Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Patient-Reported Outcomes in Breast Oncology: A Review of Validated Outcome Instruments

Aims and background Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) include areas of health-related quality of life but also broader concepts such as patient satisfaction with care. The aim of this review is to give an account of all instruments with potential use in patients with a history of treatment for breast cancer (including surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy) with evidence of validation in the breast cancer population. Methods All instruments included in this review were identified as PRO measures measuring breast-related quality of life and/or satisfaction that had undergone development and validation with breast oncology patients. We specifically looked for PRO measures examining patient satisfaction and/or quality of life after breast cancer treatment. Following an evaluation of 323 papers, we identified 15 instruments that were able to satisfy our inclusion criteria. Results These instruments are the EORTC QOL-C30 and QLQ-BR23 (European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Breast Cancer Module), the FACT-B (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast Cancer), the SLDS-BC (Satisfaction with Life Domains Scale for Breast Cancer), the BIBCQ (Body Image after Breast Cancer Questionnaire), the HIBS (Hopwood Body Image Scale), the PBIS (Polivy Body Image Scale), the MBROS (Michigan Breast Reconstruction Outcomes Study) Satisfaction and Body Image Questionnaires, the BREAST-Q, the BCTOS (Breast Cancer Treatment Outcome Scale), the BCQ, the FACT-ES (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Endocrine System), the MAS (Mastectomy Attitude Scale), and the Breast Cancer Prevention Trial Symptom Checklist (BCPT). Conclusions Suggestions for future directions include (1) to use and utilize validated instruments tailored to clinical practice; (2) to develop a comprehensive measurement of surgical outcome requiring the combination of objective and subjective measures; (3) to aim for a compromise between these two competing considerations in the form of a scale incorporating both generalizability in cancer-related QOL and specificity in breast cancer issues.
Role of E6/E7 mRNA test in the diagnostic algorithm of HPV-positive patients showing ASCUS and LSIL: clinical and economic implications in a publicly financed healthcare system

Objective: Colposcopy is widely used to triage women with mild cervical abnormalities. However, this approach is associated with low specificity and predictive value. The efficacy of E6/E7 mRNA test for this purpose has been demonstrated, but studies estimating its cost-effectiveness are still lacking. Given the limited healthcare financial resources, such an evaluation is a priority. Methods: We analyzed the clinical history of 432 women referred to colposcopy and colposcopy-directed biopsy for persisting ASCUS and LSIL, and compared three alternative triage protocols: immediate colposcopy; reflex HPV DNA testing and HPV DNA plus mRNA tests in sequence. Results: Molecular tests in sequence significantly reduce colposcopy referral, cost for assessed women, and cost for CIN2 detected. On the other hand, incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of this protocol was the highest. Conclusion: Our preliminary data, providing an estimation of the economic burden deriving from the introduction of E6/E7 mRNA test in the triage algorithm of patients with mild cervical abnormalities, may be useful for future healthcare policy.
Large Deviations Principle by viscosity solutions: the case of diffusions with oblique Lipschitz reflections

We establish a Large Deviations Principle for stochastic processes with Lipschitz continuous oblique reflections on regular domains. The rate functional is given as the value function of a control problem and is proved to be good. The proof is based on an original viscosity solution approach. The idea consists in interpreting the probabilities as the solutions of some PDEs, make the logarithmic transform, pass to the limit, and then identify the action functional as the solution of the limiting equation.
Bicycle-associated head injuries and deaths in the United States from 1984 through 1988. How many are preventable?

