Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Identification and management of undiagnosed and undertreated allergic rhinitis in adults and children

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a common health problem that affects adults, adolescents and children and is often undiagnosed or inadequately treated. Because AR is not a life‐threatening disease, many patients do not seek medical treatment for their symptoms, and others self‐medicate with over‐the‐counter medications, often sedating antihistamines. However, untreated or inadequately treated AR can substantially impair overall quality of life (QOL) by causing fatigue, headache, cognitive impairment and other problems. The risk for comorbid conditions, such as asthma, otitis media, and lymphoid hypertrophy with obstructive sleep apnea, can increase, and the symptoms of AR can worsen if AR is not adequately treated. Among the symptoms of AR, nasal congestion has been described by patients as the most bothersome because it disrupts sleep, resulting in diminished daytime performance. A new congestion screening tool, the Congestion Quantifier, has been developed to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of AR and to help guide treatment decisions. Intranasal corticosteroids (INSs) are recommended as effective pharmaceutical treatments for controlling the symptoms of AR. Randomized, controlled trials in children and adults have demonstrated that INSs relieve rhinitis symptoms, thereby improving QOL in individuals with seasonal or perennial AR. Most INSs are approved for use in children 6 years of age, but mometasone furoate and fluticasone furoate are approved for use in children as young as 2 years of age and fluticasone propionate for children 4 years old. Long‐term benefits have also been seen with the use of immunotherapy, although some patients, especially children, resist the injections used in subcutaneous immunotherapy. Recent studies with sublingual immunotherapy have indicated that it might be an effective and well‐tolerated alternative to immunotherapy injections.
Common bile duct measurements in an elderly population.

We prospectively evaluated the diameter of the common bile duct in 1,018 patients between the ages of 60 to 96 over a 4 year period to determine if there is a significant change in its size with aging. All of the patients included in the study were being evaluated primarily for carotid or peripheral vascular disease. Any patients with a history of biliary disease (i.e., bilirubin level greater than 1.5 mg/ml, cholecystectomy, or cholelithiasis) were excluded. Ultrasonography of the common bile duct was performed only in those patients with no subjective abdominal pain or icterus. Our results demonstrated a small although statistically significant increase in the caliber of the common bile duct with increasing age (60 years old or less, mean diameter 3.6 mm +/‐ 0.2mm, versus over 85 years old, mean diameter 4 mm +/‐ 0.2 mm, P = 0.009). Although the common bile duct did increase in size with aging, 98% of all ducts remained below 6 to 7 mm, the commonly accepted upper range of normal.
Connectedness, Sense of Community, and Academic Satisfaction in a Novel Community Campus Medical Education Model

Purpose Developing a sense of community and establishing connectivity are important in enhancing learners’ success and preventing their sense of isolation. The A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona (SOMA) has implemented a novel approach to medical education in which, beginning in the second year, students are geographically dispersed to 11 community campuses associated with community health centers around the United States, at both inner-city and rural locations. This study assessed students’ sense of community, academic satisfaction, and level of connectedness in their first through fourth years of medical school at SOMA. Method The Rovai Classroom Community Scale and open-ended questions were administered via an online survey instrument to 412 students enrolled at SOMA for the 2011–2012 academic year. Participation was voluntary, and all results were anonymous. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA to compare results between classes. Results Comparisons revealed an increasing degree of isolation and a decreasing sense of community and academic satisfaction progressing from the first through fourth years of medical school. Students suggested possible solutions that may be applied to medical schools and other graduate schools to improve the level of connectedness for students who are learning at a distance. Conclusions Connectivity, sense of community, and academic satisfaction may decrease for students in undergraduate medical education participating in a combination of distance learning and intermittent in-person activities. Interventions have the potential to improve these parameters. Long-term follow-up of students’ satisfaction is suggested.
The Internal and External Communication of Intelligence and the Competitive Intelligence Process: The Case of the Higher Educational Sector in Serbia

This paper emphasizes the importance of considering internal and external communication of intelligence within the competitive intelligence (CI) process. The internal communication of intelligence is defined as transferring and sharing intelligence within organization and the external communication of intelligence as transferring and sharing intelligence between competitors. Both types of communication are considered as essential parts of the CI process as a whole. Understanding the way of communication of the intelligence within one organization and between competitors can help organizations build more effective competitive intelligence system. This should be treated as an essential component of the CI system and added to the usual process of gathering, analyzing and disseminating valuable competitive intelligence, in order to make organization more competitive. The paper refers to the results of research made in the faculties of management in Serbia. On the basis of the results, the original model of CI system has been built, using internal and external communication of intelligence as a key factor for improving CI process and, consequently, as a key competitiveness factor in hypercompetitive economy
Antidepressant Use: Concordance Between Self-Report and Claims Records

