Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fine-Tuning Group Collaboration Environments: How Differences in General Causality Orientation and Performance Targets Shape Interaction and Performance

Technology-supported work teams are increasingly used by organizations to support various business processes. Previous literature has examined the influence of various factors on team performance, yet, differences in participants' individual motivational orientation have received little attention. In this study, we aim to understand the effects of differences in motivational orientation on performance, this will allow for the design of information systems to account for such individual differences, increasing performance within the context of computer-mediated collaboration. Using computer-mediated idea generation as an instantiation of collaboration systems, we test the interacting effects of performance targets and differences in motivational orientation in a controlled laboratory experiment. Overall, our results provide support for the importance of considering individual differences in the design of human-computer interfaces of collaboration environments, and we conclude our study with a discussion of implications for the design of human-computer interfaces for computer-mediated collaboration.
Promoting physical activity in general practice: Maltese GPs' beliefs, attitudes and practices

The research work disclosed in this publication is partially funded by the Strategic Educational Pathways Scholarship (Malta). This scholarship is part-financed by the European Union – European Social Fund (ESF) under Operational Programme II – Cohesion Policy 2007-2013, “Empowering People for More Jobs and a Better Quality of Life”.
The Impact of Adoption of Recommended Tea Plucking Interval on Tea Yields in Kenya

ABSTRACT This study employs the endogenous switching regression model to examine the impact of the adoption of recommended tea plucking interval on tea yields among small-scale tea farmers in main tea-growing regions of Kenya. The study utilises cross-sectional farm household level data collected from a randomly selected sample of 413 households. Results support the notion that self-selection occurs and that estimates that do not consider selection-bias would be biased. Different determinants are found to be significant in explaining the tea yields for adopters and non-adopters. Thus, policy makers should consider these differing effects when designing development projects to increase tea yields.
Prostate cancer: contrast-enhanced us for detection.

PURPOSE To assess the detection of prostate cancer with contrast material-enhanced transrectal sonography. MATERIALS AND METHODS Sixty subjects were examined with conventional gray-scale, harmonic gray-scale, and power Doppler sonography. Evaluation was repeated during intravenous infusion of contrast agent. Gray-scale imaging was performed in continuous mode and with intermittent imaging by using interscan delay times of 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 5.0 seconds. Sextant biopsy sites were scored prospectively as benign or malignant at baseline imaging and again during enhanced transrectal sonography. RESULTS Prostate cancer was present in 37 biopsy sites from 20 subjects. Baseline imaging demonstrated prostate cancer in 14 sites in 11 subjects. Enhanced transrectal sonography depicted prostate cancer in 24 sites in 15 subjects. Each of the five subjects in whom prostate cancer was missed had only a single biopsy core with positive findings (Gleason score < or = 6). In three of these five subjects, prostate cancer made up less than 10% of the core. The improvement in sensitivity from 38% (14 of 37 malignant foci) at baseline to 65% (24 of 37 malignant foci) with contrast enhancement was significant (P<.004, McNemar chi(2) test). Specificity was similar at baseline (267 [83%] of 323 malignant foci) and during enhanced transrectal sonography (257 [80%] of 323 malignant foci). Clustered receiver operating characteristic analysis demonstrated significant improvement in diagnostic accuracy during enhanced transrectal sonography (P =.027). CONCLUSION Enhanced transrectal sonography improves sensitivity for the detection of malignant foci within the prostate without substantial loss of specificity. Low-volume tumors with a Gleason score of 6 or less may not be detected with enhanced transrectal sonography.
Medication overuse headaches – what is new?

