Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Test-retest and inter-rater reliability of the Danish version of the management of everday technology assessment for use with older adults with and without COPD

Abstract Background: The trend towards telemedicine increasingly requires clients to manage everyday technology (ET) to access and use health services. The Management of Everday Technology Assessment (META) is an observation-based instrument developed to evaluate the ability to manage ET. Aim: To examine test-retest (TRR) and inter-rater reliability (IRR) of the Danish translation of the META for older adults with and without COPD. Method and Materials: 47 older adults with COPD (n = 23) and without (n = 24) were recruited. IRR was examined by four raters paired across 30 participants. TRR was examined for 21 participants by the same rater administering the META twice within four weeks. A rank-based method for paired ordinal data was used to calculate percentage agreement (PA) and measures of systematic disagreement and individual variability. Mann Whitney U tests were used to compare PA to health status (presence/absence of COPD). Results: Inter-rater PA was acceptable across 10 of 11 items and test-retest PA across 8 of 11 items. Systematic disagreement was present for one item in TRR. No significant differences in PA were found regarding health status. Conclusion: The Danish META generates reliable scores for this sample. However, conclusive statements cannot be made for all items.
Cariogenic microbiome and microbiota of the early primary dentition: A contemporary overview.

Recent advances in the field of molecular microbiology provide an unprecedented opportunity to decipher the vast diversity of the oral microbiome in health and disease. Here, we provide a contemporary overview of the oral microbiome and the microbiota of early childhood caries (ECC) with particular reference to newer analytical techniques. A MEDLINE search revealed a total of 20 metagenomic studies describing cariogenic microbiomes of ECC, 10 of which also detailed the healthy microbiomes. In addition, seven studies on site-specific microbiomes, focusing on acidogenic and aciduric microbiota of deep-dentinal lesions, were also reviewed. These studies evaluated plaque and saliva of children aged 1.5-11 years, in cohorts of 12-485 individuals. These studies reveal a very rich and diverse microbial communities, with hundreds of different phylotypes and microbial species, including novel species and phyla such as Scardovia wiggsiae, Slackia exigua, Granulicatella elegans, Firmicutes in the plaque biofilms of children with ECC. On the contrary, bacteria such as Streptococcus cristatus, S. gordonii, S. sanguinis, Corynebacterium matruchotii, and Neisseria flavescens were common in plaque biofilm of noncarious, healthy, tooth surfaces in subjects with caries. The review illustrates the immense complexity and the diversity of the human oral microbiota of the cariogenic plaque microbiome in ECC, and the daunting prospect of its demystification.
Perceived organizational performance and trust in project manager and top management in project-based organizations: Comparative analysis using statistical and grey systems methods

The purpose of this paper is to empirically analyze the effect of the relationship between trust in top management (TTM) and trust in immediate supervisor (TIS), who was organizational project manager in our case, on perceived organizational performance in Pakistani public and private project-based organizations (PBOs). ,The survey (N=108) was done using a questionnaire that was sent to project managers in the selected PBOs in Pakistan with a request to forward it to their immediate subordinates. Later, established statistical techniques (correlation and regression analyses) and gray incidence analysis models were applied to test the hypotheses. ,The results from both methods reveal that TTM was more strongly correlated to perceived organizational performance of PBOs and, in general, public sector employees are more trusted than private sector employees. The gray method revealed that in both private and public PBOs, trust in project manager is greater predictor of perceived organizational performance, while statistical analysis confirmed this only for private sector PBOs. According to statistical analysis, the public sector employees who trust their top management are more likely to have good perception of the organizational performance. Later, the study argues that because of the proven superiority of gray methods over statistics on small samples, the results obtained from gray method should be used for decision making and implications. ,The study is pioneer in evaluating the association between TIS and TTM in PBOs using both statistical and gray systems methods.
Perceptions of Iranian parents towards the paternal role in raising adolescent children

In Iran, as in other nations, adolescence can be a challenging period for both parents and their children. Typically, mothers assume the main role of parenting, which can have a negative impact either directly or indirectly on paternal involvement, or conversely, play a positive role of mediation between fathers and their adolescent children. In the present study, we report on a qualitative study conducted in 2016 that explored the perceptions of Iranian parents toward the paternal role in raising adolescent children. Twenty three mothers and fathers of adolescent children were interviewed to explore their views and experiences with paternal roles in raising adolescent children. Four themes emerged from the data: (i) limited father-child interactions; (ii) mother-led parenting; (iii) father-child conflict; and (iv) united front parenting. The findings suggest that mothers maintain a prime role in parenting, but that the involvement of fathers can have a negative or positive impact on adolescent development, depending on the level and quality of that involvement. Strategies need to be explored for how parents can best support one another to engage in the development of adolescent children.
Efficacy of autogenous tooth roots for lateral alveolar ridge augmentation and staged implant placement. A prospective controlled clinical study

