LLukas22/scidocs huggingface dataset:
Qualitative process evaluation of a problem-solving guided self-help manual for family carers of young people with first-episode psychosis

BACKGROUND
Caring for a young person experiencing first-episode psychosis is challenging and can affect carers' well-being adversely. While some face-to-face approaches have achieved promising outcomes, they are costly and resource-intensive to provide, restricting their reach and penetration. Guided self-help in book-form (or bibliotherapy) is an alternative but untested approach in these circumstances. In this study, we aimed to evaluate carers' beliefs about the usefulness of problem-solving guided self-help manual for primary carers of young people with first-episode psychosis.


METHODS
A qualitative process evaluation nested in a randomised controlled trial, conducted across two early intervention psychosis services in Melbourne, Australia. 124 carers were randomised to problem-solving guided self-help intervention or treatment as usual. We also undertook a qualitative process evaluation, using individual interviews, with a random sample of 24 of the intervention group. A thematic analysis of the qualitative data was undertaken, which is the subject of this paper. Interviews were conducted between January 2009 and September 2010.


RESULTS
Three themes were abstracted from the data, reflecting carers' beliefs about the usefulness of the manual: promoting carers' well-being, increasing carers' understanding of and support for the young person with first-episode psychosis, and accessibility and delivery modes of the programme.


CONCLUSION
This process evaluation highlights that guided self-help is useful in informing and supporting carers of affected young people. While there is scope for broadening the delivery modes, the approach is easy to use and accessible, and can be used as a cost-effective adjunct to standard support provided to carers, by community mental health nurses and other clinicians.


TRIAL REGISTRATION
ACTRN12609000064202.
Initializing the Particle Swarm Optimizer Using the Nonlinear Simplex Method

Initialization of the population in Evolutionary Computation algorithms is an issue of ongoing research. Proper initialization may help the algorithm to explore the search space more efficiently and detect better solutions. In this paper, the Nonlinear Simplex Method is used to initialize the swarm of the Particle Swarm technique. Experiments for several well-known benchmark problems imply that better convergence rates and success rates can be achieved by initializing the swarm this way. Key-Words: Particle Swarm, Nonlinear Simplex Method, Optimization
Low mindfulness predicts pain catastrophizing in a fear-avoidance model of chronic pain

The relationship between persistent pain and self-directed, non-reactive awareness of present-moment experience (i.e., mindfulness) was explored in one of the dominant psychological theories of chronic pain - the fear-avoidance model[53]. A heterogeneous sample of 104 chronic pain outpatients at a multidisciplinary pain clinic in Australia completed psychometrically sound self-report measures of major variables in this model: Pain intensity, negative affect, pain catastrophizing, pain-related fear, pain hypervigilance, and functional disability. Two measures of mindfulness were also used, the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale [4] and the Five-Factor Mindfulness Questionnaire [1]. Results showed that mindfulness significantly negatively predicts each of these variables, accounting for 17-41% of their variance. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis showed that mindfulness uniquely predicts pain catastrophizing when other variables are controlled, and moderates the relationship between pain intensity and pain catastrophizing. This is the first clear evidence substantiating the strong link between mindfulness and pain catastrophizing, and suggests mindfulness might be added to the fear-avoidance model. Implications for the clinical use of mindfulness in screening and intervention are discussed.
Maternal folate status in early pregnancy and child emotional and behavioral problems: the Generation R Study.

BACKGROUND
Maternal prenatal folate status has been linked to neurodevelopmental disorders, but the association with child emotional and behavioral problems is unclear.


OBJECTIVES
We assessed the association of maternal folate status during pregnancy with child emotional and behavioral problems. Also, we examined whether any association between folate status and child problems is a consequence of maternal folic acid supplement use or variation in maternal MTHFR genotype.


DESIGN
Within a population-based cohort, we measured maternal plasma folate concentrations in early pregnancy and assessed folic acid supplement use by questionnaire. Mothers of European descent were genotyped for the MTHFR 677 C→T polymorphism. Child emotional and behavioral problems were assessed with the Child Behavior Checklist at 3 y in 3209 children.


RESULTS
Children of mothers with prenatal folate deficiency were at higher risk of emotional problems (OR: 1.57; 95% CI: 1.03, 2.38) but not behavioral problems (OR: 1.00; 95% CI: 0.64, 1.56) after adjustment for confounders. A higher risk of emotional problems was also found in children whose mothers started using folic acid supplements late or did not use supplements at all (OR: 1.45; 95% CI: 1.14, 1.84) than in children whose mothers started periconceptionally. However, low plasma folate concentrations only partly explained this association (OR: 1.38; 95% CI: 1.08, 1.78). Although related to plasma folate concentrations, maternal MTHFR genotype did not explain the association of folate status with offspring emotional problems.


