Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The impact of value-based benefit design on adherence to diabetes medications: a propensity score-weighted difference in difference evaluation.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the impact of value-based benefit design (VBBD) on adherence to diabetes medications. METHODS Health Alliance Medical Plans piloted VBBD for diabetes medications for a subgroup of 5400 enrollees in January 2007 while keeping drug benefits unchanged for the remaining plan enrollees. A difference in difference method (DID) was used to evaluate the effect of VBBD based on pharmacy claim data. Patients with unchanged benefits in the same plan were used as the control group. Adherence was measured by the proportion of days covered. Propensity score weighting was used to balance characteristics of the case group and the control group. RESULTS There were 71 patients in the case group and 5037 patients in the control group. The patients in the two groups had comparable characteristics after propensity score weighting. After the implementation of VBBD, the average copayment per 30 days of supply for diabetes medications decreased from $15.3 to $10.1 for the case group and increased from $14.6 to $15.1 for the control group. The probability of being adherent increased from 75.3% to 82.6% for the case group and was roughly unchanged from 79.1% to 78.5% for the control group. Propensity score-weighted DID analysis showed that patients with copayment reduction had greater odds of being adherent: odds ratio=1.56, P=0.03, 95% confidence interval 1.04-2.34. CONCLUSION A VBBD program that reduced the copayment for diabetes medications by 36.1% reduced the number of nonadherent patients by 30.0%.
Cranial morphological variation in Peromyscus maniculatus over nearly a century of environmental change in three areas of California

Determining how species respond to prolonged environmental change is critical to understanding both their evolutionary biology and their conservation needs. In general, organisms can respond to changing environmental conditions by moving, by adapting in situ, or by going locally or globally extinct. Morphological changes, whether plastic or adaptive, are one way that species may respond in situ to local environmental change. Because cranial morphology is influenced by selective pressures arising from an organism's abiotic and biotic environments, including aspects of thermal physiology, diet, and sensory ecology, studies of cranial morphology may generate important insights into how species are responding to environmental change. To assess potential response of deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) to changing conditions in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California, we quantified cranial variation in museum specimens of this species collected approximately 100 years apart. Specifically, we examined how cranial morphology varies in three populations of this geographically widespread, ecological generalist over elevation and time. Our analyses indicate that cranial morphology does not differ with elevation within either modern or historical samples but does vary between time periods, suggesting that in situ responses to environmental change have occurred. Contrary to predictions based on Bergmann's rule, we found no consistent relationship between body size and either elevation or time, suggesting that morphological differences detected between historic and modern specimens are specific to factors influencing cranial structure. Collectively, these analyses demonstrate the potential importance of in situ changes in morphology as a response to changing environmental conditions. J. Morphol. 277:96–106, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
FPGA based energy detection spectrum sensing for cognitive radios under noise uncertainty

To improve the efficiency of bandwidth usage, the cognitive radios concept has emerged. Spectrum sensing is a pivotal function in cognitive radio systems so that the secondary users can be able to access the free spectrum holes without interfering with primary users. Energy detection is the most common and easiest spectrum sensing technique for cognitive radios. In this paper, the conventional energy detection receiver operating characteristic curve and performance metrics are simulated under additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) environment by using Monte Carlo simulation. Also, the performance of energy detection is analyzed under different types of M-ary modulation. The analysis of performance will carry the assumption of noise uncertainty. This performance gain is compared with conventional energy detection without any noise effect. In addition, the relation between a number of samples and signal to noise ratio wall (SNR wall) is provided and simulated. The simulation tool used in the analysis is MATLAB software. Finally, the implementation of energy detection technique in the time domain and frequency domain is designed on Xilinx Spartan-3E (XC3S500E-FG320) Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) kit by using Verilog language and Xilinx ISE Simulator version 14.1.
The impact of XBRL on forecast accuracy across nations

An important managerial question and regulatory concern in the international arena is whether value realisation from XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language), the new global data standard for business financial reporting, depends on national culture. In a study representing six nationalities, we explore the role of national culture in moderating the impact of mandatory adoption of XBRL on analyst forecast accuracy. Results show that national culture influences the impact of XBRL adoption on forecast accuracy. In addition, XBRL is found to positively associate with forecast accuracy. Our findings have immediate benefits for regulators, filers, information consumers, the accounting profession and other stakeholders.
A pilot survey of farm animal welfare in Serbia, a country preparing for EU accession

