Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The effect of reminder systems on patients’ adherence to treatment

Background Patient adherence is an important component of the treatment of chronic disease. An understanding of patient adherence and its modulating factors is necessary to correctly interpret treatment efficacy and barriers to therapeutic success. Purpose This meta-analysis aims to systematically review published randomized controlled trials of reminder interventions to assist patient adherence to prescribed medications. Methods A Medline search was performed for randomized controlled trials published between 1968 and June 2011, which studied the effect of reminder-based interventions on adherence to self-administered daily medications. Results Eleven published randomized controlled trials were found between 1999 and 2009 which measured adherence to a daily medication in a group receiving reminder interventions compared to controls receiving no reminders. Medication adherence was measured as the number of doses taken compared to the number prescribed within a set period of time. Meta- analysis showed a statistically significant increase in adherence in groups receiving a reminder intervention compared to controls (66.61% versus 54.71%, 95% CI for mean: 0.8% to 22.4%). Self-reported and electronically monitored adherence rates did not significantly differ (68.04% versus 63.67%, P = 1.0). Eight of eleven studies showed a statistically significant increase in adherence for at least one of the reminder group arms compared to the control groups receiving no reminder intervention. Limitations The data are limited by imperfect measures of adherence due to variability in data collection methods. It is also likely that concomitant educational efforts in the study populations, such as instructions regarding proper administration and importance of correct dosing schedules, contributed to improved patient adherence, both in reminder and control arms. The search strategy could have missed relevant studies which were categorized by disease rather than adherence. Conclusions Reminder-based interventions may improve adherence to daily medications. However, the interventions used in these studies, which included reminder phone calls, text messages, pagers, interactive voice response systems, videotelephone calls, and programmed electronic audiovisual reminder devices, are impractical for widespread implementation, and their efficacy may be optimized when combined with alternative adherence-modifying strategies. More practical reminder-based interventions should be assessed to determine their value in improving patient adherence and treatment outcomes.
The emergence of fuel cell technology and challenges to latecomer countries

This article uses the systems of innovation approach (in this case using the technological system framework and analysis of system functions) to provide insights for understanding the challenges at latecomer countries have to face in the development of an emerging technology like fuel cells. It shows that the development of system functions in fuel cells in Singapore is higher than Malaysia, and this is shaped by four key factors: (1) Diversity of actors and the alignment of their activities; (2) synergy between energy, environment and industrial policies; (3) openness to Internationalisation; and (4) responsiveness to demonstration activities. In Singapore the stronger presence of such factors in its policy environment has had a positive influence on the development of fuel cell technology - while the absence or weaknesses of these factors might this : Contributed to the weaker and more unbalanced development in Malaysia. It is argued that this is because such factors were effective in addressing specific characteristics of the 'emerging phase' of fuel cell technology.
Speech emotion recognition system based on a dimensional approach using a three-layered model

This paper proposes a three-layer model for estimating the expressed emotions in a speech signal based on a dimensional approach. Most of the previous studies using the dimensional approach mainly focused on the direct relationship between acoustic features and emotion dimensions (valence, activation, and dominance). However, the acoustic features that correlate to valence dimension are less numerous, less strong, and the valence dimension has being particularly difficult to be predicted. The ultimate goal of this study is to improve the dimensional approach in order to precisely predict the valence dimension. The proposed model consists of three layers: acoustic features, semantic primitives, and emotion dimensions. We aimed to construct a three-layer model in imitation of the process of how human perceive and recognize emotions. In this study, we first investigated the correlations between the elements of the two-layered model and elements of the three-layered model. In addition, we compared the two models by applying a fuzzy inference system (FIS) to estimate emotion dimensions. In our model FIS was used to estimate semantic primitives from acoustic features, then to estimate emotion dimensions from the estimated semantic primitives. The experimental results show that the proposed three-layered model outperforms the traditional two-layered model.
Exploratory behaviour and stressor hyper-responsiveness facilitate range expansion of an introduced songbird

