Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Patient perspectives of an individualized diabetes care management plan.

PURPOSE This cross sectional study examines patients' knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about a diabetic care management plan (DCMP) that was developed to provide patient education on diabetes guidelines and display individual diabetic core measures. Secondary objectives included a comparison of diabetic core measures [hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C), systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP, DBP), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and urine microalbumin (Um)] before and after DCMP implementation. We hypothesize this tool will contribute to patients' awareness of current disease status, diabetes knowledge and diabetic core value improvement over time. METHODS A consecutive sample of 102 adult patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 in a primary care setting participated. Patients' perspectives on the care plan and knowledge about diabetes was collected via survey after care plan implementation. A comparison of selected diabetic core measures was conducted at baseline and post-DCMP. Descriptive statistics summarized survey response and diabetic core measures. A repeated measures ANOVA was used to assess change in diabetic core measures over time. RESULTS Participants understood the DCMP (96%), found it important because it explained their laboratory results and medications (89%) and believed it would help them to have better diabetic control (99%). There was a significant interaction between time and being at goal pre-DCMP for HbA1c, SBP and LDL. Patients not at goal pre-DCMP for the above measures decreased significantly over time (P = <0.01 for HbA1c, SBP and LDL). Participants at goal for all diabetic core measures increased pre- to post-DCMP from 13% to 20% (P = 0.28). CONCLUSION Patients perceived the diabetic care management plan favorably and their diabetic core measurements improved over time. This simple and reproducible self-management intervention can enhance self-management in a patient population with diabetes mellitus type 2.
Measuring the Stylistic Inconsistency in Software Projects using Hierarchical Agglomerative Clustering

Background: Although many software engineering methodologies and guidelines are provided, it is common that developers apply their very own programming styles to the source code being produced. These individually preferred programming styles are more comprehensive for themselves, but may well conflict with each other. Thus, the problem of stylistic inconsistency is inevitable during the software development process involving multiple developers, the result is undesirable and that will significantly degrade program readability and maintainability. Aims: Given limited understanding in this regard, we perform an empirical analysis for the purpose of quantitatively measuring the inconsistency degree of programming style within a software project team. Method: We first propose stylistic fingerprints, which are represented as a set of attribute-counting-metrics, in an attempt to characterize different programming styles. Then we adopt the hierarchical agglomerative clustering (HAC) technique to quantitatively measuring the proximity of programming style based on six C/C++ open source projects chosen from different application domains. Results: The empirical results demonstrate the feasibility and validity of our fingerprinting methodology. Moreover, the proposed clustering procedure utilizing HAC algorithm with dendrograms is capable of effectively illustrating the inconsistency degree of programming style among source files, which is significant for future research. Conclusions: This study proposed an effective and efficient approach for analyzing programming style inconsistency, supported by a sound theoretical basis for dealing with such a problem. Ultimately improving program readability and therefore reduce the maintenance overhead for software projects.
Relationship of Dietary Intake of Omega-3 and Omega-6 Fatty Acids with Risk of Prostate Cancer Development: A Meta-Analysis of Prospective Studies and Review of Literature

Objective. To determine the relationship between dietary omega-3 fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) and omega-6 fatty acids (n-6 PUFA) with prostate cancer risk from meta-analysis of prospective studies. Design. The literature retrieved from electronic biomedical databases up to June 2011 was critically appraised. General variance-based method was used to pool the effect estimates at 95% confidence interval. Heterogeneity was assessed by Chi2 and quantified by I 2. Results. Eight cohort studies were included for meta-analysis. n-3 PUFA, n-6 PUFA, and their derivatives were not significantly associated with risk of prostate cancer in general. A significant negative association between high dietary intake of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and prostate cancer risk (pooled RR: 0.915; 95% CI: 0.849, 0.985; P = 0.019) was noted. Likewise, a slightly positive association was noted on dietary long-chain n-3 PUFA, composed of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) with prostate cancer risk (pooled RR: 1.135; 95% CI: 1.008, 1.278; P = 0.036); however, when two other cohort studies with data of EPA and DHA, both analyzed separately, were included into the pool, the association became not significant (RR: 1.034; 95% CI: 0.973, 1.096; P = 0.2780). Conclusion. Intake of n-3 PUFA and n-6 PUFA does not significantly affect risk of prostate cancer. High intake of ALA may reduce risk of prostate cancer, while intake of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids does not have a significant effect.
SN 2004A: Another Type II-P Supernova with a Red Supergiant Progenitor

