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This document is a correction notice for an article titled "A novel HIF1α-STIL-FOXM1 axis regulates tumor metastasis" published in the Journal of Biomedical Science. The correction addresses errors in figures 6, supplementary figure s5, and Supplementary Figure S8. The incorrect figures have been replaced with the correct ones. The original publication has been updated to reflect these corrections. The authors of the article are Yi-Wei Wang, Shu-Chuan Chen, De-Leung Gu, Yi-Chen Yeh, Jhih-Jie Tsai, Kuo-Tai Yang, Yuh-Shan Jou, Teh-Ying Chou, and Tang K. Tang. [Extracted from the article]

Dementia is a leading cause of disability and dependence in older adults worldwide. The aim of this pilot study was to explore the effect of using a kazoo instrument to improve pulmonary function and cognitive reserve in middle-aged and older adults in rural areas. This quasi-experimental study was conducted at two community care stations selected using cluster sampling from a rural district in southern Taiwan. We enrolled 85 middle-aged and older adults who were randomly assigned into self-learner and in-class groups. Both groups received a 6-month kazoo program. Cognitive and pulmonary function were compared before and after the intervention between the two groups. Significantly improved pulmonary function with regards to forced vital capacity (p <.05) was found in the self-learner group, and significantly improved maximum expiratory flow 75% (p <.001) was found in both groups. Mini-Mental State Examination scores significantly improved in the self-learner group (p <.01), but there was no significant change in the in-class group. Our results suggest that community care stations could consider implementing wind instrument programs such as a kazoo to enhance pulmonary function and cognitive reserve in middle-aged and older adults residing in rural areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vacuum frying (VF) is a selective technique for producing high-quality fried food that is mostly used on vegetables, fruits, and potato chips. It is rarely applied to the production of aquatic (especially fish) products. The purpose of this study is to explore whether VF technology can be applied to the preparation of dried silver herring products and to obtain the optimal VF conditions. The response surface methodology (RSM) was used to examine the factors affecting the quality of silver herring (Spratelloides gracilis) products after VF, namely temperature (75, 90, and 105 °C), duration (25, 35, and 45 min), and concentration (0, 15, and 30%) of maltose solution used to immerse the samples during pre-processing. The results indicated that VF temperatures had significant impacts on water activity (Aw), moisture content, yield, oil content, lightness (L* value), and colour difference (ÄE). The higher the VF temperature, the lower the Aw, moisture content, yield, and oil content of the product, but the higher the L* value and ΔE. Next, a longer VF duration resulted in higher oil content of the product. Maltose concentration was significantly and positively correlated with the yield and fracturability of the product. RSM analysis indicated that the optimal combination of processing conditions was a VF temperature of 105 °C, VF duration of 25 min, and maltose concentration of 27%. Under these VF conditions, the silver herring products had a moisture content of 3.91%, Aw of 0.198, oil content of 21.69%, L* value of 28.19, ΔE of 27.31, and fracturability of 359 g/s. In summary, vacuum frying technology is suitable for the preparation of dried silver herring products, and this study can provide the optimal processing conditions for seafood processors to obtain better quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to present a dual-band 5G multi-input multi-output monopole dual-antenna system, which was configured on the upper edge of the display ground plane for laptops. The dual-antenna unit is a 29 × 2 × 3 mm3 three-dimensional structure with two antennas of the same structure and size, consisting of a fed monopole antenna and a shorted monopole antenna. The antennas are arranged 4 mm apart, side by side in the same direction, to form a dual-antenna unit. Such a configuration allows the feeding points of the two antennas to be separated by the shorting point of the shorted monopole antenna, and the shorting point of the low-frequency resonant path (the shorted monopole antenna) of the two antennas to be larger than a quarter of the wavelength of the low frequency with appropriate bending. The strong current will be concentrated near the shorting point of the shorted monopole antenna when the low-frequency mode is excited, and the current flow from the ground to the feeding point of the other antenna will be reduced, achieving the isolation which is better than 10 dB in measurement between the two antennas without adopting any isolation element. The envelope correlation coefficients calculated from the measured complex E-field radiation patterns are all smaller than 0.12, which can cover the 5G dual-band operations of 3300–3600 and 4800–5000 MHz, and the measured antenna efficiencies can reach more than 40%, which are well suited for multiple antenna applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a compact configured 5G dual-band MIMO loop antenna system for laptop computers. The antenna system consists of two identical 95 × 2 mm2 four-antenna units that are arranged on the top edge of the display ground plane and are 10 mm away from the left and right sides. The four-antenna unit, each being a two-dimensional loop antenna of the same structure and size, are constructed on the on a 0.4 mm-thick FR4 substrate. The loop antenna with only 23 × 2 mm2 size is composed of a T-shaped feed-in section and a double short-circuit loop. In addition, the four loop antennas are arranged in the same direction and side by side with only 1 mm space to form a high-isolation four-antenna unit. The two sets of four-antenna units can cover 5G dual-band operation at 3300–3600 MHz and 4800–5000 MHz. The measured isolation between eight antennas is all better than 15 dB, the measured antenna efficiency is between 35% and 62%, and the measured envelop correlation coefficient ECC calculated from the electric-field radiation pattern is all less than 0.2. This compactly configured eight-antenna system is only 2 mm high in profile, making it ideal for use in 5G laptops with a high screen-to-body ratio. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a twelve-antenna system is designed for 5G smartphones with metal frames. The system is compact and operates on dual bands within the sub-6 GHz frequency range using multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) technology. Two sets of six-antenna units are included in the system, arranged in a diagonal mirror-image configuration, and positioned at the center of the circuit board's longer edges. The profile height of each of the six-antenna units is only 3 mm, and the overall array dimensions are 105 × 3 × 3.1 mm3. A single antenna unit is 15 × 3 × 3.1 mm3 (0.173 λ × 0.035 λ × 0.036 λ, where λ equals the free-space wavelength of 3450 MHz). The arrangement of the antennas in the six-antenna units is parallel, with a 3 mm separation between adjacent antennas. The antenna structure comprises of an inverted L-shaped feed branch and two inverted L-shaped short-circuit branches integrated into part of the metal frame. The proposed array can form multiple resonance paths, achieving dual-band operation at 3300–3600 MHz and 4800–5000 MHz. The measured isolation of this twelve-antenna system within the operating frequency band is over 10 dB, and the measured antenna efficiency is greater than 36%. Therefore, the system is suitable for use in smartphones with high screen-to-body ratios and metal frames. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, an alternate method for estimating the volatility parameter of Bitcoin is provided. Specifically, the procedure takes into account historical data. This quality is one of the most critical factors determining the Bitcoin price. The reader will notice an emphasis on historical knowledge throughout the text, with particular attention paid to detail. Following the production of a historical data set for volatility utilizing market data, we will analyze the fundamental and computed values of Bitcoin derivatives (futures), followed by implementing an inverse problem modeling method to obtain a second-order differential equation model for volatility. Because of this, we can accomplish what we set out to do. As a direct result, we will be able to achieve our objective. Following this, the differential equation of the second order will be solved by an artificial neural network that considers the dataset. In conclusion, the results achieved through the utilization of the Python software are given and contrasted with a variety of other research approaches. In addition, this method is determined with alternative ways, and the outcomes of those comparisons are shown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Because of the intricate nature of real-world scenarios, experts could encounter many ambiguities throughout the decision-making (DM) process. Adopting a DM strategy in conditions of indeterminacy so that the decision makers are limited to a small number of experts is always helpful in real life. Neutrosophic conception is a convenient technique for handling inconsistent, ambiguous, and uncertain values. This research presents an autocratic DM strategy based on Neutrosophic Sets (NSs) to address these ambiguities. The essential component of the suggested technique is the conversion of diverse management decision and weight matrices into a unified evaluation matrix. Supplier Selection (SS) is a multi-criteria decision-making problem where a limited number of alternative suppliers are evaluated using a limited set of criteria. The suggested methodology based on different score functions is applied to SS issues involving construction materials. The numerical illustrations indicate the success of the introduced method in selecting the best supplier with the least computational complexity. The important point obtained in this research is that adopting a suitable score function appropriate to the characteristics of the data plays an important role in the decision-making process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an LTE MIMO dual antenna system for laptops. The LTE antenna is composed of a fed strip and a shorted strip. The antenna structure is very simple and can cover LTE octa-band operation (LET700/GSM850/900/GSM1800/1900/UMTS /LTE2300/2500) with the antenna size only 50 × 5 mm2 printed on the FR4 substrate. The LTE antenna is a design concept that integrates the metal hinges and ground plane into one of the antenna's resonant paths, which can effectively reduce the size of the antenna and can be tightly configured with the surrounding metal, while at the same time the antenna has good radiation characteristics. To effectively utilize the existing space of laptops, two LTE antennas of the same structure and size are symmetrically arranged in the clearance area on the left and right sides of the hinge of the laptop to form a MIMO dual antenna system. The measured isolation in the operating frequency band is better than 24 dB, while the measured antenna efficiency is better than 40%, which exhibits good antenna characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A sub 6 GHz dual-band closed-slot multiantenna system for 5G laptops is proposed in this paper. It was installed in a clearance space, with dimensions og 217 × 3 mm2 and 1 mm away from the upper edge of the screen ground plane. The dimensions of the clearance space were the same as those of a multisystem consisting of six antennas. The dimensions of the single closed-slot antenna were 32 × 3 mm2 (0.368 λ × 0.034 λ , where λ equals the free-space wavelength of 3450 MHz. The antenna was coupled to an asymmetric T-shaped feed-in section equipped with a chip capacitor for exciting one-half and full wavelength resonance modes of the closed-slot to encompass sub 6 GHz 3300–3600 MHz and 4800–5000 MHz dual-band operations. The design of the antenna features a long and straight slot to generate the high-order mode of the closed slot in the high-frequency (4800–5000 MHz) band (not the low-frequency (3300–3600 MHz) multiplier band). Its structure is simple, and the width of its slot is only 3 mm. The antennas were arranged to be 5 mm apart in the same direction and in parallel to form a six-antenna system in order to utilize the weak electric fields located at the two closed ends of the closed-slot structure when the closed slot was excited. It showed excellent envelope correlation coefficients (ECCs) and isolation performance without the installation of isolation elements. The measured fractional bandwidth of the antenna was 10.15% and 6.73% at the center frequencies of 3450 MHz and 4900 MHz, respectively. Its measured isolation was always over 10 dB, and the efficiency was between 46% and 76%. The ECCs of the system calculated from the measured complex E-field radiation pattern were all below 0.2, which means that it is ideal for use in laptop devices with a high screen-to-body ratio and a metal back cover. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

These surgeries may alter immune function and microbiota, thereby altering the risks of certain diseases.[2] The altered immune function and dysbiosis after appendectomy or tonsillectomy may also alter the risk of allergic diseases. Patients received dual appendectomy-tonsillectomy was at the highest risk of AR (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 3.17, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.28-4.42), followed by those received tonsillectomy (aHR 3.09, 95% CI 2.99-3.20) and those received appendectomy (aHR 1.11, 95% CI 1.09-1.13). The selected patients had no allergic diseases prior to enrollment; 276 patients received dual appendectomy-tonsillectomy (Group 1), 175,353 patients received appendectomy (Group 2), 20,624 patients received tonsillectomy (Group 3), and 20,930,884 patients received no related surgery (Group 4), as displayed in Table 1. [Extracted from the article]

The Internet of Things (IoT) has become critical to the implementation of Industry 4.0. The successful operation of smart manufacturing depends on the ability to connect everything together. In this research, we applied the TOC (Theory of Constraints) to develop a wireless Wi-Fi intelligent programmable IoT controller that can be connected to and easily control PLCs. By applying the TOC-focused thinking steps to break through their original limitations, the development process guides the user to use the powerful and simple flow language process control syntax to efficiently connect to PLCs and realize the full range of IoT applications. Finally, this research uses oil–water mixer equipment as the target of continuous improvement and verification. The verification results meet the requirements of the default function. The IoT controller developed in this research uses a marine boiler to illustrate the application. The successful development of flow control language by TOC in this research will enable academic research on PLC-derivative applications. The results of this research will help more SMEs to move into smart manufacturing and the new realm of Industry 4.0. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the extent to which language shift occurred in the Minnan and Hakka areas of Hsinchu, Taiwan, by comparing Marinus van den Berg's findings (1986) with our own more recent observations. In 1978, van den Berg found that customers in the Minnan area used Taiwan Mandarin more than customers in the Hakka area during business transactions. Our observations in 2015 had the opposite results, with Taiwan Mandarin being spoken more in the Hakka area than in the Minnan area. The reason for this change is seen to be the expansion of people's living environment, reducing the opportunities for Hakka people to speak their own language when encountering people of other ethnicities. Additionally, as a minority, the Hakka people were more sensitive towards language use, that is, were likely to use high-level languages or standard languages that were more valued by society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A large community cohort of adults who participated in a health screening program from 2003 to 2013 were prospectively analyzed for the risk factors of non-B, non-C (NBNC) hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The serostatus of hepatitis B and C of 52,642 participants was linked to the mortality and cancer registration data of the Health and Welfare Data Science Center, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taiwan. During a median follow-up of 6 years, 35 of the 43,545 participants who were negative for both HBsAg and anti-HCV antibody developed HCC. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that old age (hazard ratio, 95% CI: 1.058, 1.019–1.098, p = 0.003); male sex (2.446, 1.200–4.985, p = 0.014); high aspartate aminotransferase levels (6.816, 2.945–15.779, p < 0.001); fibrosis index based on four factor score (1.262, 1.154–1.381, p < 0.001); blood sugar (1.009, 1.002–1.015, p = 0.006); and alpha-fetoprotein ≥15 ng/mL (143.938, 43.094–480.760, p < 0.001) were independent risk factors for HCC. By contrast, triglyceride >150 mg/dL was associated with a decreased risk of HCC (0.216, 0.074–0.625, p = 0.005). This prospective community-based study provided insights into the potential HCC risk factors which may shed some light in HCC prevention and screening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The manufacturing industry faces the challenge of small and diversified customer orders. To meet this challenge, strong internal production capabilities are required. A lean manufacturing process that uses fewer resources and offers greater process improvement will help SMEs to continue to contribute to the global economy. Though SMEs provide most employment opportunities, previous studies have focused on large companies in auto-manufacturing-related industries. With the commitment and support of the management, and the application of a value stream map (VSM) and related improvement tools, we produced a practical process improvement model for a lean manufacturing system in an SME. With the commitment and support of the management and the joint efforts of the project improvement staff, the 10 improvement projects over a six-month period all achieved their goals: reduction in lead time from 26 days to 19.5 days, improvement of welding per people per hour (PPH) efficiency by 28.3%, improvement of packaging PPH efficiency by 64.1%, improvement of working in process (WIP) efficiency at the production site by 83.84%, and improvement of raw material storage by 83.84%. The efficiency of the raw material warehouse inventory was improved by 58.63%, and the efficiency of the shipment completion rate was improved by 14.5%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Metastasis is the major cause of morbidity and mortality in cancer that involves in multiple steps including epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) process. Centrosome is an organelle that functions as the major microtubule organizing center (MTOC), and centrosome abnormalities are commonly correlated with tumor aggressiveness. However, the conclusive mechanisms indicating specific centrosomal proteins participated in tumor progression and metastasis remain largely unknown. Methods: The expression levels of centriolar/centrosomal genes in various types of cancers were first examined by in silico analysis of the data derived from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), and European Bioinformatics Institute (EBI) datasets. The expression of STIL (SCL/TAL1-interrupting locus) protein in clinical specimens was further assessed by Immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis and the oncogenic roles of STIL in tumorigenesis were analyzed using in vitro and in vivo assays, including cell migration, invasion, xenograft tumor formation, and metastasis assays. The transcriptome differences between low- and high-STIL expression cells were analyzed by RNA-seq to uncover candidate genes involved in oncogenic pathways. The quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and reporter assays were performed to confirm the results. The chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP)-qPCR assay was applied to demonstrate the binding of transcriptional factors to the promoter. Results: The expression of STIL shows the most significant increase in lung and various other types of cancers, and is highly associated with patients' survival rate. Depletion of STIL inhibits tumor growth and metastasis. Interestingly, excess STIL activates the EMT pathway, and subsequently enhances cancer cell migration and invasion. Importantly, we reveal an unexpected role of STIL in tumor metastasis. A subset of STIL translocate into nucleus and associate with FOXM1 (Forkhead box protein M1) to promote tumor metastasis and stemness via FOXM1-mediated downstream target genes. Furthermore, we demonstrate that hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF1α) directly binds to the STIL promoter and upregulates STIL expression under hypoxic condition. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that STIL promotes tumor metastasis through the HIF1α-STIL-FOXM1 axis, and highlight the importance of STIL as a promising therapeutic target for lung cancer treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main goals of this study are to identify the possible factors that may affect the level of passion that aircraft technicians have for their job and how job passion may lead to safety motivation. Aircraft maintenance technicians play an essential role in ensuring flight safety since they are obligated to carry out critical responsibilities related to maintaining flight devices. However, the significance and professionalism of civil aircraft technicians tend to be underestimated due to limited academic discussion of job-related issues. In practice, the particular job characteristics and working environment have led to various job demands and requirements for job resources, which may be related to the level of passion of the aircraft maintenance crews. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to analyze the empirical data collected with the questionnaire survey. The sealable stamped addressed envelopes were attached to guarantee for the innominate approach, and a total of 411 usable samples was returned. Significant relations found between work-family conflict, professional development and job passion in the expected directions, while non-significant results were presented between work-load, social support, and job passion. In addition, job passion significantly and positively related to air technicians' safety motivation. Aircraft technicians undertake their workload without responding to it in a significantly negative manner, unless the designated work causes work-family conflict. A vision of career development is crucial to continuously elevate job passion in these individuals. Passionate aircraft technicians are motivated to contribute to aviation safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a low-profile two-element wireless local-area network (WLAN) multi-input multi-output (MIMO) antenna system designed for laptops. The primary and secondary elements are mirror-imaged 3-D metal-plate-loaded planar inverted-F antennas (PIFAs), each measuring only 31 mm × 2 mm × 2 mm. Although structurally simple, each PIFA can generate low- and high-frequency resonant modes through its long- and short-branches, respectively. In addition, the meander shorting metal section