Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of Smoking on Cost of Hospitalization and Length of Stay among Patients with Lung Cancer in Iran: a Hospital-Based Study.

BACKGROUND Smoking is recognized as a main leading preventable cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. It is responsible for a considerable nancial burden both on the health system and in society. This study aimed to examine the effect of smoking on cost of hospitalization and length of stay (LoS) among patients with lung cancer in Iran in 2014. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 415 patients were included in the study. Data on age, sex, insurance status, type of hospitals, type of insurance, geographic local, length of stay and cost of hospitalization was extracted by medical records and smoking status was obtained from a telephone survey. To compare cost of hospitalization and LoS for different smoking groups, current smokers, former smokers, and never smokers, a gamma regression model and zero-truncated poisson regression were used, respectively. RESULTS Compared with never smokers, current and former smokers showed a 48% and 35% increase in hospitalization costs, respectively. Also, hospital LoS for current and former smokers was 72% and 31% higher than for never smokers, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Our study indicated that cigarette smoking imposes a signi cant nancial burden on hospitals in Iran. It is, however, recommended that more research should be done to implement and evaluate hospital based smoking cessation interventions to better increase cessation rates in these settings.
Quorum Sensing Controls Swarming Motility of Burkholderia glumae through Regulation of Rhamnolipids

Burkholderia glumae is a plant pathogenic bacterium that uses an acyl-homoserine lactone-mediated quorum sensing system to regulate protein secretion, oxalate production and major virulence determinants such as toxoflavin and flagella. B. glumae also releases surface-active rhamnolipids. In Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Burkholderia thailandensis, rhamnolipids, along with flagella, are required for the social behavior called swarming motility. In the present study, we demonstrate that quorum sensing positively regulates the production of rhamnolipids in B. glumae and that rhamnolipids are necessary for swarming motility also in this species. We show that a rhlA- mutant, which is unable to produce rhamnolipids, loses its ability to swarm, and that this can be complemented by providing exogenous rhamnolipids. Impaired rhamnolipid production in a quorum sensing-deficient B. glumae mutant is the main factor responsible for its defective swarming motility behaviour.
Motivational Antecedents of Academic Emotions in Filipino College Students

The control-value theory of academic emotions by Pekrun (2006) contends that students’ emotional experiences in achievement-related situations have sources from the appraisals students make about the importance and value of academic tasks they engage in. The present study looked into Filipino students’ structure of academic emotions, as well as intrinsic and extrinsic motivation as antecedents of academic emotions, upon the assumption that students’ motivations are shaped by their appraisals of importance and value of schooling. Results showed that intrinsic motivation had a positive predictive utility on positive emotions but negatively associated with any negative types of emotions. Extrinsic motivation positively predicted negative emotions. The predictive utility of the specific dimensions of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation on academic emotions were also analyzed, and results supported most of the hypotheses.
Interaction between bcl‐2 and p21 (WAF1/CIP1) in breast carcinomas with wild‐type p53

The bcl‐2 protein is found to be over‐expressed in many types of human tumours and is a potent inhibitor of apoptosis. The exact mechanism by which bcl‐2 prevents apoptosis and exercises its oncogenic effect is still unclear. Other studies on cell lines have reported that bcl‐2 over‐expression is related to suppression of p21 (WAF1/CIP). We have investigated the relationship between bcl‐2 protein over‐expression and expression of the p21 protein in a series of human breast carcinomas. Selected tumour samples from 100 breast‐cancer patients (38 with abnormal p53 status, scored as protein accumulation and/or mutation, and 62 without detectable p53 alterations), were immunostained for bcl‐2 protein, the p21 protein and the oestrogen‐receptor (ER) protein. A highly significant association was found between reduced p21‐protein expression and over‐expression of bcl‐2 in tumours with no detectable p53 alterations (p < 0.001). A significant association was seen between ER immunoreactivity and expression of the bcl‐2 protein, as well as between bcl‐2 protein expression and tumours of the higher differentiation grade (grade‐2 tumours). No association was seen between bcl‐2 over‐expression and the presence of metastases. Our findings indicate that down‐regulation of p21 may be a result of up‐regulation of bcl‐2 independent of p53. Int. J. Cancer 73:38–41, 1997. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Optimization of lactic acid production from cheap raw material: Sugarcane molasses

