LLukas22/scidocs huggingface dataset:
Prefrontal space ratio in second- and third-trimester screening for trisomy 21.

OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the prefrontal space ratio (PFSR) in second- and third-trimester euploid fetuses and fetuses with trisomy 21.


METHODS
This was a retrospective study utilizing stored mid-sagittal two-dimensional images of second- and third-trimester fetal faces that were recorded during prenatal ultrasound examinations at the Department of Prenatal Medicine at the University of Tuebingen, Germany and at a private center for prenatal medicine in Nuremberg, Germany. For the normal range, 279 euploid pregnancies between 15 and 40 weeks' gestation were included. The results were compared with 91 cases with trisomy 21 between 15 and 40 weeks. For the ratio measurement, a line was drawn between the leading edge of the mandible and the maxilla (MM line) and extended in front of the forehead. The ratio of the distance between the leading edge of the skull and the leading edge of the skin (d1) to the distance between the skin and the point where the MM line was intercepted (d2) was calculated. The PFSR was determined by dividing d2 by d1.


RESULTS
In the euploid and trisomy 21 groups, the median gestational age at the time of ultrasound examination was 21.1 (range, 15.0-40.0) and 21.4 (range, 15.0-40.3) weeks, respectively. Multiple regression analysis showed that PFSR was independent of maternal and gestational age. In the euploid group, the mean PFSR was 0.97 ± 0.29. In fetuses with trisomy 21, the mean PFSR was 0.2 ± 0.38 (P < 0.0001). The PFSR was below the 5(th) centile in 14 (5.0%) euploid fetuses and in 72 (79.1%) fetuses with trisomy 21.


CONCLUSION
The PFSR is a simple and effective marker in second- and third-trimester screening for trisomy 21.
Effect of Comorbidity on Prostate Cancer–Specific Mortality: A Prospective Observational Study

Purpose To determine the effect of comorbidity on prostate cancer (PCa)-specific mortality across treatment types. Patients and Methods These are the results of a population-based observational study in Sweden from 1998 to 2012 of 118,543 men who were diagnosed with PCa with a median follow-up of 8.3 years (interquartile range, 5.2 to 11.5 years) until death from PCa or other causes. Patients were categorized by patient characteristics (marital status, educational level) and tumor characteristics (serum prostate-specific antigen, tumor grade and clinical stage) and by treatment type (radical prostatectomy, radical radiotherapy, androgen deprivation therapy, and watchful waiting). Data were stratified by Charlson comorbidity index (0, 1, 2, or ≥ 3). Mortality from PCa and other causes and after stabilized inverse probability weighting adjustments for clinical patient and tumor characteristics and treatment type was determined. Kaplan-Meier estimates and Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to calculate hazard ratios. Results In the complete unadjusted data set, we observed an effect of increased comorbidity on PCa-specific and other-cause mortality. After adjustments for patient and tumor characteristics, the effect of comorbidity on PCa-specific mortality was lost but maintained for other-cause mortality. After additional adjustment for treatment type, we again failed to observe an effect for comorbidity on PCa-specific mortality, although it was maintained for other-cause mortality. Conclusion This large observational study suggests that comorbidity affects other cause-mortality but not PCa-specific- mortality after accounting for patient and tumor characteristics and treatment type. Regardless of radical treatment type (radical prostatectomy or radical radiotherapy), increasing comorbidity does not seem to significantly affect the risk of dying from PCa. Consequently, differences in oncologic outcomes that were observed in population-based comparative effectiveness studies of PCa treatments may not be a result of the varying distribution of comorbidity among treatment groups.
The thinking of practice teaching based on strengthening civil engineering management specialty

In order to train talented people which adapt new times in the civil engineering management, the paper discusses how to develop practical ability of major in the civil engineering management, which based on the training targets of civil engineering management of my University and quo status of course system, and information from internet investigation and field survey
A Comparison of Three Methods for Selecting Values of Input Variables in the Analysis of Output From a Computer Code

A Comparison of Three Methods for Selecting Values of Input Variables in the Analysis of Output from a Computer Code Author(s): M. D. Mckay, R. J. Beckman, W. J. Conover Source: Technometrics, Vol. 42, No. 1, Special 40th Anniversary Issue (Feb., 2000), pp. 55-61 Published by: American Statistical Association and American Society for Quality Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/1271432 Accessed: 29/06/2010 10:02
Diet composition of pregnant Finnish women: changes over time and across seasons.

