Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Optimal Growth and Lower Fat Mass in Preterm Infants Fed a Protein-enriched Postdischarge Formula

Background and Objectives: Postdischarge formulas with extra energy and protein improve short-term growth but may also influence long-term body composition in an unwanted manner. Energy- and protein-enriched formulas with an increased protein-to-energy ratio improves gain of lean mass. The objective of the study was to investigate whether feeding a nutrient-enriched formula without extra energy after term, usually 3 to 4 weeks after discharge, would influence growth and body composition in infancy. Methods: In this randomized controlled trial preterm infants were fed fortified human milk or preterm formula until term. At term, 102 infants were randomized to a nutrient-enriched formula without extra energy or standard formula until 6 months corrected age. Twenty-six infants received unfortified human milk after term. At term and 6 months corrected age, anthropometry and a dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan were performed. Lean and fat mass (FM) were corrected for height. Results: There were no differences in growth or body size between the feeding groups. Infants fed the enriched formula gained less FM and had lower FM corrected for body size at 6 months corrected age than infants fed standard formula. Infants fed human milk had lower lean mass and higher FM corrected for body size at 6 months corrected age than formula-fed infants. Conclusions: Feeding nutrient-enriched formula without extra energy after term does not change quantity of growth but does influence type of weight gain and body composition of preterm infants. Infants fed the nutrient-enriched formula had lower FM corrected for body size at 6 months corrected age than infants fed standard formula or human milk.
ANISOTROPIC CENTROIDAL VORONOI TESSELLATIONS AND THEIR APPLICATIONS∗

In this paper, we introduce a novel definition of the anisotropic centroidal Voronoi tessellation (ACVT) corresponding to a given Riemann metric tensor. A directional distance function is used in the definition to simplify the computation. We provide algorithms to approximate the ACVT using the Lloyd iteration and the construction of anisotropic Delaunay triangulation under the given Riemannian metric. The ACVT is applied to the optimization of two-dimensional anisotropic Delaunay triangulation, to the generation of surface CVT, and high-quality triangular mesh on general surfaces. Various numerical examples demonstrating the effectiveness of the proposed method are presented.
Suppressive Effects of Onion Peel Extract Tea in Experimental Obese Mice

In this study, it was examined the effects of onion peel tea (OPT) in a high-fat-diet-induced obese mouse model. Mice were fed a high-fat diet for 3 weeks, then a normal diet with or without OPT for 28 days. OPT suppressed the increase in body weight and level of epididymal fat tissue; it also significantly reduced the serum concentrations of total-cholesterol on day 14 and that of glucose and leptin on day 28. Our results indicate that OPT has anti-obesity effects in an experimental high-fat-diet-induced obese mouse model.
Inhibition of Aldose Reductase Activates Hepatic Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor-α and Ameliorates Hepatosteatosis in Diabetic db/db Mice

We previously demonstrated in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice that deficiency or inhibition of aldose reductase (AR) caused significant dephosphorylation of hepatic transcriptional factor PPARα, leading to its activation and significant reductions in serum lipid levels. Herein, we report that inhibition of AR by zopolrestat or by a short-hairpin RNA (shRNA) against AR caused a significant reduction in serum and hepatic triglycerides levels in 10-week old diabetic db/db mice. Meanwhile, hyperglycemia-induced phosphorylation of hepatic ERK1/2 and PPARα was significantly attenuated in db/db mice treated with zopolrestat or AR shRNA. Further, in comparison with the untreated db/db mice, the hepatic mRNA expression of Aco and ApoA5, two target genes for PPARα, was increased by 93% (P < 0.05) and 73% (P < 0.05) in zopolrestat-treated mice, respectively. Together, these data indicate that inhibition of AR might lead to significant amelioration in hyperglycemia-induced dyslipidemia and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
Active acoustic examination of the diving behavior of murres foraging on patchy prey