can easily be adjusted to shift the resonant frequency and to improve the impedance matching. Without any additional matching circuit or chip components, the antenna can cover the 2.4/5.2/5.8 GHz WLAN bands with a profile height of only 2 mm, which is smaller than the record low in the literature. Moreover, with the two PIFA elements deployed on the left and right sides of the top edge of the display ground plate, the measured isolation is larger than 23 dB in the low-frequency (high-frequency) band, and the measured realized radiation efficiency is at least 52% within all operating bands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: This paper presents the design of a compact closed‐slot sub‐6‐GHz dual‐band eight‐antenna system on a 5G laptop with a metal back cover. The antenna system is installed in a 277 × 2 mm2 clearance area that is 3 mm below the upper edge of the metal back cover of the laptop. Each single closed‐slot antenna element measures 32 × 2 mm2 and features an inverted‐C feeding section and a crossover path consisting of a meandered section and a series chip capacitor. The crossover path can help generate a resonance mode at high frequencies while adjusting the frequency location of the low‐frequency mode, allowing the closed‐slot antenna to support the 3300‐ to 3600‐ and 4800‐ to 5000‐MHz dual‐band operation required for sub‐6‐GHz 5G. The eight closed‐slot antenna elements are oriented in the same direction and aligned in the same axis with a 3‐mm separation between any two adjacent antenna elements. Without the help of any isolation elements, the resultant eight‐element multi‐input multi‐output (MIMO) antenna system possesses measured isolations of larger than 10 dB. The envelope correlation coefficients (ECCs) calculated from the measured complex radiation patterns are all less than 0.105, and the measured antenna efficiencies are over 40%. These results indicate that the proposed MIMO antenna system is ideal for use in laptop devices with a metal back cover and a large screen‐to‐body ratio. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a 'reconfigurable narrow open-slot LTE MIMO antennas for metal-rimmed smartphone applications,' which consist of two structurally identical L-shaped slot antennas combined with a metal rim with a 1 mm wide opening. The slots are 3 mm wide and 90 mm long, and are placed diagonally on the upper left and lower right corners of the mobile phone in a mirror-symmetrical manner to achieve good isolation. The 1 mm wide opening divides the L-slot structure into a longer open-slot and a shorter open-slot, and two different feed monopoles are designed to couple and excite the resonance modes of the slot by switching between the two different feed monopoles to cover LTE700/GSM850/900 and GSM1800/1900/UMTS/LTE2300/2500, respectively. The measured isolation is better than 11 dB, the measured antenna efficiency is better than 40%, and the calculated ECCs from measured radiation patterns are lower than 0.3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a DTV/LTE antenna design without physical structure for laptop computers. By changing the laptop's right revolving axis to a non-conductor material and exciting several dipoles and loop paths formed by the display, keyboard ground plane and metal revolving axis using a feed matching circuit at an appropriate position of the slot on the hinge to cover the frequency bands for DTV (470–862 MHz) and LTE (698–960 MHz, 1710–2690 MHz). The feed matching circuit is fitted to the keyboard ground plane adjacent to the hinge. It consists of a 3.6 nH chip inductor and a 0.2 pF chip capacitor to improve the high frequency matching and increase the high frequency bandwidth. The antenna can cover the frequency bands required by DTV and LTE, and the measured antenna efficiency in the operational frequency band is also better than 50%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Protein termini are determinants of protein stability. Proteins bearing degradation signals, or degrons, at their amino‐ or carboxyl‐termini are eliminated by the N‐ or C‐degron pathways, respectively. We aimed to elucidate the function of C‐degron pathways and to unveil how normal proteomes are exempt from C‐degron pathway‐mediated destruction. Our data reveal that C‐degron pathways remove mislocalized cellular proteins and cleavage products of deubiquitinating enzymes. Furthermore, the C‐degron and N‐degron pathways cooperate in protein removal. Proteome analysis revealed a shortfall in normal proteins targeted by C‐degron pathways, but not of defective proteins, suggesting proteolysis‐based immunity as a constraint for protein evolution/selection. Our work highlights the importance of protein termini for protein quality surveillance, and the relationship between the functional proteome and protein degradation pathways. SYNOPSIS: Proteins with degradation signals (degron) at their amino‐ or carboxyl‐termini are eliminated by the N‐ or C‐degron pathways, respectively. Proteome‐wide analyses suggest functions of human C‐degrons signals in protein quality surveillance, as well as interplay with N‐degron‐dependent mechanisms. The Global Protein Stability (GPS) random peptide platform enables context‐independent characterization of degron features.The activity of C‐degrons is tuned by their surrounding sequences.Gly/C‐degron shortage is limited to functional eukaryotic proteomes accessible to C‐degron pathways.C‐degron pathways clear products of proteases and mislocalized cellular proteins.Mitochondrial localization of MIC19 is dually safeguarded by the N‐ and C‐degron pathways.Coronaviral diGly‐ending proteins evade C‐degron pathway‐mediated degradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was (a) to modify, translate and validate the Chinese version of attitudes towards the use of social robot (ATTUSR-C) questionnaire for use with Taiwanese health personnel; and (b) investigate the attitudes of Taiwanese health personnel in long-term care towards the use of social robots for older adults. The attitudes of health personnel towards social robots can affect the acceptability of social robots for older adults. An investigation of health personnel's ATTUSRs and the development of a validated Chinese questionnaire is needed. A cross-sectional design was used to conduct this multi-phase study. Data collection was from November 2017 to May 2018. Content validity, internal consistency reliability, and factor analysis of the ATTUSR-C questionnaire were evaluated. Purposive sampling was used. All recruited participants received an email containing study information and a URL link to the survey. The ATTUSR-C questionnaire had good validity and reliability. A total of 416 health professionals responded to the online survey. Most health personnel had positive ATTUSRs in long-term care facilities as they viewed social robots as beneficial and practical in psychosocial care for older adults. Positive ATTUSRs can increase acceptance and utilisation of social robots. This study strives to support nursing work by providing insights into health personnel's perceptions of social robots, in order to integrate social robots into the care and lives of older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To investigate the effect of a social robot intervention on depression, loneliness, and quality of life of older adults in long-term care (LTC) and to explore participants' experiences and perceptions after the intervention.Design: A mixed-methods approach consisting of a single group, before and after quasi-experimental design, and individual interview.Participants: Twenty older adults with depression from four LTC facilities in Taiwan were recruited.Intervention: Each participant participated in 8 weeks of observation and 8 weeks of intervention. In the observation stage, participants received usual care or activities without any research intervention. In the intervention stage, each participant was given a Paro (Personal Assistive