Abstract The selection and field application of animal‐based welfare measures for pigs, sheep, dairy cows and broilers was the first step towards the future development of welfare improvement schemes for Serbia – a country that is applying for EU accession. The aim of this pilot study was to: (1) test the feasibility of a protocol for monitoring farm animal welfare in Serbia, (2) ascertain preliminary data on animal‐based outcomes of farm welfare and (3) gain insight into Serbian farmers’ understanding of animal welfare as part of a wider project working towards inclusion of animal‐based assessments in a ‘higher welfare’ voluntary assurance scheme. This study encompasses the first national survey of farm animal welfare in which animal‐based outcomes were tested on 105 farms by a total of ten trained assessors. Data on the views and aspirations of the farmers from these 105 farms were also systematically gathered during face‐to‐face interviews. Existing animal‐based measures for pigs, sheep, dairy cows and broilers that have been successfully applied and identified as valid, reliable and feasible measures in other countries, were found to be largely transferable. However, some on‐farm protocols, previously used in other countries, had to be shortened for logistical reasons when used in Serbia. Our findings suggest that further refinement may be needed in order to allow local application of all measures. While the term ‘animal welfare’ has only recently been introduced into the Serbian language, seventy‐three percent of farmers had heard of it. Overall, few positive associations were found between farmer satisfaction with animals’ living conditions and animal‐based data. Many farmers had aspirations to develop and expand their farms, which may potentially enhance animal welfare, but these farmers identified that financial and technical advice and support would be needed in order to achieve these goals.
Probiotic Bacteria : Implications for Human Health Considerations for Use of Probiotic Bacteria to Modulate Human Health 1

Oral consumption of probiotic bacteria has the potential to support the health of American consumers. This paper will discuss the rationale of the probiotic theory, several health targets for probiotic bacteria, probiotic products in the U.S. and, finally, issues pertaining to communication about probiotic products to the consumer. J. Nutr. 130: 384S–390S, 2000.
A Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris protein similar to catabolite activation factor is involved in regulation of phytopathogenicity

A DNA fragment from Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris that partially restored the carbohydrate fermentation pattern of a cya crp Escherichia coli strain was cloned and expressed in E. coli. The nucleotide sequence of this fragment revealed the presence of a 700-base-pair open reading frame that coded for a protein highly similar to the catabolite activation factor (CAP) of E. coli (accordingly named CLP for CAP-like protein). An X. campestris pv. campestris clp mutant was constructed by reverse genetics. This strain was not affected in the utilization of various carbon sources but had strongly reduced pathogenicity. Production of xanthan gum, pigment, and extracellular enzymes was either increased or decreased, suggesting that CLP plays a role in the regulation of phytopathogenicity.
Associations of pretransplant diabetes mellitus, new-onset diabetes after transplant, and acute rejection with transplant outcomes: an analysis of the Organ Procurement and Transplant Network/United Network for Organ Sharing (OPTN/UNOS) database.

BACKGROUND Diabetes and acute rejection are major contributors to morbidity and mortality in kidney transplant recipients. Immunosuppressive medications decrease acute rejection, but increase the frequency of new-onset diabetes after transplant. Our objective was to investigate the joint associations of diabetes (pretransplant diabetes and new-onset diabetes after transplant) and acute rejection with transplant outcomes in a recent transplant cohort. STUDY DESIGN Historical cohort study. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS 37,448 recipients (age ≥ 18 years; 2004-2007) surviving with a functioning transplant for longer than 1 year were identified in the Organ Procurement and Transplant Network/United Network for Organ Sharing (OPTN/UNOS) database as of May 22, 2009. PREDICTORS Recipients were stratified into 6 mutually exclusive groups according to status of diabetes and acute rejection at 1 year: group 1, neither (reference; n = 20,964); group 2, new-onset diabetes alone (n = 2,140); group 3, pretransplant diabetes alone (n = 10,730); group 4, acute rejection alone (n = 2,282); group 5, new-onset diabetes and acute rejection (n = 361); and group 6, pretransplant diabetes and acute rejection (n = 1,061). Analyses were adjusted for other recipient, donor, and transplant characteristics. OUTCOMES MEASUREMENTS: Multivariate Cox regression analysis of time to transplant failure (overall and death censored) and mortality (all-cause and cardiovascular). RESULTS Median follow-up after 1 year was 548 days (25th-75th percentiles, 334-752 days). During this time, there were 3,047 outcomes of overall transplant failure. New-onset diabetes alone (group 2) was not associated significantly with any study outcomes. Groups 3-6 were associated with higher overall transplant failure risk. However, only groups 4-6 were associated with higher death-censored transplant failure risk. Group 3, 4, and 6 were associated with higher all-cause mortality risk, whereas only groups 3 and 6 were associated with higher cardiovascular mortality risk. LIMITATIONS Potential information bias with exposure, covariable, or outcome misclassification; relatively short follow-up. CONCLUSIONS Pretransplant diabetes is the major predictor of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, and acute rejection during the first year is the major predictor of death-censored transplant failure in kidney recipients surviving with a functioning transplant for at least 1 year. The influence of new-onset diabetes on long-term outcomes needs further observation.
Structure and function of gustatory neurons in the nucleus of the solitary tract: II. Relationships between neuronal morphology and physiology

