Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Maternal Filicide and Its Intersection With Suicide

Maternal filicide, child murder by the mother, may occur either alone or as part of a joint filicide–suicide. This study considered differences among 3 groups of mothers who committed filicide: those who did so without a concomitant suicide attempt, those who made a nonfatal suicide attempt, and those who completed suicide. Traditional predictors of completed suicide did not distinguish mothers who completed or attempted suicide from those who did not. Mothers who completed suicide following filicide often had altruistic motives and more frequently utilized firearms. [Brief Treatment and Crisis Intervention 8:283–291 (2008)]
Clarifying Relationships Between Ideology and Ideologically Oriented Cable TV News Use

Much recent debate in political communication has centered on the influence of ideologically oriented media outlets. Some argue that the current media environment is creating partisan echo chambers, while others contend that today’s political media afford citizens increased contact with a diverse range of opinion. The current study seeks to clarify relationships between political ideology, conservative cable TV news viewing (i.e., FOX News), and liberal cable TV news viewing (i.e., MSNBC), arguing that ideology serves as a suppressor of the relationship between the two seemingly disparate forms of cable TV news consumption. Analyses of primary 2009-2010 statewide survey data (N = 305) reveal the relationship between FOX News and MSNBC consumption to be positive and this association increases substantially once the role of ideology as suppressor is addressed. A secondary analysis of 2010 PEW data (N = 3,006) reveals a strong replication of the primary analysis results.
How Fast are Small Tourism Countries Growing? Evidence from the Data for 1980–2003

This paper analyses the empirical relationship between growth, country size and tourism specialization by using a data set covering the period 1980–2003. It finds that tourism countries are small and grow significantly faster than all the other subgroups considered in the analysis. Tourism appears to be an independent determining factor for growth: controlling for initial per capita income and for trade openness does not weaken the positive correlation between tourism specialization and growth. Another finding of the paper is that small states are fast growing only when they are highly specialized in tourism. In contrast with some previous conclusions in the literature, smallness per se is not good for growth.
Bacterial DNA translocation is associated with systemic circulatory abnormalities and intrahepatic endothelial dysfunction in patients with cirrhosis

Presence of bacterial DNA in noninfected patients with cirrhosis and ascites is associated with a marked inflammatory response including activation of the inducible form of nitric oxide synthase and release of nitric oxide, similar to that observed in patients with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. Although presence of bacterial DNA is associated with an impaired prognosis, no information is available regarding its hemodynamic consequences. Systemic and hepatic hemodynamics before and after a liquid test meal were assessed in a series of 75 noninfected patients with cirrhosis (55 with ascites). Bacterial DNA was measured by polymerase chain reaction. Bacterial DNA was detected only in patients with ascites. Clinical data and liver function were similar in ascitic patients with presence (n = 21) or absence of bacterial DNA (n = 34). Bacterial‐DNA(+) patients had significantly lower mean arterial pressure (P = 0.002) and systemic vascular resistance (P = 0.03) than bacterial‐DNA(−) patients. Cardiac output, cardiopulmonary pressures, hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG), and hepatic blood flow were similar in both groups. Thirty minutes after the test meal, in response to increased blood flow caused by postprandial hyperemia, there was a significantly greater increase in HVPG and impaired hepatic vasorelaxation in bacterial‐DNA(+) as compared with bacterial‐DNA(−) patients, which indicates hepatic endothelial dysfunction. Indeed, the increase in HVPG after the test meal significantly correlated with serum bacterial DNA concentration. Conclusion: Presence of bacterial DNA, a marker of bacterial translocation, is associated with aggravation of peripheral vasodilation and with worsening of intrahepatic endothelial dysfunction. (HEPATOLOGY 2010;.)
Influence of social relationships on multiagent persuasion

Life-like agents have the potential to make e-shopping sites on the Web more attractive and persuasive; our interest is to determine how multiple life-like agents should behave as a team to persuade customers. To know how the social relationships among two agents and a human user impacts the effectiveness of persuasion from the viewpoint of the balance theory, we develop a multi-agent persuasion system. In the system, the agents construct a social relationship to the user, and they then try to persuade him/her to select items that they recommend. An evaluation shows that a balanced relationship yields better performance than an imbalanced one.
Identifying barriers to the rapid administration of appropriate antibiotics in community-acquired pneumonia.

