Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Using E-mail based Continuing Medical Education for Family Physicians — Can it work?

Objective: In 1994, the Family medicine Education and Research Network (FERN) was developed to support on-line discussion among London and area family physicians. FERN-D (FERN Dissemination) was introduced as a closed sub-group of FERN to support educational case discussions focused on prevention. The present study reports results of a pilot FERN-D intervention. Design: Preand Post- intervention mail-out surveys combined with an e-mail feedback questionnaire and a modified focus group. Setting: Rural and urban family physicians in the London Ontario area. Participants: Initial survey mailed to all area family physicians (N=480). 40 volunteer physicians recruited to the intervention group. Response rate was 50.4% to the pre-survey, and 68% to the follow-up survey (only mailed to responders) Main findings: A higher percentage of the FERN-D group indicated accurate knowledge for seven of the items than the comparison group. Both groups improved their preventive practice scores from pre- to post intervention. The majority of the FERN-D group felt that they had become aware of new techniques or relevant research (58.8%) and had made changes in their practice (64.7%). In both the e-mail feedback and the modifed focus group convenience (89.2%) and interaction with family physician colleagues (86.5%) were cited as advantages to this method of CME. Conclusion: On-line case-based discussion is a promising strategy for enhanced research transfer to family physicians: more research is needed to determine if it can be effectively utilized to change physician behavior.
Agronomic performance of AR 37-infected ryegrass in northern New Zealand

The agronomic merits of a perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) cultivar infected with a new endophyte (Neotyphodium lolii), AR37, were compared with the same cultivar infected with currently available endophytes (AR1, Standard) at two sites in northern New Zealand for at least 3 years. AR37-infected ryegrass was the highest yielding treatment at both sites (11 080 kg DM/ ha/yr) producing more dry matter than either AR1 or Standard-infected ryegrass which yielded similar amounts (8870 kg DM/ha/yr). Yield advantages of AR37-infected ryegrass were greater at Kerikeri (36%) than Hamilton (17%), with differences increasing over successive years at both sites. At Hamilton, tiller populations were lowest in AR37-infected ryegrass in Year 2, and lowest in AR1infected ryegrass 3 and 5 years after sowing. At both sites AR37-infected ryegrass had the lowest infestation scores for root aphid. At Hamilton in Year 4, more damage by African black beetle larvae occurred to AR1-infected plants than to AR37 and Standard-infected plants. These pests are likely to have contributed to the differences in agronomic performance observed. These agronomic results suggest AR37-infected ryegrass cultivars will be a useful choice for farmers in northern New Zealand.
# 2010-013 Occupation choice : Family , Social and Market influences Ezequiel Tacsir Working Paper Series

The advance of knowledge-based societies has modified the labor markets and qualification requirements. In this sense, and considering that individual choices about careers and occupations have pervasive social effects, there is a growing interest from both academics and policy makers in understanding and influencing the process of education choice. Specifically, there is a worldwide renewed concern on achieving higher levels of graduation from scientific and technological disciplines. Available evidence shows that mobilizing individual wills towards these highly priority careers is not an easy nor mechanical task. Thus, it is necessary to expand the standard view about the process of occupation choice by adding non pecuniary factors, influence of social networks and the role of information and guidance policies. With these objectives in mind, and after reviewing the theoretical literature about occupation choice in economics, the present paper analyzes the effects that diverse personal, family, social and economic aspects have in the selection of an university career. Based on the empirical findings, some policy recommendations are put forward. JEL codes: J44, J48, J24, I21.
Neurosurgery at the crossroads: integrated multidisciplinary management of 449 patients with brain arteriovenous malformations.

Safe, effective treatment of brain arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) remains a challenge despite advances in endovascular technology, surgical technique, and stereotactic radiosurgery. Patients typically present between 20 and 40 years of age with hemorrhage, seizures, neurological deficits, or headaches (8). AVMs have an annual hemorrhage rate of 1 to 4% and a rehemorrhage rate of 6 to 18% in the year after hemorrhage, returning thereafter to an annual hemorrhage rate of 1 to 4%. The morbidity and mortality rates associated with AVM rupture are as high as 53 to 81% and 10 to 18%, respectively (8, 13, 21, 32). In light of these hemorrhage risks, the treatment of AVMs is an important priority for cerebrovascular specialists, with the goal of resecting or obliterating the nidus with acceptably low therapeutic risk, and thereby avoiding neurological deficits or deaths that accompany hemorrhage. Other less threatening symptoms, such as seizures, progressive neurological deficits, and headaches may also warrant consideration for treatment.
Systemic Concentrations of Short Chain Fatty Acids Are Elevated in Salmonellosis and Exacerbation of Familial Mediterranean Fever

