Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Implementation research and Asian American/Pacific Islander health

Numerous barriers prevent the translation of research into practice, especially in settings with diverse populations. Nurses are in contact with diverse populations across settings and can be an important influence to further implementation research. This paper describes conceptual approaches and methodological issues pertinent to implementation research and implications for Asian American/Pacific Islander (AAPI) health research. The values of using theory to guide implementation research, levels of theory that are commonly used in interventions, and decisions for theory selection are discussed. In addition, shortcomings of randomized controlled trials, the gold standard for testing efficacy of interventions, and present quasi-experimental designs as a plausible alternative to randomized controlled trials when research is conducted in real-world settings are explored. Also examined were three types of quasi-experimental designs, the unit of analysis, the choice of dependent variables, and measurement issues that influence whether research findings and evidence-based interventions are successfully translated into practice. Practicing nurses who are familiar with the AAPI population, as well as nurse researchers who have expertise in AAPI health can play critical roles in shaping future implementation research to advance AAPI health. Nurses can provide practice-based evidence for refining evidence-supported interventions for diverse, real-world settings and theory-based interventions that are socioculturally appropriate for AAPIs. Interdisciplinary, practicebased research networks that bring multiple agencies, organizations, communities, and academic institutions together can be a mechanism for advancing implementation research for AAPI health.
Dynamic Activity of miR-125b and miR-93 during Murine Neural Stem Cell Differentiation In Vitro and in the Subventricular Zone Neurogenic Niche

Several microRNAs (miRNAs) that are either specifically enriched or highly expressed in neurons and glia have been described, but the identification of miRNAs modulating neural stem cell (NSC) biology remains elusive. In this study, we exploited high throughput miRNA expression profiling to identify candidate miRNAs enriched in NSC/early progenitors derived from the murine subventricular zone (SVZ). Then, we used lentiviral miRNA sensor vectors (LV.miRT) to monitor the activity of shortlisted miRNAs with cellular and temporal resolution during NSC differentiation, taking advantage of in vitro and in vivo models that recapitulate physiological neurogenesis and gliogenesis and using known neuronal- and glial-specific miRNAs as reference. The LV.miRT platform allowed us monitoring endogenous miRNA activity in low represented cell populations within a bulk culture or within the complexity of CNS tissue, with high sensitivity and specificity. In this way we validated and extended previous results on the neuronal-specific miR-124 and the astroglial-specific miR-23a. Importantly, we describe for the first time a cell type- and differentiation stage-specific modulation of miR-93 and miR-125b in SVZ-derived NSC cultures and in the SVZ neurogenic niche in vivo, suggesting key roles of these miRNAs in regulating NSC function.
The Role of Molecular Methods in Evaluating Biological Treatment Processes

Methods derived from molecular biology provide powerful new tools to analyze biological treatment processes. Because molecular methods can be used to directly interrogate genetic information about the microbial community, they can provide the fine detail that is impossible with the blunt, nondiscriminating information usually obtained from more traditional measures such as biochemical oxygen demand and volatile suspended solids. Molecular methods allow tracking of critical groups of microorganisms, such as ammonia oxidizers, that comprise a small fraction of the total biomass. Molecular methods also allow tracking of specific metabolic reactions or other functions that are key to the satisfactory performance of a system. Despite their power, molecular methods do not provide sufficient information when used alone. Aggregated measures and quantitative modeling remain necessary to establish mass balances, quantify the function of the microbial community, and connect the results of molecular assays to practice. Several examples involving nitrifying bacteria in activated sludge illustrate the fine detail available with molecular methods and how they can be linked to traditional and quantitative analyses. Other manuscripts in this special issue also provide examples of the value of using molecular tools in combination with traditional methods.
School friendly participatory research activities with children

Participatory Design is a common practice in HCI and user based evaluations are also highly recommended. This paper looks at the practice of carrying out design and evaluation sessions with school aged children by describing a general method for carrying out and arranging whole class activities that are school friendly and then by analyzing the academic value of these activities. An analysis of 6 MESS days with 21 activities yielded a research out of 9 publications at a research output of 43%.
IL-13 Receptor α2 Selectively Inhibits IL-13-Induced Responses in the Murine Lung1

