Unsupervised noise detection in unstructured data for automatic parsing

The telecommunications industry makes extensive use of data extracted from logs, alarms, traces, diagnostics, and other monitoring devices. Analyzing the generated data requires that the data be parsed, re-structured, and re-formatted. Developing custom parsers for each input format is labor-intensive and requires domain knowledge. In this paper, we describe a novel unsupervised text processing pipeline to automatically detect and label relevant data and eliminate noise using Levenshtein similarity and Agglomerative clustering. We experiment with different similarity and clustering algorithms on a selection of common data formats to verify the accuracy of the proposed technique. The results suggest that the proposed methodology has higher accuracy.ye

Nutritional interventions in randomised clinical trials for people with incurable solid cancer:A systematic review

Background & aimsMalnutrition is highly prevalent in those with cancer and more so in those with incurable cancer. In incurable cancer, it is widely agreed that optimal nutritional care has the potential to positively impact patient and caregiver distress and oncological outcomes. The aim of this systematic review was to describe the diversity and frequency of nutritional interventions, whether given in isolation or as part of a multimodal intervention in those with incurable cancer, in randomised controlled trials. The secondary aims were to describe adherence and their efficacy.MethodsThis systematic review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. The following databases were searched electronically: Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE), Excerpta Medica database (EMBASE), Cumulated Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) with the time frame from January 2000 to 7th September 2023. Eligible studies included adult patients (≥18 years) diagnosed with incurable solid cancer with a sample size ≥40. Studies were to be primary research and delivered for at least 14 days to allow for efficacy. They were to include a nutritional intervention encompassing at least one of the following: dietary counselling, oral nutritional supplements (ONS), enteral tube feeding and/or parenteral nutrition (PN), given in isolation or as part of a multi-modal intervention. Studies were excluded if the population contained patients who had completed curative treatment or are being treated with curative intent, haematological cancers, or if they examined the effects of micronutrients, proteins, amino acids or fatty acids given in isolation. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool for randomised trials (RoB2). A balloon plot was produced to present the results in addition to a table with a narrative summary of the primary outcomes.ResultsA total of 7968 studies were identified, of which 18 met the eligibility criteria. This included 2720 study participants. The included studies comprised: multimodal interventions (n = 7), dietary counselling (n = 2), nutritional supplementation with or without dietary counselling (n = 7) and PN (n = 2). Primary outcomes included quality of life (QoL), body composition and nutritional status. For QoL, this was reported in 15 studies, 4 studies showed a significant improvement. Body composition was evaluated in 15 studies, 5 of which showed a significant improvement in body weight and two in fat-free mass (FFM). Nutritional status was reported in 6 studies with one showing a significant difference in Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA) score. The risk of bias was deemed ‘low’ in 6 studies, with ‘some concerns’ in 10 studies and a ‘high risk’ in 2 studies. There was heterogeneity between the studies.ConclusionThis systematic review has highlighted some positive findings in regard to QoL, body weight and nutritional intake. Optimum nutritional intervention was not identified. Future studies should evaluate the effectiveness of earlier nutritional interventions at the point of diagnosis, including regular reviews and the impact this has on nutritional outcomes, QoL and overall survival (OS)

Exosomes and HIV Gag bud from endosome-like domains of the T cell plasma membrane

Exosomes are secreted, single membrane organelles of ∼100 nm diameter. Their biogenesis is typically thought to occur in a two-step process involving (1) outward vesicle budding at limiting membranes of endosomes (outward = away from the cytoplasm), which generates intralumenal vesicles, followed by (2) endosome–plasma membrane fusion, which releases these internal vesicles into the extracellular milieu as exosomes. In this study, we present evidence that certain cells, including Jurkat T cells, possess discrete domains of plasma membrane that are enriched for exosomal and endosomal proteins, retain the endosomal property of outward vesicle budding, and serve as sites of immediate exosome biogenesis. It has been hypothesized that retroviruses utilize the exosome biogenesis pathway for the formation of infectious particles. In support of this, we find that Jurkat T cells direct the key budding factor of HIV, HIV Gag, to these endosome-like domains of plasma membrane and secrete HIV Gag from the cell in exosomes

A scoping review of therapeutic mentoring for youth mental health

IntroductionTherapeutic mentoring, which leverages paraprofessional care, is a potential way to scale access to care to address the youth mental health crisis. This scoping review synthesizes the current state of research on self-designated therapeutic mentoring programs for youth mental health.MethodA systematic search was conducted across four databases using the term “therapeutic mento*” and related keywords, taking a label-first approach to describe the available literature. Inclusion criteria were peer-reviewed articles about research on therapeutic mentoring in the US, written in English. Data were extracted on study characteristics, intervention details, mentor background, and outcomes.ResultsEighteen empirical articles were identified, published between 2003 and 2024. Most studies focused on at-risk youth from diverse backgrounds. Therapeutic mentoring programming varied, although most (N = 13) studies examined the Campus Connections program. Mentors were typically trained paraprofessionals or undergraduate students supervised by clinical professionals. Only two randomized controlled trials were found, both of the Campus Connections program.DiscussionThe review revealed a lack of rigorous experimental studies on therapeutic mentoring efficacy, as defined by studies that use the term therapeutic mentoring. While some studies showed promising effects, more research is needed to establish the definition of therapeutic mentoring and whether it is an acceptable and effective intervention for youth mental health.ConclusionA clear definition of therapeutic mentoring is needed to advance the field and facilitate systematic evaluation of its effectiveness in supporting youth mental health. Future research should prioritize developing program models that align with diverse youth's cultural values, conducting randomized controlled trials, examining program components, and developing standardized measures for assessing therapeutic mentoring outcomes