CONCLUSION
Low maternal folate status during early pregnancy is associated with a higher risk of emotional problems in the offspring.
Assessment of Functional Status and Quality of Life in Children with Spina Bifida

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine functional status and QoL of children with spina bifida (SB) by using the Functional Independence Measure for Children (WeeFIM) and the Child Health Questionnaire PF-50 (CHQPF-50) and to compare the functional status data of pediatric SB patients with those of healthy children. Material and Methods: Forty children with SB and 40 healthy children aged between 36 and 143 months were enrolled in the study. Both pediatric SB patients and healthy children were divided into three age groups: Group 1: 36-71 months, Group 2: 72-107 months, and Group 3: 108-143 months. The WeeFIM and CHQPF-50 were completed for children with SB, whereas the WeeFIM was completed only for healthy children. Results: In both assessments, the total score and subscale scores were lower than normal values in children with SB. However, improvement was found in self-care; communication; social, emotional, and mental status; and family factors with increasing age. On the other hand, there was no improvement in physical score, transfer, mobility, and sphincter control with increasing age. Functional status of children with SB was significantly lower compared to healthy children. Conclusion: There was progress in self-care, communication, family factors, and social, emotional and mental status in children with SB with increasing age.
The BrainIT group: concept and core dataset definition

¶Introduction. An open collaborative international network has been established which aims to improve inter-centre standards for collection of high-resolution, neurointensive care data on patients with traumatic brain injury. The group is also working towards the creation of an open access, detailed and validated database that will be useful for post-hoc hypothesis testing. In Part A, the underlying concept, the group coordination structure, membership guidelines and database access and publication criteria are described. Secondly, in part B, we describe a set of meetings funded by the EEC that allowed us to define a “Core Dataset” and we present the results of a feasibility exercise for collection of this core dataset. Methods. Four group meetings funded by the EEC have enabled definition of a “Core Dataset” to be collected from all centres regardless of specific project aim. A paper based pilot collection of data was conducted to determine the feasibility for collection of the core dataset. Specially designed forms to collect the core dataset demographic and clinical information as well as sample the time-series data elements were distributed by both email and standard mail to 22 BrainIT centres. A deadline of two months was set to receive completed forms back from centres. A pilot data collection of minute by minute physiological monitoring data was also performed. Findings. A core-dataset was defined and can be downloaded from the BrainIT web-site (go to “Core dataset” link at: www.brainit.org). Eighteen centres (82%) returned completed forms by the set deadline. Overall the feasibility for collection of the core data elements was high with only 10 of the 64 questions (16%) showing missing data. Of those 10 fields with missing data, the average number of centres not responding was 12% and the median 6%. An SQL database to hold the data has been designed and is being tested. Software tools for collection of the core dataset have been developed. Ethics approval has been granted for collection of multi-centre data as part of a pilot data collection study. Interpretation. The BrainIT network provides a more standardised and higher resolution data collection mechanism for research groups, organisations and the device industry to conduct multi-centre trials of new health care technology in patients with traumatic brain injury.
Enhanced drought and salinity tolerance in transgenic potato plants with a BADH gene from spinach

Drought and salinity are the most important abiotic stresses that affect the normal growth and development of plants. Glycine betaine is one of the most important osmolytes present in higher plants that enable them to cope with environmental stresses through osmotic adjustment. In this study, a betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase (BADH) gene from spinach under the control of the stress-induced promoter rd29A from Arabidopsis thaliana was introduced into potato cultivar Gannongshu 2 by the Agrobacterium tumefaciens system. Putative transgenic plants were confirmed by Southern blot analysis. Northern hybridization analysis demonstrated that expression of BADH gene was induced by drought and NaCl stress in the transgenic potato plants. The BADH activity in the transgenic potato plants was between 10.8 and 11.7 U. There was a negative relationship (y = −2.2083x + 43.329, r = 0.9495) between BADH activity and the relative electrical conductivity of the transgenic potato plant leaves. Plant height increased by 0.4–0.9 cm and fresh weight per plant increased by 17–29% for the transgenic potato plants under NaCl and polyethylene glycol stresses compared with the control potato plants. These results indicated that the ability of transgenic plants to tolerate drought and salt was increased when their BADH activity was increased.
Beyond the hype: Big data concepts, methods, and analytics

