Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Methodological quality of meta-analyses on the blood pressure response to exercise: a review

&NA; Numerous meta-analyses have been conducted to summarize the growing numbers of trials addressing the effects of exercise on blood pressure (BP), yet it is unclear how well they have satisfied contemporary methodological standards. We applied an augmented version of the Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews (AMSTARExBP) scale to 33 meta-analyses retrieved from searches of electronic databases. Qualifying reports used meta-analytic procedures; examined controlled exercise training trials; had BP as a primary outcome; and had exercise or physical activity interventions independently or combined with other lifestyle interventions. AMSTARExBP scores averaged near the middle of the scale (Mean = 56.0% ± 21.4% of total items possible); co-authored and more recent meta-analyses had higher quality scores. Common deficits were failures to disclose full search details (30% did), gauge the quality of included trials (48% did), use duplicate study selection and data extraction (55% did), or incorporate study quality in formulating results (35% did). Nearly all (91%) meta-analyses observed that exercise significantly lowered BP; fewer (58%) found that such effects depended on exercise or patient characteristics but these patterns often conflicted. Meta-analyses are often pillars of clinical recommendations and guidelines, yet only 58% addressed the clinical translations of their findings. In sum, meta-analyses have contributed less than ideally to our understanding of how exercise may impact BP, or how these BP effects may be moderated by patient or exercise characteristics. Future meta-analyses that better satisfy contemporary standards offer considerable promise to understand how and for whom exercise impacts BP. Video abstract http://links.lww. com/HJH/A368
Evidence for the role of the interface in polyolefin nanocomposites

The burgeoning area of nanodielectrics has been fueled by the demonstration of enhanced electrical and mechanical properties observed in nanoparticle filled polymers. The high surface energy and vastly augmented surface area (in comparison to conventional composites) is thought to be the underlying reason for such benefits. This paper explores the electrical properties of silicon dioxide nanoparticle/low-density cross-linked polyethylene matrix composites and the effect of the large interface on breakdown strength with both polar and non-polar surface treatments. To that end, the interface was characterized to examine the species and bonding present, and dielectric spectroscopy used to highlight the interfacial polarization. Significantly enhanced dielectric breakdown strength was observed relative to conventional microcomposites, and some speculation about the mechanism responsible is offered.
A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Laboratory Classroom Assessment of Methylphenidate Transdermal System in Children With ADHD

Objective: This study evaluates the efficacy, duration of action, and tolerability of methylphenidate transdermal system (MTS) in children with ADHD. Method: Participants were dose optimized over 5 weeks utilizing patch doses of 10, 16, 20, and 27 mg applied in the morning and worn for 9 hours. Following optimization, 80 participants were randomized to 1 week of MTS or placebo followed by 1 week of the opposite treatment. Laboratory classroom sessions conducted after each randomized week included blinded ratings of attention, behavior, and academic performance. Results: MTS was well tolerated and displayed significant improvement compared with placebo. Improvements were seen at the first postdose time point measured and continued through 12 hours. Conclusions: Treatment with MTS resulted in statistically significant improvements on all efficacy measures. Time course and therapeutic effects of MTS suggest that this novel methylphenidate delivery system is an efficacious once-daily treatment for ADHD.
Epidemiological characteristics and risk factors of hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the major cancers in the world. There is a striking variation in HCC incidence rates between various countries, with a highest‐to‐lowest ratio of 112.5 for males and 54.7 for females. The high‐risk populations are clustered in sub‐Saharan Africa and eastern Asia. The male‐to‐female ratio for HCC ranges from < 1 to 6.4 and mostly from 2 to 4. There exist significant variations in the incidence of HCC among different ethnic groups living in the same area and among migrants of the same ethnic groups living in different areas. The age curves of HCC are significantly different in various countries, suggesting variability in exposure to risk factors. Chronic carriers of hepatitis B and C viruses (HBV and HCV, respectively) have an increased risk of HCC. The relative and attributable HCC risk of HBV and HCV carrier status varies in different countries. There exists a synergistic interaction on HCC between the two viruses. Aflatoxin exposure, cigarette smoking, heavy alcohol consumption, low vegetable intake, inorganic arsenic ingestion, radioactive thorium dioxide exposure, iron overload and the use of oral contraceptives and anabolic steroids have been documented as HCC risk factors. Recent molecular epidemiological studies have shown that low serum retinol levels as well as elevated serum levels of testosterone, neu oncoprotein and aflatoxin B1‐albumin adduct are associated with an increased HCC risk. There is a synergistic interaction on HCC between chronic HBV infection and aflatoxin exposure. Familial aggregation of HCC exists and a major susceptibility gene of HCC has been hypothesized. Patients of some genetic diseases are at an increased risk of HCC. The genetic polymorphisms of cytochrome P450 2E1 and 2D6 and arylamine N‐acetyltransferase 2 are associated with the development of HCC. A doseresponse relationship between aflatoxin exposure and HCC has been observed among chronic HBV carriers who have null genotypes of glutathione S‐transferase M1 or T1, but not among those who have non‐null genotypes. Human hepatocarcinogenesis is a multistage process with the involvement of a multifactorial aetiology. Gene‐environment interactions are involved in the development of HCC in humans.
Clinicopathological features, surgical treatments, and survival outcomes of patients with small bowel adenocarcinoma