Biotechnological process is advantageous over chemical one as we can utilize cheap raw materials as carbon source such as agro-industrial byproducts and can produce the pure lactic acid in a very economic way. Sugar cane molasses is available in many countries as byproduct of sucrose production, which can be used as substrate for lactic acid fermentation. Process variables were optimized for the production of lactic acid by Lactobacillus delbrueckii using food wastes as substrates. The productivity was found to be affected by fermentation time, temperature and the level of substrate. The maximum lactic acid production was achieved after 7 days of fermentation in media containing 18% substrate level with a mean value of 7.76±0.08 g/100 ml (77.6 g/l) at 42oC. The maximum recovery of lactic acid with respect to initial total sugar contents of the media (9.91±0.20 g/100 ml) was 78.30%.
Formal Semantic Annotations for Models Interoperability in a PLM environment

Nowadays, the need for system interoperability in or across enterprises has become more and more ubiquitous. Lots of research works have been carried out in the information exchange, transformation, discovery and reuse. One of the main challenges in these researches is to overcome the semantic heterogeneity between enterprise applications along the lifecycle of a product. As a possible solution to assist the semantic interoperability, semantic annotation has gained more and more attentions and is widely used in different domains. In this paper, based on the investigation of the context and the related works, we identify some existing drawbacks and propose a formal semantic annotation approach to support the semantics enrichment of models in a PLM environment.
Science History as a Means to Teach Nature of Science Concepts: Using the Development of Understanding Related to Mechanisms of Inheritance

Nature of science concepts constitute a large part of what it means to be science literate. Along with teaching science content, it is important that teachers use instructional strategies to teach nature of science concepts. This study sought to examine the degree to which integrating small amounts of science history material into "normal" instruction helps to teach nature of science concepts. The study also sought to assess the effects of history of science integration on the acquisition of science content knowledge. The study was of a nonequivalent groups pre-posttest design and consisted of two groups, the history integration group and the "normal" instruction group. The history integration group was exposed to science history content within a typical introductory biology genetics unit. The "normal" instruction group received similar instruction without the added science history. The results showed that the history integration group achieved significantly higher pre- to posttest gains on Rubba's (1977) Nature of Scientific Knowledge Scale whole test and testable subscale scores. No significant differences were found on any other subscales. The groups also showed no significant difference in pre- to posttest gains on a researcher/teacher-designed genetics unit exam. Although this study provides no definitive answers, it does show that incorporating manageable amounts of science history into "normal" classroom instruction has the potential to increase students' knowledge of nature of science concepts without detracting from content knowledge acquisition. At the very least, the study shows that incorporating science history does not detract from content knowledge acquisition.
The Size of Retrieval Sets

This study was concerned with the question of how much information users of online search services want when they have a search conducted. This question was investigated within the context of multiattribute decision making. Thirty‐two individuals rated their likely satisfaction with the results of hypothetical online searches on a 21‐point scale. The hypothetical searches varied in terms of the number of documents retrieved, the percentage of retrieved documents that were relevant to the searcher's topic (the precision of the search), and the cost of the search. These three attributes were combined factorially to construct the hypothetical searches. Each subject in the study rated all of the searches. The results showed that the precision of the search had the largest effect on the satisfaction ratings. The size of the retrieval set did not affect the ratings directly, but did combine with precision in a multiplicative fashion, in that high precision was not as highly valued when there were larger numbers of documents in the retrieval set. The results were interpreted in terms of a psychological theory called “information integration theory. ” © 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
The face-on disc of MAXI J1836−194*

