Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Correlational Study of Preadmission and Early Program Predictors of Physician Assistant Certification Exam Scores

As the physician assistant profession continues to grow, the number of physician assistant programs and the number of applicants to these programs are increasing dramatically. Programs should be diligent to choose students who are likely to be successful in the program and on passing the Physician Assistant National Certification Exam. In addition to selection processes that consider preadmission criteria, programs should also have processes in place to identify students at risk of failure to allow time to implement remediation plans. This study employed a correlational research design, attempting to demonstrate a predictive relationship between the predictor variables, undergraduate science GPA, which included anatomy, physiology, and microbiology, Graduate Record Exam scores, and physician assistant program science GPA, which included anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology, and the criterion variable, Physician Assistant National Certification Exam scores. Participants for this study included 109 graduates from the physician assistant programs at Mountain View University and Cedar Grove University (pseudonyms were used), both in West Virginia. Data was collected from the participants’ undergraduate transcripts, application to the program, and a report from the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistant that included exam scores. Descriptive statistics for the criterion and predictor variables were reported. A multiple regression was utilized to analyze the data and showed a predictive relationship between the predictor variable, graduate GPA, and exam scores, but failed to show a predictive relationship with the other predictor variables and exam scores. Further studies could be undertaken to include more participants from different physician assistant schools across the country, include noncognitive factors, or evaluate application-based curriculum as a predictor of exam success.
The effects of a split sleep–wake schedule on neurobehavioural performance and predictions of performance under conditions of forced desynchrony

Extended wakefulness, sleep loss, and circadian misalignment are factors associated with an increased accident risk in shiftwork. Splitting shifts into multiple shorter periods per day may mitigate these risks by alleviating prior wake. However, the effect of splitting the sleep–wake schedule on the homeostatic and circadian contributions to neurobehavioural performance and subjective assessments of one’s ability to perform are not known. Twenty-nine male participants lived in a time isolation laboratory for 13 d, assigned to one of two 28-h forced desynchrony (FD) schedules. Depending on the assigned schedule, participants were provided the same total time in bed (TIB) each FD cycle, either consolidated into a single period (9.33 h TIB) or split into two equal halves (2 × 4.67 h TIB). Neurobehavioural performance was regularly assessed with a psychomotor vigilance task (PVT) and subjectively-assessed ability was measured with a prediction of performance on a visual analogue scale. Polysomnography was used to assess sleep, and core body temperature was recorded to assess circadian phase. On average, participants obtained the same amount of sleep in both schedules, but those in the split schedule obtained more slow wave sleep (SWS) on FD days. Mixed-effects ANOVAs indicated no overall difference between the standard and split schedules in neurobehavioural performance or predictions of performance. Main effects of circadian phase and prior wake were present for both schedules, such that performance and subjective ratings of ability were best around the circadian acrophase, worst around the nadir, and declined with increasing prior wake. There was a schedule by circadian phase interaction for all neurobehavioural performance metrics such that performance was better in the split schedule than the standard schedule around the nadir. There was no such interaction for predictions of performance. Performance during the standard schedule was significantly better than the split schedule at 2 h of prior wake, but declined at a steeper rate such that the schedules converged by 4.5–7 h of prior wake. Overall, the results indicate that when the total opportunity for sleep per day is satisfactory, a split sleep–wake schedule is not detrimental to sleep or performance. Indeed, though not reflected in subjective assessments of performance capacity, splitting the schedule may be of some benefit, given its reduction of neurobehavioural impairment at night and its association with increased SWS. Therefore, for some industries that require operations to be sustained around the clock, implementing a split work–rest schedule may be of assistance.
Comparing and Validating Automated Tools for Individualized Electric Field Simulations in the Human Head

Comparing electric field simulations from individualized head models against in-vivo recordings is important for direct validation of computational field modeling for transcranial brain stimulation and brain mapping techniques such as electro- and magnetoencephalography. This also helps to improve simulation accuracy by pinning down the factors having the largest influence on the simulations. Here we compare field simulations from four different automated pipelines, against intracranial voltage recordings in an existing dataset of 14 epilepsy patients. We show that ignoring uncertainty in the simulations leads to a strong bias in the estimated linear relationship between simulated and measured fields. In addition, even though the simulations between the pipelines differ notably, this is not reflected in the correlation with the measurements. We discuss potential reasons for this apparent mismatch and propose a new Bayesian regression analysis of the data that yields unbiased estimates enabling robust conclusions to be reached.
Diverse Endogenous Antigens for Mouse NKT Cells: Self-Antigens That Are Not Glycosphingolipids

