Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Participant comprehension of research for which they volunteer: a systematic review.

PURPOSE Evidence indicates that research participants often do not fully understand the studies for which they have volunteered. The aim of this systematic review was to examine the relationship between the process of obtaining informed consent for research and participant comprehension and satisfaction with the research. DESIGN Systematic review of published research on informed consent and participant comprehension of research for which they volunteer using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) Statement as a guide. METHODS PubMed, Cumulative Index for Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trails, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews were used to search the literature for studies meeting the following inclusion criteria: (a) published between January 1, 2006, and December 31, 2013, (b) interventional or descriptive quantitative design, (c) published in a peer-reviewed journal, (d) written in English, and (e) assessed participant comprehension or satisfaction with the research process. Studies were assessed for quality using seven indicators: sampling method, use of controls or comparison groups, response rate, description of intervention, description of outcome, statistical method, and health literacy assessment. FINDINGS Of 176 studies identified, 27 met inclusion criteria: 13 (48%) were randomized interventional designs and 14 (52%) were descriptive. Three categories of studies included projects assessing (a) enhanced consent process or form, (b) multimedia methods, and (c) education to improve participant understanding. Most (78%) used investigator-developed tools to assess participant comprehension, did not assess participant health literacy (74%), or did not assess the readability level of the consent form (89%). Researchers found participants lacked basic understanding of research elements: randomization, placebo, risks, and therapeutic misconception. CONCLUSIONS Findings indicate (a) inconsistent assessment of participant reading or health literacy level, (b) measurement variation associated with use of nonstandardized tools, and (c) continued therapeutic misconception and lack of understanding among research participants of randomization, placebo, benefit, and risk. While the Agency for Healthcare and Quality and National Quality Forum have published informed consent and authorization toolkits, previously published validated tools are underutilized. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Informed consent requires the assessment of health literacy, reading level, and comprehension of research participants using validated assessment tools and methods.
Optimal management of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy

Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP) is a common medical condition in pregnancy with significant physical and psychological morbidity. Up to 90% of women will suffer from NVP symptoms in the first trimester of pregnancy with up to 2% developing hyperemesis gravidarum which is NVP at its worst, leading to hospitalization and even death in extreme cases. Optimal management of NVP begins with nonpharmacological approaches, use of ginger, acupressure, vitamin B6, and dietary adjustments. The positive impact of these noninvasive, inexpensive and safe methods has been demonstrated. Pharmacological treatments are available with varying effectiveness; however, the only drug marketed specifically for the treatment of NVP in pregnancy is Diclectin® (vitamin B6 and doxylamine). In addition, the Motherisk algorithm provides a guideline for use of safe and effective drugs for the treatment of NVP. Optimal medical management of symptoms will ensure the mental and physical wellbeing of expecting mothers and their developing babies during this often stressful and difficult time period. Dismissing NVP as an inconsequential part of pregnancy can have serious ramifications for both mother and baby.
Na-O Anticorrelation and HB. VII. The chemical composition of first and second-generation stars in 15 globular clusters from GIRAFFE spectra

We present abundances of Fe, Na, and O for 1409 red giant stars in 15 galactic globular clusters (GCs), derived from the homogeneous analysis of high-resolution FLAMES/GIRAFFE spectra. Combining the present data with results from our FLAMES/UVES spectra and from previous studies within the project, we obtained a total sample of 1958 stars in 19 clusters, the largest and most homogeneous database of this kind to date. The programme clusters cover a range in metallicity from [Fe/H] = −2. 4d ex to [Fe/H] = −0.4 dex, with a wide variety of global parameters (morphology of the horizontal branch, mass, concentration, etc.). For all clusters we find the Na-O anticorrelation, the classical signature of the operation of proton-capture reactions in H-burning at high temperature in a previous generation of more massive stars that are now extinct. Using quantitative criteria (from the morphology and extension of the Na-O anticorrelation), we can define three different components of the stellar population in GCs. We separate a primordial component (P) of first-generation stars, and two components of second-generation stars, that we name intermediate (I) and extreme (E) populations from their different chemical composition. The P component is present in all clusters, and its fraction is almost constant at about one third. The I component represents the bulk of the cluster population. On the other hand, E component is not present in all clusters, and it is more conspicuous in some (but not in all) of the most massive clusters. We discuss the fractions and spatial distributions of these components in our sample and in two additional clusters (M 3 = NGC 5272 and M 13 = NGC6205) with large sets of stars analysed in the literature. We also find that the slope of the anti-correlation (defined by the minimum O and maximum Na abundances) changes from cluster-to-cluster, a change that is represented well by a bilinear relation on cluster metallicity and luminosity. This second dependence suggests a correlation between average mass of polluters and cluster mass.
Lipid Profiles of Children With Down Syndrome Compared With Their Siblings