OBJECTIVE
To describe the diet of a population of pregnant Finnish women over a period of 7 years, with special attention paid to seasonal fluctuations in food consumption and nutrient intake.


DESIGN
A validated 181-item FFQ was applied retrospectively, after delivery, to assess the maternal diet during the 8th month of pregnancy.


SETTING
Type 1 Diabetes Prediction and Prevention Nutrition Study Cohort.


SUBJECTS
The cohort comprised a total of 4880 women who had newly delivered during the years 1997-2004, with the offspring carrying increased genetic risk for type 1 diabetes mellitus.


RESULTS
Over the study period, the proportion of energy derived from fat decreased while the intake from protein and carbohydrate increased. The intake of vitamin D increased from food sources. Seasonal variation was observed in the mean daily consumption of vegetables, fruits and berries and cereals. Intake of dietary fibre, total fat, MUFA, vitamins A, D, E and C, folate and iron also showed seasonal fluctuation.


CONCLUSIONS
These results show an overall positive trend in the diet of pregnant Finnish women through the study years. However, there is still room for improvement, particularly in the types of dietary fats. Although food fortification with vitamin D since 2003 was reflected in the increased intake of vitamin D from foods, the mean intake levels still fell below the recommendations. Seasonal changes in food consumption were observed and related to corresponding fluctuations in nutrient intakes. The mean folate intake fell below the recommendation throughout the year.
Neuronal Correlates of Colour-Graphemic Synaesthesia: Afmri Study

Synaesthesia is a perceptual phenomenon in which specific events in one sensory modality induce experiences in another. In colour-graphemic synaesthesia, subjects report colour experiences induced by written letters. Our subjects displayed this type of synaesthesia, as verified by a test of the consistency of the perceptual associations over time, and had no history of neurological or psychiatric disorders. We investigated the hypothesis that the synaesthetic colour experience is accompanied by an activation of the human colour area (V4/V8) using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). With retinotopic and colour mapping we could confirm that colour stimuli specifically activate area V4/V8. For the study of colour-graphemic synaesthesia we used an AB boxcar design with blocks of letters that elicited a synaesthetic colour experience (condition A) alternating with blocks of letters that did not (condition B). In both hemispheres condition A led to a significantly higher activation of V4/V8 than condition B. These findings support the hypothesis that the grapheme-induced colour perception in synaesthesia is caused by an activation of the colour areas of the human visual cortex.
Game literacy in theory and practice

This article addresses the notion of teaching about games as a cultural medium in their own right. This includes critical analyses of existing texts but also involves enabling students to create their own. Implications of this approach are discussed and concrete, research-based examples are provided. A more theoretical discussion of the notion of game literacy and the principles on which this approach is based is also included. The article concludes with implications for policy and practice. [abstract ends]
Vitamin D intake needed to maintain target serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations in participants with low sun exposure and dark skin pigmentation is substantially higher than current recommendations.

Cutaneous cholecalciferol synthesis has not been considered in making recommendations for vitamin D intake. Our objective was to model the effects of sun exposure, vitamin D intake, and skin reflectance (pigmentation) on serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) in young adults with a wide range of skin reflectance and sun exposure. Four cohorts of participants (n = 72 total) were studied for 7-8 wk in the fall, winter, spring, and summer in Davis, CA [38.5 degrees N, 121.7 degrees W, Elev. 49 ft (15 m)]. Skin reflectance was measured using a spectrophotometer, vitamin D intake using food records, and sun exposure using polysulfone dosimeter badges. A multiple regression model (R(2) = 0.55; P < 0.0001) was developed and used to predict the serum 25(OH)D concentration for participants with low [median for African ancestry (AA)] and high [median for European ancestry (EA)] skin reflectance and with low [20th percentile, approximately 20 min/d, approximately 18% body surface area (BSA) exposed] and high (80th percentile, approximately 90 min/d, approximately 35% BSA exposed) sun exposure, assuming an intake of 200 iu/d (5 ug/d). Predicted serum 25(OH)D concentrations for AA individuals with low and high sun exposure in the winter were 24 and 42 nmol/L and in the summer were 40 and 60 nmol/L. Corresponding values for EA individuals were 35 and 60 nmol/L in the winter and in the summer were 58 and 85 nmol/L. To achieve 25(OH)D > or =75 nmol/L, we estimate that EA individuals with high sun exposure need 1300 iu/d vitamin D intake in the winter and AA individuals with low sun exposure need 2100-3100 iu/d year-round.
Social representations of the psychologist for young students