During the 2008 and 2009 breeding seasons of murres Uria spp. , we combined visual observations of these predators with active acoustics (sonar), fish trawls, zooplankton net tows, and hydrographic measurements in the area surrounding breeding colonies in the southeastern Bering Sea. We acoustically detected thousands of bubble trails that were strongly correlated with the number of visually detected murres, providing a new tool for quantitatively studying the for- aging ecology of diving birds. At the regional scale, the number of acoustically detected bubble trails, which served as a proxy for diving murre abundance, was related to the combined availabil- ity and vertical accessibility of squid, krill, and pollock. There were, however, no clear relation- ships at this scale between diving murres and any individual prey taxon, highlighting the impor- tance of prey diversity to these animals. Individual krill patches targeted by murres had higher krill density and were located shallower than the mean depth of krill patches, but were similar in total krill abundance and overall size. The diving depth of murres within krill patches was highly correlated to the depth of the upper edge of these patches, whereas murres found outside of krill patches showed a depth distribution similar to that of juvenile pollock. Throughout the study area, murres showed strong diel patterns in their diving behavior in response to the diel migrations of their prey. These results suggest that murres select prey with specific patch characteristics imply- ing effective information gathering about prey by murres. The high proportion of diving murres in aggregations and their consistent inter-individual spacing support the hypothesis that intra- specific local enhancement may facilitate foraging in these predators.
Expanding HIV testing and linkage to care in southwestern Uganda with community health extension workers

Introduction: Achieving the UNAIDS goals of 90–90‐90 will require more than doubling the number of people accessing HIV care in Uganda. Community‐based programmes for entry into HIV care are effective strategies to expand access to HIV care, but few programmes have been evaluated with a particular focus on scale‐up.
Dynamic Response Optimization for Cemented Carbide Injection Molding

The need to optimize the injection molding parameters for producing cemented carbide parts via Metal Injection Molding process is crucial to ensure the system’s robustness towards manufacturer and customer’s satisfactions. Defect free product with best density can be produced while reducing time and cost in manufacturing. In this work, the feedstock consisting of WC-Co powders, mixed with palm stearin and polyethylene binder system was injection molded to produce green parts. Several processing variables, namely powder loading, injection temperature, holding pressure and flowrate, were optimized towards the density of the green body, as the response factor. By considering humidity level at morning and evening conditions as the noise factor, the results show the optimum combination of injection molding parameters that produces best green density. The green part exhibited best density by following this optimum processing parameters, A2B3C1D1, that are flowrate at 20 ccm/s, powder loading at 63% vol., injection temperature at 140°C, and holding pressure at 1700 bar.
Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation

Objective: The underlying changes in biological processes that are associated with reported changes in mental and physical health in response to meditation have not been systematically explored. We performed a randomized, controlled study on the effects on brain and immune function of a well‐known and widely used 8‐week clinical training program in mindfulness meditation applied in a work environment with healthy employees. Methods: We measured brain electrical activity before and immediately after, and then 4 months after an 8‐week training program in mindfulness meditation. Twenty‐five subjects were tested in the meditation group. A wait‐list control group (N = 16) was tested at the same points in time as the meditators. At the end of the 8‐week period, subjects in both groups were vaccinated with influenza vaccine. Results: We report for the first time significant increases in left‐sided anterior activation, a pattern previously associated with positive affect, in the meditators compared with the nonmeditators. We also found significant increases in antibody titers to influenza vaccine among subjects in the meditation compared with those in the wait‐list control group. Finally, the magnitude of increase in left‐sided activation predicted the magnitude of antibody titer rise to the vaccine. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that a short program in mindfulness meditation produces demonstrable effects on brain and immune function. These findings suggest that meditation may change brain and immune function in positive ways and underscore the need for additional research.
Physical posters as gateways to context-aware services for mobile devices

In this paper we describe the usage of physical posters as gateways to mobile services that are related to advertisements and information presented on these posters. In our approach the user can interact through a mobile device with services that are represented by a poster. Our aim is to create a system that allows seamless and natural interaction of users with posters. Our work is based on a requirements analysis. We investigated placement and physical accessibility of posters and the behaviour of people waiting in public places. Based on these observations, additional interviews, and an Internet questionnaire, we extracted scenarios and present an overall architecture of our system. A prototype, taking these results into account is outlined at the end of the paper.
Household food insecurity associated with stunting and underweight among preschool children in Antioquia, Colombia.