This study employed intracellular recording and labeling techniques to examine potential relationships between the physiology and morphology of brainstem gustatory neurons. When we considered the neuronal response to the four “prototypic” tastants, we were able to demonstrate a positive correlation between breadth of responsiveness and the number of dendritic branch points. An analysis of the response to eight tastants also revealed an association between dendritic spine density and the breadth of responsiveness, with more narrowly tuned neurons exhibiting more spines. Interestingly, a neuron's “best response” was a relatively poor predictor of neuronal morphology. When we focused on those neurons that responded to only one tastant, however, a number of potentially important relationships became apparent. We found that the cells that only responded to quinine were smaller than the neurons that only responded to NaCl, HCl, or sucrose. The HCl‐only neurons, however, were more widespread in the rostrocaudal dimension than the neurons that only responded to NaCl. A number of additional structure‐function relationships were identified when we examined the neuronal response to selected tastants. We found that neurons that responded to sucrose but not quinine, as well as neurons that responded to quinine but not sucrose, were more widespread in the mediolateral dimension than neurons that responded to both sucrose and quinine. We also discovered that the neurons that responded to NaCl, but not to NH4Cl or KCl, were larger than neurons that responded to all three salts. We believe that these results support the hypothesis that there are relationships between the structure and function of gustatory neurons in the nucleus of the solitary tract, with the data highlighting the importance of three themes: 1) the relationship between dendritic specializations and tuning, 2) the relationship between dendritic arbor orientation and response properties, and 3) the potential importance of stimulus‐specific neurons. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Consultation of traditional bone setters instead of doctors: Is it a sociocultural and educational or social insurance problem?

Background Patients consulting bone setters is common in the eastern and south-eastern regions of Turkey. The reasons for consulting bone setters instead of qualified doctors remains unclear. We investigated the characteristics of such patients who consult traditional bone setters after trauma prior to admission to hospital. Methods In the study, 3,422 of 14,080 patients were investigated admitted to hospital between January 2012 and February 2013 with trauma or sequelae of such who were previously treated by bone setters. The characteristics of these patients and the main reasons for consultation of bone setters instead of doctors were recorded. Results Most of the patients consulting bone setters were found to be young adults or children. Generally speaking, the poorly educated prefer bone setters despite having social insurance. The most common reason (29.3%) was a general preference and secondarily (27.1%) the fear of being disabled after medical treatment. However, the most common cause of patients’ consultation at hospital subsequently was due to complications of treatment (46.8%); indeed the complication rate after bone setters’ intervention was found to be 54.8%. Conclusion Although improvements have occurred in the access to and utilisation of healthcare services, consultation by patients of bone setters seems to be a sociocultural and educational issue rather than a problem of lack of medical insurance.
Potential for oxytetracycline administration by three routes to cause milk residues in lactating cows, as detected by radioimmunoassay (Charm II) and high-performance liquid chromatography test methods.

Milk antimicrobial residues are a serious concern for the dairy industry. Residues of the tetracycline family of antimicrobials have been reported in market milk by investigators, using radioimmunoassay and microbial receptor technology (hereafter referred to as the Charm II test). In response to these reports, an investigation was conducted to determine the potential of 3 extra-label routes of oxytetracycline (OTC) administration to cause milk residues above the Food and Drug Administration safe value of 30 parts per billion (ppb). Lactating Holstein cows were administered OTC once by use of 1 of 3 routes: IV at 16.5 mg/kg of body weight (n = 6); IM at 11 mg/kg (n = 6); and intrauterine (IU) at 2 g in 500 ml of saline solution/cow (n = 6). Duplicate milk samples were collected at the milking prior to drug administration and for the next 13 milkings at 12-hour intervals. Concentrations of OTC in milk samples were analyzed by use of the Charm II tes for tetracyclines (limit of OTC detection, approx 5 ppb) and were compared with concentrations determined by use of a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method (lower limit of OTC quantitation, approx 2 ppb). The potential for milk OTC residues above the Food and Drug Administration safe value of 30 ppb after treatment was considerably greater for the IV and IM routes, compared with the IU route. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Five cases of caudal regression with an aberrant abdominal umbilical artery: Further support for a caudal regression–sirenomelia spectrum

