Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Motivational Interviewing as an Adjunct to Hearing Rehabilitation for Patients with Tinnitus: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial.

PURPOSE To test the effects of a brief motivational interviewing (MI) program as an adjunct to hearing aid rehabilitation for patients with tinnitus and sensorineural hearing loss. RESEARCH DESIGN This was a pilot randomized controlled trial. STUDY SAMPLE The sample consisted of 50 patients aged between 40 and 82 yr with both tinnitus and sensorineural hearing loss and a pure-tone average (0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz) < 70 dB HL. All patients were first-time hearing aid users. INTERVENTION A brief MI program was used during hearing aid fitting in 25 patients, whereas the remainder received standard practice (SP), with conventional hearing rehabilitation. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS A total of 46 patients (N = 23 + 23) with tinnitus were included for further analysis. The Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) and the International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids (IOI-HA) were administered before and after rehabilitation. THI was used to investigate changes in tinnitus annoyance, and the IOI-HA was used to determine the effect of hearing aid treatment. RESULTS Self-reported tinnitus disability (THI) decreased significantly in the MI group (p < 0.001) and in the SP group (p < 0.006). However, there was greater improvement in the MI group (p < 0.013). Furthermore, the findings showed a significant improvement in patients' satisfaction concerning the hearing aids (IOI-HA, within both groups; MI group, p < 0.038; and SP group, p < 0.026), with no difference between the groups (p < 0.99). CONCLUSION Tinnitus handicap scores decrease to a greater extent following brief MI than following SP. Future research on the value of incorporating MI into audiological rehabilitation using randomized controlled designs is required.
Translational Modeling of Drug‐Induced Myelosuppression and Effect of Pretreatment Myelosuppression for AZD5153, a Selective BRD4 Inhibitor

In this work, we evaluate the potential risk of thrombocytopenia in man for a BRD4 inhibitor, AZD5153, based on the platelet count decreases from a Han Wistar rat study. The effects in rat were modeled and used to make clinical predictions for human populations with healthy baseline blood counts. At doses >10 mg, a dose‐dependent effect on circulating platelets is expected, with similar predicted changes for both q.d. and b.i. d. dose schedules. These results suggest that at predicted efficacious doses, AZD5153 is likely to have some reductions in the clinical platelet counts, but within the normal range at projected efficacious doses. The model was then extended to incorporate preexisting myelosuppression where bone marrow function is inhibited by acute myeloid leukemia. Under these conditions, duration of platelet count recovery has the potential to be prolonged due to drug‐induced myelosuppression.
Novel potential predictive markers of sunitinib outcomes in long-term responders versus primary refractory patients with metastatic clear-cell renal cell carcinoma

Background Several potential predictive markers of efficacy of targeted agents in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) have been identified. Interindividual heterogeneity warrants further investigation. Patients and methods Multicenter, observational, retrospective study in patients with clear-cell mRCC treated with sunitinib. Patients were classified in two groups: long-term responders (LR) (progression-free survival (PFS)≥22 months and at least stable disease), and primary refractory (PR) (progressive disease within 3-months of sunitinib onset). Objectives were to compare baseline clinical factors in both populations and to correlate tumor expression of selected signaling pathways components with sunitinib PFS. Results 123 patients were analyzed (97 LR, 26 PR). In the LR cohort, overall response rate was 79% and median duration of best response was 30 months. Median PFS and overall survival were 43.2 (95% confidence intervals[CI]:37.2-49.3) and 63.5 months (95%CI:55.1-71.9), respectively. At baseline PR patients had a significantly lower proportion of nephrectomies, higher lactate dehydrogenase and platelets levels, lower hemoglobin, shorter time to and higher presence of metastases, and increased Fuhrman grade. Higher levels of HEYL, HEY and HES1 were observed in LR, although only HEYL discriminated populations significantly (AUC[ROC]=0.704; cut-off=34.85). Increased levels of hsa-miR-27b, hsa-miR-23b and hsa-miR-628-5p were also associated with prolonged survival. No statistical significant associations between hsa-miR-23b or hsa-miR-27b and the expression of c-Met were found. Conclusions Certain mRCC patients treated with sunitinib achieve extremely long-term responses. Favorable baseline hematology values and longer time to metastasis may predict longer PFS. HEYL, hsa-miR-27b, hsa-miR-23b and hsa-miR-628-5p could be potentially used as biomarkers of sunitinib response.
The influence of personal and organisational factors on entrepreneurship intention: An application in the health care sector