We present a monitoring study of SN 2004A and probable discovery of a progenitor star in pre-explosion Hubble Space Telescope (HST) images. The photometric and spectroscopic monitoring of SN 2004A show that it was a normal Type II-P which was discovered in NGC 6207 about two weeks after explosion. We compare SN 2004A to the similar Type II-P SN 1999em and estimate an explosion epoch of 2004 January 6. We also calculate three new distances to NGC 6207 of 21.0 ± 4.3, 21.4 ± 3.5 and 25.1 ± 1.7 Mpc. The former was calculated using the Standard Candle Method (SCM) for SNe II-P, and the latter two from the brightest supergiants method (BSM). We combine these three distances with existing kinematic distances, to derive a mean value of 20.3 ± 3.4 Mpc. Using this distance, we estimate that the ejected nickel mass in the explosion is 0.046+0.031-0.017 Mo. The progenitor of SN 2004A is identified in pre-explosion WFPC2 F814W images with a magnitude of mF814W = 24.3 ± 0.3, but is below the detection limit of the F606W images. We show that this was likely a red supergiant (RSG) with a mass of 9+3-2 Mo. The object is detected at 4. 7σ above the background noise. Even if this detection is spurious, the 5σ upper limit would give a robust upper mass limit of 12 Mo for a RSG progenitor. These initial masses are very similar to those of two previously identified RSG progenitors of the Type II-P SNe 2004gd (8+4-2 Mo) and 2005cs (9+3-2 Mo).
Resistance to Change: The Moderating Effects of Leader-Member Exchange and Role Breadth Self-Efficacy

The prevalence of resistance during change initiatives is well recognized in the change management literature. The implementation of the lean production system is no exception. It often requires substantial changes to processes and the way people work. As such, understanding how to manage this resistance is important. One view argues that the extent of resistance during change depends on the characteristics of the change process. This view posits that resistance can be reduced if organizations manage information flow, create room for participation and develop trust in management. In addition, this paper also proposes that is Leader-Member Exchange (LMX) and Role Breadth Self-Efficacy (RBSE) moderate the effect on the employees' resistance to change.  Index Terms—change management, Lean Production System (LPS), resistance to change, Change Process Characteristics (CPC), NEED For STRUCTURE (NFS), Leader-Member Exchange (LMX) and Role Breadth Self- Efficacy (RBSE)
Enhanced Sensitivity to Ethanol-Induced Inhibition of LTP in CA1 Pyramidal Neurons of Socially Isolated C57BL/6J Mice: Role of Neurosteroids

