Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Initiation and continuation of newer antiretroviral treatments among medicaid recipients with AIDS

AbstractOBJECTIVE: To examine initiation of newer antiretroviral treatments across sociodemographic subgroups during the 3 years following the introduction of these treatments, and explore persistence on treatment and its association with patient characteristics. DESIGN: Merged Medicaid paid claims and HIV/AIDS surveillance data were used to analyze use of protease inhibitors (PIs) and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) over time. Survival analysis techniques were used to analyze initiation of PI/NNRTI use. Ordinary least squares and logistic regression were used to determine predictors of persistence on PI/NNRTI therapy. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: The study population consisted of 2,459 New Jersey non-HMO adult Medicaid beneficiaries with AIDS, identified through a match between HIV/AIDS Registry and Medicaid files. Their PI/NNRTI use was followed from March 1996, when the first PI was licensed, to the end of 1998. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: African Americans initiated treatment on average 8 months later than non-Hispanic whites; initiation of treatment was also slower for injection drug users and for those who did not receive case management through a Medicaid waiver program. These bivariate findings were confirmed with a multivariate time-to-treatment analysis using proportional hazards regression. Among those initiating PI/NNRTI use, 35% had discontinued it by the end of follow-up. Bivariate analyses of treated individuals found that PI/NNRTI use as a proportion of follow-up time was lower for African Americans and Hispanics, and higher for older individuals and for those receiving case management through a Medicaid waiver program, while injection drug use history was not associated with persistence. These findings were confirmed by a regression analysis, which found that controlling for other characteristics, African-American race, and Hispanic ethnicity were each associated with a significant 8% reduction in the proportion of time on PI/NNRTIs following initiation of treatment. Alternative approaches for modeling persistence produced similar results. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that consistent longitudinal use is difficult for many patients. Persistence of use was lower for minority beneficiaries despite comparable coverage for pharmacy and other health services through Medicaid. Our findings suggest the need to examine nonfinancial barriers to appropriate use of highly active antiretroviral therapy, and to develop and test programmatic strategies for supporting patients in remaining on these regimens consistently.
The Meaning of a Teacher Education Reform: National story-telling and global trends in Sweden

SUMMARY A recent reform in Sweden's teacher education is presented. It is a liberal reform. The Government abstains from intervention in curriculum other than what are in the general regulations of Higher Education and in a Degree Ordinance for Teacher Education. In the Ordinance there are stated eight general goals and a basic framework for three areas of education, and how many credit points the students have to acquire in each of them. The reform is explained by the historical background of Sweden's teacher education development, from the special features of mentality formation of liberal minds in pluralistic societies and from the world-wide restructuring movement that implies less direct government intervention in public sector activities.
Psychosocial outcomes of vaginal and cesarean births in Taiwanese primiparas.

The purpose of this study was to examine differences in psychosocial outcomes between primiparas experiencing vaginal deliveries and primiparas experiencing cesarean deliveries. One hundred and ninety-four vaginal delivery primiparas and 81 cesarean delivery primiparas from the Kaohsiung city area in Taiwan were recruited at 6 weeks postpartum to participate in this study. Using two-sample t tests, we found no significant differences in perceived stress, self-esteem, or depression between vaginal and cesarean delivery primiparas. However, the cesarean delivery primiparas showed a significantly higher level of perceived social support than vaginal delivery primiparas. Types of cesarean (planned vs. unplanned) and types of anesthesia (general vs. epidural) were not significant factors influencing psychosocial outcomes for cesarean delivery primiparas. The lack of substantial differences between the groups may be a result of the normalizing effect of the high cesarean birthrate and greater social support given to this method of childbirth. Cultural concerns of offspring gender and choosing an auspicious time for delivery may also have ameliorative effects on the occurrence of psychosocial difficulties with a cesarean delivery in Taiwan.
Aspects of sequential organization in text message exchange

This article builds on a range of work analysing interactive properties of text-based technologically mediated communication (e.g. email, internet relay chat, text messaging) which has revealed its deeply interactive properties. Based on a corpus of 1250 SMS text messages, it examines in detail the sequential organization revealed in extended series of text exchanges. Adopting methods and findings from conversation analysis, the study looks at the internal construction of texts as interactive artefacts, focusing on the production of both single-unit and multi-unit messages, and analyses how participants construct exchanges that show both similarities and differences with sequential organization in verbal conversation.
Is N-Cadherin Expression Important in Ductal Carcinoma?

