Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Carvedilol, Bisoprolol, and Metoprolol Use in Patients With Coexistent Heart Failure and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Abstract Beta (&bgr;)-blockers are under-prescribed in patients with heart failure (HF) and concurrent chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) due to concerns about adverse pulmonary effects and a poor understanding of the effects of these drugs. We aimed to evaluate the survival effects of &bgr;-blockers in patients with coexistent HF and COPD. Using the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database, we conducted a nationwide population-based study. Patients with coexistent HF and COPD diagnosed between 2000 and 2009 were enrolled. Doses of the 3 &bgr;-blockers proven to be beneficial to HF (carvedilol, bisoprolol, and metoprolol) during the study period were extracted. The primary endpoint was cumulative survival. Patients were followed until December 31, 2009. The study included 11,558 subjects, with a mean follow-up period of 4.07 years. After adjustment for age, sex, comorbidities, and severity of HF and COPD, bisoprolol use showed a dose–response survival benefit [low dose: adjusted hazard ratio (HR) = 0.76, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.59–0.97, P = 0.030; high dose: adjusted HR = 0.40, 95% CI = 0.26–0.63, P < 0.001] compared with nonusers, whereas no survival difference was observed for carvedilol or metoprolol. Compared with patients with HF alone, this special HF + COPD cohort received significantly fewer targeted &bgr;-blockers (108.8 vs 137.3 defined daily doses (DDDs)/person-year, P < 0.001) and bisoprolol (57.9 vs 70.8 DDDs/person-year, P < 0.001). In patients with coexisting HF and COPD, this study demonstrated a dose–response survival benefit of bisoprolol use, but not of carvedilol or metoprolol use.
Tales from the Thousand Lakes: Placing the Creative Network of Metal Music in Finland

Music in general and the music industry in particular have been understudied subjects in the field of geography. The relatively scarce amount of literature on music industries has concentrated its attention on companies operating inside the industry, and on popular music. There is a gap in the knowledge on the networking processes of individuals inside the music industry and the geographical dynamics of music genres. Thus, as a point of departure, this study focuses on the creative individuals of a distinct music genre: namely, the bands and artists of the Finnish metal music genre, owing to the genre's international recognition and its importance in the Finnish economy and society. According to the analysis the metal bands in Finland tend to cluster in the largest cities. There are, however, some exceptions—very small municipalities (in terms of population) with a fair number of metal bands. Still, the capital Helsinki is the most prominent cluster of metal music in Finland. A further social network analysis reveals that the metal music cluster of Helsinki has a network of short average path length and a high degree of clustering. In other words, the members of the network function in close collaboration with each other. This notion was also verified by mapping the joint-career path of the most prolific (connected) individuals inside the network.
Examining the Validity of Two Measures for Formative Teaching: Reading Aloud and Maze

This study examined the relations among performance on standardized reading tests, two informal measures (reading aloud and maze), and teacher judgment. Subjects were 335 students from Grades 2–6. Correlations between oral reading fluency and two achievement tests varied according to students' grade level, with a declining trend in the coefficients as grade level increased. Correlations between oral reading and achievement tests at the upper grade levels were lower than those reported in previous studies. In contrast, coefficients between performance on maze tasks and achievement tests did not show a similar decline from lower to upper grade levels. Results are discussed in the context of assessment procedures used in formative instruction.
Predicted, Actual, and Recalled Affect in Olympic-Level Soccer Players: Idiographic Assessments on Individualized Scales

