Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Supporting Patient Behavior Change: Approaches Used by Primary Care Clinicians Whose Patients Have an Increase in Activation Levels

PURPOSE We aimed to identify the strategies used to support patient behavior change by clinicians whose patients had an increase in patient activation. METHODS This mixed methods study was conducted in collaboration with Fairview Health Services, a Pioneer Accountable Care Organization. We aggregated data on the change in patient activation measure (PAM) score for 7,144 patients to the primary care clinician level. We conducted in-depth interviews with 10 clinicians whose patients’ score increases were among the highest and 10 whose patients’ score changes were among the lowest. Transcripts of the interviews were analyzed to identify key strategies that differentiated the clinicians whose patients had top PAM change scores. RESULTS Clinicians whose patients had relatively large activation increases reported using 5 key strategies to support patient behavior change (mean = 3.9 strategies): emphasizing patient ownership; partnering with patients; identifying small steps; scheduling frequent follow-up visits to cheer successes, problem solve, or both; and showing caring and concern for patients. Clinicians whose patients had lesser change in activation were far less likely to describe using these approaches (mean = 1.3 strategies). Most clinicians, regardless of group, reported developing their own approach to support patient behavior change. Those whose patients showed high activation change reported spending more time with patients on counseling and education than did those whose patients showed less improvement in activation. CONCLUSIONS Clinicians vary in the strategies they use to promote behavior change and in the time spent with patients on such activities. The 5 key strategies used by clinicians with high patient activation change are promising approaches to supporting patient behavior change that should be tested in a larger sample of clinicians to validate their effectiveness.
A randomized trial of efficacy of beta-sitosterol and its glucoside as adjuvant to cryotherapy in the treatment of anogenital warts

Abstract Introduction: All available treatments for anogenital warts have substantial failure rates. An immunomodulating treatment that enhances the patient's own immunity could be valuable as an adjuvant to conventional methods. Methods: About 123 patients were enrolled in this study and were randomized either to undergo only cryotherapy every 3 weeks (n = 60 patients) or to undergo cryotherapy and to receive a mixture containing 20 mg sterol and 0.2 mg sterolin (BSS–BSSG mixture), known for its immunomodulating properties (n = 63). Results: A complete response after 3 months was demonstrated by 18.3% of the patients in the first group and 30.2% of the second group, while 61.7% of the first group and 79.4% of the second group were lesion free at the end of the 6-month follow-up period. Cox regression analysis of the time until response showed a significant advantage to the mixture treatment group (hazard ratio 2.76, 95% confidence interval 1.61–5.67). Limitations: The study was not placebo controlled. Conclusion: The BSS–BSSG mixture gave promising results as an adjuvant to cryotherapy and may be used in patients with refractory warts.
Nocardia arthritidis sp. nov., a New Pathogen Isolated from a Patient with Rheumatoid Arthritis in Japan

ABSTRACT Two different bacterial strains with different drug susceptibilities were isolated from the sputum and an inflammatory discharge from a swelling in the left thigh of a patient with rheumatoid arthritis. Both bacterial strains were provisionally assigned to the genus Nocardia on the basis of their morphological and chemotaxonomic characteristics and were further studied in order to establish their taxonomic status. One strain (IFM 10034) was identified as Nocardia farcinica on the basis of its physiological characteristics. The other strain, which was designated Nocardia sp. strain IFM 10035T, revealed a unique pattern of phenotypic properties that distinguished it from other representatives of established Nocardia species. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence studies of Nocardia sp. strain IFM 10035T also showed that the bacterium was closely related to the species Nocardia beijingensis. Determination of DNA-DNA relatedness, however, indicated that Nocardia sp. strain IFM 10035T could be delineated from N. beijingensis. The genotypic and phenotypic data combined indicated that the bacterium merits description as a new Nocardia species. The name proposed for the new species is Nocardia arthritidis sp. nov., the type strain being IFM 10035T (NBRC 100137T, JCM 12120T, DSM44731T). The present study suggests that Nocardia infections can be caused by multiple species of the bacterium.
Self-Powered Fast-Response X-Ray Detectors Based on Vertical GaN p-n Diodes