Objectives: Neural (N)-cadherin is a calcium-dependent cell adhesion molecule that is associated with invasive tumors in breast cancer, but no association with grade or nodal status has been shown in previous studies. The present study examined the expression of N-cadherin in human breast cancer and assessed its prognostic value in long-term patient follow-up (10 years). Methods: Using real-time polymerase chain reaction, the number of N-cadherin transcripts in normal breasts (n = 32) and infiltrating ductal carcinomas (n = 90) was assessed. The results were then analyzed in relation to grade, nodal involvement, distant metastasis, TNM stage, Nottingham Prognostic Index, and survival over 10 years. Results: The levels of N-cadherin transcripts (normalized to glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase) in primary tumors were lower in patients with metastases (P = 0.05), with local recurrence (P = 0.037), and those who died as a result of breast cancer (P = 0.038). There was no significant association with grade, nodal status, TNM stage, or Nottingham Prognostic Index. Conclusion: In ductal carcinomas, decreased levels of N-cadherin (normalized to glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase) in primary tumors correlate with local recurrence and death in long-term follow-up of patients.
Anonymity and Neighboring in an Urban, High-Rise Complex

A GOOD DEAL HAS BEEN WRITTEN about such distinctive urban areas as the racial ghetto and the ethnic enclave but little attention has been paid to an equally distinctive urban living space-the high-rise, multi-building complex of &dquo;middle-class&dquo; apartment-dwellers. Non-residents tend to deplore the alleged anonymity and isolation of life in these places that supposedly combine minimum living space with maximum social distance. Big-city apartment dwellers are said not only not to know their neighbors, but not to care to know them. This study attempts to ascertain the extent and nature of interaction among tenants in one such apartment complex. It finds that, in keeping with the prevailing cliches, social relations in this particular apartment complex were characterized by a high degree of anonymity and social isolation. There was also a pervasive ignorance about neighbors as well as little inclination to establish friendly relations with fellow residents.
Reexamining and Extending the Dual Mediation Hypothesis in an On-line Advertising Context

The relationship between attitude toward the advertisement (A_ad) and intentions to buy (I_b) is a controversial one. The present research examines the potential for a direct relationship between A_ad and I_b within an on-line advertising context, substituting A_site (attitude toward the Web site) for A_ad. The article replicates previous findings with respect to the four competing A_ad models they tested. The article then predicts and finds a significant A_site → I_b path based on an opportunity and motivation perspective. In terms of opportunity, Web sites contain nonproduct information that is independent of traditional measures of brand attitude (A_b), such as security, ease of use, transactional capabilities, which are likely to affect I_b. Further, on-line consumers are motivated to process this information when they visit a Web site because they cannot directly examine the products they are considering. Evidence for the opportunity and motivation perspective is provided by the decomposition of A_site into its claim and non-claim components and assessment of the A_site → I_b path across levels of motivation to process. Implications for on-line advertisers are discussed.
More Turán-Type Theorems for Triangles in Convex Point Sets

We study the following family of problems: Given a set of $n$ points in convex position, what is the maximum number triangles one can create having these points as vertices while avoiding certain sets of forbidden configurations. As forbidden configurations we consider all 8 ways in which a pair of triangles in such a point set can interact. This leads to 256 extremal Turán-type questions. We give nearly tight (within a $\log n$ factor) bounds for 248 of these questions and show that the remaining 8 questions are all asymptotically equivalent to Stein's longstanding tripod packing problem.
A Review of Research on Welfare and Domestic Violence

In this article we review the growing body of research literature on domestic violence and welfare. We summarize and critique the existing research on domestic violence and welfare in several areas: prevalence of domestic violence among women receiving welfare; the relationship of domestic violence to theiremployment; and physical health and mental health, child support, andevaluations of policies and programs. We also raise some methodological concerns that can inform interpretation of existing data. We examine the relevance of the research for practice and policy, particularly for the implementation of the Family Violence Option. This review includes published research as well as unpublished studies presented at recent conferences.
Comparison of five isometric exercises in the recruitment of the vastus medialis oblique in persons with and without patellofemoral pain syndrome.

Strengthening of the vastus medialis oblique (VMO) has been advocated as a treatment for patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS), as weakness of this component of the quadriceps is postulated to contribute to malalignment of the patella. This study investigated the surface electromyographic activity (EMG) of the VMO relative to the vastus lateralis (VL) during five isometric exercises in eight PFPS female subjects and 19 controls. The area under the EMG curve of each muscle was normalized to the EMG area acquired while subjects performed a submaximal isometric contraction (50% of maximum voluntary contraction), and the "normalized" outcome measure was expressed as a proportion (VMO:VL). A two-factor repeated measures analysis of variance indicated no differences in the VMO:VL proportion between the control group and PFPS participants across the five exercises (p > .05). The VMO:VL proportions for medial tibial rotation and knee extension combined and knee extension alone were significantly greater than for the other three exercises (p < 0.005). Hip adduction or the combination of hip adduction and knee extension did not result in greater recruitment of the VMO compared with the VL.
Social Protests and Rates of Personal Violence in The Netherlands

