Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Extending the use of routine outcome monitoring: Predicting long-term outcomes in cognitive behavioral therapy for severe health anxiety

Abstract Objective: Routine outcome monitoring (ROM) is a well-evidenced means of improving psychotherapy’s effectiveness. However, it is unclear how meaningful ROM is for problems that span physical and mental health, such as severe health anxiety. Physical and mental health comorbidities are common amongst severe health anxiety sufferers and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a recommended treatment. Method: Seventy-nine participants received CBT for severe health anxiety in a clinical trial. The Outcome Rating Scale (ORS: a ROM assessment of wellbeing) was completed at each session. Multilevel modeling assessed whether last-session ORS predicted health anxiety and other outcomes over 12-month follow-up. Similar models were developed using health anxiety as a comparative outcome-predictor. Outcome-improvements of treatment-responders with sudden gains were compared to those of non-sudden-gainers. Results: Last-session ORS scores predicted all outcomes up to 12 months later, with a comparable predictive effect to health anxiety. Sudden-gainers on the ORS reported significantly greater improvement in depression, functioning, and wellbeing, but no difference in health anxiety or other measures. Conclusion: The ORS may be a feasible, overall estimate of health, functioning, and quality of life in psychotherapy for severe health anxiety. Sudden gains on the ORS may be clinically meaningful with respect to some long-term outcomes.
Recurrent Deep Network Models for Clinical NLP Tasks: Use Case with Sentence Boundary Disambiguation

Although a number of foundational natural language processing (NLP) tasks like text segmentation are considered a simple problem in the general English domain dominated by well-formed text, complexities of clinical documentation lead to poor performance of existing solutions designed for the general English domain. We present an alternative solution that relies on a convolutional neural network layer followed by a bidirectional long short-term memory layer (CNN-Bi-LSTM) for the task of sentence boundary disambiguation and describe an ensemble approach for domain adaptation using two training corpora. Implementations using the Keras neural-networks API are available at https://github.com/NLPIE/clinical-sentences.
Validation of a nomogram to predict the risk of cancer in patients with intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm and main duct dilatation of 10 mm or less

Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) is premalignant pancreatic lesion. International guidelines offer limited predictors of individual risk. A nomogram to predict individual IPMN malignancy risk was released, with good diagnostic performance based on a large cohort of Asian patients with IPMN. The present study validated a nomogram to predict malignancy risk and invasiveness of IPMN using both Eastern and Western cohorts.
Surprising lack of sensitivity of biochemical limitation of photosynthesis of nine tree species to open‐air experimental warming and reduced rainfall in a southern boreal forest

Photosynthetic biochemical limitation parameters (i.e., Vcmax, Jmax and Jmax:Vcmax ratio) are sensitive to temperature and water availability, but whether these parameters in cold climate species at biome ecotones are positively or negatively influenced by projected changes in global temperature and water availability remains uncertain. Prior exploration of this question has largely involved greenhouse based short‐term manipulative studies with mixed results in terms of direction and magnitude of responses. To address this question in a more realistic context, we examined the effects of increased temperature and rainfall reduction on the biochemical limitations of photosynthesis using a long‐term chamber‐less manipulative experiment located in northern Minnesota, USA. Nine tree species from the boreal‐temperate ecotone were grown in natural neighborhoods under ambient and elevated (+3.4°C) growing season temperatures and ambient or reduced (≈40% of rainfall removed) summer rainfall. Apparent rubisco carboxylation and RuBP regeneration standardized to 25°C (Vcmax25°C and Jmax25°C, respectively) were estimated based on ACi curves measured in situ over three growing seasons. Our primary objective was to test whether species would downregulate Vcmax25°C and Jmax25°C in response to warming and reduced rainfall, with such responses expected to be greatest in species with the coldest and most humid native ranges, respectively. These hypotheses were not supported, as there were no overall main treatment effects on Vcmax25°C or Jmax25°C (p > .14). However, Jmax:Vcmax ratio decreased significantly with warming (p = .0178), whereas interactions between warming and rainfall reduction on the Jmax25°C to Vcmax25°C ratio were not significant. The insensitivity of photosynthetic parameters to warming contrasts with many prior studies done under larger temperature differentials and often fixed daytime temperatures. In sum, plants growing in relatively realistic conditions under naturally varying temperatures and soil moisture levels were remarkably insensitive in terms of their Jmax25°C and Vcmax25°C when grown at elevated temperatures, reduced rainfall, or both combined.
Exploring Hidden In-Hospital Fall Clusters from Incident Reports Using Text Analytics