GaN offers an excellent potential for fabricating X-ray detectors, taking advantage of its superior material properties and well-developed manufacturing technologies. In this letter, we demonstrated a self-powered fast-response X-ray detection using GaN-based vertical p-n diodes grown on a bulk GaN substrate. Attributed to the high crystalline quality achieved by homoepitaxy, the fabricated photodiodes exhibited an excellent rectification behavior, and therefore, a strong photovoltaic response to X-ray illumination when biased at 0 V. The transient X-ray detection analysis revealed that the self-powered detectors have a relatively short response time (<20 ms) and a good linear response to the X-ray incident dose rate with a high specific sensitivity of 170 nC<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\cdot $ </tex-math></inline-formula>Gy<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$^{ {-{1}}}\cdot $ </tex-math></inline-formula>cm<sup>−2</sup>.
Implicit and explicit loyalty: the role of satisfaction, trust and brand image in mobile telecommunication industry

This paper assesses the moderating role of satisfaction, trust and brand image within implicit and explicit brand loyalty framework in mobile telecommunication services in Ghana. The proposed model was evaluated based on data from 338 consumers obtained from a cross-sectional survey. Partial least square (PLS) structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to analysed data. The results show that implicit loyalty, comprising of cognitive, affective and conative, makes significant influence on explicit loyalty; the moderating role of satisfaction on this relationship was strongly supported while the role of trust and brand image were partially significant. This paper provides theoretical extensions to sequential loyalty models. Despite its contextual limitations, the paper implies that marketing managers need to develop marketing and loyalty strategies that result in better customer satisfaction, induce more trust in the brand and project the image of the brand high to build a stable customer base which is a core business asset.
The anatomy of bank performance during transition: A separate efficient frontier analysis of Ukrainian banks

By drawing on Ukrainian experience, this paper analyzes the anatomy of bank efficiency in a transitional economy. Acknowledging the vast disparities in the business technology of different size banks, in this comprehensive study, we innovatively estimate group-specific (distinct) frontiers for small, medium, and large size banks. The results from separate frontiers reveal that Ukrainian banks record 38% technical inefficiency, 26% pure technical inefficiency, and 17% scale inefficiency on average. Apparently, banks in transition waste about the two fifths of their factor inputs during the production of financial services. The cardinal source of sub-performance in transitional banks seems to be managerial inefficiencies. We also found that banks operating in areas with more political influence and more developed infrastructure outperform the banks operating in politically and economically weaker regions. The results also indicate that larger banks, enjoying public trust in a risky business climate, dominate smaller banks in all forms of efficiency. However, such bias for size causes large banks to suffer from decreasing returns to scale and small banks from idle capacity. Consequently, the policies promoting consolidation between small and large banks may alleviate the excess (idle) capacity for large (small) banks in a transitional economy.
Cash Flow is King in Relative Valuation: A Myth or Reality

In this article, the researcher evaluates the efficacy of two value drivers, namely, earnings per share (EPS) and cash flows for developing stock price forecasts using two performance evaluation criteria: (a) Root Mean Squared Error (Root MSE) and (b) Theil’s Inequality Coefficient. The examiner employs data for 13 sectors of BSE 500 from 1991 to 2010. The entire analysis is conducted in two phases. In phase one, the researcher finds that Price to Earnings (P/E) is the better stand-alone price multiple than Price to Cash Flow (P/CF) in the Indian context. In the next phase, the investigator shows that combination of value drivers does not significantly improve price forecast vis-à-vis stand-alone multiples. The findings of the study are in contrast with those for developed markets as shown by Penman (1996).
Linkages between the Financial and Real Sectors across Interest Rate Regimes: The Case of the Czech Republic

I employ the threshold Bayesian VAR with block restrictions to evaluate the nonlinear dynamics across different interest rate regimes using the example of the Czech Republic. The study compounds the information on aggregate credit and non-performing loans (NPL) to find that the procyclicality of financial sector tends to vary across interest rate regimes. The impulse responses of real economy to shocks to the credit and NPL provide a mixed picture. While the responses to credit shocks are roughly similar across regimes, the reaction to the NPL shocks differ both in size and timing and can be likely aligned with the cyclical factors. The direct impact of foreign factors on lending seems to be rather limited given that the financial sector in the Czech Republic is largely bank-based and funded predominantly by domestic deposits. The measured responses to foreign shocks instead seem to reflect the convergence path of the Czech economy over a longer time horizon.
Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis of Staphylococcus aureus Isolates from Atopic Patients Revealing Presence of Similar Strains in Isolates from Children and Their Parents

