LLukas22/scidocs huggingface dataset:
Understanding barriers to cataract surgery among older persons in rural China through focus groups.

PURPOSE
To utilize focus groups (FGs) to identify barriers to cataract surgery specific to older persons in rural Guangdong, China.


METHODS
Three focus groups in separate locations were carried out for persons aged 60 years and above with best-corrected vision <= 6/18 due to cataract, either accepting or refusing surgery. Participants also ranked responses to questions about acceptance of surgery among the elderly. FG transcripts were coded independently by two investigators using qualitative data management software.


RESULTS
Twenty participants had a mean age of 72.7 ± 6.1 years, 14 (70.0%) were women and 17 (85.0%) were blind (best-corrected vision <= 6/60) in at least one eye. Cost was ranked by two of three groups as the main barrier to surgery, and all groups listed reducing cost as the best strategy to increase surgical uptake. Many respondents planned to use China's New Cooperative Medical Scheme (NCMS) health insurance to pay for surgery. Participants showed poor understanding of cataract, but ranked educational interventions low as methods of increasing uptake. Though opinions of local service quality were poor, respondents did not see quality as an important barrier to accepting service. Participants frequently depended on family members to pay for surgery.


CONCLUSIONS
Contrary to some previous reports, cost may be an important barrier to cataract surgery in rural China, which NCMS may help to alleviate. Educational interventions to increase knowledge about cataract are needed, but may face skepticism among patients. Strategies to promote cataract surgery should target the entire family.
The Disposition Toward Critical Thinking

There is a set of characterological attributes thought to be associated with developing success at critical thinking (CT). This paper explores the disposition toward CT theoretically, and then as it appears to be manifest in college students. Factor analytic research grounded in a consensus-based conceptual analysis of CT described seven aspects of the overall disposition toward CT: truth-seeking, open-mindedness, analyticity, systematicity, CTconfidence, inquisitiveness, and cognitive maturity. The California Critical Thinking Disposition Inventory (CCTDI), developed in 1992, was used to sample college students at two comprehensive universities. Entering college freshman students showed strengths in openmindedness and inquisitiveness, weaknesses in systematicity and opposition to truth-seeking. Additional research indicates the disposition toward CT is highly correlated with the psychological constructs of absorption and openness to experience, and strongly predictive of ego-resiliency. A preliminary study explores the interesting and potentially complex interrelationship between the disposition toward CT and CT abilities. In addition to the significance of this work for psychological studies of human development, empirical research on the disposition toward CT promises important implications for all levels of education. 1 This essay appeared as Facione, PA, Sánchez, (Giancarlo) CA, Facione, NC & Gainen, J., (1995). The disposition toward critical thinking. Journal of General Education. Volume 44, Number(1). 1-25.
Viewpoint Paper: The Informatics Opportunities at the Intersection of Patient Safety and Clinical Informatics

Health care providers have a basic responsibility to protect patients from accidental harm. At the institutional level, creating safe health care organizations necessitates a systematic approach. Effective use of informatics to enhance safety requires the establishment and use of standards for concept definitions and for data exchange, development of acceptable models for knowledge representation, incentives for adoption of electronic health records, support for adverse event detection and reporting, and greater investment in research at the intersection of informatics and patient safety. Leading organizations have demonstrated that health care informatics approaches can improve safety. Nevertheless, significant obstacles today limit optimal application of health informatics to safety within most provider environments. The authors offer a series of recommendations for addressing these challenges.
Becoming Agile: A Grounded Theory of Agile Transitions in Practice

Agile adoption is typically understood as a oneoff organizational process involving a staged selection of agile development practices. This view of agility fails to explain the differences in the pace and effectiveness of individual teams transitioning to agile development. Based on a Grounded Theory study of 31 agile practitioners drawn from 18 teams across five countries, we present a grounded theory of becoming agile as a network of on-going transitions across five dimensions: software development practices, team practices, management approach, reflective practices, and culture. The unique position of a software team through this network, and their pace of progress along the five dimensions, explains why individual agile teams present distinct manifestations of agility and unique transition experiences. The theory expands the current understanding of agility as a holistic and complex network of on-going multidimensional transitions, and will help software teams, their managers, and organizations better navigate their individual agile journeys.
An analytical survey of chat reference services

There has been in recent years a surge of interest about new software products that make it possible for libraries to offer assistance to online users via chat. Such software offers far more interactivity than instant messaging programs and allow for a richer experience for both librarian and user. Surveys chat reference services around the globe and analyzes trends in the provision of this new mode of assistance. Also presents discussion of why chat reference service is gathering attention as well as its limitations and drawbacks.
Understanding ‘sexual addiction’ in clinical practice

