Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Direct Medical Costs of Parkinson’s Disease in Southern China: A Cross-Sectional Study Based on Health Insurance Claims Data in Guangzhou City

Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder. This study aims to evaluate the direct medical costs of patients with PD using a large sample from an entire city and to identity the potential factors correlating with their inpatient costs in Guangzhou City, Southern China. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study uses data obtained from the Urban Employee-based Basic Medical Insurance (UEBMI) and the Urban Resident-based Basic Medical Insurance (URBMI) administrative claims databases in Guangzhou City from 2008 to 2012. The total sample was comprised of 2660 patients with PD. Costs were evaluated for the total sample and by types of insurance. The composition of costs was compared between the UEBMI and URBMI subgroups. The extended estimating-equations model was applied to identify the potential impact factors influencing the inpatient costs. Results: The direct medical costs per patient with PD were CNY 14,514.9 (USD 2299.4) in 2012, consisting of inpatient costs of CNY 13,551.4 and outpatient costs of CNY 963.5. The medication costs accounted for the largest part (50.3%). The inpatient costs of PD patients under the UEBMI scheme (CNY 13,651.0) were significantly higher than those of patients in the URBMI subgroup (CNY 12,402.2) (p < 0.05). The proportion of out-of-pocket spending out of inpatient and outpatient costs for UEBMI beneficiaries (24.3% and 56.1%) was much lower than that for patients under the URBMI scheme (47.9% and 76.2%). The regression analysis suggested that types of insurance, age, hospital levels, length of stay (LOS) and comorbidities were significantly correlated with the inpatient costs of patients with PD. Conclusions: The direct medical costs of patients with PD in China were high compared to the GDP per capita in Guangzhou City and different between the two evaluated types of insurance. Patients with the UEBMI scheme, of older age, with comorbidities, staying in tertiary hospitals and with longer LOS had significantly higher inpatient costs. Thus, policymakers need to reduce the gaps between the two urban insurance schemes in benefit levels, provide support for the development of a comprehensive long-term care insurance system and promote the use of telemedicine in China.
Motors of COVID-19 Vaccination Acceptance Scale (MoVac-COVID19S): Evidence of Measurement Invariance Across Five Countries

Purpose The percentage of individuals who were fully vaccinated against COVID-19 was 53% worldwide, 62% in Asia, and 11% in Africa at the time of writing (February 9, 2022). In addition to administrative issues, vaccine hesitancy is an important factor contributing to the relatively low rate of vaccination. The Motors of COVID-19 Vaccination Acceptance Scale (MoVac-COVID19S) was developed to assess COVID-19 vaccination acceptance levels. However, it has only been tested among Taiwanese, mainland Chinese, and Ghanaian populations (Chen et al, 2021; Fan et al, 2021; Yeh et al, 2021). Therefore, the present study examined the construct validity and measurement invariance of the MoVac-COVID19S among individuals from five countries (ie, Taiwan, mainland China, India, Ghana, and Afghanistan). Participants and Methods A cross-sectional survey study recruited 6053 participants across five countries who completed the survey between January and March 2021. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) fit indices were used to examine factor structure and measurement invariance across the five countries. Results The fit indices of the CFA were relatively good across the countries except for the root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA). Moreover, the four-factor structure (either nine or 12 items) had a better fit than the one-factor structure. However, the four-factor model using nine MoVac-COVID19S items was the only model that had measurement invariance support for both factor loadings and item intercepts across the five countries. Conclusion The present study confirmed that the MoVac-COVID19S has acceptable psychometric properties and can be used to assess an individual’s willingness to get COVID-19 vaccination.
A Robust Test of Spatial Predictive Models: Geographic Cross-Validation

Predictive modeling is an important tool for identifying areas for conservation prioritization. But the reliability of any model depends on how well its predictions can be generalized beyond the area surveyed. Recent work points to the potential for enhancing predictive power by incorporating such spatial processes as autocorrelation or the influence of location, so this study addressed two questions: (1) what affect does model complexity, spatial autocorrelation and spatial location have on model accuracy? (2) how generalizable are different methods when applied to new geographic test regions? On average, predictive power declined 22.7% ± 2.7% SE when models were used to predict occurrences in “unsampled” geographic test regions. Overall variability in performance depended on the method used. AUTO and GAM models tended to be amongst the least variable, but results depended upon species. Our results suggest that models with complex functional relationships between the response and predictor variables (such as GAMs fit with up to 5 knots) tended to either improve accuracy, or perform more consistently across species, but not both at the same time. In general, it is very difficult to accurately extrapolate model predictions into unsampled geographic areas. However, we found that habitat specialists such as the Sedge Wren were consistently well predicted, regardless of method, and that autocorrelated regression (using a Gibbs sampler and simulation of presence/absence) could be more reliably generalized for species showing strong social structure (e.g., patchiness). GWR was especially sensitive to the plots used to train the model.
THE ROLE OF WORK STRESS MEDIATION IN THE RELATIONSHIP OF MULTIPLE ROLE CONFLICT AND FEMALE EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE

Modern life and rapid development require women to take over in developing work careers, and even some become leaders of organizations and countries. In contrast to past perceptions that place women are considered low and tend to experience discrimination in careers and jobs. The participation of women by working brings negative consequences resulting from role conflicts. This study aims to provide empirical evidence regarding the effect of multiple role conflict on the performance of female employees with job stress as a mediating variable. The sample in this study was 97 employees of Bank Jateng, the Coordinator in Purwokerto. The data analysis method uses the structural equation modeling - partial least square (SEM-PLS) with SmartPLS version 3.3. 2 software. The results showed that multiple role conflicts had no effect on performance, and job stress had no effect on performance. Multiple role conflicts have a positive influence on job stress. In addition, the moderating role of job stress shows a connecting effect between the influence of multiple role conflicts on the performance of female employees
On the convergence of solving a nonlinear Volterra‐type integral equation for surface divergence based on surface thermal information

We analyze a nonlinear integral equation for calculating free‐surface divergence that was proposed by Szeri (2017, https://doi.org/10.1002/2016JC012312). When given the temperature and heat flux at a free surface, the surface divergence can be calculated through a nonlinear singular Volterra‐type integral equation. The two given functions in the integral equation satisfy auxiliary conditions through a higher dimensional partial differential equation. We prove the existence and uniqueness of the solution of the integral equation. We also prove the local linear convergence of the corresponding Picard iteration method for solving the integral equation when the surface heat flux is a real‐analytic function of time. The rate of convergence is derived explicitly, which depends on the function of surface heat flux. Numerical examples are provided to validate the convergence performance.
Joint Communication and Binary State Detection

We study a basic joint communication and sensing setup from an information theoretic perspective. A transmitter sends an encoded message through a pair of noisy channels connected to a receiver and a sensor. The receiver is interested in decoding the message from its noisy observation. The sensor has access to the message as side information, and instead is interested in estimating an unknown yet fixed binary state of its channel. This basic setup models scenarios where a wireless transceiver broadcasts an information bearing waveform, to be decoded by possibly more than one receiver, and then observes a modulated echo of the waveform from which it wishes to detect an element or object in the environment. We consider binary symmetric and Gaussian settings with multiplicative binary states, and establish the fundamental trade-off between reliable message communication and efficient state detection in these settings. This trade-off is captured by the message communication rate against the state detection error exponent. The results give insights into the benefits of carrying out communication and sensing jointly.
Impact of Testing Strategies to Combat a Major Syphilis Outbreak Among Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples: A Mathematical Modeling Study

Abstract Background A syphilis outbreak among Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people (respectfully referred to as Aboriginal) has resulted in almost 4000 notifications by 2020, with several congenital syphilis cases and infant deaths. Outbreak control efforts became coordinated under a National enhanced test and treat response in 2017. We evaluated the impact of these efforts and of expansion of testing interventions on syphilis prevalence. Methods We developed an individual-based mathematical model of infectious syphilis transmission among young heterosexual Aboriginal people aged 15–34 years living in and moving between regional and remote areas, and we assessed the impact of existing and hypothetical outbreak control responses on syphilis prevalence. Results The increased testing coverage achieved through the response (from 18% to 39% over 2011–2020) could stabilize the epidemic from 2021. To return to pre-outbreak prevalence (<0.24%) by 2025, testing coverage must reach 60%. The addition of annual community-wide screening, where 30% of youth in communities are tested over 6 weeks, would reduce prevalence to the pre-outbreak level within 4 years. If testing coverage had been scaled-up to 60% at the start of outbreak in mid-2011, the outbreak would have been mitigated. Conclusions Our results suggest that to control the syphilis outbreak, the response needs to be delivered to enable the maximum coverage of testing to be reached in the shortest time to reduce the prevalence to pre-outbreak levels. Reduction could be hastened with community-wide screening at similar time periods across all communities together with increases in annual testing coverage.
Epidemiology of Mucormycosis Cases During the Second Wave of COVID-19 in a Tertiary Care Institute in Western Rajasthan, India