OBJECTIVE To estimate the potential benefits from more widespread bicycle safety helmet use. DESIGN Review of death certificates and emergency department injury data for 1984 through 1988. Categorization of deaths and injuries as related to bicycling and head injury. Using relative risks of 3.85 and 6.67 derived from a case-control study and varying helmet usage from 10% to 100%, population attributable risk was calculated to estimate preventable deaths and injuries. SETTING Entire United States. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Numbers of US residents coded as dying from bicycle-related head injuries, numbers of persons presenting to emergency departments for bicycle-related head injuries, and numbers of attributable bicycle-related deaths and head injuries. MAIN RESULTS From 1984 through 1988, bicycling accounted for 2985 head injury deaths (62% of all bicycling deaths) and 905,752 head injuries (32% of persons with bicycling injuries treated at an emergency department). Forty-one percent of head injury deaths and 76% of head injuries occurred among children less than 15 years of age. Universal use of helmets by all bicyclists could have prevented as many as 2500 deaths and 757,000 head injuries, ie, one death every day and one head injury every 4 minutes. CONCLUSIONS Effective community-based education programs and legislated approaches for increasing bicycle safety helmet usage have been developed and await only the resources and commitment to reduce these unnecessary deaths and injuries.
Quality Control and Reproducibility in M‐Mode, Two‐Dimensional, and Speckle Tracking Echocardiography Acquisition and Analysis: The CARDIA Study, Year 25 Examination Experience

Few large studies describe quality control procedures and reproducibility findings in cardiovascular ultrasound, particularly in novel techniques such as speckle tracking echocardiography (STE). We evaluate the echocardiography assessment performance in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study Year 25 (Y25) examination (2010–2011) and report findings from a quality control and reproducibility program conducted to assess Field Center image acquisition and reading center (RC) accuracy.
Enhancing productive capabilities through intra-regional trade and cross-border investments in Southern Africa

ABSTRACT Regional integration is an important factor for enabling knowledge flows between economies and enhancing the capacity of firms within the integrated block to benefit from local knowledge spillovers. This study analyses data on economic interactions between Botswana and its technologically more advanced southern neighbour, South Africa, to examine the extent to which knowledge flows facilitated by geographical proximity translate into fostering technological learning and productivity of manufacturing firms. Industry- and firm-level data on bilateral capital goods trade and investments over the period 1991–2013 are used to assess the technological learning of the manufacturing sector in Botswana. This study also applies the Hunt, J, & Tybout, J (1999. Does Promoting High-Tech Products Spur Development? FEEM Working Paper REG 42. Milan: Fondazione Eni EnricoMattei) technological sophistication framework to analyse the role played by regional trade and investment flows between the economies of South Africa and Botswana in the skills intensification of manufacturing firms. Skills intensity decomposition reveals that Botswana’s manufacturing technical intensity has been positively influenced by the extent of capital goods trade and investment linkages with South African economy.
Reproducibility of Negative Mood Induction: a Self-Referent Plus Musical Mood Induction Procedure and a Controllable/Uncontrollable Stress Paradigm

Mood induction procedures (MIPs) have been used extensively as a means of inducing a variety of mood states in laboratory settings. Recently, MIPs have been employed in a repeated measures design in combination with such techniques as functional imaging and psychopharmacological investigations. This study attempted to assess the repeatability of two paradigms designed to induce a depressed/negative affect, a self-referent plus musical MIP and a controllable/uncontrollable stress paradigm, to assess the viability of using such procedures in a repeated design. Healthy volunteers were enrolled in to one of two studies. Study 1 administered a self-referent plus musical MIP on three separate occasions: neutral and depressive mood induction (MI) in a balanced order, followed by a further depressive MI. In study 2, volunteers were subjected to sessions of controllable and uncontrollable noise stress in a balanced order on two different occasions. Subjective ratings of mood were obtained prior to and following the interventions. Depressive MI successfully increased ratings of negative affect, although this effect tended to be greater on the first occasion than on the second. Correlation between mood change on the first and second occasions were low, both for the MIP and stress paradigm. As such, caution should be exercised in using these procedures in a repeated measures design. However, the results may vary depending on the type of MIP employed.
Purpose, value, and practice in Western Australian schools: Understanding misalignment in arts learning