OBJECTIVE To assess criterion validity of a household food security scale through its associations with child health status in participants of the Colombian Plan for Improving Food and Nutrition in Antioquia (Mejoramiento Alimentario y Nutricional de Antioquia (MANA)). METHODS A 12-item household food security survey (Colombian Household Food Security Scale, CHFSS) was applied to a cross-sectional stratified random sample of 2 784 low-income households with preschool children receiving MANA food supplements in Antioquia, Colombia. Anthropometrics and health status of the children were also assessed. Chi-square tests were used to initially compare child health status and household food security status. Logistic regression models were further developed to assess this relationship in bivariate and multiple regression models. RESULTS Statistically significant associations were found between household food insecurity and diagnoses of children's diarrhea, respiratory infections, and parasitosis (P < 0.0001). The risk for child stunting and underweight increased in a dose-response way as food insecurity became more severe. CONCLUSIONS Our research establishes an important link between household food insecurity and child nutritional status in participants of a food assistance program. The results affirm the criterion validity of the CHFSS, establishing the proposed instrument as a valid measure for food insecurity with high-risk populations.
Secondhand smoke exposure and risk following the Irish smoking ban: an assessment of salivary cotinine concentrations in hotel workers and air nicotine levels in bars

Objective: To investigate whether the Irish smoking ban has had an impact on secondhand smoke (SHS) exposures for hospitality workers. Design, setting, and participants: Before and after the smoking ban a cohort of workers (n = 35) from a sample of city hotels (n = 15) were tested for saliva cotinine concentrations and completed questionnaires. Additionally, a random sample (n = 20) of city centre bars stratified by size (range 400–5000 square feet), were tested for air nicotine concentrations using passive samplers before and after the ban. Main outcome measures: Salivary cotinine concentrations (ng/ml), duration of self reported exposures to secondhand smoke, air nicotine (μg/cubic metre). Results: Cotinine concentrations reduced by 69%, from 1.6 ng/ml to 0.5 ng/ml median (SD 1.29; p < 0.005). Overall 74% of subjects experienced decreases (range 16–99%), with 60% showing a halving of exposure levels at follow up. Self reported exposure to SHS at work showed a significant reduction from a median 30 hours a week to zero (p < 0.001). There was an 83% reduction in air nicotine concentrations from median 35.5 µg/m3 to 5.95 µg/m3 (p < 0.001). At baseline, three bars (16%) were below the 6.8 μg/m3 air nicotine significant risk level for lung cancer alone; at follow up this increased to 10 (53%). Conclusions: Passive smoking and associated risks were significantly reduced but not totally eliminated. Exposure to SHS is still possible for those working where smoking is still allowed and those working where smoke may migrate from outdoor areas. Further research is required to assess the true extent and magnitude of these exposures.
SATB1 Overexpression Regulates the Development and Progression in Bladder Cancer through EMT

