Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Occupational therapy students' contribution to occasions of service during practice placements in health settings.

INTRODUCTION Currently in the Australian higher education sector, the productivity benefits of occupational therapy clinical education placements are a contested issue. This article will report results of a study that developed a methodology for documenting time use during placements and investigated the productivity changes associated with occupational therapy clinical education placements in Queensland, Australia. Supervisors' and students' time use during placements and how this changed for supervisors compared to pre- and post-placement is also presented. METHODS Using a cohort survey design, participants were students from two Queensland universities, and their supervisors employed by Queensland Health. Time use was recorded in 30 minute blocks according to particular categories. RESULTS There was a significant increase in supervisors' time spent in patient care activities (F = 94.011(2,12.37 df) , P < 0.001) between pre- and during placement (P < 0.001) and decrease between during and post-placement (P < 0.001). Supervisors' time spent in all non-patient care activities was also significant (F = 4.580(2,16 df) , P = 0.027) increasing between pre- and during placement (P = 0.028). There was a significant decrease in supervisors' time spent in placement activities (F = 5.133(2,19.18 df) , P = 0.016) from during to post-placement. Students spent more time than supervisors in patient care activities while on placement. DISCUSSION A novel method for reporting productivity and time-use changes during clinical education programs for occupational therapy has been applied. Supervisors spent considerable time in assessing and managing students and their clinical education role should be seen as core business in standard occupational therapy practice. This paper will contribute to future assessments of the economic impact of student placements for allied health disciplines.
A Scenario-Based, Randomized Trial of Patient Values and Functional Prognosis on Intensivist Intent to Discuss Withdrawing Life Support*

Objectives:To evaluate the effect of 1) patient values as expressed by family members and 2) a requirement to document patients’ functional prognosis on intensivists’ intention to discuss withdrawal of life support in a hypothetical family meeting. Design:A three-armed, randomized trial. Setting:One hundred seventy-nine U.S. hospitals with training programs in critical care accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. Subjects:Six hundred thirty intensivists recruited via e-mail invitation from a database of 1,850 eligible academic intensivists. Interventions:Each intensivist was randomized to review 10, online, clinical scenarios with a range of illness severities involving a hypothetical patient (Mrs. X). In control-group scenarios, the patient did not want continued life support without a reasonable chance of independent living. In the first experimental arm, the patient wanted life support regardless of functional outcome. In the second experimental arm, patient values were identical to the control group, but intensivists were required to record the patient’s estimated 3-month functional prognosis. Measurements and Main Results:Response to the question: “Would you bring up the possibility of withdrawing life support with Mrs. X’s family? ” answered using a five-point Likert scale. There was no effect of patient values on whether intensivists intended to discuss withdrawal of life support (p = 0.81), but intensivists randomized to record functional prognosis were 49% more likely (95% CI, 20–85%) to discuss withdrawal. Conclusions:In this national, scenario-based, randomized trial, patient values had no effect on intensivists’ decisions to discuss withdrawal of life support with family. However, requiring intensivists to record patients’ estimated 3-month functional outcome substantially increased their intention to discuss withdrawal.
Identification of versican as an isolectin B4‐binding glycoprotein from mammalian spinal cord tissue

Nociceptors are specialized nerve fibers that transmit noxious pain stimuli to the dorsal horn of the spinal cord. A subset of nociceptors, the nonpeptidergic C‐fibers, is characterized by its reactivity for the plant isolectin B4 (IB4) from Griffonia simplicifolia. The molecular nature of the IB4‐reactive glycoconjugate, although used as a neuroanatomical marker for more than a decade, has remained unknown. We here present data which strongly suggest that a splice variant of the extracellular matrix proteoglycan versican is the IB4‐reactive glycoconjugate associated with these nociceptors. We isolated (by subcellular fractionation and IB4 affinity chromatography) a glycoconjugate from porcine spinal cord tissue that migrated in SDS/PAGE as a single distinct protein band at an apparent molecular mass of > 250 kDa. By using MALDI‐TOF/TOF MS, we identified this glycoconjugate unambiguously as a V2‐like variant of versican. Moreover, we demonstrate that the IB4‐reactive glycoconjugate and the versican variant can be co‐released from spinal cord membranes by hyaluronidase, and that the IB4‐reactive glycoconjugate and the versican variant can be co‐precipitated by an anti‐versican immunoglobulin and perfectly co‐migrate in SDS/PAGE. Our findings shed new light on the role of the extracellular matrix, which is thought to be involved in plastic changes underlying pain‐related phenomena such as hyperalgesia and allodynia.
Phenotypic and Genetic Analysis of the Leopard Complex Spotting in Noriker Horses