Ethanol (EtOH) induced impairment of long-term potentiation (LTP) in the rat hippocampus is prevented by the 5α-reductase inhibitor finasteride, suggesting that this effect of EtOH is dependent on the increased local release of neurosteroids such as 3α,5α-THP that promote GABA-mediated transmission. Given that social isolation (SI) in rodents is associated with altered plasma and brain levels of such neurosteroids as well as with an enhanced neurosteroidogenic action of EtOH, we examined whether the inhibitory effect of EtOH on LTP at CA3–CA1 hippocampal excitatory synapses is altered in C57BL/6J mice subjected to SI for 6 weeks in comparison with group-housed (GH) animals. Extracellular recording of field excitatory postsynaptic potentials (fEPSPs) as well as patch-clamp analysis were performed in hippocampal slices prepared from both SI and GH mice. Consistent with previous observations, recording of fEPSPs revealed that the extent of LTP induced in the CA1 region of SI mice was significantly reduced compared with that in GH animals. EtOH (40 mM) inhibited LTP in slices from SI mice but not in those from GH mice, and this effect of EtOH was abolished by co-application of 1 μM finasteride. Current-clamp analysis of CA1 pyramidal neurons revealed a decrease in action potential (AP) frequency and an increase in the intensity of injected current required to evoke the first AP in SI mice compared with GH mice, indicative of a decrease in neuronal excitability associated with SI. Together, our data suggest that SI results in reduced levels of neuronal excitability and synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus. Furthermore, the increased sensitivity to the neurosteroidogenic effect of EtOH associated with SI likely accounts for the greater inhibitory effect of EtOH on LTP in SI mice. The increase in EtOH sensitivity induced by SI may be important for the changes in the effects of EtOH on anxiety and on learning and memory associated with the prolonged stress attributable to SI.
SELECTIVE DEPRESSION OF SYNAPTIC TRANSMISSION OF SPINAL NEURONES IN THE CAT BY A NEW CENTRALLY ACTING MUSCLE RELAXANT, 5‐CHLORO‐4‐(2‐IMIDAZOLIN‐2‐YL‐AMINO)‐2, 1, 3‐BENZOTHIODAZOLE (DS103–282)

1 The effects of a new muscle relaxant, 5‐chloro‐(2‐imidazolin‐2‐yl‐amino)‐2, 1, 3‐benzothiodazole (DS103–282) have been examined on segmental reflexes and responses of single neurones in the spinal cord of the anaesthetized cat to stimulation of peripheral afferents, ventral roots, acetylcholine and various amino acids. Drugs were administered intravenously and/or iontophoretically. 2 Polysynaptic reflexes were depressed in a dose‐dependent manner by 0.01–0.1 mg/kg DS103–282 whereas monosynaptic reflexes were relatively insensitive to this agent. 3 In studies on single dorsal horn neurones, iontophoretically and intravenously administered DS103–282 depressed synaptic excitatory responses, polysynaptic responses being much more sensitive to this agent than monosynaptic responses. In contrast (−)‐baclofen preferentially reduced monosynaptic excitation. 4 Doses or ejecting currents of DS103–282 which greatly depressed polysynaptic excitatory responses also reduced spontaneous firing of neurones, but either had no effect or minimal depressant effects on responses to iotophoretically administered excitant amino acids. Acetylcholine‐induced excitation of Renshaw cells was depressed by iontophoretically (but not intravenously) administered DS103–282, although ventral root‐evoked responses of these cells were insensitive to this agent. 5 Inhibition of spinal neurones by stimulation of peripheral nerves or by iontophoresis of γ‐aminobutyric acid or glycine was unaffected by DS103–282. 6 These results indicate that DS103–282 preferentially depresses peripherally evoked polysynaptic excitation of spinal neurones probably by an action on the terminals of excitatory interneurones.
Clinical and Experimental Gastroenterology Dovepress Fecal Calprotectin: a Marker for Clinical Differentiation of Microscopic Colitis and Irritable Bowel Syndrome

work you hereby accept the Terms. Non-commercial uses of the work are permitted without any further permission from Dove Medical Press Limited, provided the work is properly attributed. For permission for commercial use of this work, please see paragraphs 4.2 and 5 of our Terms Background: The aim of this study is to compare two methods for measuring fecal calprotectin (FC) concentration and to evaluate the possibility of differentiation between microscopic colitis (MC) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Methods: Twenty-three patients with MC (six patients with active disease and 17 patients retested in remission) and 20 patients with IBS were prospectively included in this study. Active disease state of MC was determined by clinical symptoms of . 3 bowel movements per day and histological correlate. All patients underwent ileocolonoscopy, including segmental biopsy samples for histology. FC levels in stool samples were analyzed using a rapid test system (Quantum Blue ®) and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: FC levels were significantly higher in patients with active MC (median 48 µg/g [23–106]) compared to patients with IBS (median 2 µg/g [1–111.83]), P=0.0001 using an ELISA. FC level of patients with MC in remission was 22 µg/g (1–106.4), which is similar to those identified in patients with IBS. The difference of FC levels between active MC and IBS was not detected by the FC rapid test (P=0.635). Discussion: FC levels might serve as parameter for differentiation between patients with active MC and IBS. Since there is no surrogate marker available at present for MC, FC appears to be a candidate for differentiating MC from IBS. Conclusion: High FC levels, which were analyzed by ELISA, are a potential marker for patients with active MC compared to those with IBS. The FC rapid test was less suitable for this purpose.
The extragalactic diffuse gamma-ray emission