The global gene regulator Special AT-rich sequence-binding protein-1 (SATB1) has been reported to induce EMT-like changes and be associated with poor clinical outcome in several cancers. This study aims to evaluate whether SATB1 affects the biological behaviors of bladder transitional cell carcinoma (BTCC) and further elucidate if this effect works through an epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) pathway. The expression of SATB1, E-cadherin (epithelial markers), vimentin (mesenchymal markers) in BTCC tissues and adjacent noncancerous tissues, as well as in two cell lines of bladder cancer were investigated. Whether the SATB1 expression is associated with clinicopathological factors or not was statistically analyzed. Cell invasion and migration, cell cycle, cell proliferation and apoptosis were evaluated in SATB1 knockdown and overexpressed cell lines. Our results showed that the expression of SATB1 was remarkably up-regulated both in BTCC tissues and in bladder cancer cell lines with high potential of metastasis. The results were also associated with EMT markers and poor prognosis of BTCC patients. Moreover, SATB1 induced EMT processes through downregulation of E-cadherin, upregulation of E-cadherin repressors (Snail, Slug and vimentin). SATB1 also promoted cell cycle progression, cell proliferation, cell invasion and cell migration, but did not alter cell survival. In conclusion, our results suggest that SATB1 plays a crucial role in the progression of bladder cancer by regulating genes controlling EMT processes. Further, it may be a novel therapeutic target for aggressive bladder cancers.
Teaching orientation and mobility skills to blind children using computer generated 3D sound environments

This paper describes a computer program designed to teach orientation and mobility skills to visually impaired persons. The system utilizes off-the-shelf computer hardware and a proprietary virtual reality authoring library to create 3-D spatial audio environments. Simulation environments currently being developed emphasize sound identification, localization, and tracking skills which are requisite to effective orientation and mobility in real world settings. Data describing how well a blind individual is able to identify, localize, and track various sound sources within each virtual training environment will eventually be collected and correlated with actual orientation and mobility performance data.
Aberrant expression of long noncoding RNAs in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is one of the primary causes of severe pulmonary hypertension. In order to identify long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) that may be involved in the development of CTEPH, comprehensive lncRNA and messenger RNA (mRNA) profiling of endothelial tissues from the pulmonary arteries of CTEPH patients was conducted with microarray analysis. Differential expression of 185 lncRNAs was observed in the CTEPH tissues compared with healthy control tissues. Further analysis identified 464 regulated enhancer-like lncRNAs and overlapping, antisense or nearby mRNA pairs. Coexpression networks were subsequently constructed and investigated. The expression levels of the lncRNAs, NR_036693, NR_027783, NR_033766 and NR_001284, were significantly altered. Gene ontology and pathway analysis demonstrated the potential role of lncRNAs in the regulation of central process, including inflammatory response, response to endogenous stimulus and antigen processing and presentation. The use of bioinformatics may help to uncover and analyze large quantities of data identified by microarray analyses, through rigorous experimental planning, statistical analysis and the collection of more comprehensive data regarding CTEPH. The results of the present study provided evidence which may be helpful in future studies on the diagnosis and management of CTEPH.
An analysis of the potential impacts of electromechanical oscillations on the stability and power quality of distributed generation systems

The paradigm that distribution networks are free from problems related to electromechanical oscillations (due to their mainly passive nature and relatively large resistances) is about to change with the increase in the number of small generators connected to them. This paper shows a real situation in which the connection of a few small generators in the distribution network can significantly deteriorate the damping in the system response to small perturbations. The effects of the system response on the power quality across the network are also discussed. The analyzed system is located within the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil, having 3 feeders (comprising 57 kilometers of cables) and 32 buses distributed along these feeders. The need for an adequate assessment of the oscillations and their impacts over power quality is pointed out. It is shown that conventional PSSs can be a simple, cheap, and effective solution to keep the power quality standards as the number of generators entering the grid increases.
Weakly coupled bound states in quantum waveguides