RobOt) to keep for 24 hours, 7 days a week.Measurements: The Geriatric Depression Scale, the UCLA Loneliness Scale Version 3, and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire for older adults were administered at four time points. Individual qualitative interviews with thematic analysis followed.Results: A repeated multivariate analysis of variance and Friedman's test showed no significant changes during the observation stage between T1 and T2 for depression and quality of life (p >.5). For the intervention stage, statistically significant changes in decreasing depression and loneliness and improving quality of life over time were identified. Three themes emerged from the interviews: (i) humanizing Paro through referring to personal experiences and engagement; (ii) increased social interaction with other people; and (iii) companionship resulting in improved mental well-being.Conclusions: There were significant improvements in mental well-being in using Paro. Further research may help us to understand the advantages of using a Paro intervention as depression therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a 3.5-GHz four-element multi-input multi-output (MIMO) antenna system for fifth-generation (5G) laptops. The four antennas are configured into two dual-antenna units, measuring 26 × 3 × 2 mm3 each and separated by a distance of 6 mm, the latter of which accounts for the isolation between the two units. The two antennas in each unit are located on the two sides of the same substrate and are both three-dimensional inverted-F antennas (IFAs) of the same size, but are deployed to be skew-symmetric with respect to the top edge of the display ground. With a decoupling neutralization line connecting the two antennas in the same unit, the simulated isolation between them is enhanced by up to 8 dB. Within the operating frequency band, its measured isolation exceeds 12 dB, the simulated electric field ECC (envelope correlation coefficient) is smaller than 0.15, and the measured realized radiation efficiency is more than 40%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A compact planar inverted-F antenna (PIFA) placed on one of the two hinges of a laptop computer is proposed for wireless local-area network (WLAN) operation. The aim of this design is to integrate the PIFA's metal surroundings as part of the radiating structure. When the PIFA is fed, resonant modes in the hinge slot bounded by the two hinges, display ground plane, and keyboard ground plane can in turn be excited. Since the 200 × 5 mm2 slot is much larger than the 10 × 5 mm2 PIFA itself, the latter, although compact and structurally simple, can be made efficiently radiating with the help of the former. Measured efficiencies are all over 50% in the desired three WLAN bands [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to explore the possible range of change of a single-session music intervention (SMI) on symptom clusters and neurological reactivity for women with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy.Methods: A parallel and randomized, controlled study with repeated measures design was used. A total of 100 women with breast cancer were randomly assigned to the SMI or a control group. The outcome measurements of symptom cluster were collected using the Multidimensional Fatigue Symptom Inventory, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and the neurological reactivity with heart rate variability at four time points: before commencement of the intervention (T0), immediately afterward (T1), 1 week later (T2), and 3 weeks after the intervention (T3).Results: Of the 50 women in each group, 46 in the SMI and 48 in the control group completed the post-test at T3. Multivariate analysis of variance indicated that the SMI group had a medium effect in change of symptom clusters compared to the control group at T2. Moreover, after adjusting for baseline between normal and higher levels of sympathetic tone activity, significant differences existed in fatigue and depression at T2 and sleep disturbance at T3.Conclusions: A single-session music intervention can be effectively used to reduce symptom clusters for women with breast cancer. Targeting those who have a higher level of sympathetic tone activity is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This research aimed to examine the factors associated with the intention to use adult preventive health services in Taiwan. Design and Sample: Using Andersen's behavioral model, we employed a cross‐sectional descriptive design to investigate 500 samples from four communities in southern Taiwan. Measures: We used a self‐reported survey to assess participants' intention to use adult preventive health services, and the predisposing, enabling, and need factors influencing their intention. Results: Intention to use adult preventive health services was more significantly explained by predisposing and enabling factors than by need factors. In addition, a lack of fixed medical facilities (enabling factor) and Taiwanese origin (predisposing factor) were associated with decreased odds of intention to use adult preventive health services. An educational level of high school or below (predisposing factor), higher amounts of exercise (predisposing factor), and lower barriers to use preventive health services (predisposing factor) were associated with increased odds of intention to use adult preventive health services. Conclusion: The findings can assist public health nurses in identifying high‐risk groups with lower intentions of using adult preventive health services. Additionally, community‐based health education program can be developed to increase people's intention to use adult preventive health services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study proposes a low-profile switchable LTE/WWAN multi-input and multi-output (MIMO) antenna system for laptops. The main and auxiliary antennas, mirror-imaged of each other, are configured on the left and right sides of the top edge of the display ground plane. The two antennas are each a planar inverted-F antenna (PIFA) having the size of 102 × 5 × 3 mm3. The PIFA structure is matched in impedance with a set of reactive chip elements to increase the antenna operating bandwidth, and is combined with a set of switchable circuits to change the low-frequency resonant path in accordance with the switch status, ON or OFF, thus allowing the low-frequency modes to cover the LTE700 and GSM850/900 bands. Without any isolation element, an isolation of 15 dB or more can be achieved in the MIMO antenna system. The measured realized antenna efficiency is also 48% or greater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aim: The role of non-invasive methods to evaluate fibrosis severity of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) subjects in community needs to be explored. This study investigated FIB-4 and transient elastography (TE) in staging liver fibrosis of CHC subjects in community. Methods: A total of 905 subjects who were positive for anti-HCV antibody from five districts of Tainan City of Taiwan were invited to participate in surveillance activities for CHC. FIB-4 and TE were measured for each participant. Results: A total of 502 subjects with detectable HCV RNA and valid TE were enrolled. The distribution of FIB-4 and TE values differed markedly. Both methods exhibited a strongest correlation in subjects with at age 50~60 years (r = 0.655, p <0.001). FIB-4 score increased proportionally with age (p <0.001), but TE did not (p = 0.142). The intraclass correlation efficient of both methods was 0.255 (p <0.001). Subjects with TE defined advanced fibrosis exhibited younger age, higher BMI, higher platelet count, lower FIB-4 score, higher incidence of fatty liver and splenomegaly, and higher controlled attenuation parameter value than those defined by FIB-4. By multivariate logistic regression analysis, higher ALT levels, higher incidence of fatty liver, and presence of splenomegaly were the