Subjective emotional experiences related to performance play an important role in competitive and elite sport, and the impact of these experiences on performance is typically examined using self-reports. These measures have several advantages: They are brief, simple, and relatively quick in administration and scoring. However, the limitations of self-reports are also well documented, particularly regarding application of actual assessments (Hanin, 1986, 1995; Hanin & Syrja, 1995b). For instance, actual self-ratings are inappropriate for assessments during task performance, and they may be invasive immediately prior to important competitions by distracting athletes or disturbing their routines and preparation strategies (Hager & Raglin, 1994). The intrusive nature of actual measurements is well illustrated by a study in which more than 50% of elite cyclists did not agree to complete an anxiety questionnaire prior to competing (McCann, Murphy, & Raedeke, 1992). A more serious limitation of actual measures in competitive and elite sports, where important and demanding tasks are performed repeatedly, is that athletes' past performance histories and subjective experiences are either underestimated or completely ignored. Furthermore, repeated actual assessments, if used, for instance, to identify optimal and nonoptimal patterns of emotions, are usually time consuming and cost ineffective. The need for predicted and recalled affective measures is particularly important for researchers and practitioners attempting to understand relationships between emotional states and performance processes and outcomes in elite sports. The systematic prediction and recall can also enhance athletes' awareness of subjectivk experiences that are helpful for consistently successful performances. These issues were addressed conceptually, methodologically, and experimentally within the framework of the individual zones of optimal functioning (IZOF) model (Hanin, 1986, 1989, 1995). The IZOF model was developed in the naturalistic setting of elite sports and combines the intraand interindividual analysis of emotional experiences related to athletes' successful and unsuccessful performances. This approach was initially
Elastin synthesis by ligamentum nuchae fibroblasts: effects of culture conditions and extracellular matrix on elastin production

Fetal bovine ligamentum nuchae fibroblasts maintained in culture synthesized soluble elastin but were unable to form the insoluble elastic fiber. Secreted elastin precursors accumulated in culture medium and were measured using a radioimmunoassay for elastin. When elastin production was examined in ligament tissue from fetal calves of various gestational ages, cells from tissue taken during the last trimester of development produced significantly more elastin than did cells from younger fetal tissue, with maximal elastin synthesis occurring shortly before birth. Soluble elastin was detected in ligament cells plated at low density until proliferation began to be density inhibited and the cells became quiescent. Also, soluble elastin production per cell declined with increasing population doubling or with age in culture. Cells grown in the presence of 5% fetal calf serum produced approximately four times as much soluble elastin as cells grown in serum-free medium. The addition of dexamethasone (0.1 microM) and bleomycin (1 microgram/ml) increased soluble elastin production by cultured cells 180% and 50%, respectively, whereas theophylline (5 micrograms/ml) depressed production 50% and antagonized stimulation by dexamethasone. Ascorbate (50 micrograms/ml), soybean trypsin inhibitor (1 mg/ml), insulin (100 microunits/ml), and aminoacetonitrile (50 micrograms/ml) had no effect, but cycloheximide at 10(-4) M completely inhibited soluble elastin production. In contrast to cells in culture, ligament tissue minces (ligament cells surrounded by in vivo extracellular matrix) efficiently incorporated soluble elastin precursors into insoluble, cross-linked elastin. In addition, soluble elastin production per cell (per microgram of DNA) was higher in tissue minces than elastin production by cells maintained on plastic. These results suggest a role for extracellular matrix in formation of the elastic fiber and in stabilizing elastin phenotypic expression by ligament fibroblasts. Fibroblasts from the bovine ligamentum nuchae present an excellent model for in vitro studies of elastin biosynthesis.
Underdetermined blind source separation based on sparse representation

This paper discusses underdetermined (i.e., with more sources than sensors) blind source separation (BSS) using a two-stage sparse representation approach. The first challenging task of this approach is to estimate precisely the unknown mixing matrix. In this paper, an algorithm for estimating the mixing matrix that can be viewed as an extension of the DUET and the TIFROM methods is first developed. Standard clustering algorithms (e.g., K-means method) also can be used for estimating the mixing matrix if the sources are sufficiently sparse. Compared with the DUET, the TIFROM methods, and standard clustering algorithms, with the authors' proposed method, a broader class of problems can be solved, because the required key condition on sparsity of the sources can be considerably relaxed. The second task of the two-stage approach is to estimate the source matrix using a standard linear programming algorithm. Another main contribution of the work described in this paper is the development of a recoverability analysis. After extending the results in , a necessary and sufficient condition for recoverability of a source vector is obtained. Based on this condition and various types of source sparsity, several probability inequalities and probability estimates for the recoverability issue are established. Finally, simulation results that illustrate the effectiveness of the theoretical results are presented.
A Comparison of Some Bayesian and Classical Procedures for Simultaneous Equation Models with Weak Instruments

