Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Quantifying Self-Report Measures' Overestimation of Mobility Scores Postarthroplasty

Background Self-reports of function may systematically overestimate the ability of patients to move around postarthroplasty. Objective The purpose of this study was to estimate the magnitude of systematic differences in Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS) and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index physical function subscale (WOMAC-PF) scores before and after primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) or total hip arthroplasty (THA) by referencing the values to Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) distances and Timed “Up & Go” Test (TUG) times. Design This study was a secondary analysis of data from a prospective cohort study. Methods The LEFS, WOMAC, 6MWT, and TUG were administered to 85 patients prearthroplasty and once at 9 to 13 weeks postarthroplasty. Regression analysis was applied using a robust error term for clustered data. With the self-report measures as dependent variables and performance measures, occasion (prearthroplasty or postarthroplasty), and performance measure-by-occasion as independent variables, 3 propositions were examined: (1) the relationship between self-report and performance measures is identical prearthroplasty and postarthroplasty (ie, regression lines are coincident); (2) the relationship differs between occasions, but is consistent (ie, regression lines are parallel); (3) the relationship is not consistent (ie, the regression lines are not parallel). Results For all analyses, the results supported the second proposition (ie, the relationship differed between occasions, but was consistent). The systematic differences varied by location of arthroplasty, but were similar for both performance tests. For the LEFS, the difference was approximately 11 points for patients who received TKA and 13 points for patients who received THA. For the WOMAC-PF, the difference was approximately 12 points for patients who received TKA and 19 points for patients who received THA. These differences exceed the minimal clinically important change for an individual patient. Limitations The findings are specific to 9 to 13 weeks postarthroplasty. Conclusion Dependence on scores of self-report measures alone, without knowledge of the magnitude of the identified systematic differences, will result in overestimating the ability of patients to move around postarthroplasty.
Robust and Efficient Stereo Feature Tracking for Visual Odometry

Visual odometry can augment or replace wheel odometry when navigating in high slip terrain which is quite important for autonomous navigation on Mars. We present a computationally efficient and robust visual odometry algorithm developed for the Mars Science Laboratory mission. This algorithm is a significant improvement over the algorithm developed for the Mars Exploration Rover Mission because it is at least four time more computationally efficient and it tracks significantly more features. The core of the algorithm is an integrated motion estimation and stereo feature tracking loop that allows for feature recovery while guiding feature correlation search to minimize computation. Results on thousands of terrestrial and Martian stereo pairs show that the algorithm can operate with no initial motion estimate while still obtaining subpixel attitude estimation performance.
Shaping Environments Conductive to Creativity

A great deal of research on creativity is based on the principle of intrinsic motivation, which underlies creative performance and mediates the effects of contextual factors on employee creativity. Using a sample of Chinese employees from hotel industry, this study’s findings support the intrinsic motivation principle. This study applies the self-determination theory to model and examine intrinsic motivation and shows that a sense of autonomous motivation among employees plays a significant role in predicting employee creativity. Factors that promote creativity through autonomous motivation include a climate for creativity, empowering leadership, and coworker support. On the other hand, both task and personal conflict were negatively related to autonomous motivation. A controlling or coercive management style characterized by a focus on punishment, obligations, or external standards appears to be antithetical to employee creativity.
Complement activation in Puumala hantavirus infection correlates with disease severity

Abstract Introduction. Hantaviruses are important human pathogens that cause clinical diseases characterized by renal and cardiopulmonary manifestations. Their pathogenesis is currently poorly understood. We have studied the role of the complement system in the pathogenesis of Puumala (PUUV) hantavirus infection. Material and methods. We studied the activation of complement by measuring the terminal complement complex SC5b-9 and complement component C3 and C4 levels in patients with acute PUUV infection. Several laboratory parameters and clinical findings reflecting the severity of PUUV-HFRS were evaluated with regard to complement activation. Results. The levels of SC5b-9 were significantly increased and C3 decreased in the acute stage as compared to the levels at full recovery (P < 0.001). We found that SC5b-9 levels were higher in patients with chest X-ray abnormalities than in patients with a normal X-ray during the acute stage (P = 0.028). Furthermore, SC5b-9 and C3 levels showed significant correlation with several clinical and laboratory parameters that reflect the severity of the acute PUUV infection. Conclusions. We showed that the complement system becomes activated via the alternative pathway in the acute stage of PUUV infection and the level of activation correlates with disease severity. The results further suggest that complement activation may contribute to the pathogenesis of acute PUUV infection.
Understanding Mixed Code and Classroom Code-Switching: Myths and Realities.