AIMS This study sought to contribute to research on entrepreneurial intention by identifying which constructs of the entrepreneurial profile and internal conditions of health care organisations support entrepreneurship and contribute to the entrepreneurial intention of these organisations' employees. BACKGROUND In addition to psychological attributes, cognitive processes, motivations, sociodemographic and professional characteristics, and entrepreneurial skills, the literature indicates that internal conditions of organisations also contribute to explaining entrepreneurial intention. METHODS To evaluate this model empirically, the primary data were collected with questionnaires distributed to nurses in two public hospitals-the Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro Hospital Center and the Local Health Unit of the Northeast. A total of 638 nurses filled out the questionnaire. The data were analysed using inferential and regression analyses. RESULTS The results suggest that the dimensions related to personal attributes, namely, motivation and entrepreneurial skills, are the constructs that best explain the entrepreneurial intention of these professionals within their organisations. CONCLUSIONS A broad discussion is needed about how to implement internal conditions that promote an intrapreneurial and innovative culture in health care organisations. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT Health care organisation administrators need to prioritise intrapreneurship while structuring their management strategies, thereby creating favourable internal conditions (e.g., support, autonomy, rewards, time availability and appropriate organisational procedures) that enhance their nurses' entrepreneurial intention.
Geometry, Allometry and Biomechanics of Fern Leaf Petioles: Their Significance for the Evolution of Functional and Ecological Diversity Within the Pteridaceae

Herbaceous plants rely on a combination of turgor, ground tissues and geometry for mechanical support of leaves and stems. Unlike most angiosperms however, ferns employ a sub-dermal layer of fibers, known as a hypodermal sterome, for support of their leaves. The sterome is nearly ubiquitous in ferns, but nothing is known about its role in leaf biomechanics. The goal of this research was to characterize sterome attributes in ferns that experience a broad range of mechanical stresses, as imposed by their aquatic, xeric, epiphytic, and terrestrial niches. Members of the Pteridaceae meet this criteria well. The anatomical and functional morphometrics along with published values of tissue moduli were used to model petiole flexural rigidity and susceptibility to buckling in 20 species of the Pteridaceae. Strong allometric relationships were observed between sterome thickness and leaf size, with the sterome contributing over 97% to petiole flexural rigidity. Surprisingly, the small-statured cheilanthoid ferns allocated the highest fraction of their petiole to the sterome, while large leaves exploited aspects of geometry (second moment of area) to achieve bending resistance. This pattern also revealed an economy of function in which increasing sterome thickness was associated with decreasing fiber cell reinforcement, and fiber wall fraction. Lastly, strong petioles were associated with durable leaves, as approximated by specific leaf area. This study reveals meaningful patterns in fern leaf biomechanics that align with species leaf size, sterome attributes and life-history strategy.
FABS: An Intuitive Tool for Screening of Stroke Mimics in the Emergency Department