NKT cells with an invariant Ag receptor (iNKT cells) represent a highly conserved and unique subset of T lymphocytes having properties of innate and adaptive immune cells. They have been reported to regulate a variety of immune responses, including the response to cancers and the development of autoimmunity. The development and activation of iNKT cells is dependent on self-Ags presented by the CD1d Ag-presenting molecule. It is widely believed that these self-Ags are glycosphingolipids (GSLs), molecules that contain ceramide as the lipid backbone. In this study, we used a variety of methods to show that mammalian Ags for mouse iNKT cells need not be GSLs, including the use of cell lines deficient in GSL biosynthesis and an inhibitor of GSL biosynthesis. Presentation of these Ags required the expression of CD1d molecules that could traffic to late endosomes, the site where self-Ag is acquired. Extracts of APCs contain a self-Ag that could stimulate iNKT cells when added to plates coated with soluble, rCD1d molecules. The Ag(s) in these extracts are resistant to sphingolipid-specific hydrolase digestion, consistent with the results using live APCs. Lyosphosphatidylcholine, a potential self-Ag that activated human iNKT cell lines, did not activate mouse iNKT cell hybridomas. Our data indicate that there may be more than one type of self-Ag for iNKT cells, that the self-Ags comparing mouse and human may not be conserved, and that the search to identify these molecules should not be confined to GSLs.
Cardiac Autonomic Dysfunction in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infected Patients: A Cross Sectional Study

Background: Neurological complications involving central and peripheral nervous system are well described but there is paucity of literature on involvement of autonomic nervous system. HIV patients on ART have a higher prevalence of symptoms due to dysautonomia in comparison to normal individuals.Aims and objectives: To study the prevalence of cardiac autonomic dysfunction in PLHA (People living with HIV/ AIDS) with and without antiretroviral treatment.Methodology: It is a cross sectional study. The subjects are broadly divided into 3 categories with 25 patients in each group. PLHA on ART, PLHA not on ART and healthy controls.Observation and results: Three patients from ART group two from ART naive group had symptoms of syncope. There was a significant difference between the autonomic parameters in the control population as compared to that of PLHA, but no difference between those on ART and not on ART. The resting heart rate was significantly higher in PLHA compared to controls. On testing for sympathetic response, there was no notable difference between the median values of fall in systolic blood pressure between PLHA patients and control population. Respiratory sinus arrhythmia, expiration to inspiration ratio, in the controls was higher when compared to PLHA There is a significant difference in fall in systolic blood pressure between the HIV on ART and not on ART, however there was no significant difference in other autonomic parameters.Conclusion: This study shows that deterioration of parasympathetic function is more common than sympathetic function decline in HIV infected subjects as compared to normal population.
Structural analysis of chlamydial major outer membrane proteins

The primary structure and surface exposure of the major outer membrane protein (MOMP) isolated from 14C intrinsically or 125I extrinsically radiolabeled Chlamydia trachomatis serotypes D/UW-3, G/UW-57, H/UW-4, I/UW-12, and L2/434 and the Chlamydia psittaci meningopneumonitis strain were analyzed by two different peptide-mapping techniques. Radiolabeled proteins were digested with either Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease, the patterns of peptide fragments produced being displayed by sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis, or alpha-chymotrypsin, the peptides being analyzed after separation by high-voltage electrophoresis and thin-layer chromatography. The comparative structural data obtained from these two different techniques were remarkably similar. From these data, the following points could be made. (i) MOMPs are structurally heterogeneous between members of chlamydial species; the C. psittaci MOMP was clearly distinct from each of the C. trachomatis MOMPs. (ii) Considerable structural homology occurs among MOMPs from different C. trachomatis serotypes; however, distinct differences in the primary structure of each C. trachomatis MOMP were evident. (iii) These observed differences were most obvious in peptide maps of MOMPs isolated from chlamydiae that had been surface labeled by lactoperoxidase-mediated radioiodination. The surface-exposed portions of the MOMPs from serotypes L2 and D were very similar. In contrast, those from serotypes G, H, and I were quite different. These structural data are in agreement with the serospecificities described for these proteins.
Venture Capitalists’ Decision to Withdraw: The Role of Portfolio Configuration from a Real Options Lens

When does a venture capital firm withdraw from an investment project prior to its completion? This study offers a real options view on this decision by examining the contingent effects of portfolio configuration. We explore how project withdrawal can be influenced by two distinct dimensions of portfolio configuration, portfolio focus in a strategic domain and portfolio diversity across multiple domains. The empirical analysis shows that while portfolio focus weakens the negative effect of industry-level uncertainty on a venture capitalist’s propensity to withdraw from a project, portfolio diversity strengthens the effect of uncertainty. This study informs current research on the boundary of real options theory and sheds light on the behavior of venture capitalists in financing entrepreneurship.
Action plans with limited patient education only for exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