We present Very Large Telescope optical spectra of the black hole candidate X-ray binary MAXI J1836 194 at the onset of its 2011 outburst. Although the spectrum was taken at the beginning of the outburst and contains a significant contribution from the optically-thin synchrotron emission that originates in the radio jet, we find that the accretion disk was already large and bright. Single-peaked, narrow Hand He II �4686 lines imply the most face-on accretion disk observed in a black hole low-mass X-ray binary to date, with an inclination angle between 4 ◦ and 15 ◦ , assuming a black hole mass of between 5 M⊙ and 12 M⊙, for distances of between 4 and 10 kpc. We use New Technology Telescope observations of the system in quiescence to place strong upper limits on the mass and radius of the donor star and the orbital period. The donor is a main sequence star with a mass 1.9 M⊙ if the system is located 4 kpc away and >7.0 M⊙ at 10 kpc.
Emotion and its regulation predicts gluten-free diet adherence in adults with coeliac disease

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the mediating and moderating relationships between emotional perceptions of coeliac disease, negative emotional states, emotion regulation, emotional eating and gluten-free diet adherence. Method: Adults with coeliac disease (N = 253) were recruited from state organisations of Coeliac Australia and completed an online questionnaire measuring illness perceptions, emotion regulation strategies, negative emotional states, emotional eating and gluten-free diet adherence. Results: Participants' levels of depression and anxiety, but not stress or emotional eating, were associated with gluten-free diet adherence. Emotional perception of coeliac disease was also associated with gluten-free diet adherence, and this relationship was partially mediated by depression and anxiety. Furthermore, the emotion regulation strategies of cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression moderated the relationship between emotional perceptions and depression, but not emotional perceptions and anxiety. Conclusions: Interventions to improve dietary adherence for adults with coeliac disease displaying depressive symptoms should aim to increase the use of cognitive reappraisal and reduce the use of expressive suppression. Future studies should also explore mechanisms that may moderate the relationship between emotional perceptions and anxiety.
Relating Electronic Mail Use and Network Structure to R&D Work Networks and Performance

This study analyzes computer-monitored and self-reported electronic mail usage and network data collected over time from mentors and their summer interns at an R&D organization. Amount and network measures of E-mail usage were significantly associated with work and work familiarity networks. As time passed, interns communicated through E-mail more outside their formal mentor-intern relations. However, amount of E-mail use and most E-mail network measures (such as centrality) were not related to mentors' assessments of interns' performance several months later. An intriguing exception was how interns were located in the overall Email network. Surprisingly, overall, most forms of communication were negatively associated with performance ratings. These results imply that it is not necessarily how much one uses an E-mail system, but how the users are positioned in that system's structural context, that may affect R&D performance.
Impaired Right Ventricular Hemodynamics Indicate Preclinical Pulmonary Hypertension in Patients With Metabolic Syndrome

Background Metabolic disease can lead to intrinsic pulmonary hypertension in experimental models. The contributions of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and obesity to pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular dysfunction in humans remain unclear. We investigated the association of MetS and obesity with right ventricular structure and function in patients without cardiovascular disease. Methods and Results A total of 156 patients with MetS (mean age 44 years, 71% women, mean body mass index 40 kg/m2), 45 similarly obese persons without MetS, and 45 nonobese controls underwent echocardiography, including pulsed wave Doppler measurement of pulmonary artery acceleration time (PAAT) and ejection time. Pulmonary artery systolic pressure was estimated from PAAT using validated equations. MetS was associated with lower tricuspid valve e′ (right ventricular diastolic function parameter), shorter PAAT, shorter ejection time, and larger pulmonary artery diameter compared with controls (P<0.05 for all). Estimated pulmonary artery systolic pressure based on PAAT was 42±12 mm Hg in participants with MetS compared with 32±9 and 32±10 mm Hg in obese and nonobese controls (P for ANOVA <0.0001). After adjustment for age, sex, hypertension, diabetes, body mass index, and triglycerides, MetS remained associated with a 20‐ms–shorter PAAT (β=−20.4, SE=6.5, P=0.002 versus obese). This association persisted after accounting for left ventricular structure and function and after exclusion of participants with obstructive sleep apnea. Conclusions MetS is associated with abnormal right ventricular and pulmonary artery hemodynamics, as shown by shorter PAAT and subclinical right ventricular diastolic dysfunction. Estimated pulmonary artery systolic pressures are higher in MetS and preclinical metabolic heart disease and raise the possibility that pulmonary hypertension contributes to the pathophysiology of metabolic heart disease.
Epistasis and the mutation load: a measurement-theoretical approach.