Gut microbiota-produced short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) play an important role in the normal human metabolism and physiology. Although the gradients of SCFAs from the large intestine, where they are largely produced, to the peripheral blood as well as the main routes of SCFA metabolism by different organs are known well for the healthy state, there is a paucity of information regarding how these are affected in disease. In particular, how the inflammation caused by infection or autoinflammatory disease affect the concentration of SCFAs in the peripheral venous blood. In this work, we revealed that diseases caused either by infectious agents (two Salmonella enterica serovars, S. Enteritidis, and S. Typhimurium) or by the exacerbation of an autoinflammatory disease, familial Mediterranean fever (FMF), both result in a significantly elevated systemic concentration of SCFAs. In the case of salmonellosis the concentration of SCFAs in peripheral blood was significantly and consistently higher, from 5- to 20-fold, compared to control. In the case of FMF, however, a significant increase of SCFAs in the peripheral venous blood was detected only in the acute phase of the disease, with a lesser impact in remission. It seems counterintuitive that the dysbiotic conditions, with a reduced number of gut microorganisms, produce such an effect. This phenomenon, however, must be appraised within the context of how the inflammatory diseases affect the normal physiology. We discuss a number of factors that may contribute to the “leak” and persistence of gut-produced SCFAs into the systemic circulation in infectious and autoinflammatory diseases.
A new equation to estimate the glomerular filtration rate in children, adolescents and young adults.

BACKGROUND A new estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) equation, designed for isotope dilution mass spectrometry-standardized serum creatinine (Scr), is presented for use in children, adolescent boys and girls and young adults. METHODS The new equation, eGFR = 107.3/(Scr/Q), is based on the concept of normalized Scr: Q is the normalization value and is considered as the Scr concentration for the average healthy child, adolescent or young adult of a specific height (L) and is modeled as a height-dependent polynomial of the fourth degree. RESULTS The well-known Schwartz equation [eGFR = kL/Scr, k = 0.413 (Schwartz) or k = 0.373 (Schwartz-Lyon)] for children between 1 and 14 years can be seen as a special case of the new equation for which the Q-polynomial is simplified to a linear equation: Q = 0.0035 × L (cm). The new eGFR equation has been validated in a data set of n = 750 children, adolescents and young adults aged 10-25, against the true GFR (inulin method), and outperforms the selected (but most used) creatinine-based eGFR equations for children, mainly in the healthy GFR region. CONCLUSIONS The new Q(height)-eGFR equation serves as an excellent screening tool for kidney disease in 1-25-year-old children, adolescents and young adults.
Deep HDR Video from Sequences with Alternating Exposures

A practical way to generate a high dynamic range (HDR) video using off‐the‐shelf cameras is to capture a sequence with alternating exposures and reconstruct the missing content at each frame. Unfortunately, existing approaches are typically slow and are not able to handle challenging cases. In this paper, we propose a learning‐based approach to address this difficult problem. To do this, we use two sequential convolutional neural networks (CNN) to model the entire HDR video reconstruction process. In the first step, we align the neighboring frames to the current frame by estimating the flows between them using a network, which is specifically designed for this application. We then combine the aligned and current images using another CNN to produce the final HDR frame. We perform an end‐to‐end training by minimizing the error between the reconstructed and ground truth HDR images on a set of training scenes. We produce our training data synthetically from existing HDR video datasets and simulate the imperfections of standard digital cameras using a simple approach. Experimental results demonstrate that our approach produces high‐quality HDR videos and is an order of magnitude faster than the state‐of‐the‐art techniques for sequences with two and three alternating exposures.
Understanding impact of business intelligence to organizational performance using cluster analysis: does culture matter?

Business intelligence is an approach that includes processes and systems for transformation of the raw data into meaningful and useful information which enables effective, systematic and purposeful analysis of an organization and its competitive environment. This paper aims to analyze the impact of the level of business intelligence maturity to organizational performance of the company. Moreover, since there is a rising awareness among practitioners of the role of the organizational culture for the successful functioning of the company, the role of the organizational culture is taken into consideration in this research. In order to meet the aim of the paper, a survey has been conducted. Data has been collected through questionnaires on a sample of 177 Croatian and Slovenian companies and analyzed by means of the cluster analysis. The analysis identified two clusters. The results of the cross-tabulation analysis of the clusters reveal statistically significant differences in terms of the company turnover and dominant organizational culture between them.
The Role of Entrepreneurial Strategy, Network Ties, Human and Financial Capital in New Venture Performance