BACKGROUND Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive disease characterised by exacerbations, usually infective in origin, which affect symptoms and quality of life. Action plans may help individuals recognise a deterioration in their symptoms and initiate changes to treatment early, thereby reducing the impact of the exacerbation. OBJECTIVES To assess the efficacy of action plans in the management of COPD. SEARCH STRATEGY We searched the Cochrane Airways Group Specialised Register (7 July 2009), CENTRAL, MEDLINE , CINAHL and ongoing trials registers (last searched July 2009). SELECTION CRITERIA Randomised controlled trials of an individual action plan with minimal or no self management education, compared to control in patients with COPD were included. Studies in asthma and in multi-faceted interventions in which an action plan was combined with other elements such as education programme, exercise programme or outreach visits were excluded. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two reviewers independently assessed trial quality and extracted data. We contacted investigators for additional information when necessary. MAIN RESULTS Five studies enrolling 574 participants with moderate or severe COPD, with follow-up from six to twelve months, were included. There was no evidence that action plans reduced health care utilisation; assessed by hospital admission (mean difference (MD) 0.23; 95% CI -0.03 to 0.49), emergency department visits (MD 0.37; 95% CI -0.50 to 1.24) or GP visits (MD 0.53; -0.45, 1.50). Use of action plans was associated with increased initiation of treatment for acute exacerbations. Oral corticosteroid use was increased over 12 months (MD 0.74; 95% CI 0.14 to 1.35) with a significant increase in odds of being treated with antibiotics over 12 months (odds ratio 1.65; 95% CI 1.01 to 2.69). Self management knowledge and intention to initiate appropriate actions were improved in one study; recognition of a severe exacerbation (MD 2.50; 95% CI 1.04 to 3.96) and self initiating action in a severe exacerbation (MD 1.50; 95% CI 0.62 to 2.38). Health-related quality of life data were limited. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS There is evidence that action plans with limited COPD education aid recognition of, and response to, an exacerbation with initiation of antibiotics and corticosteroids. Only one study measured patients' self health appropriate behaviour (decision making and taking action). There is no evidence of reduced healthcare resources utilisation or improved health-related quality of life.The practice of giving patients an action plan and limited self-management education for the management of COPD exacerbations, without a multi-faceted self-management program or ongoing case management cannot be recommended as the standard of care in COPD.
Fluctuating Pressure-Passivity Is Common in the Cerebral Circulation of Sick Premature Infants

Cerebral blood flow pressure-passivity results when pressure autoregulation is impaired, or overwhelmed, and is thought to underlie cerebrovascular injury in the premature infant. Earlier bedside observations suggested that transient periods of cerebral pressure-passivity occurred in premature infants. However, these transient events cannot be detected reliably by intermittent static measurements of pressure autoregulation. We therefore used continuous bedside recordings of mean arterial pressure (MAP; from an indwelling arterial catheter) and cerebral perfusion [using the near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) Hb difference (HbD) signal) to detect cerebral pressure-passivity in the first 5 d after birth in infants with birth weight <1500 g. Because the Hb difference (HbD) signal [HbD = oxyhemoglobin (HbO2) − Hb] correlates with cerebral blood flow (CBF), we used coherence between MAP and HbD to define pressure-passivity. We measured the prevalence of pressure-passivity using a pressure-passive index (PPI), defined as the percentage of 10-min epochs with significant low-frequency coherence between the MAP and HbD signals. Pressure-passivity occurred in 87 of 90 premature infants, with a mean PPI of 20.3%. Cerebral pressure-passivity was significantly associated with low gestational age and birth weight, systemic hypotension, and maternal hemodynamic factors, but not with markers of maternal infection. Future studies using consistent serial brain imaging are needed to define the relationship between PPI and cerebrovascular injury in the sick premature infant.
Monolithic Interferometers Using Gemini Fiber

Gemini fibers are used to fabricate monolithic interferometers. The thermal stability of a monolithic Michelson interferometer is found to be superior to that of a conventional fiber ribbon interferometer. The fabrication of fused couplers, fiber Bragg gratings, and a broadband Mach-Zehnder add-drop multiplexer are demonstrated using the novel fiber.
Impact of the absorption in transmittance and reflectance on macroporous silicon photonic crystals

The characteristics of reflection and transmission peaks in the spectra of photonic crystals have been studied theoretically and the results compared to measurements performed in fabricated samples. The aim of this work is to investigate the relation between material losses and the effective Q factors that can be obtained in photonic crystals made with it. Photonic crystals have been designed with defects of periodicity to introduce states in the band gap that give place to reflectance and transmittance peaks at adjustable specific wavelengths. The fabricated structures are described together with their reflection and transmission spectra. The influence of losses in the material in these spectra is evaluated.
MicroRNA Biomarkers and Platelet Reactivity: The Clot Thickens

