Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Predictors of smoking cessation and relapse after hospitalization for acute coronary syndrome.

BACKGROUND A hospital admission for a serious cardiac event offers a unique opportunity for smoking cessation. Understanding the factors that predict and enhance cessation among smoking cardiac inpatients is important for hospital physicians and clinical staff. STUDY OBJECTIVE To determine factors that predict smoking cessation, relapse, or continued smoking among posthospitalized cardiac patients who were smoking at the time of admission. SAMPLE Patients hospitalized with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) were recruited from 5 hospitals in Michigan to participate in a study assessing hospital quality improvement plus at-home health behavior change counseling. MEASUREMENTS Patient interview data were collected shortly after discharge and 3 and 8 months later to describe patient demographics, clinical characteristics, tobacco use, and other behaviors. Multinomial logit regression was used to predict smoking cessation, relapse, and continued smoking. RESULTS Of patients smoking at hospitalization who completed both follow-up interviews, 56.8% (n = 111) were not smoking at 8 months. A significant predictor of successful cessation was higher household income (odds ratio [OR] = 4.72; P = 0.003), while having other smokers in the household decreased the odds of cessation (OR = 0.20; P = 0.001). History of depression increased the odds of relapse (OR = 6.38; P = 0.002) and being a lighter smoker decreased the odds (OR = 0.16; P = 0.026). CONCLUSIONS Although approximately one-half of the smokers in this study reported successful cessation, interventions are still needed to assist all smokers to successfully quit smoking after an ACS hospitalization. Our data suggest targeting follow-up programs to include other family members and using specialized methods for heavy smokers.
Invariant wide bandgaps in honeycomb monolayer and single-walled nanotubes of IIB–VI semiconductors

The search for low-dimensional materials with unique electronic properties is important for the development of electronic devices in the nanoscale. Through systematic first-principles calculations, we found that the band gaps of the two-dimensional honeycomb monolayers (HMs) and one-dimensional single-walled nanotubes (SWNTs) of IIB–VI semiconductors (ZnO, CdO, ZnS and CdS) are nearly chirality-independent and weakly diameter-dependent. Based on analysis of the electronic structures, it was found that the conduction band minimum is contributed to by the spherically symmetric s orbitals of cations and the valence band maximum is dominated by the in-plane ( d xy − p y ) and ( d x 2 − y 2 − p x ) hybridizations. These electronic states are robust against radius curvature, resulting in the invariant feature of the band gaps for the structures changing from HM to SWNTs. The band gaps of these materials range from 2.3 to 4.7 eV, which is of potential application in electronic devices and optoelectronic devices. Our studies show that searching for and designing specific electronic structures can facilitate the process of exploring novel nanomaterials for future applications.
Quantification of bedside teaching by an academic hospitalist group.

BACKGROUND Medical educators have raised serious concerns about the decline in bedside teaching and the effect of this decline on trainee skills. We investigated the fraction of time hospitalist attending physicians spend at the bedside during teaching rounds and how often physical examination skills are demonstrated. METHODS In a prospective, observational study, the authors investigated the rounding behavior of members of Brigham and Women's Hospitalist Service. For 5 weeks from December 2007 to January 2008, interns and residents rotating on the hospitalist service reported in a daily e-mail (1) total time spent with their attending during attending rounds, (2) time spent inside patient rooms during attending rounds, and (3) whether or not a physical examination finding or technique was demonstrated by their hospitalist attending. RESULTS A total of 61 observations were reported (66% response). Hospitalists spent an average of 101 minutes on teaching rounds and an average of 17 minutes inside patient rooms or 17% of their teaching time at the bedside. Bedside teaching occurred during 61% of teaching sessions and physical examination teaching occurred during 38% of teaching sessions. Rounds that included time spent at the bedside were longer on average than rounds that did not include time spent at the bedside (122 vs. 69 minutes, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Bedside teaching makes up approximately 17% of the time that hospitalists at this medical center spend on teaching rounds. Physical examination teaching has become infrequent. Research to clarify optimal strategies to improve bedside teaching and its value in patient care is needed.
Enhanced thermoelectric performance of Bi2Te3 through uniform dispersion of single wall carbon nanotubes