OBJECTIVES: Our objective was to compare serum lipid profiles, total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), triglycerides (TG), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) between children with Down syndrome (DS) and their non-DS siblings. We hypothesized that the children with DS would have higher TC, LDL, and TG and lower HDL. The secondary aim was to explore if the difference in lipid profiles could be explained by differences in weight status. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study. Fasting lipid profile was obtained from 27 children with DS and 31 siblings between 4 and 10 years of age with no severe comorbidities (heart disease, cancer, hypothyroidism, diabetes, or obesity). BMI was calculated and BMI z scores were used to account for differences in BMI throughout childhood. RESULTS: Children with DS had higher TC (difference, 11.2 mg/dL; 95% confidence interval: 2.5–19.9; P = .01), LDL (12.8 mg/dL; 7.2–18.4; P < .001), TG (33.6 mg/dL; 11.1–56.1; P = .003), and lower HDL (−7.6 mg/dL; −12.1 to −3.0; P = .001) after adjustment for race, gender, age, and ethnicity. Results remained significant after additional adjustment for BMI z score: TC (14.9 mg/dL; 4.9–24.9; P = .003), LDL (16.6 mg/dL; 10.1–23.2; P < .001), TG (32.7 mg/dL; 7.7–57.7; P = .01), and lower HDL (−6.4 mg/dL; −12.2 to −0.7; P = .03). CONCLUSIONS: Children with DS have less favorable lipid profiles than their siblings independent of weight status. These findings may have important implications for the screening and treatment of this large population at increased risk for ischemic heart disease.
Distinct Mechanosensitive Properties of Capsaicin-Sensitive and -Insensitive Sensory Neurons

Mechanical stimulation of the somata of cultured neonatal rat dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons evoked inward cationic currents that displayed distinct properties between different subsets of cells. The presumptive nociceptor population, defined by capsaicin sensitivity, showed higher thresholds for the induction of an inward current and lower peak currents than other mechanosensitive neurons. A subset of capsaicin-sensitive IB4-positive sensory neurons was refractory to mechanical stimulation. All mechanically activated currents were blocked by gadolinium (IC50 approximately 8 microm) and ruthenium red (IC50 approximately 3 microm). Disruption of the actin cytoskeleton by acute application of 10 microm cytochalasin B inhibited currents much more effectively in capsaicin-insensitive (61%) than capsaicin-sensitive neurons (20%). Extracellular calcium also attenuated mechanosensitive currents and to a greater degree in capsaicin-insensitive neurons than capsaicin-sensitive neurons. These data demonstrate that the somata of different types of cultured sensory neurons have distinct mechanosensitive phenotypes that retain properties associated with nerve terminal mechanosensors in vivo.
Effects of Picture and Even-a-Penny-Will-Help Appeals on Anonymous Donations to Charity

The present research explored the effectiveness of a picture and the phrase “even a penny will help” on contributions to charity. Two experiments were conducted, one in the laboratory and one in the field. In both experiments the manipulation of a pleasant picture and the phrase created four types of signs: (1) picture-no phrase, (2) phrase-no picture, (3) picture-phrase, and (4) no picture-no phrase. In the field experiment patrons of local business anonymously put money in a donation box that displayed one of the four signs. In the laboratory experiment, 129 undergraduate students were randomly assigned to view one of the four signs placed on a donation box for a local charity. Analyses for both studies showed that more money was donated when the boxes displayed pictures. The phrase “even a penny will help” had no significant effect on donations.
Attitudes of dialysis patients and caregivers regarding advance directives.

OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to describe and compare the attitudes of dialysis patients, their relatives/friends, primary nephrologists, and nurses regarding advance directives. DESIGN A descriptive comparative design was used. SAMPLE/SETTING A total of 50 dialysis patients from a large teaching hospital in western Canada participated in the study. For every patient who responded, a relative/friend, physician, and nurse completed the questionnaire. METHODS The questionnaires were designed for the purposes of the study. These questionnaires were mailed to dialysis patients, who were asked to identify a relative/friend to complete a similar questionnaire. Nurses and physicians also completed questionnaires. RESULTS Overall, 84% of patients indicated that they believed that it was important to leave a living will, but only 18% of these patients had actually left an advance directive. However, 52% of patients and relatives/friends believed that major treatment decisions should be left to the physician, a perception that was not shared by physicians and nurses. CONCLUSIONS It appears that patients, family/friends, nurses, and physicians in this study had differing perceptions regarding advance directives. It is important that health care professionals realize that these differences may exist and that further research should address strategies to increase our understanding of patient decisions in this area.
Chromogranin positive cells in colorectal carcinoma and transitional mucosa.

AIMS--Immunostaining of chromogranin identifies gastrointestinal mucosal endocrine cells. The detailed distribution and significance of chromogranin positive cells in colorectal carcinomas and in transitional mucosa remain unclear. The aim of this study was to clarify these aspects. METHODS--The distribution of chromogranin positive cells was studied by immunohistochemical methods in normal epithelium remote from carcinoma, in transitional mucosa, and in carcinomas of the colorectum. In selected cases northern or western blot analyses were performed. RESULTS--Chromogranin positive cells were seen in the lower third of the normal crypts and less frequently in transitional mucosa. Thirty five per cent (n = 38) of colorectal carcinomas showed immunohistochemically positive carcinoma cells in the tumour tissue. Northern and western blot analyses showed similar results. There was no difference in clinicopathological factors, including prognosis, between chromogranin positive cases of colorectal carcinoma (n = 38) and chromogranin negative cases (n = 70). CONCLUSIONS--Neuroendocrine cell differentiation is controlled in transitional mucosa and the presence of chromogranin positive cells in carcinoma tissue does not influence the patient's prognosis.
The Role of Compassion in Altruistic Helping and Punishment Behavior

Compassion, the emotional response of caring for another who is suffering and that results in motivation to relieve suffering, is thought to be an emotional antecedent to altruistic behavior. However, it remains unclear whether compassion enhances altruistic behavior in a uniform way or is specific to sub-types of behavior such as altruistic helping of a victim or altruistic punishment of a transgressor. We investigated the relationship between compassion and subtypes of altruistic behavior using third-party paradigms where participants 1) witnessed an unfair economic exchange between a transgressor and a victim, and 2) had the opportunity to either spend personal funds to either economically a) help the victim or b) punish the transgressor. In Study 1, we examined whether individual differences in self-reported empathic concern (the emotional component of compassion) was associated with greater altruistic helping or punishment behavior in two independent samples. For participants who witnessed an unfair transaction, trait empathic concern was associated with greater helping of a victim and had no relationship to punishment. However, in those who decided to punish the transgressor, participants who reported greater empathic concern decided to punish less. In Study 2, we directly enhanced compassion using short-term online compassion meditation training to examine whether altruistic helping and punishment were increased after two weeks of training. Compared to an active reappraisal training control group, the compassion training group gave more to help the victim and did not differ in punishment of the transgressor. Together, these two studies suggest that compassion is related to greater altruistic helping of victims and is not associated with or may mitigate altruistic punishment of transgressors.
Imaging methodologies and applications for nutrition research: what can functional MRI offer? ‡