We study the eigenvalue spectrum of Dirichlet Laplacians which model quantum waveguides associated with tubular regions outside of a bounded domain. Intuitively, our principal new result in two dimensions asserts that any domain R obtained by adding an arbitrarily small "bump" to the tube a0 = R x ( 0 , l ) (i.e., 2 no, R C W2 open and connected, R = Ro outside a bounded region) produces a t least one positive eigenvalue below the essential spectrum [7r2, m) of the Dirichlet Laplacian -A:. For /R\Ro/ sufficiently small ( 1 . / abbreviating Lebesgue measure), we prove uniqueness of the ground state En of -A: and derive the "weak coupling" result En = 7r2 + 0(/R\C20/3) using a Birman-Schwinger-type T ~ / Q \ R O / ~ analysis. As a corollary of these results we obtain the following surprising fact: Starting from the tube flo with Dirichlet boundary conditions at aRo, replace the Dirichlet condition by a Neumann boundary condition on an arbitrarily small segment (a, b) x (1). a < b, of aRo. If H(a , b) denotes the resulting Laplace operator in L ' (R~) , then H(a , b) has a discrete eigenvalue in [7r2/4,7r2) no matter how small lb a1 > 0 is. Our goal in this paper is to study the bound state spectra of the Dirichlet Laplacian -A: for open regions R c Rn which are tubes outside of a bounded region (quantum waveguides). (Following the traditional notation in quantum physics, we denote the Laplacian by -A as opposed to A in the following.) In particular, let RocR2 be defined by Ro=R x (0 , l ) . Consider open connected sets R such that: (i) For some R > 0, R n{x E R2 I 1x1 > R) =Ron{x E R2 I 1x1 > R). (ii) R, cR, R, #a. Because of condition (i), (1) aess(-~:) = fless(-Ag,) = [. ir2, 00). Then one of our main goals will be to prove Received by the editors November 13, 1995. 1991 Mathematics Subject Classification. Primary 81Q10, 35P15; Secondary 47A10, 35510.
Ex vivo evaluation of 4 different viscoelastic assays for detecting moderate to severe coagulopathy during liver transplantation

Prolonged prothrombin time (PT) and its ratio are routinely used for the assessment of candidates for liver transplantation (LT), but intraoperative coagulation management of transfusion is hindered by its long turnaround time. Abnormal reaction time (R time) on thromboelastography (TEG) or clotting time (CT) of rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM) are presumably an alternative, but there is a paucity of clinical data on abnormal R time/CT values compared to PT during LT. After receiving institutional review board approval and informed consent, we obtained blood samples from 36 LT patients for international normalized ratio (INR), factor (F) X level, and viscoelastic tests (EXTEM/INTEM and kaolin/rapid TEG) at baseline and 30 minutes after graft reperfusion. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were calculated for INR > 1.5 and viscoelastic R time/CT thresholds to assess the ability to diagnose FX deficiency at the moderate (<50%) or severe (<35%) level. The FX deficiency data were calculated using cutoff values of INR (>1.5) and abnormal R time/CT for TEG and ROTEM. Tissue factor (TF)–activated INR and EXTEM‐CT performed well in diagnosing FX below 50%, but rapid TEG with combined TF and kaolin activators failed. Improved performance of INTEM‐CT in diagnosing FX below 35% underlies multifactorial deficiency involving both intrinsic and common pathways. In conclusion, the differences among different viscoelastic tests and clinical situations should be carefully considered when they are used to guide transfusion during LT.
Emotion as a Connection of Physical Artifacts and Organizations

This paper documents emotion as integral to stakeholders' sense making of a key organizational artifact, demonstrating that emotion toward artifacts blends into emotion toward the organization. Multiple stakeholders were interviewed about an artifact of a large public transportation organization. Sense making of the artifact is shown to involve emotion in interpretations that consider three dimensions of the artifact--instrumentality, aesthetics, and symbolism. Instrumentality relates to the tasks the artifact helps accomplish, aesthetics is the sensory reaction to the artifact, and symbolism regards associations the artifact elicits. The analysis demonstrates that sense making of these three dimensions includes unsolicited emotion both toward the artifact and toward the organization. Emotion that surfaces in sense making of organizational artifacts is, thus, suggested to be what links interpretation of artifacts and attitudes toward organizations. This paper lays foundations for a theory of organizational artifacts that can guide both thoughtful research and effective management of artifacts in organizations.