The all-sky surveys in γ-rays by the imaging Compton telescope (COMPTEL) and the Energetic Gamma Ray Experiment Telescope (EGRET) on board the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory for the first time allows detailed studies of the extragalactic diffuse emission at γ-ray energies greater 1 MeV. A preliminary analysis of COMPTEL data indicates a significant decrease in the level of the derived cosmic diffuse emission from previous estimates in the 1–30 MeV range, with no evidence for an MeV-excess, at least not at the levels claimed previously. The 1–30 MeV flux measurements are compatible with power-law extrapolation from lower and higher energies. These new results indicate that the possible contributions to the extragalactic emission from processes that could explain the MeV-excess, such as matter-antimatter annihilation, is significantly reduced. At high energies (>30 MeV), the extragalactic emission is well described by a power law photon spectrum with an index of −(2.10±0.03) in the 30 MeV to 100 GeV energy r.
The pathology of multiple sclerosis: a paradigm shift

Purpose of reviewDetailed immunopathological assessment of multiple sclerosis tissue remains the research tool most likely to elucidate the major processes involved in disease pathogenesis and tissue injury. Such studies steer and provide the impetus for refining cellular/molecular investigations and developing more relevant disease models in animals. Recent findingsRecent observations in early multiple sclerosis lesions challenge the traditional hypothesis that multiple sclerosis arises as the result of a primary autoimmune process that specifically targets myelin antigen(s). A new multiple sclerosis paradigm proposes that oligodendrocyte apoptosis is the earliest change in newly forming lesions and that tissue injury is amplified by the subsequent recruitment of a systemic immune response. Over months to years the pathology of multiple sclerosis is transformed and the changes which accompany the late phase of the disease suggest that the inflammatory response becomes progressively ‘compartmentalized’ and therefore largely isolated from systemic influence with time. SummaryRecent pathological studies raise important questions regarding the aetiology of oligodendrocyte apoptosis, the mechanisms by which the accompanying inflammatory response amplifies tissue injury and the regulation of central nervous system immunity. An improved understanding of these processes is essential for advancing therapeutic interventions applicable to different stages of the disease.
Laboratory Evaluation of Foamed Asphalt Stabilized Base Materials

Foamed asphalt stabilized base (FASB) combines reclaimed asphalt pavement and/or recycled concrete with a binder. The pavement structural properties of the FASB material created by this process falls somewhere between conventional untreated graded aggregate base and hot mix asphalt. Mix designs were developed for six different combinations of aggregate types. Details of the mix design procedures, including the associated foamed asphalt and mixture tests, are provided along with a discussion of appropriate curing and soaking procedures and the effects of additives, mixing moisture content (MMC), compaction moisture content (CMC), and material storage after mixing. Higher indirect tensile strengths (ITS) in both soaked and unsoaked conditions were obtained in mixes containing recycled concrete and/or cement and that were compacted at 90% of optimum moisture content (OMC) immediately after mixing followed by curing at 40°C for 72 hours. MMC and the fines percentage did not significantly affect strength.
Effect of nanofillers on the flame retardant properties of a polyethylene–calcium carbonate–silicone elastomer system

This study shows the effects of three different nanofillers on the viscosity properties and fire behavior of a halogen‐free flame retardant system. The original system, based on ethylene‐acrylate copolymer, calcium carbonate, and a silicone elastomer, shows good flame retardant properties. One of the nanofillers, montmorillonite (MMT), significantly increases the viscosity above 250∘C, resulting in reduced dripping and decreased heat release rate. The ash residue, however, is very brittle, indicating poor interactions between the MMT and other components of the system. The second nanofiller, sepiolite, shows no improvement on the flame retardant properties of the system. Reduced dripping is observed when a small amount of the third nanofiller, polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane, POSS, is incorporated into the system. In this case, high silica content on the surface indicates char formation originating from the POSS. However, an increased heat release is observed when POSS is used in the system. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Decoding hand trajectories from micro-electrocorticography in human patients

A Kalman filter was used to decode hand trajectories from micro-electrocorticography recorded over motor cortex in human patients. In two cases, signals were recorded during stereotyped tasks, and the trajectories were decoded offline, with maximum correlation coefficients between actual and predicted trajectories of 0.51 (x-direction position) and 0.54 (y-direction position). In a third setting, a human patient with full neural control of a computer cursor acquired onscreen targets within 6.24 sec on average, with no algorithmic constraints on the output trajectory. These practical results illustrate the potential utility of signals recorded at the cortical surface with high spatial resolution, demonstrating that surface potentials contain relevant and sufficient information to drive sophisticated brain-computer interface systems.
Towards Linked Data Fact Validation through Measuring Consensus

In the context of linked open data, different datasets can be interlinked together, thereby providing rich background knowledge for a dataset under examination. We believe that knowledge from interlinked datasets can be used to validate the accuracy of a linked data fact. In this paper, we present a novel approach for linked data fact validation using linked open data published on the web. This approach utilises owl:sameAs links for retrieving evidence triples, and a novel predicate similarity matching method. It computes the confidence score of an input fact based on weighted average of similarity of the evidence triples retrieved. We also demonstrate the feasibility of our approach using a sample of facts extracted from DBpedia.
Conserved Promoter Motif Is Required for Cell Cycle Timing of dnaX Transcription inCaulobacter

ABSTRACT Cells use highly regulated transcriptional networks to control temporally regulated events. In the bacterium Caulobacter crescentus, many cellular processes are temporally regulated with respect to the cell cycle, and the genes required for these processes are expressed immediately before the products are needed. Genes encoding factors required for DNA replication, includingdnaX, dnaA, dnaN,gyrB, and dnaK, are induced at the G1/S-phase transition. By analyzing mutations in thednaX promoter, we identified a motif between the −10 and −35 regions that is required for proper timing of gene expression. This motif, named RRF (for repression of replication factors), is conserved in the promoters of other coordinately induced replication factors. Because mutations in the RRF motif result in constitutive gene expression throughout the cell cycle, this sequence is likely to be the binding site for a cell cycle-regulated transcriptional repressor. Consistent with this hypothesis, Caulobacter extracts contain an activity that binds specifically to the RRF in vitro.
Generalized scoring rules and the frequency of coalitional manipulability

We introduce a class of voting rules called <i>generalized scoring rules</i>. Under such a rule, each vote generates a vector of <i>k</i> scores, and the outcome of the voting rule is based only on the sum of these vectors---more specifically, only on the order (in terms of score) of the sum's components. This class is extremely general: we do not know of any commonly studied rule that is not a generalized scoring rule. We then study the coalitional manipulation problem for generalized scoring rules. We prove that under certain natural assumptions, if the number of manipulators is <i>O</i>(<i>n<sup>p</sup></i>) (for any <i>p</i>< 1/2), then the probability that a random profile is manipulable is <i>O</i>(<i>n<sup>p--1/2</sup></i>), where <i>n</i> is the number of voters. We also prove that under another set of natural assumptions, if the number of manipulators is Ω(<i>n<sup>p</sup></i>) (for any <i>p</i>> 1/2) and <i>o</i>(<i>n</i>), then the probability that a random profile is manipulable (to any possible winner under the voting rule) is 1--<i>O</i>(<i>e</i><sup>--Ω(<i>n</i><sup>2<i>p</i>--1)</sup></sup>). We also show that common voting rules satisfy these conditions (for the uniform distribution). These results generalize earlier results by Procaccia and Rosenschein as well as even earlier results on the probability of an election being tied.