Data were obtained on the number of social protests in the Netherlands for the period 1975 to 1989. The number of social protests was associated with suicide rates and with other social variables, but less consistently with homicide rates. However, variables such as the unemployment rate were more powerful predictors of the suicide rate during this period. Suggestions were made for deriving an index of social distress by year for the Netherlands.
Short‐term desensitization of the histamine H1 receptor in human HeLa cells: involvement of protein kinase C dependent and independent pathways

1 In this study we have investigated the effects of short‐term exposure of cells to histamine on the subsequent H1 receptor responsiveness in HeLa cells, using Ca2+ fluorescence microscopy and video digital imaging. 2 In HeLa cells, histamine (100 μm) induces an immediate H1 receptor‐mediated biphasic elevation of the intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) (basal [Ca2+]i: 81 ± 30 nm, histamine‐induced Ca2+ response: first phase: 1135 ± 79 nm; second phase: 601 ± 52 nm, n = 11). 3 The histamine H1 receptors on HeLa cells are readily susceptible to desensitization since repetitive exposure of the same group of cells to histamine (100 μm) markedly affected the release and influx component of the induced Ca2+ response (second application of histamine: first phase: 590 ± 92 nm, second phase: 279 ± 47 nm; third application of histamine: first phase: 454 ± 127 nm, second phase: 240 ± 45 nm, n = 6). Video digital imaging revealed an increase in the lag time between stimulation and monitoring of the Ca2+ response and a reduced increase in [Ca2+]i after desensitization with histamine. 4 Neither the release component of the ATP response (50 μm) nor the caffeine (3 mm)‐induced Ca2+ release were found to be affected by desensitization with 100 μm histamine. However, the second phase of the ATP response was significantly reduced after desensitization with histamine (control cells: 516 ± 33 nm; desensitized cells: 331 ± 96 nm, n = 4, P < 0.05). 5 Activation of protein kinase C (PKC) by phorbol‐12‐myristate‐13‐acetate was found to inhibit the histamine as well as ATP‐induced Ca2+ response in a dose‐dependent manner. 6 In PKC downregulated cells the second phase of the histamine‐induced Ca2+ response was significantly elevated, indicating the involvement of PKC in the negative feedback on the Ca2+ influx (control cells: second phase: 601 ± 52 nm (n = 11); PKC downregulated cells: second phase: 890 ± 90 nm, n = 10, P < 0.05). 7 Homologous desensitization of H1 receptor responsiveness was still observed in PKC downregulated cells, implying the rapid activation of a regulatory mechanism other than PKC. 8 Based on our experimental data we suggest that short‐term desensitization of the histamine H1 receptor evolves from two different processes: a selective reduction of the histamine‐induced Ca2+ release, mediated by a PKC‐independent pathway, and a non‐selective inhibition of the receptor‐mediated Ca2+ influx activated by a PKC‐dependent pathway.
The impact of blood glucose monitoring on depression and distress in insulin-naïve patients with type 2 diabetes

Abstract Objective: To test whether a structured self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) protocol reduces depressive symptoms and diabetes distress. Research design and methods: A 12-month, cluster-randomised, clinical trial compared patients who received a collaborative, structured SMBG, physician/patient intervention with an active control. Studied were 483 insulin naïve type 2 diabetes patients (experimental = 256, control = 227) ( ≥ 7.5% HbA1c) from 34 primary care practices (experimental = 21, control = 13). Experimental patients used a paper tool to record a 7-point SMBG profile on each of three consecutive days prior to their quarterly physician visit. Patients and physicians interpreted SMBG results to make medication and lifestyle changes. Clinical trial registration: NIH Trial Registry Number: NCT00674986. Main outcome measures: Depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire: PHQ-8), diabetes-related distress (Diabetes Distress Scale: DDS). HbA1c and SMBG frequency were assessed quarterly; data were analysed using Linear Mixed Models (LMM) for intent-to-treat (ITT) and per protocol (PP) analyses. Results: ITT analyses showed significant improvement in depression and disease-related distress among experimental and control patients from baseline to 12 months (p < 0.01 in both cases) with no between-group differences. Experimental patients displayed significantly greater reductions in distress related to regimen adherence than controls. Also, experimental patients with elevated diabetes distress or depressive symptoms at baseline showed significantly greater reductions in distress and depressive symptoms than control patients at 12 months. The greater improvement in mood in the experimental than control group was independent of improvements in glycaemic control and changes in SMBG frequency. Conclusions: Using well standardised measures, collaborative, structured SMBG leads to reductions, not increases, in depressive symptoms and diabetes distress over time, for the large number of moderately depressed or distressed type 2 patients in poor glycaemic control. Changes in affective status are independent of improvements in glycaemic control and changes in SMBG frequency for these patients.
An Exploration of Learning Disabilities in Four Countries: Implications for Test Development and Use in Developing Countries