The advancement in nanostructured powder processing has attracted great interest as a cost effective and scalable strategy for high performance thermoelectric bulk materials. However, the level of technical breakthrough realized in quantum dot supperlattices/wires has not yet been demonstrated in these materials. Here, we report the first ever study on the uniform dispersion of single wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) in nanostructured Bi2Te3 bulk, and their effect on thermoelectric parameters above room temperature. The Bi2Te3 based SWCNT composites were prepared through controlled powder processing, and their thermoelectric properties were finely tuned at the nanoscale by regulating various (0.5, 0.75, 1.0 and 1.5) vol% of SWCNTs in the matrix. The flexible ropes of SWCNT, making an interconnected network through the inter/trans granular positions of Bi2Te3, thus substantially change the transport properties of the composites. The perfect one-dimensional (1D) conducting structure of SWCNTs acts as a source of electrical transport through a percolating network, with significantly suppressed lattice thermal conductivity, via intensified boundary scattering. The remarkable increase in power factor is ascribed to energy filtering effects and excellent electrical transport of 1D SWCNTs in the composites. Consequently, with a considerable reduction in thermal conductivity, the figure of merit culminates in a several-fold improvement, at 0.5 vol% of SWCNTs, over pristine bulk Bi2Te3.
Candida albicans biofilms: comparative analysis of room‐temperature and cryofixation for scanning electron microscopy

Biofilms are frequently related to invasive fungal infections and are reported to be more resistant to antifungal drugs than planktonic cells. The structural complexity of the biofilm as well as the presence of a polymeric extracellular matrix (ECM) is thought to be associated with this resistant behavior. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) after room temperature glutaraldehyde‐based fixation, have been used to study fungal biofilm structure and drug susceptibility but they usually fail to preserve the ECM and, therefore, are not an optimised methodology to understand the complexity of the fungal biofilm. Thus, in this work, we propose a comparative analysis of room‐temperature and cryofixation/freeze substitution of Candida albicans biofilms for SEM observation. Our experiments showed that room‐temperature fixative protocols using glutaraldehyde and osmium tetroxide prior to alcohol dehydration led to a complete extraction of the polymeric ECM of biofilms. ECM from fixative and alcohol solutions were recovered after all processing steps and these structures were characterised by biochemistry assays, transmission electron microscopy and mass spectrometry. Cryofixation techniques followed by freeze‐substitution lead to a great preservation of both ECM structure and C. albicans biofilm cells, allowing the visualisation of a more reliable biofilm structure. These findings reinforce that cryofixation should be the indicated method for SEM sample preparation to study fungal biofilms as it allows the visualisation of the EMC and the exploration of the biofilm structure to its fullest, as its structural/functional role in interaction with host cells, other pathogens and for drug resistance assays.
Telmisartan as a metabolic sartan for targeting vascular failure

Background: An angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker (ARB), telmisartan, has the unique property of activation of PPAR-γ. Objective: This review aims to discuss clinical perspective of telmisartan for cardiovascular protection. Methods: Recent in vitro and in vivo telmisartan data in regard to metabolic regulations were overviewed. Results/conclusions: Telmisartan has direct cardiovascular end-organ protection that goes beyond blood pressure control. In addition, it ameliorates insulin resistance and hypertriglyceridemia, and thereby improves metabolic syndrome. Moreover, it reduces total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol levels, although the mechanisms have not been elucidated. The authors propose to classify this unique ARB as a ‘metabolic sartan’. To reduce cardiovascular mortality or morbidity, intense effort should be focused on aggressively modifying risk factors and the early stage of ‘vascular failure’. A metabolic sartan may be a powerful tool for targeting ‘vascular failure’.
Magnetically tuned photoelectric response observed in nanoscale Co-SiO2-Si structures