Background and Purpose— A large number of patients with symptoms of acute cerebral ischemia are stroke mimics (SMs). In this study, we sought to develop a scoring system (FABS) for screening and stratifying SM from acute cerebral ischemia and to identify patients who may require magnetic resonance imaging to confirm or refute a diagnosis of stroke in the emergency setting. Methods— We designed a scoring system: FABS (6 variables with 1 point for each variable present): absence of Facial droop, negative history of Atrial fibrillation, Age <50 years, systolic Blood pressure <150 mm Hg at presentation, history of Seizures, and isolated Sensory symptoms without weakness at presentation. We evaluated consecutive patients with symptoms of acute cerebral ischemia and a negative head computed tomography for any acute finding within 4.5 hours after symptom onset in 2 tertiary care stroke centers for validation of FABS. Results— A total of 784 patients (41% SMs) were evaluated. Receiver operating characteristic curve (C statistic, 0.95; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.93–0.98) indicated that FABS≥3 could identify patients with SM with 90% sensitivity (95% CI, 86%–93%) and 91% specificity (95% CI, 88%–93%). The negative predictive value and positive predictive value were 93% (95% CI, 90%–95%) and 87% (95% CI, 83%–91%), respectively. Conclusions— FABS seems to be reliable in stratifying SM from acute cerebral ischemia cases among patients in whom the head computed tomography was negative for any acute findings. It can help clinicians consider advanced imaging for further diagnosis.
Larvicidal Activity of Essential Oils of Five Apiaceae Taxa and Some of Their Main Constituents Against Culex quinquefasciatus

Apiaceae are aromatic herbs producing essential oils which are used on an industrial scale for various purposes. Notably, Apiaceae essential oils may replace synthetic insecticides keeping most of their efficacy and avoiding environmental pollution and human poisoning. In the present work, we explored the insecticidal potential of the essential oils from five Apiaceae taxa, namely Sison amomum, Echinophora spinosa, Heracleum sphondylium subsp. sphondylium, Heracleum sphondylium subsp. ternatum, and Trachyspemum ammi, as well as their major constituents (sabinene, p‐cymene, terpinolene, myristicin, and thymol), against the filariasis vector Culex quinquefasciatus. For the purpose, the essential oils were obtained by hydrodistillation and their composition was achieved by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Their acute toxicity on third instar larvae of C. quinquefasciatus was determined. The two most active essential oils were those from T. ammi fruits and E. spinosa roots, showing LC50 below 20 μl/l and LD90 below 50 μl/l. These oils were dominated by the monoterpene phenol thymol and the phenylpropanoid myristicin, respectively, which showed the strongest larvicidal activity (LC50 of 15.1 and 16.3 μl/l, respectively) among the pure compounds tested. These results showed that Apiaceae may be useful as source of larvicidal compounds to be used for the development of cheap, effective and eco‐friendly insecticidal formulations.
High offspring survival of the brown‐headed cowbird in an invaded habitat

The brood parasitic brown‐headed cowbird (Molothrus ater) is considered an important threat to bird conservation in North America because it reduces the reproduction of its numerous host species. Prior to the colonisation of America by Europeans, the cowbird was largely confined to the North American prairie region, but it has since invaded forests and other habitats and is now one of the continent's most abundant breeding passerines. The objective of this study was to examine cowbird reproduction with different host communities to determine whether habitat‐specific reproduction might contribute to the cowbird's population expansion. Cowbird offspring survival was estimated with hosts breeding in fragmented deciduous forest (a newly invaded habitat) and old fields (a habitat more similar to the cowbird's original range). Offspring survival was 1.8–3.1 times higher in forest compared to old fields and was high enough to cause the cowbird population to increase with most forest hosts. The results suggest that increased offspring survival in an invaded habitat facilitates cowbird population growth. Land management for extensive, continuous forests, which cowbirds are known to avoid, could help control the cowbird population and reduce parasitism levels for the >140 species of cowbird hosts.
Physicochemical and biological characterization of SB2, a biosimilar of Remicade® (infliximab)

