Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Study of Drug Interaction for Personalised Decision Support in Dental Clinics

While most dental clinicians use some sort of information system, they are mainly for administrative purposes, with a noticeable lack in advisory features such as decision support in clinical situations. It will be exciting to see more research done to enable a robust system that can fit within the clinical workflow of the dentist to be used as a diagnostic tool at point-of-care, especially in drug prescription. With this motivation in mind, this paper proposes a model to store interactive drug-pairs and other useful information such as side-effects of the drugs. By traversing through these drug-pairs, potential interactions can be highlighted to the dentist by considering the personalised medical and drug profiles of the patient. This will enhance the potential for seamless integration of a robust, intelligent and scalable diagnostic tool within the clinical workflow of a dental clinic, thereby reducing prescription errors and increasing productivity of the dental practice.
Development and Content Validation of the Information Assessment Method for Patients and Consumers

Background Online consumer health information addresses health problems, self-care, disease prevention, and health care services and is intended for the general public. Using this information, people can improve their knowledge, participation in health decision-making, and health. However, there are no comprehensive instruments to evaluate the value of health information from a consumer perspective. Objective We collaborated with information providers to develop and validate the Information Assessment Method for all (IAM4all) that can be used to collect feedback from information consumers (including patients), and to enable a two-way knowledge translation between information providers and consumers. Methods Content validation steps were followed to develop the IAM4all questionnaire. The first version was based on a theoretical framework from information science, a critical literature review and prior work. Then, 16 laypersons were interviewed on their experience with online health information and specifically their impression of the IAM4all questionnaire. Based on the summaries and interpretations of interviews, questionnaire items were revised, added, and excluded, thus creating the second version of the questionnaire. Subsequently, a panel of 12 information specialists and 8 health researchers participated in an online survey to rate each questionnaire item for relevance, clarity, representativeness, and specificity. The result of this expert panel contributed to the third, current, version of the questionnaire. Results The current version of the IAM4all questionnaire is structured by four levels of outcomes of information seeking/receiving: situational relevance, cognitive impact, information use, and health benefits. Following the interviews and the expert panel survey, 9 questionnaire items were confirmed as relevant, clear, representative, and specific. To improve readability and accessibility for users with a lower level of literacy, 19 items were reworded and all inconsistencies in using a passive or active voice have been solved. One item was removed due to redundancy. The current version of the IAM4all questionnaire contains 28 items. Conclusions We developed and content validated the IAM4all in partnership with information providers, information specialists, researchers and representatives of information consumers. This questionnaire can be integrated within electronic knowledge resources to stimulate users’ reflection (eg, their intention to use information). We claim that any organization (eg, publishers, community organizations, or patient associations), can evaluate and improve their online consumer health information from a consumers’ perspective using this method.
Imatinib mesylate and AMN107 inhibit PDGF-signaling in orbital fibroblasts: a potential treatment for Graves' ophthalmopathy.

PURPOSE Excessive orbital fibroblast proliferation and hyaluronan production are characteristic of Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO) and are driven by local mediators. Imatinib mesylate and AMN107 are tyrosine kinase inhibitors that inhibit fibroblast proliferation and collagen production in lungs and skin. This study was conducted to determine whether imatinib mesylate and AMN107 inhibit orbital fibroblast proliferation and hyaluronan production induced by PDGF-BB and TGF-beta(1) and whether expression of the genes PDGF-B and TGF-B(1) (growth factors suggested to play a role in GO) are increased in GO orbital tissues. METHODS PDGF-B and TGF-B(1) mRNA levels were determined in orbital tissues of 13 patients with GO and 5 control patients. Orbital fibroblasts were cultured from eight patients with GO and three control patients and the effect of imatinib mesylate and AMN107 on PDGF-BB and TGF-beta(1)-induced orbital fibroblast proliferation, signaling cascades, hyaluronan synthase (HAS) gene expression and hyaluronan production were determined. RESULTS PDGF-B and TGF-B(1) mRNA levels were significantly increased in GO orbital tissues. Imatinib mesylate and AMN107 inhibited PDGF-BB-induced orbital fibroblast proliferation, HAS induction and hyaluronan production by blocking PDGF-receptor phosphorylation. TGF-beta(1) induced HAS expression and hyaluronan production. This induction was not inhibited by imatinib mesylate or AMN107, due to the inability of TGF-beta(1) to activate c-Abl kinase activity in orbital fibroblasts. CONCLUSIONS Imatinib mesylate and AMN107 inhibit orbital fibroblast proliferation and hyaluronan production induced by PDGF-BB; a factor highly expressed in orbital tissue from patients with GO. The drugs, however, had no effect on TGF-beta(1)-induced HAS expression and hyaluronan production. Nevertheless, imatinib mesylate and AMN107 should be considered as treatment candidates for GO.
Cardiovascular health in adolescents with type 1 diabetes: The SEARCH CVD Study