Abstract Purpose, value, and practice are three key concepts in understanding curriculum implementation in arts education. When these three concepts work in harmony, the alignment provides a framework for successful arts curriculum implementation. This study highlights how these concepts are often misaligned with competition between the translation of purpose as stated in curriculum documents, mediated through competing values shown by teachers, principals and the community, the realities of teaching, and the everyday life of schools. Key to understanding the impact of a misaligned arts education is the intersection of purpose––the why of arts learning; value––the beliefs about what is worth knowing in terms of curriculum authorities and teacher’s beliefs; and practice––the actuality or how of arts learning. A purpose, value, and practice framework is explored using a qualitative methodology drawing on the experiences of 20 primary school teachers across four schools in Western Australia. The ways that each of these three key concepts manifest provides insights into what can improve authentic arts learning for young people in schools. Additionally, the centrality of the teacher to the teaching learning process, and time allocation commitments by teachers and schools are discussed as key considerations of curriculum implementation misalignment.
Fyn Kinase Modulates Synaptotoxicity, But Not Aberrant Sprouting, in Human Amyloid Precursor Protein Transgenic Mice

Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common neurodegenerative disorder, results in progressive degeneration of synapses and aberrant sprouting of axon terminals. The mechanisms underlying these seemingly opposing cellular phenomena are unclear. We hypothesized that Fyn kinase may play a role in one or both of these processes because it is increased in AD brains and because it is involved in synaptic plasticity and axonal outgrowth. We investigated the effects of Fyn on AD-related synaptotoxicity and aberrant axonal sprouting by ablating or overexpressing Fyn in human amyloid precursor protein (hAPP) transgenic mice. On the fyn+/+ background, hAPP/amyloid β peptide (Aβ) decreased hippocampal levels of synaptophysin-immunoreactive presynaptic terminals (SIPTs), consistent with previous findings. On the fyn-/- background, hAPP/Aβ did not affect SIPTs. SIPT reductions correlated with hippocampal Aβ levels in hAPP/fyn+/+, but not hAPP/fyn-/-, mice suggesting that Fyn provides a critical link between hAPP/Aβ and SIPTs. Furthermore, overexpression of Fyn exacerbated SIPT reductions in hAPP mice. We also found that the susceptibility of mice to hAPP/Aβ-induced premature mortality was decreased by Fyn ablation and increased by Fyn overexpression. In contrast, axonal sprouting in the hippocampus of hAPP mice was unaffected. We conclude that Fyn-dependent pathways are critical in AD-related synaptotoxicity and that the pathogenesis of hAPP/Aβ-induced neuronal alterations may be mechanistically heterogenous.
Parental Aspirations and Investments in the Educational Achievements of African Immigrant Students

Abstract Situated in social capital theory, the purpose of this mixed-methods study was to investigate the relationship between African-born immigrant parents’ educational level, income status, family structures, and academic performance of their children in the United States (U.S.). To that end, 205 African-born immigrant parents from a metropolitan city in the U.S. were surveyed using the modified Longitudinal Immigrant Student Adaptation Questionnaire. The participants’ (N= 205) responses to the questionnaires were analyzed using Chi-square tests and the participants’ (n = 45) interview responses were analyzed using ATLAS.ti qualitative analysis software. Findings from the quantitative data showed relationships between parents’ income, educational level, family structures and academic performance of their children. Interview findings revealed that hard work and resilience to succeed, parental expectations and academic goals, parental support and investment in education, parental involvement, parent-teacher interactions, and parental educational experiences influenced parents to support their children’s education. The authors discuss the implications of these findings for teachers who are tasked to render better educational settings for African immigrant students to succeed in United States schools.
IgLON cell adhesion molecules regulate synaptogenesis in hippocampal neurons

