Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Development and initial validation of the Therapeutic Misunderstanding Scale for use with clinical trials research participants

Therapeutic misconception is evident when clinical trials participants conflate research and treatment, erroneously believing that every aspect of the research is intended to be for their direct benefit. We developed the 20-item Therapeutic Misunderstanding Scale (TMU) based on responses from 464 community-dwelling adults 50+ years of age (Study 1). A three-factor solution based on Horng and Grady's (2003) three-facets definition was identified using both exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses (EFA and CFA; these analyses were performed on separate samples). CFA results point to a second-order solution where each of Horng and Grady's three facets contribute significantly to the measurement of a higher-order therapeutic misunderstanding latent construct. Internal consistency of TMU responses (full scale) as well as the therapeutic misconception, misestimation, and optimism subscales were calculated as α = 0.88, α = 0.83, α = 0.79, and α = 0.75, respectively. These results were subsequently supported with responses from former clinical trials participants (Study 2). This TMU provides applied researchers a brief measure for use in future studies as well as a screening instrument for clinicians to more fully assess informed consent for participation in clinical trials research.
The Role of Probabilistic Reasoning Abilities on Adolescent Risk Taking

The aim of this work was to investigate the role of the cognitive system and the affective system on adolescents' risk taking in gambling tasks characterized as different on the basis of information given to decision makers. In Study 1, we explored the role of probabilistic reasoning and sensation seeking on decision making in a non-risky context (Non-Gambling Task) and a risky context (Gambling Task) in which no preliminary information were given to participants. Results showed that adolescents referred to probabilistic reasoning only in the Non-Gambling Task. In Study 2, we explored the role of probabilistic reasoning and sensation seeking in risky situations with preliminary information given to participants. Specifically, we compared a risky context characterized by high-emotional arousal (Game of Dice Task), in which a feedback after each decision was given, with one characterized by low-emotional arousal (Game of Dice Task - Modified version), without feedback. Probabilistic reasoning characterized adolescents' decision making regardless of feedback. Findings showed that adolescents' decision making was solely linked to the cognitive system in the non-risky situation, and the affective system overcomes the cognitive system in situation of risk. Moreover, providing information about the task might interfere with the imbalance between the two systems.
β1 Integrin NPXY Motifs Regulate Kidney Collecting-Duct Development and Maintenance by Induced-Fit Interactions with Cytosolic Proteins

ABSTRACT Loss of β1 integrin expression inhibits renal collecting-system development. Two highly conserved NPXY motifs in the distal β1 tail regulate integrin function by associating with phosphtyrosine binding (PTB) proteins, such as talin and kindlin. Here, we define the roles of these two tyrosines in collecting-system development and delineate the structural determinants of the distal β1 tail using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Mice carrying alanine mutations have moderate renal collecting-system developmental abnormalities relative to β1-null mice. Phenylalanine mutations did not affect renal collecting-system development but increased susceptibility to renal injury. NMR spectra in bicelles showed the distal β1 tail is disordered and does not interact with the model membrane surface. Alanine or phenylalanine mutations did not alter β1 structure or interactions between α and β1 subunit transmembrane/cytoplasmic domains; however, they did decrease talin and kindlin binding. Thus, these studies highlight the fact that the functional roles of the NPXY motifs are organ dependent. Moreover, the β1 cytoplasmic tail, in the context of the adjacent transmembrane domain in bicelles, is significantly different from the more ordered, membrane-associated β3 integrin tail. Finally, tyrosine mutations of β1 NPXY motifs induce phenotypes by disrupting their interactions with critical integrin binding proteins like talins and kindlins.
Obesity: An Emerging Epidemic Problem