IL-13 is a critical cytokine at sites of Th2 inflammation. In these locations it mediates its effects via a receptor complex, which contains IL-4Rα and IL-13Rα1. A third, high-affinity IL-13 receptor, IL-13Rα2, also exists. Although it was initially felt to be a decoy receptor, this has not been formally demonstrated and the role(s) of this receptor has recently become controversial. To define the role(s) of IL-13Rα2 in IL-13-induced pulmonary inflammation and remodeling, we compared the effects of lung-targeted transgenic IL-13 in mice with wild-type and null IL-13Rα2 loci. We also investigated the effect of IL-13Rα2 deficiency on the OVA-induced inflammatory response. In this study, we show that in the absence of IL-13Rα2, IL-13-induced pulmonary inflammation, mucus metaplasia, subepithelial fibrosis, and airway remodeling are significantly augmented. These changes were accompanied by increased expression and production of chemokines, proteases, mucin genes, and TGF-β1. Similarly, an enhanced inflammatory response was observed in an OVA-induced phenotype. In contrast, disruption of IL-13Rα2 had no effect on the tissue effects of lung-targeted transgenic IL-4. Thus, IL-13Rα2 is a selective and powerful inhibitor of IL-13-induced inflammatory, remodeling, and physiologic responses in the murine lung.
An Empirical Analysis of the Decision to Train Apprentices

It is a widely held belief that apprenticeship training represents a net investment for training firms, the cost of which needs to be recouped after the training period. A new firm-level data set for Switzerland reveals large variation in net costs across firms and, remarkably, negative net costs for 60 per cent of all firms. We use these data to estimate the effect of net costs on the number of apprentices hired by a firm. The results show that the costs have a significant impact on the training decision but no significant influence on the number of apprentices, once the firm has decided to train. For policy purposes, these results indicate that subsidies for firms that already train apprentices would not boost the number of available training places.
Complete Genome Sequence of a Wild-Type Measles Virus Isolated during the Spring 2013 Epidemic in Germany

ABSTRACT Measles virus induces an acute disease with rash and fever. Despite ongoing vaccination and elimination campaigns, the measles virus still sustains long-lasting transmission chains in Europe. Here we report the complete genome sequence of a wild-type measles virus isolated from a patient in Munich (MVi/Muenchen.DEU/19.13[D8]) during a German measles outbreak in 2013.
Life satisfaction in spouses of patients with stroke during the first year after stroke.

OBJECTIVE The aims of this study were to investigate whether spouses' life satisfaction changed between their life prior to their partner's stroke, and at 4 months and 1 year after stroke, and to study the association between spouses' life satisfaction and objective characteristics of the stroke patients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Sixty-seven consecutively enrolled spouses to first-ever stroke patients < 75 years of age participated. Life satisfaction was measured with the Life Satisfaction Checklist (LiSat-9). RESULTS Compared with their life before stroke, the spouses' satisfaction with life as a whole, their leisure situation, daily occupation, sexual life, partner relationship and social contacts was lower 4 months after stroke. No significant change in life satisfaction was observed between 4 months and 1 year. Spouses of patients with sensorimotor impairment and low ability in self-care were less satisfied with their leisure situation, daily occupations, own ability in self-care, sexual life and partner relationship. Spouses of patients with cognitive or astheno-emotional impairments were less satisfied with their partner relationship, family life and sexual life. The associations were stronger at 1 year than at 4 months. CONCLUSION There is a need for support over a long time period that focuses on the social, occupational and leisure situation of spouses as well as that of patients.
Prevention of metropolitan and railway suicide

Railway suicides account for less than 10% of all suicides and are considered a major public health issue because of their consequences for the operation of the transportation system and their deteriorating impact on staff and bystanders. Behaviour patterns include jumping, lying, wandering, and deviant behaviour prodromal to the attempt. Case fatality is 90% of all attempts (railway) or circa 60% (metro). Victims are predominately male and young, with a median age stratum in the range of 25–34 years. The weekly distribution shows a peak at the beginning of the week and a low on weekends. Preventive measures include inhibiting access to the track (e.g. barriers at places of advanced risk or surveillance systems), inhibiting media coverage, or education of gatekeepers to increase awareness, and skilfulness in contact with vulnerable subjects. Railway suicide prevention is a realistic option; however, further research is urgently needed.
Tests of Association Between Quantitative Traits and Haplotypes In A Reduced‐Dimensional Space

Candidate gene association tests are currently performed using several intragenic SNPs simultaneously, by testing SNP haplotype or genotype effects in multifactorial diseases or traits. The number of haplotypes drastically increases with an increase in the number of typed SNPs. As a result, large numbers of haplotypes will introduce large degrees of freedom in haplotype‐based tests, and thus limit the power of the tests.
Stabilized detection scheme of surface acoustic waves by Michelson interferometer

A new detection scheme of surface acoustic waves by Michelson interferometer has been proposed. A substantial advantage of this scheme lies in its being stabilized against vibration and independent sensitivity of the width of an optical beam. These effects were achieved by creating an interference field on the surface of a photodetector. The measurement scheme proposed was analyzed by means of a numerical modeling method. Experiments confirming the fact of the sensitivity of the proposed detection scheme being independent of vibration and width of optical beam have also been made.
Unawareness of motor phenoconversion in Huntington disease

