Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Linking Existing Instruments to Develop an Activity of Daily Living Item Bank

This study examined dimensionality and item-level psychometric properties of an item bank measuring activities of daily living (ADL) across inpatient rehabilitation facilities and community living centers. Common person equating method was used in the retrospective veterans data set. This study examined dimensionality, model fit, local independence, and monotonicity using factor analyses and fit statistics, principal component analysis (PCA), and differential item functioning (DIF) using Rasch analysis. Following the elimination of invalid data, 371 veterans who completed both the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) and minimum data set (MDS) within 6 days were retained. The FIM-MDS item bank demonstrated good internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = .98) and met three rating scale diagnostic criteria and three of the four model fit statistics (comparative fit index/Tucker–Lewis index = 0.98, root mean square error of approximation = 0.14, and standardized root mean residual = 0.07). PCA of Rasch residuals showed the item bank explained 94.2% variance. The item bank covered the range of θ from −1.50 to 1.26 (item), −3.57 to 4.21 (person) with person strata of 6.3. The findings indicated the ADL physical function item bank constructed from FIM and MDS measured a single latent trait with overall acceptable item-level psychometric properties, suggesting that it is an appropriate source for developing efficient test forms such as short forms and computerized adaptive tests.
Nonpulmonary Treatments for Pediatric Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: Proceedings From the Pediatric Acute Lung Injury Consensus Conference

Objective: To describe the recommendations from the Pediatric Acute Lung Injury Consensus Conference on nonpulmonary treatments in pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome. Design: Consensus conference of experts in pediatric acute lung injury. Methods: A panel of 27 experts met over the course of 2 years to develop a taxonomy to define pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome and to make recommendations regarding treatment and research priorities. The nonpulmonary subgroup comprised three experts. When published data were lacking, a modified Delphi approach emphasizing strong professional agreement was utilized. Results: The Pediatric Acute Lung Injury Consensus Conference experts developed and voted on a total of 151 recommendations addressing the topics related to pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome, 30 of which related to nonpulmonary treatment. All 30 recommendations had strong agreement. Patients with pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome should receive 1) minimal yet effective targeted sedation to facilitate mechanical ventilation; 2) neuromuscular blockade, if sedation alone is inadequate to achieve effective mechanical ventilation; 3) a nutrition plan to facilitate their recovery, maintain their growth, and meet their metabolic needs; 4) goal-directed fluid management to maintain adequate intravascular volume, end-organ perfusion, and optimal delivery of oxygen; and 5) goal-directed RBC transfusion to maintain adequate oxygen delivery. Future clinical trials in pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome should report sedation, neuromuscular blockade, nutrition, fluid management, and transfusion exposures to allow comparison across studies. Conclusions: The Consensus Conference developed pediatric-specific definitions for pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome and recommendations regarding treatment and future research priorities. These recommendations for nonpulmonary treatment in pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome are intended to promote optimization and consistency of care for patients with pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome and identify areas of uncertainty requiring further investigation.
6‐Hydroxydopamine induces brain vascular endothelial inflammation

Disruption of the blood‐brain barrier associated with endothelial dysfunction is an important hallmark of Parkinson's disease (PD). 6‐Hydroxydopamine (6‐OHDA) is a synthetic dopamine derivate often used to model PD as it results in retrograde degeneration of striatal dopaminergic (DA) terminals. Presently, the effects of 6‐OHDA on endothelial dysfunction remain unknown. Using a 6‐OHDA rodent model of PD, we found that administration of 6‐OHDA could increase the expression of endothelial adhesion molecules, such as intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM‐1), vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM‐1), and E‐selectin. An in vitro study displayed that treatment with 6‐OHDA increased the release of these molecules in human brain microvascular endothelial cells in a dose‐dependent manner. Correspondingly, 6‐OHDA significantly increased attachment of THP‐1 monocytes to brain endothelial cells. In addition, real‐time polymerase chain reaction and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay results indicated that 6‐OHDA elevated the production of proinflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin‐1β, interleukin‐6, and tumor necrosis factor‐α. Furthermore, 6‐OHDA treatment increased the expression of cyclooxygenase‐2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase, as well as the production of prostaglandin E2 and nitric oxide. Importantly, 6‐OHDA elevated the transcriptional activity of NF‐кB by increasing the phosphorylation, degradation, and subsequent nuclear translocation of p65. Mechanistically, the angiotensin II type 1 receptor was found to mediate 6‐OHDA‐induced endothelial dysfunction. Our findings suggest that 6‐OHDA‐induced endothelial inflammation may play an important role in the pathogenesis of PD. © 2017 IUBMB Life, 69(11):887–895, 2017
Post-Brexit Trade Survival: Looking Beyond the European Union