ABSTRACT Skin colonization with Staphylococcus aureus is often associated with atopic dermatitis, and staphylococcal enterotoxins have been implicated in the etiology of atopic disease. In this study, the colonization of patients with atopic dermatitis and their parents was investigated in order to evaluate the possibility of intrafamiliar transmission. S. aureus strains were isolated from 30 of 45 patients (66%). In 19 of 29 families (65%), at least one parent carried S. aureus, and the overall colonization rate of the parents was 48%. All strains were typed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), and the presence of enterotoxin genes in the strains was assayed by multiplex PCR. A high percentage (84%) of the isolates present on the children and on at least one of their parents displayed identical PFGE and enterotoxin patterns as well as identical antibiotic resistance profiles, indicating intrafamiliar transmission. Forty-five percent of the strains did not carry any enterotoxin gene. The most frequently found enterotoxin genes were seg and sei, which were present in 36% of the strains, and seb, which was found in 24% of the strains. The other toxin genes occurred only in low frequencies. Most strains were resistant to penicillin (82%), and 15% showed resistance to more than one antibiotic. Intermediately-vancomycin-resistant S. aureus or methicillin-resistant S. aureus strains were not detected. In conclusion, this study indicates that the colonization rate of parents of atopic children is rather high and may increase the risk of recolonization of the child.
SIMULTANEOUS ACTION OF THE FLAVONOID QUERCETIN ON CYTOCHROME P450 (CYP) 1A2, CYP2A6, N‐ACETYLTRANSFERASE AND XANTHINE OXIDASE ACTIVITY IN HEALTHY VOLUNTEERS

1 Quercetin, one of the most abundant natural flavonoids, has been reported to modulate the activity of several drug‐metabolising enzymes. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of quercetin on cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A2, CYP2A6, N‐acetyltransferase (NAT2) and xanthine oxidase (XO) activity in healthy volunteers using caffeine as a probe drug. 2 Twelve unrelated, healthy volunteers were recruited to the study. There were two phases to the study; in the first phase, each subject was given a single oral dose of caffeine (one 100 mg capsule) with 150 mL water; in the second phase, each subject was give a 500 mg quercetin capsule once daily for 13 continuous days and was coadministered a 100 mg caffeine capsule on the 13th day. Urinary caffeine metabolite ratios were used as indicators of the activity of CYP1A2, CYP2A6, NAT2 and XO. The pharmacokinetics of caffeine and its metabolites were determined by HPLC. 3 In the quercetin‐treated group, CYP1A2 activity was decreased by 10.4% (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.1–29.8%; P = 0.039), whereas increases were observed in CYP2A6 (by 25.3%; 95% CI, 6.2–34.5%; P = 0.002), NAT2 (by 88.7%; 95% CI, 7.1–160.2%; P = 0.010) and XO activity (by 15.0%; 95% CI, 1.6–21.6%; P = 0.007). Plasma Cmax and the AUC(0–24 h) of 1,7‐dimethylxanthine were decreased by 17.2% (95% CI, 6.4–28.0%; P = 0.024) and 16.2% (95% CI, 3.9–28.5%; P = 0.032), respectively. The urinary excretion of 1,7‐dimethylxanthine and 1‐methylxanthine was significantly decreased by 32.4% (95% CI, 2.5–62.1%; P = 0.036) and 156.1% (95% CI, 53.3–258.9%; P = 0.004), respectively. The urinary excretion of 1,7‐dimethylurate and 1‐methylurate was increased by 82.9% (95% CI, 56.0–165.4%; P = 0.030) and 97.8% (95% CI, 12.1–183.5%; P = 0.029), respectively. No changes were observed in the urinary excretion of caffeine and 5‐acetylamino‐6‐formylamino‐3‐methyluracil between the two study phases. 4 The results of the present study indicate that quercetin inhibits CYP1A2 function, but enhances CYP2A6, NAT2 and XO activity. Simultaneously, some pharmacokinetic parameters relating to 1,7‐dimethylxanthine were affected by quercetin. Thus, we conclude that quercetin affects CYP1A2, CYP2A6, NAT2 and XO activity in vivo.
Experimental Validation of a 2-D Constriction Resistance Model at the Microscale

