Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Validation of a French translation of the speech, spatial, and qualities of hearing scale (SSQ) and comparison with other language versions

Objective: To validate a French version of the speech, spatial, and qualities of hearing scale (SSQ), a subjective evaluation of patients’ hearing disability, and to assess SSQ reproducibility across different language versions. Design: The SSQ was translated in accordance with the principles of the ‘Universalist approach’ of cross-cultural adaptation of patient-reported outcome instruments. Scores from a normal-hearing and a hearing-impaired population were compiled and compared, whenever possible, with data from the literature, collected using other language versions. Study sample: One hundred normal-hearing subjects and 230 hearing-impaired subjects. Results: Good reproducibility of scores and inter-subject variability were obtained between several language versions, even if scores found using the French version were slightly lower than those obtained using Dutch or English versions. A comparison of factor analysis outcomes between the English and French versions confirmed good conceptual equivalence across languages and robustness of the SSQ for use in international settings. The three main subscales (speech, spatial, and qualities) confirmed their usefulness in assessing different aspects of hearing disability. Conclusion: This study validated a French-language version of the SSQ, and assessed the reproducibility of the SSQ across subject groups, administration modes, and different countries/languages, confirming its potential as an international standard for hearing disability evaluation.
PHARMACISTS' UNDERSTANDING AND ATTITUDES TOWARDS PHARMACEUTICAL CARE IN SAUDI ARABIA

Objective: The questionnaire was designed to determine both institutional (hospitals and healthcare centers) and community pharmacists' understanding, attitudes and barriers that limit provision of pharmaceutical care. Method: Five hundred fifty institutional pharmacists and 250 community pharmacists were included in the survey. Data were collected via face-to-face encounter using piloted questionnaire. Results: The total response numbered 375, which constitute a 71.6% response rate from community pharmacists and 35.6% from institutional pharmacists. More than 70% of the pharmacists surveyed had also favorable understanding of pharmaceutical care. The respondents showed positive attitudes towards pharmaceutical care. Approximately more than 89% of respondents felt the future of pharmacy would depend on the provision of professional services other than dispensing. The main barriers perceived by the pharmacist were lack of adequate training in pharmaceutical care practice, lack of work place for counseling, lack of staff, insufficient time, lack of patient demand, lack of therapeutic knowledge, lack of support from owners. There were significant differences in responses to a number of issues recognized by male and females, age, years in practice and work setting. אאאא אאאאאא אא אאאאאא K  א 550
Spherically symmetric solutions in dimensionally reduced spacetimes with a higher-dimensional cosmological constant.

Certain static solutions of {ital D}-dimensional gravity with a higher-dimensional cosmological constant {Lambda} are studied. The solutions are taken to be spherically symmetric in the physical ({ital m}+2)-dimensional spacetime, where {ital D}={ital m}+{ital n}+2 (or more generally the {ital m}-sphere is replaced by an arbitrary Einstein space), while the internal space is an arbitrary {ital n}-dimensional Einstein space. The global properties of all such solutions are derived by considering the equivalent dimensionally reduced system in {ital m}+2 dimensions, and by using techniques from the theory of dynamical systems after a judicious choice of variables. All solutions with a nonzero {Lambda} are either found to contain naked singularities or not be asymptotically flat, as would be expected from the no-hair'' theorems. A recent black-hole'' solution derived by Kim and Cho in the context of these models is shown to be incorrect.
Identification of persons at high risk for kidney disease via targeted screening: the NKF Kidney Early Evaluation Program.