Sirenomelia and caudal regression have sparked centuries of interest and recent debate regarding their classification and pathogenetic relationship. Specific anomalies are common to both conditions, but aside from fusion of the lower extremities, an aberrant abdominal umbilical artery (“persistent vitelline artery”) has been invoked as the chief anatomic finding that distinguishes sirenomelia from caudal regression. This observation is important from a pathogenetic viewpoint, in that diversion of blood away from the caudal portion of the embryo through the abdominal umbilical artery (“vascular steal”) has been proposed as the primary mechanism leading to sirenomelia. In contrast, caudal regression is hypothesized to arise from primary deficiency of caudal mesoderm. We present five cases of caudal regression that exhibit an aberrant abdominal umbilical artery similar to that typically associated with sirenomelia. Review of the literature identified four similar cases. Collectively, the series lends support for a caudal regression–sirenomelia spectrum with a common pathogenetic basis and suggests that abnormal umbilical arterial anatomy may be the consequence, rather than the cause, of deficient caudal mesoderm. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Deciphering Poxvirus Gene Expression by RNA Sequencing and Ribosome 1 Profiling 2 3

22 The more than 200 closely spaced annotated open reading frames, extensive transcriptional read23 through and numerous unpredicted RNA start sites have made the analysis of vaccinia virus gene 24 expression challenging. Genome-wide ribosome profiling provided an unprecedented assessment 25 of poxvirus gene expression. By 4 h after infection, approximately 80% of the ribosome26 associated mRNA was viral. Ribosome-associated mRNAs were detected for most annotated 27 early genes at 2 h and most intermediate and late genes at 4 and 8 h. Cluster analysis identified a 28 subset of early mRNAs that continued to be translated at the later times. At 2 h, there was 29 excellent correlation between abundance of individual mRNAs and numbers of associated 30 ribosomes, indicating that expression was primarily transcriptionally regulated. However, 31 extensive transcriptional read through invalidated similar correlations at later times. The mRNAs 32 with the highest density of ribosomes had host response, DNA replication and transcription roles 33 at early times and were virion components at late times. Translation inhibitors were used to map 34 initiation sites at single nucleotide resolution at the start of most annotated open reading frames, 35 although in some cases a downstream methionine was used instead. Additional putative 36 translational initiation sites with AUG or alternative codons occurred mostly within open reading 37 frames and fewer in untranslated leader sequences, antisense strands and intergenic regions. 38 However, most open reading frames associated with these additional translation initiation sites 39 were short, raising questions regarding their biological roles. The data were used to construct a 40 high-resolution genome-wide map of the vaccinia virus translatome. 41 42 on July 3, 2017 by gest http/jvi.asm . rg/ D ow nladed fom
On the mediating effects of pregnancy and birth stress events on the relation between lateral preferences and cognitive functioning in healthy school-aged children

If the pathological left-handedness theory is valid, left-handed people who also experienced pregnancy and birth stress events (PBSEs) would especially be expected to deviate from the cognitive norm (rather than left-handers in general). This hypothesis was tested in a large sample of healthy children (aged 6.6–15.9 years). Multiple cognitive abilities were assessed, including verbal fluency and working memory. Children with a left lateral preference who also experienced a PBSE did not deviate from the cognitive norm. Age was positively associated with all cognitive measures, and mean level of parental education strongly affected verbal fluency functioning.
Gender Bias in Wikipedia and Britannica

Is there a bias in the against women’s representation in Wikipedia biographies? Thousands of biographical subjects, from six sources, are compared against the English-language Wikipedia and the online Encyclopaedia Britannica with respect to coverage, gender representation, and article length. We conclude that Wikipedia provides better coverage and longer articles, that Wikipedia typically has more articles on women than Britannica in absolute terms, but Wikipedia articles on women are more likely to be missing than articles on men relative to Britannica. For both reference works, article length did not consistently differ by gender.
Fiber composition of the rat sciatic nerve

The rat sciatic nerve originates from the spinal segments L4–L6. It is unifascicular at the trochanter; 5–7 mm distally, the nerve splits into two and then into four fascicles. The tibial portion gives rise to the tibial and the sural nerves, and the peroneal portion gives rise to the peroneal nerve and a cutaneous branch that perforates the lateral hamstring muscles to innervate the proximolateral face of the calf.
Crocetin administration ameliorates endotoxin-induced disseminated intravascular coagulation in rabbits

Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), a life-threatening secondary complication in several diseases, is characterized by large amounts of thrombin that lead to fibrin deposition and microthrombus formation throughout the microcirculation. Recent in-vitro studies suggest that crocin, crocetin or safranal, carotenoid constituents of the spice Crocus sativus L. (saffron), have antithrombotic properties, especially anti-Xa activity. The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of crocetin on thrombosis procedure using a rabbit model of bacterial endotoxin-induced DIC. Crocetin administration (3 mg/kg), 30 min before the beginning of endotoxin infusion, improved DIC-related haemostatic indices such as platelet blood counts (P ⩽ 0.05), blood plasma fibrinogen and protein C concentration (P ⩽ 0.05). In addition, it ameliorated DIC-associated disease and fibrin deposition in the glomeruli (P ⩽ 0.05). These results indicate that crocetin reveals a preventive antithrombotic role in vivo and prescribe further investigation on the possibility of developing crocetin-based DIC treatment modalities.