independent factors associated with advanced fibrosis defined by TE rather than defined by FIB-4. Conclusions: FIB-4 and TE defined different distribution of fibrosis stages in same HCV population. FIB-4 was deeply influenced by age whereas TE was not. TE had the advantages over than FIB-4 in strong association with splenomegaly and in detecting the role of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in advanced fibrosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of studies using social robots to improve psychological well‐being. This systematic review investigates the effect of social robot interventions for depression in older adults. Methods: The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analysis (PRISMA) method was used to identify and select existing studies. Nine electronic databases were searched for relevant studies. Methodological quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute Meta‐Analysis of Statistics Assessment and Review Instrument. Screening, data extraction, and synthesis were performed by three reviewers. Inclusion criteria covered original quantitative studies investigating social robots for depression in older adults. Findings: Seven studies were identified—six randomized controlled trials and one comparison study—with all classified as good quality. Social robot interventions consisted of companion, communication, and health‐monitoring robots. Three studies presented promising outcomes for reducing depressive symptoms in older adults following social robot interventions, and three studies showed decreased, but nonsignificant, trends in depression scores. Conclusions: The results highlight the potential of social robot interventions for reducing depression in older adults. However, the evidence is not strong enough to formulate recommendations on clinical effectiveness. Clinical Relevance: Social robots are being used with increasing frequency to potentially provide personal support to older adults living in long‐term care facilities. Social robots can be used to help alleviate depressive symptoms when used in group activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study proposed a long-term evolution (LTE) couple-feeding antenna design for laptop computers. The proposed antenna was installed in a closed hinge slot region. The loop structure of the antenna was designed to excite the closed hinge slot’s resonance modes to extend operating bandwidth and antenna efficiency. Although the fabricated antenna measured only 25 mm × 4 mm, it was capable of covering the requirement for eight-band coverage to the LTE standard. Additionally, the antenna consisted of a feeding strip and a shorting strip, with which it was able to excite resonance modes in both its own loop’s modes and the closed hinge slot’s modes. Aside from a wide operating bandwidth, the minute antenna can also overcome the radiation efficiency problem caused by an all-metal environment. With antenna efficiency over 50% within the operating band, the design conforms to the actual needs of applications in laptop computers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose Healthcare is recognized as a fertile field for service research, and due to the fact that nurses are stressed physically and emotionally, reducing burnout among frontline healthcare staff is an emerging and important research issue. The purpose of this paper is to explore the possible antecedents and consequences of nurses’ burnout and to examine the moderating effects of personal trait and work-environment issue.Design/methodology/approach Drawing on Bagozzi’s (1992) reformulation of attitude theory (appraisal→emotional response→behavior), data from a survey of 807 nurses working in a major hospital in Taiwan were analyzed using the structural equation modeling technique and hierarchical regression analysis.Findings The results reveal the positive causality between job stressors and nurses’ burnout, whereas supervisor support negatively relates to burnout. In addition, the full moderating effects of leadership effectiveness and partly moderating effect of emotional intelligence on the relationships among job demands, job resources, and burnout are confirmed.Practical implications The findings provide practical insight regarding how supervisors play an essential role in alleviating nurses’ burnout. The supportive attitude and leadership effectiveness are recommended to be effectual managerial strategies.Originality/value The empirical results support the job demands-resources model by applying reformulation of attitude theory. The work-environment issue surpasses the personal trait in moderating the relationships among job demands, job resources, and burnout. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine effects of group music intervention and self-directed music intervention on anxiety, depression, and cognitive appraisal among women with breast cancer.Methods: A quasi-experimental design randomly assigned 60 women undergoing chemotherapy to 3 groups: group music intervention, self-directed music intervention, or a control group. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the Mini-Mental Adjustment to Cancer Scale were administered before, after the 8-week interventions, and at 3-month follow-up.Results: Of the 52 women completing the study, results indicated that group music intervention had a significant (p < .01) immediate effect to decrease helplessness/hopelessness and anxious preoccupation and significant effects for reducing anxiety, depression, helplessness/hopelessness, and cognitive avoidance compared to the other two groups at 3-month follow-up.Conclusions: Group music intervention can be considered an effective supportive care in alleviating the chemotherapy-related distress and enhancing cognition modification of women with breast cancer. Further research is needed to determine the role of cognitive appraisal in the illness trajectory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a two-element multi-input multi-output (MIMO) open-slot antenna implemented on the display ground plane of a laptop computer for eight-band long-term evolution/wireless wide-area network operations. The metal surroundings of the antennas have been well integrated as a part of the radiation structure. In the single-element open-slot antenna, the nearby hinge slot (which is bounded by two ground planes and two hinges) is relatively large as compared with the open slot itself and acts as a good radiator. In the MIMO antenna consisting of two open-slot elements, a T slot is embedded in the display ground plane and is connected to the hinge slot. The T and hinge slots when connected behave as a radiator; whereas, the T slot itself functions as an isolation element. With the isolation element, simulated isolations between the two elements of the MIMO antenna are raised from 8.3–11.2 to 15–17.1 dB in 698–960 MHz and from 12.1–21 to 15.9–26.7 dB in 1710–2690 MHz. Measured isolations with the isolation element in the desired low- and high-frequency ranges are 17.6–18.8 and 15.2–23.5 dB, respectively. Measured and simulated efficiencies for the two-element MIMO antenna with either element excited are both larger than 50% in the desired operating frequency bands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study proposed a reconfigurable antenna design integrated with the metal frame of tablet computers that can switch between long-term evolution (LTE) and wireless wide area network (WWAN) frequencies. The antenna is installed in a 75 × 5 mm clearance without the ground plane, and a 2 mm opening is created on the metal frame on the top right side of the clearance, which create an open-slot structure. Moreover, this antenna structure contains a switch element; switching between on and off forms two antenna structures that generate two resonant modes of the antenna structure, as well as excites other resonant modes of the open-slot structure. Therefore, the proposed antenna design can cover