Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
For Fit’s Sake: A Norms-Based Approach to Healthy Behaviors Through Influence of Presumed Media Influence

ABSTRACT Based on the influence of presumed media influence (IPMI) model as the theoretical framework, this study examines how injunctive norms and personal norms mediate the influence of healthy lifestyle media messages on public intentions to engage in two types of healthy lifestyle behaviors—physical activity and healthy diet. Nationally representative data collected from 1,055 adults in Singapore demonstrate partial support for the key hypotheses that make up the extended IPMI model, highlighting the importance of a norms-based approach in health communication. Our results indicate that perceived media influence on others indirectly shaped public intentions to engage in healthy lifestyle behaviors through personal norms and attitude, providing partial theoretical support for the extended IPMI model. Practical implications for health communicators in designing health campaigns media messages to motivate the public to engage in healthy lifestyle are discussed.
Discerning the impact of personal and situational variables in risk perception of coronary heart disease

Research into how people perceive risk has highlighted the interaction between the available information and personal variables and their impact on judgement. This study sought to identify demographic and health variables that influenced risk and the influence of individual risk assessment, dispositional optimism and negative affect on judgement. A total of 476 participants were asked to make risks judgements of 24 vignettes depicting hypothetical risk scenarios. The findings showed that while people are able to correctly recognise, in others, relevant risk factors for coronary heart disease, risk perception is likely to imply a personal consideration of the same risk factors in themselves.
Burden of Complicated Malaria in a Densely Forested Bastar Region of Chhattisgarh State (Central India)

Background A prospective study on severe and complicated malaria was undertaken in the tribal dominated area of Bastar division, Chhattisgarh (CG), Central India, with an objective to understand the clinical epidemiology of complicated malaria in patients attending at a referral hospital. Methods Blood smears, collected from the general medicine and pediatric wards of a government tertiary health care facility located in Jagdalpur, CG, were microscopically examined for malaria parasite from July 2010 to December 2013. The Plasmodium falciparum positive malaria cases who met enrollment criteria and provided written informed consent were enrolled under different malaria categories following WHO guidelines. PCR was performed to reconfirm the presence of P.falciparum mono infection among enrolled cases. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was done to identify different risk factors using STATA 11.0. Results A total of 40,924 cases were screened for malaria. The prevalence of malaria and P.falciparum associated complicated malaria (severe and cerebral both) in the hospital was 6% and 0.81%, respectively. P.falciparum malaria prevalence, severity and associated mortality in this region peaked at the age of>4–5 years and declined with increasing age. P.falciparum malaria was significantly more prevalent in children than adults (P<0.00001). Among adults, males had significantly more P.falciparum malaria than females (P<0.00001). Case fatality rate due to cerebral malaria and severe malaria was, respectively, 32% and 9% among PCR confirmed mono P.falciparum cases. Coma was the only independent predictor of mortality in multivariate regression analysis. Mortality was significantly associated with multi-organ complication score (P = 0.0003). Conclusion This study has revealed that the pattern of morbidity and mortality in this part of India is very different from earlier reported studies from India. We find that the peak morbidity and mortality in younger children regardless of seasonality. This suggests that this age group needs special care for control and clinical management.
Prediction of high-dimensional states subject to respiratory motion: a manifold learning approach

The development of high-dimensional imaging systems in image-guided radiotherapy provides important pathways to the ultimate goal of real-time full volumetric motion monitoring. Effective motion management during radiation treatment usually requires prediction to account for system latency and extra signal/image processing time. It is challenging to predict high-dimensional respiratory motion due to the complexity of the motion pattern combined with the curse of dimensionality. Linear dimension reduction methods such as PCA have been used to construct a linear subspace from the high-dimensional data, followed by efficient predictions on the lower-dimensional subspace. In this study, we extend such rationale to a more general manifold and propose a framework for high-dimensional motion prediction with manifold learning, which allows one to learn more descriptive features compared to linear methods with comparable dimensions. Specifically, a kernel PCA is used to construct a proper low-dimensional feature manifold, where accurate and efficient prediction can be performed. A fixed-point iterative pre-image estimation method is used to recover the predicted value in the original state space. We evaluated and compared the proposed method with a PCA-based approach on level-set surfaces reconstructed from point clouds captured by a 3D photogrammetry system. The prediction accuracy was evaluated in terms of root-mean-squared-error. Our proposed method achieved consistent higher prediction accuracy (sub-millimeter) for both 200 ms and 600 ms lookahead lengths compared to the PCA-based approach, and the performance gain was statistically significant.
Arterial Expression of the Calcium-Sensing Receptor Is Maintained by Physiological Pulsation and Protects against Calcification