Genetic analyses of coat colors are frequently restricted to subjectively categorized phenotype information. The aim of this study was to develop a method to numerically quantify the variability of leopard complex (LP) spotting phenotypes introducing tools from image analysis. Generalized Procrustes analysis eliminates systematic errors due to imaging process. The binarization of normalized images and the application of principal component analysis (PCA) on the derived pixel matrices, transform pixel information into numerical data space. We applied these methods on 90 images to ascertain the specific leopard patterns within the Noriker breed. Furthermore, we genotyped a representative sample of 191 Noriker horses for the known LP spotting associated loci. Ninety-seven percentage of the genotyped leopard spotted horses were heterozygous for LP and had at least one copy of the PATN1 allele. However, the remaining pattern variation was great, indicating other genetic factors influencing the expression of LP spotting. Based upon this data, we estimated effect sizes of the modifier PATN1, and additional factors including sex, age, base color, and spotting phenotype of parents. The PCA of the pixel matrix resulted in 2 significant components accounting for 51% of the variation. Applying a linear model, we identified significant effects for age groups and base color on the first and second components, while for sex and parents' LP phenotype significant effects were found on 4 additional components.
A recombinant peptide based on Pf EMP‐1 blocks and reverses adhesion of malaria‐infected red blood cells to CD36 under flow

During falciparum malaria infection, severe complications ensue because parasitized red blood cells (PRBCs) adhere to endothelial cells and accumulate in the microvasculature. At the molecular level, adhesion is mediated by interaction of Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1 (Pf EMP‐1) on the PRBC surface with receptors on the surface of endothelial cells, including CD36. We have shown that a recombinant 179‐residue subfragment of Pf EMP‐1 (rC1‐2[1–179]), which encompasses the CD36‐binding region, inhibits and reverses adhesion of PRBCs to CD36 under physiologically relevant flow conditions. rC1‐2[1–179] inhibited adhesion in a concentration‐dependent manner over the range 100 pM to 2 μM, with up to 99% of adhesion blocked at the highest concentration tested. The antiadhesive activity of rC1‐2[1–179] was not strain specific and almost totally ablated adhesion of four different parasite lines. Furthermore, rC1‐2[1–179] showed remarkable ability to progressively reverse adhesion when flowed over adherent PRBCs for 2 h. The effect of rC1‐2[1–179] was, however, specific for CD36‐mediated adhesion and had no effect on adhesion mediated by CSA. Interference with binding of PRBCs to the vascular endothelium using rC1‐2[1–179] or smaller organic mimetics may be a useful therapeutic approach to ameliorate severe complications of falciparum malaria.
Self-Regulated Digital Citizen: A Survey of Malaysian Undergraduates

The purpose of the study was to examine the degree to which students’ self-regulated behaviors influence their ethical behaviors and self-protecting use of digital technology. Data were collected from 250 undergraduates who were studying at 10 higher learning institutions in Malaysia, using a 9-item digital citizenship questionnaire. To address the research objectives, the data were subjected to confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling. The results of data analysis supported the research hypotheses, in which students’ digital citizenship is a valid and reliable multidimensional construct, and students’ self-regulated behavior influences their ethical and self-protecting digital behaviors. The findings suggest for further research and instructional interventions, in particular in the curriculum implementation, which need to be aligned to students’ development of self-regulatory capabilities.
The effect of N-acetylcysteine on epistaxis and quality of life in patients with HHT: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND Free O2- radicals may cause precapillary sphincter abnormalities, resulting in epistaxis in hemizygous knockout mice for Endoglin. The objective of this study was to test if antioxidants, like N-acetylcysteine (NAC), are have a role in the treatment of epistaxis in hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT). METHODS Forty-three patients participated in this study taking NAC 600 mg t.i. d for 12 weeks. Patients registered frequency, severity and duration of epistaxis and private and work-related quality of life (QOL), using a diary for two 6 weeks periods. The first period was prior to starting treatment and the second started after 6 weeks using NAC. RESULTS There was a decrease infrequency (p < 0.01) and severity (p < 0.01) of epistaxis during the day. The improvement was most remarkable in male patients and patients with an ENDOGLIN mutation. In women and patients with an ALK-1 mutation, only a trend for improvement was found. Nocturnal epistaxis did not improve. The effect of epistaxis on the ability to work (p = 0.02) was reduced. CONCLUSION This pilot study was conducted to investigate whether animal experiments can be translated to humans with HHT regarding epistaxis. The positive results with NAC are promising and justify a randomised clinical trial.
Foreign R&D Satellites as a Medium for the International Diffusion of Knowledge

