Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Managing the negatives of experience in physician teams

Context: Experience is a key shaper of thought and action in the health care workplace and a fundamental component of management and professional policies dealing with improving quality of care. Physicians rely on experience to structure social interaction, to determine authority relations, and to resist organizational encroachments on their work and autonomy. However, an overreliance on experience within physician teams may paradoxically undermine learning, participation, and entrepreneurship, affecting organizational performance. Methods: Approximately 100 hours of direct observation of normal workdays for physician teams (n = 17 physicians) in two different work settings in a single academic medical center located in the Northeastern part of the United States. Qualitative data were collected from physician teams in the medical intensive care unit and trauma/general surgery settings. Data were transcribed and computer analyzed through an interactive process of open coding, theoretical sampling, and pattern recognition that proceeded longitudinally. Findings: Three particular experience-based schemas were identified that physician teams used to structure social relations and perform work. These schemas involved using experience as a commodity, trump card, and liberator. Each of these schemas consisted of strongly held norms, beliefs, and values that produced team dynamics with the potential for undermining learning, participation, and entrepreneurship in the group. Conclusions: Organizations may move to mitigate the negative impact of an overreliance on experience among physicians by promoting bureaucratic forms of control that enable physicians to engage learning, participation, and entrepreneurship in their work while not usurping existing and difficult-to-change cultural drivers of team behavior.
Calcium regulation of the soluble adenylyl cyclase expressed in mammalian spermatozoa

In mammals, Ca2+ and \documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document} \begin{equation*}{\mathrm{HCO}}_{3}^{-}\end{equation*}\end{document} ions play a critical role in the regulation of sperm function, most likely by regulation of cAMP levels. Mammalian germ cells contain a soluble adenylyl cyclase (sAC) with properties distinct from the well characterized membrane-bound enzymes Here we investigated whether the cyclase expressed in mature spermatozoa has the properties of sAC and whether it is regulated by Ca2+. In addition to an \documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document} \begin{equation*}{\mathrm{HCO}}_{3}^{-}\end{equation*}\end{document}-dependent activation, the cyclase endogenous to human spermatozoa is stimulated 2- to 3-fold by Ca2+ in a concentration-dependent manner (EC50 ≈ 400 nM). In a similar fashion, Ca2+ activates the recombinant rat and human full-length sAC with similar EC50 values. The Ca2+ stimulation was also observed when sAC was activated with \documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document} \begin{equation*}{\mathrm{HCO}}_{3}^{-}\end{equation*}\end{document}, was independent of calmodulin, and was associated with an increase in Vmax without changes in Km for ATP-Mg2+. An increase in intracellular Ca2+ by ionophore or by a muscarinic cholinergic receptor agonist increases cAMP in cells transfected with FL-hsAC, but not in mock-transfected cells. Similarly, both Ca2+ and \documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document} \begin{equation*}{\mathrm{HCO}}_{3}^{-}\end{equation*}\end{document} stimulate cAMP accumulation in human spermatozoa. These findings provide evidence that human spermatozoa express a cyclase with the properties of sAC and that Ca2+ can substitute for \documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document} \begin{equation*}{\mathrm{HCO}}_{3}^{-}\end{equation*}\end{document} in the stimulation of this enzyme, underscoring an important role for sAC in the control of sperm functions.
Selective Effect of Inhibition of Literal or Numerical Irrelevant Information in Children With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or Arithmetic Learning Disorder (ALD)

This study investigated reasons why children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or arithmetic learning disorder (ALD) have difficulties in solving arithmetic word problems. In particular, the aim of this study was to verify whether these difficulties are due to a working memory deficit and defective inhibition of irrelevant information included in the problem wording. Furthermore, the study was geared to test whether children with ADHD or ALD have a specific disability in recalling and handling numerical or literal information. In an attempt to provide an answer to these questions, three groups of children were tested: children with ADHD, children with ALD, and a group of children achieving at normal levels. They were presented with a battery of arithmetic word problems containing irrelevant information (using either numerical or literal information). Children were asked to recall relevant information within the texts and then solve the problems. Children with ADHD recalled significantly more irrelevant literal information. Both children with ADHD and ALD recalled significantly more irrelevant numerical information. On the other hand, in the phase of problem solving, children with ADHD were more impaired by irrelevant literal information (which overloads memory), whereas children with ALD were more impaired by irrelevant numerical information (which may elicit the execution of wrong arithmetic procedures).
Ethyl pyruvate treatment ameliorates pancreatic damage: evidence from a rat model of acute necrotizing pancreatitis