An approximate solution for the mean fitness in mutation-selection balance with arbitrary order of epistatic interaction is derived. The solution is based on the assumptions of coupling equilibrium and that the interaction effects are multilinear. We find that the effect of m-order epistatic interactions (i.e., interactions among groups of m loci) on the load is dependent on the total genomic mutation rate, U, to the mth power. Thus, higher-order gene interactions are potentially important if U is large and the interaction density among loci is not too low. The solution suggests that synergistic epistasis will decrease the mutation load and that variation in epistatic effects will elevate the load. Both of these results, however, are strictly true only if they refer to epistatic interaction strengths measured in the optimal genotype. If gene interactions are measured at mutation-selection equilibrium, only synergistic interactions among even numbers of genes will reduce the load. Odd-ordered synergistic interactions will then elevate the load. There is no systematic relationship between variation in epistasis and load at equilibrium. We argue that empirical estimates of gene interaction must pay attention to the genetic background in which the effects are measured and that it may be advantageous to refer to average interaction intensities as measured in mutation-selection equilibrium. We derive a simple criterion for the strength of epistasis that is necessary to overcome the twofold disadvantage of sex.
Acculturation for fashion consumer behavior: A case of Korean–American families

The purpose of this study was to examine how parents and children of an immigrant family interact with each other in their process of acculturation to become fashion consumers in a new culture. In-depth interviews were conducted with 18 young adults to study the differences and interactions between parents and children of Korean-American families in relation to fashion-related values, attitudes and behaviors. A strong relationship between the values of parents and children was found in the Korean-American families interviewed. Two roles of fashion in relation to the acculturation process of Korean-American families were identified in this study. The two roles are, first as an indicator and second as a facilitator of acculturation. The results of this study provide a better understanding of intergenerational interaction in immigrant families who are leading transnational lives and the significance of fashion in their acculturation process as a medium of culture. This information will be useful in developing intervention programs that mediate acculturation of Korean-Americans, as well as other immigrant families. The process and characteristics of fashion-related behavior, one's ethnic identity and the value adoption of Korean-Americans were identified through this study.
Integrating Feature Construction with Multiple Classifiers in Decision Tree Induction

A system for cooling plastic molds with a flowing liquid while obviating leaking of the fluid and still enabling the mold to basically determine the quantity of liquid flowing, by providing a less than atmospheric pressure within the mold and increasing where needed, the cooling effect of the flowing liquid by in effect, providing a controlled adjustable air leak.
Reliability and Validity of the Carminatti's Test for Aerobic Fitness in Youth Soccer Players

