Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Patients' expectations of the benefits and harms of treatments, screening, and tests: a systematic review.

IMPORTANCE Unrealistic patient expectations of the benefits and harms of interventions can influence decision making and may be contributing to increasing intervention uptake and health care costs. OBJECTIVE To systematically review all studies that have quantitatively assessed patients' expectations of the benefits and/or harms of any treatment, test, or screening test. EVIDENCE REVIEW A comprehensive search strategy was used in 4 databases (MEDLINE, Embase, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, PsycINFO) up to June 2013, with no language or study type restriction. We also ran cited reference searches of included studies and contacted experts and study authors. Two researchers independently evaluated methodological quality and extracted participants' estimates of benefit and harms and authors' contemporaneous estimates. FINDINGS Of the 15,343 records screened, 36 articles (from 35 studies) involving a total of 27,323 patients were eligible. Fourteen studies focused on a screen, 15 on treatment, 3 a test, and 3 on treatment and screening. More studies assessed only benefit expectations (22 [63%]) than benefit and harm expectations (10 [29%]) or only harm (3 [8%]). Fifty-four outcomes (across 32 studies) assessed benefit expectations: of the 34 outcomes with overestimation data available, the majority of participants overestimated benefit for 22 (65%) of them. For 17 benefit expectation outcomes, we could not calculate the proportion of participants who overestimated or underestimated, although for 15 (88%) of these, study authors concluded that participants overestimated benefits. Expectations of harm were assessed by 27 outcomes (across 13 studies): underestimation data were available for 15 outcomes and the majority of participants underestimated harm for 10 (67%) of these. A correct estimation by at least 50% of participants only occurred for 2 outcomes about benefit expectations and 2 outcomes about harm expectations. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE The majority of participants overestimated intervention benefit and underestimated harm. Clinicians should discuss accurate and balanced information about intervention benefits and harms with patients, providing the opportunity to develop realistic expectations and make informed decisions.
Endoscopic Management of Hydrocephalus in Pediatric Patients: A Review of Indications, Techniques, and Outcomes

Although ventriculoperitoneal shunting remains the treatment of choice for many children with hydrocephalus, advances in endoscopic technology have greatly expanded the treatment options for these patients. For selected patients with obstructive hydrocephalus, endoscopic third ventriculostomy and other endoscopic techniques offer substantial advantages over shunting. As with any surgical procedure, appropriate patient selection is critical to successful outcomes. This article reviews modern endoscopic techniques available to treat hydrocephalus, with a focus on selection criteria and outcomes.
Association of hostility with sleep duration and sleep disturbances in an employee population

Background: Sleep disturbances are common among the general population, and hostile persons have been proposed to be at greater risk of several serious health problems and diseases. Purpose: This study examined the relationships between hostility, sleep disturbances, and sleep duration in a large non-clinical sample of 5,433 employees working in 12 Finnish hospitals. Method: Data were collected by questionnaire surveys in 1998 and 2000. Results: Higher hostility was cross-sectionally associated with increased sleep disturbances but not with sleep duration after adjustment for gender, age, marital status, education, shift work, smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity, body mass index, psychiatric morbidity, and somatic disease. A stratified analysis distinguishing individuals with stable hostility across the two measurements and those with transient hostility (>0.5 SD difference between measurements) replicated the association with increased sleep disturbance in both groups, but among those with transient hostility, there additionally was a cross-sectional association between higher hostility and shorter sleep duration. Conclusion: Our evidence suggests that hostility is an independent risk factor for sleep disturbances and that transient hostility may also predispose shorter sleep duration. However, the effect sizes for all these associations were small, suggesting limited clinical significance for our findings.
Epidemiological comparisons of Puerto Rican and U.S. mainland children: parent, teacher, and self-reports.

