Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
RISK ASSESSMENT OF IDIOPATHIC MACULAR HOLES UNDERGOING VITRECTOMY WITH DYE-ASSISTED INTERNAL LIMITING MEMBRANE PEELING

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate and identify predictors for idiopathic macular hole persistence after pars plana vitrectomy with dye-assisted internal limiting membrane peeling. Methods: In a retrospective case series, 160 eyes underwent identical vitreoretinal procedures performed by the same surgeon. Baseline characteristics and preoperative optical coherence tomography were evaluated regarding the postoperative anatomical outcome. Results: n overall closure rate of 86.3% (138/160) was achieved. According to the Gass classification system, the closure rates were 100.0% (11/11) in Stage 2, 95.0% (57/60) in Stage 3, and 78.7% (70/89) in Stage 4. Thereby, a significant influence of preoperative best-corrected visual acuity and basal hole diameter was observed. Especially, idiopathic macular hole with a basal hole diameter of ≥800 &mgr;m and a best-corrected visual acuity of ⩽20/100 had a 4 and 6 times higher risk to persist, respectively. On the other hand, age, gender, bilateral occurrence, symptom duration, and lens status did not have an effect on the surgical outcome. Furthermore, perifoveal pseudocysts were associated with a higher closure rate in Stage 4 idiopathic macular hole. Conclusion: Simple clinical parameters such as best-corrected visual acuity, basal diameter, and perifoveal pseudocysts are efficient predictors and might be used to expand the validity of the Gass classification.
Vida Alegre: Preliminary Findings of a Depression Intervention for Immigrant Latino Mothers

Objectives: This article reports the outcome of a pilot study of a cognitive behavioral group therapy (CBGT) intervention—Vida Alegre (the contented life)—designed for use with depressed immigrant mothers living in communities with small but rapidly growing Hispanic populations. Method: The study used a pretest/posttest/follow-up design to examine whether exposure to the intervention reduced symptoms of depression. Results: Although based on a small, nonrandomized sample, the results are promising at pretest/baseline, the average Center for Epidemiology Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D) score was 25; at posttest and follow-up, the average CES-D scores were 12 and 11.3, respectively. Wilcoxon signed-ranks tests showed that the pretest and posttest scores are significantly different (Z = –2.22, p < .05, r = .67), indicating a decline in depression. A content analysis of transcripts from three focus groups indicates the usefulness of intervention. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that an existing CBGT can be modified to address immigrant issues.
Aging and error processing: Time-frequency analysis of error-related potentials.

Abstract: Objectives: To determine age-related changes in the frequency content, temporal dynamics, and functional reactivity of error-related potentials. Methods: Two groups of subjects, young (mean age 22.5 years) and older (mean age 58.3 years) were studied with a four-choice reaction time task. Response-related potentials (RRPs) to correct and error responses were decomposed by means of wavelet transform. Time-frequency (TF) components of correct and error responses were identified. Effects of aging were evaluated for the phase-locked TF power at FCz. Results: (1) Error-related potentials in both groups were characterized by phase-locked activity from the delta (1.5-3.5 Hz) frequency band that was error-specific and was significantly enhanced for errors. (2) In contrast to young adults, no pronounced phase-locked theta (4-7 Hz) RRP components were generated at FCz for either correct or error responses, nor did the theta power manifest any sensitivity to error processing in older subjects. Conclusion: .
Preparation for Adoptive Parenthood with a Special-Needs Child

ABSTRACT Mothers of 86 adopted special-needs children were surveyed regarding the tasks they undertook to prepare for parenthood. They engaged in tasks related to learning about the child most often and stated participating in training to be adoptive to be most helpful. Overall preparedness, more so than either the number or type of adoption preparation tasks (APTS) completed prior to the adoptive placement, was found to be positively associated with assessment of child and family functioning. Implications of these findings for the delivery of adoption preparation programs are discussed.
Attachment Style and Verbal Descriptions of Romantic Partners

The present study investigated attachment style differences in subjects' reports of their romantic partners. The sample consisted of seventy-four undergraduates (thirty-seven males and thirty-seven females) who had been in a dating relationship for at least 1 month. Subjects supplied a verbal description of their current dating partner and later completed the single-item measure of attachment style developed by Hazan & Shaver (1987). The verbal reports were tape-recorded and transcribed. The transcripts were coded for spontaneous references to attachment related issues, and content scales were also developed to tap idealization, a number of aspects of relationship quality and attitudes towards the partner's social network (family and friends). The content of subjects' references to attachment-related issues was strongly related to their self-reported attachment style and was consistent with the essential characteristics of the three styles. The content scales revealed attachment style effects for scales measuring idealization, relationship quality and attitudes to partner's social network. Secure subjects showed intermediate levels of idealization and relatively favourable attitudes to the partner's family and made more references to positive relationship characteristics. The pattern of scores of avoidant subjects indicated a generally low level of emotional intensity, while the anxious/ ambivalent group obtained high scores on idealization. The results support questionnaire studies of attachment, in showing the importance of attachment-related issues to the experience of romantic love.
Drag Coefficient Measurements for Typical Bomb and Projectile Fragments