Global anthropogenic changes are occurring at an unprecedented rate; one change, human-facilitated introduction of species outside their native range, has had significant ecological and economic impacts. Surprisingly, what traits facilitate range expansions post-introduction is relatively unknown. This information could help predict future expansions of introduced species as well as native species shifting their ranges as climate conditions change. Here, we asked whether specific behavioural and physiological traits were important in the ongoing expansion of house sparrows (Passer domesticus) across Kenya. We predicted that birds at the site of initial introduction (Mombasa, introduced approx. 1950) would behave and regulate corticosterone, a stress hormone, differently than birds at the range edge (Kakamega, approx. 885 km from Mombasa; colonized within the last 5 years). Specifically, we predicted greater exploratory behaviour and stronger corticosterone response to stressors in birds at the range edge, which may facilitate the identification, resolution and memory of stressors. Indeed, we found that distance from Mombasa (a proxy for population age) was a strong predictor of both exploratory behaviour and corticosterone release in response to restraint (but only while birds were breeding). These results suggest that certain behavioural and neuroendocrine traits may influence the ability of species to colonize novel habitats.
The Nuclear Transcription Factor PKNOX2 Is a Candidate Gene for Substance Dependence in European-Origin Women

Substance dependence or addiction is a complex environmental and genetic disorder that results in serious health and socio-economic consequences. Multiple substance dependence categories together, rather than any one individual addiction outcome, may explain the genetic variability of such disorder. In our study, we defined a composite substance dependence phenotype derived from six individual diagnoses: addiction to nicotine, alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, opiates or other drugs as a whole. Using data from several genomewide case-control studies, we identified a strong (Odds ratio = 1.77) and significant (p-value = 7E-8) association signal with a novel gene, PBX/knotted 1 homeobox 2 (PKNOX2), on chromosome 11 with the composite phenotype in European-origin women. The association signal is not as significant when individual outcomes for addiction are considered, or in males or African-origin population. Our findings underscore the importance of considering multiple addiction types and the importance of considering population and gender stratification when analyzing data with heterogeneous population.
Increased Numbers of Activated Mast Cells in Endometriosis Lesions Positive for Corticotropin‐Releasing Hormone and Urocortin

Problem: Mast cells are critical in allergic and inflammatory diseases such as interstitial cystitis, which is often clinically associated with or mistaken as endometriosis. Mast cells had previously been reported to be increased at sites of endometriosis, and tryptase may contribute to the fibrosis and inflammation characterizing endometriosis.
The Relationship between Alcohol Consumption and Past-Year Smoking Initiation in a Sample of Undergraduates

Background: Although most young people begin smoking before the age of 18, the results of a growing number of recent studies have shown a sizable minority of college students initiate smoking while in college. Moreover, the use of alcohol by college students has been linked to smoking initiation in some studies in the literature. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the association between past-year drinking frequency and past-year smoking initiation among a sample of college students. Methods: A total of 1,523 undergraduate students attending a large urban university in the southwestern United States were invited to participate in an Internet study examining college student lifestyles and behaviors. Results: The results of a logistic regression analysis indicated a significant association between past-year alcohol consumption and the likelihood of past-year smoking initiation after controlling for respondent race, the past-year use of marijuana, illicit drug use, and prescription drug use. Conclusions and Scientific Significance: These results suggest alcohol consumption may serve as an influence on smoking initiation among some college students. These results provide additional support to a growing literature linking alcohol use to smoking initiation in college student populations. Additional research is needed to determine the mechanisms that explain this relationship.
Pedagogy for Global Perspectives in Education: Studies of Teachers' Thinking and Practice

Abstract As Americans come to understand the effects of globalization, there is increasing concern that schools today are not adequately preparing students for our interdependent world. Although much has been written about the need to infuse global perspectives in education so that students will understand and benefit from the increasing interconnectedness of the world's cultures, economies, and political relationships, few scholars have studied the actual practice of social studies teachers as they teach global perspectives or tried to understand the contexts of their instructional decisions. In this article multiple perspectives on current classroom practice in global education are examined, including those of master teachers considered the best global educators in their school districts, practicing teachers who have recently completed their first formal instruction in global education, and preservice teachers who are beginning to teach globally-oriented social studies as part of their certification pro.
Immigration and Ethnic and Racial Inequality in the United States

This review examines research about current levels and recent changes in ethnic and racial stratification in the United States. Research about ethnic inequality emphasizes that economic stagnation and restructuring are troubling impediments to progress toward equality, and it shows evidence that employers may still use racial and ethnic queues in hiring. A number of issues arise with respect to the incorporation of the new waves of immigrants who have arrived since immigration law reform in 1965. We discuss patterns of adaptation of new immigrants, including available evidence on the ethnic enclave economy and substitution in the labor market of immigrants for native minorities. We summarize new theories and hypotheses about the fate of the children of recent immigrants, and we point to topics in this area needing further research.
The structure of emotion: An empirical comparison of six models

