Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparative effectiveness of patient education methods for type 2 diabetes: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND Group education for patients with suboptimally controlled diabetes has not been rigorously studied. METHODS A total of 623 adults from Minnesota and New Mexico with type 2 diabetes and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA(1c)) concentrations of 7% or higher were randomized to (1) group education (using the US Diabetes Conversation Map program), (2) individual education, or (3) usual care (UC; ie, no assigned education). Both education methods covered content as needed to meet national standards for diabetes self-management education and were delivered through accredited programs from 2008 to 2009. General linear mixed-model methods assessed patient-level changes between treatment groups in mean HbA(1c) levels from baseline to follow-up at 6.8 months. Secondary outcomes included mean change in general health status (Medical Outcomes Study 12-Item Short Form Health Survey [SF-12]), Problem Areas in Diabetes (PAID), Diabetes Self-Efficacy (DES-SF), Recommended Food Score (RFS), and Physical Activity (PA, min/wk). RESULTS Mean HbA(1c) concentration decreased in all groups but significantly more with individual (-0.51%) than group education (-0.27%) (P = .01) and UC (-0.24%) (P = .01). The proportion of subjects with follow-up HbA(1c) concentration lower than 7% was greater for individual education (21.2%) than for group (13.9%) and UC (12.8%) (P = .03). Compared with UC, individual education (but not group) improved SF-12 physical component score (+1.88) (P = .04), PA (+42.95 min/wk) (P = .03), and RFS (+0.63) (P = .05). Compared with group education, individual education reduced PAID (-3.62) (P = .02) and increased self-efficacy (+0.1) (P = .04). CONCLUSIONS Individual education for patients with established suboptimally controlled diabetes resulted in better glucose control outcomes than did group education using Conversation Maps. There was also a trend toward better psychosocial and behavioral outcomes with individual education. TRIAL REGISTRATION clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00652509.
Can Glypican3 be diagnostic for early hepatocellular carcinoma among Egyptian patients?

BACKGROUND Because of the high prevalence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in Egypt, new markers with better diagnostic performance than alpha-feto protein (AFP) are needed to help in early diagnosis. The aim of this work was to compare the clinical utility of both serum and mRNA glypican3 (GPC3) as probable diagnostic markers for HCC among Egyptian patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 60 subjects, including 40 with HCC, 10 with cirrhosis and 10 normal controls were analyzed for serum GPC3 (sGPC3) by ELISA. GPC-3 mRNA from circulating peripheral blood mononuclear cells was amplified by RT-PCR. Both markers were compared to some prognostic factors of HCC, and sensitivity of both techniques was compared. RESULTS Serum glypican-3 and AFP were significantly higher in the HCC group compared to cirrhotic and normal controls (p<0.001). Sensitivity and specificity were (95% each) for sGlypican-3, (82.5% and 85%) for AFP, and (100% and 90%) for Glypican3 mRNA , and (80% and 95%) for double combination between sGPC3 and AFP respectively. CONCLUSION Both serum GPC-3 and GPC-3mRNA are promising diagnostic markers for early detection of HCC in Egyptian patients. RT- PCR proved to be more sensitive (100%) than ELISA (95%) in detecting glypican3.
Consumer‐Generated Representations: Muslim Women Recreating Western Luxury Fashion Brand Meaning through Consumption

The aim of this paper is to explore the influence of consumer-generated representations on symbolic brand meaning. The term consumer-generated representation is used in this research to refer to the image created for a brand based on the defining characteristics of a consumer or group of consumers. A preliminary qualitative study consisting of 12 in-depth interviews was conducted in Kuwait, specifically exploring Muslim female consumers as consumers of western luxury fashion brands. The findings show that Muslim female consumers generate “Modestly Sexy” representations that recreate meaning for western luxury fashion brands in Kuwait. Thus, marketers need to recognize the importance of managing consumer-generated representations on a global scale.
Social support, self‐efficacy and trauma in new recruits and experienced firefighters

This study compared new fire recruits in the first week of employment and following a 10-week training period with a group of experienced firefighters. Results suggest that new firefighter recruits enter the fire service with considerable experience of exposure to critical events. Nevertheless, a significant linear relationship was found between years of experience and levels of traumatic stress and depression. Further, this study revealed that experienced firefighters had lower levels of social support and lower self-efficacy than the new recruits. As these variables were associated with traumatic stress and depressive symptoms, it is concerning that these protective factors appear to diminish with time. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On media, children, and their parents