BACKGROUND More than 340,000 individuals were receiving renal replacement therapy in the United States at the end of 1999; this number is projected to double by the year 2010. Almost half had a primary diagnosis of diabetes mellitus particularly type 2, and more than one quarter a primary diagnosis of hypertension. Studies have demonstrated effective maneuvers to prevent or delay the rate of progression of kidney disease, and decrease morbidity and mortality. The objective of early diagnosis is early detection of asymptomatic disease at a time when intervention has a reasonable potential to have a positive impact on outcome. METHODS In 1997, the National Kidney Foundation launched KEEP trade mark (Kidney Early Evaluation Program), a free community-based screening that targets first order relatives of persons with hypertension, diabetes or kidney disease, and those with a personal history of diabetes or hypertension. RESULTS Of the 889 individuals screened in the pilot study, 71.4% had at least one abnormality. The program includes an educational component and referral to a physician for follow-up of abnormal values. CONCLUSIONS Targeted screenings are an effective means of identifying persons at risk for kidney disease, and can identify individuals at risk early enough in the course of their disease to allow for effective intervention.
Investigation of physicochemical properties of table margarine during storage time in ambient temperature

In this study table margarine was made based on palm and soybean oil oils and storage in ambient temperature for 90 days, each 15 days sampling was down and its physicochemical properties were investigated. Except of peroxide value all of measured factor was within the standard limit. Peroxide value of the produced samples increased significantly over storage and reached to2.24 meq/kg at 75 d indicating a high level of oxidation thus according to national standard the samples were not acceptable.
Eating Behaviors Which adaptive maternal eating behaviors predict child feeding practices ? An examination with mothers of 2-to 5-year-old children

a Department of Psychology, Ohio State University, 225 Psychology Building, Columbus, OH 43210, USA b Center for Healthy Weight and Nutrition, Nationwide Children's Hospital, 700 Children's Drive, Columbus, OH 43205, USA c Department of Pediatrics, Ohio State University, Nationwide Children's Hospital, 700 Children's Drive, Columbus, OH 43205, USA d Department of Psychology, Texas A&M University, 230 Psychology Building, College Station, TX, USA e Department of Pediatrics, Medical School, 300 North Ingalls Street, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA f Human Nutrition Program, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, 300 North Ingalls Street, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA g Center for Human Growth and Development, 300 North Ingalls Street, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
Compliance with and Understanding of Advance Directives among Trainee Doctors in the United Kingdom

Aim To investigate doctors’ response to and understanding of the legal status of advance directives. Methods A vignette-based study administered at palliative medicine, oncology, general practice, and geriatric medicine specialist registrar meetings (United Kingdom). Respondents determined the treatment to provide for a Patient presenting with a myocardial infarction with or without an advance directive requesting maximum therapy. Results Response rate 77% (43/56). Twenty-five percent (10/40) of respondents increased the care that they would provide in response to the advance directive (p=0.004); 77% (33/43) support /strongly support use of advance directives; 51% (22/43) did not know the legal status of advance directives; 44% found that their medical school education was not an important influence on their decision making. Conclusions Advance directives requesting treatment can increase the level of care provided by the physician, however, most trainees chose a level of care different from that in the advance directive. Confusion exists among doctors about the legal status of advance directives, which limits their usefulness. Medical education needs to be improved to train doctors to deal with advance directives.
Generalized-gradient approximations to density-functional theory: A comparative study for atoms and solids.

Pseudopotential calculations within density-functional theory for a few selected solids (Si, GaAs, and Al) are used to assess the validity of two generalized-gradient approximations (GGA's), the one proposed by Becke and Perdew (BP) and the more recent one proposed by Perdew and Wang (PW) in comparison with the currently used local-density approximation (LDA). The GGA's give total energies of atoms and cohesive energies of solids that are closer to experiment than the LDA results. Lattice constants are reproduced with the same accuracy as in LDA, while bulk moduli and zone-center phonon frequencies are underestimated with respect to both the LDA and the experimental values. Comparison to all-electron results shows that in both GGA schemes the validity of the pseudopotential approach is as good as in LDA. The predictions of the two GGA's are similar, the PW functional yielding results marginally, but systematically, closer to experiment. The calculated values of the transition pressure in Si between the diamond and the beta-tin structure are 72 kbar (LDA), 164 kbar (BP), and 135 kbar (PW), to be compared with the two available experimental values of 103 and 125 kbar.
Mothers' responses to care given by male nursing students during and after birth.