Abstract To date, because of their rarity, the clinicopathological features and surgical outcomes of small bowel adenocarcinomas (SBAs) have been insufficiently explored. We evaluated the clinicopathological features and long-term outcomes of patients who underwent surgery for SBA. This retrospective study (from 1999 to 2016) examined patients with SBA treated surgically at the China National Cancer Center/Cancer Hospital. Clinicopathological features, preoperative evaluation, surgical treatment, and outcome parameters were reviewed and analyzed. Among the 241 patients studied, pancreaticoduodenectomies were performed in 51.0%, partial resection in 24.5%, palliative bypass surgery in 23.7%, and abdominal exploration in 0.8% of the patients. Majority of the patients were diagnosed at an advanced disease stage, and the duodenum was the most common tumor site. Postoperative complications occurred in 44.4% of the patients. Median overall and progression-free survival rates were 22.0 and 13.0 months, respectively. The 5-year overall and progression-free survival rates for patients with duodenal adenocarcinoma were 30.2% and 21.7%, respectively. Duodenal adenocarcinomas, lymph node metastases, distant metastases, poor differentiation, and lymphovascular invasion were associated with poor overall survival outcomes. The 3 factors associated with progression-free survival were the degree of differentiation, lymph node metastases, and distant metastases. Surgery remains the mainstay of treatment for SBA. A poor prognosis could be owing to the site, metastasis, differentiation, and lymphovascular invasion; however, the prognosis may improve through early diagnosis and operation.
Comprehensive Approaches to User Acceptance of Internet of Things in a Smart Home Environment

With rapid improvements in communication technologies and infrastructure, the Internet of Things (IoT) has become a promising sector within the global information and communication technology industry. Various fields are employing the concept of IoT for their traditional products and services for convenient use by consumers. In the construction industry, the majority of leading companies and organizations are using IoT technologies in a smart home environment. However, only few studies have focused on the user experience of IoT technologies in such an environment. Thus, the current study explores the key determinants of user acceptance of IoT technologies in a smart home environment, and investigates a research model integrated with five potential user factors and a technology acceptance model. The results of the collected data, which were investigated using a structural equation modeling method, show that three positive motivations, compatibility, connectedness, and control, and a negative hindrance, cost, are significant determinants of the technology acceptance behavior of users. The current study can serve as a foundation for future studies on improving IoT technologies in a smart home environment by considering the user experience.
Hepcidin Is Regulated during Blood-Stage Malaria and Plays a Protective Role in Malaria Infection