We compare the finite sample performance of a number of Bayesian and classical procedures for limited information simultaneous equations models with weak instruments by a Monte Carlo study. We consider Bayesian approaches developed by Chao and Phillips, Geweke, Kleibergen and van Dijk, and Zellner. Amongst the sampling theory methods, OLS, 2SLS, LIML, Fuller’s modified LIML, and the jackknife instrumental variable estimator (JIVE) due to Angrist et al. and Blomquist and Dahlberg are also considered. Since the posterior densities and their conditionals in Chao and Phillips and Kleibergen and van Dijk are nonstandard, we use a novel “Gibbs within Metropolis–Hastings” algorithm, which only requires the availability of the conditional densities from the candidate generating density. Our results show that with very weak instruments, there is no single estimator that is superior to others in all cases. When endogeneity is weak, Zellner’s MELO does the best. When the endogeneity is not weak and ρω12>0, where ρ is the correlation coefficient between the structural and reduced form errors, and ω12 is the covariance between the unrestricted reduced form errors, the Bayesian method of moments (BMOM) outperforms all other estimators by a wide margin. When the endogeneity is not weak and βρ < 0 (β being the structural parameter), the Kleibergen and van Dijk approach seems to work very well. Surprisingly, the performance of JIVE was disappointing in all our experiments.
Visitor interactions with hotel employees: the role of nationality.

Purpose – This paper aims to report the results of a study into visitor evaluations of interactions with hotel employees in Mauritius. Given that the island's core tourism product is based on luxury resorts, tourist‐hotel employee interactions possess a potential for determining satisfactory or unsatisfactory holiday evaluations on the part of visitors.Design/methodology/approach – A sample of 103 visitors is interviewed using a semi‐structured guide comprising open‐ended questions. This approach reflects the lived experiences of guests and helps to better assess the role played by nationality when reporting visitor‐staff interactions. Data are analyzed using both thematic analysis and textual analysis software.Findings – Nationality, ethnicity and languages spoken are found to be factors that determine differences in requirements from hotel staff on the part of tourists. Nationality is the strongest discriminator of these requirements.Research limitations/implications – As with many examples of qualitati.
Long-Term Effects of Public Low-Income Housing Vouchers on Work, Earnings, and Neighborhood Quality

The federal Section 8 housing program provides eligible low-income families with an income-conditioned voucher that can be used to lease privately owned, affordable rental housing units. This paper extends prior research on the effectiveness of housing support programs in several ways. We use a quasi-experimental, propensity score matching research design, and examine the effect of housing voucher receipt on neighborhood quality, earnings, and work effort. Results are presented for a wide variety of demographic groups for up to five years following voucher receipt. The analysis employs a unique longitudinal dataset that was created by combining administrative records maintained by the State of Wisconsin with census block group data. The results of our propensity score matching procedure show voucher receipt to have no effect on neighborhood quality in the short-term, but positive long-term effects. Furthermore, the results indicate that on average voucher receipt causes lower earnings in the initial years following receipt, but that these negative earnings effects dissipate over time. Finally, we find that recipient responses to voucher receipt differ substantially across demographic subgroups.
Efficient colonic mucosal wound repair requires Trem2 signaling