Size is the first, and at times, the only dimension that leaps out at the mention of big data. This paper attempts to offer a broader definition of big data that captures its other unique and defining characteristics. The rapid evolution and adoption of big data by industry has leapfrogged the discourse to popular outlets, forcing the academic press to catch up. Academic journals in numerous disciplines, which will benefit from a relevant discussion of big data, have yet to cover the topic. This paper presents a consolidated description of big data by integrating definitions from practitioners and academics. The paper’s primary focus is on the analytic methods used for big data. A particular distinguishing feature of this paper is its focus on analytics related to unstructured data, which constitute 95% of big data. This paper highlights the need to develop appropriate and efficient analytical methods to leverage massive volumes of heterogeneous data in unstructured text, audio, and video formats. This paper also reinforces the need to devise new tools for predictive analytics for structured big data. The statistical methods in practice were devised to infer from sample data. The heterogeneity, noise, and the massive size of structured big data calls for developing computationally efficient algorithms that may avoid big data pitfalls, such as spurious correlation. © 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND
Conservative schemes for the symmetric Regularized Long Wave equations

In this paper, we study the Symmetric Regularized Long Wave (SRLW) equations by finite difference method. We design some numerical schemes which preserve the original conservative properties for the equations. The first scheme is two-level and nonlinear-implicit. Existence of its difference solutions are proved by Brouwer fixed point theorem. It is proved by the discrete energy method that the scheme is uniquely solvable, unconditionally stable and second-order convergent for U in L1 norm, and for N in L2 norm on the basis of the priori estimates. The second scheme is three-level and linear-implicit. Its stability and second-order convergence are proved. Both of the two schemes are conservative so can be used for long time computation. However, they are coupled in computing so need more CPU time. Thus we propose another three-level linear scheme which is not only conservative but also uncoupled in computation, and give the numerical analysis on it. Numerical experiments demonstrate that the schemes are accurate and efficient. 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Market Risk and Model Risk for a Financial Institution Writing Options

Trading in derivatives involves heavy use of quantitative models for valuation and risk management. These models are necessarily imperfect, and when options are involved, the models require a volatility input that must be forecasted, subject to error. This creates “model risk” to which nearly all participants in derivatives markets are exposed. In this paper, we conduct an empirical simulation, with and without hedging, using historical data from 1976-1996 for several important markets. The object is to develop a quantitative assessment of the extent to which the different sources of model risk can be expected to affect the kind of basic option writing strategy that might be followed by a bank or another financial institution. Specifically, we explore the following problem: If a bank or a similar financial institution writes standard European calls and puts and prices them using the appropriate variant of the Black-Scholes model with a volatility forecast computed optimally from historical data, what are the risk and return characteristics of the trade? More generally, what is the market and model risk exposure faced by a bank that does this transaction repeatedly over time? The results indicate that pricing and hedging errors due to imperfect models and inaccurate volatility forecasts create sizable risk exposure for option writers. We then consider to what extent the bank can limit the damage due to model risk by pricing options using a higher volatility than its best estimate from historical data. JEL Classification: G13, G21, G22
Changing policy, changing attitudes? Public opinion on employment relations in New Zealand, 1990–2008

Abstract Did significant policy shifts in employment relations in the 1990s lead to equally large changes in the attitudes of New Zealanders towards employment relations? Have policy modifications made since 1999 further shaped public perceptions? This paper explores the role of policy feedback in influencing public opinion towards employers and unions and towards government responsibility for jobs and wages. Using data from New Zealand public opinion surveys, most notably the New Zealand Election Study (1990–2008), the paper finds some evidence that policy feedback has occurred in the employment relations arena, but the impact is not as strong or consistent as we might expect. As such, New Zealanders do not completely endorse the ‘there is no alternative’ arguments of neoliberalism, but they do not have an overwhelming desire to return to Keynesian demand-management employment policies.
Design and analysis of modified Log Periodic Dipole Antenna with enhanced gain

Advanced wireless communication applications demands antennas with enhanced radiation properties over a wide bandwidth. Log Periodic Dipole Antenna array (LPDA) is a new class of antennas that provide constant radiation properties over a wide bandwidth. In this paper, modified planar log periodic antennas are proposed which assure an enhanced gain of 15 dBi at 2.45 GHz. Two designs of LPDA are analysed which provide provide enhanced gain and highly directive radiation pattern over a bandwidth 1 GHz to 9 GHz.
A preliminary study on topical cetirizine in the therapeutic management of androgenetic alopecia.

