Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The role of perceived barriers and objectively measured physical activity in adults aged 65-100.

OBJECTIVE to test the predictive utility of perceived barriers to objectively measured physical activity levels in a stratified sample of older adults when accounting for social-cognitive determinants proposed by the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB), and economic and demographic factors. METHODS data were analysed from the Physical Activity Cohort Scotland survey, a representative and stratified (65-80 and 80+ years; deprived and affluent) sample of 584 community-dwelling older people, resident in Tayside, Scotland. Physical activity was measured objectively by accelerometry. RESULTS perceived barriers clustered around the areas of poor health, lack of interest, lack of safety and lack of access. Perceived poor health and lack of interest, but not lack of access or concerns about personal safety, predicted physical activity after controlling for demographic, economic and TPB variables. DISCUSSION perceived person-related barriers (poor health and lack of interest) seem to be more strongly associated with physical activity levels than perceived environmental barriers (safety and access) in a large sample of older adults. Perceived barriers are modifiable and may be a target for future interventions.
Gender and Vulnerable Populations in Benefit Sharing: An Exploration of Conceptual and Contextual Points

Vulnerable populations have been defined as those who face a significant probability of incurring an identifiable harm while substantially lacking ability and/or means to protect themselves. Vulnerabilities within population groups can be differentiated by factors that determine the different probabilities of incurring identifiable harms (risks) people face and the means available to them to protect themselves (their protective capacity). Among these factors is gender.
Muscle architecture adaptations to knee extensor eccentric training: Rectus femoris vs. vastus lateralis

Introduction: Changes in muscle architecture induced by eccentric knee extensor training remain unclear, as well the adaptive responses of synergistic knee extensor muscles with different geometrical designs. Methods: Ultrasonography images were taken from rectus femoris (RF) and vastus lateralis (VL) of 20 male volunteers before and after a non‐training control period of 4 weeks, and additional evaluations were performed after 4, 8, and 12 weeks of isokinetic eccentric training. Results: RF and VL had significant changes in muscle architecture within the first 4 training weeks, and the adaptive response throughout the intervention was similar. Muscle thickness increased by around 7–10%, fascicle length increased 17–19%, and pennation angle was unchanged. Conclusions: Increased muscle thickness due to eccentric training was related to increased fascicle length and not to pennation angle changes. Although RF and VL have a different fascicular geometry, they had similar morphological adaptations to eccentric training. Muscle Nerve 48: 498–506, 2013
Mortality in patients with community‐onset pneumonia at low risk of drug‐resistant pathogens: Impact of β‐lactam plus macrolide combination therapy

Drug‐resistant pathogen (DRP) risk stratification is important for choosing a treatment strategy for community‐onset pneumonia. Evidence for benefits of non‐antipseudomonal β‐lactam plus macrolide combination therapy (BLM) on mortality is limited in patients at low DRP risk. Risk factors for mortality remain to be clarified.
Does the United States do it better? A comparative analysis of liver allocation protocols in the United Kingdom and the United States.

NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) is responsible for the procurement and allocation of human organs in the United Kingdom. Its main role is to "ensure that organs donated for transplant are matched and allocated to patients in a fair and unbiased way. " NHSBT’s liver allocation policies are underpinned by the National Liver Transplant Standards, a document published by the Department of Health in 2005 to oversee patient care, patient assessment, liver allocation and transplantation, education and training, and research and development. NHSBT has developed its own liver allocation protocols under the powers assigned to it by the Department of Health, which include a "super-urgent" liver allocation policy, a Liver Allocation Sequence, and pediatric candidate liver allocation protocols.
First Application of FISK, the Freshwater Fish Invasiveness Screening Kit, in Northern Europe: Example of Southern Finland

The climatic conditions of north temperate countries pose unique influences on the rates of invasion and the potential adverse impacts of non‐native species. Methods are needed to evaluate these risks, beginning with the pre‐screening of non‐native species for potential invasives. Recent improvements to the Fish Invasiveness Scoring Kit (FISK) have provided a means (i.e., FISK v2) of identifying potentially invasive non‐native freshwater fishes in virtually all climate zones. In this study, FISK is applied for the first time in a north temperate country, southern Finland, and calibrated to determine the appropriate threshold score for fish species that are likely to pose a high risk of being invasive in this risk assessment area. The threshold between “medium” and “high” risk was determined to be 22.5, which is slightly higher than the original threshold for the United Kingdom (i.e., 19) and that determined for a FISK application in southern Japan (19.8). This underlines the need to calibrate such decision‐support tools for the different areas where they are employed. The results are evaluated in the context of current management strategies in Finland regarding non‐native fishes.
Pathophysiology of immune‐mediated demyelinating neuropathies—Part II: Neurology

In the second part of this review we deal with the clinical aspects of immune‐mediated demyelinating neuropathies. We describe the relationship between pathophysiology and symptoms and discuss the pathophysiology of specific disease entities, including Guillain–Barré syndrome, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, multifocal motor neuropathy, anti–myelin‐associated glycoprotein neuropathy, and POEMS syndrome. Muscle Nerve 49: 4–20, 2014
Outpatient oral misoprostol for prolonged pregnancies: a pilot investigation.

