Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assessing exposure‐time treatment effect heterogeneity in stepped‐wedge cluster randomized trials

A stepped‐wedge cluster randomized trial (CRT) is a unidirectional crossover study in which timings of treatment initiation for clusters are randomized. Because the timing of treatment initiation is different for each cluster, an emerging question is whether the treatment effect depends on the exposure time, namely, the time duration since the initiation of treatment. Existing approaches for assessing exposure‐time treatment effect heterogeneity either assume a parametric functional form of exposure time or model the exposure time as a categorical variable, in which case the number of parameters increases with the number of exposure‐time periods, leading to a potential loss in efficiency. In this article, we propose a new model formulation for assessing treatment effect heterogeneity over exposure time. Rather than a categorical term for each level of exposure time, the proposed model includes a random effect to represent varying treatment effects by exposure time. This allows for pooling information across exposure‐time periods and may result in more precise average and exposure‐time‐specific treatment effect estimates. In addition, we develop an accompanying permutation test for the variance component of the heterogeneous treatment effect parameters. We conduct simulation studies to compare the proposed model and permutation test to alternative methods to elucidate their finite‐sample operating characteristics, and to generate practical guidance on model choices for assessing exposure‐time treatment effect heterogeneity in stepped‐wedge CRTs.
High-affinity binding at quadruplex–duplex junctions: rather the rule than the exception

Abstract Quadruplex-duplex (Q–D) junctions constitute unique structural motifs in genomic sequences. Through comprehensive calorimetric as well as high-resolution NMR structural studies, Q–D junctions with a hairpin-type snapback loop coaxially stacked onto an outer G-tetrad were identified to be most effective binding sites for various polycyclic quadruplex ligands. The Q–D interface is readily recognized by intercalation of the ligand aromatic core structure between G-tetrad and the neighboring base pair. Based on the thermodynamic and structural data, guidelines for the design of ligands with enhanced selectivity towards a Q–D interface emerge. Whereas intercalation at Q–D junctions mostly outcompete stacking at the quadruplex free outer tetrad or intercalation between duplex base pairs to varying degrees, ligand side chains considerably contribute to the selectivity for a Q–D target over other binding sites. In contrast to common perceptions, an appended side chain that additionally interacts within the duplex minor groove may confer only poor selectivity. Rather, the Q–D selectivity is suggested to benefit from an extension of the side chain towards the exposed part of the G-tetrad at the junction. The presented results will support the design of selective high-affinity binding ligands for targeting Q–D interfaces in medicinal but also technological applications.
Surfactant administration in preterm babies (28–36 weeks) with respiratory distress syndrome: LISA versus InSurE, an open‐label randomized controlled trial

INtubate‐SURfactant‐Extubate (InSurE) approach is traditional method of surfactant delivery in preterm neonates with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). Newer, less invasive surfactant administration (LISA) techniques lessen the need for mechanical ventilation and its adverse consequences. Evidence on the favorable effects of LISA can't be extrapolated from developed to developing countries. Aim of study is to compare the effectiveness of InSurE and LISA.
The choice of Taiwanese college students to vaccinate against severe special infectious pneumonia COVID-19 based on the integrated theory of planning behavior

ABSTRACT Taiwan’s coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine procurement was delayed until October 2021. With the vaccine’s introduction in Taiwan, the public will have an opportunity to choose vaccination. Choosing to vaccinate involves considerations regarding the trade-off between the protective power of the vaccine and its side effects, which is a planned behavior. College students have considered high-risk objects for COVID-19 outbreaks given their lifestyle, and their efficient vaccination may help reduce mutual infection between college students and the general public. This study obtained 707 valid questionnaires from Taiwan college students (20 years old and above). We investigated several factors during our college students’ survey regarding vaccination. Among this integrated TPB model, “Attitude,” “Subjective Norm,” “Perceived Behavioral Control,” and “COVID-19 Information Asymmetry” had a positive impact on vaccination “Behavioral Intention. ” COVID-19 information asymmetry positively and significantly affected behavioral intention through perceived behavioral control, while perceived behavioral control had a mediating effect. To promote the behavioral intention of college students to choose COVID-19 vaccination, public and private departments for epidemic prevention must aim to overcome the self-efficacy barriers of perceived behavioral control and promote the primary group influence effect of subjective norm and the self-interest factor of attitude. Governments and NGOs should also ensure prompt and accurate transmission of epidemic and vaccine information and actively investigate and prohibit misleading details from unknown sources and no scientific basis. Such a policy will generate trust, effectively increasing the vaccination rate and reducing cluster infection.
Utilization of end to side inverted mattress pancreaticojejunostomy for Duval procedure: A case report