textabstractA lecture given on the occasion of the public acceptance of the appointment as extraordinary professor of Children, Media, and Parental Mediation in the Department of Media and Communication at the Erasmus School of History, Culture, and Communication, Erasmus University of Rotterdam, on Thursday 9 June, 2011. Summary: Children nowadays live in a media-rich environment, which can make parenting a daunting task. This inaugural lecture discusses three aspects of parental mediation of children’s media use. First, a sketch of the media saturated world of children is presented, because that is the media situation parents have to act on. It is concluded that, although several surveys on children’s media use in Europe exist, none of them gives a complete overview of the media ownership and use by children from early infancy until early adolescence. Therefore, a new media monitor is proposed. Next, the research on parental mediation is reviewed. It is argued that despite the many studies done so far, we still have little knowledge on how and when parents guide their children when using the media. Especially studies on the effectiveness of parental mediation and on the mediation of children that are more at risk and very young children are lacking. Finally, it is argued that parents are in need of formal and informal forms of parenting support, which they can get from various sources. The information given by institutional sources with regard to parental mediation, however, in the Netherlands often is not validated or evidence-based, because the professionals are not yet well informed about children, media, and parental mediation.
A point mutation in the extracellular domain activates LET-23, the Caenorhabditis elegans epidermal growth factor receptor homolog

The let-23 gene encodes a Caenorhabditis elegans homolog of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) necessary for vulval development. We have characterized a mutation of let-23 that activates the receptor and downstream signal transduction, leading to excess vulval differentiation. This mutation alters a conserved cysteine residue in the extracellular domain and is the first such point mutation in the EGFR subfamily of tyrosine kinases. Mutation of a different cysteine in the same subdomain causes a strong loss-of-function phenotype, suggesting that cysteines in this region are important for function and nonequivalent. Vulval precursor cells can generate either of two subsets of vulval cells (distinct fates) in response to sa62 activity. The fates produced depended on the copy number of the mutation, suggesting that quantitative differences in receptor activity influence the decision between these two fates.
Effects of Manipulated Above- and Belowground Organic Matter Input on Soil Respiration in a Chinese Pine Plantation

Alteration in the amount of soil organic matter input can have profound effect on carbon dynamics in forest soils. The objective of our research was to determine the response in soil respiration to above- and belowground organic matter manipulation in a Chinese pine (Pinus tabulaeformis) plantation. Five organic matter treatments were applied during a 2-year experiment: both litter removal and root trenching (LRRT), only litter removal (LR), control (CK), only root trenching (RT) and litter addition (LA). We found that either aboveground litter removal or root trenching decreased soil respiration. On average, soil respiration rate was significantly decreased in the LRRT treatment, by about 38.93% ± 2.01% compared to the control. Soil respiration rate in the LR treatment was 30.65% ± 1.87% and in the RT treatment 17.65% ± 1.95% lower than in the control. Litter addition significantly increased soil respiration rate by about 25.82% ± 2.44% compared to the control. Soil temperature and soil moisture were the main factors affecting seasonal variation in soil respiration. Up to the 59.7% to 82.9% seasonal variation in soil respiration is explained by integrating soil temperature and soil moisture within each of the various organic matter treatments. The temperature sensitivity parameter, Q 10, was higher in the RT (2.72) and LA (3.19) treatments relative to the control (2.51), but lower in the LRRT (1.52) and LR treatments (1.36). Our data suggest that manipulation of soil organic matter input can not only alter soil CO2 efflux, but also have profound effect on the temperature sensitivity of organic carbon decomposition in a temperate pine forest.
Modes of engagement: migration, self‐initiated expatriation, and career development

Purpose – The paper has two goals. The first is to develop a conceptual framework for analyzing the strategies of internationally mobile professionals in managing barriers to their career development. This framework is developed using Duberley et al.'s and Richardson's concept of “modes of engagement”. The second goal is to better understand the nature of the careers that ethnic minority migrants undertake.Design/methodology/approach – Qualitative interviews were conducted with 43 skilled Lebanese migrants. Six additional interviews were conducted with key informants involved in the development and implementation of immigration policies in France. Furthermore, French and European immigration policymaking is analyzed.Findings – In order to manage structural barriers to their career development, participants navigated within the organizational and national structures using four modes: maintenance, transformation, entrepreneurship, and opt out.Research limitations/implications – There was limited access to t.
Estimation of Gradients and Coordinate Covariation in Classification

We introduce an algorithm that simultaneously estimates a classification function as well as its gradient in the supervised learning framework. The motivation for the algorithm is to find salient variables and estimate how they covary. An efficient implementation with respect to both memory and time is given. The utility of the algorithm is illustrated on simulated data as well as a gene expression data set. An error analysis is given for the convergence of the estimate of the classification function and its gradient to the true classification function and true gradient.
From ‘Frankenstein’ to ‘toothless vampire’? Explaining the watering down of the Services Directive

