Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of an acute care for elders unit on costs and 30-day readmissions.

IMPORTANCE Providing high-quality care while containing cost is essential for the economic stability of our health care system. The United States is experiencing a rapidly growing elderly population. The Acute Care for Elders (ACE) unit interdisciplinary team model of care has been shown to improve outcomes in hospitalized older adults. The University of Alabama at Birmingham ACE unit incorporates evidence-based care processes. We hypothesized that the ACE model would also reduce costs. OBJECTIVE To examine variable direct costs from an interdisciplinary ACE compared with a multidisciplinary usual care (UC) unit. DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. SETTING Tertiary care academic medical center. PARTICIPANTS Hospitalists' patients aged 70 years or older spending the entirety of their hospitalization in either the ACE or UC unit in fiscal year 2010. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Using administrative data, we analyzed variable direct costs for ACE and UC patients. We also conducted a subset analysis restricted to the 25 most common diagnosis related groups (DRGs) shared by ACE and UC patients. Generalized linear regression was used to estimate cost ratios and 95% confidence intervals adjusted for age, sex, comorbidity score, and case mix index (CMI). RESULTS A total of 818 hospitalists' patients met inclusion criteria: 428 from the ACE and 390 from the UC unit. For this study group (all DRGs), the mean (SD) variable direct cost per patient was $2109 ($1870) for ACE and $2480 ($2113) for UC (P = .009). Adjusted cost ratios revealed significant cost savings for patients with low (0.82; 95% CI, 0.72-0.94) or moderate (0.74; 95% CI, 0.62-0.89) CMI scores; care was cost neutral for patients with high CMI scores (1.13; 95% CI, 0.93-1.37). Significantly fewer ACE patients than UC patients were readmitted within 30 days of discharge (7.9% vs 12.8%; P = .02). Subset analysis of the 25 most common DRGs revealed a significantly reduced mean (SD) variable direct cost per patient for ACE compared with UC patients ($1693 [$1063] vs $2138 [$1431]; P < .001); cost ratios for total (0.78; 95% CI, 0.70-0.87) and daily (0.89; 95% CI, 0.85-0.94) variable direct costs remained significant after adjustment. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE The ACE unit team model reduces costs and 30-day readmissions. In an era when improving care processes while reducing costs is a vital objective for the Medicare program and our nation as a whole, the ACE model meets these goals.
Automatic Genre Classification Using Large High-Level Musical Feature Sets

This paper presents a system that extracts 109 musical features from symbolic recordings (MIDI, in this case) and uses them to classify the recordings by genre. The features used here are based on instrumentation, texture, rhythm, dynamics, pitch statistics, melody and chords. The classification is performed hierarchically using different sets of features at different levels of the hierarchy. Which features are used at each level, and their relative weightings, are determined using genetic algorithms. Classification is performed using a novel ensemble of feedforward neural networks and k-nearest neighbour classifiers. Arguments are presented emphasizing the importance of using high-level musical features, something that has been largely neglected in automatic classification systems to date in favour of low-level features. The effect on classification performance of varying the number of candidate features is examined in order to empirically demonstrate the importance of using a large variety of musically meaningful features. Two differently sized hierarchies are used in order to test the performance of the system under different conditions. Very encouraging classification success rates of 98% for root genres and 90% for leaf genres are obtained for a hierarchical taxonomy consisting of 9 leaf genres.
Multi-Targeted Molecular Effects of Hibiscus sabdariffa Polyphenols: An Opportunity for a Global Approach to Obesity

Improper diet can alter gene expression by breaking the energy balance equation and changing metabolic and oxidative stress biomarkers, which can result in the development of obesity-related metabolic disorders. The pleiotropic effects of dietary plant polyphenols are capable of counteracting by modulating different key molecular targets at the cell, as well as through epigenetic modifications. Hibiscus sabdariffa (HS)-derived polyphenols are known to ameliorate various obesity-related conditions. Recent evidence leads to propose the complex nature of the underlying mechanism of action. This multi-targeted mechanism includes the regulation of energy metabolism, oxidative stress and inflammatory pathways, transcription factors, hormones and peptides, digestive enzymes, as well as epigenetic modifications. This article reviews the accumulated evidence on the multiple anti-obesity effects of HS polyphenols in cell and animal models, as well as in humans, and its putative molecular targets. In silico studies reveal the capacity of several HS polyphenols to act as putative ligands for different digestive and metabolic enzymes, which may also deserve further attention. Therefore, a global approach including integrated and networked omics techniques, virtual screening and epigenetic analysis is necessary to fully understand the molecular mechanisms of HS polyphenols and metabolites involved, as well as their possible implications in the design of safe and effective polyphenolic formulations for obesity.
Removal of organic matter from soft water by loose nanofiltration membranes