The Grizzly, December 5, 2002

Putting the Art Back in a Liberal Arts Education • Celebrating the Holidays Around the World • There is no Need to be Violent • Stress Triggers at Ursinus College • Stress Busters • Fear vs. Phobia • Graduates: Trying to Find a Job that Pays • Sober for Good • Unexpected Difference • Children Violent with Other Children • Gymnastics Team has High Expectations • How do Ursinus Athletes Prevent Injuries? • Luciano Named CC and ECAC Player of the Week • Final Exam Schedulehttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1527/thumbnail.jp

Proposed research classification criteria for Lyme disease in infection associated chronic illness studies

BackgroundResearch on patients with persistent symptoms despite prior treatment for Lyme disease can be challenging to interpret given the diversity of criteria selected to characterize Lyme disease and to define the syndrome of those with persistent symptoms. Because most research studies only include patients with well-documented prior Lyme disease, the generalizability of the study results is limited, excluding the larger group of patients often seen in community practice who do not meet these stringent enrollment criteria. Researchers at the Lyme and other Tick-borne Diseases Clinical Trials Network (LTD-CTN) recognized early on that a research classification system was needed to facilitate the design of studies that are more inclusive. This paper presents a proposed research classification system.MethodsCriteria used in published clinical research on previously treated Lyme disease were reviewed. Clinical expertise was provided by principal investigators in the LTD-CTN. Further input was obtained from a diverse panel of stakeholders in the field, including clinicians, academic researchers, and patient advocates. This classification system was developed based on feedback collected from all these sources.ResultsThe new research classification system proposes criteria for Lyme disease at different levels of diagnostic certainty: well-defined, probable, possible, and uncertain. Criteria for ascertainment for each classification level and additional factors to be considered in patient selection for research are described.ConclusionThe proposed research classification system should improve the quality and generalizability of clinical research by providing clear case definitions for enrollment of a more diverse group of patients with sequelae from Lyme disease

The Grizzly, November 7, 2002

Election 2002: Absent-Minded with Absentee Ballots • Redhat Makes Computer Connection at Ursinus • Reimert Robbers • In Praise of Music Presented Last Weekend • Boo from UC to You! • Don\u27t Delete Your Future: Career Services Information • Professors Killed During Student Rampage and Suicide • Opinions: To Vote or not to Vote?; Sexual Harassment: A Problem for Ursinus Students; Sniper Caught: Will Peace be Restored? • Third Annual Poem-palooza a Success • Berman: Social Surrealism • Radio Talk Show Comes to Ursinus • Women\u27s Soccer Season Better Than Record Shows • Field Hockey Finishes at the Top of Division III • Roller Hockey Opens Season • Cross Country 2002 Centennial Conference Championships • Dealing with Death: How to Cope • So You Wanna be a Bartender?https://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1524/thumbnail.jp

The Grizzly, October 24, 2002

Cloudy Weather Fails to Dampen Spirits for Homecoming 2002 • You Break it! You Buy it! • President Bush Warns of War as Situation in Iraq Intensifies • Psychology Department Welcomes Dr. DaCosta • Ursinus Awarded Gold Star for Excellence from DEEP Researchers • Career Services Offers Graduate Programs for Students • Student Profile: Ursinus Freshman a World Traveler • Opinions: Homecoming 2002 a Blast or a Bust?; Academic Dishonesty: Growing Wise to the Problem; Should our Newspaper Have a Sex Column? • Vandalism at Ursinus College • First Ever Ursinus Women\u27s Magazine • Walter Annenberg Remembered • 70th Anniversary of the Lantern • Poem-palooza 2002 • The Daniel Boone Homestead Holds Heritage Day • Field Hockey Continues to Dominate • Women\u27s Rugby Score a Successful Homecoming • Borsdorf Warrants Achievement • Quitting Frenzy! What\u27s Going on with the Football Team? • Comparative Price Report: Haunted Attractions • Alcohol Awareness Week • Got Beer?https://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1523/thumbnail.jp

The Grizzly, November 14, 2002

Did you Miss the Election 2002? • Young Voters Ignore their Political Power • Ursinus Students Writing Kids Program Grant • History, Reminder Found in Veteran\u27s Day • Tartuffe Simply Delicious • Opinions: Are Dateds Worth It?; Homecoming: A Different Opinion; More Problems with Registration; Everclear Rocks Ursinus • Get Ready to Jazz: Ursinus Concert Band Style • Dateds: Worth the Dollar? • Everclear: Clearer than Ever • Exhibit Cases Return to Myrin Library • Men\u27s, Women\u27s Basketball Get Ready to Open Seasons • Roller Hockey Records First • Swim Team Opens Winter Season with a Win • Hot Dates for Collegeville Love Birds • Louie and his Band Rock U.C. • Meet the Ladies of Suites 106 and 204https://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1525/thumbnail.jp