both the low-frequency (i.e. LTE700/GSM850/900) and high-frequency (i.e. GSM1800/1900/UMTS/LTE2300/2500) bands of LTE/WWAN frequencies. Specifically, without using matching circuits, the proposed antenna can cover the eight frequency bands required for LTE/WWAN within a profile height of 5 mm simply by incorporating a switch element in the structure; hence, the proposed design is highly suitable for application in tablet devices with a narrow border. In addition, this antenna can be closely integrated with its surrounding metal elements and the measured results revealed an antenna efficiency of ≥50%, exceeding the requirement for actual application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes an eight-band long-term evolution (LTE)/wireless wide area network (WWAN) antenna design. The proposed antenna is $60 \times 7$ mm2 in size, and covered all dual broadband operations at 698–960 MHz and 1710–2690 MHz in the LTE/WWAN bands of LTE700/GSM850/DCS/PCS/1900/UMTS/LTE2300/2500. The proposed antenna is a monopole antenna comprising strip 1, strip 2, and the shorting strip. The space used to allocate the antenna and the metal components surrounding the antenna (e.g., the ground plane and the metal frame) was incorporated into the design. The resonant modes of the antenna are excited, as well as those of the slot used to allocate the antenna. The proposed antenna is characterized by seamless integration with the surrounding metal components and its wide operating bandwidths in a small size with excellent antenna efficiency. The antenna efficiency of the proposed design ranged 51%–72% at low frequencies and 50%–67% at high frequencies, which complied with the basic antenna efficiency demand of 50%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The slot antenna has been utilized for some recent notebook computers on the market. The FR4 substrates are usually required to print the metal patterns for coupled-feeding the 2.4 GHz (2400–2484 MHz) slot and also for contributing the 5.2 GHz (5150–5350 MHz) and 5.8 GHz (5725–5825 MHz) bands. This communication presents a simple, direct-fed slot antenna with a low profile of 7 mm to the top edge of the metal cover for 2.4-/5.2-/5.8-GHz WLAN operation. The antenna design did not require any substrate and can be implemented directly in the metal cover of a notebook computer at low cost. The design comprised two parallel-connected, 0.5-wavelength-slot portions, formed in a linear structure of length 79 mm and constant width 2 mm, and fed by a common antenna feed port using a mini-coaxial cable. The larger slot generated a 0.5-wavelength resonant mode in the 2.4-GHz band and a 1-wavelength mode for 5.2-GHz operation. The smaller slot operated in a 0.5-wavelength resonant mode, which covered the 5.8-GHz band. With a matching inductor properly set in the slot, good input impedance over the 2.4-, 5.2-, and 5.8-GHz bands can be attained. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A novel small embedded long-term evolution/wireless wide area network (LTE/WWAN) antenna integrated with the keyboard ground plane in a laptop computer is presented. The antenna is installed on a notched region (40 × 8 mm2) of the keyboard ground plane at a distance of 10 mm from the laptop computer hinge. A coupled-fed loop antenna was used because of its suitability for integration with the ground plane and achieving wide operating bands. This antenna can not only be configured to have a compact configuration but also be designed to excite several resonant modes of the hinge slot between the display ground plane and the keyboard ground plane. The proposed antenna comprises a hook-shaped strip and a shorted strip, which together form a coupled-fed loop that not only has a compact size when printed on a 0.8-mm-thick FR4 substrate 40 × 8 mm2 in size but also provides eight-band LTE/WWAN operation. The proposed antenna can cover LTE/WWAN operation in the 698–960 and 1710–2690 MHz bands. Details of the antenna structure are provided here. The proposed antenna was fabricated and tested, and measurement and simulation results are presented. The measured antenna efficiency was approximately 45–80% in the lower band and approximately 52–75% in the upper band. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper proposes a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna array comprising two compact wireless local-area network (WLAN) antennas with high isolation in between. The two operating frequency bands are designed to completely enclose the 2.4/5.2/5.8 GHz WLAN bands. The MIMO antenna array having a small size, a low height, and a small thickness is especially suitable to be installed in ultra-thin notebook computers. The size of the designed antenna array has been reduced to about 40% than those of the MIMO arrays appearing in the recent literature. The designed isolation element between the two radiating antennas consists of two resonant slots, the lengths of which are individually a quarter-wavelength at 2.45 and 5.5 GHz. The isolation elements block the horizontal surface currents on the system ground plane, leading to mutualcoupling reduction between the two source antennas and hence excellent isolation between them. Results indicate that the proposed MIMO antenna array has good characteristics of antenna radiation efficiency, and impedance matching in the two bands of interest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel small-size LTE/WWAN two-strip monopole exciter antenna integration with metal covers for ultrabook computer applications is presented. The monopole exciter antenna is placed in the hinge slot between metal covers and hinges. By integrating the monopole exciter antenna with the metal covers and hinges, not only several modes of the monopole structure but those of the hinge slot are also excited to cover the desired eight-band LTE/WWAN operation (LTE700/GSM850/900 and GSM1800/ 1900/UMTS/LTE2300/2500 bands). The exciter antenna comprises a feeding strip and a folded strip to form a two-strip monopole structure. The proposed exciter antenna can be integrated with the surrounding metal planes (metal covers) to enhance the operating bandwidth to cover LTE/WWAN band with good radiation efficiency. The exciter antenna has a simple two-strip structure that is easy to be fabricated on a 0.8-mm thin FR4 substrate with a small area of only $25 \times 8$ mm2. Over the lower and upper bands, the antenna efficiencies are about 65%–88% and 55%–78%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper presents an internal uniplanar monopole exciter fabricated on a 0.8-mm thick FR4 substrate. It can be arranged in the hinge slot of a laptop computer for a long-term evolution/wireless wide area network operation in the 698–960 and 1710–2690 MHz bands. The monopole exciter, which comprises feeding and chip-inductor-loaded shorted strips, occupies a compact area of 25 × 8 mm with a volume of only 0.2 cm3. The exciter antenna not only integrates with the metal covers, but also excites several resonant modes of the hinge slot. The chip-inductor-loaded shorted strip is employed for exciting the hinge slot to enhance lower band bandwidths. The proposed monopole exciter antenna not only serves as an exciter, but also serves as a radiator for generating several of its resonant modes. It can be installed in the hinge slot and has wide operating bands with high radiation efficiency. Over the lower and upper bands, the antenna efficiencies are higher than 56%, which is favorable for practical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors discuss the application of user-centred research design and evidence by a social robotics team in Australia to form and guide the use of technologies in aged care, including robots. Topics mentioned include the shortage of young people to offer informal care, the concern of replacing human caretakers with robots, and the development of social robot trials using a baby harp seal called PARO for a therapeutic purpose.