Although a pancreaticojejunostomy (PJ) is not required after a distal pancreatectomy in most cases, it needs to be performed to prevent atrophy of the remnant pancreas when the proximal duct is obstructed by a tumor, stone, or etc. In these conditions, the critical postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) gives surgeons cause to hesitate before performing a PJ. We previously presented the modified technique of Mattress PJ named “inverted mattress PJ” (IM-PJ) and published improved outcomes in the aspects of POPF after a pancreaticoduodenectomy and a central pancreatectomy. Recently, we had a case of a patient who has chronic pancreatitis with a proximal pancreatic duct obstruction, requiring a distal pancreatectomy and PJ. Based on the previous report, we decided to apply the “inverted mattress PJ” (IM-PJ) technique for a Roux-en Y PJ after a distal pancreatectomy. The patient was discharged after surgery without complications. We reviewed a case of a patient requiring PJ following a distal pancreatectomy and discussed the safety of our technique.
In Situ Investigations on Structural Evolutions during the Facile Synthesis of Cubic α-MoC1-x Catalysts.

Cubic α-phase molybdenum carbides (α-MoC1-x) exhibit great potential in hydrogen production at low temperatures due to their excellent activity in water dissociation. However, the design strategies of α-MoC1-x are severely restricted by the harsh synthesis conditions, which involve multistep ammonification and carburization or the utilization of a significant amount of noble metals. Herein, high-purity α-MoC1-x synthesis in a one-step carburization process was achieved with the assistance of a trace amount of Rh (0.02%). The structural evolution of Mo species during phase transition was monitored via qualitative and quantitative analysis by in situ X-ray diffraction (XRD) and in situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), respectively. Environmental transmission electron microscopy (ETEM) was used to follow the visual changes. We reveal that the reduction of monoclinic MoO3 to cubic oxygen-deficient Mo oxide (MoOx) at low temperatures owing to the promoted H2 activation on Rh sites is vital to the following carbon atom insertion and transformation to α-MoC1-x, making the carburization follow the topological route. The systematic analysis of the relationship between the reduction behavior and the structural evolution supplies a feasible strategy for the α-MoC1-x synthesis, and in situ characterizations shed light on controlling the phase transformation during carburization.
Periodicity analysis of Jovian quasi-periodic radio bursts based on Lomb-Scargle periodograms

[1] The Jovian polar magnetosphere has relativistic particle accelerations with quasi-periodicity (hereafter QP accelerations) that are accompanied by periodic auroral emissions and low-frequency radio bursts called quasi-periodic (QP) bursts. Some previous observations suggested a possible physical relationship between the QP accelerations and QP radio bursts. However, the cause of the QP accelerations has not been revealed yet. This study investigated the generation process of QP radio bursts that constrain the QP acceleration process. The statistical features of QP bursts' periodicity were investigated by applying Lomb-Scargle periodogram analysis to the variations of the QP bursts' spectral densities observed by the Galileo and Ulysses spacecraft. The Lomb-Scargle analysis revealed remarkable characteristics: QP bursts have statistically large amplitudes with periods of 30–50 min at all latitudes. This result suggests that 30–50 min is an “eigenfrequency” of the QP accelerations which is close to the 45 min periodicity of the pulsating X-ray hot spot in the polar cap region. In addition, it was also revealed that successive pulses sometimes exhibit periodicity transition. We discussed one possible scenario which links Jovian periodic accelerations to those in the terrestrial magnetosphere. The scenario is that particles are energized within the period of the dispersive Alfven waves with field-aligned electric fields that obliquely propagate between the northern and southern ionospheres. The observed eigenfrequency and periodicity transition of QP bursts are consistent with the Alfvenic acceleration scenario.
2-geometries and the Hamilton–Jacobi equation

By using two different procedures we show that on the space of solutions of a certain class of second-order ordinary differential equations, u″=Λ(s,u,u′), a two-dimensional definite or indefinite metric, gab, can be constructed such that the two-dimensional Hamilton–Jacobi equation, gabu,au,b=1 holds. Furthermore, we show that this structure is invariant under a certain subset of contact transformations (canonical transformations). Two examples are given.
Efficacy and Safety of Long-Term Methimazole versus Radioactive Iodine in the Treatment of Toxic Multinodular Goiter