The Services Directive is one of the most significant and controversial legislative proposals ever negotiated in the European Union (EU). This article fills a gap in our knowledge by addressing the key questions as to why and how this prestigious proposal was watered down during the negotiation process. By applying the framework of rational choice institutionalism, the analysis pinpoints the positions of the key players and estimates their relative importance in shaping the final outcome. Prima facie, the European Parliament seemed to be the decisive actor developing the text which was adopted in the end. However, a closer inspection reveals that the text was influenced by the newly elected conservative–socialist coalition government in Germany and reflected a relatively low common denominator which secured acceptance from not only the vast majority of Members of the European Parliament, but also avoided any explicit opposition in the adoption by the Council of Ministers.
INTERvENTIONAL TREATmENT Of ExTENSIvE cONSEquENcES Of NEcROTIzING PANcREATITIS – cASE REPORT

The paper presents description of the effective treatment of patients with extensive consequences of necrotizing pancreatitis. The strategy of treatment was to extend access to necrotic areas („step-up approach”). Applied endoscopic transmural access (transgastric), percutaneous access (transperitoneal) and surgical access. The cooperation endoscopist, surgeon and interventional radiologist gave very beneficial clinical effects in patients with extensive complications of acute pancreatitis.
White-Collar Crime: A Review of Recent Developments and Promising Directions for Future Research

White-collar crime is one of the least understood and arguably most consequential of all crime types. This review highlights and assesses recent (primarily during the past decade) contributions to white-collar crime theory (with special emphasis on critical, choice, and organizational theories of offending), new evidence regarding the sentencing and punishment of white-collar offenders, and controversies surrounding crime prevention and control policies. Several promising new directions for white-collar crime research are identified, as are methodological and data deficiencies that limit progress.
The role of conscious memory in the category-production task

This study reported two experiments using the category-production task to examine the role of conscious memory in the conceptual indirect test of memory. Experiment 1 tested participants on both the category-production and recall tasks and found that, when participants were given ample time to do the production task, their production performance could be fully accounted for by their recall performance. On the other hand, priming was still found in the early production when intentional retrieval was unlikely to occur, indicating the influence of involuntary memory. Experiment 2 replicated the main finding of Experiment 1. More importantly, evidence from the exclusion instruction condition showed that there was no involuntary unconscious memory. These two experiments also demonstrated a dissociation of the delay effect between the category-production and recall tests, as well as a parallel levels-of-processing effect on these two tests. Results are discussed in terms of the nature of priming in the conceptual indirect test.
Sumatriptan injection reduces productivity loss during a migraine attack: results of a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the impact of sumatriptan succinate injection compared with placebo on productivity loss during a migraine attack in the workplace. DESIGN Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group clinical trial. SETTING Fifteen clinical centers in the United States. PATIENTS One hundred thirty-five patients 18 years and older diagnosed as having migraine according to International Headache Society criteria. INTERVENTIONS Patients self-administered sumatriptan injection (6 mg) or matching placebo to treat a moderate or severe migraine occurring within the first 4 hours of a minimum 8-hour work shift. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Mean productivity loss 2 hours after dosing and across the work shift; percentages of patients returning to normal work performance within 2 hours after dosing and across the work shift; percentages of patients experiencing headache relief (reduction of moderate or severe predose pain to mild or no pain) 1 and 2 hours after dosing. RESULTS Mean productivity loss was significantly (P< or =.002) lower in the sumatriptan group compared with the placebo group both during the 2-hour postdose period (sumatriptan, 39 minutes; placebo, 54 minutes) and across the work shift (sumatriptan, 86 minutes; placebo, 168 minutes). Significantly (P<.001) greater percentages of patients in the sumatriptan group compared with the placebo group returned to normal work performance by 2 hours after dosing (sumatriptan, 52%; placebo, 9%) and across the work shift (sumatriptan, 66%; placebo, 18%). Significantly (P< or =.001) greater percentages of patients in the sumatriptan group compared with the placebo group experienced headache relief 1 hour after dosing (sumatriptan, 69%; placebo, 18%) and 2 hours after dosing (sumatriptan, 79%; placebo, 32%). CONCLUSION Sumatriptan reduced migraine-associated productivity loss during a minimum 8-hour work shift by approximately 50% compared with placebo and alleviated headache in more than three fourths of patients.
Women and the Achievement Conflict in Sport: A Preliminary Study

The decade of the 70's has witnessed women's increased involvement in activities which are characterized by the desire to excel. Whether in business, education, or athletics, women have ventured into areas where persistent goalstriving, competition, and a willingness to work hard are important. Traditionally, the male role has been viewed as the success-striving orientation, whereas the desirable female role has been viewed as directed toward affiliation and compliance (Bardwick, 1970). Of particular interest to the sport psychologist has been the identity crisis which female athletes may face in a society where femininity is the most pervasive standard for social acceptance. In short, 9
Incidence of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage in Norway, 1999–2007