Patients suffering from frequent migraine attacks or chronic tension-type headache are at risk of developing drug-induced headache (now called ‘medication overuse headache’ [MOH]) as described by the new classification of the International Headache Society. This headache entity is caused by frequent use of antiheadache compounds (non-opioid analgesics, ergot alkaloids, 5-HT agonists, combined preparations with caffeine or codeine) for more than 15 days/month. Most patients, however, use the medication daily. The standard therapy of MOH is withdrawal therapy (mostly under in-patient conditions) followed by prophylactic treatment of the primary headache. The relapse rate reaches up to 40% within 1 year after a previously successful withdrawal therapy. The pathophysiology of MOH remains to be determined and, consequently, therapy has been driven by experience rather than by scientific hypotheses. The identification of predictors for both medication overuse and relapse after successful withdrawal should improve prevention and therapy in the future. Several medical (e.g., class of overused drugs) and psychological (e.g., standard of performance) predictors were recently identified. Medication overuse in headache patients is based on multiple factors with physical, social and psychological impact. In view of the high prevalence and relapse rate, it is necessary to establish a structured post-treatment programme for patients after the acute withdrawal phase, which considers the predictors for relapse.
NADPH Oxidase-Dependent Reactive Oxygen Species Mediate Amplified TLR4 Signaling and Sepsis-Induced Mortality in Nrf2-Deficient Mice

Sepsis syndrome is characterized by a dysregulated inflammatory response to infection. NADPH oxidase-dependent reactive oxygen species (ROS) play significant roles in the pathophysiology of sepsis. We previously showed that disruption of Nrf2, a master regulator of antioxidant defenses, caused a dysregulation of innate immune response that resulted in greater mortality in a polymicrobial sepsis and LPS shock model; however, the underlying mechanisms are unclear. In the current study, compared with wild-type (Nrf2+/+) macrophages, we observed greater protein kinase C-induced NADPH oxidase-dependent ROS generation in Nrf2-disrupted (Nrf2−/−) macrophages that was modulated by glutathione levels. To address the NADPH oxidase-mediated hyperinflammatory response and sepsis-induced lung injury and mortality in Nrf2−/− mice, we used double knockout mice lacking Nrf2 and NADPH oxidase subunit, gp91phox (Nrf2−/−//gp91phox−/−). Compared with Nrf2+/+ macrophages, LPS induced greater activation of TLR4 as evident by TLR4 surface trafficking and downstream recruitment of MyD88 and Toll/IL-1R domain-containing adaptor in Nrf2−/− macrophages that was diminished by ablation of gp91phox. Similarly, phosphorylation of IκB and IFN regulatory factor 3 as well as cytokine expression was markedly higher in Nrf2−/− macrophages; whereas, it was similar in Nrf2+/+ and Nrf2−/−//gp91phox−/−. In vivo studies showed greater LPS-induced pulmonary inflammation in Nrf2−/− mice that was significantly reduced by ablation of gp91phox. Furthermore, LPS shock and polymicrobial sepsis induced early and greater mortality in Nrf2−/− mice; whereas, Nrf2−/−//gp91phox−/− showed prolong survival. Together, these results demonstrate that Nrf2 is essential for the regulation of NADPH oxidase-dependent ROS-mediated TLR4 activation and lethal innate immune response in sepsis.
4-(4-Bromobenzenesulfonamido)benzoic acid

The title compound, C13H10BrNO4S, belongs to the sulfonamide class of organic compounds. The two aromatic rings are inclined at 34.30 (15)° to one another, and the carboxyl substituent lies in the plane of the benzene ring to which it is bound (maximum deviation = 0.004 Å). In the crystal structure, charactersitic carboxylic acid dimers are formed through O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds. These dimers are linked into rows down a by N—H⋯O interactions. Additional C—H⋯O contacts further stabilize the structure, and a close Br⋯Br(x, −y + 1, −z + 1) contact of 3.5199 (9) Å is also observed.
Prostate-specific antigen values at the time of prostate cancer diagnosis in African-American men.