Abstract : The FRAGHAZ computer program has been developed to predict the hazardous regions due to fragments produced by an accidental explosion of stored ammunition. Determination of these hazardous regions is based on computer simulations of fragment trajectories. Currently, the fragment drag coefficients used in the program are extrapolations of subsonic drag coefficients out to transonic and supersonic speed regimes. Errors in the Mach numbers effects of these fragments can influence the predicted range characteristics. This paper describes a series of wind tunnel and air gun tests conducted to measure the drag coefficients of representative bomb and projectile fragments over the entire Mach number range experienced in flight. Comparative trajectories are made to illustrate the differences between using the original and current drag coefficient data for the FRAGHAZ program.
On Set Size Distribution Estimation and the Characterization of Large Networks via Sampling

In this work we study the set size distribution estimation problem, where elements are randomly sampled from a collection of non-overlapping sets and we seek to recover the original set size distribution from the samples. This problem has applications to capacity planning and network theory. Examples of real-world applications include characterizing in-degree distributions in large graphs and uncovering TCP/IP flow size distributions on the Internet. We demonstrate that it is difficult to estimate the original set size distribution. The recoverability of original set size distributions presents a sharp threshold with respect to the fraction of elements that remain in the sets. If this fraction lies below the threshold, typically half of the elements in power-law and heavier-than-exponential-tailed distributions, then the original set size distribution is unrecoverable. We also discuss practical implications of our findings.
Adolescents' Attitudes toward Marriage and Marital Prospects after Parental Divorce: A Review

Studies of the long-term influence of parental divorce on adolescents' attitudes toward marriage and actual marriage patterns are reviewed. It is suggested that certain circumstances of parental divorce are associated with more negative views of marriage (particularly if divorce is associated withparental conflictand deterioratingparent-child relationships). However, it is likely that parental divorce has the opposite indirect effect of increasing the likelihood of early marriage for some children of divorce via lowered educational prospects and subsequently reduced socioeconomic status, early homeleaving, and earlier involvement in heterosexual relationships. Possible alternative reasons for these divergent trends in attitudes toward marriage and marital prospects of children of divorce are discussed. First, whether some adolescents hold negative attitudes toward marriage and remain single, whereas others marry early; second, whether initially negative attitudes toward marriage change as a result of the adolescent's experience of heterosexual relationships and entry into adulthood.
Specifying the Sources of Misperceptions of Peer Deviance

“Peer deviance” is normally measured through one’s perceptions of the deviant behavior of friends. However, recent research suggests that peer deviance perceptions may be inaccurate and unreflective of a peer’s actual deviance. Using dyadic data, the current study addresses the potential for three distinct sources of misperceptions of peer deviance stemming from (a) the actor who generates the perception, (b) the friend about whose deviance is perceived, and (c) the friendship between the actor and the friend. Using multilevel regression alongside analyses of variance (ANOVAs), results demonstrate that misperceptions, overperceptions, and underperceptions of peer deviance occur frequently and systematically covary with the deviant behavior of the perceiver, the friend, and the total amount of deviance within the friendship.
Impact of Outliers Arising From Unintended and Unknowingly Included Subpopulations on the Decisions About the Number of Factors in Exploratory Factor Analysis

There is a lack of research on the effects of outliers on the decisions about the number of factors to retain in an exploratory factor analysis, especially for outliers arising from unintended and unknowingly included subpopulations. The purpose of the present research was to investigate how outliers from an unintended and unknowingly included subpopulation affected the decisions about the number of factors to retain using four commonly used methods separately. The results showed that all the decision methods could provide biased results and the number of factors could be inflated, deflated, or remain the same depending on the decision methods used and outlier conditions. The findings also revealed that symmetric outliers did not affect the three principal component analysis–based methods but affected chi-square (ML) sequential tests. Finally, sample size did not play a role in the effect of outliers.
Coming to conclusions: social workers’ perceptions of the decision‐making process in care proceedings

This study reports on an analysis of the transcripts of four focus groups involving social workers from four English social work teams working with children and families. In the groups, social workers discussed the process of coming to a decision in care proceedings (where decisions are made about the future care of a child where there are concerns about the care provided in the family of origin). It explores how social workers described themselves coming to conclusions about cases, and how they perceive the courts as doing so. Noting the need in such important proceedings both for thoroughness and for speed (for delay is likely to be harmful to children in need of a secure home), the authors consider ways in which decision-making might be distorted or delayed and discuss the perception of the social workers that some kinds of evidence are under- or overvalued by the courts. The authors conclude that, while it may seem that there is a trade-off between thoroughness and speed, this is not always the case and that factors that cause poor decision-making can also cause delay.
Phase II Results of Dovitinib (TKI258) in Patients with Metastatic Renal Cell Cancer