Background This study compared the degree of sustained control of hyperthyroidism in patients with toxic multinodular goiter (TMNG) treated with long-term methimazole (LT-MMI) or radioactive iodine (RAI). Methods In this clinical trial, 130 untreated patients with TMNG were randomized to either LT-MMI or RAI treatment. Both groups were followed for 108 to 148 months, with median follow-up durations of 120 and 132 months in the LT-MMI and RAI groups, respectively. Both groups of patients were followed every 1 to 3 months in the first year and every 6 months thereafter. Results After excluding patients in whom the treatment modality was changed and those who were lost to follow-up, 53 patients in the LT-MMI group and 54 in the RAI group completed the study. At the end of the study period, 50 (96%) and 25 (46%) patients were euthyroid, and two (4%) and 25 (46%) were hypothyroid in LT-MMI and RAI groups, respectively. In the RAI group, four (8%) patients had subclinical hyperthyroidism. The mean time to euthyroidism was 4.3±1.3 months in LT-MMI patients and 16.3± 15.0 months in RAI recipients (P<0.001). Patients treated with LT-MMI spent 95.8%±5.9% of the 12-year study period in a euthyroid state, whereas this proportion was 72.4%±14.8% in the RAI-treated patients (P<0.001). No major treatment-related adverse events were observed in either group. Conclusion In patients with TMNG, LT-MMI therapy is superior to RAI treatment, as shown by the earlier achievement of euthyroidism and the longer duration of sustained normal serum thyrotropin.
Patients’ Perspective on Automated Oxygen Administration during Hospitalization for Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Qualitative Study Nested in a Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract Recently, health technology systems offering monitoring of the peripheral oxygen saturation level and automated oxygen administration (AOA) have emerged. AOA has been shown to reduce duration of hypoxemia and the length of hospital stay, but the patients’ perspective on AOA has not been investigated. This qualitative study, based on the interpretive description methodology, aimed to explore how patients hospitalized with exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) experience being treated with AOA. Eighteen patients treated with AOA were included in the study. Data was collected during admission or in the patients’ homes using semi-structured interviews focusing on patients’ experiences of AOA using the word “robot” as used by patients. The findings revealed two themes “adaptation of behavior to the robot” and “robots can make patients feel safe but not cared for” and six subthemes. Our findings illustrate how patients were willing to compromise their own therapy and thereby safety by avoiding behavior triggering AOA alarms and disturbing their fellow patients and the health care professionals. Adherence, defined as patients’ consistency in taking their medications as prescribed, becomes an important point of attention for health professionals when applying individualized robotic therapies such as AOA to patients with COPD. To support patients in the process of managing adherence to therapeutic technology, we propose a person-centered care approach that, through education and communication with the patients, generates an understanding of how they can self-manage AOA and its alarms without activating avoiding behavior that threatens their treatment and recovery.
Multiple bridge surfaces restrict knot distance

Suppose M is a closed irreducible orientable 3–manifold, K is a knot in M , P and Q are bridge surfaces for K and K is not removable with respect to Q . We show that either Q is equivalent to P or d.K;P / 2 . Q K/ . If K is not a 2–bridge knot, then the result holds even if K is removable with respect to Q . As a corollary we show that if a knot in S has high distance with respect to some bridge sphere and low bridge number, then the knot has a unique minimal bridge position.
Descent Functions and Random Young Tableaux

The expectation of the descent number of a random Young tableau of a fixed shape is given, and concentration around the mean is shown. This result is generalized to the major index and to other descent functions. The proof combines probabilistic arguments together with combinatorial character theory. Connections with Hecke algebras are mentioned.
Cognitive impairment and driving skills in youth after concussion.

Concussions can impact cognitive processes necessary for driving. Young adults, a group who are more likely to engage in risky behaviors, have limited driving experience and a higher rate of motor vehicle collisions; they may be at higher risk for driving impairment after concussion. There are no clear guidelines for return to driving following a concussion. We sought to examine the simulated driving performance of young drivers after receiving medical care following a concussion, compared to a similar control population, to examine the association of driving performance with performance on neuropsychological tests. We evaluated 47 16 to 25 year-old drivers within 3 weeks of sustaining a concussion and 50 drivers with similar characteristics who had not sustained concussions. Participants completed demographic questionnaires, the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool-5 (SCAT-5), and a brief set of neurocognitive tests including the NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery and the Trail Making Test, and a simulated driving assessment. At various times during simulated driving, participants were asked to respond to tactile stimuli using the tactile detection response task (TDRT), a validated method of testing cognitive load during simulated driving. The concussion group reported significantly higher symptoms on the SCAT-5 than the comparison group. Performance on crystallized neurocognitive skills was similar between groups. Performance on fluid neurocognitive skills was significantly lower in the concussion than comparison group, though scores were in the normal range for both groups. Simulated driving was similar between groups, though there was a small but significant difference in variation in speed as well as TDRT miss rate with worse performance by the concussion group. Symptom report on the SCAT-5 was significantly associated with TDRT miss rate. In addition, neurocognitive test scores significantly predicted TDRT reaction time and miss count with medium to large effect sizes. Results suggest that neurocognitive screening may be a useful tool for predicting capacity to return to drive. However, further research is needed to determine guidelines for how neuropsychological tests can be used to make return to driving recommendations and to evaluate effects of concussion on real world driving.
“Let the people you’re supporting be how you learn”: a grounded theory study on quality support from the perspective of disability support workers

