Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Serum Zinc Levels in Hyperbilirubinemic Neonates Before and After Phototherapy

Background The existing therapeutic methods for neonatal jaundice are costly, time-consuming and potentially risky. Zinc salts can reduce phototherapy duration by precipitating unconjugated bilirubin in the intestine (bilirubin and zinc can form a complex in physiologic pH); however, zinc toxicity is an issue that must be considered since theoretically bilirubin reduction by phototherapy may increase serum zinc levels, making additional zinc supplementation the potential cause of zinc toxicity. Objectives So, our purpose was evaluating the serum zinc level alterations before and after phototherapy, in hyperbilirubinemic newborns. Materials and Methods A prospective cohort study was performed at the children’s medical center of Tehran University of Medical Sciences from 2012 to 2014. Healthy, full-term exclusively breast fed newborns with non-hemolytic jaundice were enrolled in the study. Participants were divided into two groups based on serum bilirubin levels (TSB < 18 mg/dL and TSB ≥ 18 mg/dL) at admission. Pre- and post-phototherapy total serum zinc level was measured before and 12 - 24 hours after termination of phototherapy. Results Phototherapy was associated with a significant increase in the serum zinc level in neonates with severe hyperbilirubinemia (TSB ≥ 18 mg/dL) but not in those with mild-moderate hyperbilirubinemia (TSB < 18 mg/dL). In addition, phototherapy caused a significant increase in the rate of zinc with potentially toxic levels (zinc > 200) in only neonates with severe hyperbilirubinemia. Conclusions Phototherapy increases serum zinc level by reducing bilirubin level so that additional supplementation of this element can lead potentially to zinc toxicity.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MYOFILAMENT PACKING DENSITY AND SARCOMERE LENGTH IN FROG STRIATED MUSCLE

In cross-sections of single fibers from the frog semitendinosus muscle the number of thick myofilaments per unit area (packing density) is a direct function of the sarcomere length. Our data, derived from electron microscopic studies, fit well with other data derived from in vivo, low-angle X-ray diffraction studies of whole semitendinosus muscles. The data are consistent with the assumption that the sarcomere of a fibril maintains a constant volume during changes in sarcomere length. The myofilament lattice, therefore, expands as the sarcomere shortens. Since the distance between adjacent myofilaments is an inverse square root function of sarcomere length, the interaction of the thick and the thin myofilaments during sarcomere shortening may occur over distances which increase 70 A or more. The "expanding-sarcomere, sliding-filament" model of sarcomere shortening is discussed in terms of the current concepts of muscle architecture and contraction.
A Usage Proole and Evaluation of a Wide-area Distributed File System

The evolution of the Andrew File System (AFS) into a wide-area distributed le system has encouraged collaboration and information dissemination on a much broader scale than ever before. In this paper, we examine AFS as a provider of wide-area le services to over 80 organizations around the world. We discuss usage characteristics of AFS derived from empirical measurements of the system, and from user responses to a questionnaire. Our observations indicate that AFS provides robust and eecient data access in its current connguration, thus connrming its viability as a design point for wide-area distributed le systems.
THE RECENT EVOLUTION OF WEALTH CONCENTRATION IN SPAIN: AN ANALYSIS FROM TAX DATA

In Spain there is a historical lack of data about the distribution of wealth. For that reason, the use of tax data offers the opportunity to analyse the distribution of wealth over the 1983-2001 period. We concentrate on top 1% of taxpayers. The results suggest their share increases, mainly due to an increase in the concentration of equity shares, as in general housing evolution reduces concentration. However, this seems to change for the last years, when housing prices are booming since 1999, which could suggest that the share of top 1% has gone up since then onwards, as the booming period has lasted until 2006.
Geodesic flows on diffeomorphisms of the circle, Grassmannians, and the geometry of the periodic KdV equation