PURPOSE To describe the rationale maternity patients use in determining whether to accept care by a male student nurse. Information about the activities that women are comfortable having male nursing students perform is inconsistent and the reasons for women's comfort or discomfort are unclear. Furthermore, little is known about what factors patients consider when assigned a male nursing student. Yet, knowledge of such factors can enhance understanding and guide the selection of students in maternity units. DESIGN Focused ethnography using a purposive convenience sample of 32 women, aged 20 to 40 years, who spoke English, and who had given birth to normal newborns in one small community hospital in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States. Patients were excluded if they or their infants were in an unstable physical or mental condition. The study was conducted in 1995. METHODS The women were interviewed using a semi-structured format. FINDINGS Data from participants pertained to personal and contextual factors. Personal factors were perception of postpartum self and personal feelings. Contextual factors were student characteristics, establishment of relationships, nursing care activities, and partner viewpoint. CONCLUSIONS Women during and after giving birth have definite thoughts about male student nurses caring for them. Nurse educators should consider these when assigning men. Educators should encourage professionalism and competence in their students.
Gemcitabine in combination with oxaliplatin compared with gemcitabine alone in locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic cancer: results of a GERCOR and GISCAD phase III trial.

PURPOSE Gemcitabine (Gem) is the standard treatment for advanced pancreatic cancer. Given the promising phase II results obtained with the Gem-oxaliplatin (GemOx) combination, we conducted a phase III study comparing GemOx with Gem alone in advanced pancreatic cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients with advanced pancreatic cancer were stratified according to center, performance status, and type of disease (locally advanced v metastatic) and randomly assigned to either GemOx (gemcitabine 1 g/m2 as a 100-minute infusion on day 1 and oxaliplatin 100 mg/m2 as a 2-hour infusion on day 2 every 2 weeks) or Gem (gemcitabine 1 g/m2 as a weekly 30-minute infusion). RESULTS Three hundred twenty-six patients were enrolled; 313 were eligible, and 157 and 156 were allocated to the GemOx and Gem arms, respectively. GemOx was superior to Gem in terms of response rate (26.8% v 17.3%, respectively; P = .04), progression-free survival (5.8 v 3.7 months, respectively; P = .04), and clinical benefit (38.2% v 26.9%, respectively; P = .03). Median overall survival (OS) for GemOx and Gem was 9.0 and 7.1 months, respectively (P = .13). GemOx was well tolerated overall, although a higher incidence of National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria grade 3 and 4 toxicity per patient was observed for platelets (14.0% for GemOx v 3.2% for Gem), vomiting (8.9% for GemOx v 3.2% for Gem), and neurosensory symptoms (19.1% for GemOx v 0% for Gem). CONCLUSION These results confirm the efficacy and safety of GemOx, but this study failed to demonstrate a statistically significant advantage in terms of OS compared with Gem. Because GemOx is the first combined treatment to be superior to Gem alone in terms of clinical benefit, this promising regimen deserves further development.
Micropuncture Measurement of Lung Microvascular Pressure Profile in 3- to 4-Week-Old Rabbits

ABSTRACT: We have reported the longitudinal distribution of vascular resistance in the three segments (arteries, microvessels, and veins) of the pulmonary circulation of adult rabbits (J Appl Physiol 60:539-545, 1986). To determine the longitudinal distribution of vascular resistance in lungs of younger animals, we measured microvascular pressures in the subpleural microcirculation in nine isolated blood perfused lungs of 3- to 4-wk-old rabbits. We used micropipettes and the servonull pressure measuring system to directly measure pressures in 20-50 µm diameter subpleural arterioles and venules. We also measured pulmonary arterial and left atrial pressures and lung blood flow. To determine the influence of vascular tone on segmental vascular resistance, in four lungs we measured microvascular pressures both before and after paralyzing the vasculature with papaverine. We found that 51% of the total pressure drop in the pulmonary circulation was in arteries, 24.5% in microvessels, and 24.5% in veins. Vascular tone contributed minimally to baseline arterial resistance. The greater arterial and venous resistance in lungs of 3- to 4- wk-old rabbits as compared to that in adult rabbits is probably due to differences in vessel geometry.
Variation in Phomopsis recorded on grapevine in Australia and its taxonomic and biological implications

