Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impact of Internet Use on Health-Related Behaviors and the Patient-Physician Relationship: A Survey-Based Study and Review

Abstract Context: Although patient use of online resources to locate health-related information is increasing, few large-scale studies investigating ramifications to patient health and the patient-physician relationship have been conducted in primary care or osteopathic medical settings. Objectives: To describe online health information–seeking behaviors among patients. To evaluate the effects of this information on patient self-care and the patient-physician relationship. Methods: A standardized eight-question survey regarding Internet use and healthcare was given to patients at three osteopathic primary care medical clinics. A review of the literature is also included. Results: Of 154 patient responses received, 89 patients (58%) reported using the Internet to find health information. Slightly more than half of these individuals (49 [55%]) reported a change in the way they think about their health as a result of that information. In addition, most of these individuals (41 [46%]) reported making subsequent health-related behavioral changes. The largest segment of this population was aged 31 to 45 years (17 [57%]). They reported asking more questions during office visits (27 [66%]), following physician advice more closely (22 [54%]), and making self-directed dietary changes (22 [54%]). By and large, these patients informed their physicians of these changes (30 [73%]), especially as they believed physicians were willing to discuss the health information they obtained online (75 [84%]). Conclusion: Although many concerns have been expressed about resulting changes in patient-physician dynamics, online information gathering has the potential to foster greater patient engagement in health maintenance and care.
A Randomized Controlled Trial of Valdecoxib and Glyceryl Trinitrate for the Prevention of Post-ERCP Pancreatitis

Background Efforts to prevent post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis have been largely unsuccessful. Cyclo-oxygenase-2 enzyme-mediated inflammatory pathway has been suggested in the pathophysiology of acute pancreatitis. Glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) might prevent post-ERCP pancreatitis by relaxing the sphincter of Oddi. Objective To evaluate the efficacy of valdecoxib, a cyclo-oxygenase-2 inhibitor, and GTN transdermal patch for the prevention of post-ERCP pancreatitis. Methods Patients undergoing first ERCP procedure from October 2003 to August 2005 were randomized to receive either 20 mg intravenous valdecoxib or GTN patch (10 mg/h) at the start of ERCP, or assigned to control group. The study followed CONSORT guidelines. Primary outcome measure was frequency of post-ERCP pancreatitis in the 3 groups. Results A total of 380 patients were randomized; 121 patients in valdecoxib (group 1), 124 in GTN (group 2), and 126 in the control arm (group 3) were analyzed. There was no difference in the frequency of post-ERCP pancreatitis between the groups (12 each in groups 1 and 2, and 13 in group 3; P=0.986). None of the patients had severe pancreatitis. The frequency of post-ERCP pain and amylase levels were also similar in the 3 groups (P=0.769 and P=0.947, respectively). Pancreatic duct cannulation, cholecystectomy, difficult cannulation, and pre-cut were risk factors for pancreatitis on univariate analysis. On multivariate analysis, pancreatic duct cannulation was the only independent risk factor for pancreatitis (P⩽0.001; odds ratio 5.67; 95% confidence interval: 2.76-11.63). Conclusions Valdecoxib and GTN were not effective for the prevention of post-ERCP pancreatitis.
Incomplete Contracts and the Product Cycle Pol Antràs

The incomplete nature of contracts governing international transactions limits the extent to which the production process can be fragmented across borders. In a dynamic, general-equilibrium Ricardian model of North-South trade, the incompleteness of international contracts is shown to lead to the emergence of product cycles. Because of contractual frictions, goods are initially manufactured in the North, where product development takes place. As the good matures and becomes more standardized, the manufacturing stage of production is shifted to the South to benefit from lower wages. Following the property-rights approach to the theory of the firm, the same force that creates product cycles, i.e., incomplete contracts, opens the door to a parallel analysis of the determinants of the mode of organization. The model gives rise to a new version of the product cycle in which manufacturing is shifted to the South first within firm boundaries, and only at a later stage to independent firms in the South. Relative to a world with only arm’s length transacting, allowing for intrafirm production transfer by multinational firms is shown to accelerate the shift of production towards the South, while having an ambiguous effect on relative wages. The model delivers macroeconomic implications that complement the work of Krugman (1979), as well as microeconomic implications consistent with the findings of the empirical literature on the product cycle.
Three-Dimensional Vibration Analyses of Functionally Graded Plates under Various Boundary Conditions

Three-dimensional vibration solutions are presented for rectangular functionally graded plates with different boundary conditions, based on the small strain linear elasticity theory. The material properties are assumed to vary as a power form of the thickness coordinate. The Ritz method with Chebyshev displacement functions is used to solve the vibration problem of functionally graded plates. The convergence and comparison studies demonstrate the accuracy and correctness of the present method. The effects of aspect and thickness ratios, and gradient index, on the free vibration frequencies are investigated. Some results are given in the form of tables and figures, which can serve as the benchmark for further research.
Interactive presentation: Improving the fault tolerance of nanometric PLA designs