There are a number of conflicting approaches to the problem of the relationship between different emotions. One category of models focuses on the valence of emotional experience and typically reports evidence for dimensional approaches to emotion. A second category of models argues for the possibility of discrete basic emotions, but typically focuses on evidence from emotion systems other than conscious experience. In the present study, a list of emotion terms was drawn up that were derived conceptually from a set of basic emotions. A group of participants filled out a questionnaire that asked how much in general they experienced each of the emotions. A structural equation modelling approach was then used with the resultant dataset, an approach that permitted the comparison of six different models that ranged from the positive-negative affect models to models of discrete basic emotions. The analyses gave support for a set of five basic emotions but only when these were allowed to correlate with each other. Implications for theories of emotion are considered.
Improving the Effect and Efficiency of FMD Control by Enlarging Protection or Surveillance Zones

An epidemic of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in a FMD-free country with large exports of livestock and livestock products would result in profound economic damage. This could be reduced by rapid and efficient control of the disease spread. The objectives of this study were to estimate the economic impact of a hypothetical FMD outbreak in Denmark based on changes to the economic assumptions of the model, and to investigate whether the control of an FMD epidemic can be improved by combining the enlargement of protection or surveillance zones with pre-emptive depopulation or emergency vaccination. The stochastic spatial simulation model DTU-DADS was used to simulate the spread of FMD in Denmark. The control strategies were the basic EU and Danish strategy, pre-emptive depopulation, suppressive or protective vaccination, enlarging protection or surveillance zones, and a combination of pre-emptive depopulation or emergency vaccination with enlarged protection or surveillance zones. Herds are detected either based on basic detection through the appearance of clinical signs, or as a result of surveillance in the control zones. The economic analyses consisted of direct costs and export losses. Sensitivity analysis was performed on uncertain and potentially influential input parameters. Enlarging the surveillance zones from 10 to 15 km, combined with pre-emptive depopulation over a 1-km radius around detected herds resulted in the lowest total costs. This was still the case even when the different input parameters were changed in the sensitivity analysis. Changing the resources for clinical surveillance did not affect the epidemic consequences. In conclusion, an FMD epidemic in Denmark would have a larger economic impact on the agricultural sector than previously anticipated. Furthermore, the control of a potential FMD outbreak in Denmark may be improved by combining pre-emptive depopulation with an enlarged protection or surveillance zone.
Treadmill exercise inhibits apoptotic neuronal cell death with suppressed vascular endothelial growth factor expression in the retinas of the diabetic rats

Diabetic retinopathy is one of the most important microvascular complications in diabetes, and it is the major cause of visual loss. Physical exercise is known to ameliorate the symptoms of metabolic syndromes such as diabetic mellitus. In the present study, we investigated the effects of treadmill exercise on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression and apoptotic cell death in the retinas of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. The male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups (n = 10 in each group): control group, STZ-induce diabetes group, STZ-induced diabetes and treadmill exercise group. To induce diabetes in the experimental animals, a single intraperitioneal injection of STZ (50 mg/kg) was given to each animal. The rats in the exercise group were forced to run on a motorized treadmill for 30 min once a day during 1 week starting 6 weeks after STZ injection. In the present results, VEGF expression in the retinas was increased by induction of diabetes. The numbers of caspase-3-positive and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL)-positive cells in the retinas were also enhanced by induction of diabetes. Treadmill exercise significantly decreased VEGF expression and suppressed the number of TUNEL-positive and caspase-3-positive cells in the retinas of diabetic rats. In the present study, we have shown that treadmill exercise might alleviate the progression of diabetic retinopathy through suppressing VEGF expression and apoptotic cell death in the retinas of the diabetic rats.
Combined effects of propofol and dexamethasone on rats with endotoxemia

Objective:To clarify the effect of combined treatment with propofol and dexamethasone on hemodynamics, organ injury, and survival rate in rats with endotoxemia. Design:Randomized, prospective animal experiment. Setting:Academic research laboratory. Subjects:Male Wistar rats. Interventions:Rats were divided into five groups: a control group, a group of conscious rats infused with Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide, two groups of lipopolysaccharide rats treated with either propofol or dexamethasone, and a group of lipopolysaccharide rats with combined treatment of propofol and dexamethasone. Measurements and Main Results:All hemodynamic and biochemical variables were measured during the 6-hr observation. Propofol plus dexamethasone attenuated hypotension and delayed hypoglycemia and metabolic acidosis caused by coadministration of E. coli lipopolysaccharide. In addition, propofol plus dexamethasone attenuated the lipopolysaccharide-induced multiple organ dysfunctions, such as lung, liver, and kidney. The increases in serum tumor necrosis factor-&agr;, tissue nitric oxide, and superoxide anion levels were attenuated by propofol plus dexamethasone in lipopolysaccharide rats. Microscopic findings confirmed that propofol plus dexamethasone attenuated the substantial swelling and cell infiltration in lung and kidney caused by endotoxin. The 22-hr survival rate after endotoxin injection was markedly increased in lipopolysaccharide rats with combined treatment compared with the lipopolysaccharide rats (80% vs. 0%). Conclusions:The combined treatment with propofol plus dexamethasone reduced mortality rate and attenuated organ injury in conscious rats treated with lipopolysaccharide. These protective effects may be associated with their anti-inflammatory capacity and antioxidant activity.
Kappa 2 opioid receptors inhibit NMDA receptor-mediated synaptic currents in guinea pig CA3 pyramidal cells