This work proposes and tests the limits of a simplified analytical model of an electrical micro-contact, which considers the resistance of a tapered line taking into account the current crowding effect at the constriction point. We have designed and fabricated micro-constriction patterns with different contact widths, aperture angles, and thicknesses, and correlated their constriction resistances with a 2-D model based on circular electric equipotential lines distributed along a triangle. We also propose an extension of the model, where the resistivity includes the electron loss at the surface of the film and at the grain boundaries. This allows validating the model for film as thin as 35 nm.
Acute hemodynamic and cardiovascular responses following resistance exercise to voluntary exhaustion. Effects of different loadings and exercise durations.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to compare the acute hemodynamic and cardiovascular responses of high load/low repetition resistance training (RT) to low load/high repetition RT. METHODS Thirteen healthy men performed four sets of 4 repetition maximum (RM) and 20RM leg-extensions without breath-holding. The RT was conducted in a randomized order and with 48 hours between bouts. Non-invasive beat-to-beat systolic and diastolic blood-pressure (SBP/DBP) was measured on the finger, while non-invasive cardiac output (CO) was assessed beat-to-beat by impedance-cardiography. RESULTS Mean±SD resting SBP/DBP and CO were 126±14/73±9 mmHg and 5.6±9 L min-1, respectively. Exercise SBP/DBP values increased to 154±22/99 ±18 and 203±33/126±19 mmHg following 4RM and 20RM RT, respectively (compared to rest, all; P<0.001), and 20RM SBP/DBP values were higher than 4RM values (both, P<0.001). The SBP increased from the first to the fourth set of exercise following the 20RM load (P<0.01), but not so for the 4RM load. Exercise SBP/DBP values following the 4th rep of 20RM exercise (154±18/91±14), was similar to the 4RM values, but different to the 20th rep of the 20 RM loading (both; P<0.001). CO increased to 10.8±2.6 and 13.9±2.2 L min-1, following 4RM and 20RM RT, respectively (compared to rest, both; P<0.001) and 20RM CO was higher than 4RM CO (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS 20RM RT resulted in higher blood-pressure than 4RM RT when performed to voluntary exhaustion. Differences in hemodynamic responses seems to be related to training duration and not to difference in loading.
Study on optimization of sampling inspection strategy for distribution transformer

In recent years, the manufacturing industry of distribution transformer (DT) in China has developed rapidly with high competition. Since the pass rates of National Surveillance Sampling in China (NSSC) for DTs keep a low level, the quality is worried. During the 13th Five-Year Plan period, the investment of distribution network construction will reach 1.7 trillion RMB, which makes a big market for DTs. It is significant to study on optimization of sampling inspection mode and strategy, which can improve the efficiency, quality level, and the reliability of power supply. The research status and theory of sampling inspection are analyzed. The sampling action mechanism is analyzed based on game theory, where the quality cost theory is put forward. The quality cost model with zero-defect is analyzed. The key factors of the sampling inspection for DT are analyzed, including the risk, maneuverability, and economics of the test item. The optimization method of sampling inspection mode is proposed, where three sampling inspection modes are given out. The strategy with dynamic adjustment is put forward. The index system of sampling inspection is designed, which can reflect the efficiency objectively. Finally, the method is verified by the real examples.
Photoinduced Conversion of Silver Nanospheres to Nanoprisms