In the current era of globalization and competitive edge, the survival of newly established ventures has become a big challenge. Numerous studies have been carried out to discover factors that are essential for newly initiated ventures but the results are still fragmented. This study focuses on measuring the effect of entrepreneurial strategy, network ties, human capital and financial capital on new venture performance. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 196 registered firms located in the emerging market Pakistan. The results indicate that entrepreneurial strategy, network ties and financial capital have a significant positive effect, while human capital showed an insignificant effect on new venture performance. This research recommends owners and managers of new firms build effective entrepreneurial strategies, expand their networks with external bodies (other firms, government and financial institutions) to acquire useful resources that in turn can spur their performance. Further implications are discussed. Policy makers and responsible authorities are advised to encourage and support new ventures which in turn can contribute to GDP and economic development. Practical implications and suggestions are also discussed.
DEFAULT OPTIONS AND NON-STANDARD 401 ( K ) CHOICE

As policy makers search for ways to boost savings rates, automatic enrollment 401(k) plans are gaining popularity among employers in the United States. Such plans enroll new hires into default 401(k) funds at a default contribution rate with the option to opt out. The growing field of Behavioral Economics, meanwhile, has begun to incorporate framing effects such as default options into economic modeling. These effects have important implications for public policy. This paper presents a model of 401(k) choice that accounts for non-standard responses to default contribution rates. The parameters of this model are estimated using maximum likelihood estimation. To infer the policy implications of the model, this paper adopts a generalized normative framework that defines welfare in terms of choice. The observed data generate a parameterization that is consistent with the notion that defaults influence contribution rates through both anchoring bias and status quo bias. Moreover, welfare gains from automatic enrollment may not be as large as previously thought.
Evaluation of Resource and Environmental Carrying Capacity of China’s Rapid-Urbanization Areas—A Case Study of Xinbei District, Changzhou

The evaluation of resource and environmental carrying capacity (RECC) is the foundation for the rationale behind the arrangement of land spaces for production, living, and ecological uses. In this study, based on various natural, economic, and social factors, an integrated Multi-Factor assessment model was developed to evaluate the RECC of Xinbei district of Changzhou. Meanwhile, we also calculated the population carrying capacity estimation model restricted by food security. The study comprehensively analyzed the current status and land resource characteristics of a rapid urbanization area and the RECC restrictions for protection and development. The results indicate that the comprehensive carrying capacity of Xinbei showed distinct spatial heterogeneity, with a decreasing trend from the riverside protection area to urban areas, then to mountain areas. Combined with the secure food supply provided by future land resources, it was estimated that the population carrying index of Xinbei would be as high as 1.25 and 1.22 in 2035 and 2050, respectively, indicating that both years would experience a population overload. Therefore, an urgent adjustment to the structure and layout of territorial space and resources of the Xinbei District is necessary.
A New Triterpene from the Plant of Uncaria Macrophylla

Our ongoing investigations on the stem bark of Uncaria macrophylla afforded a new ursolic triterpene, 3β,6β,19α-trihydroxy-urs-12-en-28-oic acid-24-carboxylic acid methyl ester (1), named uncariursanic acid, and three known ursolic triterpenes including 3β,6β,19α-trihydroxy-23-oxo-urs-12-en-28-oic acid (2), 3β,6β,19α-trihydroxy-urs-12-en-28-oic acid (3) and ursolic acid (4). Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectral methods, including 1D and 2D NMR and HR-ESI-MS. The cytotoxicities of the four compounds were evaluated against two cancer cell lines (MCF-7 and HepG2) by the MTT method, and only compound 4 exhibited potent activity.
Current Status of Computer-Aided Drug Design for Type 2 Diabetes

BACKGROUND Diabetes is a metabolic disorder that requires multiple therapeutic approaches. The pancreas loses its functionality to properly produce the insulin hormone in patients with diabetes mellitus. In 2012, more than one million people worldwide died as a result of diabetes, which was the eighth leading cause of death. OBJECTIVE Most drugs currently available and approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration cannot reach an adequate level of glycemic control in diabetic patients, and have many side effects; thus, new classes of compounds are required. Efforts based on computer-aided drug design (CADD) can mine a large number of databases to produce new and potent hits and minimize the requirement of time and dollars for new discoveries. METHODS Pharmaceutical sciences have made progress with advances in drug design concepts. Virtual screening of large databases is most compatible with different computational methods such as molecular docking, pharmacophore, quantitative structure-activity relationship, and molecular dynamic simulation. Contribution of these methods in selection of antidiabetic compounds has been discussed. RESULTS The computer-aided drug design (CADD) approach has contributed to successful discovery of novel anti-diabetic agents. This mini-review focuses on CADD approach on currently approved drugs and new therapeutic agents-indevelopment that may achieve suitable glucose levels and decrease the risk of hypoglycemia, which is a major obstacle to glucose control and a special concern for therapies that increase insulin levels. CONCLUSION Drug design and development for type 2 diabetes have been actively studied. However, a large number of antidiabetic drugs are still in early stages of development. The conventional target- and structure-based approaches can be regarded as part of the efforts toward therapeutic mechanism-based drug design for treatment of type 2 diabetes. It is expected that further improvement in CADD approach will enhance the new discoveries.
Differences in the Human Capital of Female and Male Entrepreneurs – Evidence from the Republic of Serbia *