Retrospective analysing of fall incident reports can uncover hidden information, identify potential risk factors, and improve healthcare quality. This study explores potential fall incident clusters using word embeddings and hierarchical clustering. Fall incident reports from 7 local hospitals in Hong Kong were catalogued into 5 potential clusters with significantly different fall severity, gender, reporting department, and keywords. This study demonstrates the feasibility of using text clustering methods on real-world fall incident reports mining.
Word embedding for French natural language in healthcare: a comparative study (Preprint)

BACKGROUND Word embedding technologies are now used in a wide range of applications. However, no formal evaluation and comparison have been made on models produced by the three most famous implementations (Word2Vec, GloVe and FastText). OBJECTIVE The goal of this study is to compare embedding implementations on a corpus of documents produced in a working context, by health professionals. METHODS Models have been trained on documents coming from the Rouen university hospital. This data is not structured and cover a wide range of documents produced in a clinic (discharge summary, prescriptions .). Four evaluation tasks have been defined (cosine similarity, odd one, mathematical operations and human formal evaluation) and applied on each model. RESULTS Word2Vec had the highest score for three of the four tasks (mathematical operations, odd one similarity and human validation), particularly regarding the Skip-Gram architecture. CONCLUSIONS Even if this implementation had the best rate, each model has its own qualities and defects, like the training time which is very short for GloVe or morphosyntaxic similarity conservation observed with FastText. Models and test sets produced by this study will be the first publicly available through a graphical interface to help advance French biomedical research.
Nocturnal Excretion in Healthy Older Women and Rationale for a Safer Approach to Sleep Disruption

Insomnia, especially difficulty maintaining sleep, is prevalent among older adults and increases the incidence of falls and fractures. Moreover, the drugs used to treat it exacerbate the risk. Yet current therapies fail to address one of its most common causes in older adults: nocturia and its primary contributor, nocturnal polyuria (NP), especially among the majority of individuals without lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Therefore, we examined the factors associated with nocturia in two groups of such older women and the impact of nocturia on sleep.
Glucocorticoids for acute urticaria: study protocol for a double-blind non-inferiority randomised controlled trial

Introduction This study protocol describes a trial designed to investigate whether antihistamine alone in patients with acute urticaria does not increase the 7-day Urticaria Activity Score (UAS7) in comparison with an association of antihistamine and glucocorticoids and reduces short-term relapses and chronic-induced urticaria. Methods and analysis This is a prospective, double-blind, parallel-group, multicentre non-inferiority randomised controlled trial. Two-hundred and forty patients with acute urticaria admitted to emergency department will be randomised in a 1:1 ratio to receive levocetirizine or an association of levocetirizine and prednisone. Randomisation will be stratified by centre. The primary outcome will be the UAS7 at day 7. The secondary outcomes will encompass recurrence of hives and/or itch at day 7; occurrence of spontaneous hives or itch for >6 weeks; patients with angioedema at day 7, and 2, 6, 12 and 24 weeks; new emergency visits for acute urticaria recurrences at days 7 and 14, and 3 months; Dermatology Life Quality Index at days 7 and 14, and 3 and 6 months; and Chronic Urticaria Quality of Life Questionnaire at 6 weeks. Ethics and dissemination The protocol has been approved by the Comité de Protection des Personnes Sud-Méditerranée II and will be carried out in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki and Good Clinical Practice guidelines. A steering committee will oversee the progress of the study. Findings will be disseminated through national and international scientific conferences and publication in peer-reviewed journals. Trial registration number NCT03545464
What is important for advance care planning in the palliative phase of people with intellectual disabilities? A multi-perspective interview study.

BACKGROUND Advance care planning (ACP) is the process of discussing and documenting wishes and preferences for future care. Research about ACP for people with intellectual disabilities (ID) is limited. This study describes what is important for ACP in the palliative phase of people with intellectual disabilities. METHOD In-depth interviews were conducted with people with intellectual disabilities (n = 5), relatives (n = 7) and professional caregivers (n = 8). Qualitative data were analysed inductively, using the principles of thematic analysis. RESULTS Important themes in ACP were as follows: tailoring care, working as a team and taking and giving time. The perceived role of people with intellectual disabilities in ACP was to express their wishes. Relatives had a signalling, representing and contributing role. Professionals felt their role was to inform, collaborate and coordinate. CONCLUSIONS A staff training programme about ACP should cover how to build and maintain close relationships, provide a safe environment and address ACP as an integral part of care.
Screening and analysis of proteins interacting with OsMADS16 in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