U.S. mainland and Puerto Rican nonreferred samples were compared via the Child Behavior Checklist (ages 4 to 16), Teacher's Report Form (ages 6 to 16), and Youth Self-Report (ages 12 to 16). Problem scores were significantly higher in parent and teacher ratings of Puerto Rican than mainland subjects, but were significantly lower in self-ratings by Puerto Rican adolescents. Adolescents in both cultures reported significantly more problems than their parents or teachers did. Most of the significant cross-cultural differences in parent, teacher, and self-ratings of competencies showed more favorable scores for the mainland subjects. High referral rates, a high prevalence of DSM diagnoses, and low scores on the Children's Global Assessment Scale are consistent with the high problem rates reported by Puerto Rican parents and teachers but not with the lower rates reported by adolescents. Different clinical cutoffs may be needed for all assessments in the mainland versus Puerto Rico.
The Influence of Demographic Variables on University Students' Adjustment in North Jordan.

The main aim of the present study is to investigate the student university adjustment particularly the determination of the adjustment level of first year university students in Jordan. The three domains are namely overall college adjustment, domain of social adjustment, and academic adjustment. In addition, in this analysis, gender, age, types of university differences adjustment are evaluated. 244 first year students participated in this study and frequencies, descriptive statistics, independent t-test, and ANOVA are used in the study. The results of the study reveal that university students have a generally moderate adjustment level despite the indication that students have some difficulties in their social and academic factors.
Implications of maternal systemic oxidative stress in normal pregnancy and in pregnancy complicated by preeclampsia

Objectives: To evaluate the intensity of oxidative stress in normal pregnancy and in pregnancy complicated by preeclampsia. To investigate a possible correlation between the intensity of oxidative stress, severity of preeclampsia and the fetal status at birth. Materials and methods: A retrospective transversal study was performed in three groups of 80 patients each: Group I—preeclampsia; Group II—normal pregnancy; Group III—control (non-pregnant patients). Degradation products of reactive oxygen species (lipid peroxides and protein carbonyls) and some antioxidants (hydrogen donor capacity and ceruloplasmin) were determined in the serum of patients. The data obtained were processed by descriptive and comparative statistical methods. Results: A moderate level of oxidative stress was found in normal pregnancy. We found statistically significant differences between the control group and the normal pregnancy group (p < 0.000). In preeclampsia, oxidative stress increases. Statistically significant differences were found in the evaluated parameters between the normal pregnancy group and the preeclampsia group (p < 0.000). There were no correlations between the intensity of oxidative stress, severity of preeclampsia and the fetal status at birth in the group with preeclampsia. Conclusion: Oxidative stress in preeclampsia is the result of the increase in reactive oxygen species and of the decrease in antioxidants.
Feature Extraction Algorithm Based on K Nearest Neighbor Local Margin

Feature extraction is the transformation of high-dimensional data into a meaningful representation of reduced dimensionality. The representation extracted are often beneficial to mitigate the computational complexity and improve the accuracy of a particular classifier. In this paper we introduce a novel feature extraction algorithm called K nearest neighbor local margin maximization and apply it to measure the quality of the reduced features in the context of supervised classification problems. Using the concept of the hypothesis margin, we aim to find a discriminant subspace in which each projected point is well separated from the affine hull of its K local nearest neighbors. The experimental results on three high dimensional data sets demonstrate the effectiveness of our algorithm.
Pitfalls in obtaining and interpreting bone marrow aspirates: to err is human

Pitfalls relating to bone marrow aspirates and their interpretation start even before the aspirate is obtained. There can be failure to perform an aspiration that is clinically indicated or, conversely, an aspiration may be done that is not actually necessary. Once an aspirate is obtained it may be unhelpful because it is a blood tap or very dilute, or because of the sampling error that is intrinsic to the procedure. Even if an adequate aspirate is obtained, it may be misinterpreted. Megaloblastic marrows and children's marrows with increased haematogones or marked reactive changes are particularly prone to misinterpretation. A constant awareness of potential pitfalls and an assessment of the aspirate in the appropriate clinical context will help to reduce errors.
Cell Cycle-Related Acquisition of Cytotoxic Mediators Defines the Progressive Differentiation to Effector Status for Virus-Specific CD8+ T Cells1