Organic matter content is observed to rise in the surface waters used as raw water sources of water treatment plants in the Nordic countries. Nanofiltration is considered as a promising technology for the effective removal of organic material. When treating soft raw waters, the downside of traditional nanofiltration membranes has been their effective removal of inorganic compounds. Modern, loose nanofiltration membranes are designed to efficiently remove organic matter but have lower removal of inorganic substances than traditional, tight nanofiltration membranes. The suitability of such membranes to treat soft raw water was investigated. Additionally, the effect of pretreatment to the fouling of membrane and the necessity of pretreatment was in interest. The study was conducted in bench-scale with two feed waters: raw water from Lake Päijänne and conventionally treated water (i.e. coagulated, clarified and sand filtered water). Both studied membranes, UA60 (molecular weight cut-off ~3500 Da) and NF270 (~300 Da), effectively removed organic matter. Inorganic substance removal was intermediate with both feed waters, however significant with soft water. In particular, the looser UA60 membrane gave promising results for the low removal of inorganic substances but low flux and low removal of microbes were disadvantages. Nevertheless, loose nanofiltration membranes seem promising for the low removal of inorganic substances and further studies with membranes of different material and with even looser membranes are suggested. Both feed waters caused significant fouling and flux decline with 90% recovery. Lesser flux decline was observed with conventionally treated feed water than with raw water but the difference was of minor importance. Both feed waters with both membranes require an effective membrane cleaning program in larger-scale use. However, raw water can be considered as possible feed water alternative and pretreatment may be unnecessary. In order to further evaluate the suitability of raw water feed for full-scale use, a proper cleaning program is needed and the ability of cleaning program to restore the flux has to be studied.
Dual Effect of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibition on Angiogenesis in Type 1 Diabetic Mice

Objective— We analyzed the beneficial therapeutic effect of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) on both retinal and hind limb neovascularization in diabetic mice. Methods and Results— Diabetic mice (streptozotocin, 40 mg/kg) were treated with or without ACEI (Perindopril, 3 mg/kg per day) or AT1 receptor blocker (Candesartan, 20 mg/kg) for 4 months. Hind limb ischemia was then induced by right femoral artery ligature for 1 additional month. In the ischemic leg, angiographic score, capillary density, and foot perfusion were increased by 2.7, 2.0-fold, and 1.6-fold, respectively, in ACEI-treated diabetic mice compared with untreated diabetic animals (P<0.01). ACEI also raised vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) protein level by 1.4-fold in ischemic diabetic leg. This ACEI pro-angiogenic effect was totally blunted in diabetic bradykinin B2 receptor-deficient animals, suggesting that it was mediated by the bradykinin pathway. In the diabetic retina, angiotensinogen and ACE mRNA levels were increased by 2.8-fold and 4.1-fold, respectively (P<0.01 versus nondiabetic mice), highlighting a local activation of renin-angiotensin system. Diabetes also raised VEGF protein level by 1.5-fold (P<0.05 versus nondiabetic mice). Treatments with ACEI and AT1 receptor blocker hampered diabetes-induced VEGF upregulation and retinal neovascularization. Conclusion— ACE inhibition improved neovascularization in the diabetic ischemic leg through activation of bradykinin signaling, whereas it reduced vessel growth in the diabetic retina through inhibition of overacting Ang II pathway.
A Social Cognitive Theory Perspective On Individual Reactions To Computing Technology