UNLABELLED We evaluated the effectiveness of oral misoprostol for outpatient cervical ripening and labor induction in prolonged pregnancies. We performed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of women at 40 to 42 weeks' gestation with well-dated pregnancies, singleton gestations, Bishop scores less than 6, vertex presentations, and intact membranes. Subjects received either oral misoprostol 100 microg or placebo daily for 3 days unless the subject developed significant cervical change or began labor spontaneously. Study drug was repeated every 24 hours for a maximum of three doses if subjects did not develop significant cervical change or enter labor. Induction of labor was not allowed while the subject was enrolled in the study. Forty-three subjects were randomized to receive misoprostol and 44 randomized to receive placebo. A significant difference was noted in reduction of time from study entry to both active phase (p < 0.001) and delivery (p < 0.001) in the misoprostol group. Fewer women remained undelivered after the 72-hour study period in the misoprostol group. There were no differences in route of delivery or neonatal outcomes between groups. CONCLUSION Daily administration of oral misoprostol over 3 days to women with prolonged pregnancies shortened time intervals from dosing to entry into active labor and delivery compared with placebo.
Defense of Cyber Infrastructures Against Cyber‐Physical Attacks Using Game‐Theoretic Models

The operation of cyber infrastructures relies on both cyber and physical components, which are subject to incidental and intentional degradations of different kinds. Within the context of network and computing infrastructures, we study the strategic interactions between an attacker and a defender using game‐theoretic models that take into account both cyber and physical components. The attacker and defender optimize their individual utilities, expressed as sums of cost and system terms. First, we consider a Boolean attack‐defense model, wherein the cyber and physical subinfrastructures may be attacked and reinforced as individual units. Second, we consider a component attack‐defense model wherein their components may be attacked and defended, and the infrastructure requires minimum numbers of both to function. We show that the Nash equilibrium under uniform costs in both cases is computable in polynomial time, and it provides high‐level deterministic conditions for the infrastructure survival. When probabilities of successful attack and defense, and of incidental failures, are incorporated into the models, the results favor the attacker but otherwise remain qualitatively similar. This approach has been motivated and validated by our experiences with UltraScience Net infrastructure, which was built to support high‐performance network experiments. The analytical results, however, are more general, and we apply them to simplified models of cloud and high‐performance computing infrastructures.
Communication About Micropollutants in Drinking Water: Effects of the Presentation and Psychological Processes

This study investigates how people change their risk perception, trust, and behavior as a consequence of being informed about the occurrence of micropollutants in drinking water. Micropollutants are substances present in extremely low concentrations that might be dangerous in higher concentrations. Data were gathered in the city of Zurich, Switzerland in 2013 using a questionnaire in which the information on micropollutants was presented differently to 12 experimental groups. Data of the key constructs were gathered before and after this information, so that causal effects could be quantified by regression analyses. Affective reactions to the information turned out to be the critical mediator of changes in risk perception (operationalized as the perceived change of quality due to pollution), which is an important determinant of changes in behavior and trust. Also, direct effects of affective reactions on behavior and trust were observed. Trust before appraising risks reduces negative affective reactions; however, it also reduces perceived quality (i.e., increases risk perception) and trust after risks are appraised. The different forms of information mainly influenced the participants’ affective reactions, but they also influenced perceived quality. The presentation with the least negative effects was a comparison of the intake of the substance by water with intake by food. The experimental design with repeated measurement that considers trust as a determinant and consequence of risk perception uncovered positive and negative effects of trust before appraising risks on changes of risk perception and trust due to appraising risks.
Maritime Transportation Risk Assessment of Tianjin Port with Bayesian Belief Networks

This article develops a Bayesian belief network model for the prediction of accident consequences in the Tianjin port. The study starts with a statistical analysis of historical accident data of six years from 2008 to 2013. Then a Bayesian belief network is constructed to express the dependencies between the indicator variables and accident consequences. The statistics and expert knowledge are synthesized in the Bayesian belief network model to obtain the probability distribution of the consequences. By a sensitivity analysis, several indicator variables that have influence on the consequences are identified, including navigational area, ship type and time of the day. The results indicate that the consequences are most sensitive to the position where the accidents occurred, followed by time of day and ship length. The results also reflect that the navigational risk of the Tianjin port is at the acceptable level, despite that there is more room of improvement. These results can be used by the Maritime Safety Administration to take effective measures to enhance maritime safety in the Tianjin port.
Protective Effects of Topiramate against Hyperoxic Brain Injury in the Developing Brain