IgLON cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) belonging to the immunoglobulin superfamily comprise of LAMP, neurotrimin (Ntm), OBCAM, and Kilon. In the present study, we performed the single and double transfection of IgLON gene constructs into hippocampal neurons in vitro and evaluated synaptic number. The quantitative analysis showed that the single over‐expression of LAMP or OBCAM increased synaptic number, while the over‐expression of Kilon reduced synaptic number and Ntm had no effects. The double over‐expression of Kilon‐Ntm, Kilon‐OBCAM, LAMP‐Ntm, and Ntm‐OBCAM decreased synaptic number and that of Kilon‐LAMP and LAMP‐OBCAM had no effect. These results suggest that IgLON CAMs participate in regulating synapse formation in hippocampal neurons. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Semantic Assessment of the Barkin Index of Maternal Functioning in a Medically Underserved Obstetric Population

PURPOSE This study aims to evaluate the fitness of the Barkin Index of Maternal Functioning (BIMF) for postpartum functional assessment in a low-income obstetric population in medically underserved, Central Georgia (USA). DESIGN AND METHODS Cognitive interviewing, a best practices approach to instrument development and validation, was performed on 24 new mothers. FINDINGS The BIMF was comprehensible to this population of disadvantaged women. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS The BIMF has broad appeal due to its comprehensibility, patient-centered assessment style, and psychometric profile. Method of questionnaire administration and characteristics of the study and/or patient population should routinely be considered when implementing any type of self-reported health screening.
An Analysis of the Model and Enacted Curricula for a History of Science Course in a Nationwide Teacher Education Program

The UTeach program, a national model for undergraduate teacher preparation, includes Perspectives on Science and Mathematics, a class designed to share content about the History of Science (HOS) with preservice teachers. UTeach provides a model curriculum as a sample for instructors teaching Perspectives. The purpose of this study was (a) to describe and evaluate the model science lessons provided; (b) to compare the relationship of the various versions of the Perspectives class with the model curriculum; (c) to determine the factors that led to instructors’ success or failure in implementation of the model curriculum; and (d) to highlight the instructors’ best practices as a basis for improving the UTeach model curriculum. In addition, the study highlighted the relationship between Perspectives and the nature of science (NOS) by following the possible links to the NOS in the model curriculum and instructors’ classroom practices. This study includes information collected from 11 sites by conducting 16 instructor interviews, reviewing syllabi and other course materials, and analyzing survey responses. Qualitative analysis of the 11 case studies showed no explicit connection to the NOS in the curriculum though the model is written using topics the literature recommends for teaching the HOS. The curriculum corrects some student misconceptions and introduces controversial issues, failures, and successes in teaching the HOS. Most instructors do not adhere strictly to the model curriculum but adapt portions. Factors determining an instructor’s decision to adapt the model included background, experience, teaching methods, local conditions, and standards. Instructors’ best practices included performing historical experiments, and role playing. Providing a list of objectives for a class in the HOS that meets National Science Standards can be helpful to course instructors.
Experimental characterization and modeling of metallized textiles for electromagnetic shielding

The electromagnetic shielding properties of several conducting textiles are investigated by means of measurement techniques and numerical calculations. The features and performances of a computational Material Modeling Tool (MMT) are introduced and applied to the calculation of the shielding effectiveness of metallized woven fabrics, commonly used to reduce the effects of electromagnetic interferences aboard air-vehicles. Measured and computed data are compared and validated by means of both direct comparisons and automated tools.
Application of a variable inductor in single-phase hybrid harmonic filters

This paper will present a single-phase harmonic filter including variable passive part. The passive part employs a variable inductor with a rotational magnetic core whose position is controlled in a closed-loop control system. The design of the inductor and analysis of its impedance change caused by positioning a movable element are carried out by using the finite element method. The aim of this scheme is to reduce the power rating of the active part of the hybrid filter. To evaluate its performance, this method has been simulated in MATLAB/SIMULINK and selected results are presented. According to the results, the proposed method shows satisfactory performance in eliminating harmonics and reactive power components from the utility line current while the sliding mode controller of the variable reactor remains robust and accurate without control chattering in face of nonlinearities and disturbances.
Effect of earnings management on economic value added: G20 and African countries study