Background. Researchers need valid methods to assess whether patients are taking their antidepressant medications. Two important sources of data on drug exposure are patients’ self-reports and pharmacy claims. Objective. To compare self-report and claims data for antidepressant exposure. Research Design. Cross-sectional analysis. Subjects. This study comprised 422 contemporaneous self-report and claims data points obtained from 164 unique patients in a longitudinal depression study in which patients completed up to five surveys during an 18-month period. Measures. For the self-report measure, the following question was asked: Do you now take any prescription medicines for depression? Using claims data, patients were considered to be using an antidepressant if they had filled at least one antidepressant prescription in the 90 days before survey dates. Results. Self-report and claims agreed in 85% (358/422) of cases, with a kappa of 0.69. Eighty-eight percent (56/64) of discrepant cases using other study data sources was resolved. Reasons for discrepancies included the use of medications for conditions other than depression (32/64), recent AD discontinuations (6/64), samples usage (3/64), and low-frequency/PRN use (7/64). Conclusions. Self-report and claims showed good concordance, but they reflect different truths. Self-report identifies medications intended primarily for the treatment of depressive disorders, whereas claims data identify use of medicines with antidepressant effects. Our assessment of discordant cases showed self-report to be more valid than claims to assess current antidepressant use for depression therapy.
Animal models of spontaneous diabetic kidney disease

Kidney disease, characterized by proteinuria and glomerular lesions, is a common complication of spontaneous diabetes mellitus in many animal species. It occurs in animals with hypoinsulinemia, hyperinsulinemia, or impaired glucose tolerance. The renal functional and structural abnormalities in spontaneously diabetic animals resemble human diabetic nephropathy in many respects. Mesangial expansion and glomerular basement membrane thickening, two structural hallmarks of diabetic glomerulopathy in humans, are the most frequently encountered lesions in animals. In addition, a nodular form of mesangial expansion that resembles but is not identical with human nodular glomerulosclerosis or the Kimmelstiel‐Wilson lesion has been observed in some animal models. Other abnormalities, such as exudative hyaline lesions and arteriolar hyalinosis, have also been noted occasionally in other models. Although diabetic animals may develop kidney disease that resembles human diabetic nephropathy, no single animal model develops renal changes identical to those seen in humans. Nonetheless, animal models with spontaneous diabetic kidney disease may be useful for investigating the mechanisms of development of diabetic nephropathy and the effects of various treatment modalities on the progression of renal disease. —Velasquez, M. T. ; Kimmel, P. L. ; Michaelis, O. E. , IV Animal models of spontaneous diabetic kidney disease. FASEB J. 4: 2850‐2859; 1990.
Correlation of Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) Level 1 Movement Screens and Golf Swing Faults

Abstract Gulgin, HR, Schulte, BC, and Crawley, AA. Correlation of Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) level 1 movement screens and golf swing faults. J Strength Cond Res 28(2): 534–539, 2014—Although some research in the past has examined how physical limitations in strength or flexibility affect a golfer's performance, the performance outcome most measured was driving distance. Currently, there are no data that have examined the relationship between selected strength and flexibility variables and golf swing faults. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) level 1 movement screen variables and 14 common golf swing faults. Thirty-six male and female golfers (mean age, 25.4 ± 9.9 years; height, 175.9 ± 16.2 cm; mass, 76.2 ± 14.6 kg; handicap, 14.2 ± 10.4) participated. Twelve physical tests of strength, flexibility, and balance were assessed using the TPI level 1 golf fitness screening tool. Golfers then hit 4 golf shots (with a 5-iron) while being videoed, and those were then analyzed for 14 different golf swing faults (using V1Pro software). Three significant associations between a physical limitation and a particular golf swing fault were found: toe touch and early hip extension (p = 0.015), bridge on right side with both early hip extension (p = 0.050), and loss of posture (p = 0.028). In addition, an odds ratio showed that when a golfer could not overhead deep squat or single leg balance on left side, they were 2–3 times more likely to exhibit a early hip extension, loss of posture, or slide during the golf swing, as compared with those who could perform a correct overhead deep squat. Based on our findings, it is important for the golf fitness professional to particularly address a golfer's core strength, balance, and hamstring flexibility to help avoid common golf swing faults, which affect a golfer's ball striking ability and ultimately their performance.
Assessing toxicological data quality: basic principles, existing schemes and current limitations