Over the last few years, several groups have evaluated the potential of microRNAs (miRNAs) as biomarkers for cardiometabolic disease. In this review, we discuss the emerging literature on the role of miRNAs and other small noncoding RNAs in platelets and in the circulation, and the potential use of miRNAs as biomarkers for platelet activation. Platelets are a major source of miRNAs, YRNAs, and circular RNAs. By harnessing multiomics approaches, we may gain valuable insights into their potential function. Because not all miRNAs are detectable in the circulation, we also created a gene ontology annotation for circulating miRNAs using the gene ontology term extracellular space as part of blood plasma. Finally, we share key insights for measuring circulating miRNAs. We propose ways to standardize miRNA measurements, in particular by using platelet-poor plasma to avoid confounding caused by residual platelets in plasma or by adding RNase inhibitors to serum to reduce degradation. This should enhance comparability of miRNA measurements across different cohorts. We provide recommendations for future miRNA biomarker studies, emphasizing the need for accurate interpretation within a biological and methodological context.
Effect of Daily Safety Briefing Huddles on the Reporting of Adverse Events and Near-misses

Background: Incident reporting offers valuable information regarding safety issues, but near-misses (NM) and adverse events (AE) remain underreported. DSB huddles help foster collective situational awareness that increases an organization’s capacity to respond to safety concerns. However, effects of DSB huddles on AE/NM reporting remain understudied. Objective: To examine how daily safety briefing (DSB) huddles operate in a surgical unit, and assess their impact on reporting of adverse events and near-misses. Methods: DSB huddles were piloted in a gastrointestinal surgical unit. The study compared AE/NM reporting rates and reporting types before and after adopting DSB huddles. Results: After adopting DSB huddles, AE reporting improved from 0.9% to 1.8%, and NM reporting improved from 0.5% to 7.1% (p < .05). Self-reporting of safety issues increased from 44.4% to 73.8%; NM reporting domains increased from 6 to 15. Conclusions: DSB huddles increased reporting rates of AE and of NM particularly, improved reporting dimensions of NM, and increased team members’ situational patient safety awareness.
On the effect of helium enhancement on bolometric corrections and Teff-colour relations

We evaluate the effects that variations in He content have on bolometric corrections and T eff -colour relations. To do this, we computed ATLAS9 model atmospheres and spectral energy distributions for effective temperatures ranging from 3500 K to 40000 K for dwarfs and from 3500 K to 8000 K for giants, considering both "He-non-enhanced" and "He-enhanced" compositions. The variations in He content that were considered are of AY = +0.1 and +0.2 for the metallicity [M/H] = +0.5 and AY = +0.1 for [M/H] = -0.5 and -1.5. Synthetic photometry was then carried out for the UBVRIJHK system. We conclude that the changes in bolometric corrections, caused by the adopted He-enhancements are in general too small (less than 0.01 mag), for both dwarfs and giants, to be affecting present-day tables of bolometric corrections at a significant level. The only possible exceptions are found for the U-band at T Cff . between 4000 K and 8000 K, where |ΔBC U | amounts to ∼0.02 mag, and for T eff equal to 3500 K, where (ΔBCSλ| values clearly become much higher (up to 0.06 mag for passbands from U to V). However, even in the latter case the overall uncertainty caused by variations in the He content may be not so significant, because the ATLAS9 results are still approximative at their lowest temperature limit. limit.
Cosmological Model Parameter Determination from Satellite-acquired Supernova Apparent Magnitude versus Redshift Data

We examine the constraints that satellite-acquired supernova (SN) apparent magnitude versus redshift data will place on cosmological model parameters in models with and without a constant or time-variable cosmological constant Λ. Data that could be acquired in the near future would result in tight constraints on these parameters. For example, if all other parameters of a spatially flat model with a constant Λ are known, the SN data should constrain the nonrelativistic matter density parameter Ω0 to better than 1% (2%, 0.5%) at 1 σ with neutral (worst case, best case) assumptions about data quality.
Delay analysis for CBR traffic under static-priority scheduling

We examine the delay performance of packets from constant-bit-rate (CBR) traffic whose delay is affected by non-real-time traffic. The delay performance is analyzed by solving the nD/D/1 queue with vacations. We obtain an exact and closed form solution, hence obviating the need of any approximations or numerical Laplace inversions. We then provide various numerical results for low-bit-rate transmission links, in which packets can experience large delay. From our quantitative evaluation, we conclude that there exists an optimum packet size for a given delay bound. In extremely slow links, such as modem links, transmission control protocol (TCP) packets should be segmented to reduce the CBR delay. We therefore investigate the delay impact of TCP packet sizes as well.