Although analysis of virus-specific CTL function at the peak of infection suggests that granzyme (grz) and perforin (pfp) gene expression is not coregulated, early differentiation events leading to acquisition of function are poorly understood. Using a combination of CFSE dilutions and single-cell RT-PCR, effector gene expression was determined early after CTL activation. There were low levels of pfp and grz expression at division 3, with increased expression by divisions 6–8. The increase in effector mRNA expression with division correlated with increasing ex vivo cytotoxicity. Of the mRNA transcripts detected at division 3, there was an increased frequency of grzB and grzK (compared with grzA or pfp), and this pattern was also observed at later divisions. The prevalence of OT-I CTL expressing grz/pfp mRNA was equivalent for the divided CD62Lhigh and CD62Llow sets, but the concentrations of grzB protein, levels of CTL activity, and the absolute amounts of grzB transcript were substantially greater for the CD62Llow population. Thus, while effector gene expression can be acquired early, maturation of cytotoxic capacity requires extended differentiation.
Cdk1-mediated phosphorylation of Cdc7 suppresses DNA re-replication

ABSTRACT To maintain genetic stability, the entire mammalian genome must replicate only once per cell cycle. This is largely achieved by strictly regulating the stepwise formation of the pre-replication complex (pre-RC), followed by the activation of individual origins of DNA replication by Cdc7/Dbf4 kinase. However, the mechanism how Cdc7 itself is regulated in the context of cell cycle progression is poorly understood. Here we report that Cdc7 is phosphorylated by a Cdk1-dependent manner during prometaphase on multiple sites, resulting in its dissociation from origins. In contrast, Dbf4 is not removed from origins in prometaphase, nor is it degraded as cells exit mitosis. Our data thus demonstrates that constitutive phosphorylation of Cdc7 at Cdk1 recognition sites, but not the regulation of Dbf4, prevents the initiation of DNA replication in normally cycling cells and under conditions that promote re-replication in G2/M. As cells exit mitosis, PP1α associates with and dephosphorylates Cdc7. Together, our data support a model where Cdc7 (de)phosphorylation is the molecular switch for the activation and inactivation of DNA replication in mitosis, directly connecting Cdc7 and PP1α/Cdk1 to the regulation of once-per-cell cycle DNA replication in mammalian cells.
CONTROL OF INTESTINAL PARASITES AMONG CHILDREN IN TWO COMMUNITIES OF SOUTH SAINT LUCIA

Objective: To determine the epidemiology and control of intestinal parasitic infection among children in two communities of south Saint Lucia. Methods: Eight hundred ninety seven children participated in this study. Parasitic infections were confirmed by two stool examinations using the Kato Katz method and the mini-parasep concentration method. Control methods used were treatment of all infected children and awareness campaigns. Praziquantel (40 mg/kg) for schistosomiasis and albendazole (400mg) were used for treatment of intestinal parasites. The efficacy rate following treatment was determined as the percentage of children with two fecal samples negative by Kato Katz and the miniparasep methods. Results: The overall prevalence rate of various parasitic infections was 52.2% (468 of 897), 44.0% (n=395) were infected with a single parasitic infection and 8.1% (n=73) with mixed infections. Within protozoan infection, Giardia lamblia was the most commonly identified pathogenic parasite (2.6%) and Entamoeba coli was the most commonly identified non pathogenic parasite (10.9%). Prevalence of helminthic infection showed Ascaris lumbricoides and hookworm infestations with higher prevalence, 11.7% and 11.6% respectively. The rate of infection after control intervention using drug treatment and education campaigns reduced from 52.2% to 2.0%, a cure rate of 96.2%. Conclusion: This study has identified prevalence and intensity of intestinal parasitic infection among children in two communities of Saint Lucia and the use of albendazole and praziquantel as an effective tool in reducing the intestinal parasitic infection. Health education also had a positive impact on the study population in reducing transmission and re-infection of intestinal parasites.
Association of Superior Oblique Muscle Volumes with the Presence or Absence of the Trochlear Nerve on High-Resolution MR Imaging in Congenital Superior Oblique Palsy