Received January 27, 2004 Abstract According to the World Health Organization, obesity should be regarded as a disease rather than a lifestyle problem. The prevalence of obesity is on the increase in the adult and childhood population worldwide. Although genetic factors play a role in the individual predisposition to obesity, monogenic causes of severe obesity are rare. The lack of physical activity and sedentary lifestyle in the population are important contributing factors in the obesity epidemic worldwide. The body mass index (BMI) has been proposed as a good clinical measure for the definition of obesity in children and adolescents. Using an international BMI reference derived from 6 population studies, 10.3% and 6.3% of 15-year-old boys and girls in Hong Kong were found to be overweight or obese. Even in childhood and adolescents, obesity-related comorbidities exist including the metabolic syndrome, hypertension, pulmonary complications and musculoskeletal problems. Childhood obesity can lead to significant psychosocial consequences including negative self-mage, low self esteem and poor quality of life. Psychosocial distress and psychiatric disorder in children and adolescents may be more associated with parental psychosocial and psychiatric problem than the child's own BMI, age or sex. Approximately 10-30% of obese persons who seek weight reduction suffer from binge eating. Unfortunately, there is currently limited high quality data on the effectiveness of obesity prevention programmes. Numerous long-term and short-term studies have been conducted to assess the effectiveness of educational, psychological and behavioural therapy, for the individual and family focussing on diet, physical activity, social support and lifestyle changes and the results have not been encouraging. Studies on the metabolic and psychological sequalae of childhood and adolescent obesity are needed in Hong Kong. Targeted screening for type 2 diabetes mellitus in obese children and adolescents is indicated.
Beyond the motivation theory of destination image

Purpose – The existing literature has accepted the view that the destination image can be explained by the motivation theory. According to this theory the destination image can be explained by either the internal motivation of tourists or the external motivation originating from the destination. The purpose of this paper is to critically review the literature to build an appropriate research framework for understanding the formation of destination image by international tourists. Design, Methodology and Approach – The literature pertaining to destination image till recently can be divided into three evolutionary stages with stage boundaries marked by the seminal reviews by Echtner & Ritchie in 1991 and by Pike in 2002. The two main focuses of the destination image research are – measurement and theory of the destination image. The evolution of measurement and theory is reviewed, in this conceptual paper, through these stages justifying the proposed new research framework. Findings – The existing theories do not take in to account some of the modern variables such as perceived risks of travel and the power of social networks that fuel word of mouth. Originality of Research – All the conceptual discussions and views are original.
Down‐regulation of insulin‐like growth factor binding protein‐5 (IGFBP‐5): Novel marker for cervical carcinogenesis

To better understand the underlying pathways of cervical carcinogenesis, cDNA microarray analysis was performed on 2 sets of squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) and their adjacent normal squamous epitheliums. Consistently altered expression was detected for 32 genes. Real‐time RT‐PCR analysis was conducted on a selected subset of these genes (S100A2, GPC4, p72, IGFBP‐5, TRIM2 and NAB2) for 14 additional SCCs and 10 normal epithelia. This found that, of the 6 candidate genes, only the insulin‐like growth factor binding protein‐5 (IGFBP‐5) mRNA was generally and significantly under‐expressed in SCCs (p < 0.001). All normal cervical epithelia (30 of 30) stained positively for IGFBP‐5 protein, with 70% showing strong staining, whereas 65% (17/26) of SCC had complete loss of IGFBP‐5, and only 8% (2/26) SCC retained strong expression (p < 0.001). Immunohistochemistry of premalignant cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) lesions shows a significantly weaker or negative staining in advanced CIN3 lesions compared with normal squamous epithelia (p = 0.001). This is the first study to show that down‐regulation of IGFBP‐5 protein correlates with cervical carcinogenesis and does so at a preneoplastic stage. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A Non-Contact Imaging-Based Approach to Detecting Stage I Pressure Ulcers

This paper describes a non-contact imaging-based method to detect stage I pressure ulcers over a wide range of melanin levels. Two approaches were explored: the first used broad and narrow band visible spectrum imaging, and the second used near infrared (NIR) imaging. Preliminary results are presented together with results of numerical analysis of different erythema indices derived from the visible spectrum images. The results have shown that a low-cost imaging-based approach to detecting pressure ulcers is feasible and can yield promising results when applied to subjects with darker skin pigmentation
Outcomes of Concurrent Operations: Results From the American College of Surgeons’ National Surgical Quality Improvement Program