As the EU and UK negotiate a new relationship, this paper explores the welfare implications of this policy change and its interaction with major trade policy initiatives. We evaluate five Brexit scenarios, based on different assumptions regarding Brexit, TTIP and various free trade deals the UK may attempt to broker with the US or Commonwealth countries. We also consider the dynamics of welfare changes over a period of two decades. Our estimates suggest that the impact of Brexit is negative in all policy scenarios, with lower welfare losses under a soft Brexit scenario. The losses are exacerbated if TTIP comes into force, demonstrating the benefits of being a member of a large trade bloc. However, they occur gradually and can be partially compensated by signing new free trade agreements. To further minimise losses, the UK should avoid a hard Brexit.
Compensatory Conscientiousness and Health in Older Couples

The present study tested the effect of conscientiousness and neuroticism on health and physical limitations in a representative sample of older couples (N = 2,203) drawn from the Health and Retirement Study. As in past research, conscientiousness predicted better health and physical functioning, whereas neuroticism predicted worse health and physical functioning. Unique to this study was the finding that conscientiousness demonstrated a compensatory effect, such that husbands' conscientiousness predicted wives' health outcomes above and beyond wives' own personality. The same pattern held true for wives' conscientiousness as a predictor of husbands' health outcomes. Furthermore, conscientiousness and neuroticism acted synergistically, such that people who scored high for both traits were healthier than others. Finally, we found that the combination of high conscientiousness and high neuroticism was also compensatory, such that the wives of men with this combination of personality traits reported better health than other women.
Preferences, Power and Institutions in 21st‐Century Europe

After twenty‐five years, few scholars still dispute the leading role of Liberal Intergovernmentalism (LI) in theorizing EU history. Yet some question whether it can explain Europe's recent evolution. This article argues that LI retains its place as a ‘baseline’ integration theory. It is uniquely able to provide credible micro‐foundations of EU decision‐making, which even theories ostensibly critical of LI borrow. It offers a richer set of innovative opportunities for forward‐looking extension than is often thought. Compared to competitors such as Post‐Functionalism and Historical Institutionalism, LI generates more consistently satisfying empirical accounts of recent EU policy‐making, particularly with regard to the outcomes that ultimately matter most, namely substantive policies. And it remains a trustworthy guide to normative evaluation, for example on the issue of democratic legitimacy. The future of integration theory lies in creatively elaborating LI and, where possible, crafting more rigorous syntheses with alternative accounts.
Percutaneous drainage compared with surgery for hepatic hydatid cysts.