Background: Cantonese-English mixed code is ubiquitous in Hong Kong society, and yet using mixed code is widely perceived as improper. This paper presents evidence of mixed code being socially constructed as bad language behavior. In the education domain, an EDB guideline bans mixed code in the classroom. Teachers are encouraged to stick to Cantonese or English, depending on the school-based medium of instruction policy (i.e. EMI vs. CMI schools). Aims or focus of discussion: This paper analyzes the major reasons why mixed code is so difficult to avoid, both inside and outside the classroom. One important factor is the ‘medium-of-learning effect’. Empirical evidence will be presented to demonstrate students’ cognitive dependence on English terminologies as a direct result of Englishmedium education. The paper draws implications for classroom code-switching, which is pedagogically a valuable linguistic resource. Arguments / comments / suggestions: The EDB guideline banning mixed code in the classroom is too rigid. Code-switching has great potential for helping the bilingual teacher to achieve context-specific teaching and learning goals like clarifying difficult concepts and reinforcing students’ bilingual lexicon (e.g. melamine/三聚氰胺, financial tsunami/金融海嘯). For EMI teachers, switching to Cantonese helps maintain class discipline, build rapport and reduce social distance with students. The assumption or claim that mixed code leads to declining English or even Chinese standards is not informed by sound empirical evidence. Conclusion: Educated Chinese Hongkongers find it difficult to resist using some English in their informal interactions with others in Cantonese, resulting in mixed code. Instead of banning mixed code indiscriminately, a more proactive and productive approach will be to conduct empirical research with a view to (a) better understanding the circumstances under which classroom code-switching is necessary, (b) identifying pedagogically sound and productive code-switching practices, and (c) disseminating good code-switching practices through demonstrations, workshops, and teacher-training.
Norwegian (non-V2) declaratives, resumptive elements, and the Wackernagel position

Most Norwegian declaratives are subject-initial verb second (V2) clauses. This paper discusses declaratives that can be construed as non-V2, two constructions that have traditionally been analyzed as left dislocation phenomena: the (adjunctive) så-construction and the Copy Left Dislocation (CLD) construction, where the ‘copy’ is a weak pronoun. Both constructions share an affinity to root clauses, have particular scope effects, and employ a prosodically light particle between the topicalized phrase and the finite verb in V2 (så and a weak pronoun, respectively). The paper attributes these properties to the fact that the relevant particles are topic markers of a particular kind; they mark A-topics. A-Topics signal a topic-shift in the conversation and are confined to clauses with illocutionary force (Bianchi & Frascarelli 2010). The aforementioned particles are much more frequent in spoken contexts than in written prose, and I propose that this is because they depend on prosody. They are obligatorily light, and they occur in the part of the clause that has traditionally been described as ‘the Wackernagel position’. Wackernagel (1892) proposed that certain prosodically light elements (clitics in particular) tend to occur in the second position in Indo-European languages. Although the resumptive elements of the så-construction and especially of CLDs may not be fully-fledged clitics, like clitics, they appear in the second position of declaratives.
The Development of Perceived Campus Caring Scale in a University-Based Sample in Hong Kong

This article presents the findings of a study on the development and validation of a 44-item Perceived Campus Caring Scale (PCCS) of 1,520 students in a university of Hong Kong. Factor analyses using principle-components extraction with varimax rotation yielded 7 factors with 44 items, namely, Faculty support, Non-faculty Support, Peer Relationship, Sense of Detachment, Sense of Belonging, Caring Attitude, Campus Involvement. The internal consistency was high for the 7 factors, ranging from Cronbach’s α =0.77 to 0.87. Correlations between the PCCS and the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) indicated good convergent validity of the PCCS. Except the Sense of Detachment subscale, which indicated a negative correlation with SWLS, the other six subscales have positive correlation with the scale. Students who experienced more caring on campus demonstrated a higher level of satisfaction with life.
A model of corporate bond pricing with liquidity and marketability risk

We develop a corporate bond valuation model that takes into account both the risk of early default and the risk generated by lack of liquidity and marketability. Randomly matched investors who have heterogeneous prior beliefs about the value of the firm in bankruptcy bargain for the price of the asset in a secondary market. The liquidity and marketability risk is shown to be a function of the heterogeneity of investors’ valuations, the average belief about the cost of bankruptcy and the bargaining power of bondholders. The model also captures the fact that, soon after the issue, a bond is relatively liquid and later becomes relatively illiquid depending on the underlying asset value.
Institutional practices and policies in acid-base testing: a self reported Croatian survey study on behalf of the Croatian society of medical biochemistry and laboratory medicine Working Group for acid-base balance