Recent studies have shown that exposure to hyperoxia in infant rats leads to extensive apoptotic degeneration in the cortex and white matter of the developing brain. Besides its antiepileptic effects, topiramate exerts neuroprotective effects in animal models of stroke, hypoxia ischemia, excitotoxic insults, and status epilepticus. In the present study, we investigated the effects of topiramate against hyperoxia-induced neurodegeneration in the developing brain. Eighteen Wistar rat pups were divided into three groups: control group, hyperoxia+phosphate buffered saline treated group and hyperoxia+topiramate treated group. Hyperoxia groups were exposed to 80% oxygen (n=12) in plexiglas chambers in which the oxygen concentration was monitored twice daily from birth until postnatal day five. The hyperoxia+topiramate group received an intraperitoneal injection of topiramate at a dose of 80 mg/kg/day. At postnatal day 5, all animals were killed. Neuronal cell death and apoptosis were evaluated. Histopathological examination showed that topiramate significantly diminished apoptosis in the CA1 region and dentate gyrus of hippocampus. Topiramate may offer a therapeutic potential for neuroprotection under conditions of hyperoxic brain injury.
An overview of polymyositis and dermatomyositis

Polymyositis and dermatomyositis are inflammatory myopathies that differ in their clinical features, histopathology, response to treatment, and prognosis. Although their clinical pictures differ, they both present with symmetrical, proximal muscle weakness. Treatment relies mainly upon empirical use of corticosteroids and immunosuppressive agents. A deeper understanding of the molecular pathways that drive pathogenesis, careful phenotyping, and accurate disease classification will aid clinical research and development of more efficacious treatments. In this review we address the current knowledge of the epidemiology, clinical characteristics, diagnostic evaluation, classification, pathogenesis, treatment, and prognosis of polymyositis and dermatomyositis. Muscle Nerve 51:638–656, 2015
Viscoelastic stress relaxation in the hamstrings before and after a 10‐week stretching program

We investigated the viscoelastic stress relaxation response before and after a 10‐week hamstrings static stretch program. Methods: The maximal range of motion (ROMmax) and maximal torque (Torquemax) were assessed before and after a 10‐week stretching program. Six 30‐s static stretches at a predetermined torque were performed, and the relative change in stress relaxation was examined. Results: ROMmax and Torquemax increased by 53% and 82%, respectively (P < 0.001). The relative stress relaxation (RSR) decreased significantly for repetition 1 when comparing the pretest (25%) and posttest (21%) values (P = 0.003). A significant decrease was also observed for repetitions 2 and 3 (P < 0.014), with no significant difference in repetitions 4–6 (P > 0.056). Conclusions: Individuals who participated in a 10‐week hamstrings passive–static stretch program had a reduced RSR response. A higher stretch intensity or longer duration may be necessary to achieve RSRs similar to those reported before the stretch program. Muscle Nerve, 2015 Muscle Nerve 51:761–764, 2015
Weighing the Risks of Nuclear Energy and Climate Change: Trust in Different Information Sources, Perceived Risks, and Willingness to Pay for Alternatives to Nuclear Power

We examined how individuals perceive nuclear energy in the context of climate change mitigation and how their perceptions are associated with trust in different risk information sources. We analyzed the interrelationships between trust, perceived risk of nuclear power, climate change concern, perception of nuclear energy as an acceptable way to mitigate climate change, and willingness to pay (WTP) for alternatives to nuclear power. A nationwide survey (N = 967) collected in Finland was analyzed with structural equation modeling. The associations between trust and perceived risk of nuclear power, climate change concern, and perception of nuclear power as a way to mitigate climate change varied by the type of information source. Political party support and other background variables were associated with trust in different information sources. The effect of trust in information sources on WTP was mediated by perceived risks and benefits. The results will increase our understanding of how individuals perceive nuclear energy as a way to cut CO2 emissions and the role of trust in different information sources in shaping nuclear risk perceptions and energy choices.
Single-case experiments in neurological rehabilitation

accepted as the orthodox method for evaluative research in rehabilitation. However, in recent years an alternative approach, the single-case experiment, has been put forward as a method which may be more appropriate. 2,3 In reality, both randomized trials and single-case designs have a role to play. This paper will consider what these roles are, and provide some guidelines on how to carry out good research with single-case experimental designs.
A Hitting Time Formula for the Discrete Green's Function