BACKGROUND In recent years percutaneous drainage has been used successfully to treat the hepatic hydatid cysts of echinococcal disease. We performed a controlled trial to compare the safety and efficacy of percutaneous drainage with those of surgical cystectomy, the traditional treatment. METHODS In a prospective study, we randomly assigned 50 patients with hepatic hydatidosis to treatment with percutaneous drainage (25 patients) or cystectomy (25). Albendazole (10 mg per kilogram of body weight per day for eight weeks) was administered to the patients who underwent percutaneous drainage. Serial assessments included clinical and biochemical examinations, ultrasonography, and serologic tests of echinococcal-antibody titers. RESULTS The mean (+/-SD) hospital stay was 4.2+/-1.5 days in the drainage group and 12.7+/-6.5 days in the surgery group (P<0.001). Over a mean follow-up period of 17 months, the mean cyst diameter decreased from 8.0+/-3.0 to 1.4+/-3.5 cm (P<0.001) after percutaneous drainage and from 9.1+/-3.0 to 0.9+/-1.8 cm (P<0.001) after surgery. The final cyst diameter did not differ significantly between the two groups (P=0.20). The cysts disappeared in 22 patients (88 percent) in the drainage group and in 18 (72 percent) in the surgery group (P=0.29). After an initial rise, the echinococcal-antibody titers fell progressively and at the last follow-up were negative (<1:160) in 19 patients (76 percent) in the drainage group and 17 (68 percent) in the surgery group (P=0.74). There were procedure-related complications in 8 patients (32 percent) in the drainage group and 21 (84 percent) in the surgery group, 17 of whom had fever postoperatively (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS Percutaneous drainage, combined with albendazole therapy, is an effective and safe alternative to surgery for the treatment of uncomplicated hydatid cysts of the liver and requires a shorter hospital stay.
Avoiding Health Information

This study investigated why and how individuals avoid health information to support the development of models of uncertainty and information management and offer insights for those dealing with the information and uncertainty inherent to health and illness. Participants from student (n = 507) and community (n = 418) samples reported that they avoided health information to (a) maintain hope or deniability, (b) resist overexposure, (c) accept limits of action, (d) manage flawed information, (e) maintain boundaries, and (f) continue with life/activities. They also reported strategies for avoiding information, including removing or ignoring stimuli (e.g., avoiding people who might provide health advice) and controlling conversations (e.g., withholding information, changing the subject). Results suggest a link between previous experience with serious illness and health information avoidance. Building on uncertainty management theory, this study demonstrated that health information avoidance is situational, relatively common, not necessarily unhealthy, and may be used to accomplish multiple communication goals.
Period prevalence of concomitant psychotropic medication usage among children and adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder during 2009.

OBJECTIVE Stimulants are recommended as a first-line treatment for attention- deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD); however, a subset of the patient population augments their stimulant treatment with other medications. The objective of this study was to estimate the 1 year period prevalence of concomitant psychotropic medication use among children and adolescents with ADHD during 2009. METHODS Patients 6-17 years of age with one or more primary ADHD diagnoses between July 1, 2008 and December 31, 2009 and one or more stimulant prescription fills during 2009 were identified from a large United States commercial claims database. Concomitant psychotropic medication use, defined as 30 days of continuous medication supply overlap between the augmenting agent and stimulant, was evaluated for 14 distinct psychotropic medication categories (6 with a United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved indication for ADHD, 8 without an indication for ADHD). The 1 year period prevalence of concomitant psychotropic medication use (both overall and within each medication category) was calculated and compared between patients with and without psychiatric or neurologic comorbidities. Children (6-12 years) and adolescents (13-17 years) were evaluated separately. RESULTS A total of 71,201 children and 49,959 adolescents met the inclusion criteria. The 1 year period prevalence of concomitant psychotropic medication use among children and adolescents was 20.3% and 23.4%, with 5.7% and 6.7% augmenting with two or more medication categories, respectively. The most common concomitant medication categories were selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) (children: 6.2%; adolescents: 11.4%), atypical antipsychotics (5.8%; 6.8%) and clonidine immediate release (5.4%; 2.9%). Children and adolescents with psychiatric or neurologic comorbidities had higher rates of augmentation than did those without comorbidities (all p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS This epidemiologic study found that the prevalence of concomitant psychotropic medication use in children and adolescents ranged from 12.6% for noncomorbid ADHD to 41.7% for comorbid ADHD, in 2009. Future research is warranted to evaluate the rationale for, and clinical benefit of, concomitant psychotropic medication usage in patients with ADHD.
SVNNAT: Measuring Collaboration in Software Development Networks

