNA tail moment in the lungs at 3 h after the instillation compared to controls. The values of DNA tail moment at 9 and 24 h after the instillation were increased up to 3.5 and 4.2‐fold, respectively. These data indicate that 3,6‐DNBeP is genotoxic to mammalians in in vivo and suggest that 3,6‐DNBeP may be a carcinogenic compound present in the human environment. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 28: 588–594, 2013.