Objective: To determine whether concurrently performed operations are associated with an increased risk for adverse events. Background: Concurrent operations occur when a surgeon is simultaneously responsible for critical portions of 2 or more operations. How this practice affects patient outcomes is unknown. Methods: Using American College of Surgeons’ National Surgical Quality Improvement Program data from 2014 to 2015, operations were considered concurrent if they overlapped by ≥60 minutes or in their entirety. Propensity-score-matched cohorts were constructed to compare death or serious morbidity (DSM), unplanned reoperation, and unplanned readmission in concurrent versus non-concurrent operations. Multilevel hierarchical regression was used to account for the clustered nature of the data while controlling for procedure and case mix. Results: There were 1430 (32.3%) surgeons from 390 (77.7%) hospitals who performed 12,010 (2.3%) concurrent operations. Plastic surgery (n = 393 [13.7%]), otolaryngology (n = 470 [11.2%]), and neurosurgery (n = 2067 [8.4%]) were specialties with the highest proportion of concurrent operations. Spine procedures were the most frequent concurrent procedures overall (n = 2059/12,010 [17.1%]). Unadjusted rates of DSM (9.0% vs 7.1%; P < 0.001), reoperation (3.6% vs 2.7%; P < 0.001), and readmission (6.9% vs 5.1%; P < 0.001) were greater in the concurrent operation cohort versus the non-concurrent. After propensity score matching and risk-adjustment, there was no significant association of concurrence with DSM (odds ratio [OR] 1.08; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.96–1.21), reoperation (OR 1.16; 95% CI 0.96–1.40), or readmission (OR 1.14; 95% CI 0.99–1.29). Conclusions: In these analyses, concurrent operations were not detected to increase the risk for adverse outcomes. These results do not lessen the need for further studies, continuous self-regulation and proactive disclosure to patients.
Childhood asthma: a psychosomatic disorder? Some epidemiological considerations.

Epidemiologists with an interest in bronchial asthma, have given little attention to the psychiatric aspects of this condition, particularly as it occurs in childhood. Clinical impressions, rather than the results of systematic studies, are responsible for the fact that some paediatricians and psychiatrists have come to view the personality of the asthmatic child in terms of a stereotype engendered by a particular type of mother-child relationship (Abramson, 1954). Moreover, there is a general belief that asthmatic children are neurotic and that this neurosis is manifest in their general behaviour, but in fact there is conflicting evidence on this point (Harris and Shure, 1956; Leigh and Marley, in press) and no definitive information is available. Children corres ponding to this stereotype, over-dependent on their over-protective mothers, anxious, tense, shy, afraid to show their emotions, yet at the same time intelli gent, ambitious, and perfectionist, are not un common, but the evidence for the stereotype is lacking (Dubo, McLean, Ching, Wright, Kaufman, and Sheldon, 1961). Studies carried out on total populations (Kraepelien, 1954; Eriksson-Lihr, 1955) have stopped short of the examination of psychiatric correlates, while those that have looked at the prevalence of psychological factors in established asthmatics have in general based their studies on patients attending hospitals (Neuhaus, 1958) or, more rarely, general practitioners (Leigh and Marley, in press). Such patients may well be highly selected from the point of view of personality and neurotic illness, and total population studies have something to contribute in these areas. The findings of a study of this type form the material of the present paper.
Air-Conducted oVEMPs Provide the Best Separation Between Intact and Superior Canal Dehiscent Labyrinths