Several alternative building blocks have been proposed to replace planar transistors, among which a prominent spot belongs to nanometric filaments such as Silicon Nano Wires (SiNWs) and Carbon Nano Tubes (CNTs). However, chips leveraging these nanoscale structures are expected to be affected by a large amount of manufacturing faults, way beyond what chip architects have learned to counter. In this paper, we show a design flow, based on software mapping algorithms, to improve the yield of nanometric Programmable Logic Arrays (PLAs). While further improvements to the manufacturing technology will be needed to make these devices fully usable, our flow can significantly shrink the gap between current and desired yield levels. Also, our approach does not need post-fabrication functional analysis and mapping, therefore dramatically cutting on verification costs. We check PLA yields by means of an accurate analyzer after Monte Carlo fault injection. We show that, compared to a baseline policy of wire replication, we achieve equal or better yields (8% over a set of designs) depending on the underlying defect assumptions.
In vivo evidence of hippocampal dentate gyrus expansion in multiple sclerosis

Using MR‐based radial mapping, we assessed morphological alterations of the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG) in patients with relapse‐onset multiple sclerosis (MS). We analyzed different stages of the disease and the association of DG alterations with hippocampal‐related cognitive functions. Using high‐resolution morphological imaging, hippocampal radial mapping analysis was performed in 28 relapsing‐remitting (RR), 34 secondary progressive, and 26 benign MS patients and 28 healthy controls (HC). Between‐groups differences of DG radial distance (from surface points to the central core of the hippocampus) and correlations with clinical, neuropsychological, and radiological measures were evaluated using surface‐based mesh modeling. Compared with HC, all MS clinical phenotypes revealed a larger radial distance of the DG, which was more marked on the left side. Radial distance enlargement was more pronounced in RRMS patients compared with the other disease clinical phenotypes and was inversely correlated to disease duration. Radial distance enlargement was correlated with higher T2 lesion volume and a better cognitive performance in RRMS and with a poor cognitive performance in secondary progressive and benign MS patients. Surface expansion of the DG might represent an inflammation‐induced neurogenic (reactive) process of the subgranular zone of the hippocampus primarily aimed at rescuing the functional competence of hippocampal circuitry. Hum Brain Mapp 36:4702–4713, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
All-at-once preconditioning in PDE-constrained optimization

The optimization of functions subject to partial differential equations (PDE) plays an important role in many areas of science and industry. In this paper we introduce the basic concepts of PDE-constrained optimization and show how the all-at-once approach will lead to linear systems in saddle point form. We will discuss implementation details and different boundary conditions. We then show how these system can be solved efficiently and discuss methods and preconditioners also in the case when bound constraints for the control are introduced. Numerical results will illustrate the competitiveness of our techniques.
Afferent discharge from human muscle spindles in non-contracting muscles. Steady state impulse frequency as a function of joint angle.

Impulses in single muscle spindle afferents from the antebrachial finger flexor muscles were recorded from the median nerve of waking human subjects. The discharge frequency in the steady state was measured as the metacarpo-phalangeal joint angles were passively changed in steps. At a comfortable resting position of the hand, less than ten percent of the spindle primaries were discharging. Within intermediate ranges of muscle lengths the discharge frequency of the single units did not exceed 20 impulse per second (ips). The response to joint movements was that expected from muscle stretch and muscle release alone and there was no indication of fusimotor adjustments as a result of joint movement. The frequency of the single units increased linearly with joint extension, the mean sensitivity of the primaries being 0.18 ips per degree which is about 5 times lower than the sensitivity of de-efferented spindles in cat ankle extensors. The afferent discharge from the secondaries was in most respects very similar to that of the primaries. The low discharge frequency, the low percentage of active units and the low position sensitivity all indicate an insignificant fusimotor outflow to relaxed human hand muscles and a comparatively poor ability of the spindles to measure muscle length under these conditions.
Development and validation of a screening instrument for bipolar spectrum disorder: The Mood Disorder Questionnaire Thai version