BACKGROUND
Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is a common form of scalp hair loss that affects up to 50% of males between 18 and 40 years old. Several molecules are commonly used for the treatment of AGA, acting on different steps of its pathogenesis (Minoxidil, Finasteride, Serenoa repens) and show some side effects. In literature, on the basis of hypertrichosis observed in patients treated with analogues of prostaglandin PGF2a, it was supposed that prostaglandins would have an important role in the hair growth: PGE and PGF2a play a positive role, while PGD2 a negative one.


OBJECTIVE
We carried out a pilot study to evaluate the efficacy of topical cetirizine versus placebo in patients with AGA.


PATIENTS AND METHODS
A sample of 85 patients was recruited, of which 67 were used to assess the effectiveness of the treatment with topical cetirizine, while 18 were control patients.


RESULTS
We found that the main effect of cetirizine was an increase in total hair density, terminal hair density and diameter variation from T0 to T1, while the vellus hair density shows an evident decrease. The use of a molecule as cetirizine, with no notable side effects, makes possible a good compliance by patients.


CONCLUSION
Our results have shown that topical cetirizine 1% is responsible for a significant improvement of the initial framework of AGA.
Building ease of use into the IBM user experience

This issue of the IBM Systems Journal explores the topic of building ease of use into the IBM user experience with hardware, software, Web sites, and services. This paper provides an overview of the process and organizational transformation that IBM has gone through in improving the user experience with our offerings. IBM’s process for building ease of use into the user experience is described and two versions of the process are introduced and contrasted. The IBM User-Centered Design (UCD) approach, which has been used for the last several years, is contrasted with the traditional approach to the development of offerings. A recent major enhanced version of the process, called User Engineering (UE), which is optimized for the IBM e-business on demand strategy, is contrasted with the existing UCD process. The key elements of our enablement, leadership, and guidance strategy for these processes are outlined, including mission, process integration, education and training, communication, collaboration, and tools and technology. An overview of the papers in this issue is also provided.
Importance of image-guided stereotactic biopsy to confirm diagnosis in an oncological setting

Background: In current practice, the neurosurgical community relies heavily on computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for making the diagnosis of brain lesions, especially when surgically inaccessible. However, the specificity of these neuroimaging modalities remains limited, and errors in diagnosis are frequent. In an attempt to ascertain how often the diagnosis based on imaging studies is proved wrong by biopsy, we reviewed the findings from 100 consecutive stereotactic biopsies performed in an oncological setting. Method: The records of 100 consecutive stereotactic biopsies were postoperatively reviewed. The preoperative clinical and radiologic differential diagnoses were compared with diagnosis made on tissue retrieved by biopsy. Results: In 19% of patients, the preoperative clinical and radiological diagnoses and postoperative diagnosis were different, and reliance on brain imaging data alone would have led to an incorrect tentative diagnosis and the wrong choice of treatment. Conclusions: The high rate of discrepancy between clinical and radiological diagnoses on the one hand and biopsy-proven diagnosis on the other hand is a compelling reason to establish tissue diagnosis. Stereotactic biopsies of brain lesions are relatively safe and should be performed in cases where tissue characteristics affect prognosis, where therapy carries an inherent risk, and in those patients under treatment for cancer or immune deficiencies in whom there is an unusually broad differential diagnosis.
Curriculum factors influencing knowledge of communication skills among medical students

BACKGROUND
Communication training builds on the assumption that understanding of the concepts related to professional communication facilitates the training. We know little about whether students' knowledge of clinical communication skills is affected by their attendance of communication training courses, or to what degree other elements of the clinical training or curriculum design also play a role. The aim of this study was to determine which elements of the curriculum influence acquisition of knowledge regarding clinical communication skills by medical students.


METHODS
The study design was a cross-sectional survey performed in the four Norwegian medical schools with different curricula, spring 2003. A self-administered questionnaire regarding knowledge of communication skills (an abridged version of van Dalen's paper-and-pencil test) was sent to all students attending the four medical schools. A total of 1801 (59%) students responded with complete questionnaires.


RESULTS
At the end of the 1st year of study, the score on the knowledge test was higher in students at the two schools running communication courses and providing early patient contact (mean 81%) than in the other two medical schools (mean 69-75%, P < or = 0.001), with students studying a traditional curriculum scoring the lowest. Their scores increased sharply towards the end of the 3rd year, during which they had been subjected to extensive patient contact and had participated in an intensive communication course (77% vs. 72% the previous year, P <or = 0.01). All students scored generally lower in academic years in which there was no communication training. However, at the end of the final year the difference between the schools was only 5% (81% vs. 86%, P < or = 0.001).


CONCLUSION
The acquisition of knowledge regarding communication skills by medical students may be optimised when the training is given together with extensive supervised patient contact, especially if this teaching takes place in the initial years of the curriculum.