Understanding individual reactions to computing technology is a central concern of information systems research. This research seeks to understand these reactions from the perspective of Social Cognitive Theory (Bandura 1977, 1978, 1982, 1986), a widely accepted theory of behavior in Social Psychology and Industrial/Organizational Psychology. The theory holds that behavior, environment, and cognitive and other individual factors are engaged in an ongoing reciprocal interaction. Two cognitive factors in particular are given prominence in the theory: (1) outcome expectations, or beliefs about the consequences of behavior and (2) self-efficacy, beliefs about one's ability to successfully execute particular behaviors. A model of individual reactions to computing technology based on this theory was tested on a sample of 940 Canadian knowledge workers. Eleven of the fourteen hypotheses were supported by the analysis. Key findings were that self-efficacy, outcome expectations, affect and anxiety all had a direct influence on computer use. In addition, outcome expectations and self-efficacy were found to indirectly influence computer use through affect and anxiety. Tile behavior and influence of others in the individuals' reference groups was found to exert a small influence on selfefficacy and outcome expectations.
Surface-enhanced Raman Scattering Active Plasmonic Nanoparticles for Encoding and In Vitro/In Vivo Multiplex Detection

i TABLE OF CONTENTS . v LIST OF TABLES . ix LIST OF FIGURES. x LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS . xx Introduction 1. General Introduction . 2 1.1 Design of SERS Active Nanoparticles . 2 1.2 Multiplexing Capability of SERS Nanoprobes . 8 2. Optical Encoding Methods for Chemical Library and High-Throughput Detection . 14 3. SERS Active Nanoparticles for In Vivo Application . 19 3.1 Nanoshell Composed of Dielectric/hollow Core and Metal Shell . 24 4. Research Objectives . 28 Chapter 1 Optical Encoding by Using SERS Nanoparticles During Solid-phase Peptide Synthesis 1. Experimental Section . 31 vi 1.1 Chemicals and Materials . 31 1.2 Preparation of Ag Nanoparticle Coated Silica Nanospheres . 33 1.3 Fabrication of SERS Active Nanoparticles . 34 1.4 Encoding Tripeptides with SERS Dots on Microbeads . 35 1.5 Raman Instrument . 36 1.6 Barcode Presentation Method . 37 2. Results and Discussion . 39 2.1 Stretagy of SERS Dots Based Peptide Encoding . 39 2.2 Stability and Mechanism Studies of SERS Dot based Encoding 46 2.3 Identification of Trior Penta-peptide Encoded with SERS Dots . 51 3. Conclusions . 57 Chapter 2 Near-IR SERS Nanoprobes with Au/Ag Hollow-Shell Assemblies for In Vivo Multiplex Detection 1. Experimental Section . 59 1.1 Chemicals and Materials . 59 1.2 Preparation of Ag Nanoparticles-assembled Silica Nanosphere . 60 1.3 Fabrication of Au/Ag Hollow-shell Assembled Silica Nanospheres . 61 1.4 Silica Coating of Au/Ag HSA . 62 1.5 Micro-Raman Instrument . 63
Microcephaly models in the developing zebrafish retinal neuroepithelium point to an underlying defect in metaphase progression

Autosomal recessive primary microcephaly (MCPH) is a congenital disorder characterized by significantly reduced brain size and mental retardation. Nine genes are currently known to be associated with the condition, all of which encode centrosomal or spindle pole proteins. MCPH is associated with a reduction in proliferation of neural progenitors during fetal development. The cellular mechanisms underlying the proliferation defect, however, are not fully understood. The zebrafish retinal neuroepithelium provides an ideal system to investigate this question. Mutant or morpholino-mediated knockdown of three known MCPH genes (stil, aspm and wdr62) and a fourth centrosomal gene, odf2, which is linked to several MCPH proteins, results in a marked reduction in head and eye size. Imaging studies reveal a dramatic rise in the fraction of proliferating cells in mitosis in all cases, and time-lapse microscopy points to a failure of progression through prometaphase. There was also increased apoptosis in all the MCPH models but this appears to be secondary to the mitotic defect as we frequently saw mitotically arrested cells disappear, and knocking down p53 apoptosis did not rescue the mitotic phenotype, either in whole retinas or clones.
Article in Press Pervasive and Mobile Computing ( ) – Pervasive and Mobile Computing a Comparative Study of Secure Device Pairing Methods