In their Strategic Impact Goal Statement, the American Heart Association focused on primordial prevention of cardiovascular risk factors by defining metrics for ideal cardiovascular health (ICH). The prevalence of ICH among youth with type 1 diabetes is unknown. Youth with type 1 diabetes face an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) as they age. The purpose of this report was to examine the prevalence of ICH in a population of youth with type 1 diabetes and to examine the association of ICH with measures of cardiovascular structure and function.
Symmetrical Wheatstone Microcantilever Sensor with On-chip Temperature Sensors

This work has focused on the design, finite element modeling and testing of a symmetrical Wheatstone MEMS cantilever beam with on-chip temperature sensors. The stress induced on gold surface with polysilicon piezoresistive sensing is demonstrated. In principle, adsorption of biochemical species on a functionalized surface of the microfabricated cantilever will cause a surface stress and consequently the cantilever bending. The sensing mechanism relies on the piezoresistive properties of the polysilicon wires encapsulated inside the beam. The beam is fabricated and bending analysis is performed so that the beam tip deflection could be predicted. The piezoresistor designs on the beams were varied, within certain constraints, so that external read-out circuit could measure the sensitivity of the sensing technique. The mass detection of 0.0058-0.0110 g is measured by the beam resistor series as a balanced Wheatstone bridge configuration. The voltage output of the bridge is directly proportional to the amount of bending in the MEMS cantilever. The temperature dependency and sensor performance have been characterized in experiments. Compensation by resisters on the substrate, which act as temperature sensors significantly reduces the temperature dependence effect.
Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities of the medicinal halophyte Reaumuria vermiculata

Reaumuria vermiculata is a xero-halophytic specie widely distributed in the south of Tunisia. In the current study, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities of Reaumuria vermiculata shoot extracts as well as its phenolic compounds were investigated in different solvent extracts (hexane, dichloromethane, methanol and water). Results showed a strong antioxidant activity, using the ORAC method and a cell based-assay, in methanol extract as well as an important phenolic composition (117.12 mg GAE/g). Hexane and dichloromethane proved an interesting anticancer activity against A-549 lung carcinoma cells, with IC50 values of 17 and 23 µg/ml, respectively. Besides, dichloromethane extract displayed the utmost anti-inflammatory activity, inhibiting NO release over 100 % at 80 µg/ml in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7. Taken together, these finding suggest that R. vermiculata exhibited an interesting biological activities which may be related to the phenolic composition of this plant. Moreover, the identification of phenolic compounds in R. vermiculata dichloromethane extract using RP-HPLC revealed that myricetin was the major molecule. These results allow us to propose R. vermiculata as a valuable source for bioactive and natural compounds exhibiting interesting biological capacities.
Prostatic Adenocarcinoma Metastatic to Pleomorphic Liposarcoma, a “Collision Phenomenon”: Report of a Case with Review of Pelvic Collision Tumors

“Collision tumor” is an uncommon phenomenon characterized by coexistence of two completely distinct and independent tumors at the same site. Collision tumors have been reported in different sites in the body; however, these are particularly uncommon in the pelvic cavity. A 70-year-old man, with prior history of urothelial and prostate cancer, presented with a large pelvic mass detected on imaging studies. Pathological examination revealed a large liposarcoma with prostatic carcinoma embedded in it. Immunohistochemistry and florescence in situ hybridization studies were performed to reach to a conclusive diagnosis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the second case reported till date. We present the challenges encountered in the diagnosis of this case and review of pelvic collision tumors.
Framing Policy Debates

This study examines how the news frames that journalists use to present contentious policy debates shape reasoning processes and opinion outcomes. Drawing on the notion that framing is a cognitive process in which the message affects how individuals weigh existing considerations (i.e., political orientations and relevant attitudes/beliefs) to make a judgment, the authors conducted two experiments in which they presented participants with news stories in which policy conflicts were described as either a clash of underlying values and principles (i.e., a value frame) or as a clash of political interests and strategies (i.e., a strategy frame). The results suggest that the framed news stories failed to change issue opinions directly but did alter the importance of the considerations used to make judgments on relevant issues. Specifically, individuals tend to react to strategy frames by discounting partisan affiliation as a primary consideration, turning to other salient alternatives when making judgments.
Association between the Ser9Gly Polymorphism of the Dopamine D3 Receptor Gene and Tardive Dyskinesia in Chinese Schizophrenic Patients