Background: Economic value added (EVA) may reflect true performance compared with other conventional accounting indices, it is still measured through financial statements. It is highly probable that EVA motivates managers to manipulate earnings. Aim: The main contribution of this study is the analysis of the association between earnings management and EVA. This study provides shareholders, lenders and creditors (or other categories of investors) with a method for analysing the value of enterprises. Setting: We analyse the association between earnings management through real earnings management (REM) or discretionary accrual (DA) activities and the EVA by African and the Group of Twenty (G20) nations. Methods: The sample for this study was obtained from the COMPUSTAT database between 2009 and 2013. This study also adopted the ordinary least squares (OLS) method. Results: The results indicate that a significantly positive relationship exists between earnings management through DA items and EVA in African nations. In addition, a significantly negative relationship exists between earnings management through DA items or REM activities and EVA in G20 nations. Conclusion: Our results provide critical implications for managers, researchers, investors and regulators of various nations; for example, managers may determine whether to increase the EVA through earnings management, researchers may analyse varying degrees of REM activities and DAs existing in the same nation groups or regulators may determine how to establish laws or rules to prevent earnings management because it is likely that differences in national development, culture or politics exist in these nations.
Leisure-time physical activities and their relationship to cardiorespiratory fitness in healthy men and women 18-95 years old.

PURPOSE We examined leisure-time physical activities (LTPA) and their contribution to peak oxygen consumption (VO2) in healthy men (N = 619) and women (N = 497) aged 18-95 yr (mean 51 +/- 17) who were participants of the Baltimore Longitudinal study of Aging. METHODS Calculations of LTPA were based on the average self-reported time spent performing 97 activities and converted into MET-min x 24 h(-1). The activities were divided into three levels of LTPA based on absolute intensity. Peak VO2 was determined from a maximal treadmill exercise test. RESULTS Total LTPA was inversely related to age in both sexes (r = -0.26, P < 0.0001 in men and r = -0.23, P < 0.0001 in women), mediated primarily by less high-intensity activities in older subjects, with only minor differences in moderate- and low-intensity activities across age. Peak VO2 correlated positively with LTPA; the correlations were strongest for high-intensity LTPA (r = 0.33 in men and 0.27 in women, each P < 0.0001), intermediate for moderate-intensity activity (r = 0.12, P < 0.004 in men and r = 0.17, P < 0.0001 in women) and minimal for low-intensity activity (r = 0.08, P = 0.05 in men and r = 0.06, P = 0.20 in women). On univariate analysis, total LTPA accounted for 12.9% of peak VO2 variance for men and 10.6% for women. By multivariate analysis, LTPA independently accounted for 1.6% of the peak VO2 variance in men and 1.8% in women after controlling for age and body mass index. CONCLUSIONS In healthy adults across a broad age range, LTPA is a relatively minor independent contributor to aerobic capacity.
Associations between drug use and behavioral repertoire in urban youths.

Converging with psycho-social research findings, animal and human laboratory studies indicate that behavioral alternatives are important determinants of drug-taking. To investigate associations between how early adolescents spend their time, i.e. their behavioral repertoire and drug use (use of marijuana, crack/cocaine or inhalants), we analyzed data from an epidemiological sample of 1516 urban middle-school students who had completed private interviews in spring 1993. The interview included a 36-item questionnaire to assess how frequently the youth engaged in different activities; history of drug-taking was assessed separately. Multiple logistic regression was used to estimate associations between drug use and each of seven behavioral domains as well as sex, age and racial-ethnic status. Youths spending a great deal of time working for pay and assuming other adult-like roles were more likely to have initiated drug use (estimated odds ratio, OR = 3.49; p = 0.002). Those who spent much time in religious activities were less likely (OR = 0.2, p <0.001). An exploratory search for interactions disclosed other associations that merit attention in future research. These results corroborate evidence on the potential etiological significance of behavioral repertoire in relation to risk of drug use.