BACKGROUND Despite multiple guidelines for management of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), barriers to guideline use are rarely evaluated. METHODS We performed quantitative and qualitative surveys of junior doctors before implementation of a CAP management pathway. After implementation, we identified patient-related determinants of pathway adherence by multivariate analysis. RESULTS We surveyed 83 (77%) of the 108 junior doctors working in acute medicine between August 2001 and July 2002 and selected 8 for in-depth interview. We identified five main themes that influence pathway adherence. First, education (recognized to be insufficient on antimicrobial therapy) and experience: increasing clinical experience was associated with greater knowledge of pathway content, but decreasing likelihood of consulting the pathway. Second, attitudes to CAP: doctors recognized that they had not treated CAP with respect early on. Third, work intensity and lack of senior support were barriers to good practice. Fourth, guideline factors: they need to be simple enough to be easy to use while containing enough information to be useful. Fifth, CAP is sometimes difficult to diagnose on admission. Notably, when given three clinical scenarios only six (7%) of respondents assessed CAP severity correctly. In the intervention study, early administration of antibiotics was associated (P < 0.05) with indicators of increased severity of illness (pulse, respiratory rate, oxygenation and temperature) in addition to being admitted to the intervention hospital (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Some of the identified barriers could be overcome by undergraduate and postgraduate education. However, equally important are organizational barriers that can only be overcome by systems redesign.
Mycobacterial and Rhodococcus equi infections in pigs in the Czech Republic between the years 1996 and 2004: the causal factors and distribution of infections in the tissues

Between 1996 and 2004, tissue samples from 3 630 slaughtered pigs were examined by gross exami- nation, microscopy after the Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) st aining of homogenised tissues for the detection of acid-fast rods (AFR) and by culture for the presence of mycobacteria and Rhodococcus equi: 1 781 head lymph nodes (ln), 1 123 mesenteric ln, 54 pulmonary ln, 32 inguinal ln, 562 non-identified ln and 78 samples of tissues from paren- chymatous organs (liver, spleen and kidneys). Tuberculous/tuberculoid lesions were not detected in 249 (6.9%) animals slaughtered due to a positive response to avian tuberculin. Various gross lesions were detected in 3 381 (93.1%) animals as follows: adenopathy in 150 (4.1%), tuberculous lesions with caseation in 2 026 (55.8%) and tuber- culous lesions with calcification in 1 205 (33.2%) of them. AFR were found in tissues from 2 047 (56.4%) animals: in 36 (14.5%) animals free from gross lesions, in 28 (18.7%) animals with adenopathy, in 801 (39.5%) animals with caseation and in 913 (75.8%) animals with calcified tuberculou s lesions. Mycobacteria were isolated from the tissues of 289 (15.8%) of 1 852 animals without detected AFR and from the tissues of 1 290 (72.5%) of the 1 778 animals with detected AFR of various intensities. Of 1 579 mycobacterial isolates 1 493 (94.6%) were classified as M. avium complex () members: 469 (29.7%) M. a. avium (IS901+, serotypes 1, 2, and 3) and 891 (56.4%) M. a. hominissuis (IS901-) isolates of serotypes 4 ( n = 1), 8 (n = 643), 9 (n = 74) and non-typed (n = 173). The other 52 (3.3%) iso- lates were members of other mycobacterial species: M. chelonae (n = 35), M. smegmatis (n = 4), M. xenopi (n = 3), M. terrae (n = 7), M. aurum (n = 1), M. scrofulaceum (n = 1), M. fortuitum (n = 1) and biochemically non-identified mycobacteria ( n = 34). By examination of ZN stained homogenised tissue s, AFR were detected significantly more frequently ( 0.01) in samples from animals with caseated and/or calcified tuberculous lesions than in tissues from animals without tuberculous lesions. The detection rate of isolates from tissues with tuberculous lesions was likewise significantly higher ( P < 0.01) than from tissues without tuberculous lesions.
Estudio Comparativo de la Productividad entre los Frameworks de Persistencia en Java Hibernate y MYBATIS, Aplicando al Sistema de Evaluación Docente del IPEC.