The paper explores gender as a rarely studied aspect of entrepreneurship in the Republic of Serbia, with a focus on gender based differences in the components of entrepreneurs’ human capital. The results indicate that the expected relationship between entrepreneurs’ gender and the components of human capital was found in most cases. There were statistically significant differences regarding the field of education, the existence of previous management and prior entrepreneurial (ownership) experience, as well as differences related to the entrepreneurial self-efficacy in the field of marketing and general management. All these differences are in favour of male entrepreneurs.
Comparative Analysis of Context-Dependent Mutagenesis Using Human and Mouse Models

Substitution rates strongly depend on their nucleotide context. One of the most studied examples is the excess of C > T mutations in the CG context in various groups of organisms, including vertebrates. Studies on the molecular mechanisms underlying this mutation regularity have provided insights into evolution, mutagenesis, and cancer development. Recently several other hypermutable motifs were identified in the human genome. There is an increased frequency of T > C mutations in the second position of the words ATTG and ATAG and an increased frequency of A > C mutations in the first position of the word ACAA. For a better understanding of evolution, it is of interest whether these mutation regularities are human specific or present in other vertebrates, as their presence might affect the validity of currently used substitution models and molecular clocks. A comprehensive analysis of mutagenesis in 4 bp mutation contexts requires a vast amount of mutation data. Such data may be derived from the comparisons of individual genomes or from single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) databases. Using this approach, we performed a systematical comparison of mutation regularities within 2–4 bp contexts in Mus musculus and Homo sapiens and uncovered that even closely related organisms may have notable differences in context-dependent mutation regularities.
Development and Testing of an Animal Feed Mixing Machine

An animal feed mixing machine was designed, developed and tested. The machine was tested using a feed components divided into three equal measures of 50 kg for ground corn, 0.265 kg for cassava flour and 2.65 kg for shelled corn replicated thrice at four mixing durations of 5, 10, 15 and 20 min. The average CV is 4.84% which shows a significant reduction in feed components for the samples tested. The degree of mixing attained was 95.16% which portrays an improvement of about 7.8% reduction in non-uniformity of components among samples when the mixing duration was 10 min. The result further indicates an increase in the level of difficulty associated with intimate blending as the mixture approaches its equilibrium level (from 78.15% at 5 minutes increase by 9.21% at 10 minutes and by 7.8% at 15 minutes). Also the average weights of ungrounded corn of 24.90 g, 24.80 g and 24.40 g recovered from the three replicates had corresponding coefficient of variations of 4.81%, 5.31% and 3.96% respectively during a 20 minutes mixing process. The average value of coefficient of variation for the three replicates here was 4.69% indicating that, the mixer’s performance was pegged at 95.31%.
A Wideband Low Power VCO for IEEE 802.11a

A fully integrated wide tuning range and low power VCO, using a new combination of accumulation-mode (A-MOS) varactors in LC tank, has been presented. The VCO is implemented in 0.25-mum technology and has a tuning range of 1.35GHz, from 4.93GHz to 6.28GHz. It consumes 1.8mA of current from a 2.5V supply and achieves low phase noise of -116.1dBc/Hz @1MHz offset from 5.7GHz carrier. The VCO designed has a tuning range, which covers all of the three bands of IEEE WLAN 802.11a standard and satisfies the phase noise specifications
UvA-DARE ( Digital Academic Repository ) Epidemiology and diagnosis of acute hepatitis C virus infection

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A dataset for evaluating intrusion detection systems in IEEE 802.11 wireless networks

Internet access by wireless networks has grownconsiderably in recent years. However, these networks are vulnerable to security problems, especially those related to denial of service attacks. Intrusion Detection Systems(IDS)are widely used to improve network security, but comparison among the several existing approaches is not a trivial task. This paperproposes building a datasetfor evaluating IDS in wireless environments. The data were captured in a real, operating network. We conducted tests using traditional IDS and achievedgreat results, which showed the effectiveness of our proposed approach.
Mathematical model for LES of evolution of far vortex wake behind an airplane

Evolution and decay of far vortex wake behind airplane is modeled. The boundary problem for space filtered Navier-Stokes equations is described. It involves special setup for initial and boundary conditions. Two different cases are considered: freestream and inside the ground boundary layer. For freestream conditions the model is verified for high levels of background turbulence. In the ground layer the leeward tip vortex pops up and decays fast, while the windward hovers for long time with slow lateral movement.