We investigate the structures of collaboration in software development groups by analyzing the data derived from the versioning system SVN (subversion) for several open source projects of different types and sizes. The goal of the work presented here is to investigate specific properties of the network topology in the collaboration groups of open source developer communities. For this purpose we developed a software called 'SVN Network Analysis Tool' (SVNNAT) which helps us to analyze the update data in subversion systems (SVN) with respect to the changes committed to the software code. In order to construct the network topology from the SVN data, we defined a collaboration coefficient that is able to express the strength of the developers' relationship in terms of their collaboration during the software production process. We present initial results deriving from the application of SVNNAT to several open source projects including up to 871 software developers. After constructing weighted networks from the matrix representation of the collaboration coefficients, we characterize the resulting networks using typical indicators of topology properties like betweenness, closeness, and degree centralization.
The Co‐Movement of Credit Default Swap Spreads, Equity Returns and Volatility: Evidence from Asia‐Pacific Markets

We provide a comprehensive analysis of the co&#8208;movement of credit default swap (CDS), equity, and volatility markets in four Asia&#8208;Pacific countries at firm and index level during the period 2007&#8211;2010. First, we examine lead&#8211;lag relationships between CDS spread changes, equity returns, and changes in volatility using a vector autoregressive model. At the firm level equity returns lead changes in CDS spreads and realized volatility. However, at the index level the intertemporal linkages between the three markets are less clear&#8208;cut. Second, we apply the measures proposed by Diebold and Yilmaz (2014) to an analysis of volatility spillovers among the CDS, equities, and volatility asset classes. The results suggest that realized volatility (at firm level) and implied volatility (at index level) are the main transmitters of cross&#8208;market volatility spillovers. Third, we analyze the impact of various structural factors and confirm the importance of realized volatility of equity returns as a determinant of CDS spreads.
Foot strike patterns after obstacle clearance during running.

PURPOSE Running over obstacles of sufficient height requires heel strike (HS) runners to make a transition in landing strategy to a forefoot (FF) strike, resulting in similar ground reaction force patterns to those observed while landing from a jump. Identification of the biomechanical variables that distinguish between the landing strategies may offer some insight into the reasons that the transition occurs. The purpose of this study was to investigate the difference in foot strike patterns and kinetic parameters of heel strike runners between level running and running over obstacles of various heights. METHODS Ten heel strike subjects ran at their self-selected pace under seven different conditions: unperturbed running (no obstacle) and over obstacles of six different heights (10%, 12.5%, 15%, 17.5%, 20%, and 22.5% of their standing height). The obstacle was placed directly before a Kistler force platform. Repeated measures ANOVAs were performed on the subject means of selected kinetic parameters. RESULTS The statistical analysis revealed significant differences (P < 0.004) for all of the parameters analyzed. The evaluation of the center of pressure and the ground reaction forces indicated that the foot strike patterns were affected by the increased obstacle height. Between the 12.5% and 15% obstacle conditions, the group response changed from a heel strike to a forefoot strike pattern. CONCLUSIONS At height > 15%, the pattern was more closely related to the foot strike patterns found in jumping activities. This strategy change may represent a gait transition effected as a mechanism to protect against increased impact forces. Greater involvement of the ankle and the calf muscles could have assisted in attenuating the increased impact forces while maintaining speed after clearing the obstacle.
[Cancers arising from burn scars: 62 cases].

INTRODUCTION The development of cancer from burn scars is rare but not exceptional since 1 to 2 p. 100 of cutaneous cancers develop on burn scars. PATIENTS AND METHODS We report a retrospective study of 62 cases arising from burn scars that account for 25 years at the Institute Salah Azaiez in Tunis. The epidemiological, clinic and prognosis characteristics of these cancers are discussed. RESULTS Forty-five patients were male and seventeen were female. Their age varied from 22 to 83 years, with a mean age of 51.5 years. Limbs were affected in 85 p. 100 of the cases and the lower limbs in 58 p. 100. The mean size of the tumour was of 97 mm. Squamous cell carcinomas were the most frequent cancers arising from burn scar (95 p. 100). Basal cell carcinoma is arising only in two cases and malignant melanoma in one case. The treatment was curative for 49 patients: surgery and radiotherapy (31 cases), surgery only (14 cases) and radiotherapy (4 cases). The overall survival at 2 years, 3 years and 5 years was respectively 49.5 p. 100; 41.5 p. 100 and 37 p. 100. DISCUSSION The improvement of prognosis depends not only on an earlier diagnosis and treatment, but also on the appropriate management of burns when they occurred.
Alcohol abuse and related factors in Asia