Vascular calcification (VC) is common in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and contributes to cardiovascular mortality. The calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) is present in human artery, senses extracellular calcium and may directly modulate VC. Objective: to investigate the association between arterial cyclic strain, CaSR expression and VC. Methods and Results: human aortic smooth muscle cells (HAoSMC) were cultured under static or strained conditions, with exposure to CaSR agonists, the calcimimetic R568, and after CaSR silencing and over-expression. High extracellular calcium reduced CaSR expression and promoted osteochondrogenic transformation and calcium deposition. This was partially prevented by cyclic strain and exposure to R568. CaSR silencing enhanced calcification and osteochondrogenic transformation, whereas CaSR over-expression attenuated this procalcific response, demonstrating a central role for the CaSR in the response to cyclic strain and regulation of VC. In arterial explants from CKD patients (n = 11) and controls (n = 9), exposure to R568 did not significantly alter calcium deposition, osteochondrogenic markers or total artery calcium content. Conclusions: physiological mechanical strain is important for arterial homeostasis and may protect arteries from VC. The beneficial effects of cyclic strain may be mediated via the CaSR.
Proteins Associated with SF3a60 in T. brucei

Trypanosoma brucei relies on Spliced leader trans splicing to generate functional messenger RNAs. Trans splicing joins the specialized SL exon from the SL RNA to pre-mRNAs and is mediated by the trans-spliceosome, which is made up of small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particles and non-snRNP factors. Although the trans spliceosome is essential for trypanosomatid gene expression, not all spliceosomal protein factors are known and of these, only a few are completely characterized. In this study, we have characterized the trypanosome Splicing Factor, SF3a60, the only currently annotated SF3a component. As expected, epitope-tagged SF3a60 localizes in the trypanosome nucleus. SF3a60 is essential for cell viability but its depletion seem to have no detectable effect on trans-splicing. In addition, we used SF3a60 as bait in a Yeast-2-hybrid system screen and identified its interacting protein factors. The interactions with SF3a120, SF3a66 and SAP130 were confirmed by tandem affinity purification and mass spectrometry.
Investigating Regional Variation of Cardiac Implantable Electrical Device Implant Rates in European Healthcare Systems: What Drives Differences?

Despite established efficacy for cardiac implantable electrical devices (CIEDs), large differences in CIED implant rates have been documented across and within countries. The aim of this paper is to investigate the influence of socio-economic, epidemiological and supply side factors on CIED implant rates across 57 Regions in 5 EU countries and to assess the feasibility of using administrative data for this purpose. A total of 1 330 098 hospitalizations for CIED procedures extracted from hospital discharge databases in Austria, England, Germany, Italy and Slovenia from 2008 to 2012 was used in the analysis. Higher levels of tertiary education among the labour force and percent of aged population are positively associated with implant rates of CIED. Regional per capita GDP and number of implanting centres appear to have no significant effect. Institutional factors are shown to be important for the diffusion of CIED. Wide variation in CIED implant rates across and within five EU countries is undeniable. However, regional factors play a limited part in explaining these differences with few exceptions. Administrative databases are a valuable source of data for investigating the diffusion of medical technologies, while the choice of appropriate modelling strategy is crucial in identifying the drivers for variation across countries. © 2017 The Authors. Health Economics published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Passage à l'échelle de la fouille vidéo basée sur la détection de copies

La structuration automatique des grandes bases de donnees multimedia a partir du contenu non textuel a de nombreuses applications potentielles et permet de pallier a l? absence d? annotations riches et fiables. Dans le cas particulier des grandes bases video, des liens tres utiles entre sequences video sont mis en evidence par la detection de copies par le contenu (DCPC). En simplifiant, on considere que deux videos sont en relation de « copie » si l? une est une version transformee de l? autre ou les deux ont un ancetre commun. Avec une description du contenu et une mesure de similarite adaptees, cette relation peut s? exprimer comme une similarite entre videos. La fouille d? une base video par DCPC peut alors etre vue comme une auto-jointure par similarite. Nous abordons ici le probleme difficile du passage a l? echelle de ce type d? operation. Nous introduisons une structure d? index adaptee, qui exploite les proprietes d? une nouvelle description, plus compacte, du signal video (au niveau des trames cles). Les differentes etapes du processus de fouille base sur cette structure sont ensuite decrites. La qualite de detection obtenue avec la methode proposee est mesuree sur deux verites terrain. Le passage a l? echelle est ensuite evalue sur des bases allant jusqu? a 10 000 heures de video. Enfin, des resultats de l? application de cette methode a des contenus issus d? un site Web2.0 sont illustres.
Indication Variability in Degenerative Lumbar Spine Surgery: A Four-nation Survey