Lindekleiv HM, Njølstad I, Ingebrigtsen T, Mathiesen EB. Incidence of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage in Norway, 1999–2007. Acta Neurol Scand: 2011: 123: 34–40. © 2010 The Authors Journal compilation © 2010 Blackwell Munksgaard.
Cultural Role Confusion and Memories of a Lost Identity: How Non-Consumption Perpetuates Marginalisation

Using Indian Punjabi Sikh men living in Britain as our sample group we argue that existing consumer acculturation theories are both limited and inaccurate in their renderings of consumer behaviour. This is illustrated by using a culturally marginalised group who are unable to engage with, let alone negotiate through the use of product consumption, daily interactions between South Asian and British White cultures. Using an ethno-consumerist methodology, our findings indicate cultural marginality arises from a combination of racism and in-group prejudice. Marginality, we suggest, results in the deliberate, self-destructive, non-engagement with culturally laden consumer objects.
Using CSR Disclosure Quality to Develop Social Resilience to Exogenous Shocks: A Test of Investor Perceptions

ABSTRACT: Our overarching purpose is to propose and test a theory of social resilience to exogenous shocks. The theory posits that high-quality corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosure promotes the perception of organizational legitimacy, creating social resilience to exogenous shocks (external events outside management control). Using a path model and data from 100 experienced, nonprofessional investors, we examine whether the quality of a corporation's voluntary CSR disclosure increases its perceived organizational legitimacy and if increases in perceived legitimacy help insulate that organization from negative investor reactions following an exogenous shock. The results provide strong support for the model and show that when CSR disclosures are higher quality, investors perceive organizational legitimacy to be higher, inferring that organizations should emphasize quantifiable, consistent, and comparable reporting. Further, the results indicate that higher levels of perceived organizational legi.
Deliberative Civic Engagement at the Grassroots: An Exploration of Political Participation in Bangkok

Abstract This article explores conventional grassroots political participation in one of south-east Asia's largest cities, Bangkok. Thailand's reformist constitution, adopted in 1997 as part of its democratic consolidation, sharpened interest in local-level civic engagement and in political participation beyond its usually unpredictable national-level electoral politics. This paper explores some of the modes, motivations and determinants of political participation based on the results of survey data. The analysis suggests three things. First, that the modes of political participation of Bangkokians are more varied than may be commonly believed; secondly, that the issues and problems motivating Bangkokians into political participation are multidimensional in content and by objective; and, thirdly, that the factors that influence such political participation are a combination of the commonly known variables as well as some very contextual ones.
The philosophical implications of research on the social representations of human rights

The aim of this article is to show how human rights can be the object of another politics than the one Marcel Gauchet denounces as an “egalitarian ethnocentrism” and regards as grounding a “democratic counter-productivity”. Drawing upon the research developed by Willem Doise and his colleagues, we show that human rights, when they become social representations, rather than generating a society of undifferentiated individuals, allow the individual and collective differences to position themselves around a common stake. In this sense, the construction of shared social representations is an essential condition for the democratization process in our societies. We show how the use of human rights in the context of the French quarrel over the Muslim hijab has contributed to a gradual transformation of human rights into practical and representational matrices for the development of a truly democratic debate. Finally, the article addresses the need to reflect upon the conditions allowing the establishment of these social representations.
Performance of the Simplexa™ Flu A/B & RSV Direct Kit on respiratory samples collected in saline solution

Abstract Background: Molecular assays for diagnosis of influenza A, influenza B, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) with short turnaround time are of considerable clinical importance. We have evaluated the diagnostic performance of the Simplexa™ Flu A/B & RSV Direct Kit, which has a run time of 60 min, using different types of respiratory samples collected from patients with a suspected respiratory tract infection, including materials not previously evaluated on this kit. Methods: In total, 210 clinical respiratory samples were analyzed using both the Simplexa direct assay and a laboratory-developed assay (LDA). The 210 clinical samples included 99 nasopharyngeal aspirates collected in 0.9% saline, 91 nasopharyngeal swabs in Σ-Virocult transport medium, 9 tracheal secretions, 8 bronchoalveolar lavages (BAL), and 3 other respiratory sample materials. Results: The specificity of the Simplexa assay, using the LDA as gold standard and excluding secondary viral findings, was 100% for all three viruses, whereas the sensitivity was 94.0% for influenza A (47/50), 90.7% for influenza B (49/54), and 90.1% for RSV (46/51), respectively. Discordant results were only observed for samples with cycle threshold values (Ct) > 31 in the LDA. The Simplexa assay generated higher Ct values than the LDA for all three viruses and performed equally well on nasopharyngeal swabs and aspirates. Conclusions: The short run time of the Simplexa direct assay, in combination with high specificity and good sensitivity regarding the sample materials used in this study, make it an interesting option for rapid detection of these three important viral respiratory pathogens in a variety of clinical sample materials.