Purpose: Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling regulates tumor growth and vascularization and partly mediates antiangiogenic escape from VEGF receptor (VEGFR) inhibitors. Dovitinib (TKI258) is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) that inhibits FGF receptor (FGFR), VEGFR, and platelet-derived growth factor receptor, which are known drivers of antiangiogenic escape, angiogenesis, and tumor growth in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Experimental Design: Patients with advanced or metastatic RCC were treated with oral dovitinib 500 mg/day (5-days-on/2-days-off schedule). The study population was enriched for patients previously treated with a VEGFR TKI and an mTOR inhibitor. Results: Of 67 patients enrolled, 55 patients (82.1%) were previously treated with ≥1 VEGFR TKI and ≥1 mTOR inhibitor (per-protocol efficacy set). The 8-week overall response rate and disease control rate in this population were 1.8% and 52.7%, respectively. Disease control rate during the entire study period was 56.4% (50.9% ≥4 months). Median progression-free survival and overall survival in the entire population were 3.7 and 11.8 months, respectively. Pharmacodynamic analyses demonstrated dovitinib-induced inhibition of VEGFR (as determined by increased levels of placental growth factor and decreased levels of soluble VEGFR2) and FGFR (as determined by increased FGF23 serum measures). The most frequently reported treatment-related adverse events of all grades included nausea (65.7%), diarrhea (62.7%), vomiting (61.2%), decreased appetite (47.8%), and fatigue (32.8%). Conclusion: Dovitinib was shown to be an effective and tolerable therapy for patients with metastatic RCC who had progressed following treatment with VEGFR TKIs and mTOR inhibitors. Clin Cancer Res; 20(11); 3012–22. ©2014 AACR.
Postoperative Stroke in Cardiac and Peripheral Vascular Disease

The postoperative stroke rate in 330 patients requiring coronary artery (170) or peripheral vascular (160) surgery was compared with the presence of carotid bruits and the results of noninvasive screening (Doppler imaging and spectral analysis of flow) to determine prevalence and significance of carotid lesions and their relationship to perioperative stroke. Carotid lesions were suspected because of bruits in 70 patients with peripheral vascular disease (PVD) and in 28 patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Noninvasive tests showed high grade stenosis or occlusion in 62 patients with PVD and in 14 with CAD. Forty-four patients with PVD and 101 patients with CAD had normal Doppler studies. The rest in both groups had plaquing without major stenosis. Noninvasive tests uncovered severe, occult lesions in only 13 patients (9 PVD, 4 CAD). Postoperative neurologic complications occurred in 16 patients (13 strokes: 5 PVD, 8 CAD and 3 TIAs: 2 PVD, 1 CAD). Thirteen neurologic complications occurred in patients having nonstenotic plaques or normal carotids without bruits. Only three of the strokes and 1 TIA occurred in patients with bruits and detectable carotid stenosis. Few of the postoperative strokes or TIAs were focal (2 PVD, 1 CAD), and the rest were nonfocal. None of the postoperative strokes or TIAs were associated with postoperative carotid occlusion. Physical examination is not an accurate method of determining severity of carotid disease. Severe carotid stenosis is more common in PVD patients than in CAD patients, but there is no significant difference in postoperative stroke rate. No direct relationship has been found between a bruit, severity of disease, and incidence of perioperative stroke.
‘Ambivalent’ individual preferences towards biotechnology in the European Union: products or processes?

Significant ambivalence is found when examining the explanatory dimensions of attitudes towards biotechnology in the European Union; individuals' decision—making is influenced by their perception of significant benefits and risks as well as moral concerns. In quantitatively analyzing the determinants of attitudes, we argue that it might be misleading to interpret attitudes towards new biotechnology applications without taking into account the existence of significant ambivalence in revealed preferences. This paper empirically examines the magnitude and the impact of ambivalence in explaining support for two specific biotech applications (Genetically Modified (GM) food and GM medicines). The data employed are from the 1999 Eurobarometer Survey 52.1. Results reveal that although between 35 and 45% of respondents display ambivalent attitudes towards biotechnology applications, ambivalence primarily affects less supportive attitudes, and this result seems robust among specific biotech applications. Ambivalence is expected to continue to play a key role in determining individual attitudes as long as available information continues to be limited. Furthermore, ambivalence, as well as attitudes to biotechnology applications, seems to be associated with the dimensions of the technology itself. Therefore, in the design of risk communication policies, decision makers should ensure that individuals are well informed if public perceptions are to be taken into account in public policy formation.
Parenthood and pay in Australia and the UK: evidence from workplace surveys