OBJECTIVES To assess and compare the efficacy and safety of autogenous tooth roots (TR) and autogenous bone blocks (AB) for lateral alveolar ridge augmentation and two-stage implant placement. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 30 patients in need of implant therapy and lateral ridge augmentation were allocated to parallel groups receiving either (a) healthy autogenous tooth roots (e.g. retained wisdom or impacted teeth) (n = 15) or (b) cortical autogenous bone blocks harvested from the retromolar area. After 26 weeks of submerged healing, the primary endpoint was defined as the crestal ridge width (mm) (CW26) being sufficient to place an adequately dimensioned titanium implant at the respective sites. RESULTS Soft tissue healing was uneventful in both groups. CW26 at V isit 6 allowed for a successful implant placement in all patients of both TR (15/15) and AB groups (15/15). Mean CW26 values amounted to 10.06 ± 1.85 mm (median: 11.0) in the TR and 9.20 ± 2.09 mm (median: 8.50) in the AB group, respectively. The difference between both groups did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.241). CONCLUSIONS TR may serve as an alternative graft to support lateral alveolar ridge augmentation and two-stage implant placement.
Implicit sequence learning in young people with Tourette syndrome with and without co-occurring attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

Impaired habit-learning has been proposed to underlie the tic symptoms of Tourette syndrome (TS). However, accounts differ in terms of how habit-learning is altered in TS, with some authors proposing habit formation is impaired due to a deficient 'chunking' mechanism, and others proposing habit-learning is overactive and tics reflect hyperlearned behaviours. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) frequently co-occurs with TS and is known to affect cognitive function in young people with co-occurring TS and ADHD (TS + ADHD). It is unclear, however, how co-occurring ADHD symptoms affect habit-learning in TS. In this study, we investigated whether young people with TS would show deficient or hyperactive habit-learning, and assessed the effects of co-occurring ADHD symptoms on habit-learning in TS. Participants aged 9-17 years with TS (n = 18), TS + ADHD (n = 17), ADHD (n = 13), and typical development (n = 20) completed a motor sequence learning task to assess habit-learning. We used a 2 (TS-yes, TS-no) × 2 (ADHD-yes, ADHD-no) factorial analysis to test the effects of TS, ADHD, and their interaction on accuracy and reaction time indices of sequence learning. TS was associated with intact sequence learning, but a tendency for difficulty transitioning from sequenced to non-sequenced performance was suggestive of hyper-learning. ADHD was associated with significantly poorer accuracy during acquisition of the sequence, indicative of impaired habit-learning. There were no interactions between the TS and ADHD factors, indicating young people with TS + ADHD showed both TS- and ADHD-related atypicalities in habit-learning.
Bilateral Motor Cortex Plasticity in Individuals With Chronic Stroke, Induced by Paired Associative Stimulation

Background: In the chronic phase after stroke, cortical excitability differs between the cerebral hemispheres; the magnitude of this asymmetry depends on degree of motor impairment. It is unclear whether these asymmetries also affect capacity for plasticity in corticospinal tract excitability or whether hemispheric differences in plasticity are related to chronic sensorimotor impairment. Methods: Response to paired associative stimulation (PAS) was assessed bilaterally in 22 individuals with chronic hemiparesis. Corticospinal excitability was measured as the area under the motor-evoked potential (MEP) recruitment curve (AUC) at baseline, 5 minutes, and 30 minutes post-PAS. Percentage change in contralesional AUC was calculated and correlated with paretic motor and somatosensory impairment scores. Results: PAS induced a significant increase in AUC in the contralesional hemisphere (P = .041); in the ipsilesional hemisphere, there was no significant effect of PAS (P = .073). Contralesional AUC showed significantly greater change in individuals without an ipsilesional MEP (P = .029). Percentage change in contralesional AUC between baseline and 5 m post-PAS correlated significantly with FM score (r = −0.443; P = .039) and monofilament thresholds (r = 0.444, P = .044). Discussion: There are differential responses to PAS within each cerebral hemisphere. Contralesional plasticity was increased in individuals with more severe hemiparesis, indicated by both the absence of an ipsilesional MEP and a greater degree of motor and somatosensory impairment. These data support a body of research showing compensatory changes in the contralesional hemisphere after stroke; new therapies for individuals with chronic stroke could exploit contralesional plasticity to help restore function.
Optimising Genomic Selection in Wheat: Effect of Marker Density, Population Size and Population Structure on Prediction Accuracy