OBJECTIVE To determine if African-American men with newly diagnosed prostate cancer (PC) have higher pretreatment serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) values after adjustment for clinical stage, age, and tumor grade, and to determine if any difference detected is related to tumor volume difference. DESIGN Consecutive case series of newly diagnosed PC patients between January 1990 and September 1994 and cohort analytic study of PC patients treated by radical prostatectomy (RP) and who had whole-mount pathologic tumor volume assessment between May 1993 December 1994. SETTING Tertiary care military medical center. PATIENTS A total of 541 evaluable newly diagnosed PC patients (408 white and 133 black) having pretreatment PSA assessment at one laboratory; 91 patients undergoing RP had whole-mount tumor volume analysis. INTERVENTIONS Medical record review for pretreatment PSA value, race, tumor grade, clinical stage, and age, as well as whole-mount pathologic assessment of RP specimen and measurement of tumor volume. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The PSA differences between black and white PC patients with adjustments for age, biopsy tumor grade (Gleason score), and clinical stage (TNM stage); PSA differences between black and white PC patients undergoing RP with adjustment for age, RP grade, clinical stage, and tumor volume. RESULTS The mean (geometric) PSA value for 133 black men was 14.00 ng/mL compared with 8.29 ng/mL for 408 white men (P < .001). The black patients had higher PSA values across all stage, grade, and age categories. The racial difference in PSA levels remained statistically significant when stage, grade, and age were simultaneously controlled for (P < .001). Multivariable odds ratio testing revealed that even after adjustment for stage, grade, and age, black patients were 2.2 times as likely as white patients to have a PSA value greater than 10.0 ng/mL (95% confidence interval, 1.3 to 3.6). Tumor volume (geometric mean) was 5.42 cm3 and 2.10 cm3 for black and white RP patients, respectively (P = .002). Across all clinical stages (T1a to T3), black men had tumor volumes 1.3 to 2.5 times greater than those of white men. Multivariable analysis of covariance revealed that tumor volume and stage of disease were important predictors of PSA level, but race, grade, and age were not. (The percentage of white and black patients whose cancer was detected by screening [75.4% vs 70.4%] or who had symptoms [37.7% vs 29.6%] was not significantly different.) CONCLUSIONS As a group, African-American men with newly diagnosed PC have higher PSA values at initial diagnosis than white men. This PSA difference appears to be due to larger tumor volumes within clinical (TNM) stage categories among black patients. Elevated PSA value was a surrogate for larger tumor volume in this cohort of black men. This stage-for-stage tumor volume disparity even in an equal-access health care environment should prompt further study of screening behavior and/or biological differences of PC in the black population.
CEST theranostics: label-free MR imaging of anticancer drugs

Image-guided drug delivery is of great clinical interest. Here, we explored a direct way, namely CEST theranostics, to detect diamagnetic anticancer drugs simply through their inherent Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer (CEST) MRI signal, and demonstrated its application in image-guided drug delivery of nanoparticulate chemotherapeutics. We first screened 22 chemotherapeutic agents and characterized the CEST properties of representative agents and natural analogs in three major categories, i.e., pyrimidine analogs, purine analogs, and antifolates, with respect to chemical structures. Utilizing the inherent CEST MRI signal of gemcitabine, a widely used anticancer drug, the tumor uptake of the i.v. -injected, drug-loaded liposomes was successfully detected in CT26 mouse tumors. Such label-free CEST MRI theranostics provides a new imaging means, potentially with an immediate clinical impact, to monitor the drug delivery in cancer.
Measurement of cylindrical objects by laser telemetry: a generalization to a randomly tilted cylinder

The generalization of a new method for robust noncontact diameter determination of cylindrical objects is studied. The principle is based on laser telemetry under structured lighting, where laser planes create lines on the object under test, which are observed by a charge-coupled device camera. The calculation is performed by means of what we call the "three-tangent method" which was proved as the most reliable one taking into account the particular characteristics of the curves. So far, the object was assumed standing perpendicularly to the camera plane; we extend the method to the diameter measurement of cylinders randomly tilted in regard to this plane. Experimental results obtained on a pre-prototype setup are given. A general accuracy of about 1% for cylindrical objects of 10 to 30 cm in diameter is claimed for distances up to 2 m.
Synthesis of symmetric functions for path-delay fault testability

A new technique of synthesizing symmetric Boolean functions is presented that achieves complete robust path-delay fault testability. We show that every consecutive symmetric function can be expressed as a logical composition (e.g., AND, NOR) of two unate symmetric functions, and the resulting composite circuit will be 100% robustly path-delay fault testable, if the constituent unate functions are synthesized with two-level irredundant circuits. Non-consecutive symmetric functions can also be synthesized by decomposing them into a set of consecutive symmetric functions. The hardware overhead of the proposed design can further be reduced by a novel algebraic factorization technique based on some combinatorial clues. The overall synthesis guarantees complete robust path-delay fault testability, and can be completed in linear time. The results reveal that the proposed method ensures a significant reduction in hardware, as well as in the number of paths, which in turn reduces testing time as compared to those of the best known earlier methods.
Meta-Analysis: Does Garlic Intake Reduce Risk of Gastric Cancer?