Background The Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ) has been translated to many languages and has been used in many countries as a screening instrument for bipolar disorder. The main objective of this study was to evaluate validity of the Thai version of the MDQ as a screening instrument for bipolar disorder in a psychiatric outpatient sample, and to determine its optimum question #1 item threshold value for bipolar disorder. Methods The English language Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ) was translated into Thai. The process involved back-translation, cross-cultural adaptation, field testing of the prefinal version, as well as final adjustments. Two hundred and fifty major depressive disorder outpatients were further assessed by the Thai version of the MDQ and the Thai version of the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI). During the assessment, reliability and validity analyses, and receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis were performed. Results The Thai version of the MDQ screening had adequate internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha =0.791, omega total =0.68, and omega hierarchical =0.69). The optimal question #1 item threshold value was at least five positive items, which yielded adequate sensitivity (76.5%), specificity (72.7%), positive predictive value (74.3%), and negative predictive value (75.0%). The ROC area under the curve (AUC) for this study was 0.82 (95% confidence interval: 0.70 to 0.90). Conclusion The Thai version of the MDQ had some useful psychometric properties for screening for bipolar disorder in a mood disorder clinic setting, with a recommended question #1 item threshold value of at least five positive items.
Assessing the energy use of occupancy-based lighting control strategies in open-plan offices

Occupancy-based lighting control can be applied at several resolution levels. To aid lighting designers in choosing the appropriate solution for a specific open-plan office case, this paper presents a simulation tool which enables calculating the lighting energy use for the different control strategies. By using a stochastic modelling approach and input parameters as users' function type, the office's policy and special absences, the model could reflect the actual occupancy behaviour in the office at hand. The results of the model were validated with occupancy data from several studies and found to be similar enough to conclude that the model can be trusted and applied. A convergence analysis showed that 1000 iterations are required to produce these reliable results. This paper discusses the development of the tool, its performance as well as the deviations found between its output and measurements on the average occupancy of the different occupancy types. Further research on occupancy patterns of different job function types would improve the model as well as extend its applicability.
Transfer of the genes for the StyLTI restriction-modification system of Salmonella typhimurium to strains lacking modification ability results in death of the recipient cells and degradation of their DNA

The genes encoding the restriction-modification system StyLTI of Salmonella typhimurium were inserted in vivo into the conjugative plasmid pULB21. This allowed us to transfer the StyLTI genes at a very high frequency and to monitor the fate of recipient cells after mating. Transfer of the StyLTI restriction and modification genes into a modificationless recipient was lethal and resulted in degradation of the cell's DNA. This indicates that, in contrast to any other known restriction-modification systems, StyLTI cannot be established after horizontal transfer into a naive host.
Baseball injuries.

OBJECTIVE To identify the frequency of injury in youth baseball, risk factors for these injuries, and possible prevention measures to reduce the frequency or severity of these injuries. DATA SOURCES Information was collected from all known epidemiologic and intervention studies published in the peer-reviewed medical and scientific literature as it applies to youth baseball injuries. MAIN RESULTS The frequency and severity of youth baseball injuries have remained relatively consistent over time. Risk factors for many injuries have been understudied and the study designs used for much of this research have been less than optimal. Several effective prevention measures have been identified, such as batting helmets, face shields, softer baseballs, and breakaway bases. CONCLUSIONS Baseball is a relatively safe sport compared to many contact sports, but injuries do still occur. Future research should focus on determining the optimum pitching motion for both arm safety and performance, as well as systematically studying other potential safety improvements such as restrictions against breaking pitches.
A New Classification for Idiopathic Genu Vara

Purpose Past classification for the treatment of idiopathic genu vara depended simply on the measurement of distance between the knees, without attention to the rotational profile of the lower extremity. We retrospectively analyzed anatomical causes of idiopathic genu vara. Patients and Methods Twenty eight patients with idiopathic genu vara were included in this study. All patients were surgically treated. To evaluate the angular deformity, a standing orthoroentgenogram was taken and the lateral distal femoral angle and the medial proximal tibial angle were measured. In order to assess any accompanying torsional deformity, both femoral anteversion and tibial external rotation were measured using computerized tomographic scans. A derotational osteotomy was performed at the femur or tibia to correct rotational deformity, and a correctional osteotomy was performed at the tibia to correct angular deformity. Results Satisfactory functional results were obtained in all cases. Genu vara was divided into 3 groups according to the nature of the deformity; group 1 (6 patients) with increased femoral anteversion, group 2 (10 patients) with proximal tibial varus deformity alone, and group 3 (12 patients) with proximal tibial varus deformity accompanied by increased external tibial rotation. Conclusion The success seen in our cases highlights the importance of an accurate preoperative analysis that accounts for both rotational and angular deformities that may underlie idiopathic genu vara.
Nutrition and prostate cancer: A case‐control study