Existing toxicological data may be used for a variety of purposes such as hazard and risk assessment or toxicity prediction. The potential use of such data is, in part, dependent upon their quality. Consideration of data quality is of key importance with respect to the application of chemicals legislation such as REACH. Whether data are being used to make regulatory decisions or build computational models, the quality of the output is reflected by the quality of the data employed. Therefore, the need to assess data quality is an important requirement for making a decision or prediction with an appropriate level of confidence. This study considers the biological and chemical factors that may impact upon toxicological data quality and discusses the assessment of data quality. Four general quality criteria are introduced and existing data quality assessment schemes are discussed. Two case study datasets of skin sensitization data are assessed for quality providing a comparison of existing assessment methods. This study also discusses the limitations and difficulties encountered during quality assessment, including the use of differing quality schemes and the global versus chemical-specific assessments of quality. Finally, a number of recommendations are made to aid future data quality assessments.
Multiscale CBD for fast direct solution of MoM linear system

This paper presents the Multiscale CBD method for accelerated direct solution of scattering and radiation problems with the Method of Moments. The method has all the advantages of a direct solution and it is essentially parameter-free (there is only a parameter tau controlling accuracy against efficiency). It has an improved efficiency and storage requirements with respect to the ordinary CBD. Two significant computations have been presented, an open pipe and the NASA almond.
ΔFosB regulates rosiglitazone‐induced milk fat synthesis and cell survival

Rosiglitazone induces adipogenesis in adipocyte and regulates cell survival and differentiation in number of cell types. However, whether PPARγ regulates the synthesis of milk fat and cell survival in goat mammary gland remains unknown. Rosiglitazone strongly enhanced cellular triacylglycerol content and accumulation of lipid droplet in goat mammary epithelial cells (GMEC). Furthermore, ΔFosB decreased the expression of PPARγ at both mRNA and protein levels, and rosiglitazone‐induced milk fat synthesis was abolished by ΔFosB overexpression. ΔFosB reduced milk fat synthesis and enhanced saturated fatty acid concentration. Rosiglitazone increased the number of GMEC in G0/G1 phase and inhibited cell proliferation, and these effects were improved by overexpression of ΔFosB. ΔFosB was found to promote the expression of Bcl‐2 and suppress the expression of Bax, and protected GMEC from apoptosis induced by rosiglitazone. Intracellular calcium trafficking assay revealed that rosiglitazone markedly increased intracellular calcium concentration. ΔFosB protected GMEC from apoptosis induced by intracellular Ca2+ overload. ΔFosB increased MMP‐9 gelatinolytic activity. SB‐3CT, an MMP‐9 inhibitor, suppressed the expression of Bcl‐2, and increased intracellular calcium levels, and this effect was abolished by ΔFosB overexpression. SB‐3CT induced GMEC apoptosis and this effect was inhibited by ΔFosB overexpression. These findings suggest that ΔFosB regulates rosiglitazone‐induced milk fat synthesis and cell survival. Therefore, ΔFosB may be an important checkpoint to control milk fat synthesis and cell apoptosis.
Barriers to genuine consumer and carer participation from the perspectives of Australian systemic mental health advocates

Abstract Background: Consumer and carer participation in mental health service development and evaluation has widespread nominal support. However, genuine and consistent participation remains elusive due to systemic barriers. Aims: This paper explores barriers to reform for mental health services from the perspectives of consumers and carers actively engaged in advocating for improvements in the mental health system. Method: Qualitative research with two mental health systemic advocacy organisations analysed 17 strategic communication documents and nine interviews to examine barriers to reform and participation identified by consumer and carer advocates and staff. Results: A number of individual-level barriers were described, however advocates gave more focus to systemic barriers, for which five themes emerged. These reflected lack of awareness, limited participation opportunities, slow progress for change, policy issues and mental health culture including stigma. Conclusions: Findings highlight systemic barriers to participation for consumer and carer advocates as a whole and the influence of these barriers on the individual experiences of those engaged in advocacy and representation work. Participants also emphasised the need for leadership to overcome some of these obstacles and move towards genuine consumer and carer participation and reform. Findings are discussed in the context of power within mental health systems.
Influence of Exchange Rate on BSE Sensex & NSE Nifty