Food intake is influenced by a complex regulatory system involving the integration of a wide variety of sensory inputs across multiple brain areas. Over the past decade, advances in neuroimaging using functional MRI (fMRI) have provided valuable insight into these pathways in the human brain. This review provides an outline of the methodology of fMRI, introducing the widely used blood oxygenation level-dependent contrast for fMRI and direct measures of cerebral blood flow using arterial spin labelling. A review of fMRI studies of the brain's response to taste, aroma and oral somatosensation, and how fat is sensed and mapped in the brain in relation to the pleasantness of food, and appetite control is given. The influence of phenotype on individual variability in cortical responses is addressed, and an overview of fMRI studies investigating hormonal influences (e.g. peptide YY, cholecystokinin and ghrelin) on appetite-related brain processes provided. Finally, recent developments in MR technology at ultra-high field (7 T) are introduced, highlighting the advances this can provide for fMRI studies to investigate the neural underpinnings in nutrition research. In conclusion, neuroimaging methods provide valuable insight into the mechanisms of flavour perception and appetite behaviour.
Detection Wavelength Control of Uncooled Infrared Sensors Using Two-Dimensional Lattice Plasmonic Absorbers

Wavelength-selective uncooled infrared (IR) sensors are highly promising for a wide range of applications, such as fire detection, gas analysis and biomedical analysis. We have recently developed wavelength-selective uncooled IR sensors using square lattice two-dimensional plasmonic absorbers (2-D PLAs). The PLAs consist of a periodic 2-D lattice of Au-based dimples, which allow photons to be manipulated using surface plasmon modes. In the present study, a detailed investigation into control of the detection wavelength was conducted by varying the PLA lattice structure. A comparison was made between wavelength-selective uncooled IR sensors with triangular and square PLA lattices that were fabricated using complementary metal oxide semiconductor and micromachining techniques. Selective enhancement of the responsivity could be achieved, and the detection wavelength for the triangular lattice was shorter than that for the square lattice. The results indicate that the detection wavelength is determined by the reciprocal-lattice vector for the PLAs. The ability to control the detection wavelength in this manner enables the application of such PLAs to many types of thermal IR sensors. The results obtained here represent an important step towards multi-color imaging in the IR region.
EFFECT OF PAPAIN AND BROMELIN ON MUSCLE AND COLLAGEN PROTEINS IN BEEF MEAT

The effects of papain and bromelin on muscles and collagen proteins in beef meat were evaluated by injecting brine supplied with enzymes in different concentrations. The effects produced by papain and bromelin, together with the endogenous enzymes of meat, were established by the determination of nitrogenous compounds resulted through the degradation of meat proteins and of hydroxyproline produced from collagen during enzymatic tenderization and thermal treatment of the meat. Papain and bromelin led to a limited hydrolysis of beef meat proteins, to a loss of physical integrity of muscle and connective tissue, accompanied by a high solubility of structural proteins, and to an improvement of the beef meat tenderness. The tenderization effects of papain and bromelin were monitorized, both on the raw meat during ageing at 4C for 24 and 48 hours and on the cooked meat.
Coral Disease Diagnostics: What's between a Plague and a Band?