Phomopsis viticola is the cause of cane and leaf blight of grapevines. We examined 63 isolates obtained from a survey of 50 vineyards in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania, from collections in the New South Wales Agriculture Plant Pathology Herbarium, and from vine specimens from a further 36 vineyards. Two distinct taxa (Taxa 1 and 2) of Phomopsis were found, based on alpha spore morphology, appearance of the pycnidium, cirrhus colour, rate of mycelial growth and sporulation in vitro. Minor taxa (Taxa 3 and 4) were found also. Of the isolates studied, 26 were of Taxon 1 and 33 of Taxon 2. Taxon 1 occurred predominantly in coastal vineyards and Taxon 2 in inland vineyards. Studies of isolates representing the different taxa indicated variability in host response, pectic enzyme profile and temperature for optimum spore germination. These criteria confirmed the morphological grouping of the isolates. Isolates DAR 69489, DAR 69457, DAR 69458 and DAR 69484 were designated as representative isolates of Taxa 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. Taxon 1 fits the current taxonomic description of Phomopsis viticola (Sacc.) Sacc. Taxon 2 may resemble the species named Fusicoccum viticolum Reddick, or be a variety of P. viticola (Sacc.) Sacc. or a distinct species of Phomopsis. The widespread occurrence of Phomopsis in Australia and the presence of different taxa in the different viticultural regions are demonstrated.
Quality of life in asymptomatic- and symptomatic HIV infected patients in a trial of ritonavir/saquinavir therapy

ObjectiveTo compare the impact on quality of life (QoL) of treatment with ritonavir (RTV)/saquinavir (SQV) versus RTV/SQV/stavudine (d4T) in asymptomatic [Centers for Disease Control (CDC) class A] and symptomatic HIV-infected patients (CDC B and C) who did or did not receive antiretroviral therapy (ARVT) before entry into the study. DesignA multicenter randomized clinical trial. PatientsProtease inhibitor- and d4T-naive patients were allocated to RTV/SQV (n = 84) versus RTV/SQV/d4T (n = 83). Main outcome measureChanges from baseline in QoL assessed by the Medical Outcomes Study Health Survey for HIV (MOS-HIV) and a symptom checklist administered at baseline and after 12, 24, 36 and 48 weeks. ResultsChanges in QoL were comparable in both treatments, although more neuropathy was reported in the RTV/SQV/d4T group. QoL improved significantly in both groups regarding health distress, energy/fatigue, mental health, health perceptions, physical function and overall QoL, despite an increase in reported symptoms. More favourable changes in cognitive and social function were observed in symptomatic compared with asymptomatic patients, with symptomatic patients showing an improvement and asymptomatic patients showing a decline in function after baseline. ARVT-naive patients showed more favourable changes in mental health, health distress and social function compared with patients with previous ARVT. ConclusionRTV/SQV and RTV/SQV/d4T were equally effective in improving the QoL of patients over 48 weeks, despite an increase in reported symptoms. Symptomatic patients reported more QoL benefit than asymptomatic patients, and ARVT-naive patients benefitted more than those with previous ARVT. The impact on patients' QoL should be considered in the search for the optimal management of HIV infection.
Dead-Time Effect Compensation Based on Additional Phase Current Measurements

This paper proposes a new method of dead-time effect compensation. The proposed solution is based on additional phase current measurements realized by analog-to-digital converters. These measurements are carried out at the time instants specified by a pulsewidth-modulation (PWM) strategy. This makes it possible to estimate inverter currents at the commutation instants and, finally, to estimate the voltage error caused by dead time. This voltage error is compensated during the next switching period by modification of a reference voltage. The proposed solution can be used to compensate the voltage error in multilevel multiphase voltage source inverters. The experimental research studies were carried out on three-phase two-level and three-level neutral-point-clamped inverters supplying 55- and 160-kW motors, respectively. The results of the experimental investigations are presented in this paper.
The receptor tyrosine kinase MerTK activates phospholipase C γ2 during recognition of apoptotic thymocytes by murine macrophages