Introduction: Mucormycosis is a serious but rare fungal infection that showed a sharp surge during the second wave of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in India. This study aimed to describe the epidemiological aspects of mucormycosis cases presenting to a tertiary care centre of Western Rajasthan, India, as well as to identify potential risk factors for Mucormycosis. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study included 55 patients admitted with a diagnosis of mucormycosis between May and June, 2021, covering the second wave's post-COVID-19 period. Data was collected using a pre-designed, semi-structured questionnaire and hospital case sheets. Results: The mean age of the patients was 54.4±12.53 years, with a male-to-female ratio of 1.89:1. Of the patients, 49% were obese and had no prior history of diabetes. Most COVID-19 patients (54.6%) were treated at home and did not require oxygen support during their COVID-19 course. The majority (89%) were on steroid medication, which was mainly intravenous (93.8%) and lasted 5-10 days in most patients. Rhinoorbitocerebral mucormycosis was the most common type seen in this setting, with symptoms appearing 15-30 days after the onset of COVID-19 symptoms. During the fungal infection, about 61.8% of patients had random blood sugar readings of more than 140 mg/dl. Mortality occurred in 14.5% of patients with mucormycosis. Mortality was observed to be associated with high BMI, raised glycated haemoglobin (HBA1C), and urban residency. Conclusion: Mucormycosis appears to be caused by impaired glycemic control due to pre-existing or new-onset diabetes, which may be exacerbated by unintentional glucocorticoid use. It is necessary to use steroids with caution and maintain care for at least 15-30 days after the onset of COVID-19 symptoms.
Alloreactivity of Allogeneic Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells and Other Cellular Therapies: A Concise Review

Cellular therapies, deemed live medicine, have brought a wave of new generation biological therapies to treat previously untreatable diseases such as cancers and degenerative diseases like osteoarthritis. These cellular therapies have gained significant recognition in clinical research. The area has been further strengthened with the approval of Chimeric Antigen Receptor added on T cells (CAR-T) therapies by the regulatory authorities USA's Food and Drugs Administration (FDA), European Medical Agency (EMA), the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), and in many countries in 2017 to treat hematological cancers. Another milestone was achieved when allogeneic Mesenchymal Stem Cell- (MSC-) based therapy was approved by the EMA to treat Chrohn's disease in 2018. Allogeneic donor-derived MSC therapies in particular hold great promise and real hope because of their ‘off-the shelf' availability and accessibility for patients in need of urgent treatment. So far, thousands of clinical trials have explored the safety and efficacy of both autologous and allogeneic cell therapies, deeming them safe, however with varying degrees of efficacy. In the current pandemic, clinical trials have begun in many parts of the world to treat severe cases of COVID with MSCs. However, the risk of tissue rejection and the development of undesirable effects due to alloreactivity of allogeneic cells are currently not adequately addressed. Therefore, this warrants careful investigation and detailed reporting of such events by clinical researchers. This review aims at discussing the current landscape of approved allogeneic MSCs along with a few other cellular therapies. We explore any possible reactivity reported to inform the readers of any safety concern and on the efficacy of such therapies.
Double uterus in young women delivered by Caesarean Section: five cases from South Sudan and Ethiopia

Double uterus (uterus didelphys) is the second least common congenital anomaly of the female genital tract resulting from failure of fusion of the two Müllerian ducts during embryological development, leading to duplication of the uterus and the cervix. The condition may be associated with abnormalities of the Wolffian duct such as ipsilateral renal agenesis. Presence of a double uterus increases obstetric complications. We report five cases of young women with uterus didelphys who were delivered by Caesarean Section for obstetric indications.
Acute Diarrhea Patients among Children Under Five Hospitalized in a Tertiary Hospital in East Java, Indonesia

Highlight:The characteristics of acute diarrhea patients among chidren in Tertiary Hospital In East Java was evaluated.The highest incidence of diarrhea was found in the 0-24 months age group, good nutritional status, male sex, and hospitalized in less than 5 days.Mild-moderate dehydration, intravenous rehydration treated, anemia, hyponatremia, and metabolic acidosis were mostly founded. Abstract:Diarrhea is the second leading cause of morbidity and mortality in children under five years of age in Indonesia after pneumonia. In 2017, diarrhea became an outbreak in 12 provinces. Diarrhea in under-fives can cause several complications and can cause death if it is not treated properly. This study aimed to evaluate the characteristics of acute diarrhea patients in under-fives hospitalized in Dr. Soetomo General Academic Hospital, Surabaya, Indonesia for six months. This study was a descriptive study with retrospective approach which evaluated all acute diarrhea patients hospitalized from July to December 2019. Patients’ data were taken from medical records and presented descriptively. Of the total 125 patients, most acute diarrhea patients were male (60%) aged 0 to 24 months (83.2%), had good nutritional status (58.4%), and hospitalized for less than 5 days (60.8%). The most degree of dehydration was mild-moderate dehydration (83.2%), mostly treated with intravenous rehydration (96.8%), the most common comorbidity was anemia (13.4%), and the most electrolyte disorder was hyponatremia (41%), while acid-base disorder was mostly metabolic acidosis (75%).
Therapeutic Effects of Platelet-Derived Extracellular Vesicles in a Bioengineered Tendon Disease Model