ABSTRACT A biosimilar is a biological medicinal product that contains a version of the active substance of an already authorized original biological medicinal product. Biosimilarity to the reference product (RP) in terms of quality characteristics, such as physicochemical and biological properties, safety, and efficacy, based on a comprehensive comparability exercise needs to be established. SB2 (Flixabi® and Renflexis®) is a biosimilar to Remicade® (infliximab). The development of SB2 was performed in accordance with relevant guidelines of the International Conference on Harmonisation, the European Medicines Agency, and the United States Food and Drug Administration. To determine whether critical quality attributes meet quality standards, an extensive characterization test was performed with more than 80 lots of EU- and US-sourced RP. The physicochemical characterization study results revealed that SB2 was similar to the RP. Although a few differences in physicochemical attributes were observed, the evidence from the related literature, structure-activity relationship studies, and comparative biological assays showed that these differences were unlikely to be clinically meaningful. The biological characterization results showed that SB2 was similar to the RP in terms of tumor necrosis factor–α (TNF-α) binding and TNF-α neutralization activities as a main mode of action. SB2 was also similar in Fc-related biological activities including antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity, complement-dependent cytotoxicity, neonatal Fc receptor binding, C1q binding, and Fc gamma receptor binding activities. These analytical findings support that SB2 is similar to the RP and also provide confidence of biosimilarity in terms of clinical safety and efficacy.
Managing Core Competence of the Organization

Past studies on ‘core competence’ have deliberated either on the theoretical concept of core competence or its usefulness as a strategic tool for firms. In spite of a large number of papers on the subject, to the author's knowledge, there has been no study which spells out an actionable framework for leveraging the concept of core competence in creating competitive advantage for organizations. This perceptible gap in strategy literature is the prime motivation for this study. In this paper, the author views core competence as a ‘dynamic learned resource’ which is subject to continuous metamorphosis with changes in internal and external environment. The proposed ‘critical competence’ framework integrates the various studies on core competence and puts forth an all-encompassing practicable methodology to be utilized by firms for sustained success. Critical competence is the ability of a firm to successfully identify, nurture, develop, upgrade, and deploy its hierarchy of competencies to attain sustainable competitive advantage. In the process of proposing and explaining the framework for critical competence, this paper makes four major contributions: First, it provides a consolidated and comprehensive literature review on the subject of core competence which can be used by academics for future studies on the subject. Second, the proposed framework for critical competence shows that the possession of meta/core competencies will in itself not result in competitive advantage; rather, it is important to understand how these competencies are utilized for adding value to the firm. Third, the proposed critical competence framework serves as a tool for analysing the past success/failure and also serves as a guide for charting out the future strategy of firms. Fourth, through the example of Indian Railways, the paper illustrates the ‘descriptive capability’ of the proposed critical competence framework. The proposed framework helps us conclude that competencies in an organization need to be continuously nurtured, developed, and also abandoned. Critical competence emerges as a universal competence which is at the highest level in the hierarchy of competencies and is a prerequisite for attaining sustainable competitive advantage.
Long-term Anti-inflammatory and Antihistamine Medication Use and Adult Glioma Risk

A personal history of asthma or allergy has been associated with a reduced risk for adult malignant gliomas. Recent reports on the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) and the presence of risk alleles in asthma susceptibility genes showed similar inverse associations. To further explore the relationship between immune mediators and gliomas, we examined the use of NSAID and antihistamines, history of asthma or allergy, and infection in 325 glioma cases and 600 frequency-matched controls from the metropolitan area of Houston, TX (2001-2006). The regular use of NSAID was associated with a 33% reduction in the risk for glioma, suggestive of possible antitumor activity. Surprisingly, regular long-term antihistamine use among those reporting a history of asthma or allergies was significantly associated with a 3.5-fold increase in the risk for glioma. Similar to previous reports, cases in our study were less likely to have reported asthma, allergy, or a history of a number of viral infections (chickenpox or shingles, oral herpes, and mononucleosis) than controls. We therefore speculate that the observed positive association with antihistamine use may reflect an alteration of protective immune factors in susceptible individuals. Our results lend additional support for an important but unknown link between malignant brain tumors and immune mediators. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2008;17(5):1277–81)
Planarity of heteroaryldithiocarbazic acid derivatives showing tuberculostatic activity: structure-activity relationships.