Resumo Essa pesquisa objetivou analisar as Representacoes Sociais (RS) de psicologo para estudantes do ensino medio. Foi desenvolvida em duas etapas: 1) sob a perspectiva estrutural, aplicacao de questionario a 61 estudantes (42 meninas e 19 meninos) com o termo indutor “ psicologo” ; 2) sob a perspectiva processual, realizacao de Grupos Focais (GF) com 9 estudantes (8 meninas e 1 menino). Analisou-se as questoes de evocacao pelo software EVOC e as demais, por analise tematica. O elemento ajuda constituiu o possivel nucleo central da estrutura das RS, enquanto os GF indicaram o processo de constituicao de novos saberes sobre psicologo e concomitantemente confirmaram a importância do elemento ajuda. Enfatiza-se a importância das interacoes sociais, sentimentos e afetos na construcao das RS. Palavras-chave: Representacao social, Psicologos, Jovens, Atuacao Do Psicologo, Estudantes. Abstract This research studied the Social Representations (SR) of the psychologist for high school students. It consisted in two phases: The first stage was carried out under the structural perspective, where a questionnaire was administrated to 61 students (42 girls and 19 boys) with the inductive term “psychologist”. The second stage used the processual perspective. Focal groups of 9 students (8 girls and 1 boy) were conducted. The evocation questions were processed by EVOC software, whereas the other questions were addressed by the use of Thematic Analysis. The data analysis has demonstrated the term help as the central core of the representation. The focal groups evidenced new perceptions about the psychologist, and the help element was confirmed. It was emphasized the importance of affective interactions, feelings and affections in the construction of SR. Keywords: Social Representations, Psychologists, Young People, Students, Psychologist’s Work, Performance of the Psychologist. Resumen Este trabajo investigo las Representaciones Sociales (RS) de psicologo a estudiantes de educacion secundaria. Se desarrollo en dos etapas: in la perspectiva estructural, la aplicacion del cuestionario a 61 estudiantes (42 chicas/19 chicos) con el termino inductor “ psicologo ”; in la perspectiva procesal, la realizacion de Grupos Focales (GF) con 9 estudiantes (8 chicas/1 chico). Las preguntas de evocacion fueron tratadas con el software EVOC y, las demas, sometidas al Analisis Tematico. Los datos mostraron el elemento ayuda como nucleo central da estructura de la RS. Los GF indican la aparicion de nuevos saberes sobre psicologo al mismo tiempo que corroboran el elemento ayuda. Se enfatiza la importancia de las interacciones sociales, sentimientos y afectos en la construccion de las RS. Palabras clave: Representacion Social, Psicologos, Jovenes, Actuacion de Psicologo, Estudiantes.
Clinical classification of cauda equina syndrome for proper treatment

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Cauda equina syndrome (CES) is a severe complication of lumbar spinal disorders; it results from compression of the nerve roots of the cauda equina. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical usefulness of a classification scheme of CES based on factors including clinical symptoms, imaging signs, and electrophysiological findings.


METHODS
The records of 39 patients with CES were divided into 4 groups based on clinical features as follows. Group 1 (preclinical): low back pain with only bulbocavernosus reflex and ischiocavernosus reflex abnormalities. Group 2 (early): saddle sensory disturbance and bilateral sciatica. Group 3 (middle): saddle sensory disturbance, bowel or bladder dysfunction, motor weakness of the lower extremity, and reduced sexual function. Group 4 (late): absence of saddle sensation and sexual function in addition to uncontrolled bowel function. The outcome including radiographic and electrophysiological findings was compared between groups.