ABSTRACT Recently, reports of coral disease have increased significantly across the world's tropical oceans. Despite increasing efforts to understand the changing incidence of coral disease, very few primary pathogens have been identified, and most studies remain dependent on the external appearance of corals for diagnosis. Given this situation, our current understanding of coral disease and the progression and underlying causes thereof is very limited. In the present study, we use structural and microbial studies to differentiate different forms of black band disease: atypical black band disease and typical black band disease. Atypical black band diseased corals were infected with the black band disease microbial consortium yet did not show any of the typical external signs of black band disease based on macroscopic observations. In previous studies, these examples, here referred to as atypical black band disease, would have not been correctly diagnosed. We also differentiate white syndrome from white diseases on the basis of tissue structure and the presence/absence of microbial associates. White diseases are those with dense bacterial communities associated with lesions of symbiont loss and/or extensive necrosis of tissues, while white syndromes are characteristically bacterium free, with evidence for extensive programmed cell death/apoptosis associated with the lesion and the adjacent tissues. The pathology of coral disease as a whole requires further investigation. This study emphasizes the importance of going beyond the external macroscopic signs of coral disease for accurate disease diagnosis.
Remarks on the existence of a Kazantzis-Kravaris/Luenberger observer

We state sufficient conditions for the existence, on a given open set, of the extension, to nonlinear systems, of the Luenberger observer as it has been proposed by Kazantzis and Kravaris. To weaken these conditions, the observer is modified in a way which induces a time rescaling and which follows from a forward unboundedness observability property. Also, we state it is sufficient to choose the dimension of the dynamic system, giving the observer, less than or equal to 2 + twice the dimension of the state to be observed. Finally we show how approximation is allowed and we establish a link with high gain observers.
Hormonal contraceptive use, pregnancy and parity, and the risk of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 3 among oncogenic HPV DNA‐positive women with equivocal or mildly abnormal cytology

Oral contraceptive (OC) use, hormonal contraceptive use and multiparity are potential risk factors for cervical precancer, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 3 (CIN3), but a limited number of studies have adequately accounted for possible confounding effect of oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. To examine the relationships of these factors with CIN3, we conducted an analysis of women (n = 5,060) with minimally abnormal Pap smears who were enrolled in the ASCUS and LSIL Triage Study (ALTS), a clinical trial to evaluate management strategies. Cervical specimens collected at enrollment were tested for HPV DNA using 2 methods. Multivariate logistics regression models were used to assess associations (odds ratio [OR] with 95% confidence intervals [CI]) of the potential risk factors (e.g., OC use and parity) with testing oncogenic HPV positive among controls (
Evaluation on cartilage morphology after intra-articular injection of titanium dioxide nanoparticles in rats

Nanoscale wear particles would generate from orthopedic implants with nanoscale surface topography because of residual stress. In this study, the effect of TiO2 nanoparticles on articular cartilage was investigated by intra-articular injection in rats. Using contrastenhanced high-resolution microcomputed tomography (micro-CT) technology, the decreased thickness of articular cartilage in distal femur was determined at 1, 7, 14, and 30 days after nanoparticle exposure. A strong linear correlation (r = 0.928, P < 0.0001) was observed with the results obtained by needle probe testing. After exposure to TiO2 nanoparticles, cartilage thickness showed time-dependent decrease, and cartilage volume was decreased too. Further, the histopathological examination showed the edema chondrocyte and shrinked nucleus in the radial and calcified zone of cartilage. The ultrastructure of articular cartilage implied that the chondrocyte was degenerated, expressing as the condensed chromatin, the dilated endoplasmic reticulum, and the rich mitochondria. Even, the fragments of ruptured endoplasmic reticulum were observed in the cytoplasm of chondrocytes at postexposure day 30. Results indicate that potential damage of articular cartilage was induced by particles existed in knee joint and imply that the biomonitoring should be strengthened in patients with prostheses replacement.
Experimental Evaluation on Solder Joint Reliability of PBGA Assembly Under Mechanical Drop Test

The present study is intended to investigate the board level solder joint reliability of PBGA assemblies under mechanical drop test. During the course of this study, a five-leg experiment was designed to investigate various combinations of solder materials and peak reflow temperatures. Two major failure modes, namely, solder cracking and copper trace breakage, were identified. In addition, the critical location of solder joints was characterized. It was found that Sn-Pb eutectic solder joints performed better than Pb-free solder joints under mechanical impact loading.Copyright © 2002 by ASME