Objective: To determine whether Huntington disease (HD) mutation carriers have motor symptoms (complaints) when definite motor onset (motor phenoconversion) is diagnosed and document differences between the groups with and without unawareness of motor signs. Methods: We analyzed data from 550 HD mutation carriers participating in the multicenter PREDICT-HD Study followed through the HD prodrome. Data analysis included demographics, the Unified Huntington’s Disease Rating Scale (UHDRS) and the Participant HD History of symptoms, self-report of progression, and cognitive, behavioral, and imaging measures. Unawareness was identified when no motor symptoms were self-reported but when definite motor HD was diagnosed. Results: Of 38 (6.91%) with onset of motor HD, almost half (18/38 = 47.36%) had no motor symptoms despite signs of disease on the UHDRS motor rating and consistent with unawareness. A group with motor symptoms and signs was similar on a range of measures to the unaware group. Those with unawareness of HD signs reported less depression. Patients with symptoms had more striatal atrophy on imaging measures. Conclusions: Only half of the patients with newly diagnosed motor HD had motor symptoms. Unaware patients were less likely to be depressed. Self-report of symptoms may be inaccurate in HD at the earliest stage.
Timing verification using statically sensitizable paths

A new approach to the false path problem in timing verifiers is presented. This approach is based on the modeling of both the logic and timing behavior of a circuit. Using the logic propagation conditions associated with each delay, efficient algorithms have been developed to find statically sensitizable paths. These algorithms simultaneously perform a longest path search and a partial verification of the sensitization of the paths. The resulting paths undergo a final and complete sensitization. The algorithms find the longest statically sensitizable path, whose length is a lower bound to the critical path length, and its associated sensitizing input vector. The algorithms can be easily modified to provide an ordered list of all the statically sensitizable paths above a given threshold. An initial analysis of the circuit by the PERT algorithm guides the critical path search and allows pruning of subgraphs that cannot lead to the solution. Results show that these techniques succeed in curbing the combinatorial explosion associated with the longest statically sensitizable path search. >
Discovery of Novel Benzoquinazolinones and Thiazoloimidazoles, Inhibitors of Influenza H5N1 and H1N1 Viruses, from a Cell-Based High-Throughput Screen

A highly reproducible and robust cell-based high-throughput screening (HTS) assay was adapted for screening of small molecules for antiviral activity against influenza virus strain A/Vietnam/1203/2004 (H5N1). The NIH Molecular Libraries Small Molecule Repository (MLSMR) Molecular Libraries Screening Centers Network (MLSCN) 100,000-compound library was screened at 50 µM. The “hit” rate (>25% inhibition of the viral cytopathic effect) from the single-dose screen was 0.32%. The hits were evaluated for their antiviral activity, cell toxicity, and selectivity in dose-response experiments. The screen yielded 5 active compounds (SI value >3). One compound showed an SI50 value of greater than 3, 3 compounds had SI values ranging from greater than 14 to 34, and the most active compound displayed an SI value of 94. The active compounds represent 2 different classes of molecules, benzoquinazolinones and thiazoloimidazoles, which have not been previously identified as having antiviral/anti-influenza activity. These molecules were also effective against influenza A/California/04/2009 virus (H1N1) and other H1N1 and H5N1 virus strains in vitro but not H3N2 strains. Real-time qRT-PCR results reveal that these chemotypes significantly reduced M1 RNA levels as compared to the no-drug influenza-infected Madin Darby canine kidney cells.
Thrombotic complications of mechanical heart valves: An experimental and theoretical study

Valve replacement is the most common surgical treatment in patients with advanced valvular heart disease. Mechanical and bio-prostheses have been the traditional heart valve replacements in these patients. However, currently the heart valves for replacement therapy are imperfect and subject patients to one or more ongoing risks, including thrombosis, limited durability, and need for re-operations due to the lack of growth in pediatric populations. The objective of our work was to evaluate the risk of thrombus formation for a 24 mm bileaflet mechanical heart valve, by assessing its leakage jets and its near-hinge flow fields. Our in-vitro study was carried out both experimentally, by using the PIV facility provided by Istituto Superiore di Sanita, Rome, and theoretically, by using the CFD facilities from Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
Accepting and engaging with a real-time location system in a hospital context