Introduction Ethyl pyruvate (EP), a natural flavoring and fragrance agent, has been shown to exert anti-inflammatory and antioxidant actions. We tested the potential beneficial effects of EP in a rat model of acute necrotizing pancreatitis (ANP), a serious condition with a significant inflammatory explosion and oxidative stress. Material and methods Fifty-two adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups: sham + saline, sham + EP, ANP + saline, and ANP + EP. The ANP was induced by glycodeoxycholic acid and cerulein. Animals were sacrificed at 48 h and biochemical, hematological, and histological markers of ANP and inflammation were assessed. The extent of mortality, systemic cardiorespiratory variables, pancreatic microcirculation, renal/hepatic functions, acinar cell injury and enzyme markers for pancreas and lung tissues were investigated. Results The EP-treated ANP group presented significantly lower mortality than the untreated ANP group (44% (7/16) vs. 19% (3/16), respectively, p < 0.05). Administration of EP resulted in significantly lower levels of IL-6 (ANP + saline: 5470 ±280 vs. ANP + EP: 2250 ±180 pg/ml, p < 0.05). Compared with the ANP group, the ANP + EP group had a lower pancreatic necrosis score (1.45 ±0.2 vs. 0.96 ±0.2, p < 0.05). Moreover, intraperitoneal EP administration had a positive effect on most indices of pancreatitis (amylase and alanine transaminase levels) and lung damage (except lung malondialdehyde levels) as they decreased towards baseline values. Conclusions The results from this experimental study indicate that EP, a nontoxic chemical approved by the Food and Drug Administration as a food additive, provides positive effects on the course of pancreatitis, suggesting potential usefulness in management of ANP.
The Effects of Suxamethonium and D-Tubocurarine on the Pressor and Plasma Catecholamine Responses to Tracheal Intubation

Changes in mean arterial pressure (MAP) and plasma catecholamine concentrations in response to endotracheal intubation were examined in 8 patients who had received d-tubocurarine and 10 who had received suxamethonium. MAP fell after induction of anaesthesia and administration of the relaxant by a mean of 11 mmHg in those who had received suxamethonium and 19 mmHg in those who had received d-tubocurarine (p <0.05 for each). MAP rose sharply when the trachea was intubated, by a mean of 29 mmHg for the suxamethonium group, and 35 mmHg for the curare group (p <0.001 for each). A significant rise in plasma noradrenaline was also noted after intubation in each group, 51% (p <0.01) for the suxamethonium group and 28% (p <0.05) for the d-tubocurarine. The results suggest that the fall in MAP after administration of d-tubocurarine does not attenuate the pressor response associated with intubation.
Altered Astrocytic Swelling in the Cortex of α-Syntrophin-Negative GFAP/EGFP Mice

Brain edema accompanying ischemic or traumatic brain injuries, originates from a disruption of ionic/neurotransmitter homeostasis that leads to accumulation of K+ and glutamate in the extracellular space. Their increased uptake, predominantly provided by astrocytes, is associated with water influx via aquaporin-4 (AQP4). As the removal of perivascular AQP4 via the deletion of α-syntrophin was shown to delay edema formation and K+ clearance, we aimed to elucidate the impact of α-syntrophin knockout on volume changes in individual astrocytes in situ evoked by pathological stimuli using three dimensional confocal morphometry and changes in the extracellular space volume fraction (α) in situ and in vivo in the mouse cortex employing the real-time iontophoretic method. RT-qPCR profiling was used to reveal possible differences in the expression of ion channels/transporters that participate in maintaining ionic/neurotransmitter homeostasis. To visualize individual astrocytes in mice lacking α-syntrophin we crossbred GFAP/EGFP mice, in which the astrocytes are labeled by the enhanced green fluorescent protein under the human glial fibrillary acidic protein promoter, with α-syntrophin knockout mice. Three-dimensional confocal morphometry revealed that α-syntrophin deletion results in significantly smaller astrocyte swelling when induced by severe hypoosmotic stress, oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD) or 50 mM K+. As for the mild stimuli, such as mild hypoosmotic or hyperosmotic stress or 10 mM K+, α-syntrophin deletion had no effect on astrocyte swelling. Similarly, evaluation of relative α changes showed a significantly smaller decrease in α-syntrophin knockout mice only during severe pathological conditions, but not during mild stimuli. In summary, the deletion of α-syntrophin markedly alters astrocyte swelling during severe hypoosmotic stress, OGD or high K+.
Fabrication of microstructured optical fibers-part II: numerical modeling of steady-state draw process