Hepcidin is one of the regulators of iron metabolism. The expression of hepcidin is induced in spleens and livers of mice infected with pathogenic bacteria. Recent studies have indicated that serum hepcidin level is also increased in human subjects infected with Plasmodium falciparum. The mechanism of the regulation of hepcidin expression and its role in the infection of malaria remains unknown. In this study, we determined the expression of hepcidin in livers of mice infected with Plasmodium berghei. The expression of hepcidin in the liver was upregulated and downregulated during the early and late stages of malaria infection, respectively. Inflammation and erythropoietin, rather than the iron-sensing pathway, are involved in the regulation of hepcidin expression in livers of infected mice. Meanwhile, we investigated the effect of hepcidin on the survival of mice infected with P. berghei. Treatment of malaria-infected mice with anti-hepcidin neutralizing Abs promoted the rates of parasitemia and mortality. In contrast, lentiviral vector-mediated overexpression of hepcidin improved the outcome of P. berghei infection in mice. Our data demonstrate an important role of hepcidin in modulating the course and outcome of blood-stage malaria.
The effects of iodixanol and iopamidol on adhesion molecule serum levels in patients with angina pectoris undergoing coronary angiography: a randomized study.

OBJECTIVE To compare intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) serum levels between patients with stable (SAP) and unstable angina pectoris (USAP) undergoing coronary angiography (CAG), investigate effects of CAG on ICAM-1, VCAM-1 levels in SAP, USAP patients; probable different effects of non-ionic radiocontrast media (RCM), iso-osmotic iodixanol and low osmolar iopamidol, on these adhesion molecules (AM). METHODS In this randomized, prospective study, 2 groups consisting of patients with SAP (n=22) and USAP (n=22) undergoing CAG were included. For halves of each group iopamidol, for the other halves iodixanol were used as RCM, in turn for randomization. The patients were divided into 4 subgroups according to clinical presentations and used RCM(SAP-iodixanol, SAP-iopamidol USAP-iodixanol, USAP-iopamidol). ICAM-1, VCAM-1 levels were measured just before and 12 hours after CAG. Repeated measurements were compared with two-way ANOVA test. RESULTS Baseline VCAM-1 concentration was higher in USAP group than SAP group (p=0.001). ICAM-1, VCAM-1 concentrations increased significantly following CAG in SAP, USAP groups. ICAM-1, VCAM-1 concentration increments; didn't reach statistical significance in SAP-iodixanol subgroup, reached a borderline significance in SAP-iopamidol subgroup (p=0.06). In USAP-iodixanol subgroup; only VCAM-1 (p<0.001), in USAP-iopamidol subgroup; ICAM-1 (p=0.009), VCAM-1 (p=0.006) levels increased significantly following CAG. No complication was observed. CONCLUSION To our knowledge, this is the first study indicating ICAM-1, VCAM-1 inducing effect of CAG in patients with SAP, USAP and differential effects of iodixanol and iopamidol on ICAM-1, VCAM-1 serum levels. Further studies are needed to clarify the effects of CAG and different RCM on vascular inflammation, vessel injury, serum AM levels and their clinical significance. This study should be taken as a pilot, hypothesis-generating study.
The Determinants of Health Care Utilization in Portugal: An Approach with Count Data Models

This work aims to identify the determinants of health care utilization in Portugal and to quantify their effects. A clear idea about this may help the policy debate on the delivery and organization of health services. Toward this end, we developed an approach based on count data models. We found that demographic factors influence health care demand; unemployment strongly increases utilization, and income effects are only observed for frequent users. Furthermore, chronic conditions increase demand for health services, and personal habits have mixed effects. Both private insurance and the use of subsystems increase the utilization.
Internationalization and market entry modes of Austrian SMEs