This article addresses the effect of parenthood on pay, examining potential reasons for differences between Australia and the UK that are evident in spite of their similarly minimalist, male breadwinner style approaches to work/ family issues. Although cross-national differences reflect complex intersections of policy combinations, institutional frameworks, patterns of employment and gender contracts that cannot be assessed in a single analysis, the data used in this analysis uncover some of the factors that contribute to different outcomes. Motherhood penalties in the UK appear to be associated primarily with the comparatively low level of part-time earnings in that country, while higher premiums to fatherhood at least in part reflect a wider overall wage distribution. These findings reinforce the need to interpret earnings effects of parenthood within the context of national patterns of employment and wage distribution, and highlight the breadth of strategies needed to deliver more equitable outcomes.
Communicating Risks after Exposure Has Ended: Former Workers' Perspectives on PCBs

While the importance of worker notification has been widely recognized, little attention has been paid to social and psychological contexts in which worker notification occurs, especially after the exposure has ended. This study explores workers' perspectives on exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), a toxic material whose manufacture in the United States ended in 1977. Four focus groups were conducted with former workers (n = 29) who were exposed to PCBs. Verbatim transcriptions were analyzed. Participants considered living in the PCB-contaminated community more dangerous than handling PCBs on the job. While they firmly believed that PCBs in the environment caused serious health problems, participants expressed doubts about the toxicity of PCBs in the workplace. Both beliefs undermined the value of worker notification about occupational exposure to PCBs. A long-term relationship between workers and researchers would provide opportunities to cultivate better understanding of the hazard and facilitate the process of worker notification.
Motivation for Japanese baseball fans' interest in Major League Baseball

Since Japanese baseball players began playing in Major League Baseball (MLB) in the mid-1990s, the popularity of MLB has been increasing in the Japanese market. This popularity has resulted in increased MLB TV ratings, sales of MLB licensed merchandise and sponsorships, and event business in Japan. This study identified three primary spectator motives for Japanese interest in MLB: overall interest in baseball; interest in players; quality of games. The results of structural equation modelling indicate that these motives predict the Japanese fans' emotional attachment, attitudinal, or behavioural loyalty toward MLB. In addition, emotional attachment predicts attitudinal loyalty, and attitudinal loyalty leads to behavioural loyalty. The results of this study suggest a number of marketing strategies MLB should develop for continuing and enhancing success in foreign markets, including: more presence of local or star players; more games played in foreign markets; grass root marketing; programming with international players and actively communicating with international fans.
Transition Assessment Practices in Nevada and Arizona

This manuscript describes the results of a research study conducted in tWo Western states, investigating special educator knoWledge and use of various transition assessment strategies. Eighty-four special educators responded to a survey on transition assessment that asked questions about What they kneW about transition assessment strategies and Which ones they used. Assessments Were divided into three main categories: standardized, informal, and alternative. Questions Were also asked about student roles in the transition assessment process and the use of various self-determination assessment and curricula packages. Although most educators indicated that they Were aWare of all types of assessment strategies, they still relied heavily on those that Were either standardized or teacher-prepared. The results of the study indicated that special educators did not use transition assessment strategies that had been demonstrated to support student self-determination in the process (i.e., person-centered planning, student-led meetings, and self-determination curriculum-based instruments). More Work is needed to ensure that teachers have access to, and knoW hoW to use, these strategies in their classrooms.
Working memory and intraindividual variability as neurocognitive indicators in ADHD: examining competing model predictions.

OBJECTIVE The current study examined competing predictions of the default mode, cognitive neuroenergetic, and functional working memory models of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) regarding the relation between neurocognitive impairments in working memory and intraindividual variability. METHOD Twenty-two children with ADHD and 15 typically developing children were assessed on multiple tasks measuring intraindividual reaction time (RT) variability (ex-Gaussian: tau, sigma) and central executive (CE) working memory. Latent factor scores based on multiple, counterbalanced tasks were created for each construct of interest (CE, tau, sigma) to reflect reliable variance associated with each construct and remove task-specific, test-retest, and random error. RESULTS Bias-corrected, bootstrapped mediation analyses revealed that CE working memory accounted for 88% to 100% of ADHD-related RT variability across models, and between-group differences in RT variability were no longer detectable after accounting for the mediating role of CE working memory. In contrast, RT variability accounted for 10% to 29% of between-group differences in CE working memory, and large magnitude CE working memory deficits remained after accounting for this partial mediation. Statistical comparison of effect size estimates across models suggests directionality of effects, such that the mediation effects of CE working memory on RT variability were significantly greater than the mediation effects of RT variability on CE working memory. CONCLUSIONS The current findings question the role of RT variability as a primary neurocognitive indicator in ADHD and suggest that ADHD-related RT variability may be secondary to underlying deficits in CE working memory.