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Congenital superior oblique palsy is known to relate to trochlear nerve absence and a variable degree of superior oblique muscle hypoplasia. The purpose of this study was to determine whether superior oblique muscle volume predicts trochlear nerve absence in congenital superior oblique palsy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study of high-resolution MR imaging to evaluate the presence of the trochlear nerve and to measure superior oblique muscle areas and volumes with the image analysis tools of a PACS was performed in 128 consecutive patients with unilateral congenital superior oblique palsy and 34 age-matched healthy controls. RESULTS: Of the 128 patients with congenital superior oblique palsy, 88 had an ipsilateral trochlear nerve absence (absent group) and 40 had both trochlear nerves (present group). In patients with congenital superior oblique palsy, the paretic side superior oblique muscle volume was significantly smaller compared with the normal side only in the absent group (P < .001). The left and right side superior oblique muscle volumes were not significantly different in controls (P = .750), and the paretic and normal side superior oblique muscle volumes were not significantly different in the present group (P = .536). The cutoff value of the paretic/normal side superior oblique muscle volume ratio for diagnosing trochlear nerve absence was ≤0.75 (sensitivity 98.9%, specificity 95.0%) in patients with congenital superior oblique palsy. CONCLUSIONS: The ratio of paretic/normal side superior oblique muscle area and volume has an excellent predictability in diagnosing trochlear nerve absence in congenital superior oblique palsy.
Numerical simulation of GaAs/GaAlAs heterojunction bipolar transistors

A numerical analysis program for the 1-dimensional simulation of GaAs/GaAlAs heterojunction bipolar transistors is described. Calculations for a representative transistor structure indicate that a cutoff frequency, f<inf>t</inf>, of 100 GHz is obtainable. To attain such a high value, the transistor design incorporated a graded-bandgap base region and relatively high emitter doping (5 × 10<sup>17</sup>cm<sup>-3</sup>), and the device was operated at high current density (5 × 10<sup>4</sup>A/cm<sup>2</sup>). Transient electron velocity overshoot effects were also included.
Relation between Serum Magnesium Level and Severity and Frequency of Migraine Headache Attacks

Magnesium Level and Severity and Frequency of Migraine Headache Attacks. Methods: This is a clinical trial study that has been done on 100 patients were divided randomly into two groups (Migraine patients and healthy patients each with 50 cases). For the first group (migraine patients) in addition to the usual migraine medication, magnesium oxide pills were prescribed and for healthy patients placebo was administered. Changes in the serum magnesium levels, severity and frequency of migraine headache attacks, one and three months after the start of the study were evaluated and collected data analyzed by statistical methods in SPSS.16. Results: In migraine patients, 26% and in healthy patients, 30% were male and rests of them were female. All patients were aged 18-65 years. At one month and three months after intervention, the mean serum magnesium levels and headache severity was similar between two groups. One month later, reducing the number of headache attacks in the migraine patient was similar to the healthy patients but three months later, there was significant difference between two groups. (P= 0.004). Conclusion: Results showed that administration of magnesium can reduce the number of migraine attacks and can be more effective in preventing of disease.
Demarcation of Surface Water Protection Perimeters by Using GIS: Case of Gagnoa Reservoir in West Central of Côte d'Ivoire