By combining theoretical, numerical, and experimental analyses, this paper examines the continuous draw process that underpins the fabrication of microstructured optical fibers (MOFs) with the aim of quantifying the impact of material properties and drawing conditions on the hole structure in the finished fiber. First, by treating the continuous draw process as a steady-state isothermal extensional flow of a Newtonian material, three-dimensional (3-D) modeling clearly demonstrates how a combination of force effects can lead to dramatic hole deformation in the neck-down region-i) surface tension contributing to hole size collapse (particularly if the fiber contains small holes and is drawn slowly over a long distance), while ii) viscous effects are the major contributor to hole shape changes (particularly in cases where different size holes are in close proximity within the overall structure). Then the central role of the neck-down region in hole deformation is examined via nonisothermal numerical analysis. Results indicate that the shape of the neck-down region is highly sensitive to the viscosity profile and thus to temperature gradients. Finally, it is shown that predicted hole deformations agree well with experimental measurements made in drawing polymethylmethacrylate MOFs.
Traffic monitoring using digital sound field mapping

A new traffic sensing technique is described that utilizes a microphone array to detect the sound waves generated by the road vehicles. The detected signals are then digitized and processed by an on-site computer using a correlation based algorithm, which extracts key data reflecting the road traffic conditions, e.g., the speed and density of vehicles on the road, automatically on site. In comparison with existing traffic sensors, the proposed system offers lower installation and maintenance costs and is less intrusive to the surrounding built environment. The results of theoretical analysis, computer simulation, and preliminary experimental results are presented.
Platelet inhibitory activity and pharmacokinetics of prasugrel (CS-747) a novel thienopyridine P2Y12 inhibitor: A single ascending dose study in healthy humans

We assessed the tolerability, pharmacodynamics as measured by inhibition of platelet aggregation (IPA), and pharmacokinetics of prasugrel (CS-747, LY640315), a novel thienopyridine antiplatelet agent in healthy volunteers. Twenty-four subjects were randomized into four groups of six in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. One subject in each group received placebo and five subjects received prasugrel orally at single doses of 2.5, 10, 30, or 75 mg. The IPA, assessed using 5 and 20 µM ADP, was periodically measured over a 7-day period by light transmission aggregometry. Plasma concentrations for three major metabolites, R-95913, R-106583, and R-100932, were measured. There were no serious adverse events and no clinically significant changes noted in any laboratory or clinical evaluations in any subject. At 1 h after prasugrel 30 and 75 mg, platelet aggregation induced by 20 µM ADP was inhibited by 43.5 ± 7.8 and 43.2 ± 15.7%, respectively, and this inhibition was significantly greater than that following placebo (5.9 ± 3.5%) (P < 0.05 for both doses). The degree of inhibition observed at 2 h was slightly higher with both prasugrel 30 and 75 mg (59.8 ± 9.9 and 57.0 ± 7.2%) and was maintained through the subsequent 22 h. At 24 h, maximal platelet aggregation induced by 20 µM ADP was reduced to ≤39% in all subjects receiving prasugrel 30 mg and to ≤38% in subjects receiving prasugrel 75 mg. Full recovery of platelet aggregation occurred between 48 h and 7 days suggesting irreversible inhibition by prasugrel and/or its metabolites. With prasugrel 2.5 and 10 mg, there was no measurable effect on platelet aggregation throughout the study (P > 0.05 for 2.5 and 10 mg prasugrel vs. placebo). With prasugrel 75 mg at 4 h postdose, there was a significant increase in the mean bleeding time compared to placebo (682 vs. 161 s; P < 0.05). Prasugrel metabolites obeyed linear pharmacokinetics and the three metabolites appeared in the plasma soon after administration, reaching maximum levels at approximately 1 h. In conclusion, prasugrel 30 and 75 mg were well tolerated and achieved a consistently high level of platelet inhibition with a fast onset of action.
OptNet: Differentiable Optimization as a Layer in Neural Networks

This paper presents OptNet, a network architecture that integrates optimization problems (here, specifically in the form of quadratic programs) as individual layers in larger end-to-end trainable deep networks. These layers encode constraints and complex dependencies between the hidden states that traditional convolutional and fully-connected layers often cannot capture. In this paper, we explore the foundations for such an architecture: we show how techniques from sensitivity analysis, bilevel optimization, and implicit differentiation can be used to exactly differentiate through these layers and with respect to layer parameters; we develop a highly efficient solver for these layers that exploits fast GPU-based batch solves within a primal-dual interior point method, and which provides backpropagation gradients with virtually no additional cost on top of the solve; and we highlight the application of these approaches in several problems. In one notable example, we show that the method is capable of learning to play mini-Sudoku (4x4) given just input and output games, with no a priori information about the rules of the game; this highlights the ability of our architecture to learn hard constraints better than other neural architectures.
Efficacy of Land‐Cover Models in Predicting Isolation of Marbled Salamander Populations in a Fragmented Landscape