Die Internationalisierung der Klein- und Mittelbetriebe gehort mittlerweile zu den am meisten besprochenen und erforschten Themengebieten. Viele Klein- und Mittelunternehmen (weiter als KMU bezeichnet) mussen international tatig werden um Konkurs zu vermeiden. Durch die Erschliesung neuer Markte gewinnen sie die Moglichkeit mehr abzusetzen und daher mehr Umsatze zu generieren. Internationale Expansion kann den Unternehmen auch bei der Gewinnung der Skalenvorteile helfen. Die Planung bzw. Durchfuhrung der internationalen Aktivitaten ist auf Grund der grosenspezifischen Nachteile leider oft schwieriger fur KMU als fur grosere Unternehmen. Die Masterarbeit konzentriert sich auf die Erforschung der Internationalisierungsentscheidung, des Internationalisierungsprozesses und die Auswahl der geeigneten Markteintrittstrategie der ausgewahlten osterreichischen KMU. Diese Arbeit ist in Form einer vergleichenden Fallstudie ausgearbeitet. Diese Forschungsstrategie ist dafur geeignet, tiefere Einblicke in das Forschungsproblem zu bekommen und gleichzeitig das so komplexe Phanomen wie Internationalisierung beschreiben zu konnen. Die drei Fallstudienunternehmen wurden auf der Grundlage mehrerer Kriterien, wie z.B. innovatives Produktangebot, osterreichisches Unternehmen, klein oder mittelgros und international aktiv, ausgewahlt. Die Bestimmung der Auswahlkriterien war von groser Bedeutung, um die Vergleichbarkeit der Ergebnisse sicherzustellen. Die drei ausgewahlten Firmen verfolgen eine typische „Born Global“ Internationalisierungsstrategie. Des Weiteren weisen die Ergebnisse der Fallstudie auf eine uberwiegend aktive Internationalisierungsstrategie der KMU hin. Je aktiver die KMU in ihrer Internationalisierung werden (z.B. wenn diese aktiv neue Distributoren in Auslandsmarkten suchen), desto mehr tendieren diese zur Verwendung der Instrumente der strategischen Planung. Andererseits, das Vorhandensein der Fuhrungspersonen mit internationaler Geschaftserfahrung scheint die Verwendung solcher Instrumente zu verhindern, da diese mehr an ihre Intuition vertrauen. Auserdem bestatigen die Resultate der Fallstudie den Einflus der Fuhrungspersonlichkeit, der Netzwerke und der Produkteigenschaften auf den Internationalisierungspfad eines Unternehmens. Faktoren, wie internationale Geschaftserfahrung, das Marktpotential und die Unternehmensgrose ernsthaft beeinflusen die Wahl der Markteintrittsstrategie. Wie die Ergebnisse der Masterarbeit zeigen, die KMU Internationalisierung ist ein sehr komplexes Phanonem.
Biased Mentalizing in Children Aged Seven to 11: Latent Class Confirmation of Response Styles to Social Scenarios and Associations with Psychopathology

A new approach to the measurement of mentalizing is introduced. Instead of measuring the presence or absence of mentalizing capacity, the current study aimed at developing a mentalizing task that focuses on investigating biases in mentalizing through the use of ambiguous peer-related social scenarios. The response consistency of 659 children was investigated in a community sample of children aged seven to 11. Confirmatory latent class analysis allocated children to three groups on the basis of their responses: an overly positive style (OP), a rational/neutral style (R) or an overly negative style (ON). Children classed as OP showed a greater likelihood of being above cut-off on a population screen for externalizing disorder. Over a two-year follow-up period, the children who were classified as R were most likely to remain so whereas the OP and ON children were found to change group. The results are discussed in the context of social-cognitive research in this age group. Further studies should examine the external validity of the mentalizing task because the results reported here concern only internal construct validity.
The Effects of Other-Generated and System-Generated Cues on Adolescents' Perceived Attractiveness on Social Network Sites

The aim of this study was to investigate to what extent other-generated and system-generated cues on social network sites (SNS) influence the popularity and attractiveness of adolescents. In a 2 (friends' physical attractiveness: attractive, unattractive) ×2 (friends' wall postings: positive, negative) ×3 (number of friends: low, average, high) factorial experiment, 497 high school students between 12 and 15 years of age were randomly assigned to one of the twelve experimental conditions. Results revealed that the profile owner of a SNS was perceived as being more attractive when the profile includes attractive friends and positive wall postings. The profile owners' number of friends did not affect the perceived attractiveness of the profile-owner, only the perceived extraversion.
From Themes to Hypotheses

One important category of mixed-methods research designs consists of quantitative studies that follow up on qualitative research. In this case, the themes that serve as the results from the qualitative methods generate hypotheses for testing through the quantitative methods. That process requires operationalization to translate the concepts from the qualitative themes into quantitative variables. This article illustrates these procedures with examples that range from simple operationalization to the evaluation of complex models. It concludes with an argument for not only following up qualitative work with quantitative studies but also the reverse, and doing so by going beyond integrating methods within single projects to include broader mutual attention from qualitative and quantitative researchers who work in the same field.
Factor structure of the SCL-90-R: is there one?