We report a large magnetically tuned lateral photovoltaic effect (LPE) observed in nanoscale Co-SiO2-Si structures. This tunable effect strongly depends on the location of two electrodes. The change ratio of lateral photovoltage (LPV) can reach a considerable value of 94.15% under an external magnetic field of 1.77 Teslas. This phenomenon is mainly ascribed to the asymmetric Lorentz force acting on the photo-current in the region of the edge area of the nanostructure. It adds a new functionality to traditional LPE-based devices, and provides a potential prospect for the development of multifunctional high-sensitive photoelectric devices or sensors.
Hemoptysis Requiring Bronchial Artery Embolization in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Objectives: Hemoptysis is an uncommon complication in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Although the mechanism of hemoptysis is unknown, treatment with bronchial artery embolization (BAE) is proposed to be a safe and reliable method of treatment. We report our experience in treating PAH patients presenting with acute hemoptysis that required multiple BAEs. Methods: Three female and one male PAH patients, ages 45 ± 9 years (mean ± standard deviation [SD]) presented with acute hemoptysis. Right ventricular systolic pressure and cardiac index at the time of the first episode of hemoptysis were 85 ± 17 mm Hg and 2.7 ± 0.7 L/min/m2, respectively. Two of the four patients had recurrent episodes of hemoptysis, requiring multiple BAEs. All four were on intravenous prostacyclin analogue. None were receiving warfarin or endothelin receptor antagonists at the time of the episode. During each episode of hemoptysis, international normalized ratio (INR) was 1.09 ± 0.11 units, and platelet count was 124,000 ± 47,000 per microliter. Results: Each episode of hemoptysis was acutely terminated with BAE. In the majority of cases, patients had multiple aberrant bronchial arteries embolized, and an average of 2.3 arteries was embolized per session (1-4 embolized arteries). Each BAE was performed utilizing polyvinyl alcohol particles, ranging from 250-500 microns. There were no reported complications of the 14 BAE procedures performed. Conclusion: Although the incidence of hemoptysis is unknown and likely underreported, we report our experience in which recurrent hemoptysis was treated with multiple BAE procedures. This report emphasizes the efficacy and safety of BAE in terminating episodes of recurrent hemoptysis in patients with severe PAH.
A comparison study of continuous insulin infusion protocols in the medical intensive care unit: computer-guided vs. standard column-based algorithms.

PURPOSE To compare the safety and efficacy of continuous insulin infusion (CII) via a computer-guided and a standard paper form protocol in a medical intensive care unit (ICU). METHODS Multicenter randomized trial of 153 ICU patients randomized to CII using the Glucommander (n = 77) or a standard paper protocol (n = 76). Both protocols used glulisine insulin and targeted blood glucose (BG) between 80 mg/dL and 120 mg/dL. RESULTS The Glucommander resulted in a lower mean BG value (103 ± 8.8 mg/dL vs. 117 ± 16.5 mg/dL, P < 0.001) and in a shorter time to reach BG target (4.8 ± 2.8 vs.7.8 hours ± 9.1 hours, P < 0.01), and once at target resulted in a higher percentage of BG readings within target (71.0 ± 17.0% vs. 51.3 ± 19.7%, P < 0.001) than the standard protocol. Mean insulin infusion rate in the Glucommander was similar to the standard protocol (P = 0.12). The percentages of patients with ≥1 episode of BG <40 mg/dL and <60 mg/dL were 3.9% and 42.9% in the Glucommander and 5.6% and 31.9% in the standard, respectively [P = not significant (NS)]. Repeated measures analyses show that the probabilities of BG reading <40 mg/dL or <60 mg/dL were not significantly different between groups (P = 0.969, P = 0.084) after accounting for within-patient correlations with or without adjusting for time effect. There were no differences between groups in the length of hospital stay (P = 0.704), ICU stay (P = 0.145), or inhospital mortality (P = 0.561). CONCLUSION Both treatment algorithms resulted in significant improvement in glycemic control in critically ill patients in the medical ICU. The computer-based algorithm resulted in tighter glycemic control without an increased risk of hypoglycemic events compared to the standard paper protocol.
The relation between birth weight and hypertension. A study among Danish nurses