We start by constructing a Hilbert manifold T of orientation preserving diffeomorphisms of the circle (modulo the group of bi-holomorphic self-mappings of the disc). This space, which could be thought of as a completion of the universal Teichmueller space, is endowed with a right-invariant Kaehler metric. Using results from the theory of quasiconformal mappings we construct an embedding of T into the infinite dimensional Segal-Wilson Grassmannian. The latter turns out to be a very natural ambient space for T. This allows us to prove that T's sectional curvature is negative in the holomorphic directions and by a reasoning along the lines of Cartan-Hadamard's theory that its geodesics exist for all time. The geodesics of T lead to solutions of the periodic Korteweg-de Vries (KdV) equation by means of V. Arnold's generalization of Euler's equation. As an application, we obtain long-time existence of solutions to the periodic KdV equation with initial data in a certain closed subspace of the periodic Sobolev space of index 3/2.
Changes in the fabric of the Arctic’s greenhouse blanket

The Arctic is rapidly losing its permanent ice. While increases in greenhouse gases are believed to be the underlying cause of the melting, interactions among the Arctic’s changing thermodynamic and dynamic processes driving ice loss are poorly understood. The emission of infrared radiation from the atmosphere to the surface has been recently implicated as an important factor governing the extent of summer perennial sea ice. In this study we use new satellite-derived products to investigate which atmospheric parameters are contributing to observed increases in the downwelling flux in longwave radiation (DLF) during spring in six regions around the periphery of the Arctic Ocean. In areas dominated by low clouds containing liquid water, we find that DLF trends are driven primarily by increasing cloud fraction and more abundant water vapor, and offset by lowering cloud-base heights. In ice-cloud dominated regions (seas north of Siberia), we find that changing water vapor assumes a more important role, while effects of changing cloud fraction and cloud-base height are reduced. Results highlight the need for improved information about Arctic cloud-base heights, cloud phase, and the height and strength of surface-based temperature inversions.
Applying Organizational Routines in understanding organizational change

Organizational routines are considered basic components of organizational behavior and repositories of Organizational capabilities (Nelson and Winter, 1982). They do, therefore, hold one of the keys to understanding organizational change. We identify problems encountered in such research and present proposal for how to deal with them, in order to advance our knowledge of routines and our understanding or organizational change. Developing these themes, we also introduce the articles in the special section 'Towards an Operationalization of the Routines concept'.
Age-Related Changes in Listening Effort for Various Types of Masker Noises

Objective: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between cognitive function, listening effort, and speech recognition for a group of younger and older adults with normal hearing and a group of older adults with hearing impairment in various types of background maskers. The authors hypothesize that, as the masker condition becomes more difficult listening effort will increase, but the increase will be greater for older participants than for younger participants. Design: A dual-task paradigm was used to objectively evaluate listening effort. The primary task required participants to repeat sentences presented in three different background-masker conditions: (1) two-talker (TT), (2) six-talker, and (3) speech-shaped noise (SSN). The secondary task was a Digital Visual Pursuit Rotor Tracking test, for which participants were instructed to use a computer mouse to track a moving target around an ellipse that was displayed on a computer screen. Each of the two tasks was separately and concurrently presented at a fixed overall speech-recognition performance level of 76% correct. In addition, participants subjectively rated how easy it was to listen to the sentences in each masker condition on a scale from 0 (i.e., very difficult) to 100 (i.e., very easy). Last, participants completed a battery of cognitive tests that measured working memory (Reading Span Test), processing speed (Digit Symbol Substitution Test), and selective attention (Stroop Test) ability. Results: Results revealed that participants’ working memory and processing speed abilities were significantly related to their speech-recognition performance in noise in all three background-masker conditions. Participants rated the TT condition to be the most difficult listening condition and the SSN condition to be the easiest listening condition. Both groups of older participants expended significantly more listening effort than younger participants did in the SSN and TT masker conditions. For each group of participants, there were no significant differences in listening effort measured across the masker conditions, with the exception of the younger participants, who expended more effort listening in the six-talker masker condition compared with the SSN condition. Participants’ listening effort expended on the TT and SSN masker conditions was significantly correlated with their working memory and processing speed performance. Conclusions: Findings from the present study indicate that older adults require more cognitive resources than younger adults to understand speech in background noise.
BNP-guided vs symptom-guided heart failure therapy: the Trial of Intensified vs Standard Medical Therapy in Elderly Patients With Congestive Heart Failure (TIME-CHF) randomized trial.