Alcohol problems are a global issue, and the nature of alcohol abuse is very complicated. The susceptibility to alcohol abuse varies greatly from one individual to another and also from one nation to another, depending on the availability of alcohol, a country's regulation related to alcohol, a country's cultural background, religious tradition and its economics. Alcohol dependence is also a complicated disease process. The prevalence of alcohol dependence also varies greatly from one ethnic group to another. Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent. The natural disasters, religious conflicts as well as political disputes cause people lack of opportunity in many countries. People in this region do not consume more alcohol than the people in the rest of the world. The prevalence of alcohol dependence is not as high as is seen in other regions. In Asia, not only socio-economic factors, but also biological factors influence drinking behaviour. Findings of functional genetic polymorphism of the major alcohol metabolizing enzymes, alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) have led to the suggestion that this enzyme system may possibly play a diverse but critical role in alcohol dependence and in the alcohol-related disease process in the different ethnic groups. This paper reviews alcohol problems and related factors. Their management and prevention strategy are discussed.
Anti-hypertensive and renoprotective effects of berberine in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Abstract Objectives: We aimed to investigate the effects of berberine on renin–angiotensin system (RAS) and pro-inflammatory cytokines, as well as its effects on blood pressure and renal damage in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Methods: Berberine was administrated to spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR rats) between 3 and 20 weeks of age. Blood pressure was monitored in 3-, 6-, 9-, 12-, 16- and 20-week-old SHR rats and age-matched Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY rats). Besides, we measured levels of angiotensin II, aldosterone and pre-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-17, IL-23) in serum and kidney, as well as levels of collagen III and collagen IV in kidney and urinary markers of renal injury (osteopontin, kidney-injury-molecule (KIM-1) and albumin) in 3-, 6-, 9-, 12-, 16- and 20-week-old SHR rats and WKY rats. Glomerulosclerosis was also assessed with hematoxylin and eosin staining. Results: SHR rats developed hypertension at the age of 6 weeks and had increased levels of angiotensin II, aldosterone, IL-6, IL-17, IL-23, collagen III, collagen IV, osteopontin, KIM-1 and albumin, as well as more severe glomerulosclerosis, compared to the aged-matched WKY rats. Berberine delayed the onset and attenuated the severity of hypertension, as well as partially inhibited the increases of the above substances in SHR rats. Conclusion: Berberine could delay the onset and attenuate the severity of hypertension, as well as ameliorate hypertension-induced renal damage in SHR rats. Furthermore, berberine could inhibit the activities of RAS and pre-inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-17 and IL-23, which are involved in the pathophysiology of hypertension.
Polymorphonuclear Neutrophils Are Necessary for the Recruitment of CD8+ T Cells in the Liver in a Pregnant Mouse Model of Chlamydophila abortus (Chlamydia psittaci Serotype 1) Infection

ABSTRACT The role of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) in the development of the specific immune response against Chlamydophila abortus (Chlamydia psittaci serotype 1) infection was studied in a pregnant mouse model involving treatment with RB6-8C5 monoclonal antibody. PMN depletion significantly affected the immune response in the liver, in which the T-lymphocyte and F4/80+cell populations decreased, particularly the CD8+ T-cell population. A Th1-like response, characterized by high levels of gamma interferon without detectable levels of interleukin 4 (IL-4) in serum, was observed in both depleted and nondepleted mice, although an increased production of IL-10 was detected in the depleted group. Our results suggest that PMNs play a very important role in the recruitment of other leukocyte populations to the inflammatory foci but have little influence in the polarization of the immune specific response toward a Th1-like response.