I examine the extent to which foreign R&D satellites of multinational firms act as a medium for the international diffusion of knowledge. Using patents from the United States Patent and Trademark Office, I compare the frequency with which headquarters patents are cited by third-party firms in the satellite's host country relative to a control group of patents, and this both before and after the establishment of the satellite (using a difference-in-differences approach). The results suggest that the satellite increases the flow of knowledge from the multinational's headquarters to firms in the satellite's host country. This satellite effect on knowledge diffusion is largest in host countries and sectors with strong but not world-class capabilities that have both the motivation and absorptive capacity to learn from foreign parties. The findings also suggest that knowledge diffusion is greatest when satellites are staffed with inventors that have previously either patented with other local firms (thus having stronger local social networks) or with the headquarters (thus having headquarters knowledge).
Unemployment Insurance Union

A European unemployment insurance scheme has gained increased attention as a new and ambitious common fiscal instrument which could be used for temporary cross-country transfers. Part of the national stabilizers composing unemployment insurance schemes would be transferred to the central level. Unemployed are then insured by both layers. When a country is hit by an asymmetric shock, it would receive positive net transfers from the central fund in the form of reduced taxes and increased benefits, providing risk-sharing for the whole union. We build a two-country DSGE model with supply, demand and labor market shocks in order to capture the recent national insurance system and the unemployment insurance union (UIU) design. The model is calibrated to the euro area core and periphery data and matches the empirically observed cyclicality of the net replacement rate, the wage and unemployment dynamics. This baseline scenario is then compared to a optimal unemployment insurance union with passive and active benefit policies. For all underlying shocks, we find that the UIU reduces the fluctuation of consumption and unemployment while it increases the fluctuation of the trade balance. In case of a positive domestic government spending shock the UIU reduces the negative crowding out effect on private consumption and investment. The model will be used to analyze the effects of national and supranational benefit policies on labour market patterns and welfare.
The Effects of the Financial Crisis on the Organizational Reputation of Banks: An Empirical Analysis of Newspaper Articles

The recent financial crisis has triggered an intense debate about the role of banks in society, presumably changing the criteria used in the evaluation of organizations. Against this backdrop, we investigate the changing role of banks’ organizational features in shaping different dimensions of banks’ organizational reputation. Using the media as an important evaluator, we measure the reputational dimension of visibility based on the frequency of newspaper articles and the reputational dimension of favorability based on the sentiment of newspaper articles. Drawing on social judgment research for developing our hypotheses, we expect that organizational features such as financial performance and familiarity become more important determinants of organizational reputation in times of crisis. Our results support this expectation, suggesting stronger effects of these organizational features on the visibility and favorability of banks during a crisis. These findings provide novel empirical evidence on how the importance of drivers of organizational reputation changes in times of crisis and highlight areas for managerial attention.
Dual Circularly Polarized Series-Fed Microstrip Patch Array With Coplanar Proximity Coupling

We demonstrate a concept of compact and highly efficient circular traveling wave series-fed microstrip patch array working at 10 GHz. The patch elements are excited by a microstrip line through coplanar proximity coupling. A dual-port feeding allows us to select the direction of the traveling waves and, consequently, the sense of circular polarization of the patches. Simultaneous feeding to both ports with proper amplitude and phase difference can result in radiated waves of arbitrary polarization. Owing to the circular array arrangement and the strong proximity coupling, the antenna exhibits a compact structure and achieves a high antenna efficiency of 90% with seven patches. Based on reciprocity, the antenna can readily be also utilized for polarimetry applications for which the signal amplitude at each port is proportional to the amplitude of each individual sense of polarization. Measured results of an antenna prototype successfully validate the concept.
Butyrylcholinesterase gene transfer in obese mice prevents postdieting body weight rebound by suppressing ghrelin signaling

Significance Obesity is a major public health problem affecting physical and emotional well-being. Although lifestyle-based programs can help with weight loss, avoiding weight regain is nearly impossible because of persistent hormonal adaptations. Here, in mouse models, we explored a more effective strategy using viral gene transfer of butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) to control the appetite-mediating hormone acyl-ghrelin. We found that a single injection of BChE vector led to a lifetime high enzyme expression and lower circulating acyl-ghrelin. This same treatment suppressed postdieting hyperphagia, corrected metabolic lesions, and lowered weight regain. This outcome confirms the impact of the BChE-ghrelin axis on body weight and indicates that BChE gene transfer could be a successful strategy for long-term control of obesity and the “metabolic syndrome. ” The worldwide prevalence of obesity is increasing at an alarming rate but treatment options remain limited. Despite initial success, weight loss by calorie restriction (CR) often fails because of rebound weight gain. Postdieting hyperphagia along with altered hypothalamic neuro-architecture appears to be one direct cause of this undesirable outcome. In response to calorie deficiency the circulating levels of the appetite-promoting hormone, acyl-ghrelin, rise sharply. We hypothesize that proper modulation of acyl-ghrelin and its receptor’s sensitivity will favorably impact energy intake and reprogram the body weight set point. Here we applied viral gene transfer of the acyl-ghrelin hydrolyzing enzyme, butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), in a mouse model of diet-induced obesity. Our results confirmed that BChE overexpression decreased circulating acyl-ghrelin levels, suppressed CR-provoked ghrelin signaling, and restored central ghrelin sensitivity. In addition to maintaining healthy body weights, BChE treated mice had modest postdieting food intake and showed normal glucose homeostasis. Spontaneous activity and energy expenditure did not differ significantly between treated and untreated mice after body weight rebound, suggesting that BChE gene transfer did not alter energy expenditure in the long term. These findings indicate that combining BChE treatment with CR could be an effective approach in treating human obesity and aiding lifelong weight management.
The rate of heat storage mediates an anticipatory reduction in exercise intensity during cycling at a fixed rating of perceived exertion