The colonic epithelial lining undergoes constant replacement, driven by epithelial stem cells in crypts of Lieberkühn. Stem cells lost because of damage or disease can be replaced by adjacent crypts that undergo fission. The close proximity of an extraordinary number of luminal microbes creates a challenge for this repair process; infection must be prevented while immune system activation and epithelial stem cell genetic damage must be minimized. To understand the factors that modulate crypt/stem cell replacement in the mouse colon, we developed an in vivo acute injury system analogous to punch biopsy of the skin. In contrast to epidermal stem cells, colonic epithelial progenitors did not migrate over the wound bed. Instead, their proliferative expansion was confined to crypts adjacent to wound beds and was delayed to the latter phase of healing. This increased epithelial proliferation was coincident with the infiltration of Trem2 expressing macrophages and increased expression of IL-4 and IL-13 in the wound bed. Interestingly, Trem2−/− mice displayed slow and incomplete wound healing of colonic mucosal injuries. We found the latter phase of healing in Trem2−/− mice showed a diminished burst of epithelial proliferation, increased expression of IFN-γ and TNF-α, diminished expression of IL-4 and IL-13, and increased markers of classical macrophage activation. Ablation of these cytokines in injured WT and Trem2−/− mice demonstrated that their expression ultimately determined the rate and nature of wound healing. These studies show that Trem2 signaling is an important pathway to promote healing of wounds in the colon where stem cell replacement is necessary.
A comparison of the decision table and tree

T he decision table and decision tree are essential tools for systems analysts ([6], [12]). These decision aids are used by systems analysts in depict ing conditional logic for p rogrammers and in validating this logic with the user. In addition, many authors recommend the decision table and tree as useful aids in decision making ([4, 11, 14, 21, 22]). The effectiveness of the decision aids is de te rmined by their ability to help in the unders tanding of conditional logic. The i r relative effectiveness in facilitating such understanding however, has previously not been subject to p rope r empirical testing. Our research concerns the effectiveness of the decision table and tree in the user interface (i.e., we are interested in their relative effectiveness as communicat ion tools in user validation of conditional logic and as decision aids in problem solving). Since these aids are normally applied in a specific context involving the users, we use a computer investment game that requires their use for decision making. A key feature of our research is the use of this computer game to promote highly motivated and engaged subjects. The comparison of graphs and tables in their effect on interpretation accuracy [ 17] and their performance in the user interface ([20, 23, 24]), and the studies on graphs and their effects on decision-making ([1, 18]) are topics related to our research. However, the comparison of the table and tree at the user interface has not been examined. Thus, our research becomes significant.
EFFECTS OF CHRONIC GAMMA IRRADIATION ON SHALLOT CHROMOSOMES (Allium ascalonicum Linn)

Radiation contamination can occur from natural radiation or from man-made sources, such as radiation for medical research or for nuclear weapons manufacture. Radiation contamination can impact living things, the eco-system and the food chain, so several methods have been invented to test the level of radiation contamination. One of those methods is the Allium test, which is simple and cost-effective and makes it easy to clearly detect abnormalities from radiation. The objective of this study was to observe the effect of different levels of chronic gamma irradiation on the chromosomes of root tip cells of the shallot (Allium ascalonicum Linn.) (2n=16) and on growth of the shallots. Growing shallot bulbs were exposed to chronic gamma radiation from a Cobalt-60 source at the Nuclear Technology Research Center (NTRC), Kasetsart University, Thailand. They were placed 2 meters from the source and were exposed to 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70 and 80 Gy at the dose rate of 0.0078 Gy.min -1 . Following exposure, cells were fixed either immediately (0 hours) or after a 24-hour recovery period. Root tip squashes were observed by light microscope, 1,000 cells per specimen, to detect chromosome abnormalities. In the cells fixed 0 hours after exposure, chromosome abnormalities were observed in 1.967, 12.01, 0.964, 9.677, 9.417, and 8.923% of the cells of plants exposed to 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 Gy radiation, respectively, but no abnormalities were observed in the cells of plants exposed to 70 and 80 Gy. In the cells fixed 24 hours after exposure, chromosome abnormalities were observed in 4.216, 2.750, 14.955, 15.15 and 6.932% of the cells of plants exposed to 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 Gy, respectively but no abnormalities were observed in the cells of plants exposed to 60, 70 or 80 Gy. That means root tip cells of the shallot can use for testing the low dose level of radiation contamination (10-60 Gy). The most commonly observed chromosome abnormality was micronucleus at interphase, followed by fragments and bridges. As for the growth rate following chronic irradiation, the height (leaf length) was recorded after 7 days and it was found that there was no significant different in growth rate among the treatment groups exposed to different doses of gamma irradiation, but the mean height of all the irradiated plants (2-5 cm) was significantly lower than that of the non-irradiated control plants (13 cm).
Gaining Customer Trust: A Conceptual Guide for the Salesperson