It has been suggested that dopamine D3 receptor (DRD3) may have important implications for antipsychotic-induced tardive dyskinesia (TD). Previous studies have demonstrated an association between a serine to glycine polymorphism in the first exon of the DRD3 gene and TD; however, the results have been inconsistent. Therefore, we have replicated these studies using a Chinese sample population. A total of 115 schizophrenic patients from chronic wards were assessed for TD severity using the Abnormal Involuntary Movements Scale (AIMS) and were subsequently genotyped for the DRD3 polymorphism. The mean AIMS score for patients carrying the heterozygote (DRD3ser-gly) was significantly greater than for those with the homozygotes (DRD3ser-ser and DRD3gly-gly). Our results are in line with a previous report, the results of which suggest that the presence of the DRD3ser-gly genotype may be a risk factor for the development of TD in patients treated with antipsychotics.
Spirituality as a Coping Resource

Abstract Qualitative findings from face-to-face interviews of a subset of participants in a large quantitative study are used to explore the perspectives of 10 professional Black women (PBW) regarding their definitions of spirituality and their experiences using this resource to cope with work-related stress. Findings include that many PBW do not differentiate between spirituality and religion and that they utilize spirituality-particularly prayer, meditation, and inspirational readings-to gain personal strength, inner peace, and guidance and to reflect on and reappraise stressful situations in the workplace. Further, many PBW view spirituality as a problem-focused, rather than an emotion-focused, coping strategy. Implications for social work practice and future research are offered.
Epidural Administration of Spinal Nerves With the Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha Inhibitor, Etanercept, Compared With Dexamethasone for Treatment of Sciatica in Patients With Lumbar Spinal Stenosis: A Prospective Randomized Study

Study Design. Prospective randomized trial. Objective. To examine the effect of the tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-&agr;) inhibitor, etanercept, on radicular pain by its epidural administration onto spinal nerves in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis. Summary of Background Data. TNF-&agr; is thought to play a crucial role in the radicular pain caused by lumbar disc herniation and spinal stenosis. Intravenous infusion of infliximab for sciatica has been examined in 2 studies; however, the results were equivocal. Methods. Eighty patients with low back and radicular leg pain were investigated. We diagnosed the patients by physical examination, and X-ray and magnetic resonance imaging. In 40 patients, we epidurally administered 2.0 mL of lidocaine and 10 mg of etanercept onto the affected spinal nerve, and 2.0 mL of lidocaine and 3.3 mg of dexamethasone was used in 40 patients. Low back pain, leg pain, and leg numbness were evaluated using a visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) score before and for 1 month after epidural administration. Results. Low back pain, leg pain, and leg numbness in the 2 groups were not significantly different before epidural administration. Epidural administration of etanercept was more effective than dexamethasone for leg pain (3 days, and 1, 2, and 4 weeks: P < 0.05), low back pain (3 days, and 1 and 2 weeks: P < 0.05), and leg numbness (3 days, and 1 and 2 weeks: P < 0.05). No adverse event was observed in either group. Conclusion. Our results indicate that epidural administration of a TNF-&agr; inhibitor onto the spinal nerve produced pain relief, but no adverse event. TNF-&agr; inhibitors may be useful tools for the treatment of radicular pain caused by spinal stenosis.
Association between carotid intima-media thickness and physical activity scores in middle aged Pakistani adults--a hospital based study.

BACKGROUND The intima-media thickness of carotid arteries measured with B-mode ultrasound is a measurable index of the presence of atherosclerosis. Physical inactivity is known to be a risk factor for rapid onset and progression of atherosclerosis. Objective of the study was to evaluate the influence of leisure time physical activity on carotid intima media thickness in middle aged Pakistani population. METHODS This cross-sectional study was carried out at the Department of Diagnostic Radiology Holy Family Hospital in collaboration with the Department of Pathology and the Department of Internal Medicine from July to December 2009. Subjects were attendants of patients admitted to the Department of Internal Medicine. All individuals underwent B-mode carotid ultrasound and physical activity assessment was done by using IPA Questionnaires. RESULTS The study population consisted of 110 healthy men and women (male = 64, mean age of 55.1 ± 8.2 years and female = 46, mean age of 58.6 ± 6.7 years) with a mean physical activity of 438 ± 97 (male = 521 ± 62 MET-minutes/weeks, female = 394 ± 162 MET-minutes/week). Results revealed that physical activity has significant association with the thickness of carotid intima media (p-value = 0.042). A total of 11 individuals (10%) had a carotid intima media thickness that was classified as a localized carotid artery plaque (males n = 6 and female n = 5). CONCLUSION The proportion of time and level of physical activities is associated with thickness of intima media of common carotid artery, independently of age and established atherosclerotic risk factors.
User Experience Design Goes Agile in Lean Transformation -- A Case Study

This paper describes the results of a single-case case study, exploring the role of user experience (UX) work in agile software development. The case study company is a large multinational telecommunication company undergoing a lean transformation process. In this case, lean transformation includes the adoption of agile software development practices. Transformation to agile practices had taken place one year prior to the analysis. The analysis is based on documentation analysis and semi-structured interviews of seven software development professionals. The results show that there were difficulties integrating UX design and software engineering work in an agile and iterative manner. The transition process succeeded in shifting UX and related documentation to a central planning role. The roles of the UX designers in the teams were still under re-definition. There was also a clear need to establish new ways of collaboration between UX professionals and software designers.
Tactile sensing for underwater operation system based on multi finger sensors information fusion