Abstract Understanding of ‘sexually addictive’ behavior is investigated though focus-groups, questionnaires and interviews with 30 self identified ‘sexual addicts’ and 30 treatment providers who work with this issue in clinical practice. Data are being analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, (IPA). Initial results indicate that while ‘sexual addiction’ is similar in many respects to other addictions, it is also distinctively different too. Frequently connected to childhood trauma and a fear of intimacy, it requires specialist treatment which remains limited. Participants identify additional issues requiring specific attention including: clinical definitions, treatment, professional training and ethical boundaries.
Approximation algorithms for spanner problems and Directed Steiner Forest

Article history: Available online 26 October 2012 We present an O ( √ n log n)-approximation algorithm for the problem of finding the sparsest spanner of a given directed graph G on n vertices. A spanner of a graph is a sparse subgraph that approximately preserves distances in the original graph. More precisely, given a graph G = (V , E) with nonnegative edge lengths d : E → R 0 and a stretch k 1, a subgraph H = (V , E H ) is a k-spanner of G if for every edge (s, t) ∈ E , the graph H contains a path from s to t of length at most k · d(s, t). The previous best approximation ratio was Õ (n2/3), due to Dinitz and Krauthgamer (STOC ’11). We also improve the approximation ratio for the important special case of directed 3-spanners with unit edge lengths from Õ ( √ n ) to O (n1/3 log n). The best previously known algorithms for this problem are due to Berman, Raskhodnikova and Ruan (FSTTCS ’10) and Dinitz and Krauthgamer. The approximation ratio of our algorithm almost matches Dinitz and Krauthgamer’s lower bound for the integrality gap of a natural linear programming relaxation. Our algorithm directly implies an O (n1/3 log n)-approximation for the 3-spanner problem on undirected graphs with unit lengths. An easy O ( √ n )-approximation algorithm for this problem has been the best known for decades. Finally, we consider the Directed Steiner Forest problem: given a directed graph with edge costs and a collection of ordered vertex pairs, find a minimum-cost subgraph that contains a path between every prescribed pair. We obtain an approximation ratio of O (n2/3+ ) for any constant > 0, which improves the O (n · min(n4/5,m2/3)) ratio due to Feldman, Kortsarz and Nutov (JCSS’12). © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Anti-tumour necrosis factor therapy is associated with certain subtypes of chronic rhinosinusitis.

BACKGROUND
Chronic rhinosinusitis has many risk factors; however, the effect of anti-tumour necrosis factor therapy has not been investigated in depth. Our experience points to a detrimental clinical effect in overall prevalence of chronic rhinosinusitis, despite its benefit in certain subtypes.


METHOD
A telephone survey was performed to parallel the findings of the Global Allergy and Asthma European Network chronic rhinosinusitis screening survey. This was itself based on the widely recognised European Position Paper on Rhinosinusitis and Nasal Polyps criteria.


RESULTS
A total of 120 patients responded to the survey. The prevalence of chronic rhinosinusitis in the anti-tumour necrosis factor therapy population was 20 per cent (95 per cent confidence interval = 12.84-27.16). When compared using a chi-square test, for a two-by-two contingency table, this finding was significant against the prevalence recorded in the normal population.


CONCLUSION
This is the first observational study indicating increased prevalence of chronic rhinosinusitis in patients treated with anti-tumour necrosis factor therapy. These clinical findings require investigation in greater depth to clarify the nature of pathologies currently diagnosed and treated as chronic rhinosinusitis.
Garment Replacement in Monocular Video Sequences

We present a semi-automatic approach to exchange the clothes of an actor for arbitrary virtual garments in conventional monocular video footage as a postprocess. We reconstruct the actor's body shape and motion from the input video using a parameterized body model. The reconstructed dynamic 3D geometry of the actor serves as an animated mannequin for simulating the virtual garment. It also aids in scene illumination estimation, necessary to realistically light the virtual garment. An image-based warping technique ensures realistic compositing of the rendered virtual garment and the original video. We present results for eight real-world video sequences featuring complex test cases to evaluate performance for different types of motion, camera settings, and illumination conditions.
Balancing safety and support: Changing lanes with a haptic lane-keeping support system

Haptic guidance on the steering wheel has been shown to be useful in supporting drivers during lane keeping and curve negotiation. One successful realization is haptic guidance that continuously produces torques on the steering wheel depending on predicted lateral lane deviations. Thus, both driver and support system contribute to the steering wheel torque, sharing lateral control of the vehicle. However, current shared control systems do not support drivers during a lane change, a driving task diametrically opposed to lane keeping. This study describes the design and evaluation of an extension of lane-keeping haptic guidance, which also continuously and smoothly supports lane changes. An experiment in a fixed-base driving simulator was conducted to assess the effect of the support system on lane change behavior when haptic guidance was provided during both lane-keeping and lane-changing situations. In agreement with previous findings, objective measures and subjective responses showed that the presented haptic guidance was beneficial during lane-keeping tasks, resulting in small but significantly increased performance with a smoother and reduced steering activity. Although the developed system increased the measured steering wheel peak torque during the start of lane changes, subjective responses showed that drivers could comfortably make lane changes and felt in control during the maneuver. Concluding, the designed system provides drivers with the benefits of (previously designed) haptic guidance for lane-keeping, while allowing them to smoothly change lanes at any time.
New diagnostics in forensic pathology

