Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Biphasic effects of hemodialysis on platelet reactivity in patients with end-stage renal disease: a potential contributor to cardiovascular risk.

BACKGROUND Cardiovascular disease is rampant in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), and increased platelet reactivity may contribute. This study is designed to determine effects of hemodialysis in patients with ESRD on platelet reactivity per se. METHODS Platelet reactivity was determined by flow cytometry in 36 patients with ESRD undergoing hemodialysis. Blood was obtained from arterial and venous ends of the hemodialysis circuit at the beginning and end of the dialysis session. Platelet reactivity was defined with respect to capacity to bind fibrinogen (activation of glycoprotein IIb-IIIa) and expression of P-selectin in response to adenosine diphosphate (ADP; 0, 0.2, and 1.0 micromol/L). Comparison studies were performed with 55 patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and 38 healthy subjects. RESULTS Platelet reactivity was increased by exposure to the dialysis circuit (capacity to bind fibrinogen: arterial, 28% +/- 13%; venous, 47% +/- 20%; P < 0.001). Despite this effect, surface expression of P-selectin in response to 1 micromol/L of ADP was lower at the end of the dialysis session (arterial blood at its onset, 40% +/- 16%; arterial blood at its conclusion, 24% +/- 15%; P < 0.05). Confocal microscopy showed increased nonspecific association of fibrinogen with platelets after dialysis, suggesting that increased aggregation after dialysis may be secondary to effects of dialysis on fibrinogen binding, rather than on platelet reactivity. Platelet reactivity was increased similarly in patients with ESRD and those with CAD compared with healthy subjects. CONCLUSION Although interaction between platelets and the dialysis circuit increases platelet reactivity, continued dialysis decreases platelet reactivity.
TCAD Simulation of Dual-Gate a-IGZO TFTs With Source and Drain Offsets

We investigate the effect of offset between source/drain (S/D) and gate electrodes (both top gate (TG) and bottom gate (BG)) on the electrical performance of dual-gate (DG) amorphous indium-gallium-zinc-oxide (a-IGZO) thin-film transistors (TFTs). The performance of the fabricated TFTs measured by BG sweep under various TG potentials are well fitted by TCAD simulation with the same density of states, which does not change with the device structure. The field-effect mobility is 15.5 cm2/Vs for the TFT with overlapped S/D electrodes, but it is less than 1 cm2/Vs for the offset TFTs. The low carrier concentration of ~1016 cm-3 at the offset a-IGZO region is achieved by TCAD simulation, which increases the contact resistance, and thus induces current crowding and lower mobility in DG offset TFTs.
EXPLETIVE NEGATION AND LOGICAL ABSORPTION

* I am gratefül to two anonymous referees of The Linguistic Review, to my colleagues at the Universität Autönoma de Barcelona, and to the audience at the 1992 Segundo Coloquio de Gramätica Generativa, Vitoria, where this paper was presented, for their helpfiil comments. I would also like to express my gratitude to O. Fox for revising the English manuscript. An earlier version of this paper will appear in Espinal (in press). This work benefited from the PB 89-0323 D.G. I.C. Y.T. grant
TECHNOLOGY SHOCKS AND MONETARY POLICY: ASSESSING THE FED’S PERFORMANCE

This paper basically has two objectives. Firstly, we characterize the Fed’s systematic response to technology shocks and its implications for other economic variables such as output, inflation and hours in the US. Secondly, we evaluate if we can explain these responses with policy rules as modeled in our standard sticky price model. We find significant differences across period in the response of the economy to a positive technology shock. Also, the Fed’s response in the Volcker-Greenspan period appears to be consistent with a rule that seeks to stabilize prices. On the other hand, under the pre-Volcker period the Fed’s policy seems less effective and we see high volatility in inflation. So overall, our results support the results in the literature that suggest an improvement in the way the Fed has conducted policy in recent years.
Relation of size at birth to non-insulin dependent diabetes and insulin concentrations in men aged 50-60 years

Abstract Objective: To establish whether the relation between size at birth and non-insulin dependent diabetes is mediated through impaired β cell function or insulin resistance. Design: Cohort study. Setting: Uppsala, Sweden. Subjects: 1333 men whose birth records were traced from a cohort of 2322 men born during 1920-4 and resident in Uppsala in 1970. Main outcome measures: Intravenous glucose tolerance test at age 50 years and non-insulin dependent diabetes at age 60 years. Results: There was a weak inverse correlation (r=-0.07, P=0.03) between ponderal index at birth and 60 minute insulin concentrations in the intravenous glucose tolerance test at age 50 years. This association was stronger (r=-0.19, P=0.001) in the highest third of the distribution of body mass index than in the other two thirds (P=0.01 for the interaction between ponderal index and body mass index). Prevalence of diabetes at age 60 years was 8% in men whose birth weight was less than 3250 g compared with 5% in men with birth weight 3250 g or more (P=0.08; 95% confidence interval for difference −0.3% to 6.8%). There was a stronger association between diabetes and ponderal index: prevalence of diabetes was 12% in the lowest fifth of ponderal index compared with 4% in the other four fifths (P=0.001; 3.0% to 12.6%). Conclusion: These results confirm that reduced fetal growth is associated with increased risk of diabetes and suggest a specific association with thinness at birth. This relation seems to be mediated through insulin resistance rather than through impaired β cell function and to depend on an interaction with obesity in adult life.
Biological and molecular characterization of an isolate of Tobacco streak virus obtained from soybeans in Brazil

ABSTRACT A virus was isolated from soybean ( Glycine max ) plants with symptoms of dwarfing and bud blight in WenceslauBraz County, Parana, Brazil. The host range and properties resembled those of Tobacco streak virus (TSV). The purifiedvirus showed three peaks in a frozen sucrose gradient. Antiserum was produced and the virus was serologically related toTSV. Electron microscopy detected 28 nm spherical particles. Coat protein (CP) had a Mr of 29.880 Da. A fragment of 1028nt was amplified, cloned and sequenced. One open reading frame with 717 nt was identified and associated to the CP. TheCP gene shared 83% identity with the sequence of TSV CP from white clover ( Trifolium repens ) (GenBank CAA25133). This is the first report of the biological and molecular characterization of TSV isolated from soybeans. It is proposed thatthis isolate be considered a strain of TSV named TSV-BR. Additional keywords : nucleotide sequence, Elisa, host range. RESUMOCaracterizacao biologica e molecular de um isolado de
Assessing Bank Efficiency and Performance with Operational Research and Artificial Intelligence Techniques: A Survey

This paper presents a comprehensive review of 196 studies which employ operational research (O.R.) and artificial intelligence (A.I.) techniques in the assessment of bank performance. Several key issues in the literature are highlighted. The paper also points to a number of directions for future research. We first discuss numerous applications of data envelopment analysis which is the most widely applied O.R. technique in the field. Then we discuss applications of other techniques such as neural networks, support vector machines, and multicriteria decision aid that have also been used in recent years, in bank failure prediction studies and the assessment of bank creditworthiness and underperformance.
MEASUREMENT OF MARKETING EFFECTIVENESS

In the world is still more placed emphasis on marketing activities in the companies. If the marketing department can evaluate the effectiveness of own activities, it increases the trust of all departments in the company. And it is possible to better plan the company investments, to create the profit and to invest further. The future of marketing departments is mainly based on their ability to evaluation activities and to demonstrate own importance in the company. It is a reason to develop and interested in the topic, which deals with measurement of the marketing effectiveness. The paper deals with the marketing effectiveness, points to its importance for company activities and shows the most necessary methods for measurement of marketing effectiveness and suggests benefits.
Baseline trajectories of drinking moderate acamprosate and naltrexone effects in the COMBINE study.

BACKGROUND The COMBINE study evaluated the effects of acamprosate, naltrexone, and the Combined Behavioral Intervention (CBI). In secondary analyses, our goals were to identify trajectories of any drinking prior to randomization, to characterize subjects in these trajectories, and to assess whether prerandomization trajectories predict drinking outcomes and moderate treatment response. METHODS We analyzed daily indicators of any drinking in 90 days prior to randomization using a trajectory-based approach. General linear models and generalized logistic regression assessed main and interactive effects of prerandomization drinking trajectories and treatment on summary drinking measures during active treatment. RESULTS We identified five trajectories of any drinking prior to randomization: "T1: frequent drinkers", "T2: very frequent drinkers", "T3: nearly daily drinkers", "T4: consistent daily drinkers", and "T5: daily drinkers stopping early". During treatment, "T3: nearly daily drinkers" and "T4: consistent daily drinkers" had significantly worse drinking outcomes than "T1: frequent drinkers", while "T5: daily drinkers stopping early" had comparable drinking outcomes to "T1: frequent drinkers". Acamprosate significantly increased the chance of abstinence from heavy drinking for the "T2: very frequent drinking" trajectory but decreased the chance of abstinence from heavy drinking for "T5: daily drinkers stopping early". Naltrexone differentially improved rates of continuous abstinence for very frequent drinkers. CONCLUSIONS Acamprosate benefited very frequent drinkers and contrary to expectations was associated with poorer response compared to placebo for consistent daily drinkers who had longer durations of pretreatment abstinence (e.g., ≥14 days). Baseline drinking trajectories also moderated naltrexone effects. These findings may help clinicians identify patients for whom acamprosate and naltrexone may be most beneficial.
Institutions and Poverty

Abstract This study utilises eight alternative measures of institutions and the instrumental variable method to examine the impacts of institutions on poverty. The estimates show that an economy with a robust system to control corruption, an effective government, and a stable political system will create the conditions to promote economic growth, minimise income distribution conflicts, and reduce poverty. Corruption, ineffective governments, and political instability will not only hurt income levels through market inefficiencies, but also escalate poverty incidence via increased income inequality. The results also imply that the quality of the regulatory system, rule of law, voice and accountability, and expropriation risk are inversely related to poverty but their effect on poverty is via average income rather than income distribution.
Characterization of the Prokaryotic Diversity in Cold Saline Perennial Springs of the Canadian High Arctic

ABSTRACT The springs at Gypsum Hill and Colour Peak on Axel Heiberg Island in the Canadian Arctic originate from deep salt aquifers and are among the few known examples of cold springs in thick permafrost on Earth. The springs discharge cold anoxic brines (7.5 to 15.8% salts), with a mean oxidoreduction potential of −325 mV, and contain high concentrations of sulfate and sulfide. We surveyed the microbial diversity in the sediments of seven springs by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and analyzing clone libraries of 16S rRNA genes amplified with Bacteria and Archaea-specific primers. Dendrogram analysis of the DGGE banding patterns divided the springs into two clusters based on their geographic origin. Bacterial 16S rRNA clone sequences from the Gypsum Hill library (spring GH-4) were classified into seven phyla (Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, Gemmatimonadetes, Proteobacteria, Spirochaetes, and Verrucomicrobia); Deltaproteobacteria and Gammaproteobacteria sequences represented half of the clone library. Sequences related to Proteobacteria (82%), Firmicutes (9%), and Bacteroidetes (6%) constituted 97% of the bacterial clone library from Colour Peak (spring CP-1). Most GH-4 archaeal clone sequences (79%) were related to the Crenarchaeota while half of the CP-1 sequences were related to orders Halobacteriales and Methanosarcinales of the Euryarchaeota. Sequences related to the sulfur-oxidizing bacterium Thiomicrospira psychrophila dominated both the GH-4 (19%) and CP-1 (45%) bacterial libraries, and 56 to 76% of the bacterial sequences were from potential sulfur-metabolizing bacteria. These results suggest that the utilization and cycling of sulfur compounds may play a major role in the energy production and maintenance of microbial communities in these unique, cold environments.
Tobacco smoking, quitting, and relapsing among adult males in Mainland China: the China Seven Cities Study.

INTRODUCTION Despite an estimated 1 million tobacco-related deaths annually in China, public health officials face overwhelming barriers to implementing effective tobacco control policies and programs. Models of effective tobacco control can be adapted for Chinese tobacco use and culture based on reliable and valid data regarding predictors of smoking and abstaining. METHODS As part of the China Seven Cities Study to assess the role of rapid social, economic, and cultural change on tobacco use and related health practices and outcomes, 4,072 adult male smokers provided data in 3 annual waves. Measures included current smoking, nicotine dependence, readiness for quitting, perceived stress, hostility, depressive symptoms, as well as covariates (e.g., age, marital status, educational attainment, and family income). RESULTS Odds of being abstinent at Wave 3 were increased by: lower nicotine dependence at Wave 1 and becoming less dependent between Waves 1 and 3; progressing beyond the contemplation stage between Waves 1 and 3; perceiving less stress, whether initially at Wave 1 or over time from Wave 1 to Wave 3; and lower hostility scores at Wave 1 and decreased hostility from Wave 1 to Wave 3. Among those who quit, odds of remaining abstinent rather than relapsing by Wave 3 were higher among those who were less dependent at Wave 1 and who became less dependent from Wave 1 to Wave 3; and those who showed decreases in hostility from Wave 1 to Wave 3. CONCLUSIONS The public health challenge posed by very high prevalence of male smoking in China can be met by policies and programs that lead to successful long-term cessation. This can only be done successfully by designing interventions based on knowledge of the country's smokers and the current study suggests several elements.
Cognitive function in post-treatment Lyme disease Do additional antibiotics help?

Background : It is controversial whether additional antibiotic treatment will improve cognitive function in patients with post-treatment chronic Lyme disease (PTCLD). Objective : To determine whether antibiotic therapy improves cognitive function in two randomized double-blind placebo-controlled studies of patients with PTCLD. Methods : A total of 129 patients with a physician-documented history of Lyme disease from three study sites in the northeast United States were studied. Seventy-eight were seropositive for IgG antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi, and 51 were seronegative. Patients in each group were randomly assigned to receive IV ceftriaxone 2 g daily for 30 days followed by oral doxycycline 200 mg daily for 60 days or matching IV and oral placebos. Assessments were made at 90 and 180 days after treatment. Symptom severity was measured from the cognitive functioning, pain, and role functioning scales of the Medical Outcomes Study (MOS). Memory, attention, and executive functioning were assessed using objective tests. Mood was assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory and Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory. Results : There were no significant baseline differences between seropositive and seronegative groups. Both groups reported a high frequency of MOS symptoms, depression, and somatic complaints but had normal baseline neuropsychological test scores. The combined groups showed significant decreases in MOS symptoms, higher objective test scores, and improved mood between baseline and 90 days. However, there were no significant differences between those receiving antibiotics and placebo. Conclusion : Patients with post-treatment chronic Lyme disease who have symptoms but show no evidence of persisting Borrelia infection do not show objective evidence of cognitive impairment. Additional antibiotic therapy was not more beneficial than administering placebo.
Interleukin‐2 receptor antagonist induction in modern immunosuppression regimens for renal transplant recipients

Addition of interleukin‐2 receptor antagonist (IL‐2RA) induction to calcineurin inhibitor (CNI)‐based regimens reduces biopsy‐proven acute rejection by 30–40%. IL‐2RA induction facilitates early withdrawal of steroids, and supports the safe use of reduced‐exposure CNI or delayed CNI introduction. IL‐2RAs and rabbit antithymocyte globulin (Thymoglobulin®) show comparable efficacy in patients at standard or low immunologic risk, but the adverse event profiles of lymphocyte‐depleting agents are less favorable. IL‐2RAs, uniquely, provide effective immunosuppression with similar tolerability to placebo.
A proposal justifying an alternative referral practice from primary care for three common hand surgery diagnoses

A hand therapy primary care clinic offering advice on task modification at work and in the home and the use of splints was found to almost halve referrals of carpal tunnel syndrome from a single primary care trust. Dorsal ganglion aspiration and steroid injection for trigger digits can also be safely performed in primary care, further reducing the need for hospital care.
Depression, alcohol use disorders and nicotine dependence among patients at a general hospital.

OBJECTIVE To determine prevalence rates and identify patient characteristics associated with depression, alcohol use disorders and nicotine dependence among individuals admitted to a general teaching hospital. METHOD Using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test, we assessed 4,352 consecutive medical and surgical patients admitted over a 13-month period. The patients were also asked to report their daily cigarette smoking habits during the last month. Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed, and odds ratios (ORs) were calculated. RESULTS The mean age of the sample was 49.3 years, and 56.6% were male. Prevalence rates of depression, alcohol use disorders and nicotine dependence were, respectively, 14%, 9.8% and 16.9%. In the multivariate analysis, depression was associated with previous suicide attempts (OR = 8.7), lower level of education (OR = 3.6), prior use of psychotropic medications (OR = 3.1), cancer (OR = 1.7) and pain (OR = 1.7). Alcohol use disorders were associated with male sex (OR = 6.3), smoking (OR = 3.5), admission for an external cause of injury, such as a traffic accident (OR = 2.4), and previous suicide attempts (OR = 2.3). Nicotine dependence was associated with alcohol use disorders (OR = 3.4), young adulthood (OR = 2.3), widowhood (OR = 2.2) and previous suicide attempts (OR = 1.8). CONCLUSION This is the largest sample of medical and surgical patients ever surveyed with standardized screening instruments in a general hospital in Brazil. The high prevalence rates of psychiatric disorders and the profiles of the patients evaluated in this study underscore the need to develop methods that are more effective for detecting and managing such disorders. Hospital admission should be considered a major opportunity for the detection of psychiatric disorders and the subsequent implementation of the appropriate specific treatment strategies.
Neural synchrony indexes impaired motor slowing after errors and novelty after white matter damage

In humans, action errors and perceptual novelty elicit activity in a shared frontostriatal brain network, allowing them to adapt their ongoing behavior to such unexpected action outcomes. Healthy and pathologic aging reduces the integrity of white matter pathways that connect individual hubs of such networks and can impair the associated cognitive functions. Here, we investigated whether structural disconnection within this network because of small-vessel disease impairs the neural processes that subserve motor slowing after errors and novelty (post-error slowing, PES; post-novel slowing, PNS). Participants with intact frontostriatal circuitry showed increased right-lateralized beta-band (12e24 Hz) synchrony between frontocentral and frontolateral electrode sites in the electroencephalogram after errors and novelty, indexing increased neural communication. Importantly, this synchrony correlated with PES and PNS across participants. Furthermore, such synchrony was reduced in participants with frontostriatal white matter damage, in line with reduced PES and PNS. The results demonstrate that behavioral change after errors and novelty result from coordinated neural activity across a frontostriatal brain network and that such cognitive control is impaired by reduced white matter integrity. 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Potential of Diffuse Reflectance Infrared Fourier Transform Spectroscopy and Chemometrics for Coffee Quality Evaluation

Given the successful application of spectroscopic methods in the field of coffee analysis as fast and reliable routine techniques, the objective of this work was to evaluate the feasibility of employing Diffuse Reflectance Infrared Fourier Transform Spectroscopy (DRIFTS) for discrimination between roasted coffees that presented distinct sensory characteristics and were submitted to a range of roasting conditions. Samples consisted of coffees obtained from Nespresso type capsules of intensity levels ranging from 2 to 12. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) of the processed spectra provided separation of the samples into three groups: low (positive PC1), medium (scattered) and high (negative PC1) intensity. Group separation was related to both roasting intensity and sensory parameters, with a clear separation between samples described as low roasted with fruity and floral flavors in comparison to samples described as being intense and very roasted. PLSDA models were constructed and provided satisfactory discrimination according to sensory characteristics. Samples were classified according to flavor as sugar browning, enzymatic, or dry distillation. Such results confirm the potential of DRIFTS in the discrimination and classification of roasted and ground coffees. 