El estudio comparativo de los frameworks Hibernate y Mybatis se llevo acabo con la finalidad de seleccionar el mas adecuado y eficiente que nos permita desarrollar rapidamente un sistema de Evaluaciones para que pueda ser implementado en Instituto de Postgrado y Educacion Continua de Chimborazo. Al evaluarse los diferentes frameworks mediante diferentes parametros a base de experimentacion e investigacion directa al tener los datos y tabularlos a estos resultados se aplico chi cuadrado para la demostracion de la hipotesis, rechazando asi la hipotesis nula y aceptando la de la investigacion. Luego de aplicar el estudio comparativo se obtuvo que Hibernate alcanzo 62,39% y Mybatis 37,61% por lo que se selecciono el framework Hibernate por las ventajas que este presta, en cuanto a la disponibilidad de documentacion, calidad, robustez, aprendizaje, facilidad para el desarrollo y la cantidad de componentes de usuario que pone a disposicion de los desarrolladores. El prototipo e implanto el Sistema de Evaluacion al Docente IPEC, mismo que muestras que muestra algunas de las caracteristicas y funcionalidades del framework Hibernate, siguiendo la metodologia Microsoft Solution Framework.Se recomienda el uso del framework a los desarrolladores para aplicaciones similares de media complejidad.
A mixture model using likelihood‐based and Bayesian approaches for identifying responders and non‐responders in longitudinal clinical trials

A longitudinal mixture model for classifying patients into responders and non‐responders is established using both likelihood‐based and Bayesian approaches. The model takes into consideration responders in the control group. Therefore, it is especially useful in situations where the placebo response is strong, or in equivalence trials where the drug in development is compared with a standard treatment. Under our model, a treatment shows evidence of being effective if it increases the proportion of responders or increases the response rate among responders in the treated group compared with the control group. Therefore, the model has flexibility to accommodate different situations. The proposed method is illustrated using simulation and a depression clinical trial dataset for the likelihood‐based approach, and the same depression clinical trial dataset for the Bayesian approach. The likelihood‐based and Bayesian approaches generated consistent results for the depression trial data. In both the placebo group and the treated group, patients are classified into two components with distinct response rate. The proportion of responders is shown to be significantly higher in the treated group compared with the control group, suggesting the treatment paroxetine is effective. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Outcome of patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated by step-wise administration of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs over a 10-year period

Abstract Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are expected to relieve polyarthritis, and thereby improve the patient's quality of life and eventually alter the prognosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or the progressive joint destruction caused by it. DMARDs may cause adverse reactions and become less effective over time in some patients. Using changes in disease activity and X-ray findings as indicators, we retrospectively evaluated the long-term results of the step-wise administration of DMARDs in 200 patients with RA. The patients had been treated with gold compounds, SH compounds, and methotrexate, in this order, over a total of 10 years since initially being diagnosed with the disease in its relatively early stages. The step-wise administration of DMARDs had decreased and controlled RA activity and inflammatory response over the 10 years. Although X-ray findings for the wrists worsened over time in most of the patients, no knee or hip joint destruction was observed in patients in whom disease activity had been controlled well for a long period of time. The progression of destruction of major joints can be prevented in cases in which the Lansbury activity index and C-reactive protein are maintained at levels not more than 30% and 1.5 mg/dl, respectively. Since no drugs are now available which specifically prevent the progression of joint destruction, it is important to control RA activity for as long as possible.
Thyroid Hormone Modulates Insulin-Like Growth Factor-I (IGF-I) and IGF-Binding Protein-3, Without Mediation by Growth Hormone, in Patients with Autoimmune Thyroid Diseases