Study Design. Electronic survey. Objective. The aim of this study was to identify the international nuances in surgical treatment patterns for severals lumbar degenerative conditions, specifically, to identify differences in responses in each country groupand different treatment trends across countries. Summary of Background Data. Significant variations in treatment of lumbar degenerative conditions exist among spine surgeons, related to the lack of established consensus in the literature. Methods. An online survey with preformulated answers was submitted to 52 orthopedic surgeons, 50 neurosurgeons from four different countries (United States, France, Spain, and Germany) regarding five vignette-cases. Cases included: multilevel stenosis, monolevel stenosis, lytic spondylolisthesis, isthmic lysis, and degenerative scoliosis. The variability for each country was calculated according to the Index of Qualitative Variation (IQV = 0: no variability and 1: maximal variability). We used Fleiss kappa (range: from −1, poor agreement, to 1, almost perfect agreement) for assessing the reliability of agreement between the participants concerning specialties, countries, and age groups. Results. For the two stenosis cases, US surgeons were more likely to propose decompression (IQV multilevel = 0.47 and monolevel = 0.32) comparing with European countries more heterogeneous (all IQV >0.70) and more frequently proposing fusion. As regards degenerative scoliosis, all attitudes were extremely heterogeneous with IQV >0.8. Fusion for isthmic spondylolisthesis was more consensual (all IQV <0.63), but attitudes were more heterogeneous for isthmic lysis (IQV ranged from 0.48 to 0.76) with anterior approach proposed in France (37%) and United States (19.2%). The overall interrater agreement was equally slight not only for neurosurgeons (Fleiss Kappa = 0.04) and orthopedic surgeons (Kappa = 0.13), but also for countries (Kappa <0.13) and age groups (Kappa <0.1). Conclusion. In this study, we found substantial agreement for some spinal conditions but a high variability in some others: intranational and international variations were observed, reflecting the lack of literature consensus. Level of Evidence: 2
A transdisciplinary perspective of chronic stress in relation to psychopathology throughout life span development

Abstract The allostatic load (AL) model represents an interdisciplinary approach to comprehensively conceptualize and quantify chronic stress in relation to pathologies throughout the life cycle. This article first reviews the AL model, followed by interactions among early adversity, genetics, environmental toxins, as well as distinctions among sex, gender, and sex hormones as integral antecedents of AL. We next explore perspectives on severe mental illness, dementia, and caregiving as unique human models of AL that merit future investigations in the field of developmental psychopathology. A complimenting transdisciplinary perspective is applied throughout, whereby we argue that the AL model goes beyond traditional stress–disease theories toward the advancement of person-centered research and practice that promote not only physical health but also mental health.
Wakefields of short bunches in the canal covered with thin dielectric layer

In new generation of accelerators shorter and shorter bunches are considered. In addition to the usual wakefields, excited in corrugated or resistive vacuum chambers, other harmful wakes can be excited in smooth beam tubes, covered by thin dielectric layer. Analytical approximation and results of computer simulations are presented for various bunchlengths and dielectric thickness. It is shown that a 50 /spl mu/m long bunch, travelling through a tube with ceramic coating of only 0.1 /spl mu/m gives rise to large amplitude wakefields, comparable to usual wakes in accelerating cavities. This effect can be dramatic for long transport-lines. Dielectric coatings in the tubes can be of different types. A few examples, like oxide layer in aluminum tubes, are finally discussed. Derived estimations are also given for corrugated metallic surfaces, which can have similar behaviour to dielectric coated tubes.
A systematic review of the prevalence of comorbid mental health disorders in people presenting for substance use treatment in Australia

ISSUES The aim of this paper was to conduct a systematic review of the prevalence of comorbid mental health conditions in people accessing treatment for substance use in Australia. APPROACH A systematic review identified studies meeting the following eligibility criteria: reporting original data published in English; sample presenting for substance use treatment in Australia; assessing the prevalence of mental health and substance use conditions and reporting the percentage of participants with co-occurring mental health and substance use conditions. A narrative analysis was conducted because of the heterogeneity of methods used to assess key outcome variables and small number of studies assessing particular mental health outcomes. The abstracts of 1173 records were screened, and 59 full articles were assessed for eligibility. Eighteen studies were included in the review. KEY FINDINGS Prevalence estimates of current mental disorders in substance use treatment clients varied (47 to 100%). Mood and anxiety disorders were particularly prevalent, with the prevalence of current depression ranging from 27 to 85% and current generalised anxiety disorder ranging from 1 to 75%. IMPLICATIONS The high prevalence of mood and anxiety disorders in substance use treatment settings indicates a need for clinicians to screen and assess for these disorders as part of routine clinical care, and be familiar with evidence-based management and treatment strategies. CONCLUSION Although further studies are required to determine the prevalence of the full range of mental health disorders in this population, these findings emphasise the high prevalence of comorbid mental disorders are among individuals accessing substance use treatment in Australia. [Kingston REF, Marel C, Mills KL. A systematic review of the prevalence of comorbid mental health disorders in people presenting for substance use treatment in Australia. Drug Alcohol Rev 2017;36:527-539].
Allergen immunotherapy for IgE‐mediated food allergy: a systematic review and meta‐analysis