Background: Positive attitudes and appropriate knowledge about dementia are essential for the provision of suitable dementia care. Children as future voters may take on a critical role to increase community awareness and knowledge about dementia. Guided by Chinese filial piety cultural virtues, Taiwanese children are taught to respect and care for family seniors and extend this respect to other seniors. Accordingly, young children are considered part of family dementia caregiving system, despite children rarely assume formal caregiver role and not directly provide care work. However, Taiwanese children may possess stigmatized attitudes toward dementia due to a lack of proper dementia knowledge. Research Objective: This study aims to survey Taiwanese children age 9-11 years old attitudes and knowledge to the concepts of dementia. Methods: A total of 312 Taiwanese children from 8 elementary schools in the south Taiwan, aged 9-11 years old, were surveyed to assess their knowledge and attitudes toward dementia. Participants completed The Kids Insight into Dementia (KIDS), which is a 5-scale questionnaire containing three factors, "Personhood", "Stigma", and "Dementia Understanding". The data was analyzed using quantitative method. Results: The results show that Taiwanese children are unfamiliar with dementia as related to brain disease (M= 3.94, SD=2.91), Taiwanese children are unfamiliar about nursing home provision of care (M=3.97, SD=2.17), Taiwanese children do not know the course of dementia disease (M=3.34, SD-1.39). Participants scored high on the question of "people with dementia have hobbies and interests" (M=4.15, SD=1.22); Participants reported that they agreed less often with stigma attached to the people with dementia, including items of "I would feel a bit scared if I met someone dementia in the street" (M=2.70, SD=1.79), "people with dementia can be creepy" (M=2.18, SD=1.71), "It would be annoying of frustrating to spend time with someone with dementia" (M=2.15, SD=1.17), "It is unlikely that I would meet someone with dementia" (M=2.36, SD=1.27). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that Taiwanese children may express less stigmatized attitudes toward people with dementia and yet they report less understanding of concepts of personhood of people with dementia. Therefore, dementia education is necessary to increase dementia knowledge among school age children in Taiwan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the relationship among prenatal maternal stress, sleep quality and unplanned Caesarean delivery. For this research, we adopted a prospective survey design and a sample of 200 women in the early stages of labour. The findings were as follows: (i) 11.5% of the participants underwent unplanned Caesarean sections; (ii) based on a Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index split point of 5, approximately 90.5% of the participants experienced poor sleep quality; and (iii) the odds ratio for primiparas undergoing an unplanned Caesarean section was 4.183 times that for multiparas (95% confidence interval ( CI) = 1.177 to 14.864), indicating a statistically significant difference. The results also showed that stress was a significant factor related to unplanned Caesarean sections; a 1-point increase on the Pregnancy Stress Rating Scale was associated with a 1.033-fold higher probability of undergoing an unplanned Caesarean section (95% CI = 1.002 to 1.065). Furthermore, prenatal stress was a significant variable that can be used to predict unplanned Caesarean deliveries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To elucidate the results of post-screening care stratagems for anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV)-positive subjects in the community. Part I methods: The intervention program: A total of 151,790 subjects underwent a large-scale healthcare screening. Subjects aged less than 65 years, with anti-HCV-positive and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level more than 80 IU/L were followed-up to answer a structured questionnaire. Those responders who met the reimbursement criteria of Taiwan’s National Health Insurance for anti-HCV treatment were referred for treatment. Part II: The accessible medical care program: In Yujing township, 271 HCV residents who have been screened before were invited to a bi-weekly hepatitis clinic in Yujing health center. Part-I results: A total of 907 anti-HCV-positive subjects responded and 197(21.7%) were advised the treatment, but only 83(9.2%) did. Finally, 47 patients achieved a sustained virological response (SVR). After this intervention program, 96(10.6%) additional patients were encouraged to be referred, 33(3.6%) received treatment and 20 obtained a SVR. Part II: A total of 140(51.7%) subjects responded and 112 were anti-HCV-positive including 31(27.7%) HCV RNA-negative, 49(43.8%) HCV RNA-positive plus ALT less than 40 IU/L and 32(28.5%) HCV RNA-positive plus ALT more than 40 IU/L. During the follow-up, 14 of 49 patients had ALT more than 40 IU/L. Among 46 eligible HCV patients, 15(32.6%) received treatment and 10 achieved a SVR. Simple notification only made 9.2% of the screened HCV patients treat. Active referral could encourage additional 3.6% to be treated. Additionally, accessible medical care program could result in treatment of 32.6% elderly eligible patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The MixtureTree Annotator, written in JAVA, allows the user to automatically color any phylogenetic tree in Newick format generated from any phylogeny reconstruction program and output the Nexus file. By providing the ability to automatically color the tree by sequence name, the MixtureTree Annotator provides a unique advantage over any other programs which perform a similar function. In addition, the MixtureTree Annotator is the only package that can efficiently annotate the output produced by MixtureTree with mutation information and coalescent time information. In order to visualize the resulting output file, a modified version of FigTree is used. Certain popular methods, which lack good built-in visualization tools, for example, MEGA, Mesquite, PHY-FI, TreeView, treeGraph and Geneious, may give results with human errors due to either manually adding colors to each node or with other limitations, for example only using color based on a number, such as branch length, or by taxonomy. In addition to allowing the user to automatically color any given Newick tree by sequence name, the MixtureTree Annotator is the only method that allows the user to automatically annotate the resulting tree created by the MixtureTree program. The MixtureTree Annotator is fast and easy-to-use, while still allowing the user full control over the coloring and annotating process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Often extensive spectral data is collected on multiple samples with the goal of predicting one or more properties of the sample. For example, measurements can be made at hundreds of wavelengths along with the more expensive assay values. The predictor variables are often highly correlated and it is expected that only small sections of the wave are pertinent to the measured analytes. There is a need to simplify or compress the predictors to both save data storage and possibly de-noise the data prior to making predictive models. Our idea is to use a factorial design (a two-step frame work) to explore two wavelet transformations, Haar wavelets and Daubechies wavelets, with progressively better approximation to the raw data curves in combination with several statistical prediction methods, including stepwise regression, principal component regression, ridge regression and partial least squares regression. The plan is to study prediction quality using Haar-Step, Haar-PCR, Haar-PLS, Haar-Ridge, Daubechies-Step, Daubechies-PCR, Daubechies-PLS and Daubechies-Ridge. Often PLS and stepwise regression can predict substance concentrations equally well. In such situations, the preferred statistical method should be the simplest method. From our studies, we conclude that the type of wavelet is unimportant, the number of wavelets should be large enough to capture most of the variability in the wave forms, and the choice of the statistical method depends on the analyte. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]