3of water. This water retention which serves drinking water to the city of Gagnoa and its surroundings is subject to frequent pollution from domestic and agricultural degrading the quality of this res ource. Indeed, several source of pollution were identified in the reservoir basin. The latters have led to the damage of resource the quality. Thus, seen its usefulness for the population, it appear important to fit a management tool through protective perimeters. These will allow r educing the risk of pollution, preserve and protect this surface water resource intended for drinking water. The methodological approach employs a spatial analysis model integrating several previously parameters defined such as slope, land use, soil type, drainage density and run off. They will be prioritized and weighted and then integrated into a geographic information system (GIS). Our study allowed delineating three protection zones around the reservoir through the cartography of vulnerabilities areas. Certain activities are regulated or prohibited inside of areas. These areas are defined: - Zone I or immediate protection perimeter has limited to a radius of 100 m around the reservoir; - Zone II or close protection perimeter was defined taking into account of water direction and areas influencing strongly on reservoir vulnerability; - Zone III or distant protection perimeter covers the most part of basin taking account diffuse pollution.
Assessing micromechanical sensor characteristics via optical and electrical metrology

This paper presents a custom instrument for the static and dynamic electrical characterization of capacitive MEMS sensors. Such a tool is useful for the validation of Finite Element Models (FEM) of MEMS prior to device operation, for the estimation of process parameters and consequent variance in the device performance, and for endurance tests. The core of the instrument consists of the capacitive sensing electronics, which in this work features a novel demodulation scheme, based on active Schottky diodes rectifying. As an example, a complete electro-mechanical characterization of a micro-machined charge sensor is performed for three different packaging conditions. A data reduction procedure is used to estimate the mechanical device parameters (flexure stiffness, natural frequency, and quality factor) and unknown process parameters like the over-etching. The results are cross-validated using stroboscopic image captures, obtained through a Planar Motion Analyzer and then compared to FEM simulations.
Electrical burst signature of pore‐scale displacements

Electric field bursts were passively observed when a nonwetting fluid displaced a wetting fluid in a porous material (drainage) as well as during imbibition experiments. A sandbox experiment was conducted to study these electrical disturbances using a network of very sensitive nonpolarizing electrodes located at the top surface of the tank. Drainage exhibited many more electrical bursts, with a higher magnitude, than imbibition. These events were only observed during drainage or imbibition, not prior to or after the water flowed inside the porous sandbox. We point out the possible relationship between the formation of Haines jumps and the occurrence of these electrical bursts. These bursts show a power law distribution during drainage with a power law exponent of about −1.7, in agreement with a previous published study using acoustic and hydroacoustic events. Imbibition does not display such a power law relationship.
Defects in self-organized criticality: A directed coupled map lattice model.

We study a directed coupled map lattice model in d52 dimensions, with two degrees of freedom associated with each lattice site. The two freedoms are coupled at a fraction c of lattice bonds acting as quenched random defects. The system is driven ~by adding ‘‘energy,’’ say ! in one of the degrees of freedom at the top of the lattice, and the relaxation rules depend on the local difference between the two variables at a lattice site. In the case of conservative dynamics, at any concentration of defects the system reaches a self-organized critical state with universal critical exponents close to the mean-field values t t51, ts52/3, and t n51/2, for the integrated distributions of avalanche durations ( t), size ( s), and released energy ( n), respectively. The probability distributions follow the general scaling form P(X,L)5L 2a P(XL 2DX), where a’1 is the scaling exponent for the distribution of avalanche lengths, X stands for t, s ,o r n, and DX is the ~independently determined! fractal dimension with respect to X. The distribution of current through the system is, however, nonuniversal, and does not show any apparent scaling form. In the case of nonconservative dynamics—obtained by incomplete energy transfer at the defect bonds—the system is driven out of the critical state. In the scaling region close to c50 the probability distributions exhibit the general scaling form P(X,c,L)5X 2tXP@X/j X(c),XL 2DX#, where t X5a/DX and the corresponding coherence length j X(c) depends on the concentration of defect bonds c as j X(c);c 2DX. @S1063-651X~96! 01609-1# PACS number~s! : 05.40. 1j, 64.60. Ht, 68.35. Rh