AbstractThis article applies what the behavioral sciences know about trust to industrial sales situations. Trust between an industrial buyer and salesperson is defined cognitively and behaviorally. A model of this trust-building process is presented and appropriate behaviors for sales representatives who wish to build trust are discussed. The interactions between experience, general knowledge, and trust building are examined in light of possible situations a sales representative might encounter. The findings suggest that both firm and salesperson can act positively to build and maintain trust with their clients.
Externalizing problems in late childhood as a function of prenatal cocaine exposure and environmental risk.

OBJECTIVE To examine whether prenatal cocaine exposure (PCE) predicts externalizing problems in late childhood. METHODS Externalizing problems were assessed using caregiver, teacher, and child ratings and a laboratory task when children (N = 179; 74 cocaine exposed) were aged 8-10 years. PCE, environmental risk, sex, neonatal health, other prenatal exposures, and foster care history were examined as predictors of externalizing problems. RESULTS Multiple regression analyses indicated that PCE, environmental risk, and male sex explained significant variance in externalizing problems in late childhood. Models varied by source of information. PCE predicted externalizing problems for child laboratory behavior and interacted with sex because males with PCE reported more externalizing problems. PCE did not predict caregiver or teacher ratings of externalizing problems. CONCLUSIONS The effect of PCE on externalizing problems may persist into late childhood. The findings highlight the potential importance of including child-based measures of externalizing problems in studies of prenatal exposure.
Comparative assessment of antibiotic susceptibility of coagulase-negative staphylococci in biofilm versus planktonic culture as assessed by bacterial enumeration or rapid XTT colorimetry.

OBJECTIVES To quantitatively compare the antibiotic susceptibility of biofilms formed by the coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus haemolyticus with the susceptibility of planktonic cultures. METHODS Several CoNS strains were grown planktonically or as biofilms to determine the effect of the mode of growth on the level of susceptibility to antibiotics with different mechanisms of action. The utility of a new, rapid colorimetric method that is based on the reduction of a tetrazolium salt (XTT) to measure cell viability was tested by comparison with standard bacterial enumeration techniques. A 6 h kinetic study was performed using dicloxacillin, cefazolin, vancomycin, tetracycline and rifampicin at the peak serum concentration of each antibiotic. RESULTS In planktonic cells, inhibitors of cell wall synthesis were highly effective over a 3 h period. Biofilms were much less susceptible than planktonic cultures to all antibiotics tested, particularly inhibitors of cell wall synthesis. The susceptibility to inhibitors of protein and RNA synthesis was affected by the biofilm phenotype to a lesser degree. Standard bacterial enumeration techniques and the XTT method produced equivalent results both in biofilms and planktonic assays. CONCLUSIONS This study provides a more accurate comparison between the antibiotic susceptibilities of planktonic versus biofilm populations, because the cell densities in the two populations were similar and because we measured the concentration required to inhibit bacterial metabolism rather than to eradicate the entire bacterial population. While the biofilm phenotype is highly resistant to antibiotics that target cell wall synthesis, it is fairly susceptible to antibiotics that target RNA and protein synthesis.