Objective First, to define the best single-step suprathreshold screening test for superior canal dehiscence syndrome (SCDS); second, to obtain further insight into the relative sensitivity of vestibular afferents to sound vibration in the presence of a superior canal dehiscence. Study Design Prospective study. Setting Tertiary referral center. Patients Eleven patients with surgically confirmed SCDS (mean, 50 yr; range, 32–66 yr) and 11 age-matched, healthy subjects (right ear only) with no hearing or vestibular deficits (mean, 50 yr; range, 33–66 yr). Intervention All subjects completed ocular and cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential (o- and cVEMP) testing in response to air conduction (click and 500 Hz tone burst) and midline bone conduction (reflex hammer and Mini-shaker) stimulation. Main Outcome Measures OVEMP n10 amplitude and cVEMP corrected peak-to-peak amplitude. Results OVEMP n10 amplitudes were significantly higher in SCDS when compared with healthy controls in response to all stimuli with the exception of reflex hammer. Likewise, cVEMP-corrected peak-to-peak amplitudes were significantly higher in SCDS when compared with healthy controls for air conduction stimulation (click and 500 Hz toneburst). However, there were no significant differences between groups for midline taps (reflex hammer or mini-shaker). Receiver operating characteristic curves demonstrated that oVEMPs in response to air conduction stimulation provided the best separation between SCDS and healthy controls. Conclusion OVEMPs in response to air conduction stimulation (click and 500 Hz toneburst) provide the best separation between SCDS and healthy controls and are therefore the best single-step screening test for SCDS.
Neutrophilic superoxide production can assess pharmacological and pharmacogenetic β‐adrenoreceptor effects

Asthma can be controlled well in most patients by inhaled β‐adrenoreceptor (β2AR) agonists and steroids. Poor response to β2AR agonists is difficult to predict, especially in young children and by lung function testing, which may be affected by multiple influences. As an alternative approach, we analyzed ex vivo neutrophilic superoxide inhibition in response to β2AR stimulation. In 60 healthy volunteers, this assay was unaffected by sex, age, smoking, atopy or asthma status. Furthermore, we assessed effects of genetic variants in β2AR by sequencing the ADRB2 gene in our cohort and relating genotypes to β2AR‐mediated neutrophilic superoxide inhibition. Gly16Arg genotypes correlated with minor decrease in overall adrenoresponse in this small study population. Taken together, ex vivo testing of the β2AR response in human neutrophils represents a robust tool with good signal‐to‐noise ratio at physiological β2AR agonist concentrations, and this assay may be useful to complement future pharmacogenetic studies in asthma.
Comparative susceptibilities of various animal-pathogenic mycoplasmas to fluoroquinolones

The in vitro activities of six antimicrobial agents were tested against 162 mycoplasma strains of eight species isolated from poultry and livestock at different geographic sites. Tiamulin was most active (MICs at which 90% of the isolates were inhibited [MIC90s], 0.025 to 0.25 microg/ml); enrofloxacin and danofloxacin had near equivalent activities (MIC90s, 0.05 to 1.0 microg/ml), but were much more active than flumequine (MIC90s, 1 to 50 microg/ml). The MIC90s of tylosin and oxytetracycline were 0.25 to > 100 microg/ml and 0.25 to 100 microg/ml, respectively.
Notes on stress and word accent in Swedish

This paper provides a review of our earlier work on the realisation of stress and word accents in Swedish which serves as a pame for introducing voice source parameters in prosodic analysis. Duration and Fo measures have been related to continuously scaled estimates of perceivedprominence. Intensity variations appear to be less distinctive and are largely influenced by the overall breathgroup pattern. Increasing stress provides a moderate overall intensity increase combined with an additional high j-equency gain associated with a more effective voice source. Special attention is devoted to the covariation of the voice source excitation amplitude E, with Fo which displays a maximum at an Fo in the subjects mid register. This has consequences for the realisation of focal accent. A consistent correlate to increasing emphasis is the increasing contrast in vowel-consonant spectrum shape and intensity which in part is related to varying degrees of articulation-voice source interaction and also affects narrowly articulated vowels. These phenomena suggest the presence of a production oriented component in stress perception.
The Effectiveness of Health Education on Home Use of Ipecac

It is widely recommended by pediatricians that syrup of ipecac for secondary prevention of poisoning be kept in homes where there are young children. To evaluate the efficacy of this recommendation we measured mother's gain in knowledge of how to use ipecac safely at home. The study population (n = 78) were primarily middle class mothers bringing their 9-month- old infants to one pediatrician at a health maintenance organization for a well-baby visit. The pediatrician delivered health education on poisonings. A before-after study design was used. The highly significant (p < 0.001) gain in knowledge demonstrates that parents can learn to use ipecac safely at home. The practitioner should limit safety counseling to selected areas most problematic at each age level, and within each topic, should concentrate on the most salient points.
Family history of adenotonsillectomy as a risk factor for tonsillar hypertrophy and snoring in childhood

Accumulating evidence supports a role for familial predisposition in the pathogenesis of OSA. In this study, it was hypothesized that parental history of adenoidectomy and/or tonsillectomy (AT), which is the standard treatment for pediatric OSA is a risk factor for tonsillar hypertrophy and habitual snoring (>3 nights/week) in the offspring.
Plasmodium vivax treatments: what are we looking for?