Genomic selection applied to plant breeding enables earlier estimates of a line’s performance and significant reductions in generation interval. Several factors affecting prediction accuracy should be well understood if breeders are to harness genomic selection to its full potential. We used a panel of 10,375 bread wheat (Triticum aestivum) lines genotyped with 18,101 SNP markers to investigate the effect and interaction of training set size, population structure and marker density on genomic prediction accuracy. Through assessing the effect of training set size we showed the rate at which prediction accuracy increases is slower beyond approximately 2,000 lines. The structure of the panel was assessed via principal component analysis and K-means clustering, and its effect on prediction accuracy was examined through a novel cross-validation analysis according to the K-means clusters and breeding cohorts. Here we showed that accuracy can be improved by increasing the diversity within the training set, particularly when relatedness between training and validation sets is low. The breeding cohort analysis revealed that traits with higher selection pressure (lower allelic diversity) can be more accurately predicted by including several previous cohorts in the training set. The effect of marker density and its interaction with population structure was assessed for marker subsets containing between 100 and 17,181 markers. This analysis showed that response to increased marker density is largest when using a diverse training set to predict between poorly related material. These findings represent a significant resource for plant breeders and contribute to the collective knowledge on the optimal structure of calibration panels for genomic prediction.
Simultaneous Resource Accumulation and Payoff Allocation: A Cooperative Fuzzy Game Approach

We develop a simultaneous resource accumulation and payoff allocation algorithm under the framework of a cooperative fuzzy game that builds on our earlier work on the role of satisfaction in resource accumulation and payoff allocation. The difference between the two models lies in the fact that while focus was more on getting an exact solution in our previous model, the negotiation process in the current model accounts more for the role of the intermediate stages. Moreover we characterize our solution using two properties: asymptotic fairness and efficiency. Our model includes a suitable penalty function to refrain players from unreasonable demands. We focus on real life situations where possibly one or more players compromise on their shares to ensure a binding agreement with the others.
Evaluation of the growth factors VEGF-a and VEGF-B in the vitreous and serum of patients with macular and retinal vascular diseases

Abstract VEGF-A and VEGF-B are proangiogenic and key regulating factors for blood vessel growth. This study aims to compare VEGF-A and VEGF-B levels in the serum and vitreous of patients with neovascular pathology versus non-neovascular pathology. Our findings showed vitreous VEGF-A and VEGF-B levels increased in patients with neovascular disease, with higher levels of VEGF-A compared to VEGF-B (p ≤ .05). In the diabetic retinopathy (DR) group, higher vitreous VEGF-A or VEGF-B were found in proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) than in non-PDR. The strong correlation between VEGF-A and VEGF-B demonstrates a simultaneous pathological increase of cytokines (p < .001), suggesting besides VEGF-A, VEGF-B is another contributor to ocular pathologies involving angiogenesis. There was no correlation between vitreous and serum VEGF-A or VEGF-B; however, a correlation between vitreous (VEGF-A or VEGF-B) and macular volume (p < .05) in DR patients was found. Targeting VEGF-A and VEGF-B in macular and retinal vascular diseases, involving neovascularization, may improve treatment outcomes.
Development of a Strategic Tool for Shared Decision-Making in the Use of Antidepressants among Patients with Major Depressive Disorder: A Focus Group Study

Shared decision-making (SDM) has been recognized as an important tool in the mental health field and considered as a crucial component of patient-centered care. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to develop a strategic tool towards the promotion and implementation of SDM in the use of antidepressants among patients with major depressive disorder. Nineteen doctors and 11 major depressive disorder patients who are involved in psychiatric outpatient clinic appointments were purposively selected and recruited to participate in one of six focus groups in a large teaching hospital in Malaysia. Focus groups were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using a thematic approach to identify current views on providing information needed for SDM practice towards its implementation in near future. Patients’ and doctors’ views were organized into six major themes, which are; summary of treatment options, correct ways of taking medication, potential side effects of treatments related to patients, sharing of case study related to the treatment options, cost of treatment options, and input from pharmacist. The information may be included in the SDM tool which can be useful to inform further research efforts and developments that contribute towards the successful implementation of SDM into clinical practice.
Hypertension: a new treatment for an old disease? Targeting the immune system

Arterial hypertension represents a serious public health problem, being a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The availability of many antihypertensive therapeutic strategies still fails to adequately treat around 20% of hypertensive patients, who are considered resistant to conventional treatment. In the pathogenesis of hypertension, immune system mechanisms are activated and both the innate and adaptive immune responses play a crucial role. However, what, when and how the immune system is triggered during hypertension development is still largely undefined. In this context, this review highlights scientific advances in the manipulation of the immune system in order to attenuate hypertension and end‐organ damage. Here, we discuss the potential use of immunosuppressants and immunomodulators as pharmacological tools to control the activation of the immune system, by non‐specific and specific mechanisms, to treat hypertension and improve end‐organ damage. Nevertheless, more clinical trials should be performed with these drugs to establish their therapeutic efficacy, safety and risk–benefit ratio in hypertensive conditions.
Quantifying TB transmission: a systematic review of reproduction number and serial interval estimates for tuberculosis