Available online xxxx Keywords: Usable security Device pairing Human-assisted authentication Man-in-the-middle attacks Key agreement a b s t r a c t ''Secure Device Pairing'' or ''Secure First Connect'' is the process of bootstrapping a secure channel between two previously unassociated devices over some (usually wireless) human-imperceptible communication channel. Absence of prior security context and common trust infrastructure open the door for the so-called Man-in-the-Middle and Evil Twin attacks. Mitigation of these attacks requires some level of user involvement in the device pairing process. Prior research yielded a number of technically sound methods relying on various auxiliary human-perceptible out-of-band channels, e.g., visual, acoustic and tactile. Such methods engage the user in authenticating information exchanged over the human-imperceptible channel, thus defending against MiTM attacks and forming the basis for secure pairing. This paper reports on a comprehensive and comparative evaluation of notable secure device pairing methods. This evaluation was obtained via a thorough analysis of these methods, in terms of both security and usability. The results help us identify methods best-suited for specific combinations of devices and human abilities. This work is an important step in understanding usability in one of the rare settings where a very wide range of users (not just specialists) are confronted with modern security technology.
Pharmacodynamics and Pharmacokinetics of Cisatracurium in Geriatric Surgical Patients

Background Cisatracurium, one of ten stereoisomers that comprise atracurium, is more potent than atracurium and has less propensity to release histamine. This study compares the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of cisatracurium in elderly and young patients. Methods Twelve elderly (aged 65–82 yr) and 12 younger patients (aged 30–49 yr) were anesthetized with nitrous oxide, fentanyl, and isoflurane (0.7%, end‐tidal). The mechanomyographic response to train‐of‐four stimulation was assessed every 15 s after the administration of cisatracurium (0.1 mg/kg). Arterial samples were obtained over 6 h. Plasma cisatracurium concentration versus time data were fit to compartmental models. Pharmacokinetic parameters were determined assuming that elimination occurred from the central compartment only. This provides accurate clearance and half‐life estimates but underestimates Vss (reported herein as Vss '). The pharmacodynamic response was described by the neuromuscular blocking profile. Results Onset to 90% paralysis (mean+/‐SD) was delayed in the elderly (3.4+/‐1.0 vs. 2.5+/‐0.6 min). Recovery profiles were the same for both groups. Elimination half‐life was minimally prolonged in the elderly (25.5+/‐3.7 vs. 21.5 +/‐2.4 min). The Vss ' was larger in the elderly (126 +/‐16 vs. 108+/‐13 ml/kg), although the clearances were the same for the two groups (5.0+/‐0.9 vs. 4.6+/‐0.8 ml *symbol* kg sup ‐1 *symbol* min sup ‐1). Conclusions There are minor differences in the pharmacokinetics of cisatracurium between elderly and young patients. These differences are not associated with changes in recovery profile after a single bolus dose, although the mean time to onset was approximately 1 min longer in elderly patients.
An Escherichia coli dnaE mutation with suppressor activity toward mutator mutD5

The Escherichia coli mutator mutD5 is a conditional mutator whose strength is moderate when the strain is growing in minimal medium but very strong when it is growing in rich medium. The primary defect of this strain resides in the dnaQ gene, which encodes the epsilon (exonucleolytic proofreading) subunit of the DNA polymerase III holoenzyme. In one of our mutD5 strains we discovered a mutation that suppressed the mutability of mutD5. Interestingly, the level of suppression was strong in minimal medium but weak in rich medium. The mutation was localized to the dnaE gene, which encodes the alpha (polymerase) subunit of the DNA polymerase III holoenzyme. This mutation, termed dnaE910, also conferred improved growth of the mutD5 strain and caused increased temperature sensitivity in both wild-type and dnaQ49 backgrounds. The reduction in mutator strength by dnaE910 was also observed when this allele was placed in a mutL, a mutT, or a dnaQ49 background. The results suggest that dnaE910 encodes an antimutator DNA polymerase whose effect might be mediated by improved insertion fidelity or by increased proofreading via its effect on the exonuclease activity.
Length Normalized Indices for Fat Mass and Fat-Free Mass in Preterm and Term Infants during the First Six Months of Life