Purpose of review For over 50 years, the treatment of Plasmodium vivax has relied on a combination of chloroquine and primaquine, but this strategy is under threat. Chloroquine efficacy is now compromised across much of the vivax endemic world and there are significant operational difficulties in deploying primaquine. We review the recent advances in P. vivax chemotherapy that may influence the future management of this neglected pathogen. Recent findings New-generation artemisinin combination therapies (ACTs) have shown potent efficacy against the erythrocytic stages of both drug-resistant P. vivax and Plasmodium falciparum. Antimalarial regimens containing slowly eliminated drugs provide a measure of protection against the first, and possibly second, relapse of tropical strains of P. vivax, but reliable radical cure is needed to prevent future relapses. Primaquine is currently the only licensed hypnozoitocidal treatment, but requires long treatment courses and its effectiveness in different endemic settings remains largely unknown. Summary In regions coendemic for P. vivax and P. falciparum, a unified treatment policy for malaria of any parasitological cause is likely to confer the greatest individual and public health benefit. Optimizing the safety and effectiveness of primaquine through the development of rapid diagnostic tests for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency and improving drug adherence will be crucial endeavors in the fight against vivax malaria.
The TPT-RAID Architecture for Box-Fault Tolerant Storage Systems

TPT-RAID is a multi-box RAID wherein each ECC group comprises at most one block from any given storage box, and can thus tolerate a box failure. It extends the idea of an out-of-band SAN controller into the RAID: data is sent directly between hosts and targets and among targets, and the RAID controller supervises ECC calculation by the targets. By preventing a communication bottleneck in the controller, excellent scalability is achieved while retaining the simplicity of centralized control. TPT-RAID, whose controller can be a software module within an out-of-band SAN controller, moreover conforms to a conventional switched network architecture, whereas an in- band RAID controller would either constitute a communication bottleneck or would have to also be a full-fledged router. The design is validated in an InfiniBand-based prototype using iSCSI and iSER, and required changes to relevant protocols are introduced.
Supportive psychotherapy for perinatal depression: preliminary data for adherence and response

Background: We sought to determine patient factors associated with adherence and response to a manualized supportive psychotherapy designed for pregnant and postpartum women with major depressive disorder (MDD). Methods: Supportive psychotherapy was provided to all participants in parallel to a placebo‐controlled trial of omega‐3 fatty acids. The supportive psychotherapy was a six‐session, manualized intervention. Clinicians recorded participation and adherence. Symptom rating scales were completed at baseline and every 2 weeks and included the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM‐D) as the primary outcome. N=59 participants were enrolled. Subjects were referred by obstetrical and pediatric health‐care providers. Descriptive statistics and general linear models were used to assess the study outcomes. Results: The mean number of completed sessions was 4.4 out of a full course of 6. There were no significant differences found between omega‐3 fatty acid and placebo groups in the parallel assessments. We found significantly lower adherence to the psychotherapy sessions for women who were not married, were unemployed, and those with higher scores on the HAM‐D at baseline. Completion of a greater number of psychotherapy sessions, lower baseline depression scores, and postpartum status (compared with pregnant status) were associated with lower final HAM‐D scores. Overall, the response rate was 52.9% (≥50% decrease on HAM‐D scores), and the remission rate (final score<8) was 31.4%. Conclusions: Study limitations included small sample size, and possible nonspecific and placebo effects. Adherence appears important in response to supportive psychotherapy in women with perinatal MDD, and future efforts to improve adherence in perinatal women with MDD are warranted. Depression and Anxiety, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.