Introduction: The aim of this survey study was to assess the current practices and policies in use related to the various steps in the blood gas testing process, across hospital laboratories in Croatia. Materials and methods: First questionnaire was sent by email to all medical biochemistry laboratories (N = 104) within general, specialized and clinical hospitals and university hospital centres to identify laboratories which perform blood gas analysis. Second questionnaire with detailed questions about sample collection, analysis and quality control procedures, was sent only to 47 laboratories identified by the first survey. Questionnaire was designed as combination of questions and statements with Likert scale. Third questionnaire was sent to all participating laboratories (N=47) for additional clarification for either indeterminate or unclear answers. Results: Blood gas analysis is performed in 47/104 hospital laboratories in Croatia. In 25/41 (0.61) of the laboratories capillary blood gas sampling is the preferred sample type for adult patient population, whereas arterial blood sample is preferentially used in only 5/44 laboratories (0.11). Blood sampling and sample processing for capillary samples is done almost always by laboratory technicians (36/41 and 37/44, respectively), whereas arterial blood sampling is almost always done by the physician (24/29) and only rarely by a nurse (5/28). Sample acceptance criteria and sample analysis are in accordance with international recommendations for majority of laboratories. 43/44 laboratories participate in the national EQA program. POCT analyzers are installed outside of the laboratory in 20/47 (0.43) institutions. Laboratory staff is responsible for education and training of ward personnel, quality control and instrument maintenance in only 12/22, 11/20 and 9/20 institutions, respectively. Conclusions: Practices related to collection and analysis for blood gases in Croatia are not standardised and vary substantially between laboratories. POCT analyzers are not under the direct supervision by laboratory personnel in a large proportion of surveyed institutions. Collective efforts should be made to harmonize and improve policies and procedures related to blood gas testing in Croatian laboratories.
Leonardo Electronic Journal of Practices and Technologies Self-compacting Concrete -procedure for Mix Design

Self-compacting concrete is a fluid mixture suitable for placing in structures with congested reinforcement without vibration. Self-compacting concrete development must ensure a good balance between deformability and stability. Also, compactibility is affected by the characteristics of materials and the mix proportions; it becomes necessary to evolve a procedure for mix design of SCC. The paper presents an experimental procedure for the design of self-compacting concrete mixes. The test results for acceptance characteristics of self-compacting concrete such as slump flow; J-ring, V-funnel and L-Box are presented. Further, compressive strength at the ages of 7, 28, and 90 days was also determined and results are included here.
Influência do zumbido nos limiares auditivos de altas freqüências

PURPOSE: To study tinnitus influence on high-frequency hearing thresholds (HFHTs). METHODS: The sample consisted of 30 female subjects aged 19 to 56 years, 14 with reported tinnitus (study group) and 16 with no tinnitus complaints (control group). All subjects had pure tone thresholds up to 25dB in the frequency range from 0.25 through 8 kHz. The research investigated the pure tone thresholds of 9, 10, 12, 14 and 16 kHz. RESULTS: The study group was found to have significantly lower HFHTs. No significant differences were found between hearing thresholds for right and left ears in the study group, as well as regarding the reported localization of the tinnitus. The average age of the subjects in the study group was significantly higher when compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: Determination of HFHTs is a diagnostic alternative for an early identification of hearing losses.
Considerations for Designing Group Randomized Trials of Professional Development With Teacher Knowledge Outcomes

Despite recent shifts in research emphasizing the value of carefully designed experiments, the number of studies of teacher professional development with rigorous designs has lagged behind its student outcome counterparts. We outline a framework for the design of group randomized trials (GRTs) with teachers’ knowledge as the outcome and consider mathematics and reading knowledge outcomes designed to assess the types of content problems that teachers encounter in practice. To estimate design parameters, we draw on a national sample of teachers for mathematics and a state Reading First sample to estimate for reading. Our results suggest that there is substantial clustering of teachers’ knowledge within schools and professional development GRTs will likely need increased sample sizes to account for this clustering.
Cardiovascular diseases in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Objectives: To study cardiovascular autopsy findings and the lifetime prevalence of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Method: In 369 RA patients and their reference cases without any rheumatic disease (non-RA), we studied CVDs recorded on autopsy reports at consecutive autopsies from 1952 to 1991. From autopsy referrals by clinicians, we recorded lifetime CVDs. In RA patients autopsied from 1973, we evaluated clinical data. Results: From 1952 to 1991, RA patients had, compared with non-RA, myocardial infarction (MI; 26% vs. 41%) and cerebral infarction (14% vs. 28%) less frequently but cardiac amyloidosis (28% vs. 3%), pericarditis (27% vs. 8%), and diffuse myocardial abnormality (21% vs. 11%) more frequently reported at autopsy. Of RA patients autopsied from 1973, 40% had had a diagnosis of congestive heart failure (CHF) and coronary heart disease (CHD) during their lifetime. The RA patients with CHF had a higher mean erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) than those without CHF. In RA patients, MI or myocardial abnormality at autopsy had no such correlation. In RA, male sex, ischaemic electrocardiogram changes, diabetes, hypertensive disease, and severe radiographic changes typical for RA were associated with MI detected at autopsy. No such associations emerged with respect to diffuse myocardial abnormality. When disorders potentially causing diffuse myocardial damage were excluded, RA patients had, on autopsy reports, compared to non-RA, diffuse myocardial abnormality more frequently (21% vs. 12%, p = 0.002). Cardiac amyloidosis showed no correlation to this. Conclusion: RA patients seem to have an increased risk for myocardial damage. The influence of inflammation on the myocardium in RA needs further studies.
Experiencing a Forced Relocation at Different Life Stages