Predicting currency movements is perhaps one of the hardest exercises in economics as it has many variables affecting its market movement. The changes in the capital market bring transformation in the entire economy of the country. The boom and depression of the capital market are reflected in all sectors of the economy. The foreign exchange market and the stock market are vital for any well-defined financial system of a country. Stock price downward movement continuously in the market forewarns the crisis period in advance. This study analyses the dynamic relationship between stock market and exchange rate and explores the long-run and short-run causal relationship between the stock market and the exchange rate in India for the major decade 2005-2014 of indices BSE Sensex and Nifty NSE. As US Dollar is a prominent currency for foreign trade, the exchange rate of rupee and US Dollar has been taken for the study. BSE Sensex NSE NIFTY index is a bench marking index that is used to measure the economic development of a country like India. The present study conducted from 2005-2014 for a period of 10 years. Correlation between NSE NIFTY, BSE SENSEX with reference to Exchange Rates can be calculated. This explains about the relationship between the variables
Flexibility vs. rigidity: Does Spain have the worst of both worlds?

In this paper we study the structure of labor market flows in Spain and compare them with France and the US. We characterize a number of empirical regularities and stylized facts. One striking result is that the job finding rate is slightly higher than in France, while the job loss rate is much higher, putting Spain half-way between France and the US. This suggests that while Spain has borne the full cost of its labor market reforms in terms of job precarity, the benefits in terms of job creation have been quite modest. We hypothesize that this has been due to the reform's credibility being imperfect, which leads to expectation of reversal.
Neoplastic transformation and defective control of cell proliferation and differentiation.

The control of proliferation of nontransformed 3T3 t-proadipocytes in vitro can be mediated at three states in the G1 phase of the cell cycle. These states are induced by the commitment of cells to differentiate (GD); by growth factor deprivation at low density or "contact inhibition" at high density (Gs); and by nutrient deprivation (GN). To determine if neoplastic transformation of proadipocytes is associated with a selective defect in one or more of these G1 growth arrest processes, we developed and studied eight cloned and several noncloned tumorigenic proadipocyte cell lines. We report that all transformed proadipocyte cell lines are tumorigenic and all lack the ability to arrest at GD and differentiate. By contrast, or approximately 90% of transformed proadipocyte cell lines retain their ability to growth arrest at Gs at low density when deprived of growth factors, and or approximately 90% growth arrest at GN when deprived of nutrients. These observations suggest that neoplastic transformation of proadipocytes is primarily associated with abrogation of growth control mediated at GD. However, whereas most transformed proadipocytes arrest at Gs at low density when deprived of serum, all transformed proadipocyte cell lines do not efficiently arrest at Gs at high density due to "contact inhibition. " This suggests that neoplastic transformation of proadipocytes results from a primary defect in growth control mediated at GD and from an additional defect at Gs. These results are discussed with respect to their possible significance for the biological mechanisms of the initiation and promotion of carcinogenesis.
Dialogue management in task-oriented dialogue systems

This paper presents a new framework for implementing a dialogue manager, making it possible to infer new information in the course of the interaction as well as generating responses from the virtual agent. The approach relies on a specific organization of knowledge bases, including the creation of a common ground and a belief base. Moreover, the same type of rules implement both inference and control of the dialogue. This approach is implemented within a dialogue system for training doctors to break bad news (ACORFORMed).
Dispersal and Memory of Sand Flies in an Endemic Area of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis, Southern Brazil

ABSTRACT The dispersal of and the existence of memory in sand flies were measured in a transmission area of cutaneous leishmaniasis, in the municipality of Bandeirantes, Paraná, Brazil. Sand flies were caught in a rural area, with Shannon trap installed in the forest and three Falcão traps installed in a human-inhabited environment (HIE) and three others in an impacted environment presently uninhabited by humans (EUH), from 1800 to 0600 hours. The captured sand flies were marked with yellow, blue, or red fluorescent powder, according to the environments where they were captured. All marked sand flies were released at 0700 hours at a point between the three environments. The recaptures were made with 28 Falcâo traps, distributed in the environments from for 10 consecutive days. The sand flies recaptured were examined under a stereomicroscope and later identified. It was concluded that sand flies are able to disperse over an average distance of 73 m, reaching 130 m in 24 h, showing that: 1) the sand flies were attracted with different intensities to each environment, and the ability to move among different environments allows the existence of enzootic cycle of Leishmania; 2) the sand flies possess a spatial memory, olfactory memory, or both, that enable them to return to the environment where they were captured initially, although the distances were different.