The search for new tuberculostatics is an important issue due to the increasing resistance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis to existing agents and the resulting spread of the pathogen. Heteroaryldithiocarbazic acid derivatives have shown potential tuberculostatic activity and investigations of the structural aspects of these compounds are thus of interest. Three new examples have been synthesized. The structure of methyl 2-[amino(pyridin-3-yl)methylidene]hydrazinecarbodithioate, C8H10N4S2, at 293 K has monoclinic (P21/n) symmetry. It is of interest with respect to antibacterial properties. The structure displays N-H.N and N-H.S hydrogen bonding. The structure of N'-(pyrrolidine-1-carbonothioyl)picolinohydrazonamide, C11H15N5S, at 100 K has monoclinic (P21/n) symmetry and is also of interest with respect to antibacterial properties. The structure displays N-H.S hydrogen bonding. The structure of (Z)-methyl 2-[amino(pyridin-2-yl)methylidene]-1-methylhydrazinecarbodithioate, C9H13N4S2, has triclinic (P-1) symmetry. The structure displays N-H.S hydrogen bonding.
The Effects of Population Size Histories on Estimates of Selection Coefficients from Time-Series Genetic Data

Many approaches have been developed for inferring selection coefficients from time series data while accounting for genetic drift. However, the improvement in inference accuracy that can be attained by modeling drift is unknown. Here, by comparing maximum likelihood estimates of selection coefficients that account for the true population size history with estimates that ignore drift, we address the following questions: how much can modeling the population size history improve estimates of selection coefficients? How much can mis-inferred population sizes hurt inferences of selection coefficients? We conduct our analysis under the discrete Wright-Fisher model by deriving the exact probability of an allele frequency trajectory in a population of time-varying size and we replicate our results under the diffusion model by extending the exact probability of a frequency trajectory derived by Steinrücken et al. (2014) to the case of a piecewise constant population. For both the discrete Wright-Fisher and diffusion models, we find that ignoring drift leads to estimates of selection coefficients that are nearly as accurate as estimates that account for the true population history, even when population sizes are small and drift is high. In populations of time-varying size, estimates of selection coefficients that ignore drift are similar in accuracy to estimates that rely on crude, yet reasonable, estimates of the population history. These results are of interest because inference methods that ignore drift are widely used in evolutionary studies and can be many orders of magnitude faster than methods that account for population sizes.
Ask the Right Questions: Active Question Reformulation with Reinforcement Learning

We frame Question Answering (QA) as a Reinforcement Learning task, an approach that we call Active Question Answering. We propose an agent that sits between the user and a black box QA system and learns to reformulate questions to elicit the best possible answers. The agent probes the system with, potentially many, natural language reformulations of an initial question and aggregates the returned evidence to yield the best answer. The reformulation system is trained end-to-end to maximize answer quality using policy gradient. We evaluate on SearchQA, a dataset of complex questions extracted from Jeopardy! The agent outperforms a state-of-the-art base model, playing the role of the environment, and other benchmarks. We also analyze the language that the agent has learned while interacting with the question answering system. We find that successful question reformulations look quite different from natural language paraphrases. The agent is able to discover non-trivial reformulation strategies that resemble classic information retrieval techniques such as term re-weighting (tf-idf) and stemming.
Theoretical foundations for interventions designed to promote informed decision making for cancer screening

Background: Decision aids are currently being developed and evaluated for use in cancer-screening decisional settings.Purpose: The purpose of this article is to review and discuss the theoretical basis of interventions to promote informed decision making in cancer screening.Methods: We reviewed interventions cited in Briss et al. (1) and Rimer et al. (2) to identify their theoretical basis, intervention content, measurement strategies, and outcomes.Results: Few interventions had a strong, decision-oriented conceptual basis. This was apparent in their intervention content, the measurement strategy, and the choice of outcomes for the study.Conclusions: We recommend that more research occur into the basis of decision making in cancer screening and that future interventions use this research to rigorously design and evaluate decision aids to help people make choices about cancer screening.