OsMADS16, a class B floral organ identity gene, plays a pivotal role in stamen formation in rice. To date, little is known about the interacting partners of OsMADS16 except for several MADS-box proteins. In this study, we constructed a high-quality cDNA library of young panicles (< 5 cm in length) and performed yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) screening using OsMADS16 as bait. Eleven candidate proteins interacting with OsMADS16 were identified by Y2H and validated by BiFC and Co-IP assays. Subcellular localization results further confirmed the possibility of the interactions of OsMADS16 with 10 of the candidate proteins in natural rice cells. Bioinformatics analysis indicated that these partners exerted various molecular, cellular and physiological functions. Some of them were known or likely to be related to reproductive events, such as stamen primordium initiation, differentiation and development (OsMADS2, OsMADS4 and OsCOP9) and pollen development (OsbHLH40 and Os6PGDH). Our results provide an important reference for further research on OsMADS16-mediated regulation mechanism on floral organ development and pollen formation.
Enhanced-Elliptic Curve Diffie Hellman Algorithm for Secure Data Storage in Multi Cloud Environment

Cloud computing service is one of the most emerging research area in the field of cloud environment. It also emerged as a new platform for managing, deploying and provisioning large scale data. However, the access of user in cloud node or data storage point is restricted to a certain condition. Whereas, several encryption methodologies are utilized in the cloud for improving the security and also to reduce the computation time, but most of the methodologies requires high processing unit. To overcome this concern, an effective cloud storage system is developed in this research paper. Here, an Enhanced-Elliptic Curve Diffie Hellman (E-ECDH) approach is utilized for encrypting and decrypting the data with low computational time. The E-ECDH method generates the key without any complex program that helps in limited use of resources. The encryption and decryption time of the E-ECDH is decreased by using the less complex value. Finally, the experimental outcome showed that the proposed approach improved the security of the cloud system up to 0.11-0.03% of success rate compared to the other existing methodologies.
The ion channel function of polycystin‐1 in the polycystin‐1/polycystin‐2 complex

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is caused by mutations in PKD1 or PKD2 gene, encoding the polycystic kidney disease protein polycystin‐1 and the transient receptor potential channel polycystin‐2 (also known as TRPP2), respectively. Polycystin‐1 and polycystin‐2 form a receptor–ion channel complex located in primary cilia. The function of this complex, especially the role of polycystin‐1, is largely unknown due to the lack of a reliable functional assay. In this study, we dissect the role of polycystin‐1 by directly recording currents mediated by a gain‐of‐function (GOF) polycystin‐1/polycystin‐2 channel. Our data show that this channel has distinct properties from that of the homomeric polycystin‐2 channel. The polycystin‐1 subunit directly contributes to the channel pore, and its eleven transmembrane domains are sufficient for its channel function. We also show that the cleavage of polycystin‐1 at the N‐terminal G protein‐coupled receptor proteolysis site is not required for the activity of the GOF polycystin‐1/polycystin‐2 channel. These results demonstrate the ion channel function of polycystin‐1 in the polycystin‐1/polycystin‐2 complex, enriching our understanding of this channel and its role in ADPKD.
Experimental assessment of capacities for cumulative culture: Review and evaluation of methods

Abstract In the current literature, there are few experimental tests of capacities for cumulative cultural evolution in nonhuman species. There are even fewer examples of such tests in young children. This limited evidence is noteworthy given widespread interest in the apparent distinctiveness of human cumulative culture, and the potentially significant theoretical implications of identifying related capacities in nonhumans or very young children. We evaluate experimental methods upon which claims of capacities for cumulative culture, or lack thereof, have been based. Although some of the established methods (those simulating generational succession) have the potential to identify positive evidence that fulfills widely accepted definitions of cumulative culture, the implementation of these methods entails significant logistical challenges. This is particularly true for testing populations that are difficult to access in large numbers, or those not amenable to experimental control. This presents problems for generating evidence that would be sufficient to support claims of capacities for cumulative culture, and these problems are magnified for establishing convincing negative evidence. We discuss alternative approaches to assessing capacities for cumulative culture, which circumvent logistical problems associated with experimental designs involving chains of learners. By inferring the outcome of repeated transmission from the input–output response patterns of individual subjects, sample size requirements can be massively reduced. Such methods could facilitate comparisons between populations, for example, different species, or children of a range of ages. We also detail limitations and challenges of this alternative approach, and discuss potential avenues for future research. This article is categorized under: Cognitive Biology > Evolutionary Roots of Cognition Cognitive Biology > Cognitive Development Psychology > Comparative Psychology
Predictive performance of plasma neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin for neurologic outcomes in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients treated with targeted temperature management