The expression and synthesis of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-I) and IGF-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) are regulated by various hormones and nutritional conditions. We evaluated the effects of thyroid hormones on serum levels of IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels in patients with autoimmune thyroid diseases including 54 patients with Graves' disease and 17 patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis, and in 32 healthy age-matched control subjects. Patients were subdivided into hyperthyroid, euthyroid and hypothyroid groups that were untreated, or were treated with methylmercaptoimidazole (MMI) or L-thyroxine (L-T4). Serum levels of growth hormone (GH), IGF-I and IGFBP-3 were determined by radioimmunoassay. Serum GH levels did not differ significantly between the hyperthyroid and the age-matched euthyroid patients with Graves' disease. The serum levels of IGF-I and IGFBP-3 showed a significant positive correlation in the patients (R=0.616, P<0.001). The levels of both IGF-I and IFGBP-3 were significantly higher in the hyperthyroid patients with Graves' disease or in those with Hashimoto's thyroiditis induced by excess L-T4 administration than in control subjects. Patients with hypothyroid Graves' disease induced by the excess administration of MMI showed significantly lower IGFBP-3 levels as compared to those in healthy controls (P<0.05). Levels of IGFBP-3, but not IGF-I levels, showed a significant positive correlation with the levels of free T4 and free T3. In Graves' disease, levels of TPOAb, but not of TRAb, showed a significant positive correlation with IGFBP-3. We conclude that in patients with autoimmune thyroid diseases, thyroid hormone modulates the synthesis and/or the secretion of IGF-I and IGFBP-3, and this function is not mediated by GH.
The use of a work-related asthma screening questionnaire in a primary care asthma program: an intervention trial

Abstract Objectives: The work-related asthma screening questionnaire (long-version) (WRASQ(L)) is a 14-item tool designed to increase the recognition of work-related asthma (WRA) in primary care. The purpose of this study was to assess whether the WRASQ(L) provided additional information about a patient's likelihood of WRA, beyond what was collected in standard care, and to assess the use of the WRASQ(L) in the primary care setting. Methods: This was an intervention study involving two Ontario primary care sites. Standard care for asthma patients in these sites involved completing the Asthma Care Map (ACM), a template for asthma management that includes seven WRA screening items. Participation in this study involved completing an electronic WRASQ(L) at each visit for participants and prompted care providers to record details related to WRA investigations. Ethics approval was obtained from an Institutional Review Board. Results: The study sample (N = 37) was predominantly female (73.0%), with a mean age of 46.3 years (SD, 10.9). The use of WRASQ(L) identified additional work-related symptoms in 38% and exposures in 60% of participants over and above those identified by the ACM. Two participants were newly suspected of WRA during the study period. Conclusions: The WRASQ(L) provided added information about possible WRA over standard care. The use of the questionnaire's results by care providers was limited due to barriers encountered in incorporating the use of electronic version of the WRASQ(L) into clinical practice. Once validated and implemented in practice, the WRASQ(L) has the potential to increase the recognition of WRA.
Nutritional Responses to the Presence of Inulin and Oligofructose in the Diets of Domesticated Animals: A Review

Inulin and oligofructose are prebiotic oligosaccharides fermented in the large intestine. This article provides an extensive review of the effects of these oligosaccharides on gastrointestinal characteristics (microflora, pathogen control, epithelial cell proliferation, putrefactive compound production, fecal characteristics, and nutrient digestibility) and systemic metabolism of carbohydrates, nitrogen, lipids, and minerals in dogs, cats, horses, calves, pigs, poultry, and rabbits. In addition, intake of inulin and oligofructose and considerations in their supplementation to animal diets are discussed. Growth performance and meat production in livestock in response to inulin and oligofructose supplementation are addressed. Finally, the possible substitution of antibiotics with fructans in animal diets and directions for future research are presented. Referee: Dr. David Topping, CSIRO, P.O. Box 10041, Gouger Street, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
Fasting induces nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 and ATP-binding Cassette transporters via protein kinase A and Sirtuin-1 in mouse and human.