RESULTS
The main clinical manifestations of CES included bilateral saddle sensory disturbance, and bowel, bladder, and sexual dysfunction. The clinical symptoms of patients with multiple-segment canal stenosis identified radiographically were more severe than those of patients with single-segment stenosis. BCR and ICR improved in groups 1 and 2 after surgery, but no change was noted for groups 3 and 4.


INTERPRETATION
We conclude that bilateral radiculopathy or sciatica are early stages of CES and indicate a high risk of development of advanced CES. Electrophysiological abnormalities and reduced saddle sensation are indices of early diagnosis. Patients at the preclinical and early stages have better functional recovery than patients in later stages after surgical decompression.
Sensory stimulation promotes normalization of postural control after stroke.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
In a randomized study of hemiparetic stroke patients with a median age of 75 years, functional recovery was significantly better in those who received additional sensory stimulation (n = 38), including electrostimulation, than in control patients (n = 40) given the same physiotherapy and occupational therapy; group differences for balance, mobility, and activities of daily living were significant. The present study was designed to investigate postural control in patients who survived more than 2 years after stroke onset.


METHODS
The 48 survivors (mean, 2.7 years; range, 2.0 to 3.8 years), 22 from the treatment group and 26 from the control group, were compared with 23 age-matched healthy subjects. Subjects were perturbed by vibrators applied to calf muscles or with galvanic vestibular stimulation. We evaluated postural control in terms of sway variances or sway velocities and the dynamics of postural control as a feedback system using system identification with a model previously validated for human postural control.


RESULTS
Significantly more patients of the treatment group than of the control group maintained stance during perturbations (P < .01). Among patients capable of maintaining stance during perturbation, the control patients were characterized by significant divergence from normal values in two of the three characteristic parameters of dynamic postural control (ie, swiftness and stiffness; P < .05) compared with the treatment subgroup or age-matched subjects.


CONCLUSIONS
The course of sensory stimulation enhanced recovery of postural function, an enhancement still significant 2 years after the lesion and treatment. The differences and near normalization of characteristic parameters of dynamic postural control among treated patients suggest that improved recovery after sensory stimulation may be achieved by patients regaining normal or near normal dynamics of human postural control.
Maori family culture: A context of youth development in Counties/Manukau

This paper reports on a study designed to bring the voices of young people directly into the social science literature on environmental influences on wellbeing. We analyse accounts from young Maori about their families and the roles they play in their lives in order to focus on strengths and positive resources for the promotion of youth wellbeing. Interview data were gathered from 12 females and 15 males, aged between 12 and 25 years, resident in the Counties/Manukau region. Participants who were managing satisfactorily in their lives were purposively selected for diversity of background and circumstances. Our “lifestory” approach sought narrative accounts of both everyday experience and the highs and lows of life; data were transcribed verbatim and analysed using discursive methods. Clusters of themes relating to family environments including relationships with parents, siblings and extended kin groups emerged. Participants provided detailed and nuanced accounts of family cultures, reporting on conflict, caring, gender issues, sensitivity, discipline, levels of guidance and forms of support.
Detection of human papillomavirus 16, 18, and 45 in women with ASC-US cytology and the risk of cervical precancer: results from the CLEAR HPV study.

OBJECTIVES
The Aptima human papillomavirus (HPV) 16 18/45 Genotype (GT) assay (AHPV-GT) is a qualitative E6/ E7 oncogene messenger RNA test that detects HPV 16 and a pool of HPV 18 and 45. The CLEAR (Clinical Evaluation of APTIMA mRNA) study was the pivotal, prospective, multicenter US clinical study to validate the Aptima HPV (AHPV) assays.


METHODS
In this analysis, we evaluated the clinical performance of AHPV and AHPV-GT assays for detection of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or more severe (CIN2 +) and grade 3 (CIN3) or adenocarcinoma in situ in 912 women with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US) Papanicolaou result. The AHPV-GT assay was performed on high-risk HPV (hrHPV) positives as determined by the AHPV assay.