In the past 2 decades, various epidemiological studies investigated whether garlic can positively modify the risk of gastric cancer. Garlic contains numerous sulfide compounds, including diallyl trisulfide, which have anticarcinogenic properties. We conducted a meta-analysis to determine if garlic intake reduces the risk of gastric cancer. An electronic search of MEDLINE, PubMed, and EMBASE to June 2014 was completed. There were 14 case control studies, 2 randomized controlled studies, and 1 cohort study that fulfilled our inclusion criteria. We used a random effects model to calculate pooled odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for risk of gastric cancer with garlic consumption. Meta-analysis of a total of 8,621 cases and 14,889 controls was conducted. Significant variability in duration of garlic intake and reference categories for amount of intake was noted. High, low, and any garlic intake were all associated with reduced risk of gastric cancer. High intake had the most significant risk reduction, OR = 0.49 (95% CI: 0.38–0.62). Heterogeneity was low (I2 = 30.85, P = 0.17). A more modest risk reduction was associated with low intake, OR = 0.75 (95% CI: 0.58–0.97). Half of the studies did not separate garlic intake into high or low amounts, intake was only noted as consumption vs. non-consumption. Any amount of consumption still showed a risk reduction similar to low intake, OR = 0.77 (95% CI: 0.60–1.00). Low and any amount of consumption showed moderate heterogeneity (58% and 45%, respectively). Garlic intake appears to be associated with reduced risk of gastric cancer. Further high quality studies are required to confirm this finding and to assess the amount of garlic that needs to be consumed for protective effect.
Intergenerational Mobility and Support for Redistribution

Using new cross-country survey and experimental data, we investigate how beliefs about intergenerational mobility affect preferences for redistribution in France, Italy, Sweden, the U.K., and the U.S. Americans are more optimistic than Europeans about social mobility. Our randomized treatment shows pessimistic information about mobility and increases support for redistribution, mostly for "equality of opportunity" policies. We find a strong political polarization. Left-wing respondents are more pessimistic about mobility, their preferences for redistribution are correlated with their mobility perceptions, and they support more redistribution after seeing pessimistic information. None of these apply to right-wing respondents, possibly because they see the government as a "problem" and not as the "solution. "
AIDS knowledge, teaching comfort, and support for AIDS education among school teachers: a statewide survey.

With development of an effective HIV vaccine still elusive (Blower & McLean 1994; McLean & Blower 1993), the control of HIV infection may depend on our ability to successfully educate diverse groups of adolescents in different communities about homosexuality and other sensitive subject matter. A statewide survey of California teachers (n = 835) indicated that teachers generally were knowledgeable about AIDS, felt comfortable presenting AIDS prevention information to students, and supported AIDS education in schools. Nevertheless, teachers' level of AIDS knowledge, comfort, and support varied by grade and other background characteristics. Elementary teachers were less knowledgeable (p < .001), felt less comfortable teaching (p < .001), and were less supportive of school-based AIDS education (p < .01). Teachers in urban schools (p < .05) and nonwhite teachers (p < .01) also had lower AIDS knowledge relative to other teachers. However, in comparison to surveys conducted in other states, California teachers appeared more knowledgeable of and progressive about AIDS education in the schools. As new school-based HIV and AIDS policies and prevention programs are formulated in the 1990s, teacher input will be critical to effective program development and implementation. To achieve success, it is important that differences in teachers' knowledge, comfort, and support be taken into consideration during both the development and implementation phases of these programs.
Mechanism of copper-mediated inactivation of herpes simplex virus