AIMS The purpose of this study was to determine whether 3'-5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-protein kinase A (PKA) and Sirtuin-1 (SIRT1) dependent mechanisms modulate ATP-binding Cassette (ABC) transport protein expression. ABC transport proteins (ABCC2-4) are essential for chemical elimination from hepatocytes and biliary excretion. Nuclear factor-E2 related-factor 2 (NRF2) is a transcription factor that mediates ABCC induction in response to chemical inducers and liver injury. However, a role for NRF2 in the regulation of transporter expression in nonchemical models of liver perturbation is largely undescribed. RESULTS Here we show that fasting increased NRF2 target gene expression through NRF2- and SIRT1-dependent mechanisms. In intact mouse liver, fasting induces NRF2 target gene expression by at least 1.5 to 5-fold. In mouse and human hepatocytes, treatment with 8-Bromoadenosine-cAMP, a cAMP analogue, increased NRF2 target gene expression and antioxidant response element activity, which was decreased by the PKA inhibitor, H-89. Moreover, fasting induced NRF2 target gene expression was decreased in liver and hepatocytes of SIRT1 liver-specific null mice and NRF2-null mice. Lastly, NRF2 and SIRT1 were recruited to MAREs and Antioxidant Response Elements (AREs) in the human ABCC2 promoter. INNOVATION Oxidative stress mediated NRF2 activation is well described, yet the influence of basic metabolic processes on NRF2 activation is just emerging. CONCLUSION The current data point toward a novel role of nutrient status in regulation of NRF2 activity and the antioxidant response, and indicates that cAMP/PKA and SIRT1 are upstream regulators for fasting-induced activation of the NRF2-ARE pathway.
Compassionate Options for Pediatric EMS (COPE): Addressing Communication Skills

Abstract Introduction: Each year, 16,000 children suffer cardiopulmonary arrest, and in one urban study, 2% of pediatric EMS calls were attributed to pediatric arrests. This indicates a need for enhanced educational options for prehospital providers that address how to communicate to families in these difficult situations. In response, our team developed a cellular phone digital application (app) designed to assist EMS providers in self-debriefing these events, thereby improving their communication skills. The goal of this study was to pilot the app using a simulation-based investigative methodology. Methods: Video and didactic app content was generated using themes developed from a series of EMS focus groups and evaluated using volunteer EMS providers assessed during two identical nonaccidental trauma simulations. Intervention groups interacted with the app as a team between assessments, and control groups debriefed during that period as they normally would. Communication performance and gap analyses were measured using the Gap-Kalamazoo Consensus Statement Assessment Form. Results: A total of 148 subjects divided into 38 subject groups (18 intervention groups and 20 control groups) were assessed. Comparison of initial intervention group and control group scores showed no statistically significant difference in performance (2.9/5 vs. 3.0/5; p = 0.33). Comparisons made during the second assessment revealed a statistically significant improvement in the intervention group scores, with a moderate to large effect size (3.1/5 control vs. 4.0/5 intervention; p < 0.001, r = 0.69, absolute value). Gap analysis data showed a similar pattern, with gaps of −0.6 and −0.5 (values suggesting team self-over-appraisal of communication abilities) present in both control and intervention groups (p = 0.515) at the initial assessment. This gap persisted in the control group at the time of the second assessment (−0.8), but was significantly reduced (0.04) in the intervention group (p = 0.013, r = 0.41, absolute value). Conclusion: These results suggest that an EMS-centric app containing guiding information regarding compassionate communication skills can be effectively used by EMS providers to self-debrief after difficult events in the absence of a live facilitator, significantly altering their near-term communication patterns. Gap analysis data further imply that engaging with the app in a group context positively impacts the accuracy of each team's self-perception.
Cytoskeleton Antibodies in Chronic Active Hepatitis, Primary Biliary Cirrhosis, and Alcoholic Liver Disease

Antibodies to cytoplasmic microfilaments, intermediate filaments (vimentin filaments), and microtubules which comprise the cytoskeleton of the cell were assayed in sera from 23 patients with HBsAg‐negative chronic active hepatitis and 1 with HBsAg‐positive chronic active hepatitis, 15 patients with primary biliary cirrhosis, 20 patients with alcoholic liver disease, and 32 healthy controls. The cytoskeleton antibodies were assayed by indirect immunofluorescence technique using vinblastine‐treated cultured human embryonic fibroblasts as substrates.