Abstract Tests often are used to assist in assessing common childhood disabilities and disorders (e.g., mental retardation). Learning disabilities and difficulties (LD) constitute the plurality, even the majority, of school-related disorders in many countries. However, tests and other assessment methods to assess LD are not available universally and, among those countries that have such methods, their use differs considerably. Issues associated with the assessment of LDs are examined. Six international authoritative sources that offer diagnostic criteria are identified. Case studies of LD in four countries (i.e., Australia, Belgium, the United States, and Zimbabwe) examine similarities and differences in how LD is conceptualized, labeled, defined, and assessed. The role of international agencies, including the International Test Commission, to promote test development and uses that address the needs of students with LD in developing countries is discussed.
Noninvasive Prenatal Diagnosis Significance of ERG Methylation as a Biomarker in Down’s Syndrome

Background Down’s syndrome (DS) is a genetic disease with chromosome abnormality due to the increasing chromosome 21. This study focused on the clinical application value of ERG methylation level in blood of pregnant women as a biomarker in Down’s syndrome. Material/Methods The sham group consisted of 210 nonpregnant women, the positive control group consisted of 33 women with a delivery history of DS fetus, and the negative control group consisted of 60 women with eutocia history. A combination of restriction enzyme digestion experiment and PCR was performed to examine ERG methylation levels, methylation sites, and distribution in blood of pregnant women and in chorion tissues from abortion samples. Gene sequencing was performed to determine the ERG sequence in chromosome 21. Homology between normal tissues and chorion tissues from abortion samples was analyzed with bioinformatics technology. Results ERG methylation in chorion tissues from 210 abortion samples at 8, 9, and 10 weeks gestational age were determined; however, no ERG methylation was determined in blood of pregnant women. Gene sequencing indicated that normal ERG sequence in chromosome 21 was in fetus chorion tissues, and these ERG sequences were aberrantly methylated. Bioinformatics result showed that homology and DNA methylation level was discrepancy in normal tissues and chorion tissues from abortion samples. Conclusions It was worthwhile to use ERG methylation as biomarker in noninvasive prenatal diagnosis, and ERG methylation should be applied with consent of pregnancy and her relatives.
How to Approximate a Set without Knowing Its Size in Advance

The dynamic approximate membership problem asks to represent a set S of size n, whose elements are provided in an on-line fashion, supporting membership queries without false negatives and with a false positive rate at most ε. That is, the membership algorithm must be correct on each x ∈ S, and may err with probability at most ε on each x ∉ S. We study a well-motivated, yet insufficiently explored, variant of this problem where the size n of the set is not known in advance. Existing optimal approximate membership data structures require that the size is known in advance, but in many practical scenarios this is not a realistic assumption. Moreover, even if the eventual size n of the set is known in advance, it is desirable to have the smallest possible space usage also when the current number of inserted elements is smaller than n. Our contribution consists of the following results: (1) We show a super-linear gap between the space complexity when the size is known in advance and the space complexity when the size is not known in advance. When the size is known in advance, it is well-known that Θ(n log(1/ε)) bits of space are necessary and sufficient (Bloom '70, Carter et al. '78). However, when the size is not known in advance, we prove that at least (1 -o(1))n log(1/ε)+Ω(n log log n) bits of space must be used. In particular, the average number of bits per element must depend on the size of the set. We show that our space lower bound is tight, and can even be matched by a highly efficient data structure. We present a data structure that uses (1+o(1))n log(1/ε)+O(n log log n) bits of space for approximating any set of any size n, without having to know n in advance. Our data structure supports membership queries in constant time in the worst case with high probability, and supports insertions in expected amortized constant time. Moreover, it can be “de-amortized” to support also insertions in constant time in the worst case with high probability by only increasing its space usage to O(n log(1/ε) + n loglogn) bits.
Using the Expressive Writing Program to Improve the Writing Skills of High School Students with Learning Disabilities

The complex nature of written expression presents difficulty for many students, particularly those with learning disabilities (LD). The literature in the area of written expression and students with learning disabilities indicates that explicit, rule–based instruction can enhance the writing skills of struggling students. Research in Direct Instruction (DI) writing programs is promising, but limited at this time to a small number of group design studies. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the DI writing program, Expressive Writing, for high school students with learning disabilities using a single–subject design methodology. Results indicated that the Expressive Writing program improved the writing skills of the students in this study. Students also were able to generalize and maintain the writing skills learned during intervention.