CONTEXT It is uncertain whether intensified heart failure therapy guided by N-terminal brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is superior to symptom-guided therapy. OBJECTIVE To compare 18-month outcomes of N-terminal BNP-guided vs symptom-guided heart failure therapy. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PATIENTS Randomized controlled multicenter Trial of Intensified vs Standard Medical Therapy in Elderly Patients With Congestive Heart Failure (TIME-CHF) of 499 patients aged 60 years or older with systolic heart failure (ejection fraction < or = 45%), New York Heart Association (NYHA) class of II or greater, prior hospitalization for heart failure within 1 year, and N-terminal BNP level of 2 or more times the upper limit of normal. The study had an 18-month follow-up and it was conducted at 15 outpatient centers in Switzerland and Germany between January 2003 and June 2008. INTERVENTION Uptitration of guideline-based treatments to reduce symptoms to NYHA class of II or less (symptom-guided therapy) and BNP level of 2 times or less the upper limit of normal and symptoms to NYHA class of II or less (BNP-guided therapy). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Primary outcomes were 18-month survival free of all-cause hospitalizations and quality of life as assessed by structured validated questionnaires. RESULTS Heart failure therapy guided by N-terminal BNP and symptom-guided therapy resulted in similar rates of survival free of all-cause hospitalizations (41% vs 40%, respectively; hazard ratio [HR], 0.91 [95% CI, 0.72-1.14]; P = .39). Patients' quality-of-life metrics improved over 18 months of follow-up but these improvements were similar in both the N-terminal BNP-guided and symptom-guided strategies. Compared with the symptom-guided group, survival free of hospitalization for heart failure, a secondary end point, was higher among those in the N-terminal BNP-guided group (72% vs 62%, respectively; HR, 0.68 [95% CI, 0.50-0.92]; P = .01). Heart failure therapy guided by N-terminal BNP improved outcomes in patients aged 60 to 75 years but not in those aged 75 years or older (P < .02 for interaction) CONCLUSION Heart failure therapy guided by N-terminal BNP did not improve overall clinical outcomes or quality of life compared with symptom-guided treatment. TRIAL REGISTRATION isrctn.org Identifier: ISRCTN43596477.
Deep Body Core Temperatures in Industrial Workers Under Thermal Stress

To date, no field study has continuously monitored the deep body core temperatures of industrial workers. A program to continuously measure deep body core temperatures in 36 industrial workers working 10-, 12-, and 12.5-hour day and nightshifts in a hot, deep, underground mine in the Tropics was conducted. No heat illness occurred in these workers during the study. Miniaturized radio-transponders (“pills”) taken orally were used to measure temperature during the transit time in the gastrointestinal tract. Commonly recommended limits for industrial hyperthermia are 38.0°C, or an increase of +1°C. The results showed that miners regularly exceeded these limits in terms of maximum deep body core temperature (average, 38.3°C; standard deviation, 0.4°C), maximum temperature rise (1.4°C, 0.4°C), and maximum heat storage (431 kJ, 163 kJ) without reporting any symptoms of heat illness. A significant component of the observed elevated core temperatures was attributable to the normal circadian rhythm, which was measured at 0.9°C (standard deviation, 0.2°C). Evidence was found that workers “self-pace” when under thermal stress.
Iron particles enhance visualization of experimental gliomas with high-resolution sonography.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Intraoperative MR imaging and sonography are used for navigation during neurosurgical procedures. The purpose of this experimental study was to evaluate the potential of high-resolution sonography using superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) particles as a contrast medium to delineate brain tumors and to relate these findings with those of MR imaging. METHODS C6 gliomas were implanted in 36 rats. Eleven days after tumor implantation, the animals underwent MR imaging with a 1.5-T MR imaging unit. Twelve animals received gadopentetate dimeglumine immediately before the MR examination, 12 animals were injected with SPIO particles 24 hours before MR imaging, and 12 animals received no contrast agent. Immediately after MR imaging, the animals were sacrificed and their brains were removed and placed in saline. Sonography was performed instantly after brain removal. Brains were embedded in paraffin, and sections were stained for iron with Perl's stain and for macrophages with ED-1 immunohistochemistry. RESULTS At MR imaging, the tumors appeared hyperintense on T2-weighted and gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted images. After application of SPIO particles, they became markedly hypointense on T2-weighted images and hypo- to hyperintense on T1-weighted images. On sonograms, gliomas were iso- to slightly hyperechoic to normal brain parenchyma on nonenhanced and on gadolinium-enhanced images. After application of SPIO particles, tumors became markedly hyperechoic and were distinctly demarcated from the surrounding brain tissue. CONCLUSION SPIO particles improved the detection and demarcation of the experimental gliomas on sonograms, which may improve intraoperative neuronavigation with sonography.
Charging of ice grains by low-energy plasmas : application to Saturn's E ring