A review of the literature on the factor structure of the Symptom Check List-90-R (SCL-90-R) and its precursors makes evident the many problems inherent in this clinical assessment tool as a measure of independent dimensions of symptom distress, particularly in psychiatric patients. The many versions of the Symptom Check List are evaluated on several criteria (e.g., factor stability, factor loadings, proportion of variance, etc.). It is concluded that interpreting nine dimensions for clinical purposes is highly questionable. It is perhaps still a better measure of general distress as was intended in its original version approximately three decades ago.
Fetal vascular pressure and heart rate responses to nonlabor uterine contractions.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether there are changes in fetal arterial pressure, venous pressure, or heart rate during nonlabor uterine contractions (i.e., contractures) in late gestation pregnant sheep. To do this, amniotic fluid pressure was continuously recorded using on-line computer techniques and subtracted from fetal arterial and venous pressures. With randomly selected data, there were no statistically significant changes with time in the fetal variables. However, when averaged with respect to time of the contractures, fetal arterial and venous pressures increased significantly during the contractures, and heart rate decreased. In addition, there were small but statistically significant decreases in each of the three fetal variables just before the contractures. Blocking the fetal autonomic nervous system eliminated the decreases in the variables before the contractures as well as the decrease in heart rate during the contractures, but arterial and venous pressure increased normally. Infusion of 1 liter of warmed saline into the amniotic space did not alter the fetal cardiovascular or amniotic fluid pressure changes during contractures. In summary, there are significant fetal cardiovascular changes during nonlabor uterine contractions, and these are consistent with a translocation of fetal blood from the placenta into the fetal body. Although the cause of fetal cardiovascular changes just before the contractures is unknown, they suggest but do not prove that the fetus may provide the signal for the nonlabor uterine contractions to occur.
Hesiod, Ouranos, Kronos, and the Emasculation at the Beginning of Time

ABSTRACT:In this article, it is argued that Kronos’ emasculation of Ouranos in Hesiod’s Theogony is depicted as the genesis of the seasons and years. Hesiod insistently speaks of “afterwards” in the context of the emasculation, suggesting that this “afterwards” is brought about by the deed. Moreover, Hesiod depicts the seed as the beginning of agriculture, fertility, change, justice, and the future. Furthermore, expressions designating duration and changing time are only employed after the emasculation. Finally, it is pointed out that there are historically pertinent cases of analogous time-creation in the Babylonian Enūma Elîš and in Ovid’s Metamorphoses. The account of the beginning of time in Hesiod is thus an astonishing feat of intellectual abstraction.
Calcium measurement in living filamentous fungi expressing codon‐optimized aequorin

Calcium signalling is little understood in filamentous fungi largely because easy and routine methods for calcium measurement in living hyphae have previously been unavailable. We have developed the recombinant aequorin method for this purpose. High levels of aequorin expression were obtained in Neurospora crassa, Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus awamori by codon optimization of the aequorin gene. Three external stimuli (mechanical perturbation, hypo‐osmotic shock and high external calcium) were found transiently to increase [Ca2+]c. Each of the calcium signatures associated with these physico‐chemical treatments was unique, suggesting the involvement of three distinct calcium‐mediated signal transduction pathways. The fungal calcium channel blocker KP4 inhibited the [Ca2+]c responses to hypo‐osmotic shock and high external calcium, but not to mechanical perturbation. The divalent cation chelator BAPTA inhibited [Ca2+]c responses to mechanical perturbation and hypo‐osmotic shock. The calcium agonists A23187 and cyclopiazonic acid increased [Ca2+]c levels.