A photoinduced method for converting large quantities of silver nanospheres into triangular nanoprisms is reported. The photo-process has been characterized by time-dependent ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy, allowing for the observation of several key intermediates in and characteristics of the conversion process. This light-driven process results in a colloid with distinctive optical properties that directly relate to the nanoprism shape of the particles. Theoretical calculations coupled with experimental observations allow for the assignment of the nanoprism plasmon bands and for the first identification of two distinct quadrupole plasmon resonances for a nanoparticle. Unlike the spherical particles they are derived from that Rayleigh light-scatter in the blue, these nanoprisms exhibit scattering in the red, which could be useful in developing multicolor diagnostic labels on the basis not only of nanoparticle composition and size but also of shape.
Presynaptic serotonin 2A receptors modulate thalamocortical plasticity and associative learning

Significance Higher-level cognitive processes strongly depend on a complex interplay between the mediodorsal thalamus and the prefrontal cortex. Alteration of thalamofrontal connectivity has been involved in schizophrenia. Prefrontal serotonin (5-HT)2A receptors play an essential role in cortical network activity but the mechanism underlying their modulation of synaptic plasticity remains unexplored. Here, we demonstrate—to our knowledge for the first time—a physiological role of presynaptic 5-HT2A receptors in the NMDA-operated induction of temporal-dependent plasticity at thalamocortical synapses. We show that 5-HT2A−/− mice exhibit alterations in plasticity and associative memory that are rescued by re-expressing receptors in the thalamus. These findings highlight a critical role of presynaptic 5-HT2A receptor dysfunction in cognitive symptoms observed in schizophrenia. Higher-level cognitive processes strongly depend on a complex interplay between mediodorsal thalamus nuclei and the prefrontal cortex (PFC). Alteration of thalamofrontal connectivity has been involved in cognitive deficits of schizophrenia. Prefrontal serotonin (5-HT)2A receptors play an essential role in cortical network activity, but the mechanism underlying their modulation of glutamatergic transmission and plasticity at thalamocortical synapses remains largely unexplored. Here, we show that 5-HT2A receptor activation enhances NMDA transmission and gates the induction of temporal-dependent plasticity mediated by NMDA receptors at thalamocortical synapses in acute PFC slices. Expressing 5-HT2A receptors in the mediodorsal thalamus (presynaptic site) of 5-HT2A receptor-deficient mice, but not in the PFC (postsynaptic site), using a viral gene-delivery approach, rescued the otherwise absent potentiation of NMDA transmission, induction of temporal plasticity, and deficit in associative memory. These results provide, to our knowledge, the first physiological evidence of a role of presynaptic 5-HT2A receptors located at thalamocortical synapses in the control of thalamofrontal connectivity and the associated cognitive functions.
What Drives the Price of Naming Rights? Quantifying the Relationship Between Naming Rights Prices and the Factors that Drive Them

This thesis examines the relationship between the prices of naming rights and the factors that drive them. Corporations engage in naming rights deals in order to increase revenue and exposure for their brand. Naming rights deals are a very lucrative type of sports sponsorship and can reach to the tens of millions annually, largely due to the unparalleled amount of exposure seen by the corporation. Past research has suggested that the prices of naming rights are positively driven by the potential target size of the audience, the building of a new facility, and that there has been a long-term price inflation of naming rights fees up until 2002. Using OLS regression, this thesis examines the effect that different facility characteristics have on both total fee and annual fee. One hundred sports facilities from Major League Baseball, the National Hockey League, the National Football League, the National Basketball Association, Minor League Baseball, Major League Soccer, and Division I College were observed. The findings in this thesis suggest that that total attendance has a positive and significant effect on both total and annual fees, facilities home to Major League Baseball, National Basketball Association, National Football League, and National Hockey League teams have higher premiums than Major League Soccer, Minor League Baseball, and collegiate facilities, and annual long-term price inflation has decreased since 2002. Acknowledgments I would like to thank the entire Haverford College Economics Department, especially Professor Richard Ball for all of his guidance, support, and help throughout this entire process. I am also grateful to Norm Medeiros of all of his help researching all aspects of my thesis topic. I would also like to thank Hill Carrow and Sports & Properties, Inc. for their generous donation of naming rights data and inspiration for choosing this topic to begin with. Another thanks to Professor Seth Gitter of Towson University for sharing his Minor League Baseball data. Without any of their help, this thesis would not have been possible. Finally, I would like to thank my parents, Beth and Kevin, and sister, Paige, for their unwavering and invaluable support during the past four years. None of this would have possible without them. Table of