The charging of ice grains in planetary plasmas is studied, including the effects of secondary electron emission and backscattering of the incident electrons. It is shown that existing charging models can not be simply extrapolated to the low-energy electron regime (below 30 eV) common in planetary magnetospheric plasmas. We derive expressions for the electrical potential of a grain immersed in a low-energy plasma which more carefully account for electron reflection and the threshold for secondary electron emission. Using plasma parameters from Voyager PLS experiment, we calculate the potential of Saturn's E ring grains to vary from −5.5 V at 4 Rs to 5 V at 10 Rs.
Uniquely Diverse: Ethnic Diversity and Interethnic Contact Predict Individualistic Values and Behaviour

Research on social change suggests that cultural values and behaviour have become increasingly individualistic over the past century. Prior researchers theorized that shifts in sociodemographic variables—e.g., changes in urbanization and socioeconomic status, are largely responsible for this cultural change. The research presented in this paper draws from social psychological research to introduce the idea that greater ethnic diversity is related to an increased endorsement of individualistic values and behaviour, and may contribute to the increasing rates of individualism. Across six studies, I investigate the association between the levels of ethnic diversity and individualism across multiple levels of analyses. In Study 1, I demonstrate that historical levels of ethnic diversity across the United States over the last century predict societal indicators of individualism. Study 2 presents evidence that increasing ethnic diversity predicts increasing individualism at the level of U.S. states over the span of 16 years, an effect that exists for both majority and minority group members. In Study 3, I offer evidence that people who perceive greater ethnic diversity in their communities report increased interactions with ethnically different others, and that increased interethnic interactions contribute to a greater endorsement of individualistic values. In Study 4, I present evidence that undergraduate student’s perceptions of greater ethnic diversity in a classroom at the start of an academic term predicted a greater endorsement of individualism at the end of that academic term. In Study 5, I show that people who report greater ease of recalling ethnically diverse others in their interpersonal network endorse greater levels of individualism. In Study 6, I present experimental evidence that imagining interacting with ethnically different (vs. same) others increases one’s endorsement of individualism. I conclude by discussing the implication of these findings for research on cultural change and intergroup relations.
Articulated people detection and pose estimation: Reshaping the future

State-of-the-art methods for human detection and pose estimation require many training samples for best performance. While large, manually collected datasets exist, the captured variations w.r. t. appearance, shape and pose are often uncontrolled thus limiting the overall performance. In order to overcome this limitation we propose a new technique to extend an existing training set that allows to explicitly control pose and shape variations. For this we build on recent advances in computer graphics to generate samples with realistic appearance and background while modifying body shape and pose. We validate the effectiveness of our approach on the task of articulated human detection and articulated pose estimation. We report close to state of the art results on the popular Image Parsing [25] human pose estimation benchmark and demonstrate superior performance for articulated human detection. In addition we define a new challenge of combined articulated human detection and pose estimation in real-world scenes.
Robot global path planning overview and a variation of ant colony system algorithm