This one‐to‐one, age‐ and race‐matched case‐control study involved 181 histologically confirmed black prostate cancer patients and 181 controls seen at three major hospitals in Washington, DC, during the period 1979–1982. Personal interviews were conducted to obtain the number of times food items of specified serving size were consumed per week by cases and controls during the age periods 30–49 and 50 years and older. Then the average daily consumption of each of 18 nutrients per 1,000 calories was calculated. There was risk enhancement associated with increased intake of proteins, total fat, saturated fat, oleic acid, and vitamin A during the age period 30–49 years. The association was highly significant for vitamin A and approached statistical significance for the other four nutrients. A hypothesis based on disturbance of the zinc‐retinol binding protein‐vitamin A axis was put forward to explain the relative risk enhancement effect of vitamin A on prostate cancer.
Positive Microscopic Margins Alter Outcome in Lymph Node-Negative Cholangiocarcinoma When Resection Is Combined With Adjuvant Radiotherapy

Purpose:The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prognostic significance of positive microscopic margins in hilar cholangiocarcinoma in patients treated with resection and adjuvant radiotherapy. Materials and Methods:Between January 1983 and December 1997, 65 patients were definitively diagnosed with hilar cholangiocarcinoma and treated at our institution. Twenty-eight patients underwent curative resection. Of these patients, 23 received adjuvant radiotherapy with an average dose of 53 Gy (both external beam radiotherapy and low-dose rate brachytherapy). Portals included the preoperative primary tumor bed site with a 3- to 5-cm margin, the porta hepatis, and celiac lymph nodes. The patients with lymph node-negative pathologic specimens were reviewed, and an analysis of microscopic margins and subsequent impact on survival was determined with the Kaplan-Meier method and Wilcoxon test. Results:There were 16 patients who met inclusion criteria. There was no perioperative mortality. Seven patients had negative margins and 9 patients had positive microscopic margins. Median follow up was 55 months, and median survival was 24.5 months for the entire group. Median and 5-year survival were 21.5 months and 18.4% in the margin-negative group and 26 months and 15% in patients with positive margins (P = 0.45). These survival differences were not statistically significant. Discussion:Positive microscopic margins in lymph node-negative, resected hilar cholangiocarcinoma may not represent a negative prognostic factor when resection is combined with postoperative radiotherapy in this cohort. Further prospective, randomized studies are required to fully elucidate the benefits of adjuvant radiotherapy.
Population Growth Potential of the Bed Bug, Cimex lectularius L.: A Life Table Analysis

Experimental life tables were constructed and analyzed for three strains of the common bed bug: a pyrethroid-susceptible laboratory strain (HS), a highly resistant field strain (RR), and a field strain with a declining level of resistance (KR). Egg to adult survival in the RR strain was 94% compared with 79% and 69% in the HS and KR strains, respectively. The RR strain also developed significantly faster from egg to adult (∼35 days) than the other two strains (∼40 days). Analysis of a survivorship and fecundity life table for the RR strain produced the following results. The average life expectancy for a newly laid egg was ∼143 days, and that of a newly molted adult was ∼127 days. Females produced an average of 0.64 daughter eggs/day with the highest weekly production during the fifth week of adult life. Analysis of daily reproductive parity showed that females produced 1–3 and 4–6 eggs on 79 and 21% of the days, respectively, when egg laying occurred. The net reproductive rate (R0) of the RR strain was ∼35, which represents a 35-fold increase in the population per generation (∼92 days). The intrinsic rate of increase, r, was 0.054 indicating that the population multiplies 1.1 times/female/day (λ) and doubles in size every 13 days. The stable age distribution (cx) was dominated by nymphs (54%), followed by eggs (34%) and adults (12%). Reproductive values (vx) for the strain increased from egg to the adult stage.
Model Selection for Linear Mixed Models Using Predictive Criteria

Predictive criteria, including the adjusted squared multiple correlation coefficient, the adjusted concordance correlation coefficient, and the predictive error sum of squares, are available for model selection in the linear mixed model. These criteria all involve some sort of comparison of observed values and predicted values, adjusted for the complexity of the model. The predicted values can be conditional on the random effects or marginal, i.e., based on averages over the random effects. These criteria have not been investigated for model selection success. We used simulations to investigate selection success rates for several versions of these predictive criteria as well as several versions of Akaike's information criterion and the Bayesian information criterion, and the pseudo F-test. The simulations involved the simple scenario of selection of a fixed parameter when the covariance structure is known. Several variance–covariance structures were used. For compound symmetry structures, higher success rates for the predictive criteria were obtained when marginal rather than conditional predicted values were used. Information criteria had higher success rates when a certain term (normally left out in SAS MIXED computations) was included in the criteria. Various penalty functions were used in the information criteria, but these had little effect on success rates. The pseudo F-test performed as expected. For the autoregressive with random effects structure, the results were the same except that success rates were higher for the conditional version of the predictive error sum of squares. Characteristics of the data, such as the covariance structure, parameter values, and sample size, greatly impacted performance of various model selection criteria. No one criterion was consistently better than the others.