Abstract Purpose Quality disability support is fundamental to the lives of many adults with acquired neurological disability. However, little is known about the factors that influence the quality of paid support. This study is part of a larger project to develop a holistic understanding of quality support, grounded in the experience of people with acquired neurological disability, close others, and disability support workers. The current study focuses on the support worker perspective. Methods Following constructivist grounded theory methodology, interviews were conducted with 12 support workers. Grounded theory analysis was followed to develop themes and subthemes and build a model of quality support. Results Five key themes, with fifteen subthemes emerged to depict factors influencing the quality of support. The five themes are: being the right person for the role, delivering quality support in practice, working well together, maintaining and improving quality support, and considering the broader context. Findings emphasise the importance of the support worker recognising the person as an individual and respecting their autonomy. Conclusions Critical to quality support is centring the needs and preferences of people with disability, improving support worker working conditions and supporting people with disability and support workers to build effective, balanced working relationships. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION Delivering quality support in practice relies upon the support worker recognising, centring, and respecting the autonomy of the person with disability. To deliver quality support, support workers need to feel valued, be committed to the role and actively work to maintain and improve the quality of support provision. Quality support provision is facilitated by the support worker and the person with disability effectively balancing boundaries and friendship, and in turn building a quality working relationship.
Smoking induces shifts in cellular composition and transcriptome within the bronchial mucus barrier

Smoking disturbs the bronchial‐mucus‐barrier. This study assesses the cellular composition and gene expression shifts of the bronchial‐mucus‐barrier with smoking to understand the mechanism of mucosal damage by cigarette smoke exposure. We explore whether single‐cell‐RNA‐sequencing (scRNA‐seq) based cellular deconvolution (CD) can predict cell‐type composition in RNA‐seq data.
Effect of personality traits on socioeconomic inequalities in health, a population‐based study

Abstract Objectives This study aimed to estimate the effects of positive personality traits (PTs) in income and self‐rated dental and general health (SRDH and SRGH) associations in a large South Australian sample. Methods Cross‐sectional analyses were conducted using self‐reported data collected from 3578 adults (2015–2016). Multivariable regression models assessed the main effects and interactions of the Ten‐Item Personality Inventory (TIPI) and income with SRDH and SRGH. Prevalence ratios (PR) of poor health ratings were estimated using Poisson regression. Results Among all respondents, high‐income individuals with stronger Conscientiousness scores had the lowest prevalence of poor SRGH (0.8%), while those with stronger Extraversion (2.9%) and Agreeableness scores (3.4%) had the lowest prevalence of poor SRDH. Poor SRGH was related to weak Conscientiousness (PR = 6.9, 95% CI [2.3–20.8]) and Emotional Stability scores (PR = 6.0, 95% CI [2.0–18.3]), while poor SRDH was associated with weak Extraversion (PR = 2.3, 95% CI [1.2–4.5]), Agreeableness (PR = 1.8, 95% CI [1.0–3.2]) and Conscientiousness scores (PR = 2.1, 95% CI [1.1–4.0]). Among low‐income people, poor health ratings were less prevalent in those with stronger positive PTs scores versus weaker scores. Among low‐income respondents, poor SRGH was lower in individuals with stronger versus weaker Conscientiousness scores (10.9% vs 16.2%), and poor SRDH showed lower prevalence in participants with stronger versus weaker Agreeableness scores (18.1% vs 22.6%). Conclusion Findings showed the association between PTs and the prevalence of poor SRDH and SRGH. Stronger positive PTs modified the self‐rated health inequalities associated with low income in a representative sample of the South Australian population.
Target strength of an individual fish at any aspect

A set of empirical equations has been developed for use in determining the target strength or acoustic cross section of an individual fish at any insonified aspect as a function of fish size and insonifying frequency in the range 1? L/λ? 100, where L is fish length and λ is acoustic wavelength. The equations were developed by interpolating experimental data obtained by insonifying individual fish as they were rotated about one of their principal axes. It was found that acoustic cross section σ is proportional to slightly less than L2 for each aspect, indicating that σ is approximately proportional to insonified area. Since σ is almost proportional to L2, a modified set of empirical equations was developed with σ exactly proportional to L2, thus eliminating the dependence of σ on frequency. The resulting errors are relatively minor and in some situations the modified equations lead to considerable simplifications which make their use quite convenient.