Apoptotic leukocytes must be cleared efficiently by macrophages (Mø). Apoptotic cell phagocytosis by Mø requires the receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) MerTK (also known as c‐Mer and Tyro12), the phosphatidylserine receptor (PS‐R), and the classical protein kinase C (PKC) isoform βII, which translocates to Mø membrane and cytoskeletal fractions in a PS‐R‐dependent manner. How these molecules cooperate to induce phagocytosis is unknown. As the phosphatidylinositol‐specific phospholipase (PI–PLC) γ2 is downstream of RTKs in some cell types and can activate classical PKCs, we hypothesized that MerTK signals via PLC γ2. To test this hypothesis, we examined the interaction of MerTK and PLC γ2 in resident, murine peritoneal (P)Mø and in the murine Mø cell line J774A.1 (J774) following exposure to apoptotic thymocytes. We found that as with PMø, J774 phagocytosis of apoptotic thymocytes was inhibited by antibody against MerTK. Western blotting and immunoprecipitation showed that exposure to apoptotic cells produced three time‐dependent changes in PMø and J774: tyrosine phosphorylation of MerTK; association of PLC γ2 with MerTK; and tyrosine phosphorylation of PLC γ2. Cross‐linking MerTK using antibody also induced phosphorylation of PLC γ2 and its association with MerTK. A PI–PLC appears to be required for phagocytosis of apoptotic cells, as the PI–PLC inhibitor Et‐18‐OCH3 and the PLC inhibitor U73122, but not the inactive control U73343, blocked phagocytosis without impairing adhesion. On apoptotic cell adhesion to Mø, MerTK signals at least in part via PLC γ2.
Estimating peer effects in networked panel data

After product adoption, consumers make decisions about continued use. These choices can be influenced by peer decisions in networks, but identifying causal peer influence effects is challenging. Correlations in peer behavior may be driven by correlated effects, exogenous consumer and peer characteristics, or endogenous peer effects of behavior (Manski 1993). Extending the work of Bramoull6 et al. (2009), we apply proofs of peer effect identification in networks under a set of exogeneity assumptions to the panel data case. With engagement data for Yahoo Go, a mobile application, we use the network topology of application users in an instrumental variables setup to estimate usage peer effects, comparing the performance of a variety of regression models. We find analyses of this type may be especially useful for ruling out endogenous peer effects as a driver of behavior. Omitted variables (especially ones related to network homophily) and violation of the exogeneity assumptions can bias regression coefficients toward finding statistically significant peer effects. Thesis Supervisor: Erik Brynjolfsson Title: Schussel Family Professor of Management Science, Professor of Information Technology
Health Impacts of Climate Change in Vanuatu: An Assessment and Adaptation Action Plan

Climate change is one of the greatest global challenges and Pacific island countries are particularly vulnerable due to, among other factors, their geography, demography and level of economic development. A Health Impact Assessment (HIA) framework was used as a basis for the consideration of the potential health impacts of changes in the climate on the population of Vanuatu, to assess the risks and propose a range of potential adaptive responses appropriate for Vanuatu. The HIA process involved the participation of a broad range of stakeholders including expert sector representatives in the areas of bio-physical, socio-economic, infrastructure, environmental diseases and food, who provided informed comment and input into the understanding of the potential health impacts and development of adaptation strategies. The risk associated with each of these impacts was assessed with the application of a qualitative process that considered both the consequences and the likelihood of each of the potential health impacts occurring. Potential adaptation strategies and actions were developed which could be used to mitigate the identified health impacts and provide responses which could be used by the various sectors in Vanuatu to contribute to future decision making processes associated with the health impacts of climate change.