Abstract: Amphibians worldwide are facing rapid declines due to habitat loss and fragmentation, disease, and other causes. Where habitat alteration is implicated, there is a need for spatially explicit conservation plans. Models built with geographic information systems (GIS) are frequently used to inform such planning. We explored the potential for using GIS models of functional landscape connectivity as a reliable proxy for genetically derived measures of population isolation. We used genetic assignment tests to characterize isolation of marbled salamander populations and evaluated whether the relative amount of modified habitat around breeding ponds was a reliable indicator of population isolation. Using a resampling analysis, we determined whether certain land‐cover variables consistently described population isolation. We randomly drew half the data for model building and tested the performance of the best models on the other half 100 times. Deciduous forest was consistently associated with lower levels of population isolation, whereas salamander populations in regions of agriculture and anthropogenic development were more isolated. Models that included these variables and pond size explained 65–70% of variation in genetically inferred isolation across sites. The resampling analysis confirmed that these habitat variables were consistently good predictors of isolation. Used judiciously, simple GIS models with key land‐cover variables can be used to estimate population isolation if field sampling and genetic analysis are not possible.
Comparison of cold lateral compaction and continuous wave of obturation techniques following manual or rotary instrumentation.

AIM To compare different combinations of root canal preparation and obturation technique. METHODOLOGY A total of 48 freshly extracted human maxillary central incisors were divided into two identical groups on the basis of root canal length and apical diameter. The root canals were prepared by manual crown-down pressureless technique or with a rotary system (ProFile; Dentsply Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland) in a crown-down technique. The coronal diameter and apical size of the root canals were standardized in both preparation techniques. Each main group was then divided into two subgroups and obturated with either cold lateral compaction or continuous wave of obturation with System B (EIE-Analytic Technology, Orange, CA, USA). The distribution of filling material in each canal was assessed by stereomicroscopic examination of eight cross-sections on each tooth. Areas of sealer, gutta-percha and voids were measured on the digital images of a total of 384 samples. Manipulation time and apical extrusion for each group was also determined. Data were statistically analysed using Kruskal-Wallis, anova (Bonferroni/Dunn) or Student's t-test. RESULTS The percentage of sealer, gutta-percha and voids area between the obturation techniques was not significantly different (P > 0.05). Continuous wave groups had significantly more apical extrusion of sealer (P < 0.05), while none of the obturation techniques had gutta-percha extrusion. Rotary instrumentation was significantly faster than the manual technique (P < 0.05); continuous wave obturation was significantly faster than lateral compaction (P < 0.05). Total manipulation time in the rotary/continuous wave group was significantly shorter than the other groups (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION The distribution of filling materials was similar in all combinations of instrumentation and obturation techniques. The continuous wave technique was faster than lateral compaction and it extruded more sealer.
Cognitive bedside assessment in atypical parkinsonian syndromes

Background: Despite the growing recognition of the importance of cognitive symptoms for the diagnosis and management of atypical parkinsonian syndromes, the cognitive assessment of the patients in clinical practice often remains very limited. Objectives: To examine the ability of a brief and simple cognitive screening test to detect cognitive deficits in atypical parkinsonian syndromes. Methods: Addenbrooke’s cognitive examination (ACE), the mini-mental state examination (MMSE), and the dementia rating scale (DRS) were applied to 26 patients with multiple system atrophy (MSA), 39 with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), and 25 with corticobasal degeneration (CBD). The results were then compared with those obtained in 30 healthy age matched volunteers and 30 patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Results: In all four diseases the rate of detection of cognitive impairment on ACE was higher than on MMSE and comparable with DRS. The severity of cognitive impairment was most pronounced in the CBD group, which showed a similar degree of impairment to the Alzheimer group. In contrast, MSA patients were the least cognitively impaired. The PSP group took an intermediate position. Conclusions: Cognitive impairment in atypical parkinsonian syndromes can be detected using a brief and clinically applicable bedside test such as ACE.
Non-Destructive Tests and Bending Tests on Chestnut Structural Timber

In the context of a more wide research study for in situ mechanical identification of ancient timber structures by non-destructive techniques, the paper illustrates the experimental activity developed on structural elements made of old chestnut timber, 4x4x76 cm size: 24 squared specimens were extracted by six elements in actual dimensions, already used in a previous tests campaign. Non-destructive (ND: hygrometric, sclerometric and resistographic) and destructive (D: bending) tests were performed, the latter according to UNI EN 408 (2004) standard, in order to assess the mechanical properties and the collapse mechanisms of chestnut timber. Data gathered are presented in detail and, NDT-DT correlations, obtained through a linear regression approach, are provided to predict wood density, strength and modulus of elasticity of the tested members.