The inactivation of herpes simplex virus (HSV) by copper was enhanced by the following reducing agents at the indicated relative level: ascorbic acid > hydrogen peroxide > cysteine. Treatment of HSV-infected cells with combinations of Cu(II) and ascorbate completely inhibited virus plaque formation to below 0.006% of the infectious virus input, while it maintained 30% viability for the host mammalian cells. The logarithm of the surviving fraction of HSV mediated by 1 mg of Cu(II) per liter and 100 mg of reducing agent per liter followed a linear relationship with the reaction time, in which the kinetic rate constant for each reducing agent was -0.87 min(-1) (r = 0.93) for ascorbate, -0.10 min(-1) (r = 0.97) for hydrogen peroxide, and -0.04 min(-1) (r = 0.97) for cysteine. The protective effects of metal chelators and catalase, the lack of effect of superoxide dismutase, and the partial protection conferred by free-radical scavengers suggest that the mechanism of copper-mediated HSV inactivation is similar to that previously reported for copper-mediated DNA damage. The sensitivity exhibited by HSV to Cu(II) and reducing agents, particularly ascorbate, might be useful in the development of therapeutic antiviral agents.
The protective effect of brain-derived neurotrophic factor after gentamicin ototoxicity.

HYPOTHESIS Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) influences the process of hair cell recovery in the vestibular sensory epithelium of the chinchilla after local application of gentamicin (GM). BACKGROUND Hair cell regeneration in the inner ear after GM ototoxicity has been demonstrated. However, the mechanisms responsible for this recovery have yet to be completely elucidated. This report examines the protective and proliferative effects that BDNF exerts on vestibular hair cells in experiments designed to further elucidate the mechanisms of hair cell regeneration. METHODS The inner ears of three separate groups of chinchillas were treated with GM only, GM and BDNF simultaneously, and GM followed by BDNF 1 week later. The numbers of hair and supporting cells in the horizontal cristae of each group were then estimated at 1, 2, 4, and 8 weeks, and the data were compared. RESULTS Type I hair cells after GM treatment completely disappeared. After simultaneous BDNF and GM treatment, their numbers decreased to 23% at 1 week and progressively disappeared by week 8. When BDNF was applied 1 week after GM administration, type I hair cells recovered to 12% at week 4 and 28% at week 8. Type II hair cells after GM treatment decreased to 15%, but recovered to 83% 4 weeks later. Simultaneous administration of BDNF and GM prevented the ototoxic effects of GM alone. When BDNF was administered 1 week after GM, type II hair cell recovery was accelerated and was greater than after GM alone (81% versus 18%). Supporting cells after GM treatment decreased to 74% at 1 week after treatment, recovered to 91% at 2 weeks, and remained at 86% at 4 weeks and 85% at 8 weeks. With the simultaneous administration of BDNF and GM, supporting cells significantly decreased at 2 weeks after treatment (63%), but recovered to normal by week 8. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that BDNF provided simultaneously with GM minimizes the ototoxic effect of GM on type II hair cells. The increase in the number of new hair cells when BDNF is provided after ototoxic damage is evidence of the proliferative capacity of this neurotrophic factor.
Effects of Fact Retrieval Tutoring on Third–Grade Students with Math Difficulties with and without Reading Difficulties

The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of fact retrieval tutoring as a function of math difficulty (MD) subtype, that is, whether students have MD alone (MD–only) or have concurrent difficulty with math and reading (MDRD). Third graders (n= 139) at two sites were randomly assigned, blocking by site and MD subtype, to four tutoring conditions: fact retrieval practice, conceptual fact retrieval instruction with practice, procedural computation/estimation instruction, and control (no tutoring). Tutoring occurred for 45 sessions over 15 weeks for 15–25 minutes per session. Results provided evidence of an interaction between tutoring condition and MD subtype status for assessment of fact retrieval. For MD–only students, students in both fact retrieval conditions achieved comparably and outperformed MD–only students in the control group as well as those in the procedural computation/estimation instruction group. By contrast, for MDRD students, there were no significant differences among intervention conditions.