The discrete Green's function (without boundary) $\mathbb{G}$ is a pseudo-inverse of the combinatorial Laplace operator of a graph G = (V, E). We reveal the intimate connection between Green's function and the theory of exact stopping rules for random walks on graphs. We give an elementary formula for Green's function in terms of state-to-state hitting times of the underlying graph. Namely, $\mathbb{G}(i,j) = \pi_j \bigl( H(\pi,j) - H(i,j) \bigr),$ where π i is the stationary distribution at vertex i, H(i, j) is the expected hitting time for a random walk starting from vertex i to first reach vertex j, and H(π, j) = ∑ k∈V π k H(k, j). This formula also holds for the digraph Laplace operator. The most important characteristics of a stopping rule are its exit frequencies, which are the expected number of exits of a given vertex before the rule halts the walk. We show that Green's function is, in fact, a matrix of exit frequencies plus a rank one matrix. In the undirected case, we derive spectral formulas for Green's function and for some mixing measures arising from stopping rules. Finally, we further explore the exit frequency matrix point of view, and discuss a natural generalization of Green's function for any distribution τ defined on the vertex set of the graph.
[The problems of compliance and adherence, using the example of chronic inflammatory bowel disease].

To what extent do patients comply with their doctor's treatment recommendation, i.e. show "compliance" and "adherence" ? The treatment of chronic diseases in particular is associated with enormous problems of adherence. Patients often take only 40 to 80% of their prescribed dosage of medication. This issue affects not only the course of the disease in the particular patient, but also has considerable impact on the health care system. Great difficulties still exist in recognizing poor adherence, because doctors depend on the information given by their patients. The reasons for adherence problems can be attributed to disease-related, treatment-related or patient-related factors, as well as to the quality of the doctor-patient relationship. Improving adherence is difficult due to its numerous and individually different causes. This has been emphasized by a recent Cochrane review, in which only 5 out of 21 randomized and controlled studies concerning the improvement of adherence demonstrated significant success. However, half of the studies displayed methodological errors that weakened the statistical detection of improvement because of the low numbers patients. Overall, enormous efforts will be required of doctors, patients and health care policies to achieve substantial alterations in the problems associated with adherence.
Artificial Neural Network Approach in Laboratory Test Reporting:  Learning Algorithms.

OBJECTIVES In the field of laboratory medicine, minimizing errors and establishing standardization is only possible by predefined processes. The aim of this study was to build an experimental decision algorithm model open to improvement that would efficiently and rapidly evaluate the results of biochemical tests with critical values by evaluating multiple factors concurrently. METHODS The experimental model was built by Weka software (Weka, Waikato, New Zealand) based on the artificial neural network method. Data were received from Dokuz Eylül University Central Laboratory. "Training sets" were developed for our experimental model to teach the evaluation criteria. After training the system, "test sets" developed for different conditions were used to statistically assess the validity of the model. RESULTS After developing the decision algorithm with three iterations of training, no result was verified that was refused by the laboratory specialist. The sensitivity of the model was 91% and specificity was 100%. The estimated κ score was 0.950. CONCLUSIONS This is the first study based on an artificial neural network to build an experimental assessment and decision algorithm model. By integrating our trained algorithm model into a laboratory information system, it may be possible to reduce employees' workload without compromising patient safety.
Caracterización Morfométrica del Reborde Anterior de la Maxila Mediante Tomografía Computarizada Cone-Beam

Las imagenes obtenidas por Tomografia Computarizada Cone-Beam (TCCB) permiten determinar las relaciones de estructuras anatomicas tridimensionalmente y superar limitaciones de la radiografia convencional. El objetivo de este estudio fue describir las caracteristicas morfometricas de la zona anterior del maxilar y su relacion con los dientes canino y premolares mediante examenes de TCCB. Se realizo un estudio descriptivo sobre 50 imagenes de TCCB siguiendo una sistematica de observacion tridimensional se ubicaron puntos anatomicos entre dientes y paredes del seno maxilar, y se trazaron tangentes para su medicion. Se calculo la Media y DE para cada parametro, y la normalidad de la distribucion se comprobo mediante la prueba de Kolmogorov-Smirnov. Los datos fueron comparados con la prueba ANOVA, con una valor p < 0,05 como significativo. El analisis de la relacion entre los dientes y la pared anterior del seno maxilar, mostro que en un 80% de los casos se relaciono con el canino y 20% con el primer premolar. La menor altura entre el reborde alveolar y la pared inferior del seno maxilar se observo a nivel del segundo premolar con 13,54±0,30 mm en el lado derecho y 14,65± 0,30 mm en el izquierdo. Se registraron diferencias significativas en relacion a las mediciones morfometricas y la variable rango etareo. Los datos obtenidos en este estudio complementan las caracteristicas morfometricas de la zona anterior del maxilar, lo que permite ejecutar tratamientos de implantes bajo una base morfologica cientifica y minimizando al maximo los riesgos de fracaso o dano a las estructuras anatomicas relacionadas.