Purpose of the study: In forensic autopsies it is important to determine the age of early vital skin wounds as accurate as possible. In addition to inflammation, coagulation is also induced in vital wounds. Analysis of blood coagulation markers in wound hemorrhage could therefore be an important additional discriminating factor in wound age determination. The aim of this study was to develop a wound age probability scoring system, based on the immunohistochemical expression levels of Fibronectin, CD62p and Factor VIII in wound hemorrhage. Methods: Tissue samples of (A) non injured control skin (n=383), and samples of mechanically induced skin injuries of known wound age, (B) injuries inflicted shortly before death (up to a few minutes old) (n=382), and (C) injuries inflicted 15-30 minutes before death (n=42) were obtained at autopsy in order to validate wound age estimation. Tissue slides were stained for Fibronectin, CD62p and Factor VIII and were subsequently scored for staining intensity (IHC score) in wound hemorrhage (1=minor, 2=moderate, 3=strong positive). Finally, probability scores of these markers were calculated. Results: In at most 14% of the non-injured control samples, hemorrhage was found, with mean ± standard deviation IHC scores of 0.1 ± 0.4, 0.2 ± 0.4 and 0.2 ± 0.5 for Fibronectin, CD62p, and Factor VIII, respectively. Expression of these markers significantly increased to mean IHC scores 1.4 ± 0.8 (Fibronectin), 1.2 ± 0.6 (CD62p), and 1.6 ± 0.8 (Factor VIII) in wounds inflicted shortly before death (few minutes old) and to 2.6 ± 0.5 (Fibronectin), 2.5 ± 0.6 (CD62p), and 2.8 ± 0.4 (Factor VIII) in 15-30 minutes old wounds. The probabilities that a wound was non vital in case of an IH score 0 were 87%, 88% and 90% for Fibronectin, CD62p, and Factor VIII, respectively. In case of an IHC score 1 or 2, the probabilities that a wound was a few minutes old were 82/90%, 82/83% and 72/93%. Finally, in case of an IHC score 3, the probabilities that a wound was 15-30 minutes old were 65%, 76% and 55%.
Antinuclear antibodies in children with epilepsy treated by carbamazepine

PURPOSE
An increased prevalence of antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) has been reported among patients with epilepsy. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of ANAs in children with epilepsy who were taking carbamazepine as monotherapy.


METHODS
This was an observational, descriptive study at Motahary outpatient Clinic, Shiraz, Iran. All patients with epilepsy between the ages 3-18 years, taking carbamazepine as monotherapy, were studied and blood samples were obtained for ANA and other tests.


RESULTS
Totally, 58 patients (38 boys and 20 girls) were studied. The mean age of the patients was 11.5+/-2.6 years. The mean duration of carbamazepine therapy before ANA measurement was 14+/-6 months. ANA was positive in only one patient. ANA had a speckled pattern and titer of 1:80 dilution in that patient. It was negative in the remaining patients.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of ANA is not considerable among children with epilepsy treated by carbamazepine. Moreover, this inconsiderable rate of positive ANA seems to have no clinical implications. Therefore, it seems that there is no need to be concerned of this side-effect of carbamazepine in children, unless clinically indicated.
Human placenta-derived cells (PDA-001) for the treatment of adults with multiple sclerosis: a randomized, placebo-controlled, multiple-dose study.

BACKGROUND
Infusion of PDA-001, a preparation of mesenchymal-like cells derived from full-term human placenta, is a new approach in the treatment of patients with multiple sclerosis.


OBJECTIVE
This safety study aimed to rule out the possibility of paradoxical exacerbation of disease activity by PDA-001 in patients with multiple sclerosis.


METHODS
This was a phase 1b, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 2-dose ranging study including patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis or secondary progressive multiple sclerosis. The study was conducted at 6 sites in the United States and 2 sites in Canada. Patients were randomized 3:1 to receive 2 low-dose infusions of PDA-001 (150×10(6) cells) or placebo, given 1 week apart. After completing this cohort, subsequent patients received high-dose PDA-001 (600×10(6) cells) or placebo. Monthly brain magnetic resonance imaging scans were performed. The primary end point was ruling out the possibility of paradoxical worsening of MS disease activity. This was monitored using Cutter׳s rule (≥5 new gadolinium lesions on 2 consecutive scans) by brain magnetic resonance imaging on a monthly basis for six months and also the frequency of multiple sclerosis relapse.