This paper presents the results of a research that aims to develop an algorithm to solve robot path planning (RPP) problems in static environments. The problem is to find a global optimal path that satisfies the optimization criteria of shortest path with minimum computation time. A description of a variation of Ant Colony System (ACS) algorithm utilized for Robot Path Planning (RPP) purposes is presented. A representation of heuristic and visibility equation of state transition rules is proposed to sustain the function of Ant Colony System (ACS) for solving RPP problem of finding the optimal path. This algorithm was applied within a global static map that consists of feasible free space nodes. The performance of the algorithm in terms of computation time and number of iteration required to obtain an optimal path were evaluated by using a simulation approach. Subsequently, its performance was compared to the performance of Genetic Algorithm (GA) a well known and established RPP algorithm. The results obtained indicate that the developed algorithm performed much better than the GA. In addition, an overview of robot path planning (PP) algorithms in global static environment is also offered.
Risk factors and prognosis of hypoalbuminemia in surgical septic patients

The aim of this study was to investigate the risk factors of hypoalbuminemia and effects of different albumin levels on the prognosis of surgical septic patients. We preformed a retrospective clinical study including 135 adult patients from September 2011 to June 2014. The albumin levels and severity markers were recorded during the first 48 h after enrollment, and logistic regression analyses were used to determine the risk factors. The outcomes of patients with different albumin levels were also compared. The acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II (APACHE II) score (OR 1.786, 95% CI [1.379–2.314], P < 0.001), C-reactive protein (CRP) (OR 1.016, 95% CI [1.005–1.027], P = 0.005), and blood lactate (OR 1.764, 95% CI [1.141–2.726], P = 0.011) were established as the independent risk factors of hypoalbuminemia in patients with surgical sepsis. The severity markers and outcomes of patients with albumin levels ≤20 g/L were significantly worse than that of 21–25 g/L and ≥26 g/L, whereas the latter two groups had similar prognosis. Every 1 g/L decrease of albumin level below the optimal cut-off (23 g/L) was associated with a 19.4% increase in hospital mortality and a 28.7% increase in the incidence of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. In conclusion, APACHE II score (≥14.5), CRP (≥34.25 mg/L), and blood lactate (≥.35 mmol/L) were established as the independent risk factors of hypoalbuminemia in the early stage of surgical sepsis. Patients with baseline albumin level ≤20 g/L had worse prognosis than that of albumin level ≥21 g/L. Albumin levels were negatively correlated the prognosis of surgical sepsis when below about 23 g/L.
Children-Friendly Learning Management Model to Shape Low Class Learners’ Independence and Interpersonal Skills

The challenge of the age brings about a shift in educational paradigm. The preparation of Indonesia's gold generation requires decent and child-friendly education services in Indonesia. The formation of intelligent, independent, and dignified personality requires a variety of readiness to perform work / action to be a major achievement of learning from an early age. Independence and the ability to communicate should begin to be an educational goal from the ground up. The study aimed to describe the model of child-friendly learning management as an effort to form self-reliance and interpersonal skill of students in low grade elementary school. Research method using Mixed Method with Sequential Exploratory strategy. Sequential Exploratory research, with subjects limited to low grade elementary school in Semarang. Model 70% achievement indicator. The results show that the model is feasible to be used based on the average of 82% expert validation result, which is bigger than the model achievement indicator. In addition the model can be implemented based on practitioners' validation of 87%> 70%. The more specific indicator of achievement that appears in the test group is limited to the dimension of independence is the ability to serve its own needs (80%). Indicator of achievement more specific on interpersonal skill is courage to express opinion (85%). The final result of the study is expected to be a foothold of further model implementation and can be recommended to the related parties of class teachers, KKG, principals, etc., in improving the quality of child-friendly learning in low grade