Tendon injuries represent over 30–50% of musculoskeletal disorders worldwide, yet the available therapies do not provide complete tendon repair/regeneration and full functionality restoring. Extracellular vesicles (EVs), membrane-enclosed nanoparticles, have emerged as the next breakthrough in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine to promote endogenous tissue regeneration. Here, we developed a 3D human in vitro model mimicking the signature of pathological tendon and used it to evaluate the influence that different platelet-derived EVs might have in tendon tissue repair mechanisms. For this, different EV populations isolated from platelets, small EVs (sEVs) and medium EVs (mEVs), were added to the culture media of human tendon-derived cells (hTDCs) cultured on isotropic nanofibrous scaffolds. The platelet-derived EVs increased the expression of tenogenic markers, promoted a healthy extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling, and the synthesis of anti-inflammatory mediators. These findings suggest that platelet EVs provided relevant biochemical cues that potentiated a recovery of hTDCs phenotype from a diseased to a healthy state. Thus, this study opens new perspectives for the translation of platelet-derived EVs as therapeutics.
Anti-inflammatory Evaluation of Moringa-Albumin Combination in Inhibiting IFN-γ and TNF-α Expression in Diabetic Mouse Model

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Moringa-Albumin (MA) combination on pro-inflammatory cytokine expressions, especially IFN-γ and TNF-α, in a diabetic mouse model. Streptozotocin with a 145 mg/kg BW dose was used to induce diabetes condition in BALB/c mice. Mice with positive DM (blood glucose levels ≥ 200 mg/dL) were orally administered with MA for 14 days at dose 1, dose 2, and dose 3. On day 15th, spleen cells were isolated to analyze IFN-γ and TNF-α expressions by flow cytometry. The data were statistically analyzed with one-way ANOVA (ρ≤ 0.05) and Tukey test using SPSS version 16 for Windows. The results showed that the MA combination had anti-inflammatory activity in inhibiting IFN-γ and TNF-α. Furthermore, dose 1 affected to decrease in the IFN-γ expression while dose 3 decreased the expression of TNF-α. Thus, it can be concluded that the MA combination has a role in inhibiting IFN-γ and TNF-α in a dosage-dependent manner. Based on the results, we assumed that MA might be one of the biological materials with efficacy to treat DM patients.
Questionable Research Practices Among Researchers in the Most Research‐Productive Management Programs

Summary Questionable research practices (QRPs) among researchers have been a source of concern in many fields of study. QRPs are often used to enhance the probability of achieving statistical significance which affects the likelihood of a paper being published. Using a sample of researchers from 10 top research-productive management programs, we compared hypotheses tested in dissertations to those tested in journal articles derived from those dissertations to draw inferences concerning the extent of engagement in QRPs. Results indicated that QRPs related to changes in sample size and covariates were associated with unsupported dissertation hypotheses becoming supported in journal articles. Researchers also tended to exclude unsupported dissertation hypotheses from journal articles. Likewise, results suggested that many article hypotheses may have been created after the results were known (i.e., HARKed). Articles from prestigious journals contained a higher percentage of potentially HARKed hypotheses than those from less well-regarded journals. Finally, articles published in prestigious journals were associated with more QRP usage than less prestigious journals. QRPs increase in the percentage of supported hypotheses and result in effect sizes that likely overestimate population parameters. As such, results reported in articles published in our most prestigious journals may be less credible than previously believed.
A Custom-Made Electronic Dynamometer for Evaluation of Peak Ankle Torque after COVID-19

The negative effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on the musculoskeletal system include symptoms of fatigue and sarcopenia. The aim of this study is to assess the impact of COVID-19 on foot muscle strength and evaluate the reproducibility of peak ankle torque measurements in time by using a custom-made electronic dynamometer. In this observational cohort study, we compare two groups of four participants, one exposed to COVID-19 throughout measurements and one unexposed. Peak ankle torque was measured using a portable custom-made electronic dynamometer. Ankle plantar flexor and dorsiflexor muscle strength was captured for both feet at different ankle angles prior and post COVID-19. Average peak torque demonstrated no significant statistical differences between initial and final moment for both groups (p = 0.945). An increase of 4.8%, p = 0.746 was obtained in the group with COVID-19 and a decrease of 1.3%, p = 0.953 was obtained in the group without COVID-19. Multivariate analysis demonstrated no significant differences between the two groups (p = 0.797). There was a very good test–retest reproducibility between the measurements in initial and final moments (ICC = 0.78, p < 0.001). In conclusion, peak torque variability is similar in both COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 groups and the custom-made electronic dynamometer is a reproducible method for repetitive ankle peak torque measurements.