During grasping the underwater object, friction condition of fingers and object is variable, and forces imposed on the object are very complex too. It's difficult for autonomous operation to grasp the underwater object, and the operation requires a full tactile sensing. Therefore the methods are presented to extract the feature of touch and slide sensing from the output data of four component finger force sensors, aiming at the experimental research for underwater operation. According to contact model of fingers, we choose four component finger force sensors based on strain gauges. Employing fusing output data of finger force sensors installed on claw, it is very convenient for obtaining reliably touching, sliding and grasping forces.
Social justice praxis in education: Towards sustainable management strategies

Social justice, defined as an impetus towards a socially just educational world, is based on the assumption that all people, irrespective of belief or societal position, are entitled to be treated according to the values of human rights, human dignity and equality. Diverging from the classical positivist approach in social science research that takes injustice as its impetus, the researchers departed from a socio-rationalist approach into exploring sustainable management strategies for effective social justice praxis. This approach has enabled the construction of a conceptual-theoretical framework and an iterative qualitative inquiry, which has as its central principal the sustainable management strategies for effective social justice praxis. Four key findings affirmed the belief that good praxis was to be found in Gemeinschaft relationships, in the influence exerted by government and education systems and structures, where government and principals were found to be co-responsible in ensuring that the best interest of the child was served. This responsibility included practices found in collaborative efforts, where communities became the guardians of their schools due to a disciplined school that followed constitutional values. Lastly, these practitioners aligned their management strategies with human rights values, as well as human dignity and equality, and their strategies found pride of place in extant ubuntu principles. Keywords : determinants; education; human rights; management strategies; restorative; social justice praxis; sustainable development; transformative; ubuntu
The latent factor structure of Young's early maladaptive schemas: are schemas organized into domains?

OBJECTIVE In previous research it has not been clarified whether the first-order schema factors of the Young Schema Questionnaire (YSQ) can be structured into higher order domains. We examined whether investigators' subjective choices between complex models of the YSQ or chance as opposed to clinical diversity of the samples may be responsible for the heterogeneity of results reported in the literature. METHOD We used confirmatory factor analysis to compare several a priori defined domain models in a sample of 542 undergraduate students (82.8% female; mean age 24.1 years) and 590 nonstudent adults (73.9% female; mean age 34.5 years) form an Internet survey. An additional Monte Carlo simulation study was performed to gain further insights on model selection. RESULTS The analyses did not provide unequivocal support for the presence of a second-order domain structure. However, study findings suggested that the structure of the YSQ could be represented by a bifactor model including a first-order generic factor on which all items load and correlated first-order specific schema factors on which only the items load that were meant to measure the respective schemas. CONCLUSION In the YSQ either several second-order domain structures are present that cannot be ranked by statistical measures alone or a first-order generic factor is present making second-order domains dispensable. Future research should include theoretical arguments and incorporate the clinical experience of practitioners.
Testicular responses to photoperiod are blocked by lesions of the suprachiasmatic nuclei in golden hamsters.

Lesions of the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) of golden hamsters prevented the testicular regression ordinarily observed in short photoperiods or after peripheral enucleation. These lesions also induced testicular regrowth in hamsters whose testes had previously been regressed by the absence of adequate photostimulation. Interruption of the primary optic tracts just caudal to the chiasm did not prevent testicular regression by short photoperiods. We hypothesize that testicular responses to photoperiod are mediated by the retinohypothalamic tract, which projects to the SCN, and that the SCN in turn control the secretion of a pineal antigonadal substance. The mechanism for this control may involve entrainment by light of hormonal rhythms in the pineal that are regulated by the SCN. Alternatives to this hypothesis are discussed.
Speech recognition without a lexicon - bridging the gap between graphemic and phonetic systems

Modern speech recognizers rely on three core components: an acoustic model, a language model, and a pronunciation lexicon. In order to expand speech recognition capability to lowresource languages and domains, techniques to peel away the expert knowledge required to craft these three components have been growing in popularity. In this paper, we present a method for automatically learning a weighted pronunciation lexicon in a data-driven fashion without assuming the existence of any phonetic lexicon whatsoever. Given an initial grapheme acoustic model, our method utilizes a novel technique for semiconstrained acoustic unit decoding, which is used to help train a letter to sound (L2S) model. The L2S model is then used in conjunction with a Pronunciation Mixture Model (PMM) to infer a pronunciation lexicon. We evaluate our method on English as well as Lao and Haitian, two low-resource languages featured in the IARPA Babel program. Index Terms: lexicon learning, pronunciation modeling