The role of the endogenous opioid peptide dynorphin (1–17) in regulating NMDA receptor-mediated synaptic currents was examined in guinea pig hippocampus. Schaffer collateral/commissural fiber-evoked NMDA synaptic currents were recorded using whole-cell patch-clamp techniques in CA3 pyramidal cells. Dynorphin was found to have dual effects on NMDA synaptic currents, increasing currents at low concentrations and decreasing currents at high concentrations. Only the inhibitory action of dynorphin was sensitive to naloxone, indicating that this effect was mediated by an opioid receptor. The inhibitory effect was mimicked by bremazocine, but not by U69,593, U50,488, [D- Ala2, N-Me-Phe4, Gly-ol]-enkephalin, or [D-Pen2,5]-enkephalin. Bremazocine's effect was blocked by naloxone, but not by nor- binaltorphimine, cyprodime, or naltrindole. These findings suggest that bremazocine's effect was mediated by the kappa 2 subtype of opioid receptor. In addition, 1 microM naloxone and antisera to dynorphin (1– 17) were found to increase NMDA-mediated synaptic currents. Nor- binaltorphimine, cyprodime, naltrindole, and antisera to met-enkephalin did not increase the NMDA synaptic current. These findings suggest that endogenous dynorphin was acting at kappa 2 receptors to inhibit NMDA receptor-mediated synaptic currents. Overall, these findings indicate that dynorphin is an endogenous agonist for kappa 2 receptors in the CA3 region of the guinea pig hippocampus and that these receptors regulate NMDA receptor function.
Perceived Expertise and Its Effect on Confidence

Abstract Two hypotheses about how people arrive at item confidence judgments were compared. The main difference is that one hypothesis assumes that general considerations are irrelevant; only the information made accessible by the items being judged affects confidence in answers given to those items. The other hypothesis assumes that general information such as one′s perceived expertise is chronically accessible, even when one is assessing confidence for a specific item. Findings from two experiments contradicted the first hypothesis, but were consistent with the second.
F ¨ Ur Mathematik in Den Naturwissenschaften Leipzig on Estimators for Eigenvalue/eigenvector Approximations on Estimators for Eigenvalue/eigenvector Approximations

We consider a large class of residuum based a posteriori eigen-value/eigenvector estimates and present an abstract framework for proving their asymptotic exactness. Equivalence of the estimator and the error is also established. To demonstrate the strength of our abstract approach we present a detailed study of hierarchical error estimators for Laplace eigenvalue problems in planar polygonal regions. To this end we develop new error analysis for the Galerkin approximation which avoids a use of the strengthened Cauchy-Schwarz inequality and the saturation assumption, and gives reasonable and explicitly computable upper bounds on the discretization error. Brief discussion is also given concerning the design of estimators which are in the same spirit, but are based on different a posteriori techniques – notably, those of gradient recovery type.
Personality Impressions Based on Facebook Profiles

Although still largely the province of teenagers and college students, Online Social-Networking Websites (OSNWs) like MySpace and Facebook are increasingly used by people in the 2454 year age range and many employers now use them to check out prospective employees. For many people, these websites have changed the dynamics of how individuals become acquainted. Indeed, viewing an individual’s profile on MySpace or Facebook now features early in the process of getting to know others, often serving as the very first exposure. But how accurate are the impressions based on OSNW profiles? Our previous research on personal websites suggests OSNW profiles should provide more information about targets than most other sources, including actually meeting the person. Here we examine impressions based on 133 Facebook profiles, comparing them with how the targets see themselves and are seen by close acquaintances. As in our previous research, results show generally strong patterns of convergence, although the accuracy correlations vary considerably across traits. Findings are discussed with regard to the increasing role of technology-borne social information in everyday interpersonal interactions