Abstract Few studies have demonstrated the prognostic potential of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) in post-cardiac arrest patients. This study evaluated the usefulness of plasma NGAL in predicting neurologic outcome and mortality in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients treated with targeted temperature management (TTM). A prospective observational study was conducted between October 2013 and April 2016 at a single tertiary hospital. We enrolled 75 patients treated with TTM and collected their demographic data, cardiopulmonary resuscitation-related information, data on plasma NGAL concentration, and prognostic test results. Plasma NGAL was measured at 4 hours after return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). The primary endpoint was the neurologic outcome at discharge and the secondary outcome was 28-day mortality. Neurologic outcomes were analyzed using a stepwise multivariate logistic regression while 28-day mortality was analyzed using a stepwise Cox regression. The predictive performance of plasma NGAL for neurologic outcome was measured by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve and the predictability of 28-day mortality was measured using Harrell C-index. We also compared the predictive performance of plasma NGAL to that of other traditional prognostic modalities for outcome variables. Thirty patients (40%) had good neurologic outcomes and 53 (70.7%) survived for more than 28 days. Plasma NGAL in patients with good neurologic outcomes was 122.7 ± 146.7 ng/ml, which was significantly lower than that in the poor neurologic outcome group (307.5 ± 269.6 ng/ml; P < .001). The probability of a poor neurologic outcome was more than 3.3-fold in the NGAL >124.3 ng/ml group (odds ratio, 3.321; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.265–8.721]). Plasma NGAL in the survived group was significantly lower than that in the non-survived group (172.7 ± 191.6 vs 379.9 ± 297.8 ng/ml; P = .005). Plasma NGAL was significantly correlated with 28-day mortality (hazard ratio 1.003, 95% CI 1.001–1.004; P < .001). The predictive performance of plasma NGAL was not inferior to that of other prognostic modalities except electroencephalography. Plasma NGAL is valuable for predicting the neurologic outcome and 28-day mortality of patients with OHCA at an early stage after ROSC. This study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov on November 19, 2013 (Identifier: NCT01987466).
Proof of concept of a smartphone app to support delivery of an intervention to facilitate mothers’ mind-mindedness

The present study reports on the first evaluation of a parenting intervention utilizing a smartphone app, BabyMind. The intervention aimed to facilitate mothers’ mind-mindedness—attunement to their infants’ internal states. Mothers in the intervention group (n = 90) used the BabyMind app from their infants’ births and were followed up at age 6 months (n = 66). Mothers in the control group (n = 151) were recruited when their infants were age 6 months and had never used the BabyMind app. Mind-mindedness when interacting with their infants was significantly higher in intervention group mothers than in control group mothers. The intervention was equally effective in facilitating mind-mindedness in young and older mothers. These findings are discussed in terms of the potential for interventions utilizing smartphone apps to improve parenting and children’s developmental outcome in vulnerable and hard-to-reach groups.
Heteronormativity in the Lives of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Queer Young People

ABSTRACT Heteronormativity, as defined in queer theory, is the presumption and privileging of heterosexuality. Research on how young people make sense of and narrate heteronormativity in their own lives is needed to inform theories of heteronormativity. Using queer and intersectional frameworks, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 14 sexual and gender minority young people (ages 18 to 24), analyzed using thematic analysis, to examine how young adults make sense of heteronormativity. Participants discussed how gender expression informed both sexuality and sexual attraction. Participants prioritized biological parenthood over other family constructions but rarely discussed marriage. Gender, sexuality, and race contributed important contexts for how participants described heteronormativity in their lives and should be the focus of future research. Finally, binaries of gender, sexuality, and family intersected in participants’ lives and their narrative constructions.
A Knowledge-Based Platform for Assessing Potential Adverse Drug Reactions at the Point of Care: User Requirements and Design

Even though Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) constitute a significant public health issue, there is a lack of Information & Communication Technologies (ICT) tools supporting Pharmacovigilance activities at the point of care. In this paper, we present the rationale of a Web-based platform to address this need. The driving user scenario of the proposed platform refers to a clinician who investigates information for a possible ADR as part of a specific patient treatment. The goal is to facilitate this assessment through appropriate tools for searching various relevant data sources, analysing the acquired data, aggregating the obtained evidence, and offering follow-up ADR monitoring over time in a systematic and user-friendly way. In this regard, we describe the adopted user requirements engineering methodology and illustrate the use of Knowledge Engineering (KE) as the platform's main technical paradigm to enable heterogeneous data integration and handle the complexity of the underlying information processing workflow.
A Study of Medical Problem Extraction for Better Disease Management

This study focuses on the extraction of medical problems mentioned in electric health records to support disease management. We experimented with a variety of information extraction methods based on rules, on knowledge bases, and on machine learning, and combined them in an ensemble method approach. A new dataset drawn from cancer patient medical records at the University of Utah Healthcare was manually annotated for all mentions of a selection of the most frequent medical problems in this institution. Our experimental results show that a medical knowledge base can improve shallow and deep learning-based sequence labeling methods. The voting ensemble method combining information extraction models outperformed individual models and yielded more precise extraction of medical problems. As an example of applications benefiting from acurate medical problems extraction, we compared document-level cancer type classifiers and demonstrated that using only medical concepts yielded more accurate classification than using all the words in a clinical note.