Guided by the life course perspective and the stress severity perspective, this study aims to evaluate the question: Does the Three Gorges Project–induced relocation affect people of different ages differently? Using a quasi-experimental design, we collected pre- and post-relocation data from a sample (n = 1,056) that consists of both relocatees and nonmovers from the Three Gorges region in China. We found that relocatees of all age groups have experienced a similar level of elevation of depressive symptoms due to the relocation. No age group was exempted from the detrimental effects of the Three Gorges Project–induced relocation. Although it is usually much easier for young adults to relocate, as compared to older adults, a forced relocation is such an extraordinary stressor that its strong effects have overridden other forces that normally shape our life experiences at different life stages.
Characterizing the gut microbiome in trauma: significant changes in microbial diversity occur early after severe injury

Background Recent studies have demonstrated the vital influence of commensal microbial communities on human health. The central role of the gut in the response to injury is well described; however, no prior studies have used culture-independent profiling techniques to characterize the gut microbiome after severe trauma. We hypothesized that in critically injured patients, the gut microbiome would undergo significant compositional changes in the first 72 hours after injury. Methods Trauma stool samples were prospectively collected via digital rectal examination at the time of presentation (0 hour). Patients admitted to the intensive care unit (n=12) had additional stool samples collected at 24 hours and/or 72 hours. Uninjured patients served as controls (n=10). DNA was extracted from stool samples and 16S rRNA-targeted PCR amplification was performed; amplicons were sequenced and binned into operational taxonomic units (OTUs; 97% sequence similarity). Diversity was analyzed using principle coordinates analyses, and negative binomial regression was used to determine significantly enriched OTUs. Results Critically injured patients had a median Injury Severity Score of 27 and suffered polytrauma. At baseline (0 hour), there were no detectable differences in gut microbial community diversity between injured and uninjured patients. Injured patients developed changes in gut microbiome composition within 72 hours, characterized by significant alterations in phylogenetic composition and taxon relative abundance. Members of the bacterial orders Bacteroidales, Fusobacteriales and Verrucomicrobiales were depleted during 72 hours, whereas Clostridiales and Enterococcus members enriched significantly. Discussion In this initial study of the gut microbiome after trauma, we demonstrate that significant changes in phylogenetic composition and relative abundance occur in the first 72 hours after injury. This rapid change in intestinal microbiota represents a critical phenomenon that may influence outcomes after severe trauma. A better understanding of the nature of these postinjury changes may lead to the ability to intervene in otherwise pathological clinical trajectories. Level of evidence III Study type Prognostic/epidemiological
Revisiting Organizational Change: Exploring the Paradox of Managing Continuity and Change

This article presents a conceptual review of the repository of organizational change literature from the perspective of a ‘paradox lens’, highlighting a clear shift in approach from trade-offs (either–or) to paradoxical thinking. This reiterates the fact that ‘managing change is invariably managing paradoxes’. An analysis of emerging concepts and frameworks present in a substantial body of literature that advocate balancing the paradox of ‘continuity and change’ brings to light a serious deficit of empirical research and actionable framework in the area. Addressing this research gap, propositions relating to the constructs of change, continuity and organizational performance have been outlined for directed research in this area.
Outcome uncertainty and attendance demand in sport: the case of English soccer

Summary. We test whether attendances in team sports respond positively to the amount of uncertainty of the outcome between the competing teams in a match. Our results show that admissions at English soccer matches relate positively to the quality of teams involved and negatively to a measure of the relative win probabilities of the competing teams. The uncertainty measure is derived from a model of the betting market which corrects for specific biases tested for and identified in the odds in our data set. Although supporters appear to favour an uncertainty of outcome, a greater quality of strength across clubs may still yield a fall in aggregate attendance because of the extent to which home field advantage generates an uneven contest between similarly strong teams.