Overcrowding of emergency departments (ED) is a serious problem all over the world, which has widespread consequences for healthcare such as, increased mortality rates and prolonged hospital stay. Real-time location systems (RTLS) might offer a solution for this problem by gathering information about the workflow of hospital staff. Staff’s acceptance of and engagement with RTLS are important determinants for a successful RTLS project in a hospital environment. Neglecting these determinants can lead to RTLS rejection or even sabotage of the RTLS. Earlier research identified the perception of security, privacy and trust, culture, and education as variables which influenced the acceptance of RTLS. Earlier research suggested RTLS vendors should play a role in increasing staff’s acceptance and engagement with RTLS. However, it remains unclear how these variables can be applied by RTLS vendors to increase acceptance and engagement. This study investigates how RTLS consultants can increase hospital staff’s acceptance and engagement with RTLS. To answer this question, this study first identified determinants which influence RTLS acceptance and engagement through a literature study. Six RTLS consultants were interviewed about their experiences with acceptance and engagement of hospital staff in two RTLS project, using semistructure interviews. The interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis to identify themes and subthemes and ordered on the chronological stages they were encountered in. Furthermore, findings of the literature and interview studies were compared and discussed. Finally, findings in this study were used to construct a requirement document. The literature research showed that, perceived security and perceived privacy, culture, and education about RTLS, are variables which have an impact on the acceptance and engagement of hospital staff with RTLS. [CONFIDENTIAL PARAGRAPHS] In sum, this study investigated the role of RTLS consultants in increasing hospital staff’s acceptance and engagement of RTLS. Based on a qualitative study, this research provided information about the acceptance and engagement in two RTLS projects. Next steps would be to implement these recommendations during an actual RTLS project. Future studies could use quantitative methods to verify and specify the effect of determinants found in this study, on hospital staff’s acceptance of and engagement with RTLS.
Post-Crisis International Banking: An Analysis with New Regulatory Survey Data

Foreign bank lending has stopped growing since the global financial crisis. Changes in banks’ business models, balance-sheet adjustments, as well as the tightening of banking regulations are potential drivers of this prolonged slowdown. The existing literature however suggests an opposite effect related to regulation, with tighter regulations encouraging foreign lending through regulatory arbitrage. We investigate this question using new survey data on regulations specific to banks’ international operations. Our results show that regulatory tightening can explain about half of the decline in the foreign lending-to-GDP ratio between 2007 and 2013. Regulatory changes in home countries have had a larger effect than those in host countries.
Motives for exercise participation: The role of individual and psychological characteristics

Abstract The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of sex, body mass index (BMI), psychological characteristics (self-esteem, trait anxiety, social physique anxiety) on motives for exercise participation in the context of recreation and leisure. The sample consisted of 306 exercise participants. The results showed significant sex and BMI differences. More specifically, exercise motives were based on competition/ego for males, whereas females preferred psychological condition and appearance motives. Also, individuals low in BMI were motivated by physical appearance to participate in exercise programs. Psychological factors were also studied indicating that self-esteem was a significant predictor of competition/ego, affiliation, and physical condition motives, trait anxiety predicted motives of psychological condition, and to meet others’ expectations, whereas social physique anxiety predicted the appearance motive. Individuals with increased levels of the above psychological characteristics were not motivated to participate in exercise programs by intrinsic motives.
Colchicine in the treatment of mixed cryoglobulinemia.

OBJECTIVE The best treatment for cryoglobulinemic syndrome (CS) is still an unsolved problem. Recently colchicine has been successfully used to treat vasculitides and other immune-mediated diseases. Therefore, we undertook to treat 17 CS patients with colchicine (1 mg/day for 6-48 months), 8 of them with essential mixed cryoglobulinemia (EMC) and 9 with CS secondary to liver disease. METHODS In all patients the clinical and laboratory features were evaluated at the beginning of the study and during the first 6-12 months; 10 cases were followed for a longer period (18-48 months). RESULTS During the first period symptoms improved as follows: purpura in 15 of 17 patients, weakness in 9 of 14 and leg ulcers in 3 of 5. Hepatic and renal function tests, hypocomplementemia, rheumatoid factor (RF) titres and the cryocrit also improved. Prolonged follow-up showed a relapse in the different variables, although they remained at better levels than at the beginning. Only the cryocrit showed a further reduction. CONCLUSION Though this was a preliminary open study it shows that colchicine is an efficient treatment in CS and suggests that a controlled clinical study should be performed to assess its real value.
MIMO SAR GMTI with RPCA based method

Multiple-input multiple-output synthetic aperture radar (MIMO SAR) system has drawn considerable attention for its wider detected swath without decreasing PRF compared to the traditional multichannel synthetic aperture radar (MC-SAR) system. For MIMO SAR system, how to extract the matched signal or suppress the unmatched interferences is the foremost task. Using the OFDM chirp signals as the transmitted signals, the robust principal component analysis (RPCA) based method can be employed for ground moving target indication (GMTI) with no need for separating the matched signal and unmatched interferences. The simulation demonstrates the effectiveness of RPCA based method for GMTI in MIMO SAR system.