The European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) is developing Guidelines for Allergen Immunotherapy (AIT) for IgE‐mediated Food Allergy. To inform the development of clinical recommendations, we sought to critically assess evidence on the effectiveness, safety and cost‐effectiveness of AIT in the management of food allergy.
Speech-Like Rhythm in a Voiced and Voiceless Orangutan Call

The evolutionary origins of speech remain obscure. Recently, it was proposed that speech derived from monkey facial signals which exhibit a speech-like rhythm of ∼5 open-close lip cycles per second. In monkeys, these signals may also be vocalized, offering a plausible evolutionary stepping stone towards speech. Three essential predictions remain, however, to be tested to assess this hypothesis' validity; (i) Great apes, our closest relatives, should likewise produce 5Hz-rhythm signals, (ii) speech-like rhythm should involve calls articulatorily similar to consonants and vowels given that speech rhythm is the direct product of stringing together these two basic elements, and (iii) speech-like rhythm should be experience-based. Via cinematic analyses we demonstrate that an ex-entertainment orangutan produces two calls at a speech-like rhythm, coined “clicks” and “faux-speech. ” Like voiceless consonants, clicks required no vocal fold action, but did involve independent manoeuvring over lips and tongue. In parallel to vowels, faux-speech showed harmonic and formant modulations, implying vocal fold and supralaryngeal action. This rhythm was several times faster than orangutan chewing rates, as observed in monkeys and humans. Critically, this rhythm was seven-fold faster, and contextually distinct, than any other known rhythmic calls described to date in the largest database of the orangutan repertoire ever assembled. The first two predictions advanced by this study are validated and, based on parsimony and exclusion of potential alternative explanations, initial support is given to the third prediction. Irrespectively of the putative origins of these calls and underlying mechanisms, our findings demonstrate irrevocably that great apes are not respiratorily, articulatorilly, or neurologically constrained for the production of consonant- and vowel-like calls at speech rhythm. Orangutan clicks and faux-speech confirm the importance of rhythmic speech antecedents within the primate lineage, and highlight potential articulatory homologies between great ape calls and human consonants and vowels.
THE EFFECT OF STORAGE SOLUTIONS ON ENAMEL OF BOVINE TEETH

This study evaluated the infl uence of storage solution on bovine enamel. Forty freshly extracted bovine incisor teeth were used. The teeth were divided into four groups (n=10) following conditions, for 90 days: G1 = distilled water (control group); G2 = artifi cial saliva; G3 = 0,1% thymol; G4 = saline solution. After storage, the specimens were observed under a scanning electron microscope. The comparative analysis of the specimens revealed a great variation in the structure pattern of the normal enamel. The immersion in artifi cial saliva caused a larger precipitation of salts in the enamel surface. Increase of superfi cial porosity, characterized by larger amount of depressions was observed in the group of the saline solution. The specimens submerged in 0,1% thymol, revealed a fl at, polished superfi cial aspect. The authors conclude that the storage solutions altered the dental enamel substrate.
Loss of Genetic Diversity among Ocelots in the United States during the 20th Century Linked to Human Induced Population Reductions

Ocelots (Leopardus pardalis) in the United States currently exhibit low levels of genetic diversity. One hypothesis for this observation is that habitat fragmentation, resulting from human induced changes in the landscape during the 20th century, created island populations with highly reduced gene flow and increased genetic drift and inbreeding. In an effort to investigate this, we used a portion of the mitochondrial control region and 11 autosomal microsatellite loci to examine historical levels of genetic diversity and infer temporal changes in ocelot populations between 1853 and 2005. Levels of genetic diversity were higher in historical ocelot populations than in extant populations from Texas. The earliest documented loss of mitochondrial haplotype diversity occurred at Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge. The second extant population inhabiting private lands in Willacy County retained higher levels of genetic diversity through the 1990s, but subsequently lost diversity over the next decade. A similar pattern was observed for autosomal microsatellite loci. This supports the argument that low levels of genetic diversity in Texas are related to human induced population reductions and fragmentation, both of which threaten the remaining ocelots in the United States. At this time, the best means of mitigating the continued erosion of genetic variation are translocation of individuals either from larger populations in Mexico to Texas, or between the Texas populations.