Abstract Tuberculosis (TB) is the leading global infectious cause of death. Understanding TB transmission is critical to creating policies and monitoring the disease with the end goal of TB elimination. To our knowledge, there has been no systematic review of key transmission parameters for TB. We carried out a systematic review of the published literature to identify studies estimating either of the two key TB transmission parameters: the serial interval (SI) and the reproductive number. We identified five publications that estimated the SI and 56 publications that estimated the reproductive number. The SI estimates from four studies were: 0.57, 1.42, 1.44 and 1.65 years; the fifth paper presented age-specific estimates ranging from 20 to 30 years (for infants <1 year old) to <5 years (for adults). The reproductive number estimates ranged from 0.24 in the Netherlands (during 1933–2007) to 4.3 in China in 2012. We found a limited number of publications and many high TB burden settings were not represented. Certain features of TB dynamics, such as slow transmission, complicated parameter estimation, require novel methods. Additional efforts to estimate these parameters for TB are needed so that we can monitor and evaluate interventions designed to achieve TB elimination.
Influence of Community-Level Cultural Beliefs about Autism on Families’ and Professionals’ Care for Children

This qualitative study aimed to understand how community-level cultural beliefs affect families’ and professionals’ care for children with autism and developmental delays in immigrant communities, as a first step towards promoting early identification and access to early intervention services. The study was part of the larger New York City (NYC) Korean Community Autism Project, which was designed to identify strategies to increase awareness of autism and reduce delays in treatment seeking within the NYC Korean-American community. Our study elicited early childcare workers’ and church leaders’ beliefs about autism and developmental disorders and, in particular, early intervention. We also elicited responses to newly developed outreach materials targeting this community. An inductive approach was used to identify concepts and categories associated with autism. Our study confirmed that discomfort, stigma and discrimination are the prevailing community attitudes toward autism and developmental disorders in the Korean-American community. Families’ and professionals’ understanding of autism and their care for children are affected by these community beliefs. Approaching immigrant communities with general information about child development and education rather than directly talking about autism and developmental disorders is likely to engage more families and professionals in need for diagnostic evaluation and early intervention for autism.
Impostor Resilient Multimodal Metric Learning for Person Reidentification

In person reidentification distance metric learning suffers a great challenge from impostor persons. Mostly, distance metrics are learned by maximizing the similarity between positive pair against impostors that lie on different transform modals. In addition, these impostors are obtained from Gallery view for query sample only, while the Gallery sample is totally ignored. In real world, a given pair of query and Gallery experience different changes in pose, viewpoint, and lighting. Thus, impostors only from Gallery view can not optimally maximize their similarity. Therefore, to resolve these issues we have proposed an impostor resilient multimodal metric (IRM3). IRM3 is learned for each modal transform in the image space and uses impostors from both Probe and Gallery views to effectively restrict large number of impostors. Learned IRM3 is then evaluated on three benchmark datasets, VIPeR, CUHK01, and CUHK03, and shows significant improvement in performance compared to many previous approaches.
“A body in transformation”—An empirical phenomenological study about fear‐avoidance beliefs towards physical activity among persons experiencing moderate‐to‐severe rheumatic pain

Abstract Aims and objectives To gain a better understanding of fear‐avoidance beliefs towards physical activity and body awareness in people experiencing moderate‐to‐severe rheumatic pain. Background Rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis are long‐term conditions with pain as the prominent symptom. Health‐promoting physical activity is recommended and can have an analgesic effect. High self‐rated pain has previously been reported to be associated with increased fear‐avoidance behaviour in relation to physical activity. Body awareness, which includes attentional focus and awareness of internal body sensations, could be valuable in the nursing care of long‐term diseases. Design Empirical phenomenological. Methods An empirical phenomenological psychological method was applied. The interviews took place between autumn 2016–spring 2017 with 11 informants (eight women and three men, age range 44–71 years) who were diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (n = 7) or psoriatic arthritis (n = 4), with a disease duration ranging from 3–35 years. The mean visual analogue scale score in the study sample was 60 mm. Results Three typologies were identified: “My relatively fragile physical status”, “I am an active creator” and “Part of something bigger than myself. ” Conclusions The current findings indicated that pain anticipation and fear‐avoidance beliefs towards physical activity sometimes affected the behaviour of individuals with long‐term rheumatic pain syndromes. People experiencing moderate‐to‐severe rheumatic pain tended to focus on their fragile physical and emotional state. By adopting a more favourable attitude towards the self, the body could be restored to a state of calm and balance. Relevance to clinical practice The current findings are relevant for healthcare professionals engaged in health‐promotion clinical practice.