RESULTS
Overall, the percent positive for hrHPV was 38.8% (354/912), of which 34.2% (121/354) were GT positive. Among hrHPV-positive women, the risks of CIN2 + were 37.0% for HPV 16 positives, 15.9% for HPV 18/45 positives, 14.3% for other hrHPV positives, and 2.2% for AHPV negatives. The risks of CIN3 + were 20.5% for HPV 16 positives, 9.1% for HPV 18/45 positives, 4.3% for other hrHPV positives, and 0.7% for HPV negatives.


CONCLUSIONS
We demonstrated that AHPV-GT is a reliable and effective test for cervical cancer risk stratification in women with an ASC-US cytology diagnosis.
Development of the Face Robot SAYA for Rich Facial Expressions

The purpose of this study is to develop an interactive communication system that communicates with human beings emotionally. Since the face and its expressions are the most important role for natural communication, we have been developing a face robot that can express facial expressions similar to human beings. In this study, we show a new type face robot SAYA. All McKibben pneumatic actuators are distributed to the surface of the face like a human muscle in order to improve the structure of the face robot and facial muscle movement (Action unit) for natural facial expressions. Since the bending manner of coil spring might be similar to human cervical vertebra, we developed the new head motion mechanism by using coil spring for realizing human like head motion. In this paper, we describe the structure of face robot SAYA and the way of constructing new neck mechanism. We have confirmed that SAYA has ability to express fine facial expressions
Dynamic Resource Allocation for Spot Markets in Clouds

Cloud computing promises on-demand provisioning of resource to applications and services. To deal with dynamically fluctuating resource demands, market-driven resource allocation has been proposed and recently implemented by commercial cloud providers like Amazon EC2. In this environment, cloud resources are offered in distinct types of virtual machines (VMs) and the cloud provider runs a continuous market-driven mechanism for each VM type with the goal of achieving maximum revenue over time. However, as demand of each VM type can fluctuate independently at run time, it becomes a challenging problem to dynamically allocate data center resources to each spot market to maximize cloud provider’s total revenue. In this paper, we present a solution to this problem that consists of 2 parts: (1) market analysis for forecasting the demand for each spot market, and (2) a dynamic scheduling and consolidation mechanism that allocate resource to each spot market to maximize total revenue. As optimally allocating resources for revenue maximization is a NP-hard problem, we show our algorithms can approximate the optimal solutions to this problem under both fixed and variable pricing schemes. Simulation studies confirm the effectiveness of our approach.
The effects of health worker motivation and job satisfaction on turnover intention in Ghana: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND
Motivation and job satisfaction have been identified as key factors for health worker retention and turnover in low- and middle-income countries. District health managers in decentralized health systems usually have a broadened 'decision space' that enables them to positively influence health worker motivation and job satisfaction, which in turn impacts on retention and performance at district-level. The study explored the effects of motivation and job satisfaction on turnover intention and how motivation and satisfaction can be improved by district health managers in order to increase retention of health workers.


METHODS
We conducted a cross-sectional survey in three districts of the Eastern Region in Ghana and interviewed 256 health workers from several staff categories (doctors, nursing professionals, allied health workers and pharmacists) on their intentions to leave their current health facilities as well as their perceptions on various aspects of motivation and job satisfaction. The effects of motivation and job satisfaction on turnover intention were explored through logistic regression analysis.


RESULTS
Overall, 69% of the respondents reported to have turnover intentions. Motivation (OR = 0.74, 95% CI: 0.60 to 0.92) and job satisfaction (OR = 0.74, 95% CI: 0.57 to 0.96) were significantly associated with turnover intention and higher levels of both reduced the risk of health workers having this intention. The dimensions of motivation and job satisfaction significantly associated with turnover intention included career development (OR = 0.56, 95% CI: 0.36 to 0.86), workload (OR = 0.58, 95% CI: 0.34 to 0.99), management (OR = 0.51. 95% CI: 0.30 to 0.84), organizational commitment (OR = 0.36, 95% CI: 0.19 to 0.66), and burnout (OR = 0.59, 95% CI: 0.39 to 0.91).


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings indicate that effective human resource management practices at district level influence health worker motivation and job satisfaction, thereby reducing the likelihood for turnover. Therefore, it is worth strengthening human resource management skills at district level and supporting district health managers to implement retention strategies.