The fetal origin hypothesis suggests that birth weight is related to several adult diseases. One hypothesis is that low birth weight is associated with increased risk of hypertension. ADDIN RW.CITE{{119 Barker,D.J. 2009}}In the present study we analyzed the association between self-reported birth weight and risk of hypertension with detailed confounder control, and the modification on this association by familial obesity and own weight history during childhood and youth. Methods: In 1999 the Danish Nurse Cohort study included 31,642 females aged 44 years or more of whom 76% replied to questions on birth weight, weight history, familial obesity disposition, parents socioeconomic status and presence of hypertension. Results: In total 14% reported birth weights below 3000 g. The univariate hazard ratio of hypertension for those born with birth weight 3000 g. The association remained stable after adjustment for important confounders, as lifestyle, weight history and socioeconomic status during upbringing. Conclusion: Our results support the hypothesis that low birth weight is associated with hypertension in adult life, also after considering several confounding factors and weight history later in life. Furthermore, the previous weight history might have an influence on the association between birth weight and the risk for adult hypertension.
Sensitive optical bio-sensing of p-type WSe2 hybridized with fluorescent dye attached DNA by doping and de-doping effects

Layered transition metal dichalcogenides, such as MoS2, WSe2 and WS2, are exciting two-dimensional (2D) materials because they possess tunable optical and electrical properties that depend on the number of layers. In this study, the nanoscale photoluminescence (PL) characteristics of the p-type WSe2 monolayer, and WSe2 layers hybridized with the fluorescent dye Cy3 attached to probe-DNA (Cy3/p-DNA), have been investigated as a function of the concentration of Cy3/DNA by using high-resolution laser confocal microscopy. With increasing concentration of Cy3/p-DNA, the measured PL intensity decreases and its peak is red-shifted, suggesting that the WSe2 layer has been p-type doped with Cy3/p-DNA. Then, the PL intensity of the WSe2/Cy3/p-DNA hybrid system increases and the peak is blue-shifted through hybridization with relatively small amounts of target-DNA (t-DNA) (50–100 nM). This effect originates from charge and energy transfer from the Cy3/DNA to the WSe2. For t-DNA detection, our systems using p-type WSe2 have the merit in terms of the increase of PL intensity. The p-type WSe2 monolayers can be a promising nanoscale 2D material for sensitive optical bio-sensing based on the doping and de-doping responses to biomaterials.
Retrospective review of emergency response activations during a 13-year period at a tertiary care children's hospital.

OBJECTIVES Pediatric in-hospital arrests are uncommon but are associated with poor outcomes. In preparation for implenting a Rapid Response Team (RRT) at The Children's Hospital, we reviewed our data collection of 13 years of emergency response team (ERT) activations. We describe demographic and clinical variables, including outcomes of ERT activations at a free-standing tertiary care children's hospital. METHODS Analysis was performed on data collected from January 1993 through July 2007. Variables collected included age, sex, admission diagnosis, core event, admission diagnosis and secondary diagnosis, medical division or winter/nonwinter months, day/night shifts, survival of core event, survival to discharge, and primary attending service. RESULTS There were 1537 ERT activations in the database, 203 were eliminated due to missing data or were adult visitors/employees. The remaining 1334 were included for analysis. Our results showed 39%(511) of all ERT activations occurred in patients under 1 year of age. The most common admission diagnosis category was cardiac disease. There was no statistical significance between summer and winter months although more activations occurred during daytime hours (P < .001). Survival rate of an ERT was 90%, with a 78% survival rate to discharge. CONCLUSION Our data support the general belief that younger children with chronic disease are at highest risk for ERT activations. These risk factors should be taken into consideration when planning patient placement, medical staffing, and the threshold for ICU consultations or admissions. More extensive multisite studies using clinical data are necessary to further identify hospitalized children at risk for sudden decompensation.
Automatic deformable registration of histological slides to μCT volume data