Objective: Postnatal tissue accretion in preterm infants differs from those in utero, affecting body composition (BC) and lifelong morbidity. Length normalized BC data allows infants with different body lengths to be compared and followed longitudinally. This study aims to analyze BC of preterm and term infants during the first six months of life. Methods: The BC data, measured using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, of 389 preterm and 132 term infants from four longitudinal studies were combined. Fat-mass/length2 (FMI) and fat-free mass/length2 (FFMI) for postmenstrual age were calculated after reaching full enteral feeding, at term and two further time points up to six months corrected age. Results: Median FMI (preterm) increased from 0.4 kg/m2 at 30 weeks to 2.5, 4.3, and 4.8 kg/m2 compared to 1.7, 4.7, and 6 kg/m2 in term infants at 40, 52, and 64 weeks, respectively. Median FFMI (preterm) increased from 8.5 kg/m2 (30 weeks) to 11.4 kg/m2 (45 weeks) and remained constant thereafter, whereas term FFMI remained constant at 11 kg/m2 throughout the tested time points. Conclusion: The study provides a large dataset of length normalized BC indices. Followed longitudinally, term and preterm infants differ considerably during early infancy in the pattern of change in FMI and FFMI for age.
The effect of aspirin on mean platelet volume in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation

Aspirin is one of the preferred therapies in the primary prevention of ischemic stroke in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF). Mean platelet volume (MPV) is a marker of platelet size and activation. Increased MPV reflects active and large platelets. The present observational study was designed to investigate whether aspirin treatment does affect MPV levels in patients with PAF. The study included 101 patients who were detected to have PAF by 24-hour Holter monitoring and divided into two groups based on aspirin treatment [ASA (+) and ASA (−)]. MPV was measured. Patients with aortic and mitral stenosis, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, malignancy, infection, and pregnancy were excluded from the study. Of the 101 patients, 50 had no antiplatelet therapy and 51 had daily aspirin (100 mg) intake. Mean age of the patients was 66 ± 10 years and 35 (68%) were male in ASA (+) group. There was no difference in median levels of MPV (9.9 vs. 10.2 fl, respectively; p = 0.9) between groups. Both uni- and multivariate logistic regression analyses did not show an association between MPV and ASA use. Our results indicate that MPV as a predictive marker of platelet size and activity is not affected by aspirin use in patients with PAF.
Naringin in Ganshuang Granule suppresses activation of hepatic stellate cells for anti‐fibrosis effect by inhibition of mammalian target of rapamycin

A previous study has demonstrated that Ganshuang granule (GSG) plays an anti‐fibrotic role partially by deactivation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). In HSCs activation, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)‐autophagy plays an important role. We attempted to investigate the role of mTOR‐autophagy in anti‐fibrotic effect of GSG. The cirrhotic mouse model was prepared to demonstrate the anti‐fibrosis effect of GSG. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analyses were used to identify the active component of GSG. The primary mouse HSCs were isolated and naringin was added into activated HSCs to observe its anti‐fibrotic effect. 3‐methyladenine (3‐MA) and Insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1) was added, respectively, into fully activated HSCs to explore the role of autophagy and mTOR. GSG played an anti‐fibrotic role through deactivation of HSCs in cirrhotic mouse model. The concentration of naringin was highest in GSG by HPLC analyses and naringin markedly suppressed HSCs activation in vitro, which suggested that naringin was the main active component of GSG. The deactivation of HSCs caused by naringin was not because of the autophagic activation but mTOR inhibition, which was supported by the following evidence: first, naringin induced autophagic activation, but when autophagy was blocked by 3‐MA, deactivation of HSCs was not attenuated or reversed. Second, naringin inhibited mTOR pathway, meanwhile when mTOR was activated by IGF‐1, deactivation of HSCs was reversed. In conclusion, we have demonstrated naringin in GSG suppressed activation of HSCs for anti‐fibrosis effect by inhibition of mTOR, indicating a potential therapeutic application for liver cirrhosis.
The effects of coal dust concentrations and particle sizes on the minimum auto‐ignition temperature of a coal dust cloud

Flash fires and explosions in areas containing an enriched combustible dust atmosphere are a major safety concern in industrial processing. An experimental study was conducted to analyse the effects of atmospheric coal dust particle sizes and concentrations on the minimum auto‐ignition temperature (MAIT) of a dust cloud. Two different coal samples from Australian coal mines were used. The coal dust particles were prepared and sized in 3 ranges, of below 74 μm, 74 to 125 μm and 125 to 212 μm, by using a series of sieves and a sieve shaker. A humidifier was used to increase the moisture content of the particles to the required level. All the experiments were conducted in accordance with the ASTM E1491‐06 method in a calibrated Goldbert‐Greenwald furnace.