Abstract Teixeira, AS, da Silva, JF, Carminatti, LJ, Dittrich, N, Castagna, C, and Guglielmo, LGA. Reliability and validity of the Carminatti's test for aerobic fitness in youth soccer players. J Strength Cond Res 28(11): 3269–3278, 2014—In this study, we examined the reliability and validity of peak velocity determined using the Carminatti's test (PVT-CAR) to evaluate the aerobic fitness of young soccer players (age = 13.4 ± 1.2 years; range, 10.3–15.4 years). To determine test-retest reliability of PVT-CAR, 34 adolescents (U-12, n = 13; U-14, n = 21) performed the Carminatti's test twice within 3–5 days. Validity was assessed in 43 adolescents (U-14, n = 20; U-16, n = 23) submitted to both the Carminatti's test and an incremental treadmill test to determine their aerobic fitness indicators. The intraclass correlation of PVT-CAR was 0.89, 0.93, and 0.81 with a coefficient of variation of 2.30% (0.33 km·h−1), 1.89% (0.26 km·h−1), and 2.66% (0.39 km·h−1) for the total sample (pooled data) or separately for the U-12 and U-14 groups, respectively. No significant difference was found between PVT-CAR and maximal aerobic speed (MAS) for the total sample (pooled data) or separately for the U-14 and U-16 groups. In addition, Bland and Altman plots evidenced acceptable agreement between them. The PVT-CAR was significantly related with peak velocity and MAS obtained in the incremental test for the total sample (r = 0.86 and 0.81, p < 0.01, respectively) and separately for the U-14 (r = 0.84 and 0.75, p < 0.01, respectively) and U-16 groups (r = 0.60 and 0.58, p < 0.01, respectively). Furthermore, the PVT-CAR was correlated with the V[Combining Dot Above]O2peak (r = 0.57, p < 0.01) and the velocity associated to the second ventilatory threshold (r = 0.69, p < 0.01) when the data were pooled (total sample). As a result, the Carminatti's test may be considered as a reliable and valid measure for assessing and monitoring the development of MAS of young soccer players during adolescence.
Remote preconditioning improves maximal performance in highly trained athletes.

BACKGROUND Remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) induced by transient limb ischemia releases a dialysable circulating protective factor that reduces ischemia-reperfusion injury. Exercise performance in highly trained athletes is limited by tissue hypoxemia and acidosis, which may therefore represent a type of ischemia-reperfusion stress modifiable by RIPC. METHODS AND RESULTS National-level swimmers, 13-27 yr, were randomized to RIPC (four cycles of 5-min arm ischemia/5-min reperfusion) or a low-pressure control procedure, with crossover. In study 1, subjects (n=16) performed two incremental submaximal swimming tests with measurement of swimming velocity, blood lactate, and HR. For study 2, subjects (n=18) performed two maximal competitive swims (time trials). To examine possible mechanisms, blood samples taken before and after RIPC were dialysed and used to perfuse mouse hearts (n=10) in a Langendorff preparation. Infarct sizes were compared with dialysate obtained from nonathletic controls. RIPC released a protective factor into the bloodstream, which reduced infarct size in mice (P<0.05 for controls and swimmers). There was no statistically significant difference between the effect of RIPC and the low-pressure control protocol on submaximal exercise performance. However, RIPC was associated with a mean improvement of maximal swim time for 100 m of 0.7 s (P=0.04), an improvement in swim time relative to personal best time (-1.1%, P=0.02), and a significant improvement in average International Swimming Federation points (+22 points, P=0.01). CONCLUSIONS RIPC improves maximal performance in highly trained swimmers. This simple technique may be applicable to other sports and, more importantly, to other clinical syndromes in which exercise tolerance is limited by tissue hypoxemia or ischemia.
Relative Poverty, Perceived Violence, and Support for Militant Politics: Evidence from Pakistan*

Challenging conventional wisdom, previous research in South Asia and the Middle East has shown that poverty and exposure to violence are negatively correlated with support for militant organizations. Existing studies, however, provide evidence consistent with two potential mechanisms underlying these relationships: (1) the direct effects of poverty and violence on attitudes toward militant groups and (2) the psychological effects of perceptions of poverty and violence on attitudes. Isolating whether the psychological mechanism is an important one is critical for building theories of mass responses to political violence. We conducted a series of original, large-scale survey experiments in Pakistan (n=16,279) in which we randomly manipulated perceptions of both poverty and violence before measuring support for militant organizations. We find evidence that psychological perceptions do in part explain why the poor seem to be less supportive of militant political groups.