RESULTS
Ten patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis and 6 with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis were randomly assigned to treatment: 6 to low-dose PDA-001, 6 to high-dose PDA-001, and 4 to placebo. No patient met Cutter׳s rule. One patient receiving high-dose PDA-001 had an increase in T2 and gadolinium lesions and in Expanded Disability Status Scale score during a multiple sclerosis flare 5 months after receiving PDA-001. No other patient had an increase in Expanded Disability Status Scale score>0.5, and most had stable or decreasing Expanded Disability Status Scale scores. With high-dose PDA-001, 1 patient experienced a grade 1 anaphylactoid reaction and 1 had grade 2 superficial thrombophlebitis. Other adverse events were mild to moderate and included headache, fatigue, infusion site reactions, and urinary tract infection.


CONCLUSION
PDA-001 infusions were safe and well tolerated in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis and secondary progressive multiple sclerosis patients. No paradoxical worsening of lesion counts was noted with either dose.
Aristotle and the Value of Political Participation

What value should we place on political activity? Is it intrinsically valuable, engaged in for its own sake as part of the good life, as essential to complete development as a human being? Is it, on the other hand, an evil to be avoided at all costs or at best engaged in as a necessary means toward other, nonpolitical goals? Where did Aristotle stand on this issue? He is often seen as supporting the view that politics and political activity belong to the good life itself. This appears implicit, for example, is his doctrine that man is a political animal, in his concept of political rule as the alternation of ruling and being ruled among equals, and in his definition of citizenship as having a share in deliberative and judicial office.' On the other hand, there are parts of Aristotle that appear to support withdrawal from politics or at least reluctant participation. In both Ethics, he argues for the supremacy of philosophical contemplation and clearly prefers the life of the philosopher over the life of the statesman, arguments that are repeated in the Politics. Leisure, not political activity, is the ethical goal to be pursued by his ideal state. If someone of outstanding ability appears, the virtuous citizen will willingly surrender power to him, without, it appears, any loss of virtue or happiness.2 As we shall see, neither of these interpretations is wholly sustainable, and each, as Aristotle himself might have said, has something to contribute to the truth. Aristotle does not reject the whole of ethical and political life in favor of philosophy; but neither is he a wholehearted advocate of political participation as essential for happiness.
Burnout and health behaviors in health professionals from seven European countries.

OBJECTIVES
Within an underlying health-impairing process, work stressors exhaust employees' mental and physical resources and lead to exhaustion/burnout and to health problems, with health-impairing behaviors being one of the potential mechanisms, linking burnout to ill health. The study aims to explore the associations between burnout and fast food consumption, exercise, alcohol consumption and painkiller use in a multinational sample of 2623 doctors, nurses and residents from Greece, Portugal, Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey, Croatia and Macedonia, adopting a cross-national approach.


METHODS
Data are part of the international cross-sectional quantitative ORCAB survey. The measures included the Maslach Burnout Inventory and the Health Behaviors Questionnaire.


RESULTS
Burnout was significantly positively associated with higher fast food consumption, infrequent exercise, higher alcohol consumption and more frequent painkiller use in the full sample, and these associations remained significant after the inclusion of individual differences factors and country of residence. Cross-national comparisons showed significant differences in burnout and health behaviors, and some differences in the statistical significance and magnitude (but not the direction) of the associations between them. Health professionals from Turkey, Greece and Bulgaria reported the most unfavorable experiences.


CONCLUSIONS
Burnout and risk health behaviors among health professionals are important both in the context of health professionals' health and well-being and as factors contributing to medical errors and inadequate patient safety. Organizational interventions should incorporate early identification of such behaviors together with programs promoting health and aimed at the reduction of burnout and work-related stress.
Implementing an extension of the analytical hierarchy process using ordered weighted averaging operators with fuzzy quantifiers in ArcGIS

This paper focuses on the integration of GIS and an extension of the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) using quantifier-guided ordered weighted averaging (OWA) procedure. AHP_OWA is a multicriteria combination operator. The nature of the AHP_OWA depends on some parameters, which are expressed by means of fuzzy linguistic quantifiers. By changing the linguistic terms, AHP_OWA can generate a wide range of decision strategies. We propose a GIS-multicriteria evaluation (MCE) system through implementation of AHP_OWA within ArcGIS, capable of integrating linguistic labels within conventional AHP for spatial decision making. We suggest that the proposed GIS-MCE would simplify the definition of decision strategies and facilitate an exploratory analysis of multiple criteria by incorporating qualitative information within the analysis. r 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.