The aim of the present study was to examine the regulation of exercise intensity in hot environments when exercise is performed at a predetermined, fixed subjective rating of perceived exertion (RPE). Eight cyclists performed cycling trials at 15°C (COOL), 25°C (NORM) and 35°C (HOT) (65% humidity throughout), during which they were instructed to cycle at a Borg rating of perceived exertion (RPE) of 16, increasing or decreasing their power output in order to maintain this RPE. Power output declined linearly in all three trials and the rate of decline was significantly higher in HOT than in NORM and COOL (2.35 ± 0.73 W min−1, 1.63 ± 0.70 and 1.61 ± 0.80 W min−1, respectively, P < 0.05). The rate of heat storage was significantly higher in HOT for the first 4 min of the trials only, as a result of increasing skin temperatures. Thereafter, no differences in heat storage were found between conditions. We conclude that the regulation of exercise intensity is controlled by an initial afferent feedback regarding the rate of heat storage, which is used to regulate exercise intensity and hence the rate of heat storage for the remainder of the anticipated exercise bout. This regulation maintains thermal homeostasis by reducing the exercise work rate and utilizing the subjective RPE specifically to ensure that excessive heat accumulation does not occur and cellular catastrophe is avoided.
Sputum proteomics in inflammatory and suppurative respiratory diseases.

RATIONALE Markers of inflammatory activity are important for assessment and management of many respiratory diseases. Markers that are currently unrecognized may be more valuable than those presently believed to be useful. OBJECTIVES To identify potential biomarkers of suppurative and inflammatory lung disease in induced sputum samples. METHODS Induced sputum was collected from 20 healthy control subjects, 24 patients with asthma, 24 with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, 28 with cystic fibrosis (CF), and 19 with bronchiectasis. Twelve patients with CF had sputum sampled before and after antibiotic therapy for an infective exacerbation. The fluid phase of induced sputum was analyzed by surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (SELDI-TOF) mass spectroscopy on three protein array surfaces. Some protein markers were selected for identification, and relevant ELISA assays sought. For 12 patients with CF, both SELDI-TOF and ELISA monitored changes in inflammatory responses during infective exacerbations. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS SELDI-TOF identified potential biomarkers that differentiated each of the disease groups from healthy control subjects: at a significance of P < 0.01, there were 105 for asthma, 113 for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, 381 for CF, and 377 for bronchiectasis. Peaks selected for protein identification yielded calgranulin A, calgranulin B, calgranulin C, Clara cell secretory protein, lysosyme c, proline rich salivary peptide, cystatin s, and hemoglobin alpha. On treatment of an infective CF exacerbation, SELDI-TOF determined falls in levels of calgranulin A and calgranulin B that were mirrored by ELISA-measured falls in calprotectin (heterodimer of calgranulins A and B). CONCLUSIONS Proteomic screening of sputum yields potential biomarkers of inflammation. The early development of a clinically relevant assay from such data is demonstrated.
Volume of ethanol consumption: effects of different approaches to measurement.

OBJECTIVE Eight different approaches to measuring alcohol consumption were compared in terms of average daily volume of ethanol intake, selected percentiles of the volume distribution, the proportion of drinkers exceeding a volume-based cutpoint for moderate drinking and the estimated association between volume of intake and alcohol use disorders. METHOD Data were drawn from the 1988 National Health Interview Survey and the 1992 National Longitudinal Alcohol Epidemiologic Survey. The eight approaches compared overall and beverage-specific questions, reference periods of varying lengths, and measures based solely on usual intake with those that incorporated different aspects of atypical heavy drinking. RESULTS Average daily ethanol intake ranged from 0.43 oz based on two questions on current usual frequency and quantity of drinking (assuming 0.5 oz of ethanol per drink) to 0.72 oz based on 21 questions that included usual and heaviest consumption of beer, wine and distilled spirits in the year preceding interview. CONCLUSIONS Estimated volume was highly sensitive to the number and types of questions upon which it was based, and changes in formulation that resulted in relatively small increases in mean volume often were associated with much larger increases in the proportion of drinkers exceeding some specified level of intake and in the estimated association between consumption and alcohol use disorders. These issues should be considered when deciding on the consumption items to be included in alcohol surveys.