Localizing a histological section in the three‐dimensional dataset of a different imaging modality is a challenging 2D‐3D registration problem. In the literature, several approaches have been proposed to solve this problem; however, they cannot be considered as fully automatic. Recently, we developed an automatic algorithm that could successfully find the position of a histological section in a micro computed tomography (μCT) volume. For the majority of the datasets, the result of localization corresponded to the manual results. However, for some datasets, the matching μCT slice was off the ground‐truth position. Furthermore, elastic distortions, due to histological preparation, could not be accounted for in this framework.
Ultrahigh performance heat spreader based on gas-liquid exfoliation boron nitride nanosheets

Due to their high thermal conductivity and insulation performance, boron nitride nanosheets (BNNS) have great promise to fabricate thermal management equipment for application in power electronics. The liquid-phase exfoliation route has been regarded as the most commonly used approach to produce single and few-layered BNNS for many research fields. However, this process takes a long time, and the production yield is extremely low. In this work, an efficient technique to obtain few-layered (mostly < 5 layers), high-yield (∼33%), and plane-defect-free BNNS by the combination of liquid N2 (L-N2) gasification and liquid exfoliation was developed. The as-obtained BNNS suspensions could be vacuum filtered to make a thermal conductive film named a BNNS heat spreader which possessed a superior thermal conductivity of 61.2 W m−1 K−1 at room temperature. In addition, we also proved that the thermal conductivity of the BNNS heat spreader increased with the increase of density, creating an approach for fine tuning the thermal property of this heat spreader.
Optical properties and bridge photodetector integration of lead sulfide nanowires

We studied optical properties and photocurrent characteristics of PbS nanowires grown by chemical vapor deposition. Distinct bandedge photoluminescence (PL) emission was observed in the mid-infrared spectral range and the quantum confinement effect estimated from the PL peak energy was within 40 meV, consistent with the average diameter of the nanowire (∼70 nm) being significantly larger than the exciton Bohr radius (∼18 nm). We also demonstrated interdigit photo detectors making use of these PbS nanowires suspended between two pre-patterned Ti electrodes, where Ti also acted as metal catalyst for the nanowire growth. The threshold wavelength of the photocurrent was found to be ∼3 μm at room temperature.
Inpatient insulin orders: are patients getting what is prescribed?

BACKGROUND In-hospital insulin administration is associated with many medication errors, but the frequency and reasons for insulin administration errors are poorly described. To document types and frequency of errors related to insulin administration, an examination of 4 units was conducted. METHODS Using snapshot methodology, 4 non-intensive care unit (ICU) areas (medicine, cardiology, transplant, and surgery) were examined in an observational, prospective manner for 4 weeks. Each patient on insulin on the first day was followed for 7 days. Definitions and error categories were defined prior to data collection. Error types and numbers were collected and quantified on per-day or per-patient basis. RESULTS A total of 116 patient audit periods covering a total of 378 inpatient hospital days were examined. Inpatient insulin regimens on day 1 included correctional insulin only (51.7% of cases), neutral protamine Hagedorn ([NPH] 12%), and glargine (28.4%). A total of 199 administration errors occurred at a rate of 1.72 errors/patient-period and 0.53 errors/patient day. Missing documentation of doses (15.5% of all patients) and insulin being held without an order (25% of patients) were the most frequently occurring events. Other errors include transcription (7.5%), timing errors (22.7%), and lack of documentation of physician notification of hypoglycemia (12.6%). CONCLUSIONS Errors associated with insulin in the hospital are common and reveal a number of system errors that should be addressed. These data provide a foundation for future performance improvement.
Relation between Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity Pattern Identification Questionnaire in Middle-aged Health Check-up Examinees

Jeong-Eun Yoo, Young-Hye Cho, Hyun-Gyung Gu, Bo-Young Kim, Young-Ju Yun National Clinical Research Center for Korean Medicine, Pusan National University Korean Medical Hospital, Dep. of Family Medicine, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, School of